HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – 2017 has been a year that made a lot of fans and avid supporters weep because of some of the famous celebrity deaths.
First of on celebrity deaths, just this December 18, the fans and supporters of the lead singer of SHINee, a K-pop group, were shocked by the news of the singer’s death at age 27. He was pronounced dead at the hospital where he was brought after he was found unconscious inside his apartment located in Cheongdam-dong in Seoul. From the South Korean’s reports, it is still unclear what caused the star’s death, but investigators believed he committed suicide.
On November 21 this year, David Cassidy also died at the age of 67 in a hospital in Florida. Jo-Ann Geffen, Cassidy’s publicist, confirmed this news when she released a statement on behalf of the family. Several days before he passed, the 1970s pop star has been hospitalized because of organ failure, and before that, he has also been diagnosed with dementia.
The singer and Touched by an Angel alum Della Reese died at the age of 86 in her home on November 19. Roma Downey, Reese’s costar, released a statement behind the actress’ family saying that the late star has touched and inspired a lot of lives.
A lot of fans of Jana Novotna were also disheartened when the news of the Wimbledon champion surfaced. She died at the age of 49 in her native Czech Republic on November 19. It was after her long battle with cancer.
Earle Hyman was best known for his character as Russell Huxtable in The Cosby Show. The star died on November 17 at the age of 91 at the Lillian Actors Home in New Jersey. The actor spent about 40 years in the industry and had earned Tony and Emmy nominations throughout the years.
The co-founder and the guitarist for AC/DC, Malcolm Young’s passing is among the celebrity deaths for this year. He passed away on November 18 after several years of battling with dementia. Angus Young, his bandmate and also his brother, said in a tribute that Malcolm left a huge legacy that would live on forever.
Another one of the celebrity deaths that shocked a lot of fans is when Lil Peep was announced dead. The rapper passed away on November 16 at just the age of 21. According to the CEO of First Access Entertainment, Sarah Stennett, she couldn’t believe that the star wanted to die, but police suspected the rapper died of Xanax overdose.
The Game of Thrones actor, Roy Dotrice was also confirmed dead on October 16 at the age of 94 inside his London home.
The rock legend, Tom Petty, also passed on October 2 at the age of 66 after having a cardiac arrest.
Hugh Hefner, the Playboy founder, passed last September 27 at the age of 91. In a statement that Cooper Hefner released about his father’s passing, the late Hefner had lived an impactful and exceptional life especially in advocating civil rights, free speech, as well as sexual freedom.
There were lives lost from these celebrity deaths, but their memory and legacy in the industry and in the lives of their avid fanatics will continue to live on for much longer.
