Famous people who passed away in 2022

This Brazilian soccer legend, known as one of the best football players in history, died at the age of 82 of colon cancer. His agent, Joe Fraga, confirmed the news via AP: "The king has passed." Pelé, or Edson Arantes do Nascimento as was his given name, won the World Cup three times with the Brazilian national team.

On the last day of 2022, pope emeritus Benedict XVI, commonly known as Joseph Ratzinger, passed away at the age of 95. The pontiff, who came from Germany, retired from his post in 2013 in a nearly unprecedented retirement. His tenure had been smudged by controversies such as VatiLeaks and the coverup of previous abuse scandals.

Television journalist Barbara Walters died at the age of 93 surrounded by family. She worked as an anchor and interviewer for decades, including programs such as 'The View,' '20/20' and 'Today' in her extended resumé. Her spokesperson told CNN that Walters was "a trailblazer not only for female journalists but for all women."

Two weeks after undergoing open-heart surgery, YouTube lip sync star Keenan Cahill passed away from its complications. The 27-year-old internet celebrity, a Chicago resident, suffered from Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome.

British designer Vivienne Westwood, known for her punk style, died at the age of 81 surrounded by her loved ones in London. Among other distinctions was her appointment as Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2005, a title she accepted even though she had rallied against authorities - including the Queen - in her younger years.

The American actress, famous for her roles in the series 'Cheers' and the film 'Look Who's Talking', died of colon cancer, diagnosed a short time ago. She was 71 years old.

Faithless frontrunner and DJ, Maxi Jazz, died in his sleep on December 23rd, as reported by the Associated Press. Born in London, Jazz was 65 when he passed. His real name was Maxwell Fraser and made waves when he was DJ of the pirate radio station the Soul Food Café System in the 1980s.

DJ and friend of Ellen Degeneres, Stephen 'tWitch' Boss took his own life by shooting himself in the head in a Los Angeles hotel. He was 40 years old.

The Uruguayan footballer, nicknamed 'El Mago' (The Magician), died on December 25th at the age of 49 due to chronic cirrhosis. Despite having triumphed as a footballer (he even played for Juventus with Zidane), he lost everything because of his problems with alcohol.

'Saving Mr. Banks' actor Ronan Vibert (right in the photo) died after a brief illness on December 22nd. The British actor was from Cambridgeshire in England, studied at RADA, and died in Florida at 59 years old.

American mixed martial arts fighter Stephen Bonnar, a UFC Hall of Famer, died December 22nd at age 45 from possible heart complications.

'The Shade Room' reported on Instagram the passing of Big Scarr, a promising young rapper. After the initial report, they then publicized the cause of death. "According to @tmz_tv, #BigScarr’s uncle confirmed the cause of death that resulted in the rapper’s untimely passing. Arthur Woods, Big Scarr’s uncle, said the rapper overdosed Thursday on prescription pills at his girlfriend's house in Memphis."

Eddy had starred in dozens of TV shows including 'Married... With Children', '90210', 'Gilmore Girls' and 'CSI'. Her most recognizable work was that of Epiphany Johnson in 'General Hospital'. She died on December 19th at the age of 55 after experiencing complications from a non-emergency surgery, according to the NY Times.

"Mom is gone," Cher announced on her social media that Georgina Holt had passed away at the age of 96. Mother and daughter were very close as can be seen in the documentary 'Dear Mom, Love Cher'.

At the age of 63, the one-time boyfriend and collaborator of designer Gianni Versace Antonio D'Amico passed away on December 6th. In the Netflix series 'The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story' (2018) his role is played by Ricky Martin.

American actor and singer Bob McGrath - a regular cast member of 'Sesame Street' as Bob Johnson - died at his home at the age of 90 on December 4th.

Complications from Covid took 'Blade Runner' and 'Return of the Jedi' actor Gary Friedkin. He was 70 years old and was in hospice care in Youngstown, Ohio.

American performer Al Strobel, best known for his role as Mike in David Lynch and Mark Frost's series 'Twin Peaks' died on December 2nd at the age of 83.

Brad William Henke, American actor and National Football League and Arena Football League player, lost his life in November at the age of 56 in his sleep.

