Top 10 Saddest Deaths of 2018

The Top Ten
1 Stephen Hawking Stephen William Hawking (January 8, 1942 - March 14, 2018) was an English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, author and Director of Research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology within the University of Cambridge. His most famous research was on the theory of Black Holes.

As I've said one time, but will now say again, I give my biggest condolences to this century's Einstein. Hawking's legacy and contributions, whether they be in the scientific field or as a model of inspiration to others, will forever live on and not be forgotten.

Your contributions will be instrumental in understanding theoretical physics. You will be missed.

Months and days have passed, and I still can't get over the death of one of our era's greatest academic minds.

2 Stan Lee Stan Lee (December 28, 1922-November 12, 2018) was a comic-book writer, editor, publisher, media producer, television host, actor and former president and chairman of Marvel Comics. He is best regarded as an influential figure for the comic book industry and general entertainment.

Looking back at my lists, I realized something. Stan has given every child something to grow up on. He has made kids out of all of us, and we love it. He has given the movie industry something to cook, something that can be cooking for the next century, and might be the greatest movie phenomenon of all time. And today, we may mourn, we may grieve, but also, we may celebrate. Celebrate his long life, and looking back to thank his existence, his artworks, his quotes, as well as his writing. A man like him only comes around once a century, or maybe even a millennium. Rest in peace among the stars, Stan Lee... An artist, a thinker, a legend.

For the record, I may not be the biggest comic book fan, nor was I ever familiar with the name Stan Lee until recently. Even so, the guy was undoubtedly someone who helped define an industry and everyone's childhoods. I won't lie, all those Spider-Man trilogy movies (just the second and third ones, to be honest) that I saw as a kid wouldn't have come to be if not for the comic books that Stan Lee himself created in the first place.

Controversies or not, Stan Lee was still someone who created something each and everyone could enjoy with the characters and stories he created. When I went to see Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse in theaters this year, in 2018, Stan Lee's cameo meant a lot more to me than it ever did in any movie he made a cameo in. Sure, I never paid attention to his cameos before in the past, but still, something about him saying "I'm... going to miss him. We were friends, you know," to Miles Morales made me realize not only how much Stan Lee and his creations meant to everyone, but also how much his creations meant to Stan Lee himself. In any case, I can only say I have the utmost respect for Stan Lee now for what he's given us and what his legacy will continue to give. Rest in peace, Stan Lee.

3 Avicii Tim Bergling (September 8, 1989 - April 20, 2018), better known by his stage name Avicii, was a Swedish electronic musician, DJ, remixer and record producer. He is best regarded for his work in Electronic Music during the 2010s in which his works have charted among the Top 40 Radio and for his influence towards 2010's contemporary Electronic musicians... read more

This impacted me far more than any other celebrity death has in the past. Most of the time, I feel just somewhat sad and mournful when a celebrity dies, especially if it was a person who I looked up to. This, on the other hand, came so unexpectedly that I felt completely destroyed. I could not see this death coming at all, and the circumstances leading to his suicide made it even more upsetting. He may not have had as much of an important general influence as, say, Stephen Hawking did, but this was still the saddest for me.

I loved this DJ. He made some pretty good songs that helped me to cultivate my emotions for one of his creative themes that reflected my life and my thoughts. "Fade Into Darkness" was my all-time favorite song because it makes me feel emotional and satisfied with what I've achieved. Even "Levels" was my second favorite by him. It's such a massive shame to see him pass away... Rest in Peace, Tim Bergling.

4 Stephen Hillenburg Stephen McDannell Hillenburg was an American cartoonist, animator, director, producer, writer, voice actor, and marine biologist who was best known for creating the Nickelodeon animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. He also contributed to Rocko's Modern Life as a director and producer. He passed away on November 26, 2018 due to complications from ALS.

I have loved SpongeBob since I first saw it and will always remember it. Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of SpongeBob, was a great star. He was behind the entire show and story, pouring his hard work and effort into writing the story and making the show.

Children were captivated by this iconic show and character. Stephen's dedication and creativity were evident in every aspect of SpongeBob. Tom Kenny, the voice actor for SpongeBob, created a character that all children know and love.

