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Sadly, death is something we cannot escape; we are shocked to learn celebrities and public figures at any age passed away and completely disappeared from the spotlight.

Sadly, death is something we cannot escape; we are shocked to learn celebrities and public figures at any age passed away and completely disappeared from the spotlight.

From musicians and entertainers to movie icons and famous personalities, they hold on to our memories, because “Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.” In memory of public figures who have died, here's a look back at celebrities we lost in 2023 so far.

photo 1/41 © Gary Gershoff @gettyimages

Wayne Swinny

Wayne Swinny

The guitarist and founding member of the nu-metal band Siliva passed away on March 22 at the age of 59 following a brain haemorrhage while on tour. Wayne Swinny was the last surviving member of the band

photo 3/41 © Scott Legato 

Lance Reddick

Lance Reddick

The veteran actor Lance Reddick, who appeared in movies like John Wick and its sequels as well as TV shows like The Wire, Fringe, Resident Evil, and Bosch, passed away at the age of 60 on March 17 from natural causes.

photo 5/41 © Leon Bennett 

Costa Titch

Costa Titch

Better known by his rap alias Costa Titch, the South African rapper Constantinos Tsobanoglou died on March 11 at the age of 28. He was considered a gifted rapper, dancer, singer, and songwriter, as well as "a galvanising voice among South Africa's amapiano scene."

photo 7/41 © Gallo Images

Chaim Topol

Chaim Topol

Chaim Topol is unforgettable for his performance as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof movie, the Israeli actor Chaim Topol was pronounced dead at 87 on March 9. During his career, the actor won two Golden Globes.

photo 8/41 © David M. Benett

Bert I. Gordon

Bert I. Gordon

The sci-fi director, writer, and producer who is known for his visual effects behind some of cinema's greatest giant-monster films, Bert I. Gordon, left the world of entertainment on March 8 at the age of 100.

photo 9/41 © Albert L. Ortega

Gary Rossington

Gary Rossington

The guitarist and last remaining member of the rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, died on March 5 at the age of 71. The 1977 plane crash, which killed several members of the band, was a significant event in the band's history.

photo 11/41 © R. Diamond 

Tom Sizemore

Tom Sizemore

The actor is known for having collaborated with Hollywood's most esteemed directors, including Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg, and making more than 200 films. Tom Sizemore died of a brain aneurysm on March 3 at age 61.

photo 13/41 © Albert L. Ortega 

Wayne Shorter

Wayne Shorter

The 12-time Grammy Award-winning jazz saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter died at 89 on March 2. During his career, he collaborated with many artists, including Carlos Santana and Joni Mitchell.

photo 15/41 © The Washington Post 

Hugh Hudson

Hugh Hudson

The British filmmaker, best known for his Academy Award-winning film Chariots of Fire, died after a short illness on February 10 at the age of 86. One of the notable films includes Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan.

photo 16/41 © Sylvain Lefevre 

Annie Wersching

Annie Wersching

The American actress renowned for starring in the movies 24, Bosch, and Runaways as well as voicing the character Tess in the video game The Last of Us, died of cancer on January 29 at the age of 45.

photo 18/41 © Paul Archuleta

Lisa Marie Presley

Lisa Marie Presley

The only child of Elvis and Priscilla Presley, singer-songwriter Lisa Marie Presley, died of a suspected cardiac arrest on January 12 at 54. She is widely remembered as the former wife of the late pop music icon, Michael Jackson.

photo 19/41 © Jon Kopaloff 

Kyle Jacobs

Kyle Jacobs

The American country music songwriter and greatest guitarist and pianist Kyle Jacobs passed away on 17 February at the age of 49. Kyle Jacobs was also widely recognised as the husband of former “American Idol” contestant Kellie Pickler.

