Stars We've Lost in 2019

The revered conceptual artist and designer died on Dec. 30 at his home in Pasadena, California, after a years-long battle with lymphoma. He was 86. Mead's unique and revolutionary vision of the future gave birth to the groundbreaking aesthetic seen in several genre-defining films, including Tron, Aliens, Elysium and, perhaps most notably, Blade Runner -- as well as the recent sequel, Blade Runner 2049. Mead is survived by his spouse and business partner, Roger Servick.

The acclaimed band leader and jazz trumpeter -- who also gained fame for his comic timing and acting as the sidekick and musical director on The Merv Griffin Show for two decades -- died on Dec. 27. He was 88. Sheldon's friend and longtime manager, Dianne Jimenez, confirmed the news of his death to The Hollywood Reporter on Dec. 31. Sheldon was an acclaimed, accomplished and beloved jazz musician who performed on the albums of some of music's biggest luminaries including Frank Sinatra, Lena Horne and Mel Torme, to name just a few. He is also famously the deep-voiced and often-imitated performer of the iconic Schoolhouse Rock tunes "I'm Just a Bill" and "Conjunction Junction." 

The longtime radio personality, who served as the host of Imus in the Morning for over 50 years, died due to complications from lung disease at the Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in College Station, Texas, on Dec. 27. He was 79. A representative for the Imus family told CBS News that the talk show host was hospitalized on Christmas Eve. Imus, one of radio's first so-called "shock jocks," retired last year. He is survived by his wife, Deirdre Coleman, as well as his six children.

The activist and trailblazing amputee fashion model has died. She was 30. The tragic news was announced in a family statement posted to her Instagram on Dec. 20. "It is with deep regret and immense sadness that we announce the passing of Cacsmy Brutus (Mama Cax). Mama Cax spent the past week in the hospital, and unfortunately, on Monday December 16, she left this world," the statement read. "To say that Cax was a fighter would be an understatement, As a cancer survivor, she had grown accustomed to taking on life's several challenges head on and successfully. It is with the same grit (fervor) that she fought her last days on earth. We are aware that this lost will be felt globally and will not be easy for anyone," the statement continued. "We ask that you please respect Cax's privacy in this difficult time." Over the past few years, Cax had been advocating to make the fashion industry more inclusive for differently-abled women and women of color.

The man who served as the inspiration behind the emotional sports drama Radio died on Dec. 15. He was 73. Kennedy, who was known by the affectionate nickname "Radio," was a fixture at T. L. Hanna High School football games since the 1960s, and became a beloved figure in the small town of Anderson, South Carolina. Kennedy's incredible story was first chronicled in the 1996 Sports Illustrated article "Someone to Lean On," and was later adapted for the big screen in the 2003 film Radio, in which he was portrayed by Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr.  "Radio was the heart and soul of T.L. Hanna for over 50 years, and the impact he made in our community can't be overstated," Kyle Newton, spokesman for Anderson School District, said in a statement to Independent Mail. "He will be missed, but his legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched."

The Mexican-American actor, best known as Chelsea Handler's sidekick on Chelsea Lately, died suddenly in Mexico City on Dec. 14. He was 63. ET has also learned that Bravo's family had a service for him on Sunday in Mexico and he was cremated. Bravo's death comes just over a week after Handler paid tribute to him in a touching post in honor of his birthday on Dec. 7. Bravo was born Jesus Melgoza in Tangancicuaro, Michoacán, Mexico, in 1956. He was the youngest of seven children, and immigrated to the United States at age 15, moving to the San Fernando Valley. He began acting in the early 1990s, and had credits in films like The Honeymooners in 2005 and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End in 2007. It was his appearance as Handler's sidekick on Chelsea Lately, however, that made him a star. He appeared on the E! late night talk show from 2007 to 2014.

A comedian who performed standup for Comedy Central has died. He was 32. The network confirmed the tragic news in a statement released via Twitter on Dec. 11. His cause of death has yet to be released. "We're devastated by the loss of Chris Cotton -- a hilarious comedian, a beloved member of the Comedy Central family and a joy to be around," the statement read. "He will be missed." Cotton, a native of South Philadelphia, had been married to his high school sweetheart, EricaLynn, since 2011. The couple was expecting their first child together in February, according to local outlet Billy Penn.

The child actor and ballet dancer, who drew comparisons to Billy Elliot, has died. He was 14. According to Metro UK, Burns was found dead at the home he shared with his parents in Greenock, Inverclyde in Scotland on Dec. 1. The outlet also reported that police were not treating his death as suspicious. Burns appeared in projects like Retribution and In Plain Sight and was also a student at the Elite Academy of Dance, a classical ballet school in Greenock. "It is with a very heavy heart that we write this post. Tragically, as you know, we lost our much-loved student Jack Burns on Sunday 1st of December," the academy shared in a statement posted to their Facebook page. "Jack was an inspiration to everyone at Elite and touched the hearts of everyone who had the pleasure of working and dancing with him since 2012." Burns is survived by his parents, Karen and Robert, and a brother, Rory.

The former child actor died in Texas on Dec. 10 following a long illness, McKeon's family spokesman, Jeff Ballard, confirmed to ET. Best known for his role as Tommy Hiatt on the '80s sitcom, Alice, McKeon later worked in the news department at KFWB News 98 in Los Angeles for 10 years before spending the last several years hosting his own radio show in Wimberley, Texas, where he had moved to care for and be closer to his family. "We are all beyond heartbroken and devastated over Phil’s passing," Ballard said in a statement. "His wonderful sense of humor, kindness and loyalty will be remembered by all who crossed his path in life." McKeon is survived by his mother, Barbara, and his sister, actress and former DWTS contestant Nancy McKeon.

The female half of the Swedish pop duo Roxette has died, her management agency announced. She was 61. Fredriksson formed Roxette with Per Gessle in 1986. The pair released their first album the same year and went on to achieve international success in the late 1980s and 1990s with hits like "The Look" and "It Must Have Been Love," selling 80 million records worldwide and embarking on world tours over the course of their career. The Dimberg Jernberg agency noted that Fredriksson died on Dec. 9 "of the consequences of a long illness," saying that it "is with great sorrow that we must inform you that one of greatest and most-loved artists is gone." On his Facebook profile, Gessle wrote, "You were an outstanding musician, a master of the voice, an amazing performer." Fredriksson was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2002. She underwent aggressive treatment that took its toll but ultimately was successful, her management agency said. However, she was left blind in one eye, with limited hearing and mobility, and was unable to read or write. She was also unable to speak for a considerable period of time after her treatment. Over the years, she was able to make a gradual return to the world stage.

The veteran television star and acclaimed voice actor has died after a battle with metastatic lung cancer, his family confirmed to the Associated Press on Dec. 8. He was 79. Auberjonois, best known for his roles on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Boston Legal, began his acting career on the stage and performed in numerous Broadway productions. He earned a Tony Award in 1970 for his role in the musical Coco before nabbing three additional nominations. The actor also made a name for himself on TV, enjoying a prolific career on the small screen, with his first big role coming in 1980 when he played Clayton Endicott III on the sitcom Benson for 173 episodes. He was also an accomplished voice actor, lending his vocal talents to numerous animated films and TV shows, including as Chef Louis in Disney's The Little Mermaid, as well as video games and several audiobooks. Auberjonois is survived by his wife of 56 years, Judith, their daughter Tessa and son Rèmy-Luc, and three grandchildren.

The beloved puppeteer behind Sesame Street's Big Bird died at his home in Connecticut on Dec. 8, after living with dystonia for some time. He was 85. He was with Sesame Street from its very start in 1969 until his retirement in October 2018 and earned five Daytime Emmy Awards for his contributions to the iconic children's program. He also received a lifetime achievement award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in 2006.

The rising rapper died on Dec. 8. He was 21. The rapper, whose real name was Jarad Anthony Higgins, died after suffering a seizure at Chicago's Midway airport, TMZ reported. According to the outlet, Juice Wrld was then rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He rose to fame with his 2018 album, Goodbye and Good Riddance; the lead single, "Lucid Dreams," peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Another of his songs, "All Girls Are the Same," became a hit after Lil Yachty was featured on the remix; the attention from that track reportedly earned Juice Wrld a multi-million dollar contract with Interscope records. The rapper was also featured on Travis Scott's song, "No Bystanders."

