Celebrity deaths of 2019

December 31, 2019

Celebrity deaths of 2019

December 31, 2019 | 8:32am

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Bob Einstein, 76

(November 20, 1942-January 2, 2019)

The two-time Emmy winner, known for his role as Marty Funkhouser on HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and for his Super Dave Osborne character, died shortly after a cancer diagnosis.

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Louisa Moritz, 82

(September 25, 1936-January 4, 2019)

The actress, known for her work in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and appearances on the show "Love, American Style," died of natural causes. In 2014, she came forward with allegations that Bill Cosby had sexually assaulted her in 1971.

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Jo Andres, 64

(May 21, 1954-January 6, 2019)

The filmmaker, choreographer and artist, who was married to Steve Buscemi for 30 years, died of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis.

Bruce Glikas

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Carol Channing, 97 January 31, 1921-January 15, 2019)

The legendary Broadway actress had twice suffered strokes in the year before her death.

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Kevin Barnett, 32

(August 7, 1986-January 22, 2019)

The stand-up comic and "Broad City" writer died in Mexico as a result of a "non-traumatic hemorrhage, caused by pancreatitis," according to the Tijuana Forensic Medical Service.

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Fatima Ali, 29
(1989-January 25, 2019)
The fan favorite on Bravo's "Top Chef" died of cancer after battling the disease twice.

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Kristoff St. John, 52

(July 15, 1966- February 3, 2019)

The longtime star of the CBS soap opera "The Young & the Restless" died suddenly of hypertrophic heart disease, with the effects of alcohol serving as a "significant condition" in his death.

FilmMagic

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Albert Finney, 82

(May 9, 1936-February 7, 2019)

The famed British actor, known for his work in "Tom Jones," "Erin Brockovich" and "Skyfall," died peacefully after a short illness.

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Lee Radziwill, 85

(March 3, 1933-February 15, 2019)

The icon of New York society and style, who was Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis' younger sister, died following health setbacks.

Paul Bruinooge/Patrick McMullan

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Karl Lagerfeld, 85 (September 10, 1933-February 19, 2019)

The iconic designer and creative director at both Chanel and Fendi -- remembered for his sharp fashion sense and sharper tongue -- died after battling pancreatic cancer.

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Peter Tork, 77

(February 13, 1942-February 21, 2019)

The singer and Monkees bassist died after a 10-year battle with rare cancer adenoid cystic carcinoma.

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Katherine Helmond, 89

(July 5, 1929-February 23, 2019)

The Tony-winning actress, best known for her roles of Mona on "Who's the Boss?" and Jessica Tate on "Soap," died of Alzheimer's complications.

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Janice Freeman, 33

(June 9, 1985-March 2, 2019)

The popular contestant featured on Season 13 of "The Voice" died from a pulmonary embolism.

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Keith Flint, 49

(September 17, 1969-March 4, 2019)

The lead singer of band The Prodigy hanged himself at his home near London.

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Luke Perry, 52

(October 11, 1966-March 4, 2019)

The former teen heartthrob, most widely known for his roles on "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Riverdale," died following a massive stroke.

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Scott Walker, 76

(January 9, 1943-March 22, 2019)

The pop star-turned-avant-garde musician died of cancer.

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Agnès Varda, 90

(May 30, 1928-March 29, 2019)

The renowned French new wave filmmaker and feminist activist died of complications from cancer.

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Nipsey Hussle (born Ermias Joseph Asghedom), 33

(August 15, 1985-March 31, 2019)

The Grammy-nominated rapper was shot to death outside of his Los Angeles clothing store one day before he was slated to meet with the LAPD about curbing gang-related violence.

Patrick McMullan via Getty Image

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Georgia Engel, 70

(July 28 1948-April 12, 2019)

The actress was known for her role as Georgette on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," plus parts on "Hot in Cleveland" and "Everybody Loves Raymond." Her cause of death was unknown, as her Christian Scientist beliefs kept her from doctors.

