‘Jackie Brown’ Actor Robert Forster & All the Celebrities We’ve Lost in 2019

Robert Forster

Oscar-nominated star Robert Forster passed away on Friday at the age of 78. The beloved character was famous for his memorable roles in movies like Jackie Brown and Mulholland Drive as well as TV series such as Last Man Standing. He most recently reprised his role as Breaking Bad‘s Ed Galbraith in El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, which was released by Netflix the same day as his death.

According to People, Forster’s rep confirmed that he passed away after battling brain cancer. Tributes to the venerable star are already pouring in. “I had the privilege of knowing this beautiful man and working alongside of him,” wrote Forster’s Breaking Bad co-star Aaron Paul. “A true gentleman that loved to act. I love you my friend. Thank you for loving me. You are and always will be a legend.” Breaking Bad‘s Bryan Cranston recounted how “kind and generous [Forster] was to a young kid just starting out” when the two first met on the set of Alligator 40 years ago.

Forster’s former Last Man Standing co-star Tim Allen paid tribute on Saturday as well, tweeting, “So very sad at Roberts passing, he was a gift to me personally and a emotional part of our show. Prayers and condolences to his beautiful wife and family.”

Diahann Carroll

Best known for her roles in TV shows Dynasty and Julia, Diahann Carroll passed away from cancer on Oct. 4 at the age of 84. Carroll was the first black actress to win a Tony award in 1962.

Aron Eisenberg

Actor Aron Eisenberg passed away on Saturday, Sept. 21, at the age of 50. Eisenberg is best known for his work on the 1990s series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, in which he played Nog — a member of the alien race Ferengi who ultimately joined Starfleet. The actor appeared on all seven seasons of the series and then reprised the role for appearances on Star Trek: Voyager and the Star Trek fan film Renegades.

While Eisenberg’s cause of death was not released, CNN reports that he had received two kidney transplants in his lifetime. He is survived by his wife, Malissa Longo, and two sons. 

Ric Ocasek

New Wave rocker Ric Ocasek, frontman of the Cars, died on September 15, as People reports. He was 75. The Cars, known for “My Best Friend’s Girl,” “Shake It Up,” and “Just What I Needed,” were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year. 

Eddie Money

Just a few weeks after announcing his struggle with esophageal cancer, singer Eddie Money has passed away on September 13, 2019. Money’s family gave the following statement to People: “The Money family regrets to announce that Eddie passed away peacefully early this morning. It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our loving husband and father. We cannot imagine our world without him. We are grateful that he will live on forever through his music.”

Money announced his diagnosis on his reality show Real Money, where he recounts going to the doctor for what he thought was a checkup. The “Two Tickets to Paradise” singer-songwriter’s long career earned him a Grammy nomination, as well as a string of Top 40 hits. He was on a 2019 tour as recently as July, but had to cancel the remaining dates due to his health complications.

Toni Morrison

Toni Morrison passed away at the age of 88 on August 5, 2019. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author, who was known for novels like Beloved and The Bluest Eye, was the first Black woman to win a Nobel Prize. Morrison’s family confirmed her death “with profound sadness” and told BBC that the author died “following a short illness.”

In a statement to BBC, the Morrison family said the author “passed away peacefully last night [5 August] surrounded by family and friends.” It continued, “The consummate writer who treasured the written word, whether her own, her students or others, she read voraciously and was most at home when writing… Although her passing represents a tremendous loss, we are grateful she had a long, well lived life.”

Rip Torn

Hollywood legend and comedian Rip Torn died on July 9. He was 88. Torn was best known for his role in HBO’s The Larry Sanders Show, where he played the foul-mouthed Artie; however, Torn appeared in dozens of television shows and more than 100 feature films, including The Man Who Fell to Earth, Dogdeball and Men In Black. Torn is survived by his wife, Amy Wright, and daughters Angelica and Katie.

Beth Chapman

Dog the Bounty Hunter’s wife, Beth Chapman, has lost her battle with cancer. The reality star was 51 years old. Chapman became a household figure in 2003, when Dog first aired, and while her prognosis originally looked good — Chapman was first diagnosed with stage II throat cancer in Sept. 2017 — things took a turn for the worse late last year. On June 22, Chapman was placed in a medically-induced coma.  

Gloria Vanderbilt

Socialite, model and fashion icon Gloria Vanderbilt died on June 17. She was 95. Her son, Anderson Cooper, paid tribute to his late mother on CNN just hours after her death. “She was the strongest person I’ve ever met,” Cooper said, “but she wasn’t ever tough. She never developed a thick skin to protect herself from hurt. She wanted to feel it all… she trusted too freely, too completely and suffered tremendous losses, but she always pressed on, always worked hard, [and] always believed the best was yet to come.”

Tim Conway

Comedy legend and ‘Carol Burnett Show’ alum Tim Conway died at the age of 85, his publicst confirmed to USA Today. The actor’s children, including daughter Kelly Conway resleased a stament about the loss of their father. 

“The love he gave us, and the laughter he gave the world will never be replaced but will be remembered forever,” Kelly Conway said in the touching statement. “He is at peace now but I will miss him every second of every day until we meet again in heaven. We knew he would have to leave us someday but that day came too soon.”