The actor known for Angels in America: Millennium Approaches and playing Jennifer Aniston's on-screen father on Friends has died. He was 82. The actor's rep confirmed to ET that Leibman died on Dec. 6. No additional details were provided at this time. "We at Abrams Artists Agency are saddened to hear the news of Ron’s passing. Ron was an incredibly talented actor with a distinguished career in film, TV and theatre. Our thoughts go out to his wife, Jessica, and his family," Robert Attermann, CEO of Abrams Artists Agency, told ET in a statement. With over 50 credits to his name, Leibman had many roles on Broadway before beginning his film career in 1970 with Where's Poppa? His big break came in 1979 with Norma Rae opposite Sally Field. His accolades include a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play for his performance as Roy Cohn in Angels in America in 1993. Leibman also won a Primetime Emmy Award for his role as Martin 'Kaz' Kazinsky in the short-lived crime drama series Kaz. Leibman was also nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for the role of Morris Huffner in Christmas Eve. Additional credits include voicing Ron Cadillac on Archer and playing Dr. Leonard Green, Rachel's rich, short-tempered father, on Friends. The actor is survived by his wife, Jessica Walter, and stepdaughter, Brooke Bowman.

The actor, the son of late Hollywood stars Robert Walker and Jennifer Jones, has died. He was 79. StarTrek.com reported the news, citing his family. Star Trek's official Twitter account also tweeted about his death, writing, "We are saddened to report the passing of Robert Walker Jr., the actor who played the titular role in Star Trek: The Original Series episode 'Charlie X.' #StarTrek #StarTrekFamily." According to The Hollywood Reporter, Walker died in Malibu, California, on Dec. 5. The cause of death is unknown. Walker is most known for his role in the Star Trek series, appearing in the second episode as Charlie X, the sole survivor of a shuttle crash. It is later discovered in the 1966 episode after he is rescued that he has special powers. Aside from his role in the classic Star Trek episode, Walker's other memorable roles included parts in popular television shows such as Bonanza, Charlie’s Angels, Colombo, and Murder, She Wrote. His film roles include the 1969 films Easy Rider and Young Billy Young. He is survived by his wife, Dawn, and his seven children --  Michelle, David, Charlie, Jordan, Colette, Henry and Emily -- as well as five grandchildren.

The former Miss Pakistan World died after a tragic car accident. She was 32. On Dec. 1, Naveed was driving her 2018 Mercedes CL2 in Prince George's County when she struck a curb and overturned her car into oncoming traffic, according to a Maryland state police report. She was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene, per the report. No other vehicles were involved in the crash. Per a preliminary investigation, alcohol was not a factor in the crash and the accident remains under investigation. Naveed won the Miss Pakistan World title in 2012 and competed in the 2012 Miss Earth pageant.

The veteran stage and screen star died on Dec. 1. Morrison's rep, Lori DeWaal, confirmed to ET that the actress died from heart failure after a brief illness at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. She was 83. Morrison was best known for playing Rosario Salazar, a maid from El Salvador, on the original run of Will & Grace. She was a regular recurring character on the show from 1999 to 2006. One of her first major roles came in 1967 when she was cast as the Puerto Rican nun, Sister Sixto, on the Sally Fields sitcom The Flying Nun, and she stayed a part of the cast until the show's cancellation in 1970. During her long career, which spanned over 50 years, Morrison appeared in dozens of TV shows and films and lent her voice to various animated projects, including the children's series Handy Manny. She is survived by her husband of over 40 years, Walter Dominguez.

The veteran TV actor died at his home in Los Angeles on Nov. 5, ET confirmed. He was 88. Wintersole died of complications from cancer but died peacefully, according to his daughter. Wintersole was best known for his role as Mitchell Sherman on The Young and the Restless, which he starred on for over 20 years. The actor also played Ted Ballantine on General Hospital in the 1980s and appeared on I Dream of Jeannie, Kojak, Little House on the Prairie, Quincy, Bonanza, Star Trek and The Fugitive. The Ohio native was born on July 30, 1931, and began his acting career in the 1960s. He is survived by his life partner, Marlene Silverstein, and daughters, Tiffany Harmon and Katherine Ramsey. He had three granddaughters, Kristy, Amy and Jill, as well as one great-granddaughter, Abby. 

The rising Broadway star died in New York City on Nov. 5 according to an obituary posted to Dignity Memorial. She was 13. According to Page Six, Griggs' family told The Post that she died after suffering a “massive asthma attack." Griggs made her Broadway debut at age 6 alongside Scarlett Johansson in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. She then had a long run in Once, playing Ivanka, and she also appeared on Saturday Night Live. 

The veteran actor known most recently for portraying Jackie in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and for roles in movies like Summer of Sam, Jacob's Ladder, The Jerky Boys and Uncle Buck has died on Nov. 2. He was 60. A representative for the NYPD told ET that Tarantina was found dead in the early morning hours in his Manhattan apartment from what appeared to be a fatal drug overdose. When officers and paramedics arrived, they found a white powdery substance near his body, and he was pronounced dead on the scene, according to the NYPD rep. An official cause of death has yet to be determined. According to TMZ, who was first to report the news, the actor's niece went to check in on Tarantina at his Hell's Kitchen neighborhood residence around 12:30 a.m. and discovered Tarantina was unresponsive on the couch. Tarantina played a number of supporting characters in films over the last 40 years, including appearing on TV shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Sopranos, ER, NYPD Blue, Miami Vice and Gilmore Girls.

The celebrated comic actor, best known for his iconic role as Willie Jones in the Friday series, died at his home in Sherman Oaks, California on Oct. 29. He was 77. His family confirmed the news in a post on the actor's Twitter account, writing, "It is with deep sadness we have to tweet this, but our husband & father John Witherspoon has passed away. He was a Legend in the entertainment industry, and a father figure to all who watched him over the years. We love you 'POPS' always & forever." Witherspoon began his stand-up comedy career in the 1970s, where he made friends with some of the biggest comics working in the industry at the time. His comedic talents opened the door to a storied screen career. His biggest TV role came when he played the father to Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans on the WB sitcom The Wayans Bros. He also famously starred in Friday and its sequels, Next Friday and Friday After Next, which cemented his reputation as a beloved comic presence. Witherspoon is survived by his wife, Angela, and his sons, J.D. and Alexander.

The iconic film producer and studio executive died on Oct. 26 in Beverly Hills. He was 89. Evans was best known for championing, producing and shepherding some of the most iconic films of the late 1960s and '70s including Rosemary's Baby, Chinatown, and The Godfather. Evans began his Hollywood career as an actor before deciding to move behind the camera and become a producer. He enjoyed almost unprecedented success and was put in charge of Paramount Pictures in 1967, and he helped revive the studio before leaving to produce films independently. His personal life was nearly as drama-filled as the films he made, and his tumultuous life became the focus of both his 1994 memoir and the acclaimed 2002 documentary, The Kid Stays in the Picture. He is survived by his son, Josh Evans -- from his past marriage to actress Ali MacGraw -- and one grandson.

The Days of Our Lives actor has died. He was 88. A rep for the late star’s daughter, actress Melinda Clarke, confirmed the news to multiple outlets, which reported that John died in Laguna Beach, California, from complications related to pneumonia, as Melinda sang “Ava Maria.” ET has reached out. The late actor portrayed Mickey Horton on Day of Our Lives, joining the daytime soap in 1965 and remaining on the series for 39 years. He also performed in theater, on television shows like Maverick and Death Valley Days and in films such as It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. In a statement to ET on Oct. 22, Corday Productions -- which produces Days of Our Lives -- paid tribute to John, writing, "It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of our dear friend and original cast member, John Clarke. A beloved member of the Days of Our Lives family, John will always hold a special place in our hearts and the hearts of our fans. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time."

The actor who played Bea Arthur’s long-suffering husband, Walter Findlay, on Maude, died on Oct. 17, producer Matt Beckoff revealed. He was 97 years old. "My buddy Bill Macy passed away at 7:13 p.m. tonight," Beckoff wrote in part on Facebook. "He was a spitfire right up to the end." Born May 18, 1922, Macy worked as a cab driver before pursuing acting. Most active throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s, in addition to Maude, Macy made over 70 appearances in film and television, including Steve Martin's The Jerk and My Favorite Year and Maude. In later years, he made occasional appearances on Seinfeld as a resident of the Florida retirement community where Jerry’s parents lived. Macy is survived by his wife, Samantha Harper.

