Top 10 Saddest Deaths of 2023
Tina Turner, née Anna Mae Bullock, was a singer, dancer, actress and author, whose career spanned more than half a century, earning her widespread recognition and numerous awards. Another huge loss for music: the one and only Queen of Rock and Roll! She had some of the most powerful vocals music has ever known and an outstanding stage presence. She was first known as one half of the Ike and Tina Turner husband-and-wife duo, before she divorced Ike and went solo. Some of her best-known solo hits include "What's Love Got to Do With It" and "The Best" (which is a Bonnie Tyler cover in case you didn't know).
She was very ill several years before dying, including multiple cancers and a stroke. She had also lost two of her sons over the past five years: Raymond Craig, who took his own life in 2018, and Ronnie, who died from cancer in 2022. She will always be remembered as one of the greatest female singers ever! RIP to the Queen of Rock and Roll. (1939-2023)
Lisa Marie Presley was an American singer-songwriter. She was the only child of singer and actor Elvis Presley and actress Priscilla Presley, as well as the sole heir to her father's estate. She passed away on January 12th, just 3 weeks before her birthday. She was the daughter of Elvis Presley and was known for songs including Weary, Dirty Laundry, etc. She had a cardiac arrest and, even though she was treated, she didn't make it alive (unlike Damar Hamlin). Yet, this was 2 days after the Golden Globes (which she attended).
She would've turned 55 at the start of February, which is way too young. She was the most famous lady ever born on the 1st day of February as well as the most famous woman born in Tennessee. An absolutely devastating loss for music. R.I.P. to the Princess of rock 'n' roll (1968-2023).
Sinéad Marie Bernadette O’Connor was an Irish singer-songwriter who rose to fame in the late 1980s with her debut album The Lion and the Cobra. Yet another huge loss for music. This iconic Irish singer, with the shaved head, may be best known for her cover of Prince's "Nothing Compares 2 U", but she will always be remembered as an outspoken feminist and a rebel. She died a year after her 17-year-old son took his own life after escaping a facility where he was getting help to fight his suicidal urges. The causes of her death have not yet been revealed, but considering her unstable mental health, it could be due to suicide or self-inflicted wounds. She was only 56. RIP (1966-2023)
Paul Reubens was an American actor, writer, film producer, game show host, and comedian, best known for his character Pee-wee Herman. This was such a huge loss for entertainment. The actor who played the iconic Pee Wee Herman lost a several-year battle to cancer. He would have turned 71 near the end of August. A one-of-a-kind legend gone too soon. R.I.P. (1952-2023).
Matthew Langford Perry was an American-Canadian actor and writer. Perry is known for his role as Chandler Bing on the long-running NBC television sitcom Friends, as well as his portrayal of Ron Clark in the 2006 television movie The Ron Clark Story. Another huge loss for television. This actor was better known for playing Chandler Bing on the beloved sitcom Friends (1994-2004). He was found dead in the jacuzzi of his Los Angeles home this Saturday. Matthew Perry's character was beloved by fans for his witty humor, cynicism, and sensibility. In real life, Perry battled drug and alcohol addiction for most of his lifetime, and it's probably what ultimately took his life. He was only 54. This is exactly one of those episodes that Friends fans would never want to see, "The One Where Chandler Dies." RIP Chandler (1969-2023). You will be dearly missed.
Steve Harwell (January 9, 1967- September 4, 2023) was an American singer who was best known for being the former lead vocalist and frontman of the alternative rock band Smash Mouth. The former lead singer from Smash Mouth has died at the age of 56 from chronic liver failure. This health condition was notably due to his struggles with alcoholism. It was so severe he had to retire in 2021 to take care of his health. The king of Far Far Away is dead, long live the king! R.I.P. (1967-2023).
Another huge loss for music and entertainment. He will be remembered as the greatest lead singer of Smash Mouth. Alcohol overdose is a serious issue some artists are facing. Like Shrek, he was love, he was life. R.I.P. too soon.
The king of calypso has just passed away. He was best known for songs such as "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)", "Jump in the Line", and "Matilda". He was also a notable civil rights defender and a close friend to Martin Luther King. May he rest in peace (1927-2023).
