2016 The Year of Celebrity Death.

ligerdub · 27-12-2016 7:43pm

lawred2 wrote:

Especially with that celeb bar being lowered each and every passing year

People aren't really remarking at the deaths of reality stars in 2016, they are talking about the deaths of well respected actors and megastar musicians.

Omackeral · 27-12-2016 7:44pm

Don't worry, 2017 is nearly here and everyone will be safe again. No celebrities will die.

quickbeam · 27-12-2016 7:51pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Another one to add to the list.(not so famous but well known)

The author of Watership Down, Richard Adams, has died aged 96, his daughter has said.

My favourite book ever! But he'd a good innings.

27-12-2016 7:52pm

Omackeral wrote: »

Don't worry, 2017 is nearly here and everyone will be safe again. No celebrities will die.

Maybe just a few more infamous people instead.

lawred2 · 27-12-2016 8:22pm

ligerdub wrote: »

People aren't really remarking at the deaths of reality stars in 2016, they are talking about the deaths of well respected actors and megastar musicians.

Err I know

That was the point.

27-12-2016 8:24pm

quickbeam wrote: »

My favourite book ever! But he'd a good innings.

True, at his age it wasn't unexpected, unlike some of the other recent early deaths.

The Talking Bread · 27-12-2016 8:37pm

Irish Guitarist wrote: »

I found the deaths of David Bowie, Prince and Leonard Cohen genuinely upsetting. However I have difficulty believing that anyone would care about every single famous person that has died this year. I think calling a rugby player or an ice hockey player a celebrity is pushing things a bit. If you consider anyone who has the remotest level of fame a celebrity then every year is a the year of the celebrity death.

What's the difference? ?? Celebrity is one of the most absurd monikers going these days. The only reasonable definition is "one who is respected and notorious in their respective field of talent".
Just because Bowie was more a household name to the majority than a hockey player doesn't take away from his stature in sporting world.

alchemist33 · 27-12-2016 8:41pm

Patww79 wrote: »

Are people on twitter still giving out to 2016 like it's a person?

I know its the cool thing to mock these people but I don't think they really think 2016 is a person. They might just be joking.

OldMrBrennan83 · 27-12-2016 8:42pm

This post has been deleted.

languagenerd · 27-12-2016 8:53pm

I think some of it is confirmation bias - because we have this idea that "all the celebrities are dying in 2016", we're nearly looking out for news stories to confirm the theory. Some of the names in the thread are people aren't hugely famous outside their fields and I think you could probably make an equally long lists of celebrities who died in 2015 or 2014 if you include less famous people (like sports stars from less popular sports, less well-known actors, behind-the-scenes songwriters etc). It's just that this year there have been a larger number of high profile deaths, an unfortunate coincidence that fuels the "2016 is killing celebs" stuff. People posting stuff like "2016 can **** off" as if no-one will die in 2017 annoys me though. I would also agree that our culture is just creating more and more celebrities and therefore the number of bad-news stories about famous people will also increase proportionally.

That said, I don't think it's fair to judge people for feeling sad about celebrity deaths. Singers and radio presenters, in particular, can accompany people throughout their lives and it does feel strange when that's gone. I've had some of the same voices singing or talking in my earphones for years now - I don't know them personally but they've just been there in the background for a lot of my life's milestones. I wouldn't criticise anyone for feeling a loss in that case. (Social media posturing and grief olympics, on the other hand, are usually very obviously bull**** anyway.)

The Talking Bread · 27-12-2016 10:11pm

Patww79 wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

I guarantee you a lot of them are just making a hysteric deal out of the coincidence of it all. If you think so many people really think the year has mystical fatal powers, I think you are sadly mistaken.

Its social media, people want to e noticed, to be part of the gang. It is just a trend that took off but 99% of people don't really think these celebrities are dying due to the fact that its 2016.

I think the fact that people are taking the time to point out and lecture others to the fact that 2016 doesn't have any actual powers is the funny thing now!!

ligerdub · 27-12-2016 10:50pm

lawred2 wrote: »

Err I know

That was the point.

I thought your point was that the quantity count will be higher, rather than the quality count.

Kermit.de.frog · 27-12-2016 11:22pm

Really cleaning the closet out this year!