A popular K-pop star who had long been the target of abusive online comments was found dead at her home on Oct. 14, South Korean police said. The body of Sulli, a former member of top girl group f(x), was discovered by her manager at her home on the outskirts of Seoul. Police said in a statement that the 25-year-old had been suffering from "severe depression," and reports in the days after said she died of suicide. South Korea has one of the world's highest rates of suicide; according to recent government figures, it is among the top causes of death for those under 40. Sulli, whose real name was Choi Jin-ri, was known for her outspokenness and drive for women's rights, for which she had suffered online bullying and harassment. She debuted in 2009 for f(x), which quickly became one of the top K-pop girl groups worldwide. She suspended her career in 2014 after struggling with cyber-bullying and left the group a year later to focus on acting projects.

Oscar-nominee Robert Forster died in Los Angeles on Oct. 11, of brain cancer, according to the Hollywood Reporter. He was 78. The prolific thespian was known for his many character and leading man roles, having starred in over 100 films. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role as Max Cherry in Quentin Tarantino's 1997 film, Jackie Brown. Forster's last movie was a reprisal of his Breaking Bad character, Ed, in El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, which was released on Netflix the same day as his death. Forster's film debut came opposite Marlon Brando and Elizabeth Taylor in 1967's Reflections in a Golden Eye. He later starred in two David Lynch projects, Mulholland Dr. and the Twin Peaks reboot, as well as a number of television shows, including Alcatraz, Heroes and Last Man Standing. His diverse career included Broadway as well; he made his debut on the Great White Way in 1965 in Mrs. Dally. According to Variety, Forster is survived by his children, Bobby, Elizabeth, Kate and Maeghen; his grandchildren, Tess, Liam, Jack and Olivia; and his longtime partner, Denise Grayson.

The acclaimed TV writer and Broadway playwright died on Oct. 11, at Northridge Hospital Medical Center following a stroke. He was 87. Bobrick's daughter, Stephanie, confirmed the news in a heartfelt Facebook post that paid tribute to her father. "Our dearly beloved Sam Bobrick, extraordinary playwright, husband, father, grandfather, pug father, brother, uncle, friend, mentor, and all around outstanding person passed away peacefully… surrounded by family and friends. He was as hilarious as he was kind and will be missed by all who knew him." Bobrick is best known for creating the iconic sitcom Saved by the Bell. However, his writing career began in the 1960s, writing episodes for The Flintstones, The Andy Griffith Show, Gomer Pyle: USMC, Get Smart and The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, among countless other programs. He also wrote numerous comedic plays, many of which he directed in regional theaters across the country. Bobrick is survived by his wife, Julie, two daughters, Stephanie and Lori, his son, Joey, his sister and brother, Carole and Edward, as well as two grandchildren.

The celebrated, flamboyant stand-up comic and over-the-top TV personality died on Oct. 6. He was 84. Taylor began his career as a stand-up comic in nightclubs, where he made a name for himself with his unusual style, and soon made his breakthrough with appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show. Known as the "King of Confetti," Taylor was famous for showering audiences in confetti to punctuate punchlines. He was known for his huge handlebar moustache, toupe and larger-than-life personality. The multi-talented Taylor  -- who also worked as a beloved Las Vegas entertainer and appeared in numerous Broadway productions -- received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1992. Taylor is survived by his longtime partner, Robert Fortney.

The iconic, groundbreaking English drummer, who co-founded the legendary rock band Cream, died on Oct. 6, at a hospital in Canterbury, England. He was 80. Baker was considered one of the greatest drummers in the history of music, but lived a volatile life, often feuding and even sparring with many of his contemporaries, and even his own bandmates in Cream -- Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton. After Cream, one of rock's first supergroups, broke up in the late 1960s, Baker continued to play with other groups, and performed and recorded music nearly up until the end of his life, despite numerous health complications. Baker is survived by his fourth wife, Kudzai Machokoto, as well as his son, Kofi, and daughters Leda and Ginette.

The Tony-winning and Oscar-nominated actress died at her home in Los Angeles on Oct. 4 after a long bout with cancer, her daughter, Suzanne Kay, confirmed in a statement. She was 84. "Carroll was a consummate entertainer and beloved icon whose career spanned nearly seven decades. She paved the way for many and never allowed anyone to limit or define her. She was the winner of a Tony Award and Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar and Emmy awards," the statement read. "Ms. Carroll was the first African American woman to star in her own television show and was in the first interracial love story on Broadway." Carroll made history as the first African American in a lead role to win a Tony Award for her role in No Strings and to star in her own television show, Julia. Her films appearances include Claudine, Carmen Jones and Porgy and Bess. She is survived by her daughter, Suzanne, and her grandchildren, August and Sydney.

The Muffs lead singer died on Oct. 2 after a two-year battle with ALS. She was 56. Shattuck's husband, Kevin Sutherland, confirmed the sad news on Instagram, writing, "I am the man I am today because of her. She will live with all of us through her music, our shared memories and in her fierce creative spirit. I love you always my Kimmy. Thank you for sharing your life with me." Following the news of Shattuck's death, her former Muffs bandmate, Melanie Vammen, shared Sutherland's post, with the caption, "My heart is forever broken." Though the singer, songwriter and guitarist was best known as the frontwoman of The Muffs -- whose cover of "Kids in America" was made famous in the iconic 1995 film Clueless -- she also performed with The Pandoras and The Beards, collaborated on songs with NOFX and Bowling for Soup and toured with The Pixies in 2013, following the departure of Kim Deal. 

The producer and renowned writer -- born Michael James Ryan -- died on Sept. 29, Warner Records confirmed. The California-born music luminary was 43. The cause of his death has not yet been disclosed. Warner Records co-Chairmen Aaron Bay-Schuck and Tom Corson broke the news to their staff with a statement that read: "Today we lost Busbee, a dear friend, business partner with his company Altadena, and one of the best and brightest creative minds in music. Busbee’s kindness and legacy will never be forgotten and our hearts and prayers go out to his family at this very difficult time." Throughout his career, Busbee worked with countless A-list artists and musical luminaries, including Christina Aguilera, Pink, Gwen Stefani, Lauren Alaina, Gavin DeGraw, Lady Antebellum, Adam Lambert, Rascal Flatts and Shakira, to name just a few.

The actress, who starred as Myrtle on Superstore, died at age 86 on Sept. 25 after a battle with cancer, according to multiple reports. Porter was perhaps best known for her role on the NBC workplace comedy, but she also appeared as Fran Westin on Gilmore Girls, as "Lady Slot-Addict" on the cult hit series Twin Peaks, and had an extensive resume as a character actress that included dozens of TV shows and movies like Twins, Duplex and The House. Superstore returned for its fifth season in late September, but Deadline reported that Porter had not filmed any season five episodes prior to her death.

The songwriter, poet and longtime Grateful Dead collaborator died on Sept. 23. He was 78. The news was confirmed by Rolling Stone, though no cause of death was given. "It is with great sadness we confirm our beloved Robert passed away yesterday night," Hunter’s family told the outlet. “He died peacefully at home in his bed, surrounded by love. His wife Maureen was by his side holding his hand. For his fans that have loved and supported him all these years, take comfort in knowing that his words are all around us, and in that way his is never truly gone. In this time of grief please celebrate him the way you all know how, by being together and listening to the music. Let there be songs to fill the air."



Hunter, born Robert Burns, was a well-known lyricist known for his experimentation in the rock music space, and he was behind the lyrics of some of Grateful Dead's best-known songs, such as "China Cat Sunflower," "Box of Rain," "Dark Star" and "Touch of Grey." Hunter and Jerry Garcia were just teenagers when they met in 1961 at a local production of Damn Yankees, and the two performed together in pre-Grateful Dead bluegrass bands. He recorded a series of solo records over the years and went on tour sporadically, with the last one occurring in 2013.

The lead singer of iconic New Wave band The Cars -- best known for hits like "Drive" and "Just What I Needed -- died at age 74 on Sept. 15. A NYPD spokesperson confirmed to ET that Ocasek died at his Manhattan town home, and was found unconscious and unresponsive by his wife, Paulina Porizkova, around 4 p.m. ET. A cause of death has not yet been determined. Ocasek was married three times, and was still married to Porizkova at the time of his death, though the model announced in May 2018 that the pair had separated a year earlier. He was a father to six sons -- Christopher, Adam, Eron, Derek, Jonathan and Oliver.

The Tony-winning actress died on Sunday, Sept. 15 at age 86, her son, Vogue theater critic Adam Green, announced on Twitter. Newman won the 1962 Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Martha in Subways Are for Sleeping, in which she famously wore just a towel on stage. The actress -- whose resume also included film and television roles, soap operas and frequent appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and popular game shows throughout the 1960s and 1970s --  was married to lyricist and composer Adolph Green from 1960 until his death at age 87 in 2002. She is also survived by her daughter, Tony-nominated lyricist and composer Amanda Green.