The legend who popularized calypso music and the traditional folk song Day Dah Light (dating back to 1800) with his 1956 cover (the Banana Boat Song/Day-O) passed away from congestive heart failure on April 25th. He became the first artist to hit #1 on the Billboard 200 weekly album charts. R.I.P. to the king of calypso (1927-2023).
Raquel Welch, born Jo Raquel Tejada (September 5, 1940 - February 15, 2023) was an American actress and singer. She first won attention for her role in Fantastic Voyage (1966), and One Million Years B.C. (1966). She had only three lines in the film, yet images of her in the doe-skin bikini which she... read more She was in a league of her own. Her beauty, sexuality, and charming personality were impossible to resist. An amazingly lovely, talented actress and person.
David Van Cortlandt Crosby was an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. In addition to his solo career, he was a founding member of three bands: the Byrds; Crosby, Stills & Nash; and CPR. One of the greatest rock icons has just passed away. He was part of the Byrds during the 1960s before founding Crosby, Stills & Nash (& Young) alongside Stephen Stills and Graham Nash, with Neil Young joining them occasionally. He had a long illness. R.I.P. (1941-2023).
Another absolutely devastating loss for rock 'n' roll in the first month of 2023. First Jeff Beck, then Lisa Marie Presley, and David Crosby. It's such a shame he went through many years of drug abuse. He lost a battle to a really long illness. R.I.P. (1941-2023).
An unbelievably shocking loss for comedy entertainment. The legendary comedian and actor behind Lily Savage suddenly passed away on March 28th. This was a huge loss for the LGBTQ+ community as well. R.I.P. (1955-2023).
The Newcomers
Known as the main actor of the Shaft films as well as Family Reunion. He lost a battle to cancer. Another big loss for entertainment. R.I.P. (1942-2023).
Anthony Dominick Benedetto, known professionally as Tony Bennett, was an American singer of traditional pop standards, big band, and show tunes. America's elder crooner just passed away at age 96. He performed jazz and pop for three quarters of a century and has been more recently known for his duets with contemporary artists, most notably Lady Gaga, with whom he released two albums, and Amy Winehouse shortly before she passed away. He had been battling Alzheimer's disease for several years. Heaven has just gained a man who had a remarkably long career and will always be remembered as one of the most iconic crooners of all time. RIP (1926-2023).
The legendary star lost his battle with Alzheimer's disease two weeks before his 97th birthday. He was among the G.O.A.T. artists in jazz and pop and helped interpret the Great American Songbook. He collaborated with many others, including Diana Krall and Lady Gaga. This was an absolutely huge loss for music. R.I.P. (1926-2023).
Robert William Barker was an American television game show host. He was known for hosting CBS's The Price Is Right from 1972 to 2007, making it the longest-running daytime game show in North American television history. He was also known for hosting Truth or Consequences from 1956 to 1974. Such a sad loss for TV. He was the longtime host of The Price Is Right until his retirement in 2007. He passed away on August 26th. He was about to turn 100 this year. R.I.P. (1923-2023).
He was the broadcaster of his titled show Parkinson from 1971 to 1982 & from 1008 to 2007 as well as other talk shows. He passed away on August 16th. R.I.P. (1935-2023).
Geoffrey Arnold "Jeff" was an English rock guitarist. He was one of the three noted guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds (the other two being Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page). Beck also formed The Jeff Beck Group and Beck, Bogert & Appice.
Windham Lawrence Rotunda was an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE under the ring name Bray Wyatt. Rotunda is a third-generation professional wrestler, following in the footsteps of his grandfather Blackjack Mulligan, his father Mike Rotunda, and two of his uncles Barry and... read more
This actor was mostly known for playing Detective John Munch on Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. He retired from acting in 2016. He died at 78 from respiratory and circulation complications. R.I.P.
Gerald Norman "Jerry" Springer was a British-born American television presenter, former lawyer, politician, news presenter, actor, and musician. The famous television host just passed away at age 79. A big loss for television. R.I.P.
Best known as Nicholas Bradford in Eight is Enough. He passed away on January 7th. R.I.P. (1968-2023).
This British actress won two Oscars just died at 93 years old. RIP
This American actor was best known for playing the grandfather in Little Miss Sunshine. His performance earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2007. R.I.P. (1934-2023).
