Very recently, we received news of yet another celebrity death, days before the year is to end. There's no doubt that wherever you go in this world today, there is someone that will be mourning even one of the celebrities on this list. From YouTube to Star Wars, from Harry Potter to sports, fourteen of the media's hardest losses are as follows:
1. Space Oddity
Many hearts were broken when the new year had only just begun at the news of the iconic musician David Bowie's death at age 69. On January 10th, his official Facebook page posted, "David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18-month battle with cancer."
It's hard to believe that it's already been almost a year since we've lost this "Life on Mars" singer.
2."Always" - Severus Snape
A harsh blow to Harry Potter fans everywhere was the news of Alan Rickman's death on January 14. This second death of the year should have been a noticeable omen of the year because not only did this magnificent Die Hard actor die at the age of 69 as well, but he also died of cancer.
3. "Tom, can you get me off the hook? For old time's sake?" - Salvatore Tessio
On January 26, Godfather actor Abe Vigoda died at the age of 94. While the news was still hard for fans like my father to hear, it was a fortunate break to the chain of 69-years-old's with cancer and was caused by natural reasons.
4. Joe Alaskey
According to IMDB, Alaskey was a "natural mimic and gifted actor." He can be most noted for his work as Looney Toons characters Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, as well as Grandpa Lou Pickles in Rugrats.
Alaskey died on February 3 of cancer at the age of 63.
5. "Mockingbirds don't do one thing except make music for us to enjoy."
Harper Lee died February 19 at 89 years old. Her classic novel How to Kill a Mockingbird has immortalized her in our hearts.
6. Doris Roberts
"When I go, if there's a tombstone it will say, 'She doesn't give in. She doesn't give up. And she never takes no for an answer.'"
The Everybody Loves Raymond actress died on April 17. Even though she was 90 years old, I think it's agreeable that her nature was beautifully young.
7. Purple Rain
Along with David Bowie, beloved musician Prince died this year at the age of 57 from an opioid overdose. The news originally hit us on April 21 and has been hitting us again every time we see articles such as this one.
8. Christina Grimmie
"Be stupid, be dumb, be funny, if that's who you are. Don't try to be someone that society wants you to be, that's stupid. So be yourself."
Many know her from her 2014 appearance on The Voice where she finished the season in third place. I discovered this amazing singer on YouTube maybe a year prior to her sad death on June 10. Following her Orlando performance, she was signing autographs when she was shot and later died in the hospital. She was 22 years old.
9. Muhammad Ali
According to CNN, "since the mid-1960s, he was one of the most famous faces on Earth," and I believe that since his death on June 3, he will not cease to be so widely known.
At 74, the professional boxer and activist died after his battle with Parkinson's disease.
10. "I can do zat!" - Pavel Chekov
Another painful hit to the world's fandoms was the death of Star Trek actor's Anton Yelchin, caused by a "freak accident" consisting of the actor being found pinned between his car and brick pillar outside of his home on June 19 at the age of 27.
11. Kenny Baker
The 81-year-old behind the portrayal of Star Wars' R2-D2 died on August 13 after a "long illness," according to niece Abigail Shield. Thankfully, he passed away peacefully in his sleep.
12. "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams." - Willy Wonka
August 29 was the day that legendary actor Gene Wilder died from complications with Alzheimer's disease, according to his nephew. The 83-year-old was best known for his roles as Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Dr. Frankenstein in Young Frankenstein.
Wilder's death was a personal blow to me as I had grown up singing his version of "Pure Imagination" as Willy Wonka.
13. "The oldest astronaut to touch the stars..."
As the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962, John Glenn became a historical figure. His died on December 8 at the age of 95. In his life, he had also become a U.S. senator and was recognized for his experience in World War II and Korea.
"The last of America's first astronauts has left us," NASA Administrator Charles Bolden stated at the news of Glenn's death.
14. “Aren’t you a little short for a stormtrooper?” - Princess Leia
On Christmas day, it was surprising to hear that Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher was spending her holiday in the hospital after a heart attack. I think we were all hoping she would recover, dreading that another beloved celebrity's life would be lost in 2016, but sadly, she did not regain her health, because two days later, on December 27, she died. She was only 60 years old, not the youngest but also not the oldest on this list of the deceased.
It hurts to see her name added to the list of celebrity deaths for the year 2016. I keep finding myself thinking, "2016, how many more are you going to take from us?" With less than a week until the new year, I sincerely hope everyone can simply live to see it.
May they all rest in peace and be remembered forever in our hearts along with the many others who were not mentioned here.
