Celebrities Who Died in 2023: 264 Stars Who Will Be Sadly Missed

Death is a part of life, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t sad. When our favorite celebrities become one of them, we can’t help but remember how they made us smile and hope their legacy will live on for years. 

From battles with cancer lost to struggles with drugs and many things in between, here’s a list of 264 celebrities who died in 2023. 

1. Tony Bennett

Tony Bennett, our favorite crooner of such songs as “Because of You” and “Rags to Riches,” only recently broke our hearts with the announcement of his passing on Jul. 21, following a multi-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease, which he was diagnosed with in 2016.

At 96, his 85-year career was a gift to the world, with many celebrities paying tribute to him. 

Country superstar Carrie Underwood posted to Twitter along with a collection of photos with her and Bennett: “Rest in peace, Tony. You were the epitome of a gentleman with a God-given, one-of-a-kind voice.” We couldn’t agree more, Carrie. 

Related: How Did Tony Bennett Die? The Great Icon Sang Until the End

2. Bobby Osborne

Legendary bluegrass musician Bobby Van Osborne is another recent celebrity that just barely had to be included on the list of celebrities who died in 2023. 

The co-founder of the Osborne Brothers and Grand Ole Opry member was 91 years old when he died on Jun. 27. Several performers scheduled for the Grand Ole Opry paid tribute to the “Rocky Top” singer the night of his death. 

3. Sinéad O’Connor

The Irish singer-songwriter shocked the world when it was announced that Sinéad O’Connor, 56, was found unresponsive at her South London home on Jul. 26.

No cause of death has yet been announced for the “Nothing Compares 2 U” singer, but police have said there has been no evidence of foul play.

4. Lola Chantrelle Mitchell, aka Gangsta Boo

It was terrible news to begin the New Year when it was announced that famed rapper Gangsta Boo had died on Jan. 1.

The 43-year-old “Enquiring Minds” rapper was sadly found dead on the front porch of her mother’s Memphis home. The cause of death was an accidental overdose of fentanyl, cocaine, and alcohol.

5. Paul Reubens

The death of Paul Reubens, aka Pee-wee Herman, was announced on Jul. 30. He was 70.

Reubens’ death came six years after he was diagnosed with cancer, although the world only learned about it with the announcement of his passing.

He did provide his fans closure, writing the following before his death: “Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years. I have always felt a huge amount of love and respect from my friends, fans, and supporters. I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for you.”

6. Bo Goldman

Best known for such screenplays as One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) and Melvin Howard (1980), Bo Goldman’s death was announced on Jul. 25. He was 90.

The cause of death has yet to be disclosed. Many spoke out after his death, including actor Danny DeVito who noted, “It was an honor knowing him.”

7. Inga Swenson

Inga Swenson passed away on Jul. 23 at 90 in Los Angeles.

Swenson was a Tony-nominated Broadway darling, performing in roles like Lizzie Curry in 110 in the Shade and Irene Adler in Baker Street. She’s also known for spending seven years portraying Gretchen Kraus on ABC’s Benson.

8. Pamela Blair

There was no A Chorus Line without Val, and Pamela Blair was the one who initially brought the character to life, and we can’t thank her enough for that. Blair passed away on Jul. 23 in Phoenix. She was 73.

9. Angus Cloud

Angus Cloud is one of the youngest on the list of celebrities who died in 2023, and it makes our hearts ache.

Known for portraying Fezco in Euphoria on HBO, the 25-year-old actor was declared dead by the Oakland Fire Department at his home on Jul. 31. While no official cause of death is known, it seems the medical emergency was the weight of grief as just a week prior he was in Ireland for the funeral of his father.

10. Jerome Coppersmith

Jerome Coppersmith was known for many things, particularly his work as a playwright for multiple Broadway and off-Broadway productions. His most notable was 1965’s Baker Street, for which he earned a Tony Award nomination. Coppersmith was 97 when he died on Jul. 21 in Rochester, New York.

11. Fred White

Fred White was 67 when his death was announced on Jan. 1. The musician and songwriter was known as one of the original members of the multi-genre band Earth, Wind & Fire, as well as the drummer on Donny Hathaway’s Live album.

12. Nick Benedict

Nick Benedict may be famed for such roles as Curtis Reed on Days of Our Lives and Philip Brent on All My Children, but he was also a talented musician, performing at night clubs when he took a break from acting in the late 1980s.

Benedict’s death came as a shock when it was announced that his July 14th death, his 77th birthday, was caused by complications from an emergency spinal cord surgery, which left him paralyzed from the neck down.

13. Jane Birkin

French singer Jane Birkin, best known for her musical partnership with Serge Gainsbourg, died on Jul. 16, at the age of 76, after being found in her Paris home.

One week later, many gathered outside the church in France for the funeral service. Afterward, she was cremated and buried at the Père Lachaise Cemetery crematorium. 

14. Carlin Glynn

Known as an accomplished singer and actress and mother of actress and film director Mary Stuart Masterson, Carlin Glynn was 83 when she died on Jul. 13. Her death came after a battle with lung cancer and dementia. Masterson announced her mother’s death on Instagram.

“I will always be grateful for those last moments, no matter how hard,” she said, noting she was there when her mother passed. “Death is like birth in the oddest way. From my first breath to her last. This thread is as fragile as it is strong.”

15. Lisa Marie Presley

Heartbreakingly, Lisa Marie Presley didn’t just follow in her famous father’s footsteps with her singing career, but in the fact that her death came as a shock to fans everywhere.

Presley suffered a heart attack at her California home on Jan. 12. While CPR was performed, and she did make it to the hospital, she died later that day at only 54. The shocking ordeal came just two days after she watched actor Austin Butler accept a Golden Globe for his portrayal of her father, Elvis Presley, in the Baz Luhrmann biopic.

Related: How Did Lisa Marie Presley Die: The Life as Daughter to the King

16. Jeff Beck

English guitarist Jeff Beck, best known as being a member of the Yardbirds and founding member and frontman of the Jeff Beck Group and Beck, Bogert & Appice, died on Jan. 10 from a bacterial meningitis infection at the age of 78. Many consider him the greatest guitarist ever.

Within seconds after his death, many paid tribute, including the Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger: “With the death of Jeff Beck, we have lost a wonderful man and one of the greatest guitar players in the world. We will all miss him so much.”

His former bandmate, Ronnie Wood, also commented: “Now Jeff has gone, I feel like one of my brothers has left this world, and I’m going to dearly miss him.”

17. George Tickner

As one of the founding members of Journey, George Tickner was a legendary rhythm guitarist and songwriter, made evident by his 2005 receiving of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The 76-yeard old died on July 5.

Related: The 15 Best Journey Songs

18. Andrea Evans

Andrea Evans, known for her roles on soap operas such as One Life to Live, The Young and the Restless, and The Bold and the Beautiful, was 66 when she died on Jul. 9 in Pasadena, California.

Her death came following her battle with breast cancer.

19. Carole Cook

Famed screen and stage actress Carole Cook, known for her appearances alongside Lucille Ball on The Lucy Show and Here’s Lucy died of heart failure on Jan. 11. She was 98 years old.

The Sixteen Candles actress didn’t waste her many years on earth, appearing in multiple film, television, and theatre projects over the years, which garnered her quite a following.

In their original productions, Cook was even part of Broadway’s 42nd Street and Romantic Comedy and was the second actress to ever star as the titular character in Hello, Dolly.

20. Coco Lee

Most well-known in Hong Kong and other international places as a musician, actress, dancer, and singer, Ferren “Coco” Lee still had years of career ahead of her when she died on Jul. 5, at 48.

Just three days prior, she attempted suicide and was unconscious when she was admitted to Queen Mary Hospital. After her death, a friend revealed that the multi-talented artist had been battling breast cancer, having a tumor removed in a December 2022 surgery.

21. Robert Lieberman

Robert Lieberman is one of many celebrities who died in 2023, whose passing was due to a battle with cancer. He lost his battle on Jul. 1 at the age of 75.

Lieberman was an accomplished film and television director, producer, and writer with such works as D3: The Might Ducks (1996), Final Days of Planet Earth (2006), and The Stranger (2010).

22. Lawrence Turman

Lawrence Turman was a prominent producer in Hollywood, earning an Academy Award nomination for his work with 1967’s The Graduate. He also had his fingerprint on such films as Pretty Poison (1968), The Great White Hope (1970), and The River Wild (1994). He was 96 when he died on Jul. 1.

23. Alan Arkin

The film industry has had many names on the list of celebrities who died in 2023, and Alan Arkin, an award-winning actor and filmmaker, is only the latest.

Known for his work in films such as The Heart is a Lonely Hunter (1968), Edward Scissorhands (1990), and Argo throughout his 70-year career, Arkin died of heart complications on Jun. 29. He was 89. Fans can pay their respects at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, one of the oldest in Los Angeles.

24. Betta St. John

Betta St. John held many prominent roles in Hollywood throughout her career, including opposite Cary Grant in the 1953 film Dream Wife and the British film High Tide at Noon. The 2019 Hawthorne Hall of Fame inductee was 93 when she died on Jun. 23 at an assisted living facility in England.

25. Sheldon Harnick

Fiddler on the Roof and Fiorello! composer Sheldon Harnick was just 10 months shy of hitting 100 when he died on Jun. 23. His legacy lives on, however, as the winner of three Tony Awards and a 1972 inductee of the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

26. Milton Powell, aka Big Pokey

Big Pokey is one of the younger celebrities who died in 2023 to be on our list.

The death of the rapper and original member of Screwed Up Click shocked fans when he suddenly collapsed while performing at a Texas bar on Jun. 17. He later died in the hospital in the early morning hours of Jun. 18. He was 48.

27. Charles Kimbrough

Charles Kimbrough will always be known for his Emmy-award-nominated performance as Jim Dial on Murphy Brown, and we can’t help but smile because of it. Among his numerous other roles, he was also part of the 2012 Broadway revival of Harvey, for which he played William R. Chumley, MD.

Kimbrough died on Jan. 11, in Culver City, California, at 86.

28. Cormac McCarthy

Cormac McCarthy is one of the first authors whose name appears on our celebrities who died in 2023 list following his death on Jun. 13, less than two months before what would’ve been his 90th birthday.

McCarthy is widely known as one of the greatest novelists in American history, penning such key words as All the Pretty Horses (1992), No Country for Old Men (2005), and The Road (2006). The latter earned him the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for Fiction in 2007. He released his final two books, The Passenger and Stella Maris in 2022.

29. Robbie Bachman

Canadian drummer Robbie Bachman, best known as the original drummer of Brave Belt and Bachman-Turner Overdrive, died at age 69 on Jan. 12.

Bachman’s musical endeavors ran in the family as he was the youngest brother of The Guess Who’s Randy Bachman and the nephew of “She’s So High” singer Tal Bachman.

30. Cynthia Weil

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Cynthia Weil died on Jun. 1 at her Beverly Hills home. She was 82.

Weil was best known for her songwriting partnership with her husband, Barry Mann, penning such songs together as Linda Ronstadt’s “Somewhere Out There,” Ray Charles’ “None of Us Are Free,” and Bette Midler’s “All I Need to Know.”

Related: Ray Charles’ Net Worth: From the Street of Orlando to Millionaire

31. Tina Turner

Hearts worldwide sank when the legendary Queen of Rock’ n’ Roll, Tina Turner’s death, was announced on May 24.

The “Proud Mary” singer was 83 when she died of natural causes, although it came after years of health struggles. They included high blood pressure, kidney failure leading to a kidney transplant, a stroke, intestinal cancer, and more.

Celebrities everywhere paid tribute to the Grammy-award-winning singer following her death, including Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Dolly Parton, and Rod Stewart.

