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Home · Celebrity

Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016

In 2016, we experienced tremendous loss, losing some of our beloved entertainers and artists in the span of 12 months. Here, we pay tribute to those who changed music, television, film, journalism and ultimately, our lives. 
By Paula Rogo · Updated October 26, 2020
01
Ricky Harris
Actor and comedian Ricky Harris died of a heart attack at the age of 54 on December 26th.
Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
Jerod Harris
02
Alan Thicke
Actor and father of singer Robin Thicke, died December 13. at 69.
Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
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03
Rashaan Salaam
The 42-year-old former Heisman trophy winner was found dead in a Colorado parking lot in December.
Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
ADAM NADEL
04
Ron Glass

Ron Glass, actor best kwnon for his roles in ‘Barney Miller’ and ‘Firefly,’ died Nov. 26 at 71

Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
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05
Colonel Abrams

’80s hit-maker best known for his songs “Trapped” and “I’m Not Gonna Let You.” died Nov. 24 at 67

Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
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06
Sharon Jones

The lead singer of The Dap-Kings, died Nov. 18 at 60 after a battle with pancreatic cancer

Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
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07
Gwen Ifill

The veteran “PBS NewsHour” anchor and vice presidential debate moderator, died Nov. 14 at 61 after a battle with cancer

Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
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08
Fidel Castro
The controversial Cuban dictator and revolutionary passed away in November at the age of 90.
Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
09
Tommy Ford

The beloved actor from the hit-show Martin, died Oct. 12 at 54 after an aneurysm

Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
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10
Aaron Pryor
The professional boxer passed away in October.
Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
Denise Truscello
11
Buckwheat Zydeco
The musical performed alongside a number of notable names and is credited as a trailblazing zydeco artist. He passed away in September at 68.
Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
LEON MORRIS
12
Shawty Lo

The D4L founding member and father of 11 died Sept. 21 in a traffic accident at age 40

Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
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13
Bill Nunn
Also known as Radio Raheem, Nunn died in September after battling leukemia.
Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
Paras Griffin
14
Gene Wilder

The actor widely known for his mesmerizing performance in the beloved film, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” died in August in his Stamford, Connecticut home at the age of 83.

Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
Silver Screen Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
15
John Saunders
The longtime ESPN journalist passed away in August at 61.
Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
Miikka Skaffari
16
Dr. Sebi
Survived by 17 children, Alfredo Bowman, better known as Dr. Sebi, passed away at 82 in August.
Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
17
Dennis Green
In 1981, Green was only the second African-American head coach in Division I-A history. Later, he coached the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals. Green passed away at 67 in July.
Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
Gregg DeGuire
18
Miss Cleo

The famed TV psychic whose real name Youree Harris, died July 26 at age 54 after a battle with colon cancer 

Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
2009 MCT
19
Muhammad Ali
Legendary boxer and activist who batteled with Parkinson’s syndrome for many years, died June 3. at 74.
Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
The Stanley Weston Archive
20
Bernie Worrell

A founding member of Parliament/Funkadelic, who also worked with Talking Heads, passed away in June at the age of 72.

Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
Tim Mosenfelder
21
Kimbo Slice
The professional mixed martial artist died in June from heart failure at the age of 42.
Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
22
Afeni Shakur

Mother of Tupac and former Black Panther, died May 2 at 69

Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
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23
Prince

The music legend that created chart-toppers like “Purple Rain,” “When Doves Cry,”and “1999,” died April 21 at 57

Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
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24
Leon Haywood
The funk and soul singer is best know for his 1975 hit “I Want’a Do Something Freaky to You.” He passed away in April at the age of 74.
Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
25
Billy Paul
The “Me & Mrs. Jones” singer succumbed to pancreatic cancer in April at the age of 81.
Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
Gilbert Carrasquillo
26
Phife Dawg

Founding member of A Tribe Called Quest, died March 22 of diabetes at 45

Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
Andrew H. Walker
27
David Smyrl
The Emmy Award-winning Sesame Street actor succumbed to lung cancer in March at the age of 80.
Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
28
Daryl Coley
The gospel singer, who regularly landed on gospel charts, passed away in March.
Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
Erika Goldring
29
Vanity

A Prince protégé who battled with kidney disease for many years died Feb. 15 at 57 

Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
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30
Maurice White

A founding member of Earth, Wind & Fire, died Feb. 3 at 74 

Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
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31
Gil Hill
Hill became known for his role in Beverly Hills Cop, but prior to the film he served as an officer for the Detroit Police Department and president of the Detroit City Council in 1997. He passed away in February.
Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
32
Nicholas Caldwell
Original member and co-founder of The Whispers, Caldwell died due to congestive heart failure in January.
Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
33
David Bowie
The legendary musician died in January after a battle with liver cancer.
Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
34
Tony Burton
The football player, boxer, and actor best known for his role in the Rocky franchise passed away earlier this year at the age of 78.
Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
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35
Joe McKnight
Former New York Jets running back and USC star was gunned down in Tarrytown, Louisiana at the age of 28 after an alleged road rage incident.
Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
AP
36
Daisy Lewellyn
The ‘Blood, Sweat, and Heels’ star was open about her battle with cancer and age the age of 36 she passed away.
Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
getty images
37
Cassandra Butts
Obama’s adviser and Harvard Law classmates passed away earlier this year at 50.
Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
Cassandra Butts
38
Will Smith
The defensive end was involved in a traffic collision that led to road rage and resulted in Smith being gunned down. He was 34.
Rest In Peace: Remembering The Celebrities We Lost In 2016
Taylor Hill
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