The singer-saxophonist behind popular hits like “Baby Hold On” and “Take Me Home Tonight” has died, ET confirmed on Sept. 13. He was 70. "The Money Family regrets to announce that Eddie passed away peacefully early this morning,” the family said in a statement. “It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our loving husband and father. We cannot imagine our world without him. We are grateful that he will live on forever through his music.” Money’s death comes after a recent battle with stage 4 esophageal cancer; he revealed the diagnosis in August in a clip from his AXS TV series, Real Money. A popular singer throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s, Money first debuted in 1977 with Eddie Money, which featured the Top 40 hits “Baby Hold On” and “Two Tickets to Paradise.” His biggest hit, however, came a decade later when “Take Me Home Tonight” peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

The beloved singer-songwriter and producer died from cardiac arrest at a hospital in Spain on Sept. 8 . He was 70. Sesto's family confirmed the news via his official Twitter page. "Dear friends, We are very sorry to inform you that our great and dear artist Camilo Sesto has left us. Rest in peace," the message read. Born Camilo Blanes Cortes in Spain, Sesto became a household name in Europe and across Latin America after the debut of his first album Algo De Mí, which translates to "Something of Me," in 1971. He went on to sell over 70 million albums, and recorded songs in English, German, Japanese, Catalan, and Portuguese. Over the course of his career, fans crowned him the king of romantic ballads. Last year, Sesto announced he was going on tour. He had performances scheduled in the upcoming months in Miami, New York and Los Angeles.

The actor, best known for voicing the villainous Zedd on the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, died in Los Angeles on Sept. 7. Axelrod is also credited with providing the voice for Finster, the monster maker, on Power Rangers and Armadillomon and Wizardmon on the anime series, Digimon. Born in New York City, before breaking into voice work, Axelrod was a guitarist who also did commercials and off-Broadway plays in his younger years. He'd also done a number of on-camera roles throughout his career, including small parts on shows like Star Trek: Voyager and The Bold and the Beautiful. Axelrod's agent shared a post on Twitter, paying tribute to the performer: "It is with great sadness that I must tell you that Robert passed away yesterday. He was a wonderful soul whose charismatic personality lit up a room. He will be greatly missed."

The Project Runway designer died of a heart attack on Sept. 5. He was 56. March was a finalist on season four of Project Runway and also appeared on season four of Project Runway All Stars. In 2011, he had his own show on Bravo called Mad Fashion about his work as a costume designer. His designs have been worn by A-list stars including Beyonce, Madonna, Lady Gaga and Meryl Streep.

The veteran TV host and film critic, died on Sept. 5 at the City of Hope hospital is Los Angeles after a short battle with cancer. He was 75. Harris was one of the first co-hosts on Entertainment Tonight when the show began in 1981, and worked as a film critic and TV journalist for decades on numerous syndicated programs. He is survived by his partner, Gregg Barnette, as well as his sisters, Nancy and Susan.

The GRAMMY-winning producer and songwriter died on September 3 after a fatal car accident in South Carolina. He was 41. Daniel's wife, April, confirmed the news on her social media, stating: "It is with deep and profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, family member and friend Lashawn Daniels. The New Jersey native was the creator of some of the biggest hits in pop music, including "Say My Name" by Destiny's Child, "The Boy Is Mine" by Brandy and Monica, "It's Not Right (But It's Okay)" by Whitney Houston, Lady Gaga's "Telephone," "Jennifer Lopez's "If You Had My Love" and Spice Girls' "Holler," among many more. He is survived by his wife and their three children. 

Burgeoning Spanish pop star Joana Sainz Garcia was tragically killed on Sept. 1 in a freak accident during a music festival in Las Berlanas, Spain. She was 30. Sainz García, who was on stage performing with the Super Hollywood Orchestra, was fatally hit by a cartridge ejected from a pyrotechnic device, according to El Diario Montañés. She was reportedly knocked unconscious by the cartridge and was rushed to the Hospital Complex of Avila, where she was later pronounced dead. The horrifying accident occurred during the last night of a four-day festival. The incident is reportedly being investigated by local authorities who are looking into the Catalan company who supplied the cartridges in question, as well as the León-based company responsible for the materials inside the pyrotechnic device.

The actress best known for playing Rhoda Morgenstern on the TV series The Mary Tyler Moore Show and its spinoff, Rhoda, died on Aug. 30, her daughter, Cristina Cacciotti, confirmed via Twitter and to ET. She was 80. Harper was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2013, after previously beating lung cancer in 2009. 



Harper enjoyed a stage and screen career that spanned over five decades. She made her Broadway debut in the 1959 production of Li’l Abner, and it was in New York City where she met her first husband, Richard Schaal, whom she married in 1964. They divorced in 1978, and she married her current husband, Tony Cacciotti, in 1987, with whom she adopted Cristina. Harper moved to Los Angeles to continue her theater career, and it was on the West Coast where she auditioned for the role of Rhoda Morgenstern on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. She co-starred on the CBS sitcom for four seasons and appeared in 92 episodes of the show’s run before starring on Rhoda, for which she won four Primetime Emmys and a Golden Globe. Her last starring TV role was on her second sitcom, Valerie, in the mid-80s, though her small-screen career continued with recurring roles on hit series such as Melrose Place and Sex and the City. She moved back to the stage in 2008 and was nominated for a Tony Award for her work on Broadway in Looped. She also appeared on Dancing With the Stars in 2013, the same year she was diagnosed with brain cancer. Her final roles included the 2016 short film, Stars in Shorts: No Ordinary Love, and recurring voice roles on The Simpsons. 

The MythBusters star died on Aug. 27 in a "horrific accident" in Oregon. She was 36. Terry Madden, a member of Combs' race car crew, confirmed his friend's death, writing on Instagram, "So I don’t know how to say any of this but it all needs said. I have never loved or been loved by anyone as much as this amazing woman @thejessicombs she was truly my unicorn and I enjoyed every single minute that I had with her. She was the most amazing spirit that I have ever or will ever know." In an Aug. 28 press release, the Harney County Sheriff’s Office said that a 911 call came through at approximately 4:00 p.m. the previous day. According to the release, the caller said that "a jet car attempting to break a land speed record on the Alvord Desert had crashed leading to one fatality." The release also stated that, once they arrived, deputies identified the driver of the vehicle as Combs, who was pronounced deceased at the scene. The cause of the crash is currently unknown and the case remains under investigation. Combs hosted MythBusters from 2009 and 2010 and TLC's Overhaulin' from 2012 to 2014. Prior to that, the author and public speaker co-hosted Spike TV's XTreme 4X4 for five years. 

The iconic actor died at his home in Los Angeles on Aug. 16, ET confirmed. He was 79. His family tells ET that he "passed away peacefully" and the official cause of death was respiratory failure due to lung cancer. “In one of the saddest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our hearts. As we grieve, we ask that you respect our privacy," his family said in a statement. "And, while we mourn the loss of this sweet and gracious man, we also wish for all to celebrate his indomitable spirit and love of life. In honor of Peter, please raise a glass to freedom." In a statement to Variety about the sad news, Jane added, "I am very sad. He was my sweet-hearted baby brother. The talker of the family. I have had beautiful alone time with him these last days. He went out laughing."



Fonda came from an old school Hollywood family that includes his late father, Henry Fonda, and sister, Jane Fonda. He was best known for his role in the 1969 groundbreaking counterculture classic, Easy Rider, which he starred in, co-wrote and produced. His other well-known films include The Hired Hand, Ulee's Gold and The Passion of Ayn Rand, earning Golden Globes for his performances in the latter two. The Oscar nominee married three times and leaves behind current wife Margaret DeVogelaere, as well as daughter Bridget Fonda and son Justin Fonda from his marriage to his first wife, Susan Brewer.

The celebrated novelist and winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature has died, multiple outlets have confirmed. According to the Associated Press, she died on Aug. 5 at Montefiore Medical Center in The Bronx “after a brief illness.” She was 88. "Toni Morrison passed away peacefully last night surrounded by family and friends," Morrison’s family said in a statement issued to the AP through publisher Alfred A. Knopf. "She was an extremely devoted mother, grandmother, and aunt who reveled in being with her family and friends. The consummate writer who treasured the written word, whether her own, her students or others, she read voraciously and was most at home when writing."



Born in Ohio in 1931, Morrison enrolled in Howard University in Washington, D.C., in 1949, earning a B.A. in English before earning a Master of Arts from Cornell University. She quickly began a long teaching career, first at Texas Southern University and then at Howard, taking a break before returning to a writing position at the State University of New York in 1984. She then took a position at Princeton University in 1989, holding the Robert F. Goheen Chair in the Humanities until her retirement in 2006. 