Related: How Did Tina Turner Die? How the Queen of Rock Left This World

32. Jim Brown

Sports enthusiasts were saddened to hear of the passing of Jim Brown, former NFL fullback for the Cleveland Browns, on May 18. He was 87. Several from the world of sports paid tribute after his death.

Roger Goodell, the commissioner of the National Football League, said: “Jim Brown was a gifted athlete – one of the most dominant players to ever step on any athletic field – but also a culture figure who helped promote change.”

Even those who did get to watch Brown play knew his name, such as President Barack Obama: “I was too young to remember Jim Brown’s playing days, but I knew his legacy. One of the greatest football players ever, he was also an actor and activist – speaking out on civil rights and pushing other black athletes to do the same.”

33. C.J. Harris

C.J. Harris may have only been able to release one single, “In Love,” following his appearance on the 13th season of American Idol, but it was enough to make a name for himself amongst his fans. It’s no wonder where his career might have gone had he not died of a heart attack on Jan. 15. He was 31.

34. Barbara Bryne

A British actress in film, theatre, and television, Barbara Bryne enjoyed a 65-year career in the business before she died on May 2, at the age of 94. Bryne was best known for such works as the 1991 TV film, Into the Woods, 1984’s Amadeus, and the 1975 television film Scandal.

35. Gordon Lightfoot

Gordon Lightfoot made his mark in folk, folk-rock, and country music over his 65-year career, topping the charts with such hits as “If You Could Read My Mind” (1970), “Rainy Day People” (1975), and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” (1976).

The artist’s death on May 1 saddened many, but his talent was never forgotten. Bob Dylan, a long-time Lightfoot fan, even said, “I can’t think of any Gordon Lightfoot song I don’t like. Every time I hear a song of his, it’s like I wish it would last forever.”

In addition to Bob Dylan, some other artists who have covered Gordon Lightfoot songs include Johnny Cash, Toby Keith, and Olivia Newton-John.

Related: How Did Gordon Lightfoot Die? The Death of a Canadian Folk Legend

36. Tim Bachman

Canadian vocalist and guitarist Tim Bachman, best known for being part of rock bands such as Bachman-Turner Overdrive and Brave Belt, died on Apr. 28, at 71. His death came following a battle with cancer. Sadly, the “Big C” has been responsible for many celebrities who died in 2023.

37. Harry Belafonte

The world may not have had the joy of calypso music had it not been for Harry Belafonte, and because of that, his legacy will live on for years to come.

Best known for such recordings as “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” and “Jump in the Line (Shake, Senora),” Belafonte died on Apr. 25 from congestive heart failure. It was one of many health problems that plagued him over the years, fighting prostate cancer in 1996, suffering a stroke in 2004, and more.

Belafonte was 96 years old at the time of his death.

38. Jerry Springer

Jerry Springer was one of the most recognizable personalities on television, thanks to his long-running controversial tabloid talk show.

His Apr. 27 death surprised many as it was only after his death that his family announced his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer just months prior.

Following the 79-year-old’s death, former Jerry Springer show bodyguard Steve Wilkos paid tribute to him. “Other than my father, Jerry was the most influential man in my life. Everything I have today I owe to Jerry. He was the smartest, most generous, kindest person I’ve ever known.”

39. Mark Sheehan

Mark Sheehan, an Irish singer, musician, producer, and composer, died on Apr. 14, following a brief illness at age 46. Sheehan’s claim to fame was as a member of the Irish boyband Mytown and eventual co-founder and guitarist for The Script, an Irish alternative rock band.

40. Van Conner

Screaming Trees’ bassist, Van Connor, was just 55 when he died on Jan. 17.

The downward spiral leading to Connor’s death began in Dec. 2021, after he suffered complications from an emergency stomach surgery, which left him comatose. He also contracted COVID-19 during that time, leading to mobility and respiratory issues. His official cause of death just over a year later was pneumonia.

41. Lasse Wellander

Lars-Ove “Lasse” Wellander, best known as the guitarist of ABBA, died on Apr. 7. He was 70.

The family announced the cause of death via Facebook: “It is with indescribable sadness that we have to announce that our beloved Lasse has fallen asleep. Lasse recently fell ill with what turned out to be cancer that had spread, and early on Good Friday, he passed away surrounded by his loved ones.”

42. Paul Cattermole

British singer Paul Cattermole, member of S Club 7 (1998-2002; 2014), died on Apr. 6 after being found unresponsively. The official cause of death for the 46-year-old was heart failure.

43. Vivian Trimble

Luscious Jackson keyboardist Vivian Trimble’s death was announced on Apr. 4, following several years of battling cancer. She was 59.

44. David Crosby

The world lost legendary songwriter, singer, and guitarist David Crosby early in 2023. His Jan. 18 death came after many health issues, including type 2 diabetes and cardiac problems.

Crosby is most recognizable as being a member of the Byrds, which led to him and others pioneering psychedelia and folk rock, and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young.

Related: How Did David Crosby Die? Details Behind the Legend’s 2023 Death

45. Ryuichi Sakamoto

Japanese composer and pianist Ryuichi Sakamoto sadly passed away at 71 years old on Mar. 28.

The singer suffered many battles against cancer in the years leading up to his death, including oropharyngeal (throat) and rectal cancer. Following his most recent 2021 diagnosis, he noted, “From now on, I will be living alongside cancer. But, I am hoping to make music for a little while longer.”

The world was blessed with two more years, with the song “Snooze,” which he is featured on being released just one month after his death on Apr. 24.

46. Keith Reid

British lyricist Keith Reid was 76 at the time of his March 23rd death following a battle with colon cancer. Reid earned his most considerable recognition as being the songwriter on nearly every Procol Harum original song, as well as founding the band Gary Brooker.

47. Tom Leadon

Tom Leadon, a co-founding member of Mudcrutch, the original Tom Petty band, passed away on Mar. 22. The 70-year-old, the brother of former banjoist and guitarist of the Eagles, Bernie Leadon, died of natural causes.

Related: 42 Best Tom Petty Songs: The Ultimate Ranking

48. Nicholas “Nick” Lloyd Webber

Nick Lloyd Webber, son of Andrew Lloyd Webber, was only 43 when he died after an 18-month battle with gastric cancer on Mar. 25.

An accomplished composer in his own right, some of his most notable composition credits include the 2016 theatrical production of The Little Prince, the 2017 BBC One drama series Love, Lies and Records, and the 2021 feature film The Last Bus.

49. Cindy Williams

Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley actress Cindy Williams died on Jan. 25 after battling a brief but undisclosed illness. The famous actress was 75.

50. Bobby Caldwell

Singer, songwriter, and musician Bobby Caldwell, best known for his signature song “What You Won’t Do for Love,” was 71 when he died on Mar. 14. His health started declining in 2017 following side effects suffered from an antibiotic.

Caldwell’s death was announced one day later by his wife. “Thanks to all of you for your many prayers over the years,” she wrote in the Twitter post.

51. Constantinos Tsobanoglou, aka Costa Titch

South African dancer and Amapiano rapper Costa Titch was sadly only 27 when he died on Mar. 11.

Best known for his record “Big Flexa,” his death came after a double collapse on stage during an Ultra South Africa music festival performance in Johannesburg. The official cause of death has never been disclosed.

52. Gary Rossington

Gary Rossington, a guitarist and founding member of “Sweet Home Alabama” band Lynyrd Skynyrd, broke the hearts of many when he died on Mar. 5.

His death, which has never been explained by a specific cause, meant that all the members of the Southern rock band have officially passed on.

53. Steve Mackey

Steve Mackey, an English musician and record producer, made his name as bassist for the British pop band Pulp and for producing albums for artists such as M.I.A., The Long Blondes, Arcade Fire, and Florence + the Machine.

The 56-year-old died on Mar. 2, following a three-month hospital stay for an unknown illness.

54. Wayne Shorter

Jazz saxophonist and composer Wayner Shorter of the Jazz Messengers passed away on Mar. 2.

The Grammy-award-winning artist and Kennedy Center Honors recipient was 89 when he died. Following his death on Apr. 22, Julian Joseph hosted a 90-minute tribute edition of J to Z in honor of Shorter.

Related: The 21 Best Jazz Songs: The Definitive List

55. Kyle Jacobs

Country music fans were shocked to their core when it was announced that songwriter Kyle Jacobs, 49, was found from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Feb. 17.

Jacobs, who was married to “I Wonder” singer Kellie Pickler, is best known for co-writing several country hits, including “More Than a Memory” by Garth Brooks and “Still” by Tim McGraw.

Related: How Did Kyle Jacobs Die? Some Speculate It May Not Have Been Suicide

56. Chuck Jackson

“Any Day Now” and “I Keep Forgettin’” R&B singer Charles “Chuck” Jackson sadly passed on Feb. 16 at the age of 85.

Jackson was honored with many recognitions over the years, including the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation (1992), the Joe Pope Pioneer Award from the Carolina Beach Music Hall of Fame (2009), and induction into the National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame (2015).

57. David Jolicoeur

Grammy awarding-winning rapper and member of De La Soul, David Jolicoeur, tragically passed on Feb. 12 at age 54. Although the official cause is unknown, the “Feel Good Inc” co-writer suffered from congestive heart failure and had to use a LifeVest defibrillator machine to manage symptoms in his final years.

58. Cody Longo

Cody Longo is one of many celebrities who died in 2023 whose passing seemed premature, seeing as he was only 34.

The Feb. 8 death of the actor and musician, known for his roles as Eddie Duran on Nickelodeon’s Hollywood Heights and Nicholas Alamain on Days of Our Lives, was from suspected alcohol poisoning.

59. Burt Bacharach

Uplifting song “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” was a worldwide hit when it was released for the film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Famed composer, record producer, and songwriter Burt Bacharach was one of the men the world had to thank for it. Bacharach was 94 when he passed on Feb. 8 from natural causes.

60. Lisa Loring

Everyone knew Wednesday Addams in the famed 60s sitcom The Addams Family, and Lisa Loring was responsible for bringing the character to life.

The actress died on Jan. 28 after suffering a stroke, believed to be caused by hypertension and her many years of smoking. She was 64.

61. Tom Verlaine

Tom Verlaine, frontman of Television, a rock band out of New York City, died on Jan. 28 at the age of 73. His death was caused by prostate cancer, which had eventually metastasized. The diagnosis kept him from joining a European tour opening for Generation X’s Billy Idol.

Related: 30 Best 70s Songs from Television to the Eagles

62. Elise Finch

You could always catch meteorologist Elise Finch on the CBS Morning News in New York, that is, until the 51-year-old’s sudden death on Jul. 16. 

Described as a “gifted and consummate professional who took great care with her work,” the reason for her death is unknown. 

63. Bill Cunningham

With the recent release of the Barbie movie, it seems ironic that the world lost Bill Cunningham, the original voice of Ken for Mattel, in the 1960s. The 96-year-old founder of CESD, a commercial and voice-over talent agency, died on Jul. 15. 

64. Jeffrey Carlson

Best known for playing the transgender Zoe Luper on the daytime soap opera All My Children, Jeffrey Carlson was 48 when he died on Jul. 6. 

His death was caused by a dilated cardiomyopathy, which causes the heart to be unable to pump blood properly due to enlargement. 

65. Brett Hadley

Young and the Restless star Brett Hadley died from sepsis on Jun. 14. The 92-year-old played Carl Williams, a police detective from 1980-1990, briefly reprising the role from 1998-1999. 

66. Treat Williams

Famed actor Treat Williams became one of many celebrities who died in 2023 on Jun. 12, at the age of 71, following a motorcycle crash on Vermont Route 30 in Dorset. 

