2022 got off to a sad start with the death of Sir Sidney Poitier, one of the most important actors of the last century. Poitier, who died at the age of 94 on January 7, 2022, was considered a trailblazer for Black actors in Hollywood and, in fact, was the first Black actor to win an Academy Award for best lead performance. To this day, that honour is only shared with Denzel Washington.
Following Poitier’s death, tributes poured in for the actor with Oscar winner Morgan Freeman calling him “my inspiration, my guiding light, my friend” and Oprah Winfrey praising him as a “Friend. Brother. Confidant. Wisdom teacher.” Former President Barack Obama cited his achievements and how he revealed “the power of movies to bring us closer together.”
His life and career will soon be celebrated in a new documentary produced by Oprah Winfrey for Apple.
Just two days after Poitier’s death, Full House star and beloved comedian Bob Saget also passed away (January 9, 2022). He was found unresponsive in a hotel in Orlando, Florida and pronounced deceased on the scene.
Saget was performing as part of his US ‘I Don’t Do Negative’ tour in Jacksonville, Florida, just hours beforehand, and had Tweeted after the gig that he “loved tonight’s show” and “had no idea I did a 2 hr set tonight”.
“I’m happily addicted again to this shit,” he wrote.
Friends and fans shared their grief online at the loss of the beloved comedian with former Daily Show host Jon Stewart calling him “the funniest and nicest” on Twitter while Whoopi Goldberg also expressed her condolences for her friend with a “huge heart”.
On March 4, Australians were devastated to learn that cricketing legend Shane Warne had also passed away, at the age of just 52. The iconic spin bowler was found unresponsive by friends in a villa he was staying at in Koh Samui, Thailand and attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.
Warne’s death prompted a global outpouring of grief and shock.
Read on for more of the much loved famous faces we have lost in 2022.
Sidney Poitier, February 20, 1927 – January 7, 2022
Bob Saget, May 17, 1956 – January 9, 2022
Ronnie Spector, August 10, 1943 – January 12, 2022
The original “bad girl of rock and roll” and lead singer of the girl group the Ronettes, passed away from cancer on January 12, 2022, at the age of 78.
André Leon Talley, October 16 1948 – January 18, 2022
André Leon Talley passed away at the age of 73, on January 18, 2022.
Talley was a prominent and beloved figure on the international fashion scene, having worked at Vogue — first in the news division from 1983 to 1987 before then stepping into the role of creative director in 1988, and then into the role of editor-at-large.
Meatloaf, September 27 1947 – January 20 2022
Thierry Mugler, 21 December 1948 — 23 January 2022
Ivan Reitman, 27 October 1946 — 12 February 2022
Shane Warne, 13 September 1969 – 4 March 2022
William Hurt, 20 March 1950 – 13 March 2022
Madeleine Albright, 15 May 1937 — 23 March 2022
Taylor Hawkins, 17 February 1972 — March 24, 2022
Paul Herman, 29 March 1946 — 29 March 2022
Tom Parker, 4 August 1988 — 30 March 2022
Estelle Harris, 4 April 1928 — 2 April 2022
Kathy Lamkin, 1 January 1953 — 4 April 2022
Kathy Lamkin was best known for her scene-stealing role as the Desert Aire trailer park manager in No Country for Old Men, as well as her role as the “Tea Lady” in the 2003 remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
She passed away on April 4 after a short illness.
Gilbert Gottfried, 28 February 1955 — 12 April 2022
Mike Hagerty, 10 May 1954 — 29 April 2022
Mike Hagerty, best known for his recurring role as superintendent Mr Treeger on Friends, has died at the age of 67.
Ray Liotta, 18 December 1954 — 26 May 2022
Legendary Goodfellas actor Ray Liotta has died aged 67.
Liotta died in his sleep in the Dominican Republic, where he was filming a new movie titled Dangerous Waters.
Andrew Fletcher of Depeche Mode, 8 July 1961 — 26 May 2022
Andrew Fletcher — one of the founding members of British electronic band Depeche Mode — has died aged 60.
