Stars we lost this year

It’s never easy when a beloved celebrity dies, and already in 2024 we’ve seen some great ones pass away.

Susan Buckner, best known for playing cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 musical comedy Fat, has passed away. She was 72.

“Susan died peacefully on May 2 surrounded by loved ones,” said Melissa Berthier, publicist for the family.

“The light she brought to every room will be forever missed,” Buckner’s daughter, Samantha Mansfield, tells PEOPLE. “She was magical and I was lucky enough to call her my best friend.”

No cause of death was given at the time of the announcement. Although she continued to act well into the 1980s, Fat would remain her career-defining role and sometime afterward she would retire from the industry.

Let’s also remember the other actors, singers and other celebrities who passed away in 2024.

Bernard Hill

Bernard Hill, a beloved British actor known for his major roles in the 1990s, has died at the age of 79.

He died in the early morning hours, on May 5. According to a statement from his family, his fiancée Alison and his son Gabriel were by his side when he died. No official cause of death has been announced at this time.

Although he has had a long and illustrious career, Bernard is best known for his leadership roles in ’90s blockbusters.

He played Captain Edward Smith in James Cameron’s 1997 film Titanic and then King Théoden in the Lord of the Rings.

Mandisa

Mandisa, best known since her time American Idol has passed away. She was only 47.

Christian rock radio station K-Love announced her death on Friday, April 19.

“Even more than her music, the platinum-selling singer will forever be known for her enormous heart and sincerity,” Christian radio station K-Love said in a statement. Daily email.

The California native, whose full name was Mandisa Hundley, competed on season 5 of American Idol, which saw him reach the top ten of the competition. According to reports, Mandisa died on April 18 at her home in Nashville, Tennessee.

“Mandisa loved Jesus, and she used her unusually extensive platform to talk about Him at every opportunity. Her kindness was epic, her smile electric, her voice massive, but it was no match for the size of her heart,” station media officer David Pierce added during the announcement.

Richard Lewis

Richard Lewis, one of America’s most beloved stand-up comics and actors, died in February 2024.

His death was confirmed by multiple media outlets just as the current season of HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm was underway.

He played a fictionalized version of himself on the show for years alongside Larry David.

He announced last April that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and was retiring from stand-up comedy. The cause of death was announced shortly after news of his death.

Thomas Kingston

Thomas Kingston, the former boyfriend of Pippa Middleton, a British financier, died at the end of February at the age of 45.

Like Pippa’s sister, Kate Middleton, Thomas also married a royal woman: Lady Gabriella. a distant cousin of Prince William and Prince Harry.

A statement was released on behalf of Lady Gabriella Kingston on Tuesday, and Thomas’ family announced his death.

“It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the death of Thomas Kingston, our beloved husband, son and brother. Tom was an exceptional man who lit up the lives of all who knew him. His death has come as a great shock to the entire family and we ask that you respect our privacy as we mourn his passing.”

Emergency services were reportedly called to the scene after 6 p.m. on Sunday, February 25. Although the cause of death has not been determined, there are no reports that any suspicious circumstances or other parties were involved.

Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera was 91 years old when she died on Tuesday, January 30.

She literally rose to fame in the original Broadway production of West Side Story and became one of the most celebrated Latina stars of her generation.

Her death was confirmed in a statement from her daughter, Lisa Mordente, but a cause of death was not confirmed.

Alec Musser and David Gale

Soap stars in particular had a hard time this week after not one, but two beloved stars were lost.

And both were so young.

All my children actor Alec Musser died at the age of 50 on January 12, 2024.

Alec’s fiancée, Paige Press, announced his death to shocked fans.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office revealed that Alec died by suicide from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest.

Paige reportedly found him in their bathroom after the suicide.

Just a few days afterward, David Gale, best known for his role as Dr. Joe Scanlon in the popular soap opera, Port Charlesdead.

At just 58 years old, the news was confirmed by his sister with a heartbreaking Instagram post. A cause of death was not immediately given at the time.

Lynn Yamada Davis

Lynn Yamada Davis, the beloved TikTok star behind the Cooking with Lynja series, has died. She was 67.

Davis died of cancer on January 1 at Riverview Medical Center in New Jersey.

Her daughter, Hannah Mariko Shofet, confirmed her death The New York Times.

Davis was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2019; two years later her condition worsened. Then she was diagnosed with esophageal cancer.

Davis was best known for her cooking videos. With the help of her son Tim, she started producing content during the Covid-19 pandemic. Her big personality quickly became a hit with fans all over social media.

She is survived by her four children and two grandchildren, plus a host of fans who will undoubtedly miss her.

Christian Olivier

Hollywood actor Christian Oliver, best known for his roles in Indiana Jones, speed racer, and the beloved hits of the 90s Babysitters Club And Saved by the bell: the new classwas pronounced dead on January 4.

What makes the death so shocking is that both of his young daughters, ages 10 and 12, also died.

Oliver, real name Christian Klepser, and his two young daughters were found dead on January 4 after recovering four bodies in a plane crash off a Caribbean island. NBC News.

The star and his children, Madita And Annik , were the only passengers flying aboard a small single-engine jetliner. The fourth person to die was the pilot.

They were heading to St. Lucia after taking off from JF Mitchell Airport on the Grenadine island of Bequia. The girls’ mother, Jessica, Oliver’s ex-wife, was not on board at the time.

David Ziel

Actor David Soul, best known for his role in the TV series Starsky & Hutch, died at the age of 80. His wife Helen Snell announced his death on January 4, 2023.

“He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as an actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend.

“His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he touched.”

Soul played Detective Kenneth “Hutch” Hutchinson opposite Paul Michael Glaser’s Starsky in the hit crime-solving TV series, which ran from 1975 to 1979.

Glynis Johns

Actress Glynis Johns, best known for her role as Mrs. Winifred Banks in the Disney classic Mary Poppins, died at the age of 100.

Mitch Clem, her manager, told The Associated Press that she died of natural causes Thursday, Jan. 4, at an assisted living facility in Los Angeles.

“Today is a sad day for Hollywood,” Clem said. “She’s the last of the last of old Hollywood.”

Johns appeared in more than 60 films and also had a celebrated career on stage.

She played the role of Desiree Armfelt in Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway musical “A Little Night Music” and won a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award for her 1973 performance.

Celebrities who died in 2023

Last year, a staggering number of beloved stars passed away.

Film icons such as Ryan O’Neal and Michael Gambon passed away. Singing legends like Tony Bennett and Sinead O’Connor have left us.

Finally, TV superstars like Andre Braugher, Paul Reubens and the great Matthew Perry all died.