What actors and actresses did we sadly lose in 2021?
Celebrity deaths, though they happen often, frequently leave fans reeling.
Who hasn’t felt the pinch of shock and pain of grief when a beloved celebrity dies?
“When they die a little part of us dies, too our innocence dies with them.”
UPDATED ON December 24, 2021:It’s been a tragic year for the performing arts.
He was only 28 years old.
Melinda Shankar, one of French’s “Degrassi” costars, posted a tribute to her friend onInstagram.
“You will always hold such a special place in my heart,” she wrote in the caption.
“Thank you for being one of the most talented, compassionate, kindest, funniest friends I have.
You were so loved.”
Milian expressed her grief over French’s death by commenting on hisInstagrampage, “You will be missed.
Rest peacefully King.”
We lost Cloris Leachman to a stroke
ActressCloris Leachmandied in January 2021 at age 94.
“The powerhouse actress then made the jump to the screen, appearing in several TV shows and movies.
In 1971, she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for “The Last Picture Show.”
“He will be deeply missed.”
“As reported byVariety, Pickup is survived by his wife, Lans Traverse, and their two children.
She was only 65 years old.
“She was a woman full of kindness, strength and compassion.”
She also portrayed Danielle Rousseau on “Lost.”
As reported byVariety, he was in his Connecticut home when he died.
“Who doesn’t love the moment when he sings “Edelweiss” with his guitar?
“He was a national treasure who deeply relished his Canadian roots.
She was 65 years old.
Another Bond Girl, Britt Ekland,tweetedabout Roberts' death.
“Rip Tanya Roberts, once a Bond Girl always a Bond Girl,” she wrote.
Tanya was a beautiful person, inside and out.
I will always remember Tanya for being incredibly sweet and for her genuine love of animals.”
“He was diagnosed with this brutal, relentless form of malignant cancer only three weeks ago.
“Dustin did not suffer.”
Diamond’s rep went on to mention his checkered past.
“We are thankful he trusted us enough to share his genuine, authentic self with our team.”
Tyson was also nominated for an Academy Award for “Sounder.
“The love he gave to everything he did, and everyone he knew will live forever.”
Peter Mark Richman really had some “extraordinary accomplishments!”
Imagine the best person in the world.
Now imagine that person being your dad.”
“However, it was his work on “General Hospital” that made Reilly famous.
“I’m so grateful I got to love him,” Caitlin Reilly added.
“I love you forever Daddy.”
According toTMZ, Deezer D’s brother found him unresponsive in his LA home.
In addition to his acting, Deezer D was a Christian rapper and motivational speaker.
Emmery Thompson, Deezer D’s brother, wrote a tribute onInstagram: “My Big Brother!
God is with you.
I will miss you.”
According toThe Hollywood Reporter, she died at home in Los Angeles of unreported causes.
The dimming of her light is already felt by those who knew her well.
We will miss her and always love her.”
She was even awarded the Best Female Singer of the Year Logie similar to an Emmy in 1961.
It wasn’t until she moved to America in 1967 that Noble became an actress.
However, it was her work in the “Star Wars” franchise that gave Noble a cult following.
“She died as she lived,” her husband’s tweet finished.
God we loved her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives.
She blazed so brightly.”
However, it was the New York actor’s stage work that is perhaps the most noteworthy.
“We are both so lucky to be so intensely loved.
Despite her long career, it is her horror days that make her name so recognizable.
“On-screen she could be quietly evil.
She goes from statuesque beauty to just animalistic wildness.”
He was only 50 years old.
He went on to release more rap albums and earn two Grammy nominations.
“Earl was a warrior who fought till the very end,” his family’s statement read.
“He loved his family with all of his heart and we cherish the times we spent with him.
Earl’s music inspired countless fans across the world and his iconic legacy will live on forever.”
“Paul was a lovely, wonderful human being.
Kind, funny, super caring and the greatest actor I ever worked with.”
According to a statement from his representatives, he was briefly ill before he died.
An accomplished character actor, Gilliland had been working in TV and film since 1974, as per hisIMDbpage.
