This year like every year, we find ourselves collectively mourning the passing of celebrities. It may feel a little confusing and strange to feel grief when a celebrity passes because in most cases it’s not like we knew them personally, but it’s actually not at all strange. You don’t have to know them for them to have made an impact on your life. That’s why saying goodbye to can feel so personal.
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"Celebrities connect with us, and even though we didn’t personally know them, their presence is still felt in our lives," explains clinical counselor Rachel O’Neill, Ph.D. "For example, maybe the individual was an integral part of your childhood in some way. Maybe they were your first crush or maybe they represented an ideal, something you hoped that you could be.” And so, we say goodbye to the following celebrities and thank them for what they represented in our lives.
Tina Turner died on May 23.
Her official Instagram account posted the news of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame legend’s passing. The caption reads:
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner. With her music and her boundless passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans around the world and inspired the stars of tomorrow. Today we say goodbye to a dear friend who leaves us all her greatest work: her music. All our heartfelt compassion goes out to her family. Tina, we will miss you dearly. (© Peter Lindbergh)”
She died at the age of 83.
Jim Brown died on May 18.
He goes down in history as one of the NFL’s greatest players. In 1971, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was also a dedicated social activist and an actor with over 50 credits to his name. He died at the age of 87.
Jerry Springer died on April 26.
He started out with a career in politics and even served as the 56th Mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio. But what he is most known for is The Jerry Springer Show, which aired for 27 seasons and was the epitome of scandalous sensationalism from day one. He died at the age of 79.
Harry Belafonte died on April 24.
The King of Calypso, as he was known, was a singer, musician, actor, and most importantly an activist. "I wasn't an artist who became an activist. I was an activist who became an artist," he wrote in his 2011 memoir. He died at the age of 96 due to congestive heart failure.
Andrés García died on April 4.
The Dominican-born Mexican actor is one of the most recognized faces of his generation in Mexico and all of Latin America. He starred in many telenovelas and films including Pedro Navaja and Tú o nadie. He died at the age of 81 of liver cirrhosis.
Xavier 'Chabelo'López died on March 25.
The Mexican actor, comedian, and producer, who was known as his character Chabelo, was always proud to be a “friend of all children.” His show En Familia con Chabelo aired for close to 48 years. He died at the age of 88.
Lance Reddick died on March 16.
He was an extraordinary actor beloved by audiences and his peers alike. Perhaps best known for his work on HBO’s The Wire and the John Wick movie franchises. “We lost our brother, and in a really sort of very shocking way. I think we’re all still in shock,” said Laurence Fishburne at the Los Angeles premiere of John Wick: Chapter 4. He died at the age of 60 of heart disease.
Bobby Caldwell died on March 13.
If you’ve ever heard him sing “What You Won’t Do for Love,” then you know that his voice was sensational. His songs transcend generations and have been sampled by artists including Tupac Shakur, Common, and Lil Nas X. He died at the age of 71.
Robert Blake died on March 8.
He started acting as a child and had a very successful career for decades. He starred in the 1970s show Baretta, which won him an Emmy and a Golden Globe. His career took a hit after his second wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, was murdered in 2001 while on a date with him. He went to trial for her murder and was acquitted in 2005, but in a civil suit that was filed a few months after, he was found liable for her death and ordered to pay the victim’s children millions He died at the age of 89.
Tom Sizemore died on March 2.
The Saving Private Ryan star died after suffering a brain aneurysm. According to his manager, the actor died “peacefully in his sleep” while his twin sons and brother were by his side. He died at the age of 61.
Irma Serrano died on March 1.
The Mexican singer, dancer, actor, and politician gained fame in the 1960 and became known as La Tigresa de la Canción Ranchera and later that got shortened to La Tigresa. She died at the age of 89.
Richard Belzer died on February 18.
The stand-up comic, who went from being the audience warm-up comedian for Saturday Night Live to becoming very well known for portraying Detective John Munch on Law and Order for 23 years. He died at the age of 78.
Raquel Welch died on February 14.
Born Jo Raquel Tejada to a Bolivian father and American mother, she started off as a weather forecaster and model before getting her first film role in the 1960s. She went one to appear in over 30 films and 50 television shows. She died at the age of 82.
David Jude Jolicoeur died on February 11.
David Jude Jolicoeur, known Trugoy the Dove, was one of the founding members the groundbreaking trio De La Soul. Their debut album 3 Feet High and Rising is one of the most influential hip-hop albums ever. He spend his least years struggling with congestive heart failure. He died at the age of 54.
Burt Bacharach died on February 7.
He composed songs for artists including Dionne Warwish, Tom Jones, and Aretha Franklin. He wrote hit after hit after hit. Think “Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head, “That’s What Friends are For,” and “Wishin’ and Hopin’” to name a few. He died at the age of 94.
Leopoldo García Benítez died on January 23.
The comedian known professionally as Polo Polo was considered the father of Mexican stand-up comedy, known for his detailed style of narrative joke telling. He died at the age of 78.
David Crosby died on January 17.
The undeniable rock legend—inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice— was one of the founding members of The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash. He also released six solo albums. He died at the age of 81.
Lisa Marie Presley did on January 11.
As the only child of Elvis Presley, she was famous the second she was born. Like her father, she could sing and released three albums. “It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us,” Priscilla Presley told The Associated Press. “She was the most passionate, strong and loving woman I have ever known.” She died at the age due to 54 from cardiac arrest.
Jeff Beck died on January 9.
The is considered by many to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time. He won eight Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice: Once for his work with The Yardbirds and also for his solo work. He died at the age of 78 after contracting bacterial meningitis.
Adam Rich died on January 6.
He became famous as a child because of his portrayal the youngest son, Nicholas Bradford, on the ABC show Eight is Enough from 1977 to 1981. Later in life, he had some run ins with the law, and was also an outspoken mental health advocate. He died at the age of 54.
