List of Celebrities and Famous People Who Died in 2017

There have been a lot of prominent names who breathe their last in 2017. While they may not be among us anymore but their contribution in their respective field will always remind us of them. The names include notable personalities who proved their mettle in singing, acting, direction, and other related fields. Here are the 20 famous people who are no longer among us.

List of Celebrities and Famous People Who Breathe Their Last in 2017

1. Della Reese (July 6, 1931 – November 19, 2017)

Della Reese died in her home on 19th November 2017. The “Touched by An Angel” star was 86 year old. “The award-winning actress and singer was not only an amazing actress but also an unbelievable wife, mother, grandmother, pastor and friend” as described by her co-star Roma Downey said on behalf of Reese family.

2. Tom Petty (October 20, 1950 – October 2, 2017)

The death of Tom Petty on 22^nd October 2017 came as a shock as the American singer was only 66 and had recently wrapped up a 40th-anniversary tour with his famous band – The Heartbreakers. His sudden demise broke the hearts of his fans.

3. Chester Bennington (March 20, 1976 – July 20, 2017)

Another shocking demise in 2017 was of Linkin Park’ Lead Vocalist Chester Bennington. The American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor took his own life on 20^th July 2017. Bennington was only 41 and left behind a wife and six kids.

4. Mary Tyler Moore (December 29, 1936 – January 25, 2017)

Mary Tyler Moore breathed her last on 25 January 2017. The sitcom star died because of complications from pneumonia and was 80 years old. The actress was regarded for her comedic timing, cheerful character, and revolutionary role in changing the representation of women on television.

5. Sam Shepard (November 5, 1943, to July 27, 2017)

Multi-talented playwright, actor, screenwriter, and director Sam Shepherd died of Lou Gehrig’s disease on July 27. He was 73.

6. David Cassidy (April 12, 1950 – November 21, 2017)

The former teen idol David Cassidy died on 21^st November 2017 after suffering from organ failure. The American actor, singer, songwriter, and guitarist was 67 years old. Cassidy is well known for playing Keith Partridge in the popular “The Partridge Family” TV show that was aired in the 1970s.

7. Hugh Hefner (April 9, 1926 – September 27, 2017)

2017 was also the last year for “Playboy” founder Hugh Hefner who died on 27^th September 2017. Hefner was 91 years old when he breathes his last. Now, the Playboy brand is now helmed by Hefner’s son, Cooper.

8. Bill Paxton (May 17, 1955 – February 25, 2017)

Actor Bill Paxton wouldn’t have died, should he have not got complications from surgery. The American actor is known for playing a notable character in movies that include – The Terminator, Titanic, and Aliens. Paxton died on 25^th February 2017 at the age of 61.

9. Gregg Allman (December 8, 1947 – May 27, 2017)

Musician Gregg Allman passed away after facing complications from liver cancer. The Allman Brother Band founder died on 27^th May 2017 at the age of 69.

10. Harry Dean Stanton (July 14, 1926 – September 15, 2017)

Known for playing the prolific character in Alien, Twin Peaks, Alien, and The Green Mile, Harry Dean Stanton passed away at the age of 91 on 15^th September 2017. Stanton’s career spanned for more than six decades.

11. Liz Smith (February 2, 1923 – November 12, 2017)

Liz Smith was a popular gossip columnist who died on 12^th November at the age of 94. The New York Daily News, The Washington Post, and Cosmopolitan columnist distinguished herself from others in the industry by her kind treatment of the celebrities she gossiped about.

12. Adam West (September 19, 1928 – June 9, 2017)

Actor Adam West passed away at the age of 88 on 9^th June 2017. The “Batman” TV series starring was suffering from leukemia. West was well known for portraying the title character in the “Batman” television series which aired in the 1960s.

13. Chris Cornell (July 20, 1964 – May 18, 2017)

The frontman of Soundgarden and Audioslave band, Chris Cornell died after committed suicide on 18^th May 18, 2017. The American musician, singer, and songwriter hung himself in Detroit Hotel. Cornell was 52 years old.

14. Don Rickles (May 8, 1926 – April 6, 2017)

Just a month shy of his 90^th birthday, the legendary comedian, Don Rickles, passed away due to kidney failure on 6th April 2017. Rickles was popular for his insulting humor but was also popular for being a kind and caring man underneath his tough character.