American actor Clarence Gilyard passed away at the age of 66 from a serious illness. He will always be remembered for his co-starring alongside Chuck Norris in the successful 'Texas Ranger' series.

American singer, actress, and producer Irene Cara was found dead at the age of 63 at her home in Florida. The star from Puerto Rico will be remembered for her role in the 1980 film 'Fame' and for the song 'What a Feeling', from the film 'Flashdance' (1983), for which she received the 1983 Oscar for Best Original Song.

Actor Mickey Kuhn, the last living member of the 1939 film 'Gone with the Wind' died on November 20th at the age of 90. He was in good health until a few months before his death.

Actor Jason David Frank, known for playing Tommy Oliver (the green Power Ranger) in the original 1993 'Power Rangers' franchise, was found dead on November 19th. According to media such as TMZ, the actor took his own life after a strong argument with his ex-wife in a hotel in Texas. He was 49 years old.

Actress Nicki Aycox, who will be remembered for her work in series such as 'CSI' and 'Cold Case', died in mid-November at the age of 47 as a result of leukemia, which she had been fighting for a year.

Mehran Karimi Nasseri was an Iranian refugee who, due to bureaucratic problems, was forced to live at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport between 1988 and 2006. He passed away on November 12th. His life inspired Steven Spielberg's 2004 film 'The Terminal', starring Tom Hanks.

Actor John Aniston, the father of actress Jennifer Aniston, died Nov. 11 at age 89. "You were one of the most beautiful humans I ever knew. I am so grateful that you went soaring into the heavens in peace — and without pain. And on 11/11 no less! You always had perfect timing. That number will forever hold an even greater meaning for me now," his famous daughter wrote on her Instagram profile.

British actor Leslie Phillips, known for the 'Carry On' films and voicing the Sorting Hat in the 'Harry Potter' saga, died on November 7th in his sleep due to a long illness he had been suffering from. He was 98 years old and had made more than 200 films in his career.

Aaron Carter, brother of American singer Nick Carter (member of the Backstreet Boys) was found dead on November 5th in the bathtub of his home in Lancaster, Los Angeles (United States). The singer had been struggling with his demons for years because of his mental health problems and media suggest he died as a result of an overdose of various substances. He was only 34 years old.

American screenwriter, director, and actor Douglas Geoffrey McGrath died suddenly at the age of 64 in New York. He was an Oscar nominee in the Best Original Screenplay Oscar category, along with Woody Allen, for the 1994 film 'Bullets Over Broadway' and a loss to Hollywood.

The American rapper known artistically by the name Takeoff lost his life in a shooting outside a Houston bowling alley in the early hours of November 1st.

The Dead Kennedys and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer D. H. Danger passed away at the age of 63 as a result of an unfortunate home accident. According to The Sun, he fell in his Los Angeles abode and hit his head.

The life of Jerry Lee Lewis, considered the last legend of rock and roll, passed away on October 28 at the age of 87 at his home in Nesbit (Mississippi). The reason for his death was pneumonia.

The American actor, known for his work in series such as 'Will and Grace' and 'American Horror Story', died on October 24th, at the age of 67, as a result of a traffic accident three kilometers from the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Los Angeles). According to TMZ, seconds before the accident, the actor had suffered a heart attack that led to the incident with the car.

Dietrich Mateschitz died on October 22 at the age of 78 after a long illness. He was Austria's richest man thanks to co-founding the Red Bull beverage company and founding the eponymous Formula One team.

British 'Harry Potter' actor Robbie Coltrane passed away on October 14th at the age of 72. He suffered from sepsis, lower respiratory tract infection, heart block, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, which finally led to his death.

The 22-year-old Dutch motorcycling rider Victor Steeman lost his life after a serious accident at the Portuguese Grand Prix. His mother, Flora van Limbeek, also passed away two days later due to a heart attack.

The Irish-British-American actress remembered, among other works, for the TV drama 'Murder, She Wrote' (1984- 1996), died in her Los Angeles residence on October 11 in her sleep. Also famous for her career in musical theatre, Lansbury had a life of professional success and died at 96 years old.

