Final goodbye: Recalling stars who died in 2022
Among the entertainers who died this year was groundbreaking actor Sidney Poitier
Sidney Poitier, 94. He played roles of such dignity and intelligence that he transformed how Black people were portrayed on screen, becoming the first Black actor to win an Oscar for best lead performance and the first to be a top box-office draw. January 6.
BOB SAGET, 65.
The actor-comedian known for his role as beloved single dad Danny Tanner on the sitcom Full House and as the wisecracking host of America’s Funniest Home Videos. January 9.
ANDRÉ LEON TALLEY, 73.
A towering and highly visible figure of the fashion world who made history as a rare Black editor in an overwhelmingly white industry. Jan. 18.
MEAT LOAF, 74.
The rock superstar loved by millions for his Bat Out of Hell album and for such theatrical, darkhearted anthems as Paradise By the Dashboard Light, Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad, and I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That). January 20.
CHESLIE KRYST, 30.
The winner of the Miss USA pageant and a correspondent for the entertainment news program Extra. January 30. Died by suicide.
WILLIAM HURT, 71.
His laconic charisma and self-assured subtlety as an actor made him one of the 1980s foremost leading men in movies such as Broadcast News, Body Heat and The Big Chill. March 13.
TAYLOR HAWKINS, 50.
For 25 years, he was the drummer for Foo Fighters and best friend of frontman Dave Grohl. March 25.
ESTELLE HARRIS, 93.
She hollered her way into TV history as George Costanza’s short-fused mother on Seinfeld and voiced Mrs. Potato Head in the Toy Story franchise. April 2.
GILBERT GOTTFRIED , 67.
The actor and legendary standup comic known for his raw and crude jokes. April 12.
NAOMI JUDD, 76.
Her family harmonies with daughter Wynonna turned them into the Grammy-winning country stars The Judds. April 30. Died by suicide.
RAY LIOTTA, 67.
The actor best known for playing mobster Henry Hill in Goodfellas and baseball player Shoeless Joe Jackson in Field of Dreams. May 26.
ANDY “FLETCH” FLETCHER, 60.
Keyboardist for British synth pop giants Depeche Mode for more than 40 years. May 26.
OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN, 73.
The Grammy-winning superstar who reigned on pop, country, adult contemporary and dance charts with such hits as Physical and You’re the One That I Want and won countless hearts as everyone’s favourite Sandy in the blockbuster film version of Grease. August 8.
ANNE HECHE, 53.
The Emmy-winning film and television actor
whose dramatic Hollywood rise in the 1990s and accomplished career contrasted with personal chapters of turmoil. August 14. Injuries suffered in a car crash.
CHARLBI DEAN, 32.
The South African actor and model who had a breakout role in Triangle of Sadness, which won this year’s top prize at the Cannes Film Festival. August 29. Sudden illness.
JEAN-LUC GODARD, 91.
The iconic “enfant terrible” of the French New Wave who revolutionized popular cinema in 1960 with his first feature, Breathless, and stood for years among the film world’s most influential directors. September 13.
COOLIO , 59.
The rapper was among hip-hop’s biggest names of the 1990s with hits including Gangsta’s Paradise and Fantastic Voyage. September 28.
LORETTA LYNN, 90.
The Kentucky coal miner’s daughter whose frank songs about life and love as a woman in Appalachia pulled her out of poverty and made her a pillar of country music. October 4.
ANGELA LANSBURY, 96.
The scene-stealing British actor who kicked up her heels in the Broadway musicals Mame and Gypsy and solved endless murders as crime novelist Jessica Fletcher in the TV series Murder, She Wrote. October 11.
ROBBIE COLTRANE, 72.
The baby-faced comedian and character actor whose hundreds of roles included a crime-solving psychologist on the TV series Cracker and the gentle half-giant Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies. October 14.
LESLIE JORDAN, 67.
The Emmy-winning actor whose wry Southern drawl and versatility made him a comedy and drama standout on TV series including Will & Grace and American Horror Story. October 24.
TAKEOFF, 28.
A rapper best known for his work with the Grammy-nominated trio Migos. November 1. Killed in a shooting.
AARON CARTER, 34.
The singer-rapper who began performing as a child and had hit albums starting in his teen years. November 5.
JASON DAVID FRANK, 49.
He played the Green Power Ranger Tommy Oliver on the 1990s children’s series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. November 19.
CHRISTINE MCVIE, 79.
The British-born Fleetwood Mac vocalist, songwriter and keyboard player whose cool, soulful contralto helped define such classics as You Make Loving Fun, Everywhere and Don’t Stop. November 30.
KIRSTIE ALLEY , 71.
A two-time Emmy winner whose roles on the TV megahit Cheers and in the Look Who’s Talking films made her one of the biggest stars in American comedy in the late 1980s and early 1990s. December 5.
STEPHEN “TWITCH” BOSS, 40.
The longtime and beloved dancing DJ on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and a former contestant on So You Think You Can Dance. December 13. Died by suicide.