Stars We've Lost in 2023

The acclaimed actor died on May 21, just a few days ahead of his birthday. He was 58. No cause of death was immediately released. Stevenson amassed many high-profile credits throughout his career. He played Volstagg in the Thor franchise, starred as Othere in Vikings, voiced Gar Saxon in The Clone Wars and Rebels, appeared in the Divergent franchise as Marcus, and channeled antagonist Scott Buxton in RRR. Stevenson is also set to appear in The Mandalorian spinoff Ahsoka, which will hit Disney+ in August. The Irish-born actor, who was set to appear in upcoming films Gateway to the West and Cassino on Ischia, also starred in projects including Rome, The Other Guys, Dexter and The Spanish Princess. He is survived by the three children he shares with his longtime love, Elisabetta Caraccia.

The legendary Cleveland Browns running back and Hall of Famer -- who shocked the world when he cut his football career short to go into acting and was later revered for his civil rights activism -- died of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles on May 18. He was 87. Brown, widely regarded as one of the all-time greats, played nine seasons with the Browns. He led the league in rushing for eight of those seasons, and the nine-time Pro Bowler would finish with an illustrious 12,312 career rushing yards and 106 touchdowns. The three-time NFL MVP was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1995. Brown made his acting debut in the Western flick, Rio Conchos, playing a buffalo soldier. But it was in 1966, while on the London set of his next film, The Dirty Dozen, when he announced his retirement. The Dirty Dozen would become a box office hit, grossing more than $45 million in 1967 which, according to Good Morning America, is more than $500 million in 2020 adjusted for inflation. The move to quit football in favor of acting paid off. Brown landed his first lead in 1968 with The Split, a crime drama based on Donald E. Westlake's novel, The Seventh. He'd go on to star in hits like Ice Station Zebra and co-star alongside Raquel Welch and Burt Reynolds in 100 Rifles, which also made history by featuring the first interracial love scene (with Welch) in a major film. He also appeared in numerous TV shows, including Knight Rider and TheA-Team.

The Canadian folk-rock icon died of natural causes at a Toronto hospital on May 1. He was 84. The late artist was perhaps best known for his 1970 hit, "If You Could Read My Mind." Among his other chart-toppers were "Sundown," "Carefree Highway," "Rainy Day People," and "The Wreck of Edmund Fitzgerald." Through the span of his career, Lightfoot recorded 20 studio albums and wrote hundreds of songs. Lightfoot's songs have been covered by several legendary artists, including Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Barbra Streisand and Eric Clapton, according to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. He was inducted in 1986. A four-time GRAMMY nominee, he was also the subject of a 2020 documentary, Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind. In 2003, Lightfoot was also bestowed one of his country’s highest civilian honors, the Companion of the Order of Canada.

The iconic talk show host died on April 27, in his home outside Chicago, Illinois. He was 79. "Jerry’s ability to connect with people was at the heart of his success in everything he tried whether that was politics, broadcasting or just joking with people on the street who wanted a photo or a word," said Jene Galvin, a lifelong friend and spokesperson for the family. "He’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart and humor will live on." Springer was best known for his long-running tabloid talk show, The Jerry Springer Show, which debuted in 1991 and aired in syndication until 2018. Prior to his massively successful TV career, Springer served as the mayor of Cincinnati in 1977. In 2019, Springer went on to host the syndicated courtroom show, Judge Jerry. The program was was canceled in 2022 after three seasons. He is survived by his daughter, Katie, and his sister, Evelyn.

 

The legendary actor, producer, activist and multi-platinum selling singer-songwriter known as the "Calypso King" died of congestive heart failure at his home in New York on April 25. He was 96. The Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor's credits include Uptown Saturday Night, Island in the Sun, Odds Against Tomorrow, Carmen Jones, The World, the Flesh and the Devil, White Man's Burden, and most recently, Spike Lee’s 2018 film, BlacKkKlansman.

During the '80s, Belafonte helped organize the celeb-heavy “We Are the World” charity single in an effort to raise awareness about the global HIV/AIDS crisis. He also became a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, as well as an ambassador for the Bahamas, and was named honorary co-chair of the Women’s March in 2017. In addition to his children, Adrienne Belafonte Biesemeyer, Shari Belafonte, Gina Belafonte, David Belafonte, and his two stepchildren, Sarah Frank and Lindsey Frank, he leaves behind eight grandchildren: Rachel Blue Biesemeyer, Brian Biesemeyer, Maria Belafonte McCray, Sarafina Belafonte, Amadeus Belafonte, Mateo Frank, Olive Scanga, and Zoe Frank.

The former Dancing With the Stars judge died after a battle with bone cancer on April 24 in hospice care at his home in Kent, England. He was 78. Goodman appeared as a judge on DWTS from 2005 until 2022. He also served as a founding judge on the British dance competition, Strictly Come Dancing, from 2004 to 2016. He announced his retirement from DWTS in November 2022, saying at the time, "I've decided I'd like to spend more time with my grandchildren and family back in Britain. I cannot thank you enough, my Dancing With the Stars family. It's been such a wonderful experience for me." Goodman was a former dancer himself, winning the British Championships in his 20s before ending his dancing career to become a professional judge. Goodman is survived by his wife, Sue Goodman, and son, James Goodman, and two grandchildren, Alice and Dan.

