Celebrity Deaths 2022 — In Memoriam of Those We Lost

The Oscar-winning actor died just six days after the start of 2022. His cause of death was revealed to be heart failure. He is best remembered for his roles in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, In the Heat of the Night, and A Raisin in the Sun.

Sidney was 94 years old.

Comedian and Full House star Bob Saget died tragically in his hotel room in Orlando, Fla., at the age of 65. His cause of death was later revealed to be head trauma.

He is survived by his wife, Kelly Rizzo, and his three daughters.

André Leon Talley was a force in the fashion industry, working as the creative director and editor-at-large at American Vogue as well as writing three books, including his memoir, The Chiffon Trenches.

He died after a suffering a heart attack at 73 years old.

The French model and actor tragically passed away in a skiing accident in the Alps. He is best known for appearing in Chanel perfume ads, as well as his posthumous role in Moon Knight.

He is survived by his 6-year-old son, Orso, and his longtime girlfriend, Gaelle Pietri. Gaspard was 37 years old.

Michael Lee Aday, better known as Meatloaf, died on Jan. 20, 2022, at the age of 74. No cause of death was revealed but TMZ reported that he was “seriously ill” with COVID-19 ahead of his death.

He is survived by his wife Deborah Gillespie, his daughters, and his grandson.

Comic and actor Louie Anderson passed away at the age of 68 due to complications of diffuse large B cell lymphoma, a form of blood cancer.

His career started with small roles in films such as Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Coming to America before he went on to star in his own animated show, Life With Louie. In 2016, he won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor for his role in the comedy series Baskets.

The music world lost a pioneer following the death of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins at the age of 50. The cause of death was not given, though a preliminary toxicology report allegedly showed 10 different substances including opioids, marijuana, and antidepressants in his system.

“The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins,” the band shared in a statement. “His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever.”

Following a long battle with brain cancer, The Wanted singer Tom Parker tragically died at the age of 33. He is survived by his wife, Kelsey, and kids, Bodhi and Aurelia.

Best known for her role as Estelle Constanza on Seinfeld, Estelle Harris was an actress and comedienne, who also voiced Mrs. Potato Head in the Toy Story franchise.

She died of natural causes in her home at the age of 93.

Comedian Gilbert Gottfried, who had one of the most recognizable voices in Hollywood, died at the age of 67 due to complications of myotonic dystrophy type 2, an inherited disease.

He was best known for voicing Iago in Aladdin and the Aflac duck.

Country music icon Naomi Judd completed suicide following a long battle with mental illness at the age of 76.

“We have always shared openly both the joys of being family as well as its sorrows, too. One part of our story is that our matriarch was dogged by an unfair foe,” the Judd family said in a statement. “She was treated for PTSD and bipolar disorder, to which millions of Americans can relate.”

Goodfellas actor Ray Liotta died unexpectedly in his sleep while filming a movie in the Dominican Republic at the age of 67.

He is survived by his wife, Michelle, and daughter, Karsen. His last performance, in the movie Cocaine Bear, will premiere on Feb. 24, 2023.

TikTok star Cooper Noriega died tragically at the age of 19 due to an accidental overdose.

“Today has been an incredibly difficult time for my family and me. We lost our beautiful 19-year-old Cooper last evening,” his father wrote on Facebook at the time. “He was loved by so many and truly the love of Treva’s, Parker’s, and my life. There are no words to express the grief and loss. It’s not supposed to be this way. Your child is not supposed to pass before his parents.”

James Caan will be remembered for his roles in The Godfather, Brian’s Song, the TV show Las Vegas, and Elf.

He died at the age of 82 after suffering a fatal heart attack. James is survived by his five kids, including actor Scott Caan.

The first wife of former President Donald Trump, Ivana Trump died at the age of 73 after suffering a fall in her home. She is survived by her three kids, Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Eric Trump.

Goodfellas and Romeo + Juliet star Paul Sorvino, the father of Oscar-winning actress of Mira Sorvino, died of natural causes at the age of 83.

“My father the great Paul Sorvino has passed,” Mira tweeted at the time. “My heart is rent asunder — a life of love and joy and wisdom with him is over. He was the most wonderful father. I love him so much. I’m sending you love in the stars Dad as you ascend.”

Actress Anne Heche died tragically after being involved in a devastating car crash, resulting in inhalation and thermal injuries. She is survived by her two sons, Homer and Atlas.

After seven decades on the throne, Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96 in her home at Balmoral. Her death came a year after her husband, Prince Philip passed away at the age of 99.

Her son, King Charles III, will succeed her, and his coronation is set for May 6, 2023.

Rapper Coolio, best known for his hit song “Gangsta’s Paradise,” passed away at the age of 59. His cause of death is unknown, although it has been speculated that he went into cardiac arrest.

Coolio (real name: Artis Leon Ivey Jr.) is survived by his 10 children.

Country music star Loretta Lynn passed away peacefully in her home at the age of 90, according to her six children.

“Our precious mom, Loretta Lynn, passed away peacefully this morning, Oct. 4, in her sleep at home in her beloved ranch in Hurricane Mills,” they shared in a statement.

Before her death, Angela Lansbury achieved much in her career, starring in the hit TV show Murder, She Wrote, and multiple award-winning movies including The Manchurian Candidate and Beauty and the Beast.

She was also made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2014 by Queen Elizabeth II. She died at the age of 96.

Robbie Coltrane died following multiple organ failure at the age of 72, but he will always be remembered for his portrayal of Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter movie franchise.

After gaining social media popularity amid the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Leslie Jordan, best known for playing Beverly Leslie on Will & Grace — became a household name and, shortly after, landed a role on the Fox series Call Me Kat.

Sadly, he tragically passed away at the age of 67 after suffering a medical emergency while driving. Luckily, his Instagram remains active thanks to his family.

Rapper Takeoff, one-third of the hip-hop trio Migos, was tragically shot and killed outside a Houston bowling alley. He was 28 years old.

After years of substance abuse and mental health issues, pop star Aaron Carter, the brother of Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter, passed away at the age of 34. His cause of death is currently unknown.

He is survived by his son, Prince Lyric Carter.

Fame and Flashdance singer Irene Cara sadly passed away at the age of 63. Her cause of death is unknown.

Best known as the keyboardist and one of the vocalists of Fleetwood Mac, Christine McVie died at the age of 79 “following a short illness,” her family wrote.

“There are no words to describe our sadness at the passing of Christine McVie,” Fleetwood Mac wrote in a statement on Twitter. “She was truly one-of-a-kind, special and talented beyond measure. She was the best musician anyone could have in their band and the best friend anyone could have in their life. We were so lucky to have a life with her.”

From Cheers to Look Who’s Talking Now to her reality series, Kirstie Alley’s Big Life, Kirstie Alley was a pop culture icon. The 71-year-old died after a short battle with colon cancer and is survived by her two children and grandchildren.

Just a few days before Christmas, it was announced that dancer, DJ, and TV host Stephen “tWitch” Boss died by suicide at the age of 40. He is survived by his wife, Allison Holker, and his three kids, Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia.

Following his death, his former boss, Ellen Degeneres shared some touching words about the talented entertainer.

“Everyone is in pain and trying to make sense of it, and we’ll never make sense of it,” she said on Instagram. “The best thing we can do is to laugh and hug each other and play games and dance and sing… It seems impossible, but that’s how we honor him. And hug each other and tell each other we love each other and let people know we’re there for them and check in with people.”

Gone but never forgotten.