Celebrity Deaths: All The Stars We Lost In 2022
By Tony M. Centeno
December 29, 2022
2022 was a sad period of time for the families, friends and fans of some of the most iconic figures in the music industry.
Throughout the year, we've had to say goodbye to an array of talented souls who brought joy into our lives for decades. Some celebrities we lost unexpectedly like the Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins and Migos rapper TakeOff. Others passed away due to illness like Fleetwood Mac's Christine McVie who passed away in a hospital just last month.
There are plenty more legends who tragically passed away this year. Take a look below as we recognize the vital musicians who left us way too soon.
Olivia Newton-John (September 26, 1948 - August 8, 2022)
Olivia Newton-John passed away following a 2-year battle with breast cancer. She was 73.
Coolio (August 1, 1963 - September 28, 2022)
Coolio was found unresponsive on the bathroom floor while visiting a friend in Los Angeles. After EMT's spent 45 minutes trying to revive him, Coolio was pronounced dead on the scene. While cardiac arrest was suspected, a final cause of death has not yet been confirmed. He passed away just weeks after his 59th birthday.
Bob Saget (May 17, 1956 - January 9, 2022)
Comedian Bob Saget was found dead in his hotel room at the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando hours after he performed at a show. He reportedly passed away in his sleep following an accidental blow to the back of his head. He was 65.
Anne Heche (May 25, 1969 - August 11, 2022)
Anne Heche was a beloved actress who thrived on television and in popular films like Volcano and Six Days, Seven Nights. She died from smoke inhalation and thermal injuries she sustained during a tragic car accident. Her car erupted into flames after she crashed it into a home in Los Angeles. She was 53.
Aaron Carter (December 7, 1987 - November 5, 2022)
Former pop singer Aaron Carter passed away at his home in Lancaster, Calif. His housekeeper found his lifeless body in his bathtub. He was 34.
Loretta Lynn (April 14, 1932 - October 4, 2022)
Loretta Lynn passed away in her sleep at the age of 90. Three days after her death, the country icon was buried on her Hurricane Mills ranch next to her husband Oliver.
Christine McVie (July 12, 1943 - November 30, 2022)
Fleetwood Mac keyboardist Christine McVie passed away this year at 79 after "a short illness," according to her family. She died peacefully at a hospital while surrounded by loved ones.
Taylor Hawkins (February 17, 1972 - March 25, 2022)
Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins died right before he was set to perform at a festival in Colombia. He was found dead in his hotel room in the town of Chapinero in Bogotá. A cause of death was not immediately released but a toxicology report determined there were 10 substances in his system at the time of his death. He was 50.
TakeOff (June 18, 1994 - November 1, 2022)
PnB Rock (December 9, 1991 - September 12, 2022)
PnB Rock, born Rakim Hasheem Allen, was shot and robbed inside Roscoe's House of Chicken N' Waffles in Inglewood, Calif. He was shot in the back and chest. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. He was only 30.
Jake Flint (May 16, 1985 - November 27, 2022)
Country singer Jake Flint died in his sleep just a few hours after he was married to Brenda Flint. He was 37.
Clarence Gilyard (December 24, 1955 - November 28, 2022)
Actor and professor Clarence Gilyard passed away at age of 66 at his home in Las Vegas. An exact cause of death was not provided but he was reportedly suffered from "a long illness."
Irene Cara (March 18, 1959 - November 25, 2022)
'80s singer-actress Irene Cara passed away at her home in Florida. No cause of death has been confirmed but a neighbor claimed she suffered from health issues in her later years. She was 63.
Jason David Frank (September 4, 1973 - November 19, 2022)
Beloved Power Rangers actor Jason David Frank passed away after he committed suicide. His wife Tammie confirmed that she knew of his struggles with mental health and depression but had no idea that he wanted to "end things." He was 49.