Although the show's quality may have declined after the first movie, and the inclusion of suicide jokes upset many children, the original quality of Stephen's work remains undeniable. He was a legend and a true creator. His show became the most popular on Nickelodeon and one of the most popular cartoons and shows on TV.

We are deeply saddened by his loss. His unique talent cannot be replaced, and his show was a significant reason for Nickelodeon's success. After many good shows on Nickelodeon were replaced by inferior sitcoms and cartoons, SpongeBob remained the only true quality show. It seems the rumors of the show ending in 2018 or 2019 are true, leading to speculation that Nickelodeon might go out of business.

Stephen Hillenburg lived too short a life and died too soon, like many great stars. We will never forget him. This loss should be ranked number one.

5 Aretha Franklin Aretha Louise Franklin (March 25, 1942 - August 16, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. She began her career as a child singing gospel at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, where her father, C. L. Franklin, was minister.

Referred to as the "Queen of Soul", she has twice been placed ninth in Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". With global sales... read more

Why is she not ranked higher? A literal Queen with so many great songs. Rest in peace, Aretha.

Literally Rolling Stone's choice for the best singer of all time.

R.I.P., Queen of Soul. One of the greatest and most influential singers of all time.

6 XXXTentacion Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy (January 23, 1998 - June 18, 2018), known professionally as XXXTentacion, and often referred to as X, was an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and criminal.

XXXTentacion's death was definitely the saddest celebrity death of 2018 so far, and I'm writing this while we're in the month of July. His death was the only one that really depressed me. I cried for a straight week. Rest in peace, Jahseh. You will be missed.

This is a truly sad death. I know people say he was a bad person and all, but honestly, the things against him weren't even proven. He was making up for his past and making an impact on the world. He was a role model to many people. R.I.P XXXTentacion.

Wow... It's 2019, and I was watching YouTube. His song just came on, and I'm still listening to it as I'm writing this (Changes), and I just realized he is dead and he is not coming back. Like, what the hell! Now I'm crying. I wish he was still here. He didn't deserve what he got. X, we love you.

7 George H. W. Bush George Herbert Walker Bush (June 12, 1924 - November 30, 2018) was an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States from 1989 to 1993. Prior to assuming the presidency, Bush served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States under Ronald Reagan from 1981 to 1989.

While I may not have liked Bush's term as president, only a few minds could have ended the Cold War as effectively as he did.

It's a shame he died just a few days after SpongeBob creator Stephen Hillenburg.

November of 2018 was the saddest month of this year.

8 Burt Reynolds Burton Leon "Burt" Reynolds (February 11, 1936 - September 6, 2018) was an American actor, director and producer. He has starred in many films, such as Deliverance, The Longest Yard, Smokey and the Bandit and Boogie Nights, in which he was nominated for his first Academy Award.
9 Stefán Karl Stefánsson

I heard about this not long ago. I used to watch Lazy Town as a kid. I grew up watching Robbie.
Rest in peace. You'll always be Number One to me.

Of all the deaths we've come across, this is the saddest. I have watched his Number One Video, and it was so epic! Thanks for the memories, Robbie Rotten!

He played Robbie Rotten for the TV series Lazytown. He passed away from cancer at only age 43, but he will be forever immortalized thanks to the internet and memes.

10 Barbara Bush

I once did a report on the Bushes. This is really sad to me because I know so much about the family. R.I.P. BB! May she forever be in our hearts.

The Newcomers

? Niki Lee Young
The Contenders
11 Dolores O'riordan Dolores Mary Eileen O'Riordan was an Irish musician, singer and songwriter. She was the vocalist for rock band The Cranberries from 1990 until their break-up in 2003, later reuniting with her band in 2009, which she led until her death in 2018.

She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in May 2017 and has just passed away. RIP.

An amazing singer. Love you, Dolores.

12 John McCain John Sidney McCain III (August 29, 1936 – August 25, 2018) was an American politician and military officer who served as a United States Senator from Arizona from January 1987 until his death. He previously served two terms in the United States House of Representatives and was the Republican nominee for President of the United States in the 2008 election, which he lost to Barack Obama.

He was a Vietnam Veteran and the best Senator Arizona ever had. He was amazing. It's sad he passed away.

