Through their music, their acting, and their art, celebrities touch the lives of millions
of people across the globe.
They provide the soundtrack to all the major moments of your life.
So the loss of a beloved star can hit hard, because their lives remind us of everything
we love about our own lives.
Join us as we celebrate the legacy of these celebs we've sadly lost so far in 2018.
Jerry Van Dyke
The younger brother of TV legend Dick Van Dyke, Jerry Van Dyke passed away January 5th,
2018 at 86 years old from heart failure.
Jerry's wife, Shirley Ann Jones, said Jerry's health had declined following a car accident
in 2015.
Jerry got his start with guest appearances on The Dick Van Dyke Show and became a regular
on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Judy Garland Show as a comedian.
Far from riding his big brother's coattails, Jerry was an Emmy nominated actor in his own
right, earning four nods for his role of assistant coach Luther Van Dam on Coach from 1989 to
1997.
After Coach ended, Jerry made regular guest appearances on television shows including
My Name Is Earl, Yes Dear, Raising Hope, and The Middle.
Jason Wayne Miller
"Watch out for Salami Sam!"
Famous for playing Salami Sam in the 1995 cult classic film Heavyweights, Jason Wayne
Miller passed away in his sleep on January 9th, 2018, at his home in Chicago.
He was just 36 years old.
Heavyweights writer and producer Judd Apatow told Page Six
"Being around Joe Miller was pure joy.
We could not have loved spending time with him more.
He made everyone around him so happy.
What a terrible loss."
Co-star Aaron Schwartz, who played Gerald Garner in the film, added
"Joe always brought the fun to the set.
He was one of those people you always wanted to be around.
So sad.
So young.
Rest In Peace Joe."
Dolores O'Riordan
The frontwoman of the The Cranberries, Dolores O'Riordan passed away January 15th, 2018 at
age 46.
With one of the most unique voices in pop music, O'Riordan helped The Cranberries become
a worldwide sensation in the 90s with hits like "Linger" and "Zombie."
After a highly publicized altercation at an airport in 2014, O'Riordan was diagnosed with
bipolar disorder and became an outspoken mental health advocate.
O'Riordan's boyfriend of two years, musician Olé Koretsky, wrote in a statement:
"My friend, partner, and the love of my life is gone.
My heart is broken and it is beyond repair.
Dolores is beautiful.
[…] The energy she continues to radiate is undeniable.
I am lost.
I miss her so much."
Stephen Hawking
World-famous theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking passed away March 14th, 2018, at the
age of 76.
When Hawking was only 21 years old, he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- better known as ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease - and was given just two years to live.
Instead, he became one of the most famous scientists in modern history, and a pop culture
mainstay.
Hawking's children issued a statement which read in part,
"His courage and persistence with his brilliance and humor inspired people across the world.
He once said, 'It would not be much of a universe if it wasn't home to the people you love.'
We will miss you forever."
John Mahoney
Best known for playing down-to-earth dad Martin Crane on Frasier, John Mahoney passed away
February 4th, 2018, while in hospice care.
He was 77 years old.
Mahoney was born in England and came to the United States when he was 19.
He taught English at Western Illinois University before joining the Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble
in his late 30s.
"What do you think this means?"
"DOG ARMY!"
After appearing in films like Moonstruck and Say Anything, Mahoney received a Screen Actors
Guild Award, two Emmy nods, and two Golden Globe nominations for his role as Frasier
Crane's blue-collar dad.
Mahoney also won a Tony Award in 1986 for his role in The House of Blue Leaves on Broadway.
Mahoney never married and had no children, but in a touching tribute, Frasier star Kelsey
Grammer reflected,
"He was my father, and I loved him."
Reg E. Cathey
Veteran television actor Reg E. Cathey passed away February 9th, 2018, at 59 years old after
a battle with lung cancer.
Cathey, who was famous for his rich, deep voice, appeared in dozens of films and television
shows, but is perhaps best known as Martin Querns on Oz, and as reporter-turned-politician
Norman Wilson on The Wire.
He also won an Emmy in 2015 for his guest spot on House of Cards, giving one of the
shortest acceptance speeches of all time.
"Thank you, I'm thrilled."