B. Smyth (March 12, 1992 - November 17, 2022)
B. Smyth was an R&B singer from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. who had numerous hits with 2 Chainz, Rick Ross, Miguel and more. He passed away following his battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He was only 30.
Adrian Dingle (June 25, 1977 - November 8, 2022)
NFL defensive tackle Adrian Dingle passed away in Winthrop, Mass. He played for the San Diego Chargers for five seasons. He was 45.
Jeff Cook (August 27, 1949 - November 7, 2022)
Julie Powell (April 20, 1973 - October 26, 2022)
Famed food writer Julie Powell, known for her classic book Julie & Julia, passed away at 49. She suffered from cardiac arrest at her home in New York.
Lee Ji-Han (August 3, 1998 - October 29, 2022)
Rising K-Pop star and actor Lee Ji-Han was one of 150 people who died during a stampede at a Halloween event in the Itaewon district of Seoul, South Korea. He was only 24.
D.H. Peligro (July 9, 1959 - October 28, 2022)
Darren Eric Henley aka D.H. Peligro died following a head injury he sustained from an accidental fall. Peligro was best known as the drummer for The Dead Kennedys and his brief time drumming for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He was 63.
Jerry Lee Lewis (September 29, 1935 - October 28, 2022)
Rock N' Roll pioneer and beloved country star Jerry Lee Lewis passed away at his home in Mississippi with his wife Judith by his side. He was 87.
Leslie Jordan (April 29, 1955 - October 24, 2022)
Beloved actor Leslie Jordan passed away after he reportedly experienced a medical episode while driving to film scenes for his sitcom Call Me Kat. The episode caused him to crash his car into the side of a building in Hollywood. He was 67.
Ron Masak (July 1, 1936 - October 20, 2022)
Ron Masak died of natural causes in a hospital while surrounded by family members. Masak was well known for his role in the '90s series Murder, She Wrote.
Robbie Coltrane (March 30, 1950 - October 14, 2022)
Robbie Coltrane, best known for portraying 'Hagrid' in the Harry Potter films, tragically passed away due to multiple organ failure. He was 72.
Willie Spence (June 18, 1999 - October 11, 2022)
Willie Spence gained plenty of notoriety as the runner-up on the 19th season of American Idol. The Florida native died in a car crash in Tennessee. He was only 22.
Angela Lansbury (October 16, 1925 - October 11, 2022)
Extraordinary actress and singer Angela Lansbury passed away just a few days before her 97th birthday. She died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Los Angeles.
Sacheen Littlefeather (November 14, 1946 - October 2, 2022)
Marie Louise Cruz, better known as Sacheen Littlefeather, was an actress and model who was an avid activist for Native American civil rights. She reportedly died following her battle with metastasized breast cancer. She was 75.
Pelé (October 23, 1940 - December 29, 2022)
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé, is regarded as the greatest soccer player of all time. The beloved legend, who became the first player to win three World Cups during his career, passed away at a hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil due to complications from "kidney and cardiac dysfunctions." He was 82.
Jo Mersa Marley (March 12, 1991 - December 27, 2022)
Joseph "Jo" Mersa Marley, the grandson of Bob Marley and the son of Stephen Marley, died unexpectedly. The artist was found unresponsive in his car in Miami. He reportedly died from an asthma complications. He was only 31.
Big Scarr (April 7, 2000 - December 22, 2022)
Big Scarr, who was signed to Gucci Mane's 1017 imprint, passed away at the young age of 22. The rapper, born Alexander Woods, reportedly died after her overdose on prescription pills while at his girlfriend's house in Memphis. He was only 22.
Tame One (March 20, 1970 - November 6, 2022)
Rahem Ross Brown aka Tame One passed away due to heart failure. The rapper, who performed with groups The Artifacts, Leak Bros and the Weathermen, was 52.
Hurricane G (May 20, 1970 - November 6, 2022)
Gloria Rodriguez aka Hurricane G passed away last month. The father of her only daughter Erick Sermon announced her death on social media. Although a cause of death was not reported, her daughter previously said that G was suffering from stage four lung cancer. She was 52.