The life of American actress Eileen Ryan (mother of actors Sean Penn and Chris Penn; and singer Michael Penn) passed away on October 9th at her home in Malibu at the age of 94.

The American country music singer Jody Miller, known as Myrna Joy Miller, died at the age of 80 in Blanchard, Oklahoma from complications of Parkinson's disease, which she was diagnosed with seven years ago. She had performed at the San Remo Festival in 1965 and had a Grammy for the song 'Queen of the house'.

American comedian, actress, and singer Judy Tenuta died at the age of 72 of ovarian cancer that she had been diagnosed with in 2020.

American country music star Loretta Lynn died at the age of 90 at her home in Tennessee. She had won three Grammys and had more than 60 albums on the market.

The winner of an Oscar for Best Actress for her performance as the evil nurse Mildred Ratched in the film 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' died on September 23rd at the age of 88 at her home in Montdurausse, France.

Henry Silva, one of the quintessential movie villains, passed away on September 14th at the age of 95. He had participated in more than 140 film and television productions.

Jean-Luc Godard, French-Swiss film director, screenwriter, and film critic died on September 13 by euthanasia at his home in Rolle, Switzerland. He was 91 years old. "He was not ill, he was simply exhausted," a family member told the French daily Libération.

The legendary British monarch died in September at the age of 96. She had been Queen of Great Britain and Head of the Commonwealth for over 70 years. Her Late Majesty leaves behind a legacy and a King to take her place.

Canadian DJ Patrick Wayne Stay, known as Pat Stay, lost his life on September 4th in the middle of a brawl in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He was stabbed and arrived at the hospital alive, but died from his injuries shortly thereafter.

Photo: Instagram

Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the USSR, died on August 30th at the age of 91 in Moscow after a long and serious illness.

The light of the 32-year-old South African actress and model went out in New York as a result of a "sudden and unexpected" illness (bacterial sepsis), according to Deadline. She starred in 'Triangle of Sadness' a film by Swedish director Ruben Östlund, winner of the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival 2022.

Robert LuPone is an American actor and art director known for work such as his role as Tony Soprano's doctor in the series 'The Sopranos'. He died at the age of 76 from pancreatic cancer. Robert LuPone was the brother of renowned actress Patti LuPone.

Cervical cancer was the cause of death of American actress Robyn Griggs, who was only 49 years old.

The famous American actress Anne Heche, known for work such as her performance in the 1997 film 'I Know What You Did Last Summer', passed away after a bizarre accident. She was 53 years old and drove her car into a Los Angeles home. She died a week later.

British writer Nicholas Evans, the author of 'The Horse Whisperer', died suddenly at the age of 72. The reason for death was a heart attack.

The British-Australian actress Olivia Newton-John, an icon of our recent history thanks to her roles in the films 'Grease' (1978) and 'Xanadu' (1980), died as a result of cancer. She had been fighting the disease on different occasions throughout the last three decades.

Japanese designer Issey Miyake passed away at the age of 84. The cause of death was liver cancer. With his innovative creations, Issey Miyake revolutionized the codes of fashion.

American actor and director Clu Gulager died on August 5th at the age of 93 of natural causes. He had been famous for his roles in horror films of the 1980s. Glu Culager's last work was 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' (2019), directed by Quentin Tarantino.

At the age of 85, American actress Mary Alice passed away in her Manhattan (New York) apartment. She had a spectacular career in theater but she will also be remembered for her role as the Oracle in 'The Matrix'.

Paul Sorvino, actor of 'Goodfellas', among other well-known works, died at the age of 83.

American actor Taurean Blacque, best known for playing Detective Neal Washington in the 'Hill Street Blues' series, died at the age of 81 after a brief illness.

Donald Trump's first wife and mother of his children Ivanka, Donald, and Eric, was found dead in her New York apartment after an accidental fall down a flight of stairs. She was 73 years old.

American USAC, ARCA, and NASCAR driver Bobby East was stabbed in the chest by a man while he was pumping gas in Westminster, California. The racer was only 37 years old.

Lily Safra, a Brazilian-born billionaire, died at the age of 87 in Geneva, Switzerland. She was considered one of the richest women in the world, according to Forbes.