Marty Allen
Legendary comedian Marty Allen passed away from complications from pneumonia on February
12th, 2018.
He was 95 years old.
After serving in World War II, Allen's comedy career began in 1950.
He rose to notoriety when he partnered with Steve Rossi for the duo Allen & Rossi.
The pair performed on The Ed Sullivan Show a whopping 44 times, including the episode
during which The Beatles made their U.S. TV debut.
"What do you do if a rhinoceros charges?"
"Take away his credit card."
Allen made hundreds of television appearances through the 1970s and 1980s, with credits
ranging from game shows such as Hollywood Squares to serious roles in daytime dramas
such as The Big Valley.
In 1984, Allen married Karon Blackwell, with whom he performed a musical comedy act on
tours throughout the United States for more than 30 years, with his final performance
coming on his 95th birthday in 2017.
David Ogden Stiers
Veteran stage, screen, and voice actor David Ogden Stiers passed away on March 3rd, 2018
from bladder cancer.
He was 75 years old.
An Oregon native who studied acting at Juilliard, Stiers earned two Emmy nominations for his
most famous role as Major Winchester on M*A*S*H. Later in his career, he became a voiceover
specialist, appearing in several Disney classics, including as the voice of Cogsworth in Beauty
and the Beast, and Governor Ratcliffe in Pocahontas.
Most recently, he voiced the character of Mr. Maellard on The Regular Show from 2011
through 2016.
His M*A*S*H co-star Loretta Swit said in a statement,
"He was an extraordinary person, a gifted actor, phenomenal musician, and my sweet,
dear shy friend.
[…] Working with him was an adventure.
He was exceptional."
DuShon Monique Brown
Chicago Fire star DuShon Monique Brown passed away from sepsis on March 23rd, 2018 at just
49 years old.
Brown starred on the series as Connie, the no-nonsense assistant to Chief Boden.
Previously, Brown was known for her recurring role as Nurse Katie Welch on Prison Break.
Chicago Fire executive producer Dick Wolf said in a statement,
"The Chicago Fire family is devastated to lose one of its own.
Our thoughts and prayers are with DuShon's family and we will all miss her."
Steven Bochco
The legendary producer behind television series such as Doogie Howser, M.D., NYPD Blue, L.A.
Law, and Hill Street Blues, Steven Bochco died April 1st, 2018 from leukemia.
He was 74 years old.
Over the course of Bochco's career, he was nominated for an incredible 30 Emmys, winning
10 of them.
Director Steven Spielberg, who collaborated with Bochco on the hit series Columbo, said
in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter,
"Steve was a friend and a colleague starting with the first episode of Columbo in 1971
that he wrote and I directed.
We have supported and inspired each other ever since, and through many deep mutual friendships
we have stayed connected for 47 years.
I will miss Steve terribly."
R. Lee Ermey
Best known for his Golden Globe-nominated portrayal of drill gunnery sergeant "Gunny"
Hartman in Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket, R. Lee Ermey passed away due to complications
from pneumonia on April 15th, 2018.
He was 74.
Prior to becoming an actor, Ermey spent 11 years in the Marines, including 14 months
in Vietnam.
After retiring from the military in 1971, he took advantage of the G.I.
Bill and studied drama at the University of Manila in the Philippines.
Francis Ford Coppola was filming 1979's Apocalypse Now nearby at the time and cast Ermey as a
helicopter pilot.
Ermey's career went on to span nearly 40 years, with roles in films including Seven, Dead
Man Walking, and as the toy soldiers' Army Sarge in the Toy Story franchise.
"It has been an honor serving with you.
Good luck folks"
Harry Anderson
Beloved Night Court star Harry Anderson passed away in his sleep at 65 years old on April
16th, 2018.
TMZ reported that Anderson's wife, Elizabeth, found him unresponsive in their home.
She told emergency personnel that Anderson had suffered from strokes and had battled
the flu in the months leading up to his passing.
In addition to starring as judge Harry Stone on the NBC hit show, Anderson was also an
accomplished comedian and magician.
Anderson's Night Court co-star John Larroquette tweeted:
"Out in the cosmos tonight, with his fedora at a rakish angle and a 'watch this' wink
to us, he's coaxing whoever might be out there with him: 'Pick a card.
Any card.'"