Jesse Powell (September 12, 1971 - September 13, 2022)
R&B singer Jesse Powell passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles. His sisters Trina and Tamara Powell announced the tragic news on social media. He was 51.
DJ Kay Slay (August 14, 1966 - April 17, 2022)
DJ Klay Slay, born Keith Grayson, passed away following a grueling battle with COVID-19. The prolific mixtape DJ and pioneer graffiti artist battled the disease for four months before he died. He was 55.
Wavy Navy Pooh (1994 - 2022)
Quality Control rapper Wavy Navy Pooh was shot and killed during a shooting in Miami. As of this report, the shooter has not been identified. He was only 28.
Jonathan ‘Hovain’ Hylton (November 18, 1988 - November 25, 2022)
Esteemed manager Jonathan 'Hovain' Hylton passed away just a week after celebrating his 34th birthday. The president of management at Cinematic Music Group was found dead in his home in Brooklyn. He was only 34.
Pat Stay (February 18, 1986 - September 4, 2022)
Battle rapper Pat Stay passed away after he was stabbed in Nova Scotia, Canada. He was 36.
Jewell (June 12, 1968 - May 6, 2022)
R&B singer Jewell Caples, who was the first woman to sign to Death Row Records, passed was earlier this year. A cause of death was not immediately revealed but the artist previously admitted to suffering from "a lung injury illness." She also claimed that a doctor told her she only had a couple of months left to live. She was 53.
Trouble (November 4, 1987 - June 5, 2022)
Rapper Trouble, born Mariel Semonte Orr, was shot and killed in Atlanta after a man allegedly shot him upon discovering him sleeping in his ex-girlfriend's apartment. He was only 34.
Queen Elizabeth II (April 21, 1926 - September 8, 2022)
Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully in her Balmoral castle in Westminster Abbey. She was 96.
Luke Bell (January 27, 1990 - August 26, 2022)
Luke Bell was found unresponsive by someone who happened to pass by him in the shaded area of a parking building. He had been missing for about six days before he was found. Bell died from an accidental fentanyl overdose. He was only 32.
Joe E. Tata (September 13, 1936 - August 24, 2022)
Actor Joe E. Tata, who starred as Nat the infamous owner of the Peach Pit on Beverly Hills 90210, passed away peacefully according to his daughter. He was 85.
Vin Scully (November 29, 1927 - August 2, 2022)
Vin Scully was a legendary sportscaster who's tenure in the industry lasted for 67 years. He passed away in his home in Los Angeles. He was 94.
Pat Carroll (May 5, 1927 - July 30, 2022)
Patricia Ann Carroll aka Pat Carroll was an esteemed actress and comedian. She served as the voice of "Ursela" in Disney's The Little Mermaid. She passed away at her home in Cape Cod, Mass. following complications from pneumonia. She was 95.
Nichelle Nichols (December 28, 1932 - July 30, 2022)
Nichelle Nichols is best known for her role as "Nyota Uhura" on Star Trek. Following years of heart issues and a battle with dementia, Nichols died of heart failure in New Mxico. She was 89.
Paul Sorvino (April 13, 1939 - July 25, 2022)
Paul Sorvino was a veteran actor who appeared in mobster films like Goodfellas and crime shows like Law & Order. The father of actress Mira Sorvino passed away of natural causes at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla. He was 83.
Shonka Dukureh (September 3, 1977 - July 21, 2022)
Gospel singer Shonka Dukureh had just gotten her start as an actress after she portrayed Big Mama Thorton in the Elvis biopic. Unfortunately, one her young children found her unresponsive in their home in Nashville. She passed away due to complications from "hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease." She was only 44.
Ivana Trump (February 20, 1949 - July 14, 2022)
The multifaceted Ivana Trump died suddenly this year. She was discovered at the bottom of the staircase inside her home in the Upper West Side of New York City. A coroner said she suffered from blunt force trauma to the torso after she accidentally fell.