Capt'n Midnight · 27-12-2016 11:50pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Another one to add to the list.(not so famous but well known)

The author of Watership Down, Richard Adams, has died aged 96, his daughter has said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGyQmH9NZcw

How can the light that burned so brightly
Suddenly burn so pale?
Bright eyes

Spoiler - Richard wasn't sentimental about the bunnies and wouldn't let them eat his veggies on the farm.

RIP

deco nate · 28-12-2016 12:02am

List of celebrity deaths so far this year..
January 10 David Bowie, 69, Rock icon
January 14 Alan Rickman, 69, Actor
January 18 Glenn Frey, 67, Eagles rocker
January 23 Jimmy Bain, 68, Rainbow rock star
January 30 Frank Finlay, 89, Acting great
January 31 Terry Wogan, 77, TV & radio legend
February 3 Maurice White, 74, Earth Wind & Fire star
February 19 Harper Lee, 89, To Kill A Mockingbird author
February 28 Frank Kelly, 77, Father Ted star
February 28 George Kennedy, 91, Movie great
March 1 Tony Warren, 79, Coronation St creator
March 8 George Martin, 90, Beatles producer
March 11 Keith Emerson, 71, ELP rock legend
March 15 Sylvia Anderson, 88, Lady Penelope
March 16 Frank Sinatra Junior, 72, Sinatra’s singer son
March 17 Paul Daniels, 77, Comedy magician
March 29 Patty Duke, 69, Child star
March 31 Ronnie Corbett, 85, Comedy legend
March 31 Denise Robertson, 83, TV agony aunt
April 6 Merle Haggard, 79, Country legend
April 12 David Gest, 62, TV personality
April 20 Victoria Wood, 62, Comedy genius
April 20 Joanie “Chyna” Laurer, 46, WWE wrestling legend
April 21 Lonnie Mack, 74, Blues guitar great
April 21 Prince, 57, Pop icon
April 21 Guy Hamilton, 93, Bond director
April 24 Billy Paul, 80, Chart star
May 17 Guy Clark, 74, Country legend
May 19 John Berry, 52, Beastie Boys star
May 19 Alan Young, 96, Mister Ed TV star
May 21 Nick Menza, 51, Megadeth drummer
May 24 Burt Kwouk, 85, Pink Panther star
May 31 Carla Lane, 87, Liver Birds writer
June 3 Muhammad Ali, 74, Boxing legend
June 14 Henry McCullough, 72, Wings guitarist
June 19 Anton Yelchin, 27, Star Trek’s Chekov
June 24 Bernie Worrall, 72, Funkadelic star
June 28 Scotty Moore, 84, Elvis’s guitarist
July 2 Caroline Aherne, 52, Comedy actress
July 16 Alan Vega, 78, Suicide punk pioneer
August 13 Kenny Baker, 81, Star Wars’ R2-D2
August 15 Dalian Atkinson, 48, Villa cup hero
August 29 Gene Wilder, 83, Comic genius
September 11 Alexis Arquette, 47, Transgender actress
September 17 Charmian Carr, 73, Sound of Music’s Liesl
September 25 Arnold Palmer, 87, Golfing legend
October 14 Jean Alexander, 90, Corrie’s Hilda Ogden
October 23 Pete Burns, 57, Dead or Alive chart star
October 24 Bobby Vee, 73, 1960s teen idol
November 7 Leonard Cohen, 82, Iconic singer & writer
November 11 Robert Vaughn, 83, Veteran actor
November 13 Leon Russell, 74, US rock legend
November 24 Colonel Abrams, 67, 80s chart star
November 25 Florence Henderson, 82, Brady Bunch star
November 26 Ron Glass, 71, US TV star
December 1 Andrew Sachs, 86, Fawlty Towers star
December 6 Peter Vaughan, 93, Game of Thrones star
December 7 Ian Cartwright, 52, Wolves midfielder
December 8 John Glenn, 95, First to orbit Earth
December 8 Greg Lake, 69, ELP legend
December 10 AA Gill, 62, Writer & critic
December 10 Ian McCaskill, 78, TV weatherman
December 12 Walter Swinburn, 55, Derby winning jockey
December 18 Zsa Zsa Gabor, 99, Actress
December 24 Rick Parfitt, 68, Quo Rocker
December 25 George Michael, 53, Singer
December 26 Liz Smith, 95, Actress
December 27 Richard Adams, 96, Author
December 27 Carrie Fisher, 60, Actress.
Thats a big list.. ..most over 60, but still. ..