Some might argue that Gilliland’s favorite role was that of husband and father.
Walter did have a prolific career.
Her “Arrested Development” co-star Jason Batemantweeted, “What an incredible career, filled with amazing performances.
I will forever remember my time with her, watching her bring Lucille Bluth to life.
She was one of a kind.”
His wife, Sonia Segal, confirmed he died from “complications from bypass surgery.”
It was a true honor being a small part of George Segal’s amazing legacy.
By pure fate, I ended up casting the perfect person to play Pops.
Just like my grandfather, George was a kid at heart with a magical spark.”
Sadly, as reported by The New York Times, Silla died from cancer on April 16, 2021.
He was 84 years old.
The actor is survived by his wife and his daughter.
“We just want to say thank you … for always showing her such support and love.
You gave her life everyday.
We miss her and love her and we know her legacy will live on forever.”
He was 86 years old.
“It was two things,” he told theTelevision Academy Foundation.
“One is I think I developed an overwhelming crush on Elizabeth Taylor.
Sadly, as per The New York Times, Wright died in 2021 from prostate cancer.
“I do want to make my little mark on the world.”
Thanks to a singing cartoon crab and other memorable performances, he did.
While paramedics took him to Illinois Masonic Medical Center, he was pronounced dead about an hour later.
“I’ll always remember your spirit and how kind you were to me.
The publication also reported that he’d recently started a new band that was gaining traction.
And we’re going to make it.
He went on to play Murray for 168 episodes of the comedy hit, according toIMDb.
“People felt they knew me.”
As per herIMDbpage, one of her first movies was the thriller “Thief of Hearts.”
She ended up reprising her role in the CBS spinoff “Mayberry R.F.D.”
for three seasons, but that was far from the end of her career.
She was in a memory care facility as she’d been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
He said he thought I was the rudest person he had ever met.”
Rosenthal wasn’t just a great actor and provider of jokes he was also a Holocaust survivor.
The actress' PR representative later confirmed to USA Today that she died from cancer.
She was 64 years old.
“Suzzanne Douglas was a quiet, elegant force … A gentlewoman.
A gem of a lady,” “When They See Us” creator Ava DuVernaytweeted.
“A confident, caring actor who breathed life into the words and made them shimmer.
… May she journey on in peace and love.”
The actress was hospitalized for 10 days before she died.
Sadly, as perThe New York Times, Dukakis died in early May 2021 at the age of 89.
She is survived by her three children and four grandchildren.
Or perhaps it’s just something that happens.
Some days it’s cold and some days [it’s] hot.”
Comedian Paul Mooney died from a heart attack
According toE!
News, comedian and actor Paul Mooney died at age 79 on May 19, 2021.
Mooney was a successful writer, comedian, and actor with a career spanning more than 40 years.
So happy to have witnessed your genius live.
Holly Robinson Peetewrote, “Few people made me laugh the way Paul Mooney did.
He was a brilliant comedian and writer.
You will be so missed.”
Lara had a long acting career spanning from 1988 to 2018, as perIMDb.
Yesterday I lost my brother, best friend & the other half of my heart.”
Deadline reported that Mickelson had launched a clothing line in January 2021 called Kids Back Home.
In addition to his modeling and fashion career, Mickelson was also an actor.
“[There are] no words that can do him justice that I could write.
To know him was to love him,” his sister’s Instagram post went on.
He was 57 years old.
In addition to being a celebrated rap artist, Markie was also a successful actor.
As reported byThe Hollywood Reporter, the actor’s wife did not reveal the cause of death.
He is survived by his wife, Denise Mitchell, and their children.
Mitchell began his time in the public eye as a bodybuilder.
Sadly, NPR reported that Grant died in his sleep of “natural causes” in July 2021.
He was 85 years old.
“Everyone present tried as hard as they could to keep him alive.
Our hearts are broken and we grieve for his family who are so devastated by this shocking tragedy.”
Pickett was a successful soap opera actor with a long acting career spanning 34 years.
“Jay died sitting on a horse ready to rope a steer …
The way of a true cowboy.”