In 1965, Morrison joined a division of Random House, ultimately becoming the publisher’s first black woman senior editor of the fiction department and spending 15 years playing a vital role in mainstreaming black literature. Morrison published her first novel, The Bluest Eye, in 1970, and her most celebrated novel, Beloved, was released in 1987. She won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1988 and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993. She was also honored with the 1996 National Book Foundation's Medal of Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. In 2000, she received the National Humanities Medal from President George W. Bush, and in 2012, President Barack Obama awarded her with a Medal of Freedom.

The Blade Runner actor died at age 75, at his home in the Netherlands in the early morning hours of July 19 after suffering a short illness, his agent, Steve Kenis, told ET. Though Hauer was best known for his role as the villainous Roy Batty in 1982's Blade Runner, he also starred alongside Sylvester Stallone in Nighthawks (1981) and appeared in such films as Flesh & Blood (1985), Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) and Batman Begins (2005). He also appeared on TV in shows like True Blood, Smallville and Alias. In 1987, Hauer won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries, or Motion Picture Made for Television for his role of Lieutenant Aleksander "Sasha" Pechersky in Escape from Sobibor. 

The Emmy-winning actor died at his home in Lakeville, Connecticut, on July 9, surrounded by family. He was 88. The celebrated actor's career spanned 60 years and included appearances on television, in films and in Broadway and off-Broadway theatrical productions. One of his most iconic roles came in 1992, when he starred as late-night talk show producer Artie on HBO's groundbreaking comedy, The Larry Sanders Show, opposite Garry Shandling and Jeffrey Tambor. He starred on the show for six years, during which time he earned six Emmy nominations, winning once in 1996. His most recent award recognition came when he was nominated for an Emmy in 2008 for his guest role as Don Geiss on 30 Rock. Torn was also nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his acclaimed performance in the 1983 drama Cross Creek. Torn is survived by his wife, Amy Wright, and their two children, Katy and Claire, daughter Danae from his first marriage to Ann Wedgeworth, as well as daughter Angelica, and sons Tony and Jon, from his second marriage to Geraldine Page.

The former presidential candidate and billionaire died on July 9 in Dallas, Texas, surrounded by family, after a battle with leukemia. He was 89. The businessman and political figure made a bid for the White House against Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush in 1992, running as an independent. He earned 19 percent of the popular vote, making him the most successful third-party candidate in eight decades. He is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Margot, as well as their five children and 19 grandchildren.

The Disney Channel star, who appeared in a number of Disney Channel shows including Descendants, Shake It Up and Liv and Maddie, died of a seizure in his sleep on July 6, a spokesperson for his family confirmed to ET. He was 20. "It is with a profoundly heavy heart that we report that this morning we lost Cameron," the Boyce family spokesperson told ET. "He passed away in his sleep due to a seizure which was a result of an ongoing medical condition for which he was being treated. The world is now undoubtedly without one of its brightest lights, but his spirit will live on through the kindness and compassion of all who knew and loved him."

The celebrated Broadway icon died on July 3 after suffering a heart attack. He was 84. Charnin, a Tony-winning lyricist, was best known for creating and directing the Broadway production of Annie. News of his death was first shared by his daughter, who wrote on Facebook, "Our father passed away. Martin Charnin lived a very full life. He was watching Family Feud at the end, laughing with Shelly in bed at the hospital. Which way do we go Daddy? Damn. But like he said and as corny as this sounds…the sun’ll will come out tomorrow." He is survived by his wife, their two children as well as three grand-children.

The Emmy winner, best known for the characters he created for the 1960s NBC show Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, died of heart failure on July 3 following a three-year battle with bladder and prostate cancer, his family shared. He was 90. 

During his time on Laugh-In, Johnson became beloved for his hilarious character, Wolfgang, a former German storm trooper who always muttered the now-iconic line, "Verry interesting."

The Dog the Bounty Hunter star died following a battle with cancer, her husband, Duane "Dog" Chapman, confirmed on Twitter on June 26. She was 51. ET has learned that Beth died at Hawaii's Queen's Medical Center around 5:30 a.m. local time, and that her family was by her side. News of Beth's death came shortly after ET learned she had been put into a medically-induced coma. A rep for the Chapman family told ET that she had been admitted to the Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii on June 22, and that her situation was serious.

The veteran TV character actor, best known for playing the patriarch, Willie Tanner, on the hit '80s sitcom ALF, died on June 26 at his home in Hermosa Beach, California, according to multiple reports. He was 75. Wright had long battled cancer, having been previously diagnosed with lymphoma in 1995, however it had gone into remission. Aside from his work on ALF, Wright's numerous TV credits include roles on Taxi, Tales from the Darkside, Cheers, Quantum Leap, The Stand, and Friends, among others. He also appeared on the big screen in many films including All That Jazz, Reds, The Shadow, and Snow Falling on Cedars, to name just a few. He is survived by two children, whom he shared with his wife, Linda Ybarrondo, who died in 2017.

The celebrated Hollywood bad guy actor, best known for playing intimidating gangsters and charming villains throughout his career, died on June 24, due to complications following a stroke. He was 73. Drago is best known for playing Frank Nitti, the henchman for Robert De Niro's Al Capone, in director Brian De Palma's 1987 mobster drama The Untouchables. With over 100 film roles to his name and countless TV appearances, Drago -- born William Eugene Burrows -- started his storied career as a stunt man before moving to New York to pursue his acting dreams. Among his many TV credits, Drago is perhaps best remembered for his recurring role on Charmed, playing Barbas, the Demon of Fear. He is survived by his son, Darren E. Burrows, who is also an actor.

The YouTube star, whose real name was Desmond Amofah, was found dead on June 24 in New York. He was 29. He was found after being reported missing on June 19, with the New York Police Department also confirming the death on Twitter. According to the BBC, Etika’s belongings were found on the Manhattan Bridge, and he had uploaded a video addressing suicide, which now appears to have been deleted. Etika rose to fame with his posts about video games, particularly Nintendo releases. He raised concern in April after posting tweets about suicide.

The fashion designer and socialite died on June 17 following a recent cancer diagnosis. She was 95. CNN shared the news in an obituary narrated by her son, Anderson Cooper. In the nearly seven-minute-long video, the journalist spoke of his mother's life in the public eye thanks to her birth into the prestigious Vanderbilt family. Born in 1924, Vanderbilt's early days in the spotlight were largely due to a custody battle between her mother and aunt, "the likes of which the world had never seen," her son said. Despite her wish to keep her life private, Cooper spoke of his mom's determination, drive and professional accomplishments. "Gloria Vanderbilt was 95 years old when she died," he ended his eulogy. "What an extraordinary life. What an extraordinary mom. What an incredible woman."

The Italian theater, opera and film director died at his home in Rome on June 15, his son, Luciano, told the Associated Press. He was 96. "He had suffered for a while, but he left in a peaceful way," Luciano told the outlet. He was well-known for translating literature into films, including being Oscar-nominated for 1968's Romeo and Juliet and also making silver screen versions of Hamlet, Jane Eyre and 1966's The Taming of the Shrew, which starred Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

The founding member of the Houston rap trio the Geto Boys died on June 9, after a battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He was 52. Born Richard Shaw, the rapper joined the Geto Boys in 1986, and went on to release multiple albums while establishing the rap scene in Texas. The group, best known for their songs “Mind Playing Tricks on Me" and "Damn It Feels Good to Be a Gangsta," had been planning to go on a reunion tour later this year.

The acclaimed, influential New Orleans musician died of a heart attack on June 6. He was 77. Neil Portnow, president of the Recording Academy, released a statement mourning Dr. John's death. "Malcolm John Rebennack Jr.—known to most as Dr. John—was a radiant singer, songwriter, and pianist whose career in music made him a New Orleans icon and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer. He earned 15 GRAMMY nominations and six GRAMMY Awards throughout his celebrated career," the statement shared. "His funky approach to blending musical styles and imaginative persona helped diversify the New Orleans Sound… This is a great loss for our industry and Dr. John will be deeply missed." The artist was famed for his music and his theatricality, using Mardi Gras and voodoo imagery as part of his stage persona. Dr. John released 20 albums during his career, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by John Legend in 2011.

The beloved football player and coach died in Birmingham, Alabama, on May 26. He was 85. Starr played for and later coached the Green Bay Packers and, as the team's quarterback, led the Packers to victory in the first two Super Bowls, and was named MVP for both. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977. He is survived by his wife, Cherry, and his son, Bart Jr.