Capt'n Midnight · 28-12-2016 12:06am

ligerdub wrote: »

I don't buy this idea of "more famous people now, therefore more famous people die, it'll be the same in 2017". I fully expect 2017 to be much less significant than 2016.

A good few of these guys had very secret illnesses, and died at neither young nor old ages. The spectrum of ages and causes of death mean that a hell of a lot more died compared to what one might have expected.

Any surviving rock and roll icons of the 1950's are in their 90's now so no surprise there.

But the heyday of music was late 70's early 80's. Just look at the highest grossing tours only a handful of other artists match them. And a lot of those people abused their bodies. Sex and drugs and rock and roll. A lot of them are now old.

Irish Guitarist · 28-12-2016 12:32am

The Talking Bread wrote: »

What's the difference? ?? Celebrity is one of the most absurd monikers going these days. The only reasonable definition is "one who is respected and notorious in their respective field of talent".
Just because Bowie was more a household name to the majority than a hockey player doesn't take away from his stature in sporting world.

David Bowie didn't have much stature in the sporting world at all.

The Talking Bread · 28-12-2016 12:40am

Irish Guitarist wrote: »

David Bowie didn't have much stature in the sporting world at all.

ha....

Liamario · 28-12-2016 12:40am

A lot of icons died this year, probably more than normal. So 2016 has been a rough year for popular culture. There'll be just as many deaths next year, but I don't think those that pass will be of the same significance.

Those of you whining about people who say things like '2016' strikes again- grow up. Everyone is aware that 2016 is not sentient and is just a name assigned to a 12 month period. 2016 has been a very rough year for celebrities of certain generations.

The Talking Bread · 28-12-2016 12:42am

Irish Guitarist wrote: »

David Bowie didn't have much stature in the sporting world at all.

ha...............

Oh, but on the contrary..........

fryup · 28-12-2016 12:42am

its going to be some new years eve party in heaven

meeeeh · 28-12-2016 12:57am

I would say the one in 2004 was way bigger. Hard to beat quarter of a million in one fell swoop. Anyway most of the artists who died were close to the end of their productive careers so it's not like we are missing on another great Prince album.

I actually don't think 2016 was that bad. The economy has turned the corner and the complete political upheaval was entertaining to watch. 2017 will be much worse because we will have to deal with hungover after Brexit and The Donald being elected.

Capt'n Midnight · 28-12-2016 1:24am

meeeeh wrote: »

I would say the one in 2004 was way bigger. Hard to beat quarter of a million in one fell swoop.

Even a quick look at the history of China would show worse things.

Earthquakes in 1920, 1976
Floods in 1931, 1938 (man made)

Spanish Flu most likely originated in China too (50 million)

Warlords, civil war, Japanese invasion , Cultural revolution.

From 1959 to 1961 there were up to 1/4 million excess deaths in China, EVERY WEEK !

Thing to remember about the 2004 tsunami was that a lot of the death toll was due to mangrove swamps being removed for prawn farming.

Pac1Man · 28-12-2016 2:56am

The Talking Bread wrote: »

I think the fact that people are taking the time to point out and lecture others to the fact that 2016 doesn't have any actual powers is the funny thing now!!

Agreed. The world is full of idiots.

Irish Guitarist · 28-12-2016 7:01am

Anyone who says it's not possible to feel saddened by the death of someone you don't know is talking nonsense. Some of my favourite musicians died this year as well as a lot of other big names. In the case of Prince and David Bowie they died within months of each other and I can imagine them sharing a lot of the same fans. I've been a fan of Prince for about 30 years. I don't think much of his later albums but the pleasure I got from his eighties and early nineties albums is enough to make me feel sad about his death.

There's no denying there were a lot of famous deaths but some people want to make it seem even worse than it was and prattle off dozens of names of people that barely anyone has ever heard of.

If you lump every sports player, minor politician and bit part actor under the banner of celebrity then every year is a bad year for celebrity deaths. You could just pick a year at random and find some American basketball player that's about as famous as that hockey player as well as dozens of other names that are now footnotes in history. Look how many celebrities died in 2010 for instance. 1997 was almost as bad.

meeeeh · 28-12-2016 7:30am

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

Even a quick look at the history of China would show worse things.

Earthquakes in 1920, 1976
Floods in 1931, 1938 (man made)

Spanish Flu most likely originated in China too (50 million)

Warlords, civil war, Japanese invasion , Cultural revolution.