He first came to prominence thanks to his roles in two 1979 films – Hair and 1941. The Golden Globe-nominated actor also held roles in such films as Smooth Talk (1985), The Devil’s Own (1997), and Miss Congeniality 2 (2005). 

67. The Iron Sheik

Professional wrestler, The Iron Sheik was 81 when he died on Jun. 7 from a cardiac arrest caused by congestive heart failure and hypertension. 

His legacy lives on, though, as the first and only Iranian WWE champion, taking home the WWF World Heavyweight Championship title in 1983. 

68. Pat Casey

Pat Casey had so much life before him when he died on Jun. 6 at only 29 years old. 

The five-time X Games medal winner and freestyle BMX cycling competitor died during a freak accident that led to his motorcycle falling on him while he was practicing a jump. 

69. Jim Hines

Too many athletes have had to be added to the list of celebrities who died in 2023. Jim Hines, a former NFL wide receiver and holder of the 100-meter world record in track and field for 15 years, died on Jun. 3 at the age of 76. 

70. Astrud Gilberto

Brazilian singer and songwriter Astrud Gilberto, known for her version of “The Girl from Ipanema,” died on Jun. 5. She was 83. The cause of the Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner’s death is unknown.  

71. Anna Shay

Best known for appearing on Netflix’s reality series Bling Empire, socialite and businesswoman Anna Shay died on Jun. 1, at the age of 62, from a stroke. Her death was announced publicly four days later. 

“Anna taught us many life lessons on how not to take life too seriously and to enjoy the finer things,” her family said after revealing the cause of death. “Her impact on our lives will be forever missed but never forgotten.” 

72. Jacky Oh

Jacky Oh, star of Wild’ n Out, shocked fans when her death was announced. The 32-year-old was found unresponsive on May 31 and later confirmed dead of a still undisclosed cause. 

73. Ray Stevenson

Irish actor Ray Stevenson, known for his role as Dagonet in the 2004 film King Arthur, died at only 58 years old on May 21, just four days shy of his 59th birthday. 

Just before his death, he was reportedly hospitalized during the film of his upcoming project, Cassino in Ischia. 

74. Jacklyn Zeman

Jacklyn Zeman spent 45 years coming into people’s homes daily as General Hospital’s Bobbie Spencer. Unsurprisingly, fans were saddened to learn of her passing on May 9, following a short battle with cancer. She was 70. 

75. Heather Armstrong

“Queen of the Mommy bloggers” and internet personality Heather Armstrong, best known under her pseudonym, Dooce, was 47 when she died on May 9 from an apparent suicide. For many years prior to her death, she spent many years fighting chronic depression and alcoholism. 

76. Tori Bowie

Olympic gold medalist Tori Bowie was 32 years old when she died on Apr. 23. 

Sadly, her dead body was not found until May 2. During an autopsy, it was found that she had died from childbirth complications, including respiratory distress, high blood pressure, and eclampsia. 

77. Jock Zonfrillo

MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo died in Melbourne, Australia, on Apr. 30. He was 46. 

Like Bowie, his death was only realized after days without anyone hearing from him led to a welfare check being made where police found him dead at a hotel. No foul play has been suspected. 

78. Michael Lerner

Michael Lerner, an Academy-award-nominated actor for his role as Jack Lipnick in the 1991 film Barton Fink, was 81 when he died on Apr. 8. The cause of death was complications from brain seizures. 

79. Len Goodman

Professional ballroom dancer Len Goodman, known in his later years as a judge on Dancing with the Stars, died on Apr. 22. His death, which came just three days before his 79th birthday, came after a battle with bone cancer. 

His fellow Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli paid tribute to his friend and colleague on social media. “I will treasure the memory of our incredible adventures and hundreds of shows we did together. There will never be anyone like you.” 

80. Paul Grant

British stuntman Paul Grant died on Mar. 20 at 56. Appearing in such films as Legend and Willow as a stunt double and making a brief cameo in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Grant was pronounced dead after being found collapsed outside London’s St. Pancras railway station. It’s believed his years of drug and alcohol problems contributed to his passing. 

81. Brian “Brizz” Gillis

LFO founding member Brian “Brizz” Gillis was 47 when he died on Mar. 30. Although no official cause of death has been announced, the late singer’s friends have hinted at a heart attack. 

82. Lance Reddick

Actor and musician Lance Reddick died on Mar. 17 from heart disease. The 60-year-old was best known for such acting roles as Charon in the John Wick franchise and as General Caulfield in the 2013 film White House Down. 

83. Jansen Panettiere

Jansen Panettiere, brother of Bring it On: All or Nothing actress Hayden Panettiere, was only 28 years old when he died on Feb. 19. 

An accomplished actor in his own right, thanks to roles in Ice Age: The Meltdown, The Martial Arts Kid, and How High 2, he died from complications in his aortic valve caused by an enlarged heart. 

84. Tom Sizemore

Golden Globe-nominated actor Tom Sizemore, best known for his part in the 1998 film Saving Private Ryan, died of a brain aneurysm on Mar. 3. He was 61.  

85. Chaim Topol

Israeli actor Chaim Topol died on Mar. 8 from Alzheimer’s disease. He was 87. Topol made a name for himself playing Tevye, both in the stage musical and 1971 film adaptation of the famed-musical Fiddler on the Roof, in more than 3,500 performances between 1967 and 2009. 

86. Richard Belzer

Actor, comedian, and author Richard Belzer lost his battle with an unknown respiratory condition on Feb. 19. He was 78. Belzer was best known for playing John Munch, an NYPD detective, and investigator, on the NBC series Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. 

87. Stella Stevens

Stella Stevens, Golden Globe “New Star of the Year” winner and Playmate of the Month in January 1960, died on Feb. 17, at 84.  Her death was caused by Alzheimer’s disease complications. 

88. Raquel Welch

Actress and model Raquel Welch was 82 when she died on Feb. 15. Welch kicked off her career in 1966 when she appeared in the movie Fantastic Voyage, which launched a 50-year career. Her cause of death was cardiac arrest. 

89. Dave Hollis

Fans were shocked when the death of former Disney executive Dave Hollis’ was announced on Feb. 12. Two months later, the autopsy report revealed that the 47-year-old died from a drug overdose. Cocaine, fentanyl, and alcohol were all found in his system. 

90. Hugh Hudson

Hugh Hudson, a famed British film director of such works as Chariots of Fire and Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, died on Feb. 10. He was 86. 

91. Annie Wersching

Actress Annie Wersching died early in 2023, passing at 45 on Jan. 29. 

Known for her numerous television roles, including Rosalind Dyer in The Rookie, Renee Walker in 24, and Emma Whitemore in Timeless, Wersching’s death came following a multi-year battle with cancer. 

92. Bobby Hull

National Hockey League left wing Bobby Hull was 84 when he died on Jan. 30. The Chicago Black Hawks legend’s cause of death is not known. Hull is a member of the Hockey and Ontario Sports Hall of Fames. 

93. Barrett Strong

Singer and songwriter Barrett Strong Jr., known for his first Motown hit single “Money (That’s What I Want),” died on Jan. 28. He was 81. 

Strong was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004 alongside his long-time business partner, producer Norman Whitfield. The pair penned such hits as “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.” 

94. Al Brown

Alzheimer’s disease claimed yet another celebrity in 2023 when it took the life of actor Al Brown on Jan. 13. Brown was best known for his breakout role as Stanislaus Valchek, a Baltimore police commissioner, in the HBO show The Wire. 

95. Tatjana Patitz

German model Tatjana Patitz, known for modeling brands like Elle, Vogue, and Harper’s Bazaar in the 1980s and 90s, was 56 when she passed away on Jan. 11. Her death came after a battle with metastatic breast cancer. 

96. Ben Masters

Celebrities who died in 2023 have included many soap opera actors, and Ben Masters became one of the first when he died on Jan. 11. Known for playing Julian Crane on Passions for nine years, Masters’ died from complications of COVID-19. He was 75. 

97. Adam Rich

Known as “America’s little brother,” Adam Rich was one of our favorite child actors. He played Nicholas Bradford on the hit series Eight is Enough (1977-1981) for five years. Rich was 54 when he died on Jan. 7 from an accidental overdose of fentanyl. 

98. Bernard Kalb

Journalist, media critic, and author Bernard Kalb was one of the first celebrities who died in 2023. 

Winner of an Overseas Press Club Award for his 1968 documentary about the Vietcong, Kalb’s Jan. 8 death came six days after a fall in his Maryland home, from which he eventually succumbed to his injuries. He was 100. 

99. Chris Ledesma

Chris Ledesma, best known as being the music editor of the hit animated sitcom The Simpsons, made for a sad start to 2023 when he died on Jan. 1. 

If that weren’t enough, the death of the 64-year-old was announced in a tribute at the end of an episode of the show shortly after his passing. 

100. James “Buster” Corley

Probably the most heart-breaking cause of death for those on our list of celebrities who died in 2023 is suicide, and James “Buster” Corley became yet another example. The “Dave & Busters” founder died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Jan. 2. He was 72. 

101. Ken Block

Hoonigan Racing Division professional rally driver Ken Block died on Jan. 2 at 55. The DC Shoes co-founder died tragically in a snowmobile accident in Woodland, Utah. 

His death was confirmed in an Instagram statement by Hoonigan. “Ken was a visionary, a pioneer, and an icon.” 

102. Laurence Deonna

Laurence Deonna, a Swiss journalist, photographer, and writer, passed away on Aug. 2 at the age of 86. 

Deonna was known for writing about her long career in the Middle East, often telling stories of the lives of Arab women and her belief that many problems in the world could be solved if everyone sought peace. 

103. Beatle Bob

Dancer Beatle Bob, most known for his time in the St. Louis music scene and his arrhythmic dance moves, died at age 70 on Jul. 27. 

His death came just a little more than one year after his diagnosis of ALS. Complications from the disease ultimately caused his death. 

104. André Watts

Classical pianist André  Watts, who performed as a soloist in every major orchestra worldwide, including the New York Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra, died on Jul. 12. 

The Grammy-award winner and American Philosophical Society electee died from prostate cancer, which he was first diagnosed with in July 2016. He was 77.

105. Doyle Brunson

Dave Brunson, a two-time World Series of Poker Main Event champion whose career spanned more than 50 years, passed away on May 14. The Poker legend was 89 years old at the time of his death. 

106. Andy Rourke

Andy Rourke was only 59 years old when he passed on Jan. 17 from pancreatic cancer. He was best known as being bassist for the 1980s indie rock band, The Smiths. 

His Smiths bandmates all paid tribute to Rourke after his death. Morrissey wrote: “He didn’t ever know his own power and nothing that he played by someone else. His distinction was so terrific and unconventional, and he proved it could be done.” 

107. Ginnie Newhart

Ginnie Newhart, the wife of actor and comedian Bob Newhart, had been battling a long illness when she died on Apr. 23, at 82. Bob Newhart shared the news of his wife’s passing on Twitter: “She was our rock, and we miss her terribly.” 

108. Marlene Hagge

Professional golfer Marlene Hagge died on May 16, at the age of 89, succumbing to complications caused by a fall in her California home. Hagge was one of the founding members of the Ladies Professional Golf Association. 

109. Denny Crum

A significant figure in Kentucky sports history, Denny Crum was 86 when he died on May 9. His death came just a few years after suffering back-to-back strokes in 2017 and 2019, respectively. 

Crum is best known for leading the University of Louisville Cardinals men’s basketball team to two NCAA championships and six Final Fours. In 1994, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. 

111. Robbie Robertson

The world lost Robbie Robertson on Aug. 9. He was 80. 

Robertson was a Canadian musician best known for being Bob Dylan’s lead guitarist as well as being a guitarist and songwriter with the Band who was responsible for the creation of the Americana music genre. Robertson’s death came following a year-long battle against prostate cancer. 