The actress had been living with the disease for almost four years.
She’s survived by her husband and two daughters, as well as one young granddaughter.
He was only 41 years old.
Moore is survived by a wife, Aimee Carlson, and a son, August.
Jane Withers, aka the other Shirley Temple, died at age 95
Nearly everyone remembersShirley Temple.
But what about the other child stars of that era like Jane Withers?
“I ran over Shirley with a tricycle, and a baby buggy.
Luckily, it wasn’t so.
As reported by NPR, she was one of the biggest draws for movie-goers in both 1936 and 1937.
Sadly, Withers died in August of 2021 at the age of 95.
Mason was most famous for his one-man plays.
“The World According to Me!”
ran for two years on Broadway and led to a Tony Award and an Emmy for writing.
The actress even drew from her own experiences as a mother for the character.
Words cannot express the sadness we feel.”
Asner, according toIMDb, had over 400 acting credits from over 64 years in the entertainment business.
His death left the world a far less funny place.
Playing Omar, he admitted, “put me on the radar a little bit,” he said.
“It was my breakout role, basically.
Definitely changed my life.”
Throughout his lengthy screen career, noted theAssociated Pressin his obituary, Belmondo appeared in more than 80 movies.
“I would say I’ve done everything I wanted to,” he said.
In addition to his acting, Bonner also established himself behind the camera.
and all 105 episodes of NBC sitcom “City Guys.”
In the numerous decades in between, Lloyd rubbed elbows with such luminaries as Alfred Hitchcock and Charlie Chaplin.
In addition to his voluminousscreen credits, Lloyd also starred in 12 Broadway productions and directed two.
However, Lloyd was best known for playing Dr. Daniel Auschlander on quirky medical drama “St.
Elsewhere,” which ran from 1982 to 1988.
In a 2015 interview withThe Telegraph, Lloyd attributed his longevity to luck, not lifestyle.
“I eat everything, except shellfish,” he said.
“I drink wine, and I have a shot of whiskey before dinner.”
In a 2015 interview withThe Big Issue, Kotto reflected on the trailblazing roles he chose.
He said that a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test can detect prostate cancer early on and save lives.
Garson died in September of pancreatic cancer.
in which he played firefighter Chet Kelly in the ’70s.
Donnelly also appeared in such notable shows as “Dragnet” and “Adam-12.”
Loved ones paid tribute to Johnson, whose cause of death was not announced to the public.
He died of lung cancer on September 13 at the age of 92.
Scolari died on October 22 after living with cancer for two years.
A cause of death was not given.
His stage work garnered him an Olivier Award in 1985.
Sher died of cancer on December 2 at the age of 72.
He is survived by his husband, Gregory Doran.
After the news of his death broke, Seymour paid tribute to her former co-star.
“Larry Sellers was truly the heart and spirit of [the show],” she wrote onInstagram.
“His presence was magical, mystical, and spiritual.”
From 1964 to 1965, Williams even hosted her own show, “The Cara Williams Show.”
As noted byThe Hollywood Reporter, she died of cancer in her Los Angeles home on December 6.
She played the character throughout the show’s two-year run.
Her final TV appearance was in a 1996 episode of “Kung Fu: The Legend Continues.”
Her hometown newspaper, theEdmonds Beacon, reported that the actress died on December 15.
While a cause of death was not stated, she had previously been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
She was 80 years old.
PerDeadline, the actress is survived by her daughters, Bronwyn and Megan.
Her final televised role was in the 1992 miniseries “Secrets.”
In 2007, she joined a U.S. tour of “My Fair Lady,” playing Mrs. Higgins.
Her nephew, Toby Howes, confirmed onTwitterthat she “died peacefully in her sleep” on December 20.
His final credit is “Three Days to Vegas” from 2007.
Her death should not be politicized that is not the life she lived.”
After her death, tributes poured in from friends and fans.
“The world looks different now,“tweetedRyan Reynolds.
“She was great at defying expectation.
She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough.”
She’s a cultural icon who will be sorely missed.”