From 1959 to 1961 there were up to 1/4 million excess deaths in China, EVERY WEEK !

Thing to remember about the 2004 tsunami was that a lot of the death toll was due to mangrove swamps being removed for prawn farming.

Thank you for history lesson but I mentioned than one because it happened just before the end of the year and not because it was the biggest.

Anyway if there is a sports person who is not just like any bseball player on the list it is Howe. He might not be known in Ireland but it is one of the greats of the game dying. I'm not saying there should be huge outpouring of grief but after Ali he is probably the biggest sporting personality dying this year.

LordSutch · 28-12-2016 7:44am

I think the title of this thread sums up the year very well ...

"2016 The Year of Celebrity death".

It has been the worst Celebrity death 'shocker' of a year I can remember in my lifetime!

quickbeam · 28-12-2016 9:19am

deco nate wrote: »

Thats a big list.. ..most over 60, but still. ..

Still, it's 12 out of 69 under 60, which is quite a lot (17%)
And 60 isn't even that old. I'd rather look at how many under 70 which is 24 out of 69 or 35%.
The average age in those listed isn't too bad at 74 (average lifespan is about 78). But then for every Anton Yelchin at 27 there's a Zsa Zsa Gabor at 99 at the other end of the spectrum.

[/statistics nerd]

The Talking Bread · 28-12-2016 12:05pm

meeeeh wrote: »

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

Even a quick look at the history of China would show worse things.

Earthquakes in 1920, 1976
Floods in 1931, 1938 (man made)

Spanish Flu most likely originated in China too (50 million)

Warlords, civil war, Japanese invasion , Cultural revolution.

From 1959 to 1961 there were up to 1/4 million excess deaths in China, EVERY WEEK !

Thing to remember about the 2004 tsunami was that a lot of the death toll was due to mangrove swamps being removed for prawn farming.

Thank you for history lesson but I mentioned than one because it happened just before the end of the year and not because it was the biggest.

Anyway if there is a sports person who is not just like any bseball player on the list it is Howe. He might not be known in Ireland but it is one of the greats of the game dying. I'm not saying there should be huge outpouring of grief but after Ali he is probably the biggest sporting personality dying this year.

Johan Cruyff far more bigger on a global scale.

dodderangler · 28-12-2016 12:05pm

Only 3 days left. Come on 2016. Kanye is still walking about!

Boggy Turf · 28-12-2016 1:10pm

Actually a Celebrity Purge Day would be a great idea. 1 day where they have to hide and people can kill them without repercussion.

Who would you go after?

Omackeral · 28-12-2016 1:17pm

Boggy Turf wrote: »

Actually a Celebrity Purge Day would be a great idea. 1 day where they have to hide and people can kill them without repercussion.

Who would you go after?

Anyone called Kardashian.

Crazyteacher · 28-12-2016 2:16pm

Omackeral wrote: »

Anyone called Kardashian.

Ah now that would exclude Scott, Kanye, Blanc, Kendall, Kylie, and Caitlin !

dodderangler · 28-12-2016 3:21pm

Crazyteacher wrote: »

Ah now that would exclude Scott, Kanye, Blanc, Kendall, Kylie, and Caitlin !

Kanye isn't a kardashian. But he's number one on my list.

AMKC · 28-12-2016 6:46pm

Rainman16 wrote: »

Doesn't it seem like allot of famous people have died this year?

David Bowie - Musician

Prince - Musician

Muhammad Ali - Boxer

Glen Frey - Musician

Gene Wilder - Actor

Lemmy Kilmister - Muscian

Anthony Foley - Rugby

Harper Lee - Author

George Michael - Musician

Florence Henderson - Actor

Terry Wogan - Broadcaster

Kimbo Slice - Fighter

Nancy Regan - Public Figure

Leonard Coen - Musician

Arnold Palmer - Golfer

Frank Kelly - Actor

Paul Daniels - Magician

Johan Cruyff - Football

Gordie Howe - Ice Hockey

Alan Rickman - Actor

Andrew Sachs - Actor

Fidel Castro - Politician

Ronnie Corbett - Comedian

Rick Parffit - Musician

Anton Yelchin

The Talking Bread · 28-12-2016 7:04pm

AMKC wrote: »

Anton Yelchin

God, his death seemed horrific, relatively speaking. Never heard of him (not a Trekkie) but I envisage he was well known to a fair few. (but if you done a poll, he wouldn't really hit the percentages of recognition compared to anyone on that list)
Not that I am in favour of using the "celebrity" moniker but he was hardly a celebrated figure in acting field (whether by talent or notoriety)

29-12-2016 3:04am

The curse of 2016 continues

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-38455777
US actress Debbie Reynolds has died, a day after the death of her daughter Carrie Fisher, according to her son.