112. William Friedkin

Director and producer William Friedkin, best known for directing the five-time Academy-Award-winning crime thriller The French Connection (1971), passed away at age 87 on Aug. 7. The cause of death was heart failure and pneumonia. 

113. Terry Funk

Terry Funk was one of the longest-active wrestlers in history, with a career spanning more than 50 years. He has held such championships as the ECW World Heavyweight Championship, the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, and more. Funk passed away on Aug. 23 at the age of 79. 

114. John Gosling

British keyboardist and vocalist John Gosling was 75 when he died on Aug. 4. He was best known for being a member of The Kinks (1970-1978), as well as the spin-off rock band The Kast Off Kinks. 

115. Mark Margolis

Actor Mark Margolis, best known for his portrayal of Hector Salamanca in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, died on Aug. 3. He was 83. 

The Emmy-nominated actor died following a battle with a short, undisclosed illness at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. 

116. Russell “Rusty” Richards

American cowboy singer, yodeler, and songwriter for the Sons of the Pioneers from 1963 to 1984, Russell “Rusty” Richards, died on Aug. 5. He was 89. He was also an actor and film stuntman throughout his career. 

117. DJ Casper

William Perry Jr., aka DJ Casper, was best known for his all-white attire and for his hit record, the “Cha Cha Slide.” Yes, the one you hear at all the weddings. 

He was only 58 when he died on Aug. 7, following a long battle with kidney and liver cancer, which he was first diagnosed with in January 2016. 

118. Gary Young

Gary Young was best known for being the original drummer of Pavement, an indie rock band, from 1989 to 1993. He died on Aug. 17 at the age of 70. His cause of death remains unknown.  

119. Ray Hildebrand

Ray Hildebrand was best known for his time as one half of the pop singing duo Paul & Paula, alongside Jill Jackson, for which their biggest-selling hit record, “Hey Paula,” dominated the early 1960s. Hildebrand died on Aug. 18 at the age of 82. 

120. Ron Cephas Jones

Actor Ron Cephas Jones, most recently known for playing William Hill on the hit NBC show This is Us, died on Aug. 19 from a pulmonary issue. He was 66. 

Several of his fellow This is Us stars paid tribute to him on social media. 

“Getting to know and work with Ron on the wild ride of “This is Us” was the greatest gift – he was pure magic as a human and an artist…I will treasure all of the moments forever,” Mandy Moore wrote on Instagram. “Even though he wasn’t around set as much as we all wished, he was such an intrinsic part of the fabric of the show, it’s like he was always there.” 

Chrissy Metz, Chris Sullivan, and Sterling K. Brown also posted tributes. “Brother, you are love. And you will be missed. Keep them laughing in the next phase of existence, and I’ll see you when I get there,” Brown wrote. 

121. Bray Wyatt

This was one of the most unexpected of the celebrities who died in 2023. Bray Wyatt, a third-generation wrestler, and WWE star, was only 36 when he died on Aug. 24. 

The cause of death was a heart attack, caused by many months of illness that Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful revealed was COVID-19, which had exacerbated an existing heart issue. According to reports, Wyatt had been recovering and was even medically cleared to continue wrestling two weeks before his death.

Many from the wrestling world expressed their dismay at the news. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson posted to Twitter: “I’m heartbroken over the news of Bray Wyatt’s passing. Always had tremendous respect and love for him and the Rotunda family. Loved his presence, promos, in-ring work, and connection with the @wwe universe. It is a very unique, cool, and rare character, which is hard to create in our crazy world of pro wrestling. Still processing losing the goat, Terry Funk, yesterday and now Bray today. My love, light, strength & mana to the Rotunda family and Funk family during this tough, heartbreaking time.”

122. Bob Barker

Bob Barker was one of America’s most beloved game show hosts in history. Hosting classic games such as Truth or Consequences (1956-1975) and The Price is Right (1972-2007), he was known for his fun personality and classic looks. He was also one of Hollywood’s most famous animal rights activists, always ending the latter game show with his famous sign-off: “Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered.” 

Barker passed away on Aug. 26, at the age of 99 – less than four months from his 100th birthday. 

Several reacted to the news of the death of the famous host. 

Current Price is Right host Drew Carey simply posted a broken heart emoji and a photo of Barker’s last show on Instagram, while Barker’s Happy Gilmore co-star Adam Sandler had a long tribute post. 

“The man. The myth. The best. Such a sweet funny guy to hang out with. Loved talking to him. Loved laughing with him. Loved him kicking the crap out of me,” he wrote, referencing the classic scene in the 1996 film. “He will be missed by everyone I know! Heartbreaking day. Love to Bob always and his family! Thanks for all you gave us!”

123. Magoo

Melvin “Magoo” Barcliff, best known as one half of the rap duo Timbaland & Magoo, died on Aug. 13. He was 50 years old. 

There has been no reason given for the “Up Jumps da Boogie” rapper’s death, as his wife, Meco Barcliff, said he had simply not been feeling well in the days leading up to his death. 

“Magoo’s memory will forever live on, and his music will continue to inspire and uplift us,” his family shared in a statement. “We ask for your understanding and respect as we process this loss and celebrate the life of a remarkable individual and our beloved son.” 

124. Bryan Randall

Bryan Randall, long-time partner of Academy-Award-winning actress Sandra Bullock, died on Aug. 5. He was 57. His death came following a long, private battle with ALS. Bullock and Randall, a photographer, were together eight years before his death. 

125. Jack Sonni

“The other guitarist” of Dire Straits, Jack Sonni, passed away at the age of 68 on Aug. 30. While it’s known that he had been ill for some time, his exact cause of death remains unknown. 

His former band paid tribute to him on Twitter, writing simply, “#JackSonni Rest In Peace #DireStraits” alongside a photo of the late musician. 

126. Peter Dixon

International Rugby union player Peter Dixon died on Aug. 2. He was 79. Dixon, who played for Oxford University RFC in four back-to-back varsity matches (1967-70), died of brain cancer. 

127. Carl Davis

Conductor and composer Carl Davis was 86 when he died on Aug. 3. 

Davis, who wrote music for multiple television programs, most recognizably the BBC’s Pride and Prejudice in 1995, was in Oxford when he died of a brain hemorrhage. 

128. Tony Roberts

Tony Roberts, play-by-play announcer for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 1980-2006, died on Aug. 26. At 94, he entered hospice just days before his passing, but his family has not disclosed a cause of death. 

129. David LaFlamme

It’s a Beautiful Day co-founder David LaFlamme passed away on Aug. 6, in Santa Rosa, California, at age 82. The death of the beloved singer and violinist came after years of battling Parkinson’s disease. 

130. Jim Price

Major League Baseball catcher Jim Price was 81 when he died on Aug. 7, in Washington Township, Michigan. 

Best known for playing for the Detroit Tigers and later for serving as a color commentator for the Detroit Tigers Radio Network, Price’s death came following more than 10 years battling various health issues, including cancer. 

131. Sixto Rodriguez

Jesus Sixto Rodriguez died on Aug. 8. He was 81. 

Rodriguez is best known in the United States as the inspiration for the documentary Searching for Sugar Man (2012), which tells the story of how fans had thought he had died by suicide back in the 1990s. 

132. Tom Jones

Lyricist and librettist Tom Jones was 95 when he passed on Aug. 11. He was best known for his works in The Fantasticks, I Do! I Do!, and 110 in the Shade.  His death came after a battle with an undisclosed type of cancer. 

133. Jerry Moss

Jerry Moss, a recording executive, died on Aug. 15, at age 88, in his California home in Bel-Air. 

Moss was best known for being the trumpet player and bandleader of Herb Alpert and for co-founding A&M Records. 

134. Bobby Eli

Bobby Eli was best known for being a founding member and lead guitarist of MFSB, a Philadelphia studio band. He was 77 when he died on Aug. 17. 

135. Gary Young

Drummer Gary Young died on Aug. 17 at the age of 70. Best known for being indie rock band Pavement’s original drummer from 1989-1993, Young was at his home in Stockton when he died. 

136. Bob Feldman

He brought us “My Boyfriend’s Back,” “Sorrow,” and “I Want Candy” in the 1960s alongside co-writers Jerry Goldstein and Richard Gottehrer. Songwriter and record producer Bob Feldman died on Aug. 23. He was 83. 

137. Arleen Sorkin

Days of Our Lives actress Arleen Sorkin passed away on Aug. 24 following an extended battle with multiple sclerosis. She was 67. 

Along with her tenure on the daytime soap opera, she was also known for her work as the original voice and real-life inspiration for DC comic villain Harley Quinn and for being the original female co-host of America’s Funniest People. 

Her co-host, Full House and Fuller House actor Dave Coulier, paid tribute to his former partner and friend after her passing. 

“RIP Arleen Sorkin. We hosted and laughed our way through two seasons of America’s Funniest People together,” Coulier wrote alongside a photo of him with Sorkin. “She was a one-of-a-kind funny person who brought laughter and lots of smiles to millions.” 

138. Bernie Marsden

British guitarist Bernie Marsden was 72 when he died on Aug. 24 from bacterial meningitis. 

Marsden was best known for his work with Whitesnake, particularly his role in writing, alongside David Coverdale, some of the band’s biggest hit songs. They include “Fool for Your Loving,” “Here I Go Again,” “Child of Babylon,” and “Lovehunter.” 

139. John Kezdy

John Kezdy is one of the celebrities who died in 2023 who had a cause of death that was shocking, to say the least. He died on Aug. 26 from injuries sustained in a bicycle crash. He was 64. 

Kezdy was best known as a punk-rock singer and guitarist of the band The Effigies before eventually becoming a prosecuting attorney. 

140. George Montgomery

George Montgomery, aka Ohio George, a gasser drag racer, was 90 when he died on Aug. 24. 

He was a seven-time National Hot Rod Association national titleholder and was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2020. 

141. Michael Parkinson

Described by The Guardian as “the greatest British talk show host,” Michael Parkinson died on Aug. 16, at age 88. 

In the final years of his life, the Parkinson host (1971-1982; 1998-2007) battled several illnesses, including prostate cancer from 2013-2015. 

He also had a brief illness in the days leading up to his death. 

142. Jimmy Buffett

Famed singer and songwriter Jimmy Buffett passed away peacefully on Sept. 1. He was 76. 

The announcement was made on his website on Sept. 2, noting that he “passed away peacefully on the night of September 1, surrounded by his family, friends, music, and dogs. He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many.”

Buffett was most recognizable for his carefree island lifestyle of music, bringing about such famous tunes as “Margaritaville” and “Come Monday,” which brought him a loyal following amongst “Parrotheads.” 

Most regarded in the country music scene, many fellow artists paid tribute on social media. 

Kenny Chesney, also known for the laid-back beach theme to his songs, posted a video of himself singing Buffett’s “A Pirate Looks at Forty” and another singing “Margaritaville” with the late singer. 

Toby Keith and Alan Jackson, who had a hit song with Jimmy Buffett, “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” also posted tributes to their friend and fellow artist.

He captioned it: “So goodbye Jimmy. Thanks for your friendship and the songs I will carry in my heart forever. Sail On Sailor.” 

Buffett was also a successful businessman, opening his (now defunct) Cheeseburger in Paradise and Margaritaville Cafe restaurants across the country, earning him a staggering net worth of $1 billion by his death. 

143. Steve Harwell

Steve Harwell, best known as the frontman and lead vocalist of the rock band Smash Mouth, died on Sept. 4, at his Boise, Idaho, home. He was 56. 

Harwell, along with a life-long struggle with alcoholism, had many health struggles in the last 10 years of his life. 

They included a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy and Wernicke Encephalopathy. These diagnoses often lead to heart failure and have negative effects on speech and memory functions. 

