2016 in Review: The Legends We Lost
HOLLYWOOD, CA -- The word 'legend' is undoubtedly overused, but it's no stretch to say that in 2016, we lost some true legends.
From "the greatest of all time" Muhammad Ali, to rock royalty Prince, in 2016 we said goodbye to so many who dominated the limelight for generations. Ali, golfer Arnold Palmer and hockey great Gordie Howe were considered by many to be the best ever in their sports.
Still others spent so much time on our TV screens, they felt like family. In 2016, we lost "America's Mom" "Brady Bunch" matriarch Florence Henderson, and "Growing Pains" patriarch Alan Thicke. We lost American playwright Edward Albee and Antonin Scalia, who reshaped the way we think about the Supreme Court.
Others celebrities died way too young. Anton Yelchin of "Star Trek" fame was just 27 when his own jeep rolled over him in his Studio City driveway. Singer George Michael died unexpectedly this month at 53. Even David Bowie's death in January shocked the world. Though he was 69 when he died, his battle with cancer was kept private, and he died just a few days after releasing his final album, an intense examination of mortality.
Perhaps no celebrity death, however, matched drama of the passing of Carrie Fisher and her mother Debbie Reynolds a day apart from each other this month. Each an icon, in their own right, they were also famous for the tumultuous intensity of their mother-daughter love, which was dramatized in Fisher's semi-autobiographical screenplay "Postcards from the Edge." So when Reynolds died the day after her beloved daughter, just moments after saying all she wanted was to "be with Carrie," it seemed tragic but fitting that they passed together, sharing a funeral and final resting place in the Hollywood Hills.
To all the greats who entertained and inspired us, rest in peace.
Debbie Reynolds, Iconic Hollywood Actress, Dead at 84 The legendary actress died one day after her daughter, Carrie Fisher, died.
Muhammad Ali, 'The Greatest,' Dead At 74 Muhammad Ali, the heavyweight boxing legend who began his career as the polarizing Cassius Clay before becoming an admired worldwide champion of religious freedom, political activism and racial equality, died in a Phoenix hospital late Friday night. He was 74.
David Bowie, Musical Icon Who Influenced A Generation Of Artists, Dies of Cancer After a 50-year career that helped define pop music, David Bowie, 69, died two days after releasing his haunting final album.
Rock Royal Prince Dead At 57 The artist influenced most of the musical spectrum while staying very much true to himself.
Singer George Michael Dies The voice behind "Careless Whisper" and "Faith" has died at the age of 53.
Leonard Cohen - Acclaimed Musician, Poet and Author of 'Hallelujah' - Dies at 82 Sony Music Canada confirmed his death on the artist's Facebook page.
'Star Trek' Actor Anton Yelchin Killed in Car Accident The actor, who was born in Russia, was 27.
Arnold Palmer, Legendary Golfer, Dies at 87 Nicknamed "The King," Palmer was a seven-time major winner.
Carrie Fisher, Beloved 'Star Wars' Actress, Dies The actress was best known for her role as Princess Leia in the "Star Wars" franchise. She was 60.
Zsa Zsa Gabor, Original Hollywood Tabloid Glamour Queen, Dies at 99 Gabor, a former Miss Hungary, was famous for her nine marriages and B-movie roles.
Alan Thicke Dies While Playing Hockey Breaking: Canadian-born actor Alan Thicke, best known as the dad on "Growing Pains," died Tuesday while playing hockey with his son.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia Dead At 79 The conservative justice was found Saturday during a hunting trip in Texas.
Ron Glass of 'Barney Miller' Fame Dies at 71 There was no word on the cause of death.
Norman Brokaw, Agent to Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Dies in Beverly Hills Brokaw would drive a young Marilyn Monroe to her auditions and appearances and at one point introduced Monroe to future husband Joe DiMaggio
Florence Henderson, America's Mom, Has Died Florence Henderson, the 82-year-old star of "The Brady Bunch," died unexpectedly of heart failure.
Curtis Hanson, Director of 'L.A. Confidential' Dies Oscar-winning scribe and director of the neo noir hit "L.A. Confidential" died in his Hollywood Hills home.
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Playwright Edward Albee Dead at 88 The last of the great 20th century dramatists died peacefully at his home in Montauk, Long Island.
Chyna Dead: WWE's 'Ninth Wonder of the World' Chyna, real name Joanie Laurer, was a staple of WWE's surge in the late 1990s and early 2000s - the woman no man wanted to mess with.
Jon Polito, Famed Character Actor, Has Died Jon Polito, one of the great character actors who delivered some of the best lines in the pantheon of Cohen Brothers' films, has died.
Gene Wilder, Longtime Actor of 'Blazing Saddles,' 'Willy Wonka' Fame, Dies at 83 Wilder had a varied stage and screen career and was married to Gilda Radner.
Garry Marshall, Legendary Writer-Director, Dies at 81 Hollywood offers an outpouring of tributes to Marshall, creator of "Happy Days" and "Laverne and Shirley" and director of "Pretty Woman."
Doris Roberts, of 'Everybody Loves Raymond,' Dies at 90 Emmy-winning actress Doris Roberts, famed for her role as the mom on "Everybody Loves Raymond," has died.
Patty Duke, Award Winning Actress, Dies at 69 Patty Duke, Oscar winning actress, singer and star of the "The Patty Duke Show" has died.
Comedian Garry Shandling Dies at 66 Garry Shandling, the star of "The Larry Sanders Show," died suddenly at a Los Angeles area hospital Thursday.
Nancy Reagan, Former First Lady, Dies at 94 The former first lady of the United States lived at her home in Los Angeles.
Earth, Wind & Fire's Maurice White Dies After Battling Parkinson's Disease Earth, Wind & Fire co-founder Maurice White died in his sleep at his Los Angeles Home.
Comedian Ricky Harris Dies at 54 Rick Harris, a longtime Snoop Dogg collaborator and actor in works such as "Poetic Justice" and "Everybody Hates Chris" has died.
Nick Menza, Ex-Megadeth Drummer, Dies After Collapsing On Stage He appeared to have suffered a heart attack while performing with his latest band OHM at an L.A. club, according to media reports.
Abe Vigoda Dies at 94 Abe Vigoda was known for roles in the TV series Barney Miller and the Godfather.
Singer Natalie Cole, 65, Dies of Heart Failure Singer Natalie Cole, 65, canceled a New Year's Eve concert at Walt Disney Hall due to health problems.
Actor Dan Haggerty, Forever Known as Grizzly Adams, Has Died The 74-year-old actor famed for his role as Grizzly Adams has died from "this bear known as cancer."
Alan Young, Famed 'Mr. Ed' Actor, Dies The 96-year-old comedic actor died of natural causes at the Motion Picture & Television Home in Woodland Hills.
1960s Anti-War Icon Tom Hayden Dead at 76 Tom Hayden, a longtime California lawmaker, anti-war and civil rights activist died in Santa Monica Sunday.
Emerson, Lake and Palmer Founder, Keith Emerson, Dies of Apparent Suicide The fame ELP keyboardist was was found by his girlfriend in their Santa Monica home with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
William Schallert, SAG President and "Patty Duke Show" Father Dies William Schallert, 93, whose 70-year-career saw him in many of the most memorable shows in TV history, died at home in Pacific Palisades.
Hollywood Mourns Death of British Actor Alan Rickman The star died in London from cancer Thursday morning. His career spans four decades both on stage and film. He was 69.
Merle Haggard, Country Music Legend, Dead At 79 He died Wednesday at his California home.
Image via Library of Congress
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