The baseball star died on May 27 after a battle with dementia. He was 69. His family mourned his passing in a statement, sharing, "Bill fought with courage and grit as he did all things in life. Our hearts are broken but we are at peace knowing he is in the arms of his Lord." Buckner played in the MLB for 22 years and had an impressive career. However, while playing for the Boston Red Sox, it was his headline-grabbing error in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series against the New York Mets -- an error that cost them the game -- that lived in infamy among Red Sox fans for decades. He is survived by his wife, Jodi, and three children -- Brittany, Christen and Bobby.

The Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor --  best known for The Carol Burnett Show, McHale’s Navy and The Tim Conway Show -- died on May 14 in Los Angeles. He was 85. "It is with the greatest sorrow that my brothers, Tim, Patrick, Jamie, Corey, Seann, and I announce that our Dad, Tim Conway has passed away," the comedian's daughter, Kelly, shared in a statement to ET. "The love he gave us, and the laughter he gave the world will never be replaced, but will be remembered forever. He is at peace now but I will miss him every second of every day until we meet again in heaven. We knew he would have to leave us someday, but that day came too soon." With a career stretching television and film, Conway appeared in a slew of hit shows including Glee, The Steve Allen Show, Married With Children, Mike & Molly, 30 Rock, CSI, Mad About You, 7th Heaven, Coach, Cybill, Two and a Half Men and Hot in Cleveland, to name just a few. He also lent his voice to the animated character Barnacle Boy on Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants, in addition to numerous other voiceover roles in various projects. Conway was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2002, and is survived by his wife, Charlene, his stepdaughter, as well as six children he shared with his first wife, Mary Anne Dalton.

The famed actress died at her home in Carmel Valley, California. She was 97. The Doris Day Animal Foundation confirmed the news early on May 13 in a press release, writing that Day "had been in excellent physical health for her age, until recently contracting a serious case of pneumonia, resulting in her death." They added that the actress-singer was "surrounded by close friends as she passed." 

Day, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1922 as Mary Ann Von Kappelhoff, was known for her work in 39 films in the '50s and '60s that included dramas, musicals and comedies, including 1953's Calamity Jane and 1957's The Pajama Game. Musically, Day was known for hits such as "Sentimental Journey" and "Que Sera Sera." She was honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 1989, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004 and a GRAMMY for lifetime achievement in 2008. Additionally, Day had 11 Golden Globe nominations and four wins, two GRAMMY nominations and one Oscar nomination for her role as Jan Morrow in 1959's Pillow Talk, and three of her songs -- "Sentimental Journey," "Que Sera Sera" and "Secret Love" -- were inducted into the GRAMMYs Hall of Fame.

The actress and former model, best known for her TV roles on the 1960s police drama The Mod Squad and the cult-classic series Twin Peaks, has died from cancer. She was 72. Kidada and Rashida Jones, Lipton's daughters from her marriage to famed music producer Quincy Jones, confirmed their mother's passing to ET on Saturday. "We are heartbroken that our beloved mother passed away from cancer today," Lipton’s daughters said in a statement to ET.  "She made her journey peacefully with her daughters and nieces by her side. We feel so lucky for every moment we spent with her." Lipton was a Golden Globe winner, and she was also Emmy-nominated four times for her role as Julie Barnes in The Mod Squad, in which she starred from 1968 to 1973. After a break from the acting spotlight to raise her daughters, she returned to the small screen in 1989 in David Lynch’s original Twin Peaks series. Lipton starred as Norma Jennings, the owner of the Double R Diner, and she also returned to reprise her role in the 2017 Showtime revival of the beloved series.

The English actor, who gained fame playing the beloved Wookiee warrior Chewbacca in five Star Wars films, died at his home in North Texas, surrounded by his family, on April 30. He was 74. The news of his death was released by his family via the actor's Twitter account on May 2, along with a heartfelt tribute. Mayhew, who stood 7-feet-3-inches tall, originated the role in the the original film in the franchise, Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, released in 1977, and reprised the role in many subsequent installments in the franchise, finally retiring before production began on Star Wars: The Last Jedi. However, he served as a consultant on the film and provided guidance for his successor, Joonas Suotamo. Throughout his life, Mayhew was also a committed philanthropist and activist, and formed the Peter Mayhew Foundation, which aims to raise money for people in need. He is survived by his wife, Angie, and their three children.

The Emmy and Oscar-nominated director, producer and screenwriter behind Boyz n the Hood, Snowfall and dozens of other films and television shows, died on April 29, after suffering a stroke earlier in the month. He was 51. "We are sad to relay that John Singleton has died. John passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family and friends," his family shared in a statement obtained by ET. "We want to thank the amazing doctors at Cedars-Sinai Hospital for their expert care and kindness and we again want thank all of John’s fans, friends and colleagues for all of the love and support they showed him during this difficult time." ET confirmed hours earlier that the director's family decided to take him off life support after he'd been in a coma since April 17.

The star of DIY Network’s Nashville Flipped died unexpectedly in his sleep on April 28, according to reports. He was 38. DIY Network released a statement to ET expressing their condolences after news of Shafer's death broke. "The DIY Network family is sorry to hear about the passing of Troy Dean Shafer, a dedicated, driven entrepreneur and restoration expert who was admired by everyone who worked on the series Nashville Flipped," the statement reads. "We continue to extend our deepest condolences to Troy’s family and friends during this difficult time."

The 16-year-old actress, who was known for CBBC teen shows Millie Inbetween and Almost Never, died on April 7 after collapsing, BBC News reports. No further details are known about her death at this time. In addition to her work on the BBC Children's network, Naylor appeared in Cloud Atlas alongside Tom Hanks and Halle Berry in 2012, as well as Code Red in 2013 and Index Zero in 2014. She was set to star in the upcoming second season of Almost Never and to appear in the pilot episode of The Witcher, a new Netflix series starring Henry Cavill. In a statement posted to their Instagram account, CBBC said they would miss Naylor "enormously." Almost Never, on which Naylor starred as Mya, the lead singer of a girl group who competes with a rival boy band, also posted to Instagram, offering their condolences to her family and friends.

The acclaimed film, television and stage actress, best known for her role on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, died on April 12, The New York Times reported. She was 70 years old. The NYT cited the actress' friend and executor, John Quilty, in stating that Engel's cause of death was "undetermined because Ms. Engel, who was a Christian Scientist, did not consult doctors." A five-time Emmy nominee, Engel joined The Mary Tyler Moore Show in its third season in 1972 and was twice nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Georgette Franklin Baxter, the slightly ditzy love interest of Mary's grouchy boss, Ted Baxter (Ted Knight). She also had recurring roles on shows like Coach and Everybody Loves Raymond, the latter of which landed her three consecutive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.

The country singer -- best known for his hit songs "Holding Her and Loving You," "What I'd Say" and "Right From the Start" -- died in Nashville, Tennessee, on April 10. He was 77. His brother, Fred Conley, confirmed the news to USA Today, noting that the crooner had a dementia-like condition and had been in hospice care for a few months. During his career, Conley had 18 No. 1 country hits and was a major influence on many of today's artists, including his friend, Blake Shelton. "We are heartbroken," Carol Scates, Conley's partner of 20 years, told CNN. "The light has dimmed but his light will shine on in his music."

The GRAMMY-nominated rapper died after being shot multiple times outside his store, Marathon Clothing Company, in the Hyde Park section of Los Angeles on March 31. He was 33. Hussle (real name: Ermias Joseph Asghedom) was one of three men shot in the attack. They were all taken to a local hospital following the shooting, and ET has learned that, according to the LA County Coroner's Office, he was pronounced dead at the hospital at 3:55 p.m. PT. Shortly before reports of his shooting began to surface, the "Racks in the Middle" rapper notably tweeted, "Having strong enemies is a blessing." Hussle was born and raised in L.A.'s Crenshaw neighborhood, not far from where he was gunned down, and he worked as a local community organizer and was involved in the ongoing Destination Crenshaw arts project. He leaves behind two children, a 2-year-old son, Kross, with girlfriend Lauren London, and a daughter, Emani, from a previous relationship. 

The French director died from cancer on March 29. She was 90. Varda is credited with creating France’s New Wave cinema. Her most recent film, the 2017 documentary Faces Places, was nominated for an Academy Award, making her the oldest working director ever nominated. Throughout her career, which spanned six decades, the Belgian-born director was responsible for award-winning movies like 1962's Cleo From 5 to 7, a rare cinema verité film of a woman attending biopsy results told in real time. She's also known for 1965's Le Bonheur and 1984’s Vagabond. Varda received an Honorary Oscar in November 2017 from Angelina Jolie. 