His death, however, ultimately was the result of liver failure from his many years of alcoholism, and it came only one day after he went into hospice care. 

Smash Mouth’s manager, Robert Hayes, posted a tribute on behalf of the man. “Steve lived a 100% full-throttle life. Burning brightly across the universe before burning out.” 

144. Gary Wright

Sept. 4 also saw the death of Gary Wright, best known for being the composer of the hit songs “Dream Weaver” and “Love is Alive.” 

He was 80 when he died in his Palos Verdes Estates home, following a six-to-seven-year battle with Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s disease. 

Wright was also known for his collaborations with George Harrison. Following the announcement of his death, Wright’s son Justin noted their friendship: “They became fast friends. It was George who introduced my father to his spiritual path.” 

“It is with great sadness that I received the news of my dear friend Gary Wright’s passing. Gary’s vibrant personality and exceptional talent made every moment together truly enjoyable,” fellow singer and songwriter Stephen Bishop wrote on X, previously known as Twitter, following the announcement of Wright’s death. “His legacy will live on for many years to come.

“I will always cherish the warmth and kindness shown to me by Gary and his wife Rose, and I will forever hold dear the stories he shared with me about days gone by,” the post continued. “My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and fans during this difficult time.”

145. Curtis Fowlkes

Curtis Fowlkes, the famed jazz trombonist best known for being a founding member of The Jazz Passengers, was 73 when he passed away on August 31.

The former The Lounge Lizards member was living in Brooklyn, New York when he passed away from heart failure.

156. Paul Roach

American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator Paul Roach, best known for serving as the head football coach of the University of Wyoming Cowboys from 1987 to 1990 and its athletic director from 1986 to 1996, died on September 3.

The multiple Halls of Fame inductee, including the South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame (1992) and the Wyoming Sports Hall of Fame (2003), was 95 years old when he died.

Roach also spent some time coaching for the National Football League, with years spent with the Oakland Raiders, the Green Bay Packers, and the Denver Broncos.

157. Ed Meador

Just one day after the football world said goodbye to famed coach Paul Roach, they were struck again when Ed Meador, former cornerback of the Los Angeles Rams (1959 to 1970), died on September 4. He was 86. Meador was a six-time Pro Bowl competitor.

158. Charles Gayle

Free jazz musician Charles Gayle was a well-versed musician with talent on the saxophone, piano, bass clarinet, bass guitar, and overall percussion instruments.

He was also a well-known mime under the guise of “Streets the Clown.” “Streets means to me, first, a freedom from Charles,” Gayle once said. “I’m not good at being the center of attention. … It’s a liberation from Charles, even though it’s me on the stage, it’s a different person.”

Gayle passed away at the age of 84 on September 7, in Brooklyn.

159. Larry Chance [Figueiredo]

Larry Chance and the Earls, aka The Earls, lead singer Larry Chance was 82 when he passed away on September 6.

The 1960s doo-wop group was best known for such songs as “Remember Then,” “Life is But a Dream,” and “I Believe.” Chance’s death came following a battle with lung cancer. He died in Orlando, Florida.

160. Richard Davis

The list of celebrities who died in 2023 is seeing quite a hit amongst the jazz community. Richard Davis is yet another jazz bassist who has passed away.

He is known for contributing to multiple works, including Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks, of which critic Greil Marcus noted him as providing “the greatest bass ever heard on a rock album.”

Davis died at the age of 93 on September 6, in Madison, Wisconsin. His death came following two years under hospice care.

161. Brendan Croker

English folk-rock musician and songwriter Brendan Croker passed away from leukemia complications on September 10. He was 70 years old.

Croker was best known for being a member of multiple bands, including The Five O’Clock Shadows, The Notting Hillbillies, The Mekons, and Sally Timms.

162. Charlie Robison

Famed country music singer and songwriter Charlie Robison tragically passed away on September 10 from a heart attack. He was 59. Robison is best known for singles like “I Want You Bad,” “El Cerrito Place,” and “Feelin’ Good.”

163. Gordon Kennett

Gordon Kennett, an English motorcycle speedway rider, was 70 when he passed away on September 12.

Known for winning the World Pairs Championship in 1978 and coming in second during the 1978 Individual Speedway World Championship, Kennett was in the Canary Islands when he died.

164. Jean Boht

Jean Boht, who became famous for her portrayal of Nellie Boswell in the Carla Lane sitcom Bread, passed away on September 12, at the age of 91. Her death was caused by complications from Alzheimer’s disease, which she was diagnosed with a few years earlier.

165. Roy Kidd

Roy Lee Kidd passed away at the age of 91 on September 12.

Kidd is best known for being one of the longest-serving head football coaches in the history of Eastern Kentucky University. Serving from 1964 to 2002, he compiled a record of 314-124-8, with two NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship wins. His career victories are the second most in the history of the NCAA, coming in behind Eddie Robinson of Grambling State.

Kidd was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003.

166. Roger Whittaker

Folk singer Roger Whittaker died on September 13. He was 87.

Whittaker was best known for his baritone voice, trademark whistle, and international 1971 hit single “The Last Farewell,” which charted across 11 countries and was his only appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.  

He was also an established composer. His most recognizable compositions included Durham Town (The Leavin’) and I Don’t Believe in If Anymore, both released in 1970.

167. Michael McGrath

Tony-award-winning actor Michael McGrath died at his Bloomfield, New Jersey home on September 14. He was 65.

He received a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his work in Nice Work If You Can Get It in 2012. He was nominated for the same award seven years prior for his performance in Spamalot.

168. Fernando Botero

Colombian figurative artist and sculptor Fernando Botero Angulo, best known for his exaggerated depictions of people and figures, a style known as “Boterismo,” died on September 15, in Monaco. He was 91.

He earned national prominence following his first-place win at the Salón de Artistas Colombianos in 1958. Botero’s cause of death was complications from pneumonia. 

169. Buddy Teevens

Former Dartmouth College quarterback and head coach (1987-1991; 2005-2023), Eugene Francis “Buddy” Teevens III is one of the celebrities who died in 2023 that came from tragic circumstances.

Teevens died on September 19 from injuries sustained when he was hit by a Ford F150 while riding his bicycle in St. Augustine, Florida. The initial accident happened on March 16 and caused a spinal cord injury and the eventual need to amputate his right leg. Teevens was 66 when he passed away.

170. Stephen Gould

Well-known operatic tenor, best known for his approximately 100 appearances at the Bayreuth Festival in Bayreuth, Germany, died on September 19, following a battle with bile duct cancer.

Gould had announced his retirement “due to health reasons” just a few weeks before his death. He then announced his terminal bile duct cancer diagnosis on September 5, via his personal website.

“For all of my fans and well-wishers: I have waited till the end of the Bayreuth festival so as not to hinder the tremendous and heroic efforts displayed by this year’s 2023 team. I have nothing but joy and admiration for the Werkstatt continuing efforts toward excellence,” he wrote. “I was diagnosed with bile duct cancer with complications. It is Cholangio-Carcinoma, a fatal disease with an outlook of several months to 10 months. There is no sure.

“I did not wish anything to cloud this year’s achievements, and I am grateful to Bayreuth for teaching me all that I could have hoped to know about the performance of this great musician’s works,” he continued. “With many fond memories … Stephen Gould.”

Gould passed away in Chesapeake, Virginia, at the age of 61.

171. Mike Henderson

Mike Henderson, best known for being one of the founders of SteelDrivers, a Grammy-award-winning bluegrass group, passed away on September 22. He was 70.

His death was confirmed on social media by the group. Henderson was also known for his many collaborations with country superstar Chris Stapleton.

“I remember the call from Mike Henderson when he just casually asked if I wanted to get together at his place on a Sunday night around 8:00 and play a little bluegrass. Unbeknownst to me at the time, he had been writing for several years with a young man named Chris Stapleton and had the idea for a group that would maybe play once a month down at the Station Inn,” the social media message from the band stated. “What started as a casual jam changed the course of my life. I can’t begin to explain and share all the craziness and great times we all had together, but I will say, as I always have, it was all Hendo’s fault! So all the SteelDrivers, past and present, are in shock today as we have lost our original architect.”  

172. Katherine Anderson

Katherine Elaine Anderson Schaffner, best known for her time as vocalist with the Marvelettes, died on September 20. She was 79. The Marvelettes were best known for hits like “Don’t Mess with Bill” and “Please Mr. Postman.” 

173. Terry Kirkman

Terry Kirkman, best known for songs like “Cherish” and “Everything That Touches You” with the pop group The Association, died on September 23, at age 83.  The rock vocalist, songwriter, and keyboardist turned substance abuse counselor died from congestive heart failure following a long illness. 

174. David McCallum

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. actor David McCallum was 90 when he passed away on September 25. 

He was most recently known for his time as Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on NCIS, a role he held for the last 20 seasons. McCallum died of natural causes at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. 

175. Brooks Robinson

Brooks Robinson, aka “the Human Vacuum Cleaner,” “Mr. Hoover,” and “Mr. Oriole,” passed away on September 26, at age 86. 

His death was announced in a joint statement by his family and the Baltimore Orioles on the Major League Baseball website. 

“We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Brooks Robinson,” they wrote. “An integral part of our Orioles Family since 1955, he will continue to leave a lasting impact on our club, our community, and the sport of baseball.”

Robinson, who spent his entire career with the Orioles (1955 to 1977), is an 18-time All-Star and winner of the Gold Glove Awards 16 consecutive times. A member of the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame, Robinson’s cause of death was heart disease. He died at his home in Owings Mills, Maryland. 

176. Michael Gambon

Irish-English actor Sir Michael Gambon, best known in recent years as portraying Professor Albus Dumbledore in the final six movies of the Harry Potter franchise, died on September 27 from pneumonia complications. He was 82. 

Several Harry Potter stars reacted to the announcement of his death. 

“With the loss of Michael Gambon, the world just became considerably less fun,” wrote Daniel Radcliffe, who played the franchise’s titular character. “Michael Gambon was one of the most brilliant, effortless actors I’ve ever had the privilege of working with, but despite his immense talent, the thing I will remember most about him is how much fun he had doing his job. He was silly, irreverent, and hilarious. He loved his job but never seemed defined by it.”

The actor continued, “The sixth film was where I got to spend the most time working with Michael, and he made the hours spent in front of a green screen together more memorable and joyous than they had any right to be. I’m so sad to hear he has passed, but I am so grateful for the fact that I am one of the lucky people who got to work with him.”

In his early career, Gambon was one of the original members of the Royal National Theatre, receiving three Olivier Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and four BAFTA Awards over his 60-year career. 

177. Suzanne Somers

Tragically, Suzanne Somers, famed for her roles in Three’s Company and Step by Step, passed away just one day before her 77th birthday on October 15, 2023.

Somers was also famed for her many years as an advocate for women’s health and leading a healthy lifestyle. She subsequently made headlines when she chose to undergo untraditional treatment to treat breast cancer, which involved the use of Iscador, a special extract made from European mistletoe. While it seemed to help initially, her recent death resulted from a reoccurrence of her cancer, and she passed peacefully in her Palm Springs, California, home.

Somers’ long-time publicist, R. Couri Hay, officially announced the news, noting that she fought breast cancer for more than 23 years.

“Suzanne was surrounded by her loving husband, Alan, her son, Bruce, and her immediate family,” according to the statement. “Her family was gathered to celebrate her 77th birthday on October 16. Instead, they will celebrate her extraordinary life and want to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her dearly.”

Related: What Disease Does Suzanne Somers Have? Her Crazy Cancer Journey

178. Matthew Perry

Could this news be any more heartbreaking? Matthew Perry, best known for portraying the beloved Chandler Bing for 10 years on the hit sitcom Friends, tragically passed away on October 28, 2023. He was 54. Initial reports have indicated his death was from an apparent drowning after cops were called for a reported cardiac arrest.