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John Singleton, 51

(January 6, 1968-April 28, 2019)

The groundbreaking director of "Boyz n the Hood" and "Poetic Justice" died after being taken off life support following a stroke. For "Boyz n the Hood," he became the first African-American Best Director nominee at the Oscars and the youngest Best Director nominee at 23.

FilmMagic

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Peter Mayhew, 74

(May 19, 1944-April 30, 2019)

The actor, who portrayed the beloved Wookiee Chewbacca in the original "Star Wars" films, died after a heart attack.

FilmMagic

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Max Azria, 70

(January 1, 1949-May 6, 2019)

The founder of fashion brand BCBGMAXAZRIA and the former designer behind red-carpet staple Herve Leger died of lung cancer.

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Peggy Lipton, 72

(August 30, 1946-May 11, 2019)

The actress and singer, known for her roles in "The Mod Squad" and "Twin Peaks" -- and also the mother of Rashida and Kidada Jones -- died of cancer.

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Elsa Patton, 84

(August 25, 1936-May 11, 2019)

Bravo's "The Real Housewives of Miami" fixture is remembered for her colorful comments and frank on-screen discussions of plastic surgery with her daughter Marysol.

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Doris Day, 97

(April 3, 1922 - May 12, 2019)

The wholesome, honey-voiced movie star and "Que Sera, Sera" singer, who became America's top box-office star in the early 1960s, appeared in 39 films.

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Tim Conway, 85

(December 15, 1933-May 14, 2019)

The legendary comedic actor, known for his work on "The Carol Burnett Show" and "30 Rock," died of complications from a brain disorder called normal pressure hydrocephalus.

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Bushwick Bill (real name Richard Stephen Shaw), 52

(December 8, 1966-June 9, 2019)

The Geto Boys rapper -- best remembered for his hit song "Damn It Feels Good to Be A Gangsta" -- died after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

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Gloria Vanderbilt, 95

(February 20, 1924-June 17, 2019)

The "poor little rich girl'' who grew into a socialite fashion icon -- and the mother of CNN's Anderson Cooper -- died shortly after a diagnosis of stomach cancer.

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Beth Chapman, 51

(October 29, 1967-June 26, 2019)

The "Dog the Bounty Hunter" star and wife of Duane "Dog the Bounty Hunter" Chapman died after a battle with throat cancer.

Christopher Polk

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Max Wright, 75 (bottom left)

(August 2, 1943-June 26, 2019)

The veteran actor, best known for his role as dad Willie Tanner on the 1980s sitcom "ALF," died after a battle with cancer.

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Cameron Boyce, 20

(May 28, 1999-July 6, 2019)

The actor, who appeared on Disney Channel's "Jessie" and the "Descendants" franchise, passed away in his sleep due to a seizure from his ongoing epilepsy condition.

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Rip Torn, 88

(February 6, 1931-July 9, 2019)

The longtime stage and Hollywood actor -- who appeared in movies such as "Men in Black" and "Dodgeball" and who won an Emmy for "The Larry Sanders Show" -- lost his battle with Alzheimer's disease.

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Denise Nickerson, 62

(April 1, 1957-July 10, 2019)

The actress, best known for her role as Violet Beauregarde in the 1971 film "Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory," was taken off life support following a stroke.

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Art Neville, 81

(December 17, 1937-July 22, 2019)

The funk legend was a founding member of the New Orleans group the Neville Brothers, as well as The Meters.

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Peter Fonda, 79

(February 23, 1940-August 16, 2019)

The Hollywood legend, who skyrocketed to fame by co-writing and starring in the 1969 counterculture classic "Easy Rider," died of respiratory failure ­after a battle with lung cancer.

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Chris March, 56

(February 25, 1963-September 5, 2019)

The beloved "Project Runway" alum and Bay Area fashion designer died of a heart attack.