photo 20/41 © Daniel Zuchnik

Paul O’Grady

Paul O’Grady

Paul O’Grady was an English comedian, broadcaster, drag queen, actor, and writer who achieved notability in the London gay scene during the 1980s with his drag persona Lily Savage, through which he gained wider popularity in the 1990s. He subsequently dropped the character and in the 2000s became the presenter of various television and radio shows, such as The Paul O’Grady Show, Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs, and Blind Date. He also wrote several books, including a four-volume memoir. He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2008 for services to entertainment. He died on March 28, 2023, at the age of 67, in Aldington, Kent. He died “unexpectedly but peacefully”, according to his husband Andre Portasio.

photo 21/41 © Joe Maher @gettyimages

Alan Arkin

Alan Arkin

Alan Arkin was an American actor, director, producer, author, singer and composer who had a versatile and prolific career in theatre, television and film. He won an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Tony Award and two Primetime Emmy Awards. He was known for his comedic skills and his ability to play a wide range of characters. He starred in films such as The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming, Wait Until Dark, The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter, Catch-22, Little Miss Sunshine and Argo. He also directed films such as Little Murders and The Sunshine Boys. He died on June 29, 2023, at the age of 89, in Carlsbad, California.

photo 22/41 © Axelle @gettyimages

Barry Humphries

Barry Humphries

Barry Humphries was an Australian comedian, actor, author and satirist who was best known for writing and playing his stage and television characters Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson. He was a leading figure of the British comedy scene in the 1960s and 1970s, alongside contemporaries such as Spike Milligan, Peter Cook and Dudley Moore. He also appeared in numerous films, such as The Adventures of Barry McKenzie, The Hobbit, and Finding Nemo. He was a recipient of the Order of Australia, the Order of the British Empire, and the BAFTA Fellowship. He died on April 22, 2023, at the age of 89, in Sydney, Australia. He died of complications following hip surgery after a fall.

photo 23/41 © James D. Morgan @gettyimages

Burt Bacharach

Burt Bacharach

Burt Bacharach was an American composer, songwriter, record producer, and pianist who was widely regarded as one of the most important and influential figures of 20th-century popular music. He wrote hundreds of pop songs, many in collaboration with lyricist Hal David, for artists such as Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Tom Jones, Dusty Springfield, and The Carpenters. He won six Grammy Awards, three Academy Awards, and one Emmy Award. He died on February 8, 2023, at the age of 94, in Los Angeles, California.

photo 24/41 © Harry Langdon @gettyimages

Andy Rourke

Andy Rourke

Andy Rourke was an English musician, best known as the bassist of the 1980s indie rock band The Smiths. He was known for his melodic and funk-inspired approach to bass playing, creating memorable lines for songs such as This Charming Man, How Soon Is Now?, and There Is a Light That Never Goes Out. He also played guitar and cello on some of the band’s recordings. He was a childhood friend of guitarist Johnny Marr, and joined The Smiths after their first gig in 1982. He remained with the band until their breakup in 1987. He also played on some of singer Morrissey’s early solo albums, such as Viva Hate and Kill Uncle. After The Smiths, he recorded with artists such as Sinéad O’Connor, The Pretenders, Killing Joke, and Badly Drawn Boy. He was also a member of the supergroup Freebass, along with Peter Hook of New Order and Gary Mounfield of The Stone Roses. He died on May 19, 2023, at the age of 59, in New York City. He had been battling pancreatic cancer for a long time.

photo 25/41 © Pete Still @gettyimages

Treat Williams

Treat Williams

Treat Williams was an American actor who starred in many films, television shows and theatre productions. He was known for his roles in Hair, 1941, Prince of the City, Everwood and Chesapeake Shores. He died on June 12, 2023, at the age of 71, in Albany, New York. The cause of his death was not disclosed.