Hollywood immediately reacted to the shocking news, including several who appeared with him on Friends. The official Instagram page of the show was the first to post, writing, “We are devastated to learn of Matthew Perry’s passing. He was a true gift to us all. Our heart goes out to his family, loved ones, and all of his fans.”

Additionally, Maggie Wheeler, who played Perry’s character’s on-again, off-again girlfriend Janice, wrote, “What a loss. The world will miss you, Matthew Perry. The joy you brought to so many in your too short lifetime will live on. I feel so very blessed by every creative moment we shared.”

Finally, the creators of the hit show also weighed in later, writing, “We are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by our beloved friend Matthew’s passing. It still seems impossible. All we can say is that we feel blessed to have had him as part of our lives. He was a brilliant talent.”

179. George Reed

Considered one of the greatest running backs in the history of the Canadian Football League, who played his entire career with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, George Reed passed away on October 1, just one day shy of his 84th birthday.

Not long after his death, October 7 was officially proclaimed George Reed Day in Saskatchewan, honoring him 50 years after he was first named the CFL’s all-time leading rusher. Prior to joining the CFL, he played college football for the Washington State University Cougars.  

180. Russ Francis

October 1 was a sad day for sports fans everywhere. Russ Francis, best known for his time playing tight end for the National Football League’s New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers throughout his 13-year career, passed away at age 70.

The Oregon Sports Hall of Fame inductee and Professional Football Researchers Association’s Hall of Very Good Class was killed in a plane crash alongside Richard McSpadden, vice president of the AOPA Air Safety Institute in Lake Placid, New York. The crash happened after the plane, a 1976 Cessna 177, experienced power failure. While Francis, who was piloting the plane, tried to safely return to the airport, he struck a berm on the runway, causing him to crash into a ravine.

181. Tim Wakefield

Tim Wakefield, a Major League Baseball pitcher, dominated the Bost Red Sox for 17 straight years, becoming the longest-serving player for the famous team. Combined with his two years with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he played for a total of 19 seasons, becoming the oldest active player in the major leagues at 45 years old.

Sadly, 12 years later, at 57, he officially passed away on October 1. His death came after he suffered a seizure in his Massachusetts home caused by brain cancer. It was just days before that his former Red Sox teammate revealed Wakefield’s diagnosis to the controversy of the latter, who did not authorize the diagnosis to be shared publicly.

182. Francis Lee

British footballer Francis Lee became yet another sports star to pass away in October, dying at age 79 on October 2. Like Wakefield, he, too, died of an unidentified cancer, although his battle was believed to be more prolonged.

Lee played striker for the Bolton Wanderers, Manchester City, Derby County, and the England national team over the course of his career. Throughout his career, he scored more than 200 goals, won multiple League Championship medals, and was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame.  

183. Bob Wagner

Bob Wagner, best known for being the head football coach of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa from 1988 to 1995 and for leading the team to its first top-20 finish, was 76 when he died on October 3. 

He was at his Hawaii home when he died. The cause is currently unknown.

184. Dick Butkus

National Football League six-time first-team All-Pro linebacker Dick Butkus passed away on October 5. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year was 80. Prior to his career in the NFL, which was spent entirely with the Chicago Bears, Butkus was a two-time All-American with the University of Illinois, as well as 1964’s Lineman of the Year and a 1983 College Football Hall of Fame Inductee.

He died in his sleep at his home in Malibu, California, just hours before the Bears were to take on the Washington Commanders in Thursday Night Football. A moment of silence was held before the game, and the Bears went on to win 40-20.  

185. Eric Griffin

1989 and 1991 World Championship gold-medal boxer Eric Griffin was 55 when he died on October 7. His cause of death remains unknown.

186. Burt Young

It hasn’t been straight sports stars that we’ve lost in October 2023. Burt Young, known for his role as Paulie Pennino, brother-in-law and best friend of Rocky Balboa in the Rocky film series, passed away on October 8. He was 83.

The Academy Award nominee died in Los Angeles.

187. Stewkey

Stewkey, best known for being the lead vocalist and keyboardist of the rock band Nazz, died on October 8 from an unidentified type of cancer. The “Hello It’s Me” singer was 75.

188. Mark Goddard

Mark Goddard, known for his roles as Major Don West in CBS’ Lost in Space as well as Detective Sgt. Chris Ballard, in The Detectives, died on October 10, at age 87, in Hingham, Massachusetts.

The cause of death was pulmonary fibrosis, a lung condition that causes scarring over time.

189. Brendan Malone

Famed National Basketball Association coach and father of Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone died on October 10. He was 88.

190. Terry Dischinger

On the same day the NBA lost Brendan Malone, they also lost former 1963 NBA Rookie of the Year and three-time NBA All-Star Terry Dischinger. He was 82.

Dischinger, who is also a member of the College Basketball Hall of Fame, spent his career playing with the Chicago Zephyrs, the Baltimore Bullets, the Detroit Pistons, and the Portland Trail Blazers.

191. Rudolph Isley

The famed family musical group, The Isley Brothers, sadly had to say goodbye to one of its founding members on October 11. The rock singer, whose group was responsible for bringing the world the 1959 hit “Shout,” was 84 when he died.

The cause of death was an apparent heart attack in his home.

192. Lara Parker

Actress Lara Parker, best known for her role on ABC-TV’s Dark Shadows as Angelique (1966-1971), died on October 12. She was 84. She passed away in Los Angeles.

193. Burdette Haldorson

Olympic gold medal winner Burdette Haldorson was 89 when he died on October 13 in Colorado Springs.

Haldorson competed with the American basketball team in both the 1956 and 1960 Summer Olympics, winning a gold medal for both years. While he never played basketball professionally, he was also a member of the AAU Phillips 66ers and was later inducted into the Pac-12 Basketball Hall of Honor.

194. Andy Bean

On October 14, Andy Bean died unexpectedly following complications from a double lung transplant surgery in Lakeland. He was 70.

Bean was a professional golfer, winning 11 PGA Tour events, including the Byron Nelson Golf Classic in 1986. He also won three events on the Champions Tour, which included a nine-stroke victory at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship in 2008.

195. Piper Laurie

Piper Laurie was a famed actress of the 60s, 70s, and 80s, taking on roles in films like The Hustler in 1961, Carrie in 1976, and Children of a Lesser God in 1986. Sadly, she passed away on October 14 at the age of 91.

Her death was not a complete shock, however, having been battling an undisclosed illness for quite some time.

196. Carla Bley

Jazz musician Carla Bley was a musical wizard as a composer, pianist, organist, and bandleader, known for her original Escalator over the Hill jazz opera. The key member of the 1960s free jazz movement died on October 17. She was 87.

Her death, which came at her home in Willow, New York, was caused by brain cancer. She was diagnosed with the disease in 2018.

197. Dwight Twilley

Complications of a stroke are what caused the death of power-pop singer-songwriter Dwight Twilley on October 18. He was 72. Twilley is best known for writing his Top 20 hit singles “I’m on Fire” in 1975 and “Girls” in 1984.

198. Atsushi Sakurai

Japanese musician and singer-songwriter Atsushi Sakurai was best known for being the lead vocalist of the rock band Buck-Tick, credited as being the founders of the visual kei movement, from 1985 until his unexpected death.

The rockstar was only 57 years old when she died from a brainstem hemorrhage on October 19 in a Yokohama hospital.

199. Betsy Rawls

Betsy Rawls became yet another professional golfer to pass away in 2023 on October 21 in Lewes, Delaware. She was 95.

Throughout her career with the LPGA Tour, she won eight major championships as well as 55 career events. She is also a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Many rallied around to leave tributes in honor of the four-time U.S. Women’s Open winner in the wake of her death.

“Betsy Rawls was such a player! A brilliant mind and so very nice,” said fellow golf legend Betsy Rawls. “One of the players, when I was a teenager, who was always great to me! I admired her for sure! Lived a long and good life. RIP.”

Professional golfer Nancy Lopez also commented, saying, “Very sad to hear of the passing of Betsy Rawls. She was a great Champion and a supportive player to my career. She was always so kind. Rest in peace, Betsy. I hope you are shooting under par up in heaven.”

200. Bobby Charlton

English football midfielder Sir Bobby Charlton died on October 21, at the age of 86.

Known for being part of the team that won the 1966 FIFA World Cup, Charlton’s cause of death was complications from dementia. With Charlton’s death, Geoff Hurst is now the only surviving member of the 1996 World Cup final players.

Following Charlton’s passing, Manchester United, for whom he played from 1956-1973, paid tribute to him during their recent match against Copenhagen. They included moments of silence and the laying of wreaths.

201. Richard Roundtree

Pancreatic cancer is to blame for the death of actor Richard Roundtree on October 24 in Los Angeles. He was 81. It was not his first bout with cancer over the years, as he also battled breast cancer in 1993 and underwent a double mastectomy and chemotherapy to treat it.

Roundtree is best known for portraying John Shaft in the blaxploitation film series Shaft. He also appeared in several television series, including Roots, Generations, and Desperate Housewives.

202. Ed Sandford

Canadian National Hockey League forward Ed Sandford is best known for playing with famed teams, the Boston Bruins and the Detroit Red Wings. Sandford was a five-time NHL All-Star for five consecutive years from 1951 to 1955. He died on October 25, at the age of 95.

203. Richard Moll

Richard Moll became one of the latest celebrities who died in 2023 on October 26 at his Big Bear Lake, California, home. He was 80.

Moll was best known for playing Aristotle Nostradamus “Bull” Shannon on NBC’s Night Court as well as for voicing Harvey Dent/Two-Face on Batman: The Animated Series and The New Batman Adventures.

204. Li Keqiang

Chinese economist and politician Li Keqiang was 68 when he died of a heart attack on October 27.

For the past 10 years, Keqiang served as the premier of the People’s Republic of China as well as the head of government of China. Tributes in the wake of his death called him an “outstanding proletarian revolutionist” and a “loyal communist soldier.”

205. Frank Howard

Four-time Major League Baseball All-Star Frank “Hondo” Howard was 87 when he passed away on October 30 following complications from a stroke. He was at a hospital in Aldie, Virginia, when he died. 

Howard is best known for spending the majority of his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers as well as the Washington Senators/Texas Rangers. He was also named the National League’s Rookie of the Year in 1960 while playing with the Dodgers. He also won a World Series with the team. 

During his time in the league, he broke multiple records, ending his career with 382 home runs, eighth in the world by the time he retired. Additionally, he held the record while in Washington for the most home runs (237), as well as total home runs (48) and total bases (340) in a single year (1969). 

Following the announcement of Howard’s death, several former teammates and representatives of the teams he played for offered comments. “He was the ultimate teammate,” said Dick Bosman, who played six-plus seasons with Howard with Washington and Texas and remained friends with him for decades. “Next to my dad, he’s the greatest guy I know.”

The Washington Nationals also posted to social media, writing, “We are deeply saddened to share that Washington Senators legend Frank Howard has passed away at the age of 87. We join Frank’s loved ones in mourning.”

206. Bob Knight

Bob Knight, better known as Bobby Knight or even “the General,” was 83 when he passed away on November 1. The men’s college basketball coach, who spent most of his career as head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers (1971-2000), played more than 900 NCAA Division I men’s basketball games. When he retired in 2008, he held the record and was sixth of all time at the time of his death. Knight died in Bloomington, Indiana.

207. Erich Zakowski

Founder and longtime head of Zakspeed racing team Erich Zakowski died on November 1, just 24 days shy of his 90th birthday. The German mechanic, who also held a master craftsman certificate, passed away at his home in Balkhausen, Germany.