Shinzo Abe, prime minister of Japan from December 2012 to September 2020, was shot twice during a rally in the Japanese city of Nara. He was 67 years old.

American comedian and actor Larry Storch passed away in his sleep in his New York home. He was 99 years old.

American actor James Caan, known for his role as Sonny Corleone in 'The Godfather', died of heart problems in Los Angeles. He was 82 years old.

Lenny Von Dohlen, the actor best known for 'Twin Peaks, died at the age of 64 after a long illness.

British presenter and activist Dame Deborah James died at the age of 40 from colon cancer, which she was diagnosed with in 2016. She had spent the last few years raising money and highlighting the struggle of those fighting against this disease on the podcast 'You, Me and the Big C' on BBC Radio 5.

The American actress Mary Mara, famous for her roles in series such as 'ER', 'Law and Order' and 'Ray Donovan', lost her life at the age of 61. Her story ended tragically with death by drowning in the St. Lawrence River in Cape Vincent (in the state of New York) as confirmed by Craig Dorfman, her agent, in a statement sent to Variety.

Young basketball player Caleb Swanigan, formerly Portland and Sacramento, died at the age of 25. The Allen County Coroner's Office confirmed to 'Wane 15' that the athlete died of natural causes at his home in Fort Wayne.

French actor and film director Jean-Louis Trintignant, whom we will remember for Roger Vadim's film 'And God Created Woman,' where he starred alongside Brigitte Bardot, died at the age of 91.

The American singer, songwriter, musician, and actress, best known perhaps for putting her voice to the theme song of 'Twin Peaks', died at the age of 65 after a long battle with lupus.

American musician and songwriter Alex John Such, bassist of the original Bon Jovi lineup until 1994, died at age 70 of natural causes, according to TMZ.

American actor Ray Liotta died at the age of 67 in his sleep, as confirmed by Deadline. He was in the Dominican Republic filming the movie 'Dangerous Waters'. With more than 80 films behind him, he will be remembered for roles such as Henry Hill in Martin Scorsese's 'Goodfellas.'

American actress Marnie Schulenburg, whose most recognizable role was that of Alison Stewart in the series 'As the World Turns,' died at age 37 from breast cancer diagnosed in 2020.

The Greek musician, an icon of electronic music, and the composer of renowned soundtracks such as those of 'Blade Runner' and 'Chariots of Fire', died at the age of 79 in France due to complications from COVID.

The former NBA player died after being involved in a shooting on the streets of Orlando. He was 31 years old.

American actor Fred Ward, known for his roles in films such as 'Escape from Alcatraz', 'Southern Comfort' and 'The Right Stuff', died at the age of 79. The news was confirmed by his publicist, without details about the cause of death.

French actor, director, and producer Jacques Perrin, best remembered for his role as Salvatore in the legendary 'Cinema Paradiso' (1988), died at the age of 80 in his hometown, Paris.

The dancer and actress Liz Sheridan died at the age of 93. She was, among other characters, the neighbor of 'Alf' and the mother of 'Seinfeld'.

Rio Hackford, an actor in the 'Mandalorian', passed away at the age of 51 after a long illness. Rio Hackford was also Helen Mirren's stepson, as she is married to American film director Taylor Hackford.

Colombian soccer player and coach Freddy Rincón, who played for the Colombian national team and Real Madrid, lost his life at the age of 55 in a traffic accident in the Colombian city of Cali.

The American comedian and actor, whom some of the public will remember for voicing Iago, the parrot in 'Aladdin' (1992), died at the age of 67 after a long illness.

The veteran Hollywood supporting actor Nehemiah Persoff (with more than 200 roles in his lifetime) died at the age of 102 in San Luis Obispo, California.

Singer and actor Robert Louis Riderelli (better known as Bobby Rydell), a teen idol in the 1960s, died at age 79 of complications from pneumonia.

At the age of 93, the New York actress Estelle Harris, known and remembered for roles such as George Costanza's mother in the series 'Seinfeld,' left us.

British-Irish group The Wanted shot to fame with their debut single, 'All Time Low,' and had hit after hit. Band member Tom Parker sadly passed away after a brave battle with brain cancer. The rest of the band and fans alike were heartbroken.