Avicii
Swedish DJ and producer Tim Bergling, better known to fans as Avicii, took his own life
on April 20th, 2018 at just 28 years old.
The EDM superstar, born Tim Bergling, was most famous for his hits "Levels," "Wake Me
Up," "Hey Brother," and "Fade Into Darkness."
Bergling suffered from serious medical issues in the final years of his all-too-short life,
including acute pancreatitis, which he attributed to excessive drinking.
As a result, the DJ reportedly quit drinking entirely, but his health issues continued,
and in 2014, he had his gallbladder and appendix removed.
By 2016, Avicii had retired from touring completely, citing not just his physical, but also his
mental health as reasons to step back from live performances.
He told The Hollywood Reporter,
"It was something I had to do for my health.
The scene was not for me.
[...] I'm more of an introverted person in general.
It was always very hard for me.
I took on board too much negative energy."
Verne Troyer
World famous for playing Mini-Me opposite Mike Myers in the hit Austin Powers franchise,
Verne Troyer passed away April 21st, 2018 at the age of 49.
Troyer, who stood at 2 feet, 9 inches, was born with achondroplasia dwarfism, which results
in the formation of unusually small limbs.
Myers said in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter,
"Verne was the consummate professional and a beacon of positivity for those of us who
had the honor of working with him.
It is a sad day, but I hope he is in a better place.
He will be greatly missed."
Margot Kidder
Famous for playing Lois Lane in 1978's Superman and its three sequels opposite Christopher
Reeve, Margot Kidder passed away on May 13th, 2018, at the age of 69.
Over the course of her long career, Kidder appeared in numerous film and television roles,
and famously enjoyed an acclaimed off-Broadway career.
She also publicly struggled with bipolar disorder for much of her life, becoming a mental health
advocate after a highly publicized breakdown in 1996, and later in life devoted herself
to political activism and environmental causes.
"What's left out of the conversation of mental health is that your brain is an organ of your
body."
Kate Spade
Born Katherine Noel Brosnahan, fashion designer Kate Spade began as an editor at Mademoiselle
and launched her handbag line with her husband Andy from their New York City apartment in
1993.
The award-winning brand expanded into housewares, accessories, and stationery.
She walked away from the company in 2006 to focus on parenting her daughter Frances.
On June 5th, 2018, she was found by a housekeeper afterwards.
She was 55 years old.
Law enforcement sources said Kate left a heartbreaking note for her daughter.
Sources also told TMZ that her husband supposedly wanted a divorce, which may have depressed
Kate.
The Spade family asked for privacy in a statement, saying,
"We are all devastated.
[...] We loved Kate dearly and will miss her terribly."
Anthony Bourdain
Chef, author, and television host Anthony Bourdain, best known for his Emmy-winning
shows No Reservations and Parts Unknown, was found dead of an apparent suicide on June
8th.
He was 61.
CNN confirmed that Bourdain was in France working on an upcoming episode of his hit
series when friend and fellow chef Eric Ripert found him in a hotel room.
CNN issued a statement that said, in part,
"His love of great adventure, new friends, fine food and drink and the remarkable stories
of the world made him a unique storyteller.
His talents never ceased to amaze us and we will miss him very much."
Bourdain built a name for himself as an outspoken chef with a reformed bad-boy reputation someone
who'd admitted to substance abuse problems in the past, but had reportedly overcome
his once-crippling addiction to become a highly successful food and travel connoisseur and
renowned journalist.
When Parts Unknown received a Peabody Award in 2013, the organization had this to say
about Bourdain:
"He's irreverent, honest, curious, never condescending, never obsequious … People open up to him
and, in doing so, often reveal more about their hometowns or homelands than a traditional
reporter could hope to document."
In memoriam
Sadly, these aren't the only celebrities who have left us in 2018.
Here's a look at some of the many stars who enhanced our lives before leaving us all too
soon.
Jon Paul Steuer
Donnelly Rhodes
Denise LaSalle
'Fast' Eddie Clarke
Bobby Zarin
Bob Smith
Connie Sawyer
Joel Taylor
Dorothy Malone
Fredo Santana
Dennis Edwards
Mickey Jones
John Gavin
Craig Mack
Sammy Williams
Seo Minwoo