We've already bid farewell to screen legends, music icons, and more in 2018.
Join us as we take a look at these artists' early works, reflect on their history-making
performances, and discuss the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Here are the stars we said goodbye to in 2018.
Stan Lee
Marvel Comics co-creator Stan Lee died November 12th, 2018 at age 95.
Born Stanley Martin Lieber, Lee was responsible for helping create iconic characters such
as Spider-Man, Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Marvel's Thor, The Fantastic Four, Black Panther,
and many, many others.
For a whole generation of readers, he was the face of Marvel Comics...and maybe even
comic books as a whole.
“Aren’t you…?”
“Oh, Stan Lee.
Hi.”
The last three years of Lee's life were tumultuous, starting in August 2015, when Lee's former
assistant sued him for alleged "severe mental abuse.”
Just under two years later, Lee's beloved wife of 69 years passed away, and the following
January, he was accused of sexually harassing the nursing staff at his home.
In 2018, Lee’s daughter, J.C. Lee, made headlines when she was accused of elder abuse
against her father, though the comic book icon denied any such abuse.
J.C. spoke fondly about her father after his death, telling TMZ:
"My father loved all of his fans.
He was the greatest, most decent man."
Burt Reynolds
Actor Burt Reynolds died September 6th, 2018, from a reported heart attack.
The Hollywood icon was gearing up to film Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon A Time In Hollywood
shortly before his death.
Smokey and the Bandit made Reynolds a household name in 1977, and the actor went on to build
a career that was marked by both big hits and big misses, like turning down the role
of Han Solo in Star Wars.
Reynolds’ personal life was particularly stormy.
His divorce from actress Loni Anderson was a 22-year process, and the actor was open
about never getting over his Smokey and the Bandit co-star and former girlfriend Sally
Field, who he called the love of his life.
Though Reynolds left us at age 82, his bravado - and his legendary mustache - will endure
on-screen forever.
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin died August 16th, 2018 at 76 years old.
The Queen of Soul's family issued a statement acknowledging that she passed away from pancreatic
cancer, which she had previously denied battling in an interview with Jet magazine.
The severity of her then-undisclosed illness wasn't revealed until just a week before she
died.
Franklin was a musical legend, honored as Rolling Stone's greatest singer of all time.
She had 18 Grammys and 44 nominations, and was the first woman inducted into the Rock
and Roll Hall of Fame.
She was also a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement, with her songs "Think" and "Respect"
becoming unofficial anthems for equality.
Franklin even performed at Martin Luther King Jr.'s memorial service following his assassination.
Mac Miller
Rapper Mac Miller, born Malcolm McCormick, died from a reported overdose on September
7th, 2018 at just 26 years old.
Miller had been open about his struggles with substance abuse, which reportedly contributed
to the end of his relationship with pop star Ariana Grande in spring 2018.
In February 2016, Miller said in a mini-documentary for Fader:
"I'd rather be the corny white rapper than the drugged-out mess who can't even get out
of his house.
Overdosing is just not cool.
You don't go down in history because you overdose.
You just die."
Miller's family released a statement after his death, saying:
"He was a bright light in this world for his family, friends and fans.
Thank you for your prayers."
Stephen Hawking
World-famous theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking died March 14th, 2018.
According to the BBC, Hawking - who'd been diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease,
when he was just 21 years old - died peacefully in his home in Cambridge.
He lived to be 76 years old, despite being given just two years to live at the time of
his diagnosis.
“But it’s been a great struggle, which I have got through only with a lot of help
from my family, colleagues, and friends.”
Hawking is survived by his children: Lucy, Tim, and Robert, who said in a statement:
"We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today [...] 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."
​Dolores O'Riordan
Dolores O'Riordan, the legendary frontwoman of The Cranberries, died on January 15th,
2018 at age 46.
A U.K. coroner told The Associated Press that O’Riordan was found dead in her London hotel
room, but that no foul play was suspected in her passing.
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."
Anthony Bourdain
Celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, best known for his Emmy-winning TV series Parts Unknown,
was found dead after apparently taking his own life on June 8th, 2018.
He was 61 years old.
CNN issued a statement on Bourdain’s sudden death, saying:
"It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague … 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.
Though he’d admitted to substance abuse problems in the past, the famous chef had
reportedly overcome those challenges to become a highly successful food and travel connoisseur
and renowned journalist.
“Just when you think ‘I’ve had enough of this,” something really interesting happens.
And interesting things happen to me all the time.”
When Parts Unknown received a Peabody Award in 2013, the organization remarked of 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."
Richard 'Old Man' Harrison
Pawn Stars patriarch Richard "Old Man" Harrison passed away on June 25th, 2018, reportedly
from complications related to Parkinson’s disease.
Richard, a Navy veteran who often spoke of his service on the show, became a fan favorite
on the History Channel hit series, which debuted in 2009, though his appearances in recent
years have been few and far between.