Miguel Van Damme, the goalkeeper of the Belgian team Cercle Brugge, died at the age of 28 from leukemia. It was the fifth time he had been diagnosed. After thinking he was fully recovered, the cancer cells reappeared in October 2021 and finally led to his death.

The life of Taylor Hawkins, drummer of Foo Fighters, ended suddenly in a hotel in Bogota, Colombia, just before a concert with his band. After a toxicological analysis, various substances were found in his body, including opioids and antidepressants.

The legendary American actor died at the age of 71 as a result of terminal prostate cancer that he had been diagnosed with in 2018. He won the Oscar Award for Best Actor in 1985 for his role in Hector Babenco's film 'Kiss of the Spider Woman'.

The life of American singer Traci Braxton ended at the age of 50. The sister of Toni Braxton suffered from cancer.

Mitchell Ryan passed away at the age of 88 at his home in Los Angeles. He will be remembered for film and television roles such as the villain in the first 'Lethal Weapon' movie and the fierce businessman in the 'Santa Barbara' series.

The veteran actress is remembered for being head nurse Margaret O'Houlihan in the film 'MASH', where she was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar. She had dementia and died in an assisted care facility in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles.

The American funk and soul singer was the muse to her husband, the jazz legend Miles Davis. She died at the age of 77 of natural causes, as Rolling Stone magazine confirmed.

The 16-year-old Czech rider, one of motorcycling's most promising young talents, lost his life after an accident while training on a minibike.

The veteran Italian actress, the muse of a list of directors including Mario Monicelli, died in Rome at the age of 90. She had been away from public life since 2002 due to Alzheimer's disease.

Cheslie Kryst, who was Miss USA in 2019, took her own life by throwing herself from a New York skyscraper.

The New Zealand actor, who was part of 'The Lord of the Rings' franchise as an Orc, passed away due to kidney disease.

Actor Moses J. Moseley was found dead under the Hudson Bridge in Stockbridge, Georgia, TMZ reported. He was 31 years old. The world will remember him for series such as 'The Walking Dead' and 'Watchmen'.

The American actor, famous for his roles in 'Fame' and 'Melrose Place', was found dead in the kitchen of his home at the age of 70. Apparently, according to TMZ, the death was due to natural causes.

Dutch 'Clockwork Orange' footballer Wim Jansen died at the age of 75. He had played in two World Cup finals with the Netherlands (1974 and 1978) and lifted a European Cup with Feyenoord in 1970.

French designer Thierry Mugler died at the age of 73 of natural causes, as his representative said on his Instagram profile. Thierry Mugler was a fashion legend. Just a few days before his death, a retrospective of his work was celebrated in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.

American actress Kathryn Kates, famous for her work in series such as 'Orange is the new black', 'Seinfeld' and 'The Sopranos', died after a battle with lung cancer.

The singer Meat Loaf (who managed to sell more than 100 million records) and actor (he had been in more than 60 movies), died from COVID, as published by media such as TMZ.

French actor and model Gaspard Ulliel died on January 19th, one day after a fatal skiing accident in the French Alps. His injuries were too great after colliding with another skier.

The President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli (Florence, 1956), died at the hospital in Aviano, Italy. He had been admitted on December 26th due to a complication of his immune system.

The 'Full House' actor reportedly died of a head injury at the age of 65 at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando (Florida). The hotel workers found him unconscious in his room without any signs of violence or traces of substances that could have caused the death of the American actor and presenter. Later, it was revealed that he probably hit the back of his head on the bed and went to sleep without realizing the seriousness of the injury.

American filmmaker and critic Peter Bogdanovich died at the age of 82 of natural causes, The Hollywood Reporter stated.

Sidney Poitier, Hollywood's first great African-American star and winner of two Oscars (one for Best Actor for his role in 'Lilies of the Valley' and one honorary), passed away at the age of 94 in the Bahamas.

The aristocrat, science enthusiast, and French television star Igor Bogdanoff died of COVID on January 3rd. He passed away just 6 days after his twin brother Grichka, who had also died of complications after contracting the virus on December 28th, 2021.