15. Chuck Berry (October 18, 1926 – March 18, 2017)

Legendary rock ‘n’ roll musician Chuck Berry died on March 18 at the age of 90. Some of his hits include Maybellene” (1955), Johnny B. Goode (1958), Rock and Roll Music” (1957), Roll Over Beethoven (1956) and more.

16. Jim Nabors (June 12, 1930 – November 30, 2017)

Jim Nabors who is best known for portraying Gomer Pyle in “The Andy Griffith Show” and it’s following spin-offs,  died at the age of 87 on 30^th November 2017. Nabors was well known for the catchphrase of his character – Goll-eee.

17. Martin Landau (June 20, 1928 – July 15, 2017)

Martin Landau was a remarkable actor, acting coach, producer, and editorial cartoonist who died on 15^th July 2017. He played a supporting role in Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest (1959), did regular roles in the Mission: Impossible (TV Series). For Mission: Impossible, Landau even received several Emmy Award nominations and a Golden Globe Award.

18. Chuck Low (July 21, 1928 – September 18, 2017)

Chuck Low gained a lot of popularity for playing a role as Morrie in 1990’s Goodfellas. Low passed away in a New Jersey nursing home on 18^th September 2017 at the age of 89. Before making into Hollywood, Low served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 30 years and served for 8 years in the National Guard.

19. Jerry Lewis (March 16, 1926 – August 20, 2017)

Comedic legend Jerry Lewis died on 20^th August 2017 at the age of 91. Apart from notable contributions in the field of comedy, Lewis was admired for his philanthropic efforts, which includes his annual “Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon,” that he hosted for 44 years to raise support for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

20. Dick Gregory (October 12, 1932 – August 19, 2017)

Social Justice Activist and comedian, Dick Gregory breathed his last on 19th August 2017. Gregory was 84 years old, who with his comedic skills, Gregory used to raise awareness about the civil rights movement and racism.

21. Erin Moran (October 18, 1960 – April 22, 2017)

Erin Moran Best was known as Joanie on “Happy Days,” Erin Moran passed away on 22^nd April 2017. Moran was 56 years old and was fighting a battle with cancer. Moran was appreciated for his great gesture and many of her co-stars loved her treating them as a family on the show.

22. John Heard (March 7, 1946 – July 21, 2017)

The death of actor John Heard was a complete shock for his fan when died of a sudden when news on his sudden demise due to heart attack came out. Died on 21^st July 2017, Heard was 71 years old, best known for playing the role of Peter McAllister, Kevin’s dad in “Home Alone” movie. Throughout his career, Heard appeared in around 200 films.

23. Monty Hall (August 25, 1921 – September 30, 2017)

Monty Hall was a well known Canadian-American game show host, producer, and philanthropist. Hall died at the age of 96 on 30^th September 2017 after suffering a heart attack following the death of his wife in June. Hall is also known for co-creating the popular game show “Let’s Make A Deal” which he also hosted.

24. Roy Halladay (May 14, 1977 – November 7, 2017)

Roy Halladay was an American professional baseball player who pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays between 1998 and 2013. The former MLB pitcher was only 40 years old when he died in a plane crash off the Gulf of Mexico on 7^th November 2017. Halladay left behind his wife, Brandy and two children.

25. Ralphie May (February 17, 1972 – October 6, 2017)

The stand-up comedian, Ralphie May died on 6^th October 2017 at the age of 45 after suffering cardiac arrest, May starred in numerous comedy specials which included “Ralphie May: Unruly,” that premiered in 2015 on Netflix.

26. Stevie Ryan (June 2, 1984 – July 1, 2017)

YouTube sensation, Stevie Ryan’s death was a complete shock. The 33 years old YouTuber committed suicide on 1^st July 2017. Ryan was well known for making millions laugh and openly struggled with depression. The VH1 series Stevie TV starrer was found dead in her home due to an apparent suicide by hanging.

27. Prodigy (Albert Johnson) (November 2, 1974 – June 20, 2017)

Albert Johnson was an American rapper author, and entrepreneur, who was better known by his stage name Prodigy. The rapper died on 20^th June 2017 after facing complications from sickle-cell anemia. Prodigy was 42 and was well known for his role as one half of the duo “Mobb Deep”.

