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Remembering these legends: The tragic celebrity deaths of 2017

Dec 28, 2017

David Cassidy sadly passed away among others this year. Source: Getty.

It’s been a year of highs and lows, and we’ve had to say a fond and heartbreaking goodbye to some huge stars in 2017.

From TV and movie legends, to musicians and more, some huge names sadly passed away in the last 12 months.

While music legend David Cassidy fought a brave battle following liver failure, iconic musician Chuck Berry passed away in March, and Sound of Music actress Heather Menzies-Urich died just days ago following a short battle with brain cancer.

Here, we remember some of the biggest names and their incredible careers in the limelight:

John Hurt – January 25

The veteran British actor died from pancreatic cancer at the age of 77.

Hurt has contributed to show business for more than six decades and is best known for his Oscar nominated performance as star of the Elephant Man and as the Wandmaster in Olivanders in Harry Potter.

Mary Tyler Moore – January 25

Iconic television actress Mary Tyler Moore passed away, aged 80, shortly after being hospitalised earlier in the week.

“Beloved icon, Mary Tyler Moore, passed away at the age of 80 in the company of friends and her loving husband of over 33 years, Dr. S. Robert Levine,” her rep told the Huffington Post at the time.

“A groundbreaking actress, producer, and passionate advocate for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Mary will be remembered as a fearless visionary who turned the world on with her smile.”

Mary shot to fame in the 60s for her starring tole on the The Dick Van Dyke Show, before going on to forge her own legendary sitcom, The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

Chuck Berry – March 18

Iconic musician Chuck Berry died aged 90 after being found unresponsive in St. Charles County, Missouri following a reported cardiac arrest.

Berry, born Charles Edward Anderson Berry, found fame in the ’50s for his effortless style on the guitar and had a string of hits, including ‘Roll Over Beethoven’ and ‘Johnny B Goode’.

Erin Moran – April 22

The beloved actress that played Joanie Cunningham on the hit series Happy Days passed away aged just 56 following a tumultuous life.

Moran played Joanie for 11 seasons of Happy Days and two seasons of the spinoff Joanie Loves Chachi.

Lou Richards – May 8

AFL legend and Collingwood great Lou Richards passed away aged 94.

Richards played 250 games for the Magpies and captained the club to its 1953 premiership before becoming a broadcaster following his retirement from the game.

Mark Colvin – May 11

After 20 years of struggling with a rare autoimmune disease, veteran ABC broadcaster Mark Colvin died aged just 65.

It was in 1994 while covering the Rwandan genocide that he contracted Wegener’s granulomatosis, a rare illness that affects the bloodstream.

Colvin, as well as being a respected broadcaster, was an active presence on Twitter and left a large following of over 103k.

Gregg Allman – May 27

Gregg Allman will be missed by fans across the globe.

Music legend and the king of Southern rock Gregg Allman passed away aged 69 after a long health battle, which saw him fight drug and alcohol addiction, hepatitis C and undergo a liver transplant.

“Gregg struggled with many health issues over the past several years,” a statement on his website read.

“During that time, Gregg considered being on the road playing music with his brothers and solo band for his beloved fans, essential medicine for his soul.

“Playing music lifted him up and kept him going during the toughest of times.”

Allman shot to fame in 1969 with his brother Duane and their band, The Allman Brothers Band.

He was married six times, including to singer Cher, who lead the tributes on social media to him.

Peter Sallis – June 2

Actor Peter Sallis died aged 96 from natural causes.

He was famous as the voice of Wallace in Wallace and Gromit.

Sallis also played Norman “Cleggy” Clegg in Last of the Summer Wine from its first episode in 1973 until the series concluded in 2010 and was the only actor to appear in all 295 episodes of the sitcom.

Glenne Headly – June 8

Actress Glenne Headly died aged 62 from complications of a pulmonary embolism.

The actress was perhaps best known for starring alongside Michael Caine and Steve Martin in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in 1988, as the cunning “victim” Janet.

She went on to appear in Dick Tracey next, followed by roles in Mr Holland’s Opus, Getting Even with Dad and Don Jon, with many more to follow throughout her career.

John Heard – July 21

John Heard, the star of many 80s and 90s movies including Home Alone and Beaches, died aged 72.

The actor, who won hearts as the long-suffering father of a large and unruly brood in the Home Alone series, was found in a California hotel room, according to numerous reports. Emergency services were unable to revive him, and he’s thought to have died from a heart attack.

