Top 10 Saddest Deaths of 2021

1. Betty White

   

   Betty White Ludden (January 17, 1922 - December 31, 2021), known professionally as Betty White, was an American actress, animal rights activist, author, comedian, radio host, singer, and television personality. She was known for her roles in television sitcoms such as The Golden Girls, The Mary Tyler... read more

   R.I.P. to the remaining Golden Girl, who was an icon in television, as well as a very talented, kindhearted person. We will always remember the laughs she brought us and all the wonderful things she did.

   This wonderful woman was just a few weeks away from turning 100. May you always stay golden in heaven.

   She was almost 100 years old. She shall be in Heaven.

2. Dusty Hill

   

   Joseph Michael "Dusty" Hill (May 19, 1949 - July 27, 2021) was the bassist, keyboardist, and co-vocalist of the American rock group ZZ Top. He joined the band in 1969 and played with them for over five decades. Hill died on July 27, 2021, at the age of 72.

3. Prince Philip

   

   Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was the husband of Queen Elizabeth II. He was born on June 10, 1921, and died on April 9, 2021. Prince Philip held the title of the longest-serving consort of a reigning British monarch and supported the Queen throughout her reign.

   R.I.P. You were a lifesaver to England.

4. Charlie Watts

   

   Charles Robert "Charlie" Watts was an English drummer best known as a longtime member of the Rolling Stones. Originally trained as a graphic artist, he began playing drums in London's rhythm and blues clubs, where he met Brian Jones, Mick Jagger, and Keith Richards. Watts was part of the Rolling Stones... read more

   The drummer of the Rolling Stones, Charlie Watts, passed away on August 24th after pulling out of a tour. He was 80. R.I.P.

   R.I.P. Charlie Watts. The least flashy, but one of the greatest drummers of all time.

5. Biz Markie

   

   The clown prince of hip hop. A legend we'll never forget. R.I.P.

   I really miss this guy. Hope he shoots up to #1.

6. Larry King

   

   Larry King (1933 to 2021) was an American television and radio host. Over his long career, he earned recognition with awards including two Peabody Awards and 10 Cable ACE Awards. King was known for his engaging interview style and broad influence on broadcasting.

   He was the G.O.A.T. interviewer in the history of pop culture, as well as the longest-serving talk host for a single TV series. He was 87, and it's assumed he lost his battle to COVID-19. R.I.P. to the king of interviews.

   He must have lived a long, healthy life!

7. DMX

   

   Earl Simmons, known professionally as DMX and Dark Man X, was an American rapper and actor. He was born on December 18, 1970, and passed away on April 9, 2021, after suffering a heart attack. DMX gained fame in the late 1990s with hits like Ruff Ryders' Anthem and Party Up (Up in Here), and also appeared... read more

   One of the original rappers, Dark Man X or DMX, passed away from a heart attack due to a history of drug overdose. He was 50. R.I.P.

8. Cloris Leachman

   

   Cloris Leachman was an American actress and comedian. In a career spanning nearly eight decades, she won eight Primetime Emmy Awards, a Daytime Emmy Award, and an Academy Award for her role in The Last Picture Show. She was also known for her work on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Young Frankenstein.

   One of the best and longest-serving actresses and comedians of all time. She had COVID-19 the year before what would have marked 80 years in the spotlight. R.I.P.

   She looked pretty in one of her photos from the 1950s!

   She was a hero to me. I'll never forget her.

9. Dustin Diamond

   

   Dustin Neil Diamond (January 7, 1977 - February 1, 2021) was an American actor, director, stand-up comedian, musician, and occasional professional wrestler. He was best known for his role as Samuel "Screech" Powers throughout the Saved by the Bell franchise. Diamond portrayed the character across multiple... read more

   This one was extremely shocking and beyond heartbreaking. He was known for playing Sam "Screech" Powers in Saved by the Bell and every spin-off. He was the actor that played in every incarnation of the franchise. He was fierce, tall, and loved. He was among the greatest actors on TV without a doubt. Yet his quote about life being fragile and not being taken for granted was powerful. He lost his battle to lung cancer at 44. R.I.P. 1977-2021.

10. Beverly Cleary

    

    Beverly Atlee Cleary (April 12, 1916 - March 26, 2021) was an American author of children's and young adult fiction. Since the publication of her first book, Henry Huggins, in 1950, more than 91 million copies of her books have been sold worldwide. Some of her most beloved characters include Henry Huggins... read more

    I still have pretty much all of her books, some even original prints from when they were made.