Richard opened the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas with his son Rick after moving
to Sin City in the 1980s.
Rick said in a statement:
"He was my hero and I was fortunate to get a very cool 'Old Man' as my dad.
That I got to share him with so many others and they got to see what a great family man
he was is something I am grateful to have experienced with him.”
Kate Spade
On June 5th, 2018, it was reported that fashion designer Kate Spade had tragically taken her
own life at 55 years old.
Born Katherine Noel Brosnahan, the famous handbag designer is survived by husband Andy
Spade - brother of comedian and actor David Spade - and their 13-year-old daughter, Frances
Beatrix Spade.
According to TMZ, law enforcement sources said Kate left a note for Frances that read,
in part, “This is not your fault.”
The Spade family asked for privacy in a statement, saying:
"We are all devastated.
We loved Kate dearly and will miss her terribly."
Mandy Blank
Fitness legend Mandy Blank died in her Los Angeles home on October 29th, 2018 at 42 years
old.
Per TMZ, the 1999 International Federation of Bodybuilding World Champion, was discovered
in the bathtub by a housekeeper and pronounced dead on the scene.
Reportedly no foul play was suspected in Blank’s death, and no drugs or alcohol were found
at the scene, but an autopsy performed on November 1st proved inconclusive, according
to a statement by the Los Angeles County Coroner.
Fitness icon and nutrition coach, Annette Milbers, said of Blank’s sudden passing,
"I'm absolutely shocked [...] She always made other people feel great.”
“...I’m not just some DVD sitting on the counter.
You are going to get a full transformation - mind, body, soul, spirit.”
Devin Lima
LFO singer Devin Lima passed away on November 21st, 2018 at just 41 years old.
Lima was one-third of the boy band famous for hits such as "Summer Girls" and "Girl
On TV."
In October 2017, Lima underwent surgery to remove a tumor from his adrenal gland that
was reportedly the size of a football.
According to bandmate Brad Fischetti, Lima also had to have his spleen and left kidney
removed during the surgery because the organs were "engulfed" by the tumor.
When the tumor was initially detected, Lima felt positive about his prognosis, saying
in a video to fans:
“It’s great to be holistic and have positive vibes.
You can cure a lot, I’ve cured a lot with just my mind.”
Later in October 2017, Fischetti announced that Lima had been diagnosed with stage 4
adrenal cancer.
On November 21st, 2018, he announced his band-mate’s death in an emotional YouTube video:
“To me he was a brother, to his six kids he was a father, to their mother - a wonderful
partner.”
Sadly, Lima is the second member of LFO to suffer an untimely death from cancer.
Frontman Rich Cronin passed away at age 36 in 2010 after battling leukemia.
Dennis Edwards
Temptations singer Dennis Edwards passed away at age 74 on February 1st, 2018.
Edwards replaced original lead singer, David Ruffin, in 1968, bringing his gospel style
to the lead vocals on some of the group's most memorable later-career hits, including
"Just My Imagination," "Cloud Nine," "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," and "I Can't Get Next
to You."
He split from the group in 1977, but rejoined a decade later - and in 1989, he was inducted
into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Temptations.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Edwards died from complications from meningitis.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda, as well as a daughter from his previous marriage to
Ruth Pointer of The Pointer Sisters.
Avicii
Swedish DJ and producer Avicii died April 20th, 2018 at just 28 years old.
The EDM superstar, born Tim Bergling, was most famous for his hits “Levels,” “Hey
Brother” and "Wake Me Up," featuring Aloe Blacc.
Bergling suffered from some serious medical issues in the final years of his all-too-short
life, including acute pancreatitis, which he attributed to excessive drinking.
Though he reportedly quit drinking entirely, his health issues continued, leading to the
DJ having both his appendix and gallbladder removed in 2014.
By 2016, Avicii had retired from touring completely, telling 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."
TMZ reported that the DJ was found dead at a resort in in Muscat, Oman.
The circumstances surrounding his passing remain unclear.
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.
Jerry Van Dyke
Verne Troyer
Fredo Santana
XXXTentacion
Jason Wayne Miller
Reg E. Cathey
Jon Paul Steuer
Beverly McClellan
Kim Porter
Vernita Lee
Scott Wilson
“Fast” Eddie Clarke
Bobby Zarin
Olivia Cole
Bob Smith
Denise LaSalle
Connie Sawyer
Joel Taylor
Dorothy Malone
Mark Salling
Jim Rodford
John Mahoney
Mickey Jones
John Gavin
Marty Allen
Donnelly Rhodes
David Ogden Stiers
Craig Mack
Sammy Williams
DuShon Monique Brown
Seo Minwoo
R. Lee Ermey
Steven Bochco
Harry Anderson
Margot Kidder
Senator John McCain
If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).