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Eddie Money, 70

(March 21, 1949-September 13, 2019)

The '70s and '80s rock singer -- famous for hits such as "Take Me Home Tonight" and "Two Tickets to Paradise" -- died from complications due to esophageal cancer.

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Cokie Roberts, 75

(December 27, 1943-September 17, 2019)

The Emmy-winning journalist and best-selling author died after a battle with breast cancer.

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Valerie Harper, 80

(August 22, 1939-August 30, 2019)

The actress, known for her roles in the sitcoms "Rhoda" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," died after battling multiple cancers over 10 years.

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Suzanne Whang, 56

(September 28, 1962-September 17, 2019)

The "House Hunters" narrator died after a long battle with breast cancer.

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Linda Porter, 86

(January 31, 1933-September 25, 2019)

The character actress, who appeared in "Superstore" and "Dude, Where's My Car?," died of cancer.

NBC

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Diahann Carroll, 84

(July 17, 1935-October 4, 2019)

The groundbreaking actress, who was both the first black woman to have her own TV show not playing a stereotypical role and the first black woman to win a Tony for Best Actress, died of cancer.

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Rip Taylor, 88

(January 13, 1931- October 6, 2019)

The comedian, famous for his eccentric style and confetti-throwing, died after suffering an epileptic seizure.

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Ric Ocasek, 75

(March 23, 1944-September 15, 2019)

The lead singer of iconic new wave rock band The Cars died naturally of heart disease, leaving behind his estranged wife Paulina Porizkova.

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Ginger Baker, 80

August 19, 1939- October 6, 2019

The drummer behind the legendary 1960s rock band Cream was once named the third greatest drummer of all time.

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John Witherspoon, 77

(January 27, 1942 - October 29, 2019)

The "Friday" star and comedy great died of coronary heart disease.

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Brian Tarantina, 60

March 27, 1959- November 2, 2019

The actor, known for his roles on "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" and "Gilmore Girls," died of an accidental overdose from a cocktail of drugs, including fentanyl and heroin.

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Charles Levin, 70

(March 12, 1949-2019)

The "Seinfeld" actor died from an accidental fall after getting lost and stranded in a remote section of Oregon.

NBC

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Harry Morton, 38

(April 7, 1981-November 23, 2019)

The restaurateur -- famous for founding restaurant chain Pink Taco and for dating celebrities such as Lindsay Lohan -- died of a heart attack in his Beverly Hills home.

Splash News

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Shelley Morrison, 83

(October 26, 1936-December 1, 2019)

The actress, best known for her role as Rosario on "Will & Grace," died of heart failure after a brief illness.

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Juice Wrld (real name Jarad Anthony Higgins), 21

(December 2, 1998 - December 8, 2019)

The rapper, known for the "All Girls Are The Same," died after suffering a seizure on a flight.

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Ron Leibman, 82

(October 11, 1937-December 6, 2019)

The actor -- who won a Tony award for his role of Roy Cohn in "Angels in America" and also played Rachel's dad on "Friends" -- died of pneumonia.

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Marie Fredriksson, 61

(May 30, 1958-December 9, 2019)

The Roxette singer, known for singles such as "Listen to Your Heart" and "It Must Have Been Love," died after a long battle with cancer.

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Carroll Spinney, 85

December 26, 1933-December 8, 2019

The legendary puppeteer behind Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on "Sesame Street" had suffered for some time from dystonia, a disorder which causes involuntary muscle contractions.

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Danny Aiello, 86

June 20, 1933-December 12, 2019

The Oscar nominee for "Do the Right Thing," also known for films including "Bang the Drum Slowly" and "The Godfather: Part II," died after a brief illness.

WireImage

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Chuy Bravo, 63

December 7, 1956-December 14, 2019

The "Chelsea Lately" sidekick died of a heart attack.

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Don Imus, 79

The radio legend, a pioneer of the shock-jock format whose career spanned more than 50 years, died after being hospitalized just days prior.

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