Although I didn't see eye to eye with McCain, I will always be grateful for his contribution to the U.S. and for protecting our country.

13 Billy Graham William Franklin Graham Jr. was an American evangelist, a prominent evangelical Christian figure, and an ordained Southern Baptist minister who became well-known internationally in the late 1940s.

While I'm not much of a religious person nor do I know much about Billy Graham, what I can say about him is that he must have been a very generous and influential evangelist in society. On a side note, they actually held his funeral where I live. After all, Charlotte, NC, is his hometown. Lots of people gathered over this week as I write this to come to his funeral. For what I know and don't know about the good he did, may Billy Graham nonetheless rest in peace.

I am not a follower of his religion, and he did not always teach what was 100% from the Bible. However, this man converted thousands for the cause of Christ. Thanks to his preaching, many will be in heaven.

He is in a better place with the Lord. R.I.P. Billy Graham. You saved so many people from Satan.

14 Vinnie Paul Vincent Paul Abbott, better known as "Vinnie Paul" (March 11, 1964 - June 22nd, 2018) was an American professional drummer and producer. Alongside his late brother Dimebag Darrell, he co-founded the Heavy Metal Bands Pantera and Damageplan, with whom he would find success with in the former. After the passing of Dimebag and the dissolution of Damageplan, Vinnie would later join another band, Hellyeah... read more

The Pantera drummer passed on Friday, June 22nd/23rd.

Damn, I was pretty shocked at hearing this. The Metal Community is obviously shocked as well. May he be at peace. He's now with his brother Dimebag after 14 years...

Drummer of Pantera, Damageplan, Hellyeah. Sad to see another metal legend go. He's rocking with Dime now. R.I.P.

Legends never die. Remember that now. He's still with us.

15 Prince Henrik of Denmark
16 R. Lee Ermey

RIP to the man who played the Drill Sergeant in almost everything.

17 Bruno Sammartino Bruno Leopoldo Francesco Sammartino was born in Pizzoferrato, Abruzzo, Italy, to Alfonso and Emilia Sammartino on October 6, 1935. He then died on April 18, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. He is known for his powerful bearhug finishing move, and is widely considered to be one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.

One of the greatest WWE wrestlers of all time. RIP.

1935-2018
He held a title for the longest time.

18 Koko the Gorilla

A truly sad death, this gorilla was super lovable.

One I really wanted but didn't expect to be on here!

A beautiful, bright spirit! Will be missed.

19 Ursula K. Le Guin
20 Winnie Mandela
21 Vader

Another WWE Legend passes away and an even bigger tragedy, WWE never got to induct him into the Hall of Fame when they had the chance, despite Mick Foley telling them of his poor health over the years.

I knew this day would come, and still, I was so shocked to hear about his death. This is a sad day to be a wrestling fan. It's a shame that WWE never inducted him into the Hall of Fame before his death. He should have died in the ring, as he wanted to do.
Rest in Peace, Big Van Vader
1955-2018

A WWE legend, he deserved better than this.

22 Mac Miller Malcolm James McCormick (January 19, 1992 – September 7, 2018), best known by his stage name Mac Miller, was an American rapper from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was also a noted record producer under the pseudonym Larry Fisherman. Miller died of an apparent drug overdose on September 7, 2018.

Wasn't the biggest Mac fan, but it's always a tragedy when you lose a young person due to addiction and drug abuse. Rest in Party on 5th Ave.

I didn't like his music, but no one deserves to die that young. RIP Mac.

I am so sad that this music icon has passed. Rest among the stars.

23 Miranda Cracraft
24 Unsho Ishizuka

The Japanese voice actor for many anime characters, including Boone from the 2003 Astro Boy reboot, Mr. Satan from Dragon Ball Z, Joseph Joestar from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, and Professor Oak from every single Pokemon iteration.

25 Steve Ditko

The man who created one of the greatest Superheroes of all time. Rest In Peace, Steve Ditko. You are an inspiration to so many people.

It's been a sad year for Marvel, with both he and Stan Lee passing away. It's a tragic year for Marvel.

The co-creator of Doctor Strange and Spider-Man has recently passed away. RIP.

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