The world woke up to horrible news on Thursday morning, and it was that well-known actor Alan Rickman had passed away. This tragic news comes mere days after David Bowie , a music icon, also passed away. Oddly enough, both stars died of cancer and at the age of 69. Most times, a list of celebrity deaths comes out at the end of the year, but 2016 already has already brought out more than its fair share.
Rickman’s death was not just reported by BBC News , but it was all over social media on Thursday with people revealing their favorite movies of his or which of his characters they loved best. He was Hans Gruber in Die Hard . In Kevin Smith’s Dogma , he played the role of Metatron.
To so many, though, he was Professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter movie franchise.
There are no words to express how shocked and devastated I am to hear of Alan Rickman’s death. He was a magnificent actor & a wonderful man.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 14, 2016
Rickman’s death would be hard enough to take at any point in time, but this week has been exceedingly trying. On Monday, the world learned of David Bowie’s death, and it hit just as hard. Us Magazine reported that he had been battling liver cancer prior to his death, and he passed just after releasing his last album.
Those two deaths in just a four-day span are incredibly difficult for any fan or any person who has ever even heard of them. Bowie and Rickman’s deaths have affected so many people, but 2016 has already been filled with so much more sadness and loss.
Lawrence Phillips
The two-time college national champion and former NFL running back was found dead in his prison cell on Wednesday, according to USA Today . He was facing a possible death penalty sentence in the alleged murder of his former cellmate. Phillips was just 40-years-old. His death is currently being investigated as a suicide.
Michael Galeota
The former Disney Channel star passed suddenly and unexpectedly earlier this week due to natural causes. Last week, the young star had gone to the hospital with abdominal pain, and friends began to get worried when they had not heard from him. Galeota was just 31-years-old.
David Margulies
The well-known actor passed away in New York on Monday, January 11, which only adds to the current week which is so full of sadness. His career lasted decades with roles on Broadway, although he was probably best known as the mayor in the original Ghostbusters . Margulies was 74-years-old.
Richard Libertini
A comedic actor who has been acting since the late ’60s, Libertini passed away on January 7 at the age of 82. News of his passing just got out on January 12, according to Yahoo TV , and he died after a two-year battle with cancer.
Pat Harrington, Jr.
Harrington acted for a long time, but he will always be known best as the hilarious and arrogant handyman on One Day At a Time . He passed away at the age of 86 due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
Nicholas Caldwell
One of the key members, and the co-founder of the R&B group The Whispers. The group had a number of hits including “And the Beat Goes On” in the ’70s and “Rock Steady” in the ’80s. Caldwell was 71-years-old.
Below are other celebrities who have passed away in the early days of 2016.
- Vilmos Zsigmond – cinematographer
- Otis Clay – Hall of fame R&B artist
- Brian Bedford – actor, voice of Disney’s Robin Hood
- Jason Wingreen – voice of Boba Fett in Star Wars
Jason Wingreen the voice of Boba Fett passed away today “He’s no good to me dead”may the force be with him #bobafett pic.twitter.com/KBuSnr2XMB
— Grant(Ben)Daccarett (@Grant_Daccarett) January 3, 2016
Right before 2016 came into existence, a number of celebrities lost their lives to bring 2015 to a sad end. Natalie Cole, Lemmy Kilmister, and Scott Weiland are just a few of them, but the effect of their loss is still being felt now.
Celebrity deaths in 2016 are in no shortage already, and the new year is just two weeks old. This week has been especially trying on fans of the music, film, and sports worlds. Alan Rickman is just the latest legend lost, and for the hearts of fans everywhere, hopefully it is the last for a while.
[Photo by Desiree Navarro/Getty Images]