208. Walter Davis

Walter Davis was a six-time NBA All-Star, a two-time All-NBA Second Team member, and even the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1978. Davis played as a shooting guard and small forward for the Phoenix Suns for the entirety of his career (1977-1992) after being chosen in the first round and the fifth pick overall during the 1977 NBA draft. He was such a legendary player for the team that the Suns retired his No. 6 jersey in 1994, and 10 years later, he was enshrined in the team’s Ring of Honor.

Davis died on November 2, at the age of 69, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

209. Gary Colson

Gary Colson is yet another college basketball coach who became one of the celebrities who died in 2023 and in November, nonetheless. Colson, who coached at Valdosta State University (1958-1968), Pepperdine University (1968-1979), the University of New Mexico (1980-1988), and California State University, Fresno (1990-1995), died on November 3, from lymphoma in Santa Barbara, California. He was 89.

210. Frank Borman

Frank Borman, a retired colonel in the United States Air Force, test pilot, aeronautical engineer, and NASA astronaut, died of a stroke on November 7 in Billings, Montana. He was 95.

Borman is best known for being the commander of Apollo 8, the first mission to fly around the moon. He and his fellow crewmates, Jim Lovell and William Anders, became among the first 24 people to accomplish such a task, later earning him a Congressional Space Medal of Honor.

“In addition to his critical role as commander of the Apollo 8 mission, [Borman] is a veteran of Gemini 7, spending 14 days in low-Earth orbit and conducting the first rendezvous in space, coming within a few feet of the Gemini 6 spacecraft,” said Bill Nelson, NASA administrator in a statement following the announcement of Borman’s death.

211. Dale Reid

Dale Reid, a Scottish golfer considered one of the most successful players in Ladies European Tour history (21 tournament victories), died on November 8, in Townsville, Queensland, at the age of 64. She had been battling cancer for quite some time.

Along with her 21 tournament victories in the Ladies European Tour, Reid topped the Order of Merit twice and, at the 1991 Ford Classic, was made a life member of the tour.

212. Kyle LeDuc

Kyle LeDuc, a professional race car driver, died on November 11, after a year of battling stage IV head and neck cancer. His illness eventually led to him being sidelined for the 2023 Championship Off-Road season. He later suffered cardiac arrest, passing away at the age of 42.

LeDuc was mainly known for competing in short-course off-road truck racing. In it, he held seven Pro 4 class championships and more than 100 career wins.

213. Patrick Smith

Australian sports journalist Patrick Smith, most noted for his long career with The Age and The Australian, died on November 12. The Walkley Award recipient was 71. While his cause of death is unknown, it was considered sudden.

214. Peter Seidler

Peter Seidler, chairman of Major League Baseball’s San Diego Padres, passed away on November 7 at the age of 63. While the official cause of death is unknown, he did suffer from a number of health conditions, including type 1 diabetes, two bouts of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as well as an undisclosed medical procedure just two months before his death.

Seidler, along with his uncle Peter O’Malley and Ron Fowler, purchased the team for $800 million from John Moores. He would later become the largest stakeholder in the team and increased the team’s payroll to $214 million in the 2022 season and then $237 million in 2023.

215. Daisaku Ikeda

Daisaku Ikeda, a Buddhist philosopher, author, educator, and nuclear disarmament advocate, was 95 years old when he passed away on November 15.

Ikeda was best known for being the third president of Japan’s largest new religious movement, known as Soka Gakkai. He was also known for being the founding president of Soka Gakkai International, the largest Buddhist organization in the world.

216. George Chigova

George Chigova, a professional goalkeeper who played for Polokwane City and SuperSport United, Premier Soccer League clubs in South Africa, died on November 15.

Sadly, his death was a shock as he was only 32 years old. His death came after a collapse at his home. It was not his first collapse; he had previously had an episode in July 2023 while training with SuperSport. It was at that time that he was diagnosed with a heart ailment.

217. Ken Squier

Ken Squier, an American sportscaster, was 88 when he passed away on November 15 in Stowe, Vermont. His death was caused by intestinal blockage. It was not the first health struggle he endured. He contracted COVID-19 in November 2020 and took several months to recover after undergoing long-term rehabilitation.

Squier is best known for his many years serving as the lap-by-lap commentator for NASCAR on CBS from 1979 to 1997. Because of that, he became the first lap-by-lap commentator of the Daytona 500, for which he coined the term “The Great American Race.”  

“Ken Squier was there when [NASCAR] was introduced to the rest of the world in 1979 for the Daytona 500. I’m convinced that race would have not had its lasting impact had Ken not been our lead narrator,” NASCAR racer Dale Earnhardt Jr., wrote on X following the announcement of Squier’s death. “We still ride the wave of that momentum created on that day. [Squier’s] words and energy were perfection on a day when [NASCAR] needed it.”

218. A.S. Byatt

British novelist Dame Antonia Susan Duffy, better recognized by her pen name A.S. Byatt, was best known for her tetralogy of novels known as The Quartet. They included The Virgin in the Garden (1978), Still Life (1985), Babel Tower (1996), and A Whistling Woman (2002). She was also the 1990 Booker Prize winner for her novel Possession: A Romance and the 1995 Aga Khan Prize for Fiction winner for her collection of short stories called The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye.

Byatt died on November 16, at the age of 87, in London, England.

219. Bobby Ussery

Bobby Ussery, a Thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey, died of heart failure on November 16. He was 88.

In the 1950s, Ussery snagged wins at the Travers, Whitney, and Alabama Stakes after running and winning his first race on November 22, 1951.

220. George Brown

R&B drummer George Brown, best known for being a founding member of Kool & the Gang, died of lung cancer on November 16. He was 74.

Known as George “Funky” Brown, he provided not only drums for the “Celebration” band but also keyboards, percussion, and backing vocals throughout his entire time with the band (1964-2023).

221. Johnny Green

Johnny Green, a four-time NBA All-Star, died on November 16. He was 89.

Prior to joining the National Basketball Association, Green played college basketball for the Michigan State Spartans, where he earned second-team All-American honors. He was the first round, fifth overall pick in the 1959 NBA draft, being selected by the New York Knicks, for whom he played power forward for the entirety of his career (1959-1973).

222. Abe Stoklasa

Abe Stoklasa is sadly one of the younger celebrities who ended up on our list of celebrities who died in 2023. He was 36. Stoklasa, who died on November 17, was a country music songwriter and musician best known for writing for the hit country group Lady A and other prominent artists.

“He’ll forever be known as an irreverent voice in country music, unafraid to publicly tear down the curtain that separated Nashville’s well-manicured image from its sometimes grinding reality,” Rolling Stone wrote of the “Leaving Nashville” writer.

223. David Del Tredici

Famed pianist David Del Tredici, who took home the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1980, passed away from complications of Parkinson’s disease on November 18. He was 86.

Considered a pioneer of the Neo-Romantic movement, Del Tredici was described as “one of our most flamboyant outsider composers” by the Los Angeles Times.

224. Joss Ackland

Joss Ackland, best known for his roles in To Kill a Priest and White Mischief, the latter of which earned him a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, died on November 19. He was 95.

Ackland died in his Clovelly home. The cause of death has yet to be revealed.

225. Rosalynn Carter

First Lady Rosalynn Carter, wife of President Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, passed away on November 19, at the age of 96. Her death came months after the Carter Center announced that she had been diagnosed with dementia, although it noted that she continued to live at home “enjoying spring and visits with loved ones.” She entered hospice care just two days before her death and died at her Plains, Georgia, home from natural causes. “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” President Carter said following her death.

After First Lady Bess Truman, Carter was the second longest-living first lady as well as the longest-married. Before, during, and after serving as First Lady of the United States, she was an activist for women’s rights and mental health. Over the years, she has said many things about both.

“I think women need to find their place and decide what they want to do. … I’ve worked almost all of my life and raised my family … but the main thing is women have a choice and can make their own decision.”

Of the latter, she said at the 2003 Rosalynn Carter Symposium on Mental Health Policy: “Twenty-five years ago, we did not dream that people might someday be able actually to recover from mental illnesses. Today, it is a very real possibility. … For one who has worked on mental health issues as long as I have, this is a miraculous development and an answer to my prayers.”

226. Mars Williams

Mars Williams, a jazz and rock saxophonist, was 68 when cancer took his life on November 20. He was diagnosed with periampullary cancer in 2022.

Williams is best known for being a member of The Waitresses, a new-wave band, as well as a member of the post-punk band The Psychedelic Furs.

227. Willie Hernandez

Guillermo “Willie” Hernandez Villanueva, a Major League Baseball player, died on November 20 at his Sebring, Florida home. He was 69.

Villanueva, who played for the Chicago Cubs, the Philadelphia Phillies, and the Detroit Tigers throughout his career, won the American League Cy Young Award as well as the Most Valuable Player Award in 1984 following the Tigers’ World Series championship win. He was also an MLB All-Star from 1984 to 1986.

228. Marty Krofft

Canadian puppeteer and television producer Marty Krofft, known for creating several hit children’s shows with his brother Sid Krofft, died on November 25 in Los Angeles, California. He was 86. The cause of death was kidney failure.

229. Frances Sternhagen

Frances Sternhagen, best known for her roles in Cheers, Sex and the City, and Starting Over, died on November 27. He was 93. The Tony Award-winning actress died of natural causes in her New Rochelle, New York, home. 

“The curtain goes down on a life so richly, passionately, humbly, and generously lived,” her son said in a post announcing her death. 

230. Cecil Sandford

British motorcycle road racer Cecil Sandford, best known for his 125cc world championship win in 1952 and 250cc world champion win in 1957, passed away at 95 on November 28. The cause of death has not been disclosed. 

231. Henry Kissinger

Henry Kissinger, the former U.S. Secretary of State from 1973 to 1977 and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973, was at the prime age of 100 when he died on November 29. 

Upon his death, many shared their heartbreak and memories. 

“The world has lost a tireless advocate for peace. America has lost a towering champion for the national interest. I have lost a cherished friend and mentor,” said Winston Lord, former U.S. Ambassador to China and Kissinger’s former special assistant at the National Security Council. “Henry blended the European sense of tragedy and the American immigrant’s sense of hope.”

Further, former President George W. Bush noted, “America has lost one of the most dependable and distinctive voices on foreign affairs with the passing of Henry Kissinger. I have long admired the man who fled the Nazis as a young boy from a Jewish family, then fought them in the United States Army.” 

232. Shane McGowan

Shane McGowan, the Irish punk rock musician best known for his time as lead vocalist and songwriter for the Pogues, died on November 30. He was 65. 

The “Fairytale of New York” writer’s cause of death was pneumonia, and he soon passed after receiving his last rites with his wife by his side. 

233. Sandra Day O’Connor

There are the first ladies of the United States, but then there’s Sandra Day O’Connor, who proved that women truly could do anything, as she became the first woman to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice. Ever since she continued to serve her country well until she began showing signs of dementia in 2013. Ironically, it’s the same disease she worked to bring awareness to following her husband’s 20-year struggle with the disease before dying in 2009.

She later died from complications from the disease on December 1, 2023, at the age of 93.

Following her death, Chief Justice John Roberts called her “an eloquent advocate for civil education” as well as a “fiercely independent defender of the rule of law,” while President Joe Biden called her an “American icon” dedicated to “the bedrock American principle of an independent judiciary.”

234. Myles Goodwyn

Canadian musician Myles Goodwyn, best known for serving as the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter for April Wine, a rock band, passed away on December 3, 2023. The Canadian Walk of Fame and Canadian Musical Hall of Fame inductee was 75.

While his cause of death is unknown, he had many health struggles in the final years of his life, even collapsing and nearly dying in 2008 from internal bleeding.