Doris Day

The legendary singer and actress passed away May 13 at 97. Known for her All-American looks, Day was a superstar of the silver screen in the 1950s and 60s. Her longtime-manager Bob Bashara told People the actress had a difficult time accepting death and there would be “no funeral, no memorial and no [grave] marker.”

The Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree was best known for her movies Pillow Talk, Love Me Or Leave Me and the song “Que Sera Sera” from the Alfred Hitchkock film, The Man Who Knew Too Much.

John Singleton

The Oscar-nominated Boyz N The Hood director died on April 28 after complications from a stroke and a subsequent coma. Singleton was 51. 

At the news of his passing, Hollywood stars like Angela Basset, Lawrence Fishburn, Jaime Foxx and others shared emotional messages of grief and remembrance. Singleton’s family have also released an official statement with People: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved son, father and friend, John Daniel Singleton passed away today due to complications from a stroke he suffered last Wednesday.”

Luke Perry

On Monday, March 4, Variety reported that Luke Perry had died at the age of 52 in Burbank, California. The Beverly Hills 90210 alum had been hospitalized just one week prior after suffering a stroke. 

In a statement to People magazine, reps for Perry said of his passing: “Actor Luke Perry, 52, passed away today after suffering a massive stroke. He was surrounded by his children Jack and Sophie, fiancé Wendy Madison Bauer, ex-wife Minnie Sharp, mother Ann Bennett, step-father Steve Bennett, brother Tom Perry, sister Amy Coder, and other close family and friends. The family appreciates the outpouring of support and prayers that have been extended to Luke from around the world, and respectfully request privacy in this time of great mourning. No further details will be released at this time.”

Peter Tork

On February 21, Variety reported that Peter Tork, original band member of The Monkees (pictured bottom right), had died at the age of 77. Tork’s cause of death was note reported at the time when his sister, Anne Thorkelson, confirmed his passing but he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer a decade before his death.

Karl Lagerfeld

On Feb. 19, Variety reported that legendary fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld had died at age 85. The designer, who dressed many beloved celebs including Nicole Kidman and Lady Gaga and who had worked at Chanel since 1983, reportedly died at his home in Paris but his cause of death is unknown.

Lee Radziwill

The New York Times reported that socialite Lee Radziwill, a fixture in New York society and the sister of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, had passed away at 85. Radziwill reportedly died in her home in Manhattan on Friday, Feb. 15, from natural causes.

Albert Finney

British actor Albert Finney has died. Finney, who began his career at the Royal Shakespeare Company, tackled numerous high-profile roles, including Scrooge, Daddy Warbucks, Ed Bloom Sr. in Tim Burton’s Big Fish and the mobster in Miller’s Crossing. Finney was 82.

Kristoff St. John

News of Kristoff St. John’s death broke on Feb. 4. Entertainment Tonight reported that the LAPD responded to a “possible alcohol overdose” in the San Fernando Valley area Sunday afternoon, but they could not confirm the name of the deceased and/or the cause of death. St. John — who starred on The Young and the Restless — was 52 years old. 

James Ingram

Legendary R&B singer James Ingram died on Jan. 29, following a long battle with brain cancer. Ingram, who was best known for his soulful voice, won two Grammy Awards and was nominated for multiple Golden Globes and Academy Awards. 

Fatima Ali

Chef and rising culinary star Fatima Ali died on Jan. 25 after undergoing treatment for a rare form of bone cancer. Ali was best known for her appearance on Top Chef. She was 29.

Kevin Barnett

On Jan. 22, comedian Kevin Barnett died while vacationing in Mexico. According to the Forensic Medical Service, cited by E! News, the Co-creator and executive producer of Fox’s comedy series Rel died of “non traumatic hemorrhage, caused by pancreatitis.” Barnett was 32.

Carol Channing

Legendary Broadway star Carol Channing died at the age of 97 at her home in Rancho Mirage, California, on Jan. 15. Channing wowed in musicals such as Hello, Dolly; Gentlemen PreferBlondes; and Lorelei. She earned an Oscar nod and a Golden Globe for her performance in 1967’s Thoroughly Modern Millie. The 2012 documentary, Carol Channing: Larger Than Life, chronicled her life and career. 

Jo Andres

American filmmaker, choreographer, artist and wife of Steve Buscemi, Jo Andres, died in January 2019. She was 64 years old, and while the cause of death is unknown, the couple was last photographed together in July — at the after-party for the film Puzzle, which Buscemi executive-produced. Buscemi and Andres were married for 30 years.

Gene Okerlund

On Jan. 2, the voice of wrestling was silenced: Legendary WWE announcer “Mean” Gene Okerlund died after years of health setbacks and struggles. He was 76. 

Daryl Dragon

Daryl Dragon, the “Captain” half of the musical duo Captain and Tennille, died on Wednesday, Jan. 2. The cause was renal failure. And while singing partner Toni Tennille announced Dragon’s death, the pair has been divorced since 2014 — after what Tennille described as a “very long marriage.”

Bob Einstein

Curb Your Enthusiasm actor Bob Einstein died on Jan. 2 due to complications from cancer. According to Deadline, Einstein had been recently diagnosed. And while Einstein may be best known for his role as Super Dave Osborne, the comedian’s career began in the ’60s, when he was part of the Emmy award-winning writing team for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.