Naomi Judd (January 11, 1946 - April 30, 2022)
Naomi Judd was an accomplished country singer who performed as one half of The Judds alongside her daughter Wynonna. The Grammy award-winning singer committed suicide following a long battle with mental health issues. She was 76.
Robert Morse (May 18, 1931 - April 20, 2022)
Robert Morse was a seasoned film, Broadway and TV actor. He passed away peacefully from "a short illness" at his home in Los Angeles. He was 90.
Gilbert Gottfried (February 28, 1955 - April 12, 2022)
Gilbert Gottfried was an iconic comedian and well-known actor. He lent his distinct voice to "Iago" the parrot in Disney's Aladdin. He passed away due to complication recurrent ventricular tachycardia due to myotonic dystrophy type II. He was 67.
Estelle Harris (April 22, 1928 – April 2, 2022)
Estelle Harris was a hilarious actress who gained notoriety as George Costanza's mother on Seinfeld and Mrs. Potatohead in Disney's Toy Story. She passed away of natural causes in her home in Palm Desert, Calif. She was 93.
Tom Parker (August 4, 1988 - March 30, 2022)
Singer Tom Parker got his claim to fame during his time performing with The Wanted. He was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in 2020. He passed away due to complications from glioblastoma at a hospital in London. He was only 33.
Madeleine Albright (May 15, 1937 - March 23, 2022)
Madeleine Albright was a career politician who made history as the first woman to serve as the secretary of state of the United States. She passed away after her battle with cancer. She was 84.
Scott Hall (October 20, 1958 - March 14, 2022)
Scott Hall was a wrestling icon who also wrestled as Razor Ramon during his time at the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). He suffered from three heart attacks earlier this year and was placed on life support. He passed away after his family decided to pull the plug. He was 63.
William Hurt (March 20, 1950 - March 13, 2022)
William Hurt was an award-winning actor with credits onstage and in films. Hurt passed away due to complications from terminal prostate cancer, which he had revealed back in 2018. He was 71.
Emilio Delgado (May 8, 1940 - March 10, 2022)
Emilio Delgado was best known for his role as "Luis" the Fix-It shop owner on PBS' Sesame Street. He passed away after his battle with multiple myeloma. He was 81.
Betty Davis (July 26, 1944 - February 9, 2022)
Betty Davis was a legendary funk singer, songwriter and model. She passed away from breast cancer just a week after she was diagnosed. She was 77.
Cheslie Kryst (April 28, 1991 - January 30, 2022)
Cheslie Kryst was lawyer, 2x Emmy-nominated TV host and former Miss USA. She died after she jumped out of her 60-story high-rise apartment in New York City. She was only 30.
Howard Hesseman (February 27, 1940 - January 29, 2022)
Howard Hesseman was a famous film and TV actor. He passed away due to complications of colorectal surgery in Los Angeles. He was 81.
Manfred Thierry Mugler (December 21, 1945 - January 23, 2022)
French fashion designer Manfred Thierry Mugler launched his self-named brand in the 1970s and reigned supreme as a groundbreaking designer for the stars for decades. He died of natural causes in Paris. He was 73.
Meat Loaf (September 27, 1947 - January 20, 2022)
Michael Lee Aday aka Meat Loaf was an iconic rock star in every sense of the term. The artist, known for his Bat Out of Hell trilogy, passed away in Nashville while surrounded by family. He was 74.
Louie Anderson (March 24, 1953 - January 21, 2022)
Louis Anderson was an accomplished comedian, author, game show host and actor best known for his roles in Coming To America, Life With Louie and more. He passed away in Las Vegas due to cancer-related complications. He was 68.
Ronnie Spector
Singer Ronnie Spector came up in the music industry as the front woman for The Ronettes throughout he 1960s. She passed away at the age of 78 after a brief battle with cancer.