Celebrities who died in 2018

Penny Marshall

Penny Marshall, the co-star of ABC's acclaimed sitcom "Laverne & Shirley," died on Dec. 17. The actress went on to become a producer and one of Hollywood's elite film directors — directing films such as “Big” and “Awakenings." She was 75.

Nancy Wilson

Nancy Wilson, a Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist who described herself as a "song stylist," died on Dec. 13. She was 81.

Sondra Locke

Actress and director Sondra Locke, who co-starred in films such as "Bronco Billy" and "Sudden Impact," died on Nov. 3. Her death was not publicized until nearly six weeks later. She was 74.

Stephen Hillenburg

Cartoonist Stephen Hillenburg, who created the hit animation "SpongeBob SquarePants" and the eccentric undersea world he inhabited, died on Nov. 26 of Lou Gehrig's disease, also known as ALS. He was 57.

Bernardo Bertolucci

Italian filmmaker Bernardo Bertolucci, popularly known for his films such as "Last Tango in Paris," which shocked the world, and "The Last Emperor" died on Nov. 26. He was 77.

Ricky Jay

Ricky Jay, a magician and actor who appeared in "Boogie Nights," "Magnolia" and other films, died on Nov. 24. He was 72.

Nicolas Roeg

Director Nicolas Roeg, known for films such as "Don't Look Now" and "The Man Who Fell to Earth," died on Nov. 23. He was 90.

Kim Porter

Model and actress Kim Porter died on Nov. 15. Porter was the former longtime girlfriend of rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs and mother of three of his children. She was 47.

Roy Clark

Country star Roy Clark, known for the show "Hee Haw" and for hits such as "Yesterday When I was Young" and "Honeymoon Feeling," died on Nov. 15. He was 85.

Katherine MacGregor

Katherine MacGregor, known for her role as Harriet Oleson, the petty gossiping mother on "Little House on the Prairie," died on Nov. 13. She was 93.

Stan Lee

Legendary comic book writer, editor and publisher Stan Lee, who gave us the grand Marvel universe, died on Nov. 12. Lee, who is considered the architect of the contemporary comic book, was 95.

Scott Wilson

Actor Scott Wilson, who played the murderer Richard Hickock in 1967's "In Cold Blood" and was a series regular on "The Walking Dead," died on Oct. 6. He was 76.

Burt Reynolds

Burt Reynolds who starred in films including "Deliverance," "Boogie Nights" and "Smokey and the Bandit," as well as TV's "Gunsmoke," died at age 82 on Sept. 6.

Mac Miller

Rapper Mac Miller died Sept. 7 of a drug overdose, according to news reports. The 26-year-old rapper had been scheduled to go on tour this fall to promote his latest album, "Swimming." 

Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin, the "Queen of Soul," died on Aug. 16, after battling pancreatic cancer. Franklin, well known for hits including "Respect" and "(You Make Me Feel Like) a Natural Woman" that proclaimed female empowerment, was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 1987. Franklin was an 18-time Grammy Award winner, and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom during George W. Bush's presidency. She was 76.

Charlotte Rae

Charlotte Rae, best known for her role as Mrs. Garrett on popular '80s sitcoms "Diff'rent Strokes" and "The Facts of Life," died Aug. 5. A cause of death was not given, but the actress revealed in April 2017 that she had bone cancer and had previously beat pancreatic cancer. She was 92.

Joël Robuchon

Renowned French chef and restaurateur Joël Robuchon died on Aug. 6, after battling pancreatic cancer. Dubbed "chef of the century" by a French restaurant guide, he owned a myriad of restaurants around  the world including in New York City, Montreal, London, Paris, Tokoyo and more. Robuchon had more Michelin guide stars than any other chef, according the his website. He was 73.

Joe Jackson

Joe Jackson, the patriarch and music manager who helped catapult his children (including Micheal Jackson and Janet Jackson, The Jackson 5) to stardom, died June 27, 2018, from pancreatic cancer. He was 89.

Richard "The Old Man" Harrison

Richard Harrison, aka "The Old Man," appeared on the History channel reality series "Pawn Stars," alongside his son Rick Harrison since 2009. Richard Harrison died June 25, from Parkinson's disease. He was 77.

Vinnie Paul

Vinnie Paul, co-founder and drummer of metal band Pantera, and a current member of Hellyeah, died June 22. No cause of death was given at the time. He was 54.

Charles Krauthammer

Charles Krauthammer, a Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post columnist and political commentator, died June 21. His son Daniel Krauthammer told The Post he died from cancer of the small intestine. He was 68 years old.

Anthony Bourdain

Anthony Bourdain, the celebrity chef, best-selling author and star of numerous culinary shows, died on June 8, according to CNN, where he worked as host of “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown.” The network reported his death was a suicide. Bourdain was known for his best-selling book "Kitchen Confidential," hosting Travel Channel's "No Reservations" and launching Food Network's "A Cook's Tour." He was 61. 

Kate Spade

Police say fashion designer Kate Spade was found dead in her Manhattan home on June 5. Officials confirmed her death was a suicide. Spade, whose maiden name was Katherine Brosnahan, was internationally known for creating a popular line of sleek handbags in the early 1990s and founding Kate Spade New York, which has more than 140 retail shops and outlet stores across the United States and more than 175 shops internationally. She was 55. 

Pamela Gidley

Pamela Gidley who starred in the "Twin Peaks" prequel, "Fire Walk With Me," died on April 16. Gidley's death was announced on April 29 in an obituary that said she "died peacefully in her home." She was 52.

