2023 Review: Entertainers in memoriam

January 01, 2024 06:00 AM

The world said farewell to some iconic performers in 2023.

Here are some of the people from the entertainment industry we lost who made us laugh, sing, and create moments over the years.

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MATTHEW PERRY

News of 54-year-old Friends actor Matthew Perry’s death shocked the world when he was found unresponsive in his hot tub and was pronounced dead in October. Fans and cast mates poured their tributes and favorite memories of the funny man who played the famous pop culture character of Chandler Bing.

“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family,” the Friends cast said.

SUZANNE SOMERS

Actress Suzanne Somers, best known for her role in Three’s Company, died in October at the age of 76. The actress and author of 24 books had spent decades advocating on the issues of beauty, aging, weight loss, fitness, and health amid her numerous battles with cancer. She was one of the first women to wage war in Hollywood over equal pay, and in her later years, she revealed her conservative politics. Remembrances from former President Donald Trump, comedian Adam Carolla, and others praised Somers in their tributes to the star.

JIMMY BUFFETT

Americans paid tribute to the legendary “Margaritaville” singer Jimmy Buffett after his death in early September from Merkel cell skin cancer, an aggressive form of skin cancer. President Joe Biden called him “a poet of paradise” and “an American music icon.”

Buffett will be remembered for his unique music and his billion-dollar “Margaritaville” business enterprise that included casinos, resorts, three retirement communities, and a cruise line.

STEVE HARWELL

Former Smash Mouth lead singer Steve Harwell died at age 56 after liver failure and being placed in hospice care. He retired from the band in October 2021 due to his health troubles, including Wernicke encephalopathy and cardiomyopathy. The Smash Mouth star was known for his several top Billboard chart pop-punk hits, including the songs “Walkin’ on the Sun” and “All Star.”

WILLIAM FRIEDKIN

Oscar-winning director William Friedkin, best known for his films The Exorcist and The French Connection, died in early August at the age of 87.

PAUL REUBENS

Comedian and Pee-wee Herman actor Paul Reubens died in July after suffering a six-year battle with cancer. When he passed, his family said the 70-year-old actor “delighted generations of children and adults with his positivity, whimsy and belief in the importance of kindness.”

SINEAD O’CONNOR

The talented and complicated Irish singer Sinead O’Connor died in July at 56. She was famous for her top music hit “Nothing Compares 2 U.” The song was No. 1 worldwide in 1990.

In the last year of her life, O’Connor canceled numerous live shows after losing her 17-year-old son Shane O’Connor who had died by suicide. O’Connor had signaled that she wanted never to perform again because there wasn’t “anything to sing about.” The singer had a history of struggling with suicidal thoughts.

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TOM SIZEMORE

Actor Tom Sizemore, best known for his role in Steven Spielberg’s 1998 film Saving Private Ryan, died in March after suffering a brain aneurysm.