The celebrated actor, best known for his work on The Wire and the John Wick movie franchise, died of ischemic heart disease on Mar. 17 at his home in Los Angeles. At the time of his death, Reddick had several film and TV projects in various stages. He was set to play Zeus in the Disney+ series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and had a major role in the White Men Can't Jump remake with Sinqua Walls and Jack Harlow. Reddick was also slated to reprise his John Wick character for the spinoff film, Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas. In addition to his work in the John Wick franchise, Reddick played Cedric Daniels on all five seasons of David Simon's The Wire. He also starred in Fringe, Bosch, Lost, Oz and most recently Resident Evil. On the big screen, Reddick most recently appeared in One Night in Miami..., Godzilla vs. Kong, Sylvie's Love and Angel Has Fallen.

He is survived by his wife, Stephanie, as well as his daughter, Yvonne, and son, Christopher.

The Law & Order: SVU star and acclaimed comedian died at his home in Bozouls in southwest France on Feb. 19. He was 78. Belzer stared as the beloved Detective John Munch on 1993's Homicide: Life on the Streets before taking the role to where it perhaps became most notable, Law & Order: SVU. Belzer starred as Munch on the long-running show until 2013. In addition to SVU, Belzer appeared on the original Law & Order as well as Trial by Jury, playing the role for 23 years in total, across 12 different TV series including The X-Files, The Beat, The Wire, Arrested Development, 30 Rock and The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. His last appearance as John Munch was in a guest spot on Law & Order: SVU in 2016. While Belzer got his start as a comedian -- appearing as a warm-up act during the initial run of Saturday Night Live from 1975 to 1980, as well being a feature player on the National Lampoon Radio Hour -- he had a handful of smaller roles in films like Fame (1980), Author! Author! (1982) and Scarface (1983). He also guest starred on several TV shows, including Moonlighting, Miami Vice, and Tattingers. Additionally, Belzer had a recurring role in the original The Flash in 1991 and in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. A published author, Belzer ultimately retired from acting in 2016. Belzer is survived by his wife, and Homicide: Life on the Street co-star, Harlee McBride, and stepdaughters Jessica and Bree

The celebrated actress, best known for her roles in The Nutty Professor, The Poseidon Adventure and alongside Elvis Presley in Girls! Girls! Girls!, died on Feb. 17. She was 84.

According to multiple reports, Stevens died Friday in Los Angeles following a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Before making a name for herself on the big and small screen, Stevens was a Playboy Playmate and appeared on its centerfold page in January 1960. She was modeling in her hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, when she was discovered, ultimately leading her to roles in the 1962 music comedy Girls! Girls! Girls! and then starring alongside comedy giant Jerry Lewis in the 1963 sci-fi comedy The Nutty Professor. The model and actress, who won a Golden Globe in 1960 for New Star of the Year -- Actress following her 1959 film debut in Say One for Me, also lent her talent behind the camera, as a producer and director of the 1979 documentary The American Heroine and The Ranch in 1989. Some of her TV credits include Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Bonanza, The Love Boat, Hart to Hart, Murder, She Wrote, Magnum, P.I., The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!, Santa Barbara, and General Hospital. She's survived by her son, actor-producer Andrew Stevens, and three grandchildren

The celebrated Golden Globe-winning actress and legendary bombshell died on Feb. 15. She was 82. Welch first earned fame in 1966 in the film Fantastic Voyage. It was her role in that sci-fi film that landed her a lucrative contract with 20th Century Fox, ultimately leading to her role in One Million Years B.C., which was released the same year. Welch, who said in 2017 she almost died shooting the British fantasy film, had just three lines in the entire movie. But it was her image as Loana in a "prehistoric" doeskin bikini for the film's poster that catapulted her into the limelight. After earning worldwide fame thanks to that poster, Welch would become one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood. She'd star in several big and small screen projects, including Bedazzled, Bandolero!, 100 Rifles, Myra Breckinridge and Hannie Caulder.  Her steady rise in the 1960s led to even more success the following decade, particularly after landing the role of Constance Bonacieux, the dressmaker of the Queen in The Three Musketeers. For her performance in the 1973 live-action film, Welch was honored with a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Actress in a Musical or Comedy. Welch, who got her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994, also stared in Legally Blonde with Reese Witherspoon and appeared in Spin City, CSI: Miami, House of Versace and, most recently, How to Be a Latin Lover.