235. James L. Easton

BRG Sports President James L. Easton was 88 when he died on December 4, 2023. Along with being the chairman, chief executive officer, and president of BRG Sports, he also served as World Archery Federation president from 1989 to 2005 and was an International Olympic Committee member in 1994.

236. Denny Laine

Denny Laine, co-founder of both the Moody Blues and Wings, was 79 when he passed away on December 5, 2023. The British rock guitarist who was real tight with the Beatles own, Paul McCartney, died of interstitial lung disease in Naples, Florida.

McCartney paid tribute to his ex-bandmate on his official website. “I have many fond memories of my time with Denny, from the early days when The Beatles toured with the Moody Blues. Our two bands had a lot of respect for each other and a lot of fun together.” He later continued: “Denny was a great talent with a fine sense of [humor] and was always ready to help other people. He will be missed by all his fans and remembered with great fondness by his friends.”

237. Norman Lear

Norman Milton Lear had a long and glorious career in the film industry as a producer, writer, creator, and developer of more than 100 shows. Some of his notable include the sitcoms All in the Family, Maude, Sanford and Son, One Day at a Time, and The Jeffersons.

Lear was not just part of the development of more than 100 shows; he was also the proud citizen who made it more than 100 years of living, dying at the age of 101 on December 5, 2023. The official cause of death was cardiac arrest as a result of heart failure complications.

238. Vic Davalillo

Vic Davalillo may have been a Venezuelan, but he dominated Major League Baseball throughout his career. Spending the 60s and 70s playing for various teams, most notably the Cleveland Indians, the California Angels, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Los Angeles Dodgers, as an outfielder. He was named an MLB All-Star in 1965 while playing with the Indians.

Davalillo passed away on December 6, 2023, in Caracas, Venezuela. He was 84. The cause of death was complications from surgery, but it is unclear what the surgery was for in the first place.

239. Benjamin Zephaniah

British writer and poet Benjamin Zephaniah was 65 when he died of a brain tumor on December 7, 2023. He had only been diagnosed with the tumor eight weeks prior to his death.

“I am in shock,” his friend Joan Armatrading wrote on Twitter following his death. “What a thoughtful, kind and caring man he was. The world has lost a poet, an intellectual and cultural revolutionary. I have lost a great friend.”

240. Paul Webb

College basketball coach Paul Webb was 94 when he died on December 8, 2023. H was best known for being the head coach at Randolph-Macon College (1956-1975) and Old Dominion University (1975-1985).

241. Ryan O’Neal

Ryan O’Neal was a highly successful actor of the early 1970s, earning notable roles in movies like Love Story (1970) and Paper Moon (1973). Later in life, he had a recurring role in Fox’s Bones.

He died on December 8, 2023, at the age of 82 years old. His cause of death was congestive heart failure with cardiomyopathy. This was not the first bout of illness that he dealt with, having suffered from chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in 2001. He later was diagnosed with and battled stage four prostate cancer in 2012.

242. Frank Wycheck

National Football League tight end Frank Wycheck passed away on December 9, 2023, following a fall where he hit his head in his Chattanooga home. He was 52.

Throughout his career in the NFL, Wycheck played for the Washington Redskins for two years (1993-1994) before spending the majority of his career with the Houston Oilers turned Tennessee Titans (1995-2003). During that time, he was a three-time Pro Bowl pick and was inducted into the Titans/Oilers Ring of Honor.

243. Andre Braugher

Andre Braugher, best known for his roles in Homicide: Life on the Street and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, died on December 11, 2023. He was 61 years old.

His death was the result of lung cancer, which he had been diagnosed with a few months before. Although he ultimately quit in 2010, he had been a smoker for many, many years.

Many in the television world reacted to his death, including Shonda Rhimes, creator of Grey’s Anatomy, via Instagram. “Deeply saddened by the news of Andrew Braugher’s passing. I mourn not only the loss of an extraordinary actor but, more profoundly, the departure of a warm and kind soul. His talent was undeniable, but it was his genuine kindness that truly set him apart. Rest well.”

244. Essra Mohawk

Essra Mohawk, a singer-songwriter best known for writing “Change of Heart” by Cyndi Lauper and “Stronger Than the Wind” by Tina Turner, died on December 11, 2023. He was 75.

His official cause of death was cancer, although it is unclear what kind of cancer he suffered from.

245. Jeffrey Foskett

Jeffrey Foskett, a touring and studio musician for Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys, passed away from thyroid cancer on December 11, 2023. He was 67.

Full House star and fellow Beach Boys performer John Stamos remembered Foskett via Instagram. “Today, I lost more than a friend; I lost a part of my soul, my history – Jeffrey Foskett, my dearest friend, brother, and the brightest light in my life, has left this world,” Stamos wrote. “When I think of the 40 years we shared – the uproarious laughter, the music that we believed changed lives, and the unshakable bond of brotherhood – I can’t help but feel grateful. Grateful for every moment, every note, every piece of wisdom he shared with me.”

246. Kenny Graham

Kenny Graham, a former National Football League Safety with the San Diego Chargers, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Pittsburgh Steelers, died on December 11, 2023. He was 82.

247. Zahara

This is possibly one of the saddest as our celebrities who died in 2023 list comes to a close as Zahara was only 36 years old when she died on December 11, 2023. Prior to the death of the singer, songwriter, and guitarist, she was admitted to the hospital for liver complications.

248. Bill Burgess

College football coach Bill Burgess was 82 when he died on December 13, 2023. He is best known for serving as head coach for the Jacksonville State University football team for 12 seasons. During his tenure (1985-1996), he led the team to a national title in 1992, winning the NCAA Division II Football Championship.

249. George McGinnis

George McGinnis, a Hall of Fame power forward in the National Basketball Association, was 73 when he died on December 14, 2023. He was in a hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana, when he died of heart complications following years of health problems.

250. Carlos Lyra

Carlos Lyra, a guitarist and singer-songwriter and one of the first of two composers to be recorded by João Gilberto on the Chega de Saudade LP, known as the first generation of Bossa Nova, died on December 16, 2023. He was 90. The cause of death was sepsis. 

251. Rolando Garbey

Cuban Boxer Rolando Garbey was 76 when he died of a cardiac arrest on December 16, 2023. He is best known for winning an Olympic silver medal in 1968, an Olympic bronze medal in 1976, and for winning the world title at the 1974 World Championships in Havana, Cuba.

252. Ed Budde

Ed Budde, a former guard with the Kansas City Chiefs (1963-1976), died on December 19, 2023. He was 83. He was a member of the Chiefs during the team’s first Super Bowl championship win.

“My family and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Chiefs Hall of Famer Ed Budde,” Clark Hunt wrote on the official Chiefs website. “Ed spent his entire 14-year career with the Chiefs, and he was a cornerstone of those early Chiefs teams that brought pro football to Kansas City.

“He never missed a game in the first nine seasons of his career, and he rightfully earned recognition as an All-Star, a Pro-Bowler, and a Super Bowl Champion. After his playing career, Ed remained connected to the Chief organization and was a founding member of the Kansas City Ambassadors,” the post continued. “He was well-loved in the Kansas City community, and he was a great father to Brad, Tionne, and John. My family and the entire Chiefs organization extend our sincere condolences to Carolyn and the Budde family.”

253. Torben Ulrich

Torben Ulrich, a Danish tennis player and later musician who became the father of Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich, died on December 20, 2023. He was 95.

“95 years of adventures, unique experiences, curiosity, pushing boundaries, challenging the status quo, tennis, music, art, writing … and quite a bit of Danish contrarian attitude,” Lars Ulrich said in an Instagram post. “Thank you endlessly! I love you, Dad.”

254. Laura Lynch

Former Dixie Chicks member Laura Lynch’s unexpected death came on December 22, 2023, following an automobile accident. She was 65.

Lynch was known for being a member of the Dixie Chicks from 1989 to 1995. The current members of the Chicks remembered the early member as a “bright light” whose “infectious energy and humor gave a spark to the early days of our band” via social media.

255. Myron “Mike” Nussbaum

Actor and director of the stage and screen Myron “Mike” Nussbaum was 99 when he died on December 23, 2023. Nussbaum, who appeared in such films as Field of Dreams, Fatal Attraction, and Men in Black, was just six days shy of his 100th birthday at the time of his death.

256. David Leland

British film director David Leland, best known for his directorial debut film Wish You Were Here in 1987, passed away on Christmas Eve, aka December 24, 2023. He was 82 years old. His cause of death has yet to be released.

257. Tommy Smothers

This year, it was successfully avoided that we lost any celebrities on Christmas Day. Still, sadly, comedian, actor, composer, and musician Tommy Smothers lost his battle with lung cancer one day later on December 26, 2023. He was 86.

Smothers, best known as one-half of the musical comedy partnership Smothers Brothers, with his younger brother, Dick Smothers, announced his diagnosis with the disease earlier in 2023.

“Tom was not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life; he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner,” his younger brother said in a statement published by the National Comedy Center following Tommy Smothers’ death. “I am forever grateful to have spent a lifetime together with him, on and off stage, for over 60 years. Our relationship was like a good marriage – the longer we were together, the more we loved and respected one another. We were truly blessed.”

258. Lee Sun-Kyun

This is a sad one as we get ready to round out our celebrities who died in 2023 list. Lee Sun-kyun, who is an Academy-Award-winning actor for his work in Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite (2019), heartbreakingly died of an apparent suicide on December 27, 2023. He was only 48 years old.

Sun-Kyun was reportedly found in his car in a parking lot near Waryong Park in central Seoul. What further led to the suicide discussion was that he was found with a charcoal briquette in the passenger seat, a substance commonly used in South Korea for carbon monoxide poisoning. Additionally, his wife later told police that he left home after “writing a memo akin to a suicide note.”

259. Mbongeni Ngema

On December 27, 2023, South Africa lost famed playwright, lyricist, composer, director, choreographer, and theatre producer Mbongeni Ngema. The 68-year-old is best known for co-writing Woza Albert! (1981) and Sarafina! (1988), died in a car accident in Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Following his death, South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa remembered Ngema, recalling his “masterfully creative narration of our liberation struggle honored the humanity of oppressed South Africans.” Further, the Economic Freedom Fighters called him “more than just an artist; he was a cultural icon and a beacon of hope during some of our darkest times.”

260. Bill McColl

College football star and former player for the Chicago Bears Bill McColl was 93 years old when he passed away on December 28, 2023. The 1951 Heisman Trophy runner-up was the first person that same year to receive the W.J. Voit Memorial Trophy, which recognizes an outstanding player on the Pacific Coast.

261. Gil de Ferran

On December 29, 2023, Brazilian racecar driver Gil de Ferran died of a heart attack at 56 years old. Ferran was driving at The Concours Club in Florida when the heart attack happened.

Ferran is best known for winning the 2003 Indianapolis 500 and later for finishing as the runner-up in the 2009 American Le Mans Series LMP1 class. He accomplished this with his very own de Ferran Motorsports.

262. Tom Wilkinson

British actor Tom Wilkinson, best known for roles such as Horatio in Hamlet (1980) and Dr. Stockmann in An Enemy of the People (1988), was 75 when he died on December 30, 2023. His cause of death has not been revealed.

263. Cale Yarborough

NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver and owner Cale Yarborough passed away on New Year’s Eve, December 31, at 84.

Yarborough is best known for being one of only two drivers in the history of NASCAR to win three consecutive championships (1976-1978).

264. Shecky Greene

Comedian and actor Shecky Greene, best known for his nightclub performances in Las Vegas and eventually headlining shows in the 1950s and 60s, died on December 31. He was 97.

Along with his stand-up career, Greene was also an actor appearing in such films as History of the World, Part 1, and television shows like Laverne & Shirley and Mad About You.

 

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