The indie duo, comprised of Stephen Fitzpatrick, 24, and Audun Laading, 25, died on March 27 following a collision in Arizona. The pair's tour manager, Trevor Engelbrektson, 37, also died in the wrong-way crash. Fitzpatrick, from Cumbria, and Laading, from Norway, met as students at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA), where they graduated in 2016. Her's was considered one of the U.K.'s most beloved up-and-coming bands; they recently embarked on a 19-show tour of North America, and had performed the night before their deaths in Phoenix. The pair, alongside their manager, were heading to a show in Santa Ana, California, when their van was hit by a pickup truck driving the wrong way on Interstate 10. 

The famed film and music editor, best known for his work on Heathers and The Cotton Club, died on March 17 after suffering cardiac arrest while serving as a guest lecturer at Tokyo University of the Arts. He was 66. Hollyn, who was a professor at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, edited a slew of feature films during his long career, including Mad Dog Time and The Girl in the Cadillac, and served as a sound editor on films such as Sophie's Choice, Easy Money and Dead of Winter. “There are truly not enough words to pay tribute one of the most wonderful and talented humans we’ve had the honor to know," the American Cinema Editors organization wrote in a tribute on Twitter on Monday. "Norm was an admired film editor, honored professor, esteemed writer, film historian, world lecturer & a cherished friend." He is survived by his wife, Janet, and daughter, Elizabeth.

The groundbreaking rock musician, best known for the breakneck speed of his guitar playing and influence on multiple rock genres, died on March 16. He was 81. Dale, born Richard Anthony Monsour, earned the moniker The King of Surf Guitar after his career took off in the 1960s with the 1962 hit "Misirlou." The iconic song was cemented into the pop-culture consciousness in 1994 when director Quentin Tarantino used "Misirlou" in the opening credits to Pulp Fiction. Dale, whose rapidfire stacco guitar picking and enormous sound has been cited as an influence on later heavy metal artists, was touring until the end of his life, and had tour dates planned through the end of 2019. Dale suffered from multiple ailments, including diabetes, and was recovering from a difficult cancer battle at the time of his death. He is survived by his second wife, Lana, who served as his manager, as well as his son James, from his previous marriage.

The famed studio session drummer, best known for his work with The Wrecking Crew, died on March 11. He was 90. Blaine worked with the all-star collective of session musicians for decades, and was featured on a score of famed recordings including the Ronettes' "Be My Baby," Simon & Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water, as well as Barbra Streisand’s "The Way We Were," among countless others. According to an article in Modern Drummer in 2017, Blaine appeared on nearly 35,000 recordings. Blaine received a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. He is survived by his daughter, Michelle, and seven grandchildren.

The veteran TV star -- best known for his roles on Beverly Hills, 90210, and the soap operas Days of Our Lives and Santa Barbara -- died at his home in Palm Desert, California, on March 9. He was 84. Allan famously played Rush Sanders on Beverly Hills, 90210, the father of Ian Ziering's character, Steve Sanders. On Sunday, Ziering paid tribute to his late co-star on Instagram, with a sweet tribute and snapshot from set. "So sad to hear we've lost another 90210 castmate. I had the pleasure of working with Jed Allan from 94 to 99," the actor wrote. "Such a great guy to work with, he will be missed." Allan is survived by three sons -- Mitch, Dean, and Rick -- from his marriage to Toby Brown, who passed away in 2001.

The former Miss Teen Universe and model died on March 6, two weeks after suffering a massive heart attack while on vacation with her parents in Austria. She was 20. Her parents, Bert van der Zee and Eugeniek van het Hul, confirmed the news of her death in an emotional post on Instragram, writing, "Our pearl, our everything passed away on Wednesday evening March 6th at 22:47. It is incredibly surreal that our dearly beloved Lotte is not around us anymore. Our hearts are truly broken." Van der Zee was crowned Miss Teen Universe in 2017. Her parents said they plan to do tests to determine what caused the model's heart attack.

The actor best known for his roles on Beverly Hills, 90210 and Riverdale has died. He was 52. His rep confirmed his death on March 4, saying in a statement, "Actor Luke Perry, 52, passed away today after suffering a massive stroke. He was surrounded by his children Jack and Sophie, fiancé Wendy Madison Bauer, ex-wife Minnie Sharp, mother Ann Bennett, step-father Steve Bennett, brother Tom Perry, sister Amy Coder, and other close family and friends. The family appreciates the outpouring of support and prayers that have been extended to Luke from around the world, and respectfully request privacy in this time of great mourning.  No further details will be released at this time." Perry was hospitalized on Feb. 28 after suffering a massive stroke at his home in Sherman Oaks, California. 

Though his heartthrob role on 90210 made him famous, he didn’t want to get typecast as Dylan. Perry starred in multiple projects including the HBO prison drama Oz, as well as Windfall, Jeremiah and The Sandlot: Heading Home. He also made several guest appearances on hit shows like Will & Grace, Spin City, What I Like About You, Family Guy,  Law & Order: SVU and Criminal Minds. He was playing Archie's dad on Riverdale at the time of his death and had not signed on for the Beverly Hills, 90210 reboot, which had been announced the same day Perry suffered the stroke.

The professional wrestler has died at age 61, though the cause of death was not disclosed, according to CBS News. David Herro, a promoter and longtime friend of the former WWE star, shared the news on Facebook on March 4, writing, "Today we lost a Legend and a man I consider family." King Kong Bundy, whose real name was Christopher Pallies, was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and made his World Wrestling Federation debut in 1981. He is best known for facing Hulk Hogan during a 1986 steel cage match at WrestleMania 2, and he also made guest appearances on the Fox sitcom Married...with Children.

The Prodigy frontman has died at the age of 49, his band confirmed on Twitter. Flint was reportedly found dead at his home on March 4. Known for singing the U.K. electronic dance group’s hit songs, “Breathe” and “Firestarter,” Flint was a pioneer in the rave and club scene, helping Prodigy to sell an estimated 30 million records worldwide. Emerging in the 1990s, the group was recently on tour, promoting their 2018 record "No Tourists." The group just finished a leg in Australia and was scheduled to perform throughout the U.S. in May. “A true pioneer, innovator and legend,” The Prodigy posted on Twitter. “He will be forever missed.”

Freeman, a favorite contestant on The Voice in 2017, has died. She was 33. In a statement to ET, Freeman's rep said the singer passed away at 5:30 p.m. on March 2 due to combined complications of lupus and a bronchial infection. In season 13 of the singing competition show, Freeman was on Miley Cyrus’ team, where she dazzled audiences with her soulful performances. She finished 11th in the season, but continued to receive support from Cyrus, who sent her condolences after hearing of the singer's death, as did Jennifer Hudson. Freeman is survived by her husband, Dion, and her 12-year-old daughter, Hannah. 

The Who's the Boss? star died at her Los Angeles home on Feb. 23 from complications from Alzheimer's, her agency, APA, confirmed to ET. She was 89. In a statement to ET, the late actress' husband, David Christian, mourned the loss of his wife. "She was the love of my life," he said. "We spent 57 beautiful, wonderful, loving years together, which I will treasure forever. I’ve been with Katherine since I was 19 years old. The night she died, I saw that the moon was exactly half-full, just as I am now… half of what I’ve been my entire adult life." Helmond, best known for playing Mona Robinson on Who's the Boss?, was nominated for seven Emmys throughout her career. In addition, she starred as Jessica Tate on ABC's daytime-serial spoof Soap, Doris Sherman on the network's Coach, and Lois Whelan, the mother of Patricia Heaton's character on Everybody Loves Raymond.  The actress also had a successful film career, appearing in three Terry Gilliam movies,1981's Time Bandits, 1985's Brazil and 1998's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. 

According to multiple reports, the comedian was found dead in his Los Angeles home on Feb. 22. He was 48. Stevens was a longtime warmup guy and was beloved in the comedy community, best known for his high-energy sets, appearances in The Hangover, Due Date and Nick Kroll's Kroll Show and "818" pride. In the past, Stevens had opened up about his constant depression, sharing his story in 2013 on his Comedy Central show, Brody Stevens: Enjoy It!.