photo 26/41 © Gregg DeGuire @gettyimages

Harry Belafonte

Harry Belafonte

Harry Belafonte was an American singer, actor, producer, and activist who was a key figure in the folk music scene of the 1950s. He popularized the Caribbean folk songs known as calypsos, such as Day-O (The Banana Boat Song), Island in the Sun, and Jamaica Farewell. He was also a successful actor, starring in films such as Carmen Jones, Odds Against Tomorrow, and Buck and the Preacher. He was a prominent civil rights activist, working closely with Martin Luther King Jr., supporting anti-apartheid movements, and raising awareness of famine in Africa. He was also a humanitarian and a UNICEF goodwill ambassador. He won many awards, including three Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, a Tony Award, and an honorary Academy Award. He died on April 25, 2023, at the age of 96, in New York City.

photo 27/41 © @gettyimages

Tina Turner

Tina Turner

Tina Turner was an American-born Swiss singer, songwriter and actress who was known as the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll. She had a successful career both as part of the duo Ike & Tina Turner and as a solo artist. She had many hits such as What’s Love Got to Do with It, The Best, Proud Mary and River Deep, Mountain High. She won eight Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame twice. She also acted in films such as Tommy and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. She died on May 24, 2023, at the age of 83, in Küsnacht, Switzerland, after suffering from various health problems.

photo 28/41 © Denize Alain @gettyimages

David Crosby

David Crosby

David Crosby was an American singer and guitarist who co-founded two influential rock bands: The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash. He was known for his distinctive voice, his guitar playing, and his songwriting. He was also a political and social activist, supporting causes such as environmentalism, anti-war movements, and Native American rights. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice, as a member of both groups. He released 11 solo albums, the last one being For Free in 2021. He also collaborated with many other artists, such as Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, Phil Collins, and David Gilmour. He died on January 18, 2023, at the age of 81, in Santa Ynez, California. He had struggled with drug addiction and health problems for many years.

photo 29/41 © Koh Hasebe @gettyimages

Tony Bennett

Tony Bennett

Tony Bennett was an American jazz and pop singer who had a long and successful career spanning over seven decades. He was known for his smooth voice and interpretive abilities with songs in a variety of genres. He won 20 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, and two Primetime Emmy Awards. He collaborated with many famous artists such as Frank Sinatra, Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse, Paul McCartney and John Legend. He also had a passion for painting and founded the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in New York. He died on July 21, 2023, at the age of 96, in New York City. He had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016, but continued to perform and record until his final shows with Lady Gaga in August 2021.

photo 30/41 © Virginia Sherwood @gettyimages

Raquel Welch

Raquel Welch

Raquel Welch was an American actress and model who became an international sex symbol in the 1960s and 1970s. She was known for her roles in films such as Fantastic Voyage, One Million Years B.C., The Three Musketeers, Myra Breckinridge and Legally Blonde. She also won a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for an Emmy Award. She was also a successful entrepreneur, launching her own line of wigs, jewellery, skincare and makeup products. She died on February 15, 2023, at the age of 82, in Los Angeles, California.

photo 31/41 © Jason LaVeris

Jim Brown

Jim Brown

Jim Brown was an American football player, actor, and activist who was widely regarded as one of the greatest running backs of all time. He played for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL), leading the league in rushing yards and touchdowns in eight of his nine seasons. He retired from football at the age of 30 to pursue an acting career, appearing in more than 30 films, such as The Dirty Dozen, 100 Rifles, and Any Given Sunday. He also became a prominent civil rights activist, supporting Muhammad Ali’s stance against the Vietnam War, founding the Negro Industrial and Economic Union, and creating the Amer-I-Can program to help disadvantaged youth and gang members. He died on May 18, 2023, at the age of 87, in Los Angeles, California.

photo 32/41 © Greg Doherty @gettyimages

Len Goodman

Len Goodman

Len Goodman was an English professional ballroom dancer, dance teacher, and dance competition adjudicator. He appeared as head judge on the UK television programme Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 to 2016 and on the US television programme Dancing with the Stars from 2005 to 2022. He was known for his catchphrases “It’s a ten from Len” and “Seveeeern”. He also presented various shows, such as Holiday of My Lifetime and Partners in Rhyme. He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2008 for services to entertainment. He died on April 22, 2023, at the age of 78, in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. He died of bone cancer, surrounded by his family.