Barbara Sinatra – July 25

Barbara Sinatra was Frank’s fourth and last wife.

Frank Sinatra’s last wife Barbara Sinatra died at age 90 from natural causes.

The former model and humanitarian was music legend Sinatra’s fourth wife.

At the time of his death in 1998 from a heart attack, they had been married for 22 years, making their marriage Ol’ Blue Eyes’ longest.

Dr G. Yunupingu – July 25

Musician Dr G. Yunupingu died at just 46 years of age after a long-running illness.

Australia’s most prominent Indigenous music artist, who shot to global stardom in 2008, is being mourned by family and friends as a “genius and wonderful human being”.

The singer and accomplished guitarist and musician was from the remote community of Galiwin’ku on Elcho Island, which is 500 kilometres east of Darwin. He was a member of the band Yothu Yindi during his teens, having learned to play the guitar at the age of six, but later went solo.

Sam Shepard – July 27

The playwright, actor and director died aged 73 from complications of ALS, a form of motor neurone disease.

Shepard became a familiar face thanks to roles in films including Days of Heaven (1978), The Right Stuff (1983) and Baby Boom (1987).

Jeanne Moreau – July 31

One of France’s most beloved actresses Jeanne Moreau died aged 89.

French President Emmanuel Macron led tributes to the husky-voiced actress who starred in more than 100 films and said she had “embodied cinema” and was a free spirit who “always rebelled against the established order”.

Moreau starred in some of the most critically-acclaimed films of the 20th century, including Jules et Jim, Lift to the Scaffold and Eva.

Robert Hardy – August 3

Robert Hardy, who played Siegfried Farnon in All Creatures Great and Small, passed away aged 91.

The English actor had a rich, impressive career, and is perhaps best known for his role in the series, which ran from 1978 to 1990, though younger generations will undoubtedly recognise him for his role as Cornelius Fudge in the Harry Potter film series.

In a statement, Hardy’s family said he led a “tremendous life” and a “giant career in theatre, television and film spanning more than 70 years”.

Glen Campbell – August 8

Singer Glen Campbell died at 81 following “a long and courageous battle” with Alzheimer’s disease.

His family released a statement saying: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather.”

The legendary guitarist was a self-taught prodigy who rose from a poverty-stricken upbringing in Arkansas to go on to sell 45 million records.

He is best known for his 1975 hit Rhinestone Cowboy and released more than 70 albums during his 50-year career.

Jerry Lewis – August 20

The legend Jerry Lewis died aged 91 from natural causes. Known for his slapstick routines, Lewis was not only a comedian and actor but he was a singer, film producer, screen writer and humanitarian.

Lewis starred in more than fifty movies, but also worked on stage, radio and television. He teamed up with Dean Martin in 1946 which first got him attention in the industry.

Louise Hay – August 30

American motivational author and professional speaker Hay died of natural causes aged 90.

Even if you don’t remember her, you’ll remember some of her words of inspiration. Her name is attached to many inspirational quotes like ‘Love is never outside ourselves; love is within us’, and ‘As I say YES to life, life says YES to me’.

Peter Luck – September 6

Veteran reporter Peter Luck died aged 73 after years battling both cancer and Parkinson’s Disease.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Penny, their two children and three grandchildren.

Luck was a household name in the ’70s and ’80s, working for the ABC, Nine News, and Seven Network and appearing on This Day Tonight, Four Corners, Sunday, Today Tonight, Inside Edition.

Don Williams – September 8

He’d been described as the gentle giant of Country Music, and no wonder. Don Williams often walked onstage carrying a cup of coffee, sat on a barstool, sang and chatted with the audience during his shows.

A statement from his publicist Kirt Webster said he died aged 78 after a short illness.

His plain-spoken story-telling style hits over the years include ‘I Believe in You’, ‘Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good’, ‘You’re My Best Friend’, ‘Some Broken Hearts Never Mend’, ‘Till the Rivers All Run Dry’ and ‘Back in My Younger Days’.

Lady Mary Fairfax – September 17

Lady Mary Fairfax, of the Fairfax media family, died aged 95, her family said in a statement.

She passed away at her waterfront mansion on the Sydney harbour.