28. Troy Gentry (Died on September 8, 2017)

The American Country star, Troy Gentry, passed away on 8^th September 2017 after a helicopter crash in New Jersey. Gentry was only 50 and one half of the country duo Montgomery Gentry. Before his tragic death, both had plans to release a new album.

29. Walter Becker (February 20, 1950 – September 3, 2017)

Walter Becker, the co-founder of Steely Dan band passed away on 3rd September 2017 at the age of 67. Becker was well known as the co-founder, guitarist, bassist, and co-songwriter of the jazz-rock band Steely Dan. He was also a part of Jay and the Americans and China Crisis band.

30. Fats Domino (February 26, 1928 – October 24, 2017)

Rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Fats Domino died because of natural causes on 24^th October 2017. Domino was 89 years old, popular among the first musicians to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The American pianist and singer-songwriter is known for selling more than 65 million records and having 11 Top 10 Hits between 1955 and 1960.

31. Robert Guillaume (November 30, 1927 – October 24, 2017)

On the same date, when we lost Fats Domino (24^th October 2017), we also lost actor Robert Guillaume. Well known for playing Isaac Jaffe on Sports Night, Guillaume died after suffering complications from prostate cancer. Guillaume’s other most notable roles include the voice of Rafiki in The Lion King and title character in the sitcom Benson and spin-off.

32. Don Williams (May 27, 1939 – September 8, 2017)

Country music star Don Williams passed away at the age of 78 on 8^th September 2017. Williams had 17 No. 1 country hits throughout his long career before he retired from performing in 2016. Don Williams was also inducted to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010.

33. Jimmy Snuka (May 18, 1943 – January 15, 2017)

Jimmy Snuka was a popular WWE star died on 15^th January 2017 at the age of 73 after fighting with stomach cancer. Shortly before his death, the murder charges in the 1983 death of his mistress were dropped off.

34. Heather Menzies-Urich (December 3, 1949 – December 24, 2017)

Heather Menzies-Urich gained tremendous popularity after playing Louisa von Trapp in the 1965 movie “The Sound of Music.” The actress died at the age of 68 on 24^th December 2017 after battling with brain cancer.

35. Charlie Murphy (July 12, 1959 – April 12, 2017)

Charlie Murphy was an American actor, comedian, and writer who died at the age of 57 on 12^th April 2017 after suffering from leukemia. Apart from being an accomplished comedian, Murphy was also a star on “Chappelle’s Show”. Charlie Murphy was the elder brother of comedian-actor Eddie Murphy and older half-brother of Vernon Lynch Jr.

36. Sue Grafton (April 24, 1940 – December 28, 2017)

Sue Grafton was a popular American author of detective novels (Keziah Dane and The Lolly-Madonna War) who passed away at the age of 77 28^th December 2017. Grafton’s detective novels were titled using alphabet— “A Is For Alibi” was the first book in the series.

37. Bruce McCandless II (June 8, 1937 – December 21, 2017)

Astronaut Bruce McCandless II became the first person in February 1984 to fly untethered in space. McCandless logged over 300 hours in space during his long career. He died at the age of 80 on 21^st December 2017.

38. June Foray (September 18, 1917 – July 26, 2017)

June Foray was an American voice actress,  best known as the voice of animated characters including Rocky the Flying Squirrel, Lucifer from Disney’s Cinderella, Cindy Lou Who, Jokey Smurf, Granny (From Warner Bros.) and many more. Foray died at the age of 99 on 26^th July 2017, just 2 months shy of completing 100 years.

39. Ueli Steck (4 October 1976 – 30 April 2017)

Ueli Steck was the first person to climb Annapurna solo. He also set speed records on the North Face trilogy in the Alps. Steck won two Piolet d’Or awards (2009 and 2014). Having summited Mount Everest previously, Steck died at the age of 40 on 30^th April 2017 when he failed during an acclimatizing climb on the Hornbein route on the West Ridge of Everest without supplemental oxygen.

40. Miguel Ferrer (February 7, 1955 – January 19, 2017)

Actor Miguel Ferrer was well known for playing a role in “NCIS: Los Angeles. Ferrer also appeared in Iron Man 3 and RoboCop”. The actor died at the age of 61 due to throat cancer on 19^th January 2017.

Well, these personalities are not anymore with us, but we will keep remembering them through their notable contribution in the respective fields.