US media said the 84-year-old had a stroke. She was taken to a Los Angeles hospital earlier in the day.

The Hollywood legend is best known for her role in the 1952 musical Singin' in the Rain, opposite Gene Kelly.

Edit: the reports of her death appear to be premature.........(as of 02:50 29/12/16 GMT)
2nd edit: now they say she is dead.

Gael23 · 29-12-2016 7:44am

Carrie Fishers mother has died

Rainman16 · 29-12-2016 10:09am

Debbie Reynolds is dead. I wonder how many more celebs will die before New Years

team_actimel · 29-12-2016 10:18am

The Talking Bread wrote: »

God, his death seemed horrific, relatively speaking. Never heard of him (not a Trekkie) but I envisage he was well known to a fair few. (but if you done a poll, he wouldn't really hit the percentages of recognition compared to anyone on that list)
Not that I am in favour of using the "celebrity" moniker but he was hardly a celebrated figure in acting field (whether by talent or notoriety)

He was only 27 when he died so had so much more to give. He was very much celebrated in the indie movie world more so. He was a very talented actor, I saw him in quite a few films.

9or10 · 29-12-2016 11:42am

2016 has taken yet another hero.

Michael Delligatti, inventor of the Big Mac.

Yeah not just a feckin light bulb or an i-pad or ... something useful for a change.

Damn you 2016

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/38162497/inventor-of-the-big-mac-dies-aged-98

29-12-2016 1:24pm

Not a celebrity, but someone who has had more of an affect on our lives that all the others on this page put together.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-38453905
A key architect of the euro and a former Bundesbank president, Hans Tietmeyer, has died aged 85.

He was a driving force behind creating the European Central Bank and the single currency.

Mr Tietmeyer ran Germany's central bank from 1993 until his retirement in 1999.

paralysed · 29-12-2016 1:45pm

Rainman16 wrote: »

Doesn't it seem like allot of famous people have died this year?

David Bowie - Musician

Prince - Musician

Muhammad Ali - Boxer

Glen Frey - Musician

Gene Wilder - Actor

Lemmy Kilmister - Muscian

Anthony Foley - Rugby

Harper Lee - Author

George Michael - Musician

Florence Henderson - Actor

Terry Wogan - Broadcaster

Kimbo Slice - Fighter

Nancy Regan - Public Figure

Leonard Coen - Musician

Arnold Palmer - Golfer

Frank Kelly - Actor

Paul Daniels - Magician

Johan Cruyff - Football

Gordie Howe - Ice Hockey

Alan Rickman - Actor

Andrew Sachs - Actor

Fidel Castro - Politician

Ronnie Corbett - Comedian

Rick Parffit - Musician

Leon Russel

Natonstan · 29-12-2016 2:01pm

Kenny Baker - R2D2?

Dr Crayfish · 29-12-2016 2:41pm

Well, maybe all this death being reported might make us realise we're not immortal and that death is a part of life which hopefully will lead us to embrace life more and those around us

MPFGLB · 29-12-2016 3:38pm

Meryl Haggard, Tony Warren, Jean ALexander, Liz Smith, Carla Lane...

MPFGLB · 29-12-2016 3:49pm

Walter Swinburn , George Kennedy , Philip Maxwell Davies,, Jimmy Perry,Frank Finlay

Rainman16 · 29-12-2016 3:51pm

60's celebrities who were 25 then are between 72 and 82 years old now. Prime dying death years. Also the lifestyle of drink and drugs did not do anything for long life expectancy

MPFGLB · 29-12-2016 3:57pm

Ian McCaskill, George Martin, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Jimmy Young, Caroline Aherne & Victoria Wood

Hande hoche! · 29-12-2016 10:16pm

dodderangler wrote: »

Only 3 days left. Come on 2016. Kanye is still walking about!

Pure tinfoil but I reckon the Queen.

2016 The Year of Celebrity Death.

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