The iconic German designer and creative director of brands such as Chanel and Fendi has died at the age of 85, a Chanel spokesperson confirmed to ET.  "It is with deep sadness that the House of Chanel announces the passing of Karl Lagerfeld, the creative director for the Chanel fashion house since 1983," Chanel's statement read in part. "...The House of Chanel offers his family, relatives and friends its deepest condolences." The news came after Lagerfeld missed Chanel’s haute couture show in Paris last month. He was last seen publicly in December at the Chanel show at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Lagerfeld was known for his signature black suit, sunglasses, and long white ponytail and beard. He also was regularly seen carrying his cat, Choupette. He is noted to have said of his appearance, "I am like a caricature of myself, and I like that." The designer was born in 1933 in pre-war Germany and started his career as an assistant to Pierre Balmain in 1955 when he moved to Paris as a teenager. He joined Chanel in 1983, after Coco Chanel died. In addition to his work as the creative director of Chanel and Fendi, Lagerfeld also had his own label and collaborated with H&M.

Finney's family confirmed on Feb. 8 that he died at age 82, telling CBS News that he "passed away peacefully after a short illness with those closest to him by his side." The British actor began acting at 19 and gained international fame in 1963 for his lead role in Tom Jones, which earned him his first Oscar nomination. He was nominated four more times for his roles in Murder on the Orient Express, The Dresser, Under the Volcano and Erin Brockovich. In more recent years, Finney starred in Skyfall and two Bourne films. Finney didn't speak about his personal life too often, but in an interview with the Manchester Evening News in 2012, he revealed that he had been treated for kidney cancer for five years, undergoing surgery and chemotherapy.

The Young and the Restless star, who had played the character of Neil Winters on the popular soap opera since 1991, has died. The two-time Daytime Emmy winner was 52. St. John’s attorney, Mark Geragos, confirmed the news to ET on Feb. 4, saying, “Sadly I can confirm and we will have a statement later today.” The LAPD tells ET that they did respond to an incident in the San Fernando Valley area at 2:05 p.m. that was considered a “possible alcohol overdose,” but would not confirm the name of the deceased and noted they cannot determine the cause of death at this time. St. John leaves behind two children, Paris and Lola. His 24-year-old son, Julian, died of a reported suicide at a mental health facility in 2014.

Best known for his roles in 1984's Gremlins and 1959's A Bucket of Blood, the veteran actor died of natural causes in Toluca Lake, California, on Jan. 30. He was 90. According to The Hollywood Reporter, a family spokesperson said his wife, Lainie, daughter, Barbara, and granddaughter, Autumn, were with him at the end. Born in The Bronx, New York, Miller served in the U.S. Navy, performed on Broadway and worked at hospitals in New York City before moving to California in 1952. Over his 60-year career, he appeared in over 175 movies -- including all of director Joe Dante's films -- and made 2,000 TV appearances.

Debbie Allen shared via Twitter on Jan. 29 that the R&B singer -- best known for his '90s hit, "I Don't Have the Heart," and his 1986 duet with Linda Ronstadt for An American Tail, "Somewhere Out There" -- had died, though the cause of death is not yet known. He was 66. "I have lost my dearest friend and creative partner James Ingram to the Celestial Choir," Allen wrote. "He will always be cherished, loved and remembered for his genius, his love of family and his humanity. I am blessed to have been so close. We will forever speak his name." Ingram, who worked with a number of legendary musicians over his career, including Ray Charles, Michael Jackson and Marvin Gaye, released five albums during his career, the latest one being Stand (In the Light) in 2008. He was nominated for 14 GRAMMYs and won two, and was also nominated for two Academy Awards and two Golden Globes for Best Original Song.

The 29-year-old Top Chef alum died on Jan. 25 after a battle with cancer. Ali was diagnosed with a form of bone cancer called Ewing's sarcoma in 2017. In early 2018, she was declared cancer-free, only to find out in September that the rare form of cancer had returned. She was given one year to live.

Aliza Raza shared the devastating news on Instagram. "Fatima Ali (Chef Fati!) and her brave battle with cancer ended today," Raza wrote. "Known for her win on Top Chef, but even more for her dynamic personality and hilarious wit, the young chef inspired thousands across borders. Please recite a special prayer for her and her loved ones. May she rest in power? #cheffati #f**kcancer."

The stand-up comedian and writer has died, though the cause of death is unknown. He was 32. The news was first confirmed by Ben Kissel, who hosted the podcast Round Table of Gentlemen with Barnett, via Twitter on Jan. 22. Barnett was best known for co-creating the Fox series Rel with Lil Rel Howery and Josh Rabinowitz, and he also wrote for The Carmichael Show and worked on screenplays for Hall Pass and The Heartbreak Kid. He had three projects in the works at the time of his death, including a film starring David Spade called The Wrong Missy.

The Broadway immortal died on Jan. 15 in Rancho Mirage, California, of natural causes, her publicist, B. Harlan Boll, confirmed to CBS News. She was 97. Channing had suffered strokes over the past year, Boll said. The film and TV star who headlined her own Las Vegas show, was the first celebrity to make the Super Bowl halftime show something worth watching and the woman who befriended one president while making herself the enemy. The triple-threat star sang and spoke with an inimitable rasp and cartoonish twang. She wore flamboyant outfits and capped her head in shiny blonde wigs. (It had to be wigs, she said, because she was allergic to bleach.) Everything was big with Channing: her broad smile, the frames of her glasses, and even simple gestures, like waving hello. No events have been scheduled, as was her wish.  

The performer, a burgeoning music star and the first openly gay artist in the Latin trap genre, was fatally shot  in Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico on Jan. 10. He was 24. According to a report by local outlet El Nuevo Dia, the singer was shot while riding his motorcycle at around 5:30 a.m. He was rushed to the hospital, where he later died of his injuries. Police are still investigating the shooting. Fret's manager released a statement mourning the singer's death, calling for peace and justice. "Kevin was an artistic soul, a big-hearted dreamer. His passion was music, and still had a lot to do," the announcement read. "This violence must stop. There are no words that describe the feeling we have and the pain that causes us to know that a person with so many dreams has to go. We must all unite in these difficult times, and ask for much peace for our beloved Puerto Rico." The singer made his name in the genre with the breakthrough single "Soy Asi," released in April 2018, and was outspoken about wanting to be a voice and advocate for the LGBTQ community. 
 

The performer, best known as one half of the ‘70s pop duo Captain & Tennille, died of renal failure on Jan. 2 at a hospice care center in Prescott, Arizona. He was 76. His longtime musical partner and ex-wife, Toni Tennille, was reportedly beside him at the time of his death. Beginning in the late ‘60s, Dragon was the keyboard player for The Beach Boys. This is where he acquired his nautical nickname from the group’s lead singer, Mike Love. Afterward, he took to wearing a captain’s hat, seemingly encouraging the moniker. In 1972, Dragon met Tennille while working on a musical at the South Coast Repertory. They soon began playing gigs together in the Los Angeles area, quickly leading to a record deal. Of their albums, five are certified either gold or platinum. He is survived by his older brother, Doug, and two nieces, Kelly Arbout and Renee Henn.

The actor, writer, comedian and producer -- best known for his recurring role on Curb Your Enthusiasm and for originating the character of Super Dave Osborne -- died on Jan. 2, shortly after being diagnosed with leukemia. He was 76. His brother, the actor-director Albert Brooks, confirmed the news with a brief-yet-touching post honoring the entertainer’s death. “R.I.P. My dear brother Bob Einstein. A great brother, father and husband. A brilliantly funny man. You will be missed forever,” he wrote. Einstein is survived by Roberta Einstein, his wife of over 40 years, daughter Erin Einstein Dale, son-in-law Andrew Dale, and grandchildren Ethan and Zoe. He is also survived by his older brother, Cliff Einstein.

The acclaimed, longtime WWE announcer and interviewer died on Jan. 2 at a hospital in Sarasota, Florida. He was 76. Best known by his beloved moniker "Mean" Gene, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006 and his death was mourned by some of the biggest stars in the world of professional wrestling. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jeanne, their two sons, Tod and Tor, as well as three grandchildren.

The musician and ex-wife of Neil Young died on Jan. 1 in California following a yearlong battle with cancer. She was 66. Neil first met Pegi in the mid-'70s while she was working as a waitress near his ranch. They were married for 36 years after tying the knot in 1978, and share two kids together -- Amber, 35, and Ben, 41. Neil, 73, penned many songs about their love story over the years, including "Harvest Moon" and "Unknown Legend." Pegi, born Margaret Morton and a singer and songwriter herself, got her first big break after singing backup vocals for Neil as a member of The Pinkettes. Then, in 2007, she released a self-titled solo LP, which was followed by the release of four albums with her band, Pegi Young & the Survivors. When she wasn't busy with music, she devoted much of her time to the Bridge School in Mountain View, California, which she co-founded in 1986 to help children like her son, who was born with cerebral palsy.