The legendary musician and famed composer died at his home, surrounded by family, on Feb. 8. He was 94. Bacharach's music career spanned decades, beginning in the 1950s alongside longtime collaborator Hal David, as the duo penned chart-topping pop hits for some of the biggest names in music. During his time in the music business, Bacharach wrote songs performed by The Beatles, The Bee Gees, Aretha Franklin, Barbara Streisand, Neil Diamond, Linda Rondstadt, Luther Vandross and more. However, one of his most frequent and famed collaborations came as helped break out the career of Dionne Warwick, one of the first Black women in pop music, in the 1960s. Together, Bacharach, David and Warwick spawned the hits "Don't Make Me Over," "Alfie," "Anyone Who Had a Heart" and "Do You Know the Way to San Jose," to name a few. In 1986, Bacharach won the GRAMMY Award for Song of the Year for "That's What Friends Are For," making it one the eight GRAMMYs he received, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, from the Recording Academy. Bacharach was also the recipient of three Academy Awards and two Golden Globes. Bacharach is survived by his wife, Jane, and children, Oliver and Raleigh, and his son, Christopher, from his marriage to Carole Bayer Sager.

The star of  the Happy Days spin-off, Laverne & Shirley died on Jan. 25, after a brief illness. She was 75. Best known for her starring role on the series, which ran on ABC from 1976 to 1983, Williams played the role of Shirley, opposite Penny Marshall's Laverne on the show, which told the story of a pair of roommates that worked at a Milwaukee bottling factory in the 1950s and 60s. Marshall, whose brother, Garry Marshall, co-created the series, died in 2018. In addition to her work on Laverne & Shirley, Williams' other notable roles include George Lucas' 1973 film American Graffiti and Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation in 1974. Williams is survived by her two children, whom she shared with her ex-husband, Bill Hudson, father to both Kate and Oliver Hudson.

The rocker, and founding member of The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash, died on Jan. 18. He was 81 years old.  While a part of The Byrds, Crosby was joined by bandmates Roger McGuinn, Gene Clark, Chris Hillman and Michael Clarke, where the group helped set the standard for '60s folk-rock in Los Angeles. Crosby was a part of the band from 1964 until 1967. It wasn't until the late '60s that he bonded with Stephen Stills of Buffalo Springfield and Graham Nash of the Hollies, ultimately going on to form Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN). The band was considered a "supergroup," with their debut album, Crosby, Stills & Nash, going multiplatinum after its release in 1968. Neil Young would later join the group, which became known as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Despite going their separate ways in the '70s, the bandmates would often reunite over the years to record and tour as a unit. Crosby also had quite a successful solo career, releasing the albums Oh Yes I Can in 1989 and Thousand Roads in 1993. His last solo recording, Croz, was released in 2014. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, as a member of The Byrds in 1991 and Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1997.

The wrestling superstar -- with the Jacksonville-based professional wrestling company Ring of Honor -- died in a car crash on Jan. 17. He was 38. According to the Delaware State Police, Briscoe, born Jamin Pugh, is among two people who died Tuesday after a woman driving a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 veered into Briscoe's lane, slamming head-on into his 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. It's unknown what caused the woman to not stay in her lane. Briscoe was pronounced dead at the scene. Pugh and his brother, Mark, known as Dem Boys, were considered a perennial tag team, with an impressive 12 ROH World Tag Team belts.

Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley, died Jan. 12 at 54 years old. She was rushed to the hospital after suffering cardiac arrest at her California home. "Priscilla Presley and the Presley family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Lisa Marie," a rep for the family said in a statement to ET. "They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time." Lisa Marie is survived by her mother, Priscilla, and daughters Riley, Finley, and Harper. 

Gangsta Boo -- the pioneering female rapper and former member of hip-hop group Three 6 Mafia -- has died. She was 43.

Gangsta Boo, whose birth name was Lola Mitchell, was found dead on Sunday, the Memphis Police Department confirmed on social media.

"On January 1, 2022, at 2:18 pm, officers responded to a person-down call in the 1600 block of Raines Road. A female identified as 43-year-old Lola Mitchell was pronounced deceased on the scene," the Memphis Police Depart shared in a statement to Twitter on Monday. There were no immediate signs of foul play."

Famed '90s supermodel Tatjana Patitz has died in Santa Barbara, California. She was 56 years old. 

Among the elite group of models who frequently covered magazines in the late '80s and '90s, Patitz's peers included Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford.

Patitz's death was announced by Vogue and confirmed to the Associated Press by her New York agent, Corinne Nicolas, with the Model CoOp agency. She reportedly died of illness, though more details have yet to be announced.

Jeff Beck, the legendary guitarist and leader of the Jeff Beck Group, died on Tuesday. He was 78. The rocker’s family released a statement revealing he died after contracting bacterial meningitis.  

"On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck’s passing. After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday. His family ask for privacy while they process this tremendous loss," the statement, shared across Beck's verified social media accounts, read.  

Beck rose to fame when he joined the Yardbirds, after replacing Eric Clapton in 1965. Upon leaving the group, he formed the Jeff Beck Group, which was fronted by Rod Stewart for a brief period. Through multiple iterations and member changes, the Jeff Beck Group released Truth (1968), Beck-Ola (1969), Rough and Ready (1971) and The Jeff Beck Group (1972).