photo 33/41 © Eric McCandless @gettyimages

Sinéad O’Connor

Sinéad O’Connor

Sinéad O’Connor was an Irish singer-songwriter and activist who had a distinctive and powerful voice. She rose to fame with her 1990 cover of Prince’s song Nothing Compares 2 U, which became a global hit and won her several awards. She also released 10 studio albums, including The Lion and the Cobra, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got, and I’m Not Bossy, I’m the Boss. She was known for her outspoken views on social and political issues, such as child abuse, human rights, religion, and women’s rights. She famously tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II on live television in 1992, in protest of the Catholic Church’s role in covering up sexual abuse cases. She also converted to Islam in 2018 and changed her name to Shuhada’ Sadaqat. She died on July 26, 2023, at the age of 56, in London, England. The cause of her death was not disclosed

photo 34/41 © Lindsey Best @gettyimages

Jane Birkin

Jane Birkin

Jane Birkin was a British and French actress, singer and fashion icon who attained international fame and notability for her decade-long musical and romantic partnership with Serge Gainsbourg. She recorded many songs with him, including the controversial and erotic hit “Je t’aime… moi non plus”. She also starred in many films, such as Blow-Up, Death on the Nile, and La femme et le TGV. She inspired the creation of the Hermès Birkin handbag, which became a symbol of luxury and style. She was also a humanitarian and an activist for various causes, such as AIDS awareness, animal rights, and refugees. She died on July 16, 2023, at the age of 76, in Paris, France.

photo 35/41 © Gamma-Rapho @gettyimages

Angus Cloud

Angus Cloud

Angus Cloud was an American actor who rose to fame for his role as Fezco in the HBO teen drama Euphoria. He was discovered by a casting director while working in a restaurant in Brooklyn, New York, and had no prior acting experience. He quickly became a fan favorite for his natural and authentic performance. He also appeared in a few films, such as North Hollywood and The Line. He died on July 31, 2023, at the age of 25, in Oakland, California. He had been struggling with his mental health and the loss of his father, who died a week before him.

photo 36/41 © Arturo Holmes @gettyimages

Geneviève de Fontenay

Geneviève de Fontenay

Geneviève de Fontenay was a French businesswoman who was the president of the Miss France Committee from 1981 to 2009 and the Miss Prestige National Committee from 2010 to 2016. She was known for her strict and traditional views on beauty pageants, as well as her iconic black and white outfits and hats. She was also involved in various social and political causes, such as animal rights, secularism, and anti-racism. She died on August 1, 2023, at the age of 90, in Saint-Cloud, France. She was a respected and influencial figure in the French cultural scene who defended her values and opinions.

photo 37/41 © Eric Fougere @gettyimages

Tatjana Patitz: "The German Face"

Tatjana Patitz: "The German Face"

"The iconic 'German Face' has taken her final bow. Renowned supermodel Tatjana Patitz tragically passed away on January 11, 2023, at the tender age of 56, with breast cancer claiming her vibrant spirit. Left in her wake is her 19-year-old son, Jonah, who continues to reside in California, her cherished adopted homeland. Patitz's luminous career saw her in the elite circle of 'The Big Five' during the '80s and '90s alongside esteemed models such as Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Cindy Crawford, and Linda Evangelista. The moniker 'The German Face' was fondly attributed to her, symbolizing the epitome of German beauty during that era."

photo 38/41 © Ursula Düren @gettyimages

David Watkins

David Watkins

David Watkins was a Welsh rugby legend who played both rugby union and rugby league at the highest level. He was a fly-half with a brilliant tactical mind and a knack for scoring points. He captained the British and Irish Lions in 1966 and Great Britain in 1977. He also had a successful career with Salford, where he became the club’s record points scorer. He was awarded an MBE for his services to sport and later became involved in the administration of rugby in Wales. He died on 3 September 2023, at the age of 81, after suffering from dementia.

photo 41/41 © mirrorpix

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