Lady Mary was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for service to the community and for her philanthropic and financial contributions to medical research initiatives, improved health care opportunities, nurturing artistic talent in young performers, and preservation of diverse cultural heritage.

She was also an OBE and AM recipient.

Hugh Hefner – September 27

Playboy legend Hugh Hefner died aged 91 from natural causes.

Playboy confirmed Hefner’s death in a statement to E! News. “Hugh M. Hefner, the American icon who in 1953 introduced the world to Playboy magazine and built the company into one of the most recognizable American global brands in history, peacefully passed away today from natural causes at his home, The Playboy Mansion, surrounded by loved ones. He was 91 years old.”

Hefner helped shape the sexual revolution of the 20th Century with the creation of American men’s lifestyle magazine, Playboy, in 1953.

Tom Petty – October 2

The singer tragically died aged 66 following a heart attack which left him hospitalised.

“We are devastated to announce the untimely death of our father, husband, brother, leader and friend Tom Petty,” a family statement read at the time.

His band, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, produced many hits, including ‘Breakdown’, ‘Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around’ and ‘American Girl’, and had big success with their 1979 album Damn the Torpedoes. They continued to perform to this day, just last week finishing a US tour.

George Young – October 22

George Young, one half of the famous team Vanda and Young, died aged 70.

Young, together with Harry Vanda, was responsible for so many of the biggest performing songs, and making stars of the performers, in the 1960s and beyond.

Fats Domino – October 24

Antoine ‘Fats’ Domino died aged 89 at his home in Louisiana of natural causes.

In 1949, the musician and singer made what’s often considered one of of the first rock’n’roll records, called The Fat Man, and instrumental in the early rock’n’roll scene of the 1950s and early 1960s.

His hits included ‘Ain’t That a Shame’ and ‘Blueberry Hill’ and in the 1950s his records were only outsold by those of Elvis Presley, according to Rolling Stone. His songs have been covered by many big names in music, from Led Zeppelin to John Lennon, and he was the inspiration for The Beatles’ song ‘Lady Madonna’.

Malcolm Young – November 18

Malcolm Young, Australian music legend and co-founder of rock band AC/DC, died at the age of 64.

Young had been living with dementia for the past three years, and his struggle with the disease saw his nephew, Stevie, take Young’s spot for the band’s last promotional tour in 2014.

Besides a brief absence in 1988, Young was an integral part of AC/DC from its start in November 1973 right through to April 2014, when it was announced that he would receive treatment for dementia.

David Cassidy – November 21

David Cassidy sadly passed away among others this year. Source: Getty.

The ’70s heartthrob and star of The Partridge Family passed away at the age of 67 after suffering from “multiple organ failure”.

Cassidy’s family released an exclusive statement to People to announce the star’s passing.

“On behalf of the entire Cassidy family, it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, our uncle, and our dear brother, David Cassidy,” the statement read.

“David died surrounded by those he loved, with joy in his heart and free from the pain that had gripped him for so long. Thank you for the abundance and support you have shown him these many years.”

Rodney Bewes – November 21

British comedy actor Rodney Bewes who starred in hit ’70s sitcom The Likely Lads, died aged 79.

The star had a career spanning 60 years and was best known for playing Bob Ferris in the much-loved sitcom, The Likely Lads, alongside co-star James Bolam.

Lady Flo Bjelke-Petersen – December 20

Lady Flo Bjelke-Petersen died aged 97 at the Lutheran Services Orana Aged Care Service in Kingaroy, where she has lived since 2014.

The former Queensland senator and widow of controversial Queensland premier Sir John Bjelke-Petersen was born in Florence Isabel Gilmour in Brisbane in 1920. She married her husband in 1952 and later followed in his footsteps, entering the National Party’s Queensland branch in 1981.

Heather Menzies-Urich – December 24

Menzies-Urich, famous for playing Louisa von Trapp in The Sound of Music, died aged 68 after just recently being diagnosed with brain cancer, reports SBS.

“She was an actress, a ballerina and loved living her life to the fullest,” her son Ryan Urich said in a statement. “She was not in any pain but, nearly four weeks after her diagnosis of terminal brain cancer, she had enough and took her last breath on this earth at 7:22 pm.”

Menzies-Urich shot to fame in 1965 after starring alongside Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer in beloved musical The Sound of Music, which won five Academy Awards including Best Picture.

Do you remember all of these tragic deaths? What are your best memories of the stars?

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