The Newcomers
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The Contenders

13. Joey Jordison

    

    Joey Jordison was an American musician, songwriter, and record producer best known as the former drummer and co-songwriter for the heavy metal band Slipknot. He also played guitar in the horror punk band Murderdolls. Jordison co-founded the blackened death metal band Sinsaenum and was involved in the... read more

    He was mainly known for being the drummer for the metal band Slipknot. He died at 46. Rest in peace.

14. Michael Nesmith

    

    The guitarist and songwriter of the Monkees, as well as the co-star of the self-titled TV series, passed away on December 10th from natural causes, just 20 days before his 79th birthday.

    Another music legend gone before our eyes. This was the biggest public loss of December until further notice, and it came less than one month after they last disbanded.

    R.I.P. Mike the legend.

15. John Madden

    

    The man for whom the Madden Stadium was named passed away halfway between Christmas and New Year's Eve. R.I.P.

16. Cicely Tyson

    

17. Desmond Tutu

    

    Desmond Mpilo Tutu (7 October 1931-26 December 2021) was a South African Anglican bishop and theologian, known for his work as an anti-apartheid and human rights activist. He served as the Bishop of Johannesburg from 1985 to 1986 and then as the Archbishop of Cape Town from 1986 to 1996, becoming the... read more

18. Norm Macdonald

    

    Norman Gene Macdonald (October 17, 1959 - September 14, 2021) was a Canadian stand-up comedian, writer, and actor known for his signature deadpan style.

    Early in his career, he wrote for the sitcom Roseanne and made guest appearances on The Drew Carey Show and NewsRadio. He then spent five years... read more

    One of the greatest comedians of all time, formerly known as the anchorman of SNL, a writer for Roseanne and The Drew Carey Show, and the voice of Norm the Genie from The Fairly OddParents on Nickelodeon, has passed away after a long battle with cancer just over one month before his 62nd birthday. He was nearly 61 years and 11 months old.

    The whole world of comedy, music, and entertainment is crushed by his loss. He was an unusually tall person (~6'1.5) and worked in many comedy shows, including SNL and numerous films. Without a doubt, he was one of the best actors of all time.

    The world will never be the same without him. His death has changed the history of comedy and general entertainment.

    R.I.P. to one of the greatest of all time.

19. Sabine Schmitz

    

20. George Segal

    

21. Christopher Plummer

    

    Arthur Christopher Orme Plummer CC (December 13, 1929 - February 5, 2021) was a Canadian actor. His career spanned seven decades, earning recognition for performances across film, stage, and television.

    He received multiple major awards, including an Academy Award, two Tony Awards, two Primetime... read more

22. Tanya Roberts

    

    Legendary actress from That '70s Show, Charlie's Angels, and the James Bond film A View to a Kill, Tanya Roberts passed away just 11 days after suddenly collapsing. Her death was announced multiple times. She was 65. R.I.P.

23. Sophie

    

    Sophie Xeon (September 17, 1986 - January 30, 2021), best known as SOPHIE, was a Scottish music producer, songwriter, and DJ.

    She was best known for her work with artists such as Charli XCX, A.G. Cook, Madonna, and Kim Petras, and for helping to define the hyperpop genre.... read more

    A senior police official confirmed to MailOnline that the artist fell from the rooftop of a three-story building in central Athens while trying to take a picture of the full moon. The exact conditions of the fall are being investigated by police in central Athens, a senior official said. The investigation is ongoing.

    Sophie's girlfriend, Evita Manji, told MailOnline that she managed to speak with the artist after she fell into an open space in the rear of the apartment block. I managed to tell her I love her and to tell her to keep fighting, she said. She was my life. We were supposed to get married.

    She said the police and fire brigade took around 90 minutes to get her out.

    The Glasgow-born electronic pop artist had been in the company of two friends, the details of whom were not revealed by authorities.

    The building, nestled in the district of Plateia Karaiskaki in central Athens, was cordoned off for special investigators on Sunday, who scoured the roof terrace for clues.

24. Michael Collins

    

    One of the Apollo 11 astronauts, Michael Collins was the one who stayed in orbit as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon in 1969.

    People often forget him. Even my mother thought Apollo 11 flew itself until I told her (I am a huge nerd).

25. Michael Apted

26. Eric Carle

    

    One of the G.O.A.T. children's book illustrators and authors. He wrote books like The Grouchy Ladybug, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and many more. He passed away from kidney failure aged 91. R.I.P. Eric Carle 1920-2021.

27. Carlos do Carmo

    

    The founder of the Fado subgenre in jazz, Carlos do Carmo, passed away on New Year's Day from natural causes due to a lung aneurysm. He was 81. R.I.P.