The band has issued the following statement: “We are shocked and filled with overwhelming sadness with the untimely passing of our dear friend, family member, and bandmate Andy ‘Fletch’ Fletcher.
“Fletch had a true heart of gold and was always there when you needed support, a lively conversation, a good laugh, or a cold pint. Our heart are with his family, and we ask that you keep them in your thoughts and respect their privacy in this difficult time.”
Phillip Baker Hall, 10 September 1931 — 12 June 2022
James Caan, 26 March 1940 — 6 July 2022
Tony Sirico, 29 July 1942 — 8 July 2022
David Warner, 29 July 1941 — 24 July 2022
Paul Sorvino, 13 April 1939 — 25 July 2022
Nichelle Nichols, 28 December 1932 — 30 July 2022
Pat Carroll, 5 May 1927 — 30 July 2022
Bill Russell, 12 February 1934 — 31 July 2022
Judith Durham, 3 July 1943 — 5 August 2022
Clu Gulager, 16 November 1928 — 5 August 2022
Issey Miyake, 22 April 1938 — 5 August 2022
Olivia Newton-John, 26 September 1948 — 8 August 2022
Anne Heche, 25 May 1969 — 12 August 2022
Wolfgang Peterson, 14 March 1941 — 12 August 2022
Uncle Jack Charles, 5 September 1943 — 13 September 2022
Uncle Jack Charles, actor and Boon Wurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Woiwurrung and Yorta Yorta man, passed away peacefully at the Royal Melbourne Hospital after suffering a stroke. In a statement, his publicist stated that “before he passed away, his family were able to send him off on Country during a smoking ceremony at the Royal Melbourne Hospital”.
The statement continued: “We are so proud of everything he has achieved in his remarkable life — Elder, actor, musician, potter, activist, mentor, a household name and voice loved by all — as is demonstrated by his numerous awards including this year’s NAIDOC Male Elder of the Year.
“He will live on in our hearts and memories and through his numerous screen and stage roles.”
Jean-Luc Godard, 3 December 1930 — 13 September 2022
Artis Leon Ivey Jr., AKA Coolio, 1 August 1963 — 28 September 2022
Sacheen Littlefeather, 14 November 1946 — 2 October 2022
Angela Lansbury, 16 October 1925 — 11 October 2022
Murder, She Wrote. Beauty and the Beast. The Pirates of Penzance. These works are just a minuscule fraction of the films that the actor Angela Lansbury will leave us as a part of her legacy. As per CNN, she passed away at the age of 96.
“The children of Dame Angela Lansbury are sad to announce that their mother died peacefully in her sleep at home in Los Angeles at 1:30 AM today, Tuesday, October 11, 2022,” said her family in a statement. “Just five days shy of her 97th birthday.”
Robbie Coltrane, 30 March 1950 — 14 October 2022
Leslie Jordan, 29 April 1955 — 24 October 2022
Aaron Carter, 7 December 1987 — 5 November 2022
Christine McVie, 12 July 1943 — 30 November 2022
Kirstie Alley, 12 January 1951 — 5 December 2022
Kirstie Alley has died at 71 after a battle with cancer.
Her children, True and Lillie Parker, announced the news on Alley’s official social media accounts, writing:
“To all our friends, far and wide around the world… We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered.
“She was surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength, leaving us with a certainty of her never-ending joy of living and whatever adventures lie ahead. As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother.”
Vivienne Westwood, 8 April 1941 — 29 December 2022
Vivienne Westwood died at the age of 81.
In an statement on the fashion designer’s social media, it was announced that Westwood passed away “peacefully and surrounded by her family, in Clapham, South London”.
“The world needs people like Vivienne to make a change for the better,” the fashion house added.
29th December 2022.
Vivienne Westwood died today, peacefully and surrounded by her family, in Clapham, South London.
The world needs people like Vivienne to make a change for the better. pic.twitter.com/YQwVixYUrV
— Vivienne Westwood (@FollowWestwood) December 29, 2022
**This story will be updated throughout the year.
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