In Memoriam: 31 Beloved People We Lost in 2016 (2024)

Ziggy Stardust could have been a celebrity in his own right, but Bowie became one ofthe world's best-selling artists thanks to a lifetime of innovation. Theglam rock iconreleased his last album only two days before he died of liver cancer.

Celine Dion's husbandand manager fought cancer three separate times before passing away in the couple's Las Vegas home. He left behind three children with Dion and three from a previous relationship.

Although he played villainous roles in the Harry Potter series, Love Actually andDie Hard, the British actor remained a beloved figure on stage and screen. Hesuccumbed to cancer.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted the Eagles the first year they were nominated. And aslead singer and frontman, Frey played no small role in the band's success. He sangfaves like "Take It Easy," "Tequila Sunrise" and "Peaceful Easy Feeling" before launching hissuccessful solo career.

To Kill a Mockingbirdwon the intensely-private author aPulitzer Prize, along with a permanent place in iconic American literature. The controversial follow-upGo Set A Watchmanhit bookstores last year.

The courageouscountry singergot her start on the CMT competitionCan You Duet with herhusband and singing partner, Rory Feek. She decided to stop treatment for cervical cancer last year, and lived to see her daughter's birthday in February.

Theformer First Ladymet her husband Ronald Reagan in Hollywood, but the couple is known for their lasting impact on the White House. Most famously, shelaunched the "Just Say No" campaign combatting recreational drug abuse.

When your dad's Ol' Blue Eyes, it's tough to follow in his footsteps. But after his highly-publicized kidnapping at age 19, Frank Jr. went on to build a singing career in his own right.

Between It's Garry Shandling's Show andThe Larry Sanders Show, the stand-up comedian mastered '90s sitcomslike none other. The Emmys noticed too: Shandling received a total of 19 nominations, and hosted the show itself three times.

Duke won an Oscar at only 16yearsold, but The Miracle Worker actressspentmany years of herlife advocating for mental health awareness. Herstruggle with bipolar disorder inspired a successful campaign for increased funding and research.

Country music fans need only point to Haggard's Kennedy Center Honor, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and Country Music Hall of Fame induction to prove his legend status. The songwriter had 38 (!) number-one hits on the country charts between the '60s and '80s.

She may have played a snobby mom on Everybody Loves Raymond, but Doris Roberts was quite the caring woman in real life, especially as ananimal rights advocate. Her lovable personality did come through on show, however. "She played the most intrusive, overbearing, nosy woman," Ray Romano said after her death."And yet when I asked the fans who their favorite character was, all the time it was her."

He'sasingerso iconic, he only needsone name. Prince received 32 Grammy nominations in his lifetime and won seven of them. Sadly, an opioid overdose took the artist's life way too soon.

Just eight days afterannouncing his retirement from 60 Minutes, the show's longest-serving correspondentdied from pneumonia. He earned 12 Emmys, including one for Lifetime Achievement, and three Peabody Awards during his (coincidentally) 60-yearcareer.

Born Cassius Clay, the controversial boxer later changed his name when he converted to Islam. But it was his feats in the ring that earnedhim the undisputedtitle of "The Greatest."

The promising singer received critical acclaim forher YouTube videos and performances on The Voice. In a tragic turn of events,Grimmie died all-too-youngafter agunman shotherin Orlando.

Harper Lee wasn't the only award-winning author lost in 2016. Wiesel wrote Night, a harrowing account of his time as an Auschwitz prisoner, and 56 other books in his lifetime. His work as a "messenger to mankind" earned him aNobel Peace Prize in 1986.

Do you love Happy Days, Pretty Woman or The Princess Diaries? Thank Garry Marshall for that. The director and producer stood behind some the biggest hits in the past fivedecades.

TheWilly Wonka & the Chocolate Factory actorquietly suffered from Alzheimer's disease before passing away this summer. Wilder also appeared in cult classicslikeBlazing SaddlesandYoung Frankenstein, and receivedan Academy Award nomination for his role in The Producers.

If his 62 PGA titles don't impress you, the golfer's eponymous drinkprobably will. Just make sure you get the ratioright (hint: it's not half lemonade).