Verne Troyer

Verne Troyer, who played Dr. Evil’s small, silent sidekick “Mini-Me” in the “Austin Powers” movie franchise, died on April 21. No cause of death was given, but the statement described Troyer as a “fighter." He was 49.

Avicii

Tim Bergling, the Swedish-born producer and DJ known as Avicii, died on April 20. Publicist Diana Baron said in a statement that the DJ was found dead in Muscat, Oman, just days after he was nominated for a Billboard Music Award. He was 28.

Harry Anderson

Harry Anderson, the actor best known for playing an off-the-wall judge working the night shift of a Manhattan courtroom in the television comedy series “Night Court,” was found dead in his North Carolina home on April 16. He was 65.

R. Lee Ermey

R. Lee Ermey, a former Marine who made a career in Hollywood playing hard-nosed military men such as Gunnery Sgt. Hartman in Stanley Kubrick's "Full Metal Jacket," died on April 15. Ermey's longtime manager Bill Rogin says he died from pneumonia-related complications. He was 74.

Vittorio Taviani

Italian director Vittorio Taviani, who with his brother Paolo Taviani created fims that claimed top honors at the Cannes and Berlin film festivals, died April 15. Italian President Sergio Mattarella said in a statement that his death "is a great loss for Italian cinema and culture, which are losing an undeniable and beloved protagonist." He was 88.

Milos Forman

Milos Forman, director of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and "Amadeus," died on April 13. His manager confirmed his death was at a hospital near his home in Warren, Connecticut. He was 86. 

Yvonne Staples

Yvonne Staples, of the famous pop and soul singing group, the Staple Sisters, died April 10. The singer died at her home in Chicago following a battle with colon cancer, which she was diagnosed with just two weeks prior, according to The Guardian. She was 80.

Chuck McCann

Chuck McCann, the zany comic who hosted a children's television show in the 1960s before branching out as a character actor in films and TV, died April 8. His publicist, Edward Lozzi said he died of congestive heart failure in a Los Angeles hospital. He was 83.

Isao Takahata

Isao Takahata, co-founder of the prestigious Japanese animator Studio Ghibli, died on April 5. According to a studio statement, Takahata died of lung cancer at a Tokyo hospital. He was 82.

Steven Bochco

Steven Bochco, a writer and producer known for creating the groundbreaking police drama "Hill Street Blues" and other hit television shows including "L.A. Law," ''NYPD Blue," and "Doogie Howser, M.D." died on April 1. A family spokesman says Bochco died in his sleep after a battle with cancer. He was 74.

Anita Shreve

Anita Shreve, author of “The Pilot’s Wife” and 18 other bestselling novels, died on March 29. According to a statement released by her publisher, Alfred A. Knopf, she died at home in New Hampshire after a battle with cancer. She was 71.

Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking, the British scientist who gained famed for his work with black holes and relativity, and wrote several popular science books including "A Brief History of Time," died on March 14, 2018. The famed scientist became a household name thanks to his multiple guest appearances on both "The Simpsons" and "The Big Bang Theory" and was among the most recognizable faces in science. He was 76. 

Ken Dodd

British comedian Ken Dodd, whose seven-decade career stretched from the music-hall era to the age of social media, died on March 12, according to his publicist. Dodd, who had recently been hospitalized with a chest infection, married his longtime partner Anne Jones just three days before his passing. He was 90.

David Ogden Stiers

David Ogden Stiers, a prolific actor best known for playing a surgeon on the "M.A.S.H." television series, died on Saturday, March 3, the actor's agent Mitchell Stubbs confirmed. He died at his home in Newport, Oregon after battling bladder cancer. He was 75.

Lewis Gilbert

Director Lewis Gilbert, right, whose dozens of movies included three James Bond thrillers — ”You Only Live Twice,” “The Spy Who Loved Me” and “Moonraker” — and the Swinging London classic “Alfie,” died Friday, Feb. 23, in Monaco, colleagues said. Gilbert, seen here in 1968 with Thommy Berggren and Candice Bergen, was 97.

Carolyn Droscoski

Veteran Long Island actress Carolyn Droscoski, who graced the stages of numerous Long Island theaters, most notably Theatre Three in Port Jefferson, and was known for her robust singing voice, died on Feb. 5. The Port Jefferson Station resident died of an aneurysm. She was 61.

Marty Allen

Comedian Marty Allen, fuzzy-haired member of the comedy team of Allen & Rossi, died Monday, Feb. 12. According to spokeswoman Candi Cazau, Allen, 95, died in Las Vegas of complications from pneumonia. His wife, Karon Kate Blackwell, was by his side. 

Vic Damone

Vic Damone, a popular crooner who Frank Sinatra once praised as having "the best pipes in the business," died on Sunday, Feb. 11. His daughter, Victoria Damone, told The Associated Press that Damone passed away at a Miami Beach hospital from complications of a respiratory illness. He was 89.

Reg E. Cathey

Emmy-winning actor Reg E. Cathey, best known for  his roles in "House of Cards" and "The Wire" died on Friday, Feb. 9. "The Wire" creator David Simon, announced his death in a tweet, calling him a "fine, masterful actor" and "delightful" person. He was 59.

Johann Johannsson

Johann Johannsson, an award-winning musician and film composer died on Friday, Feb. 9, in Berlin, according to his manager, Tim Husom. A native of Reykjavík, Iceland, who started out as a rock guitarist, Johannsson had most recently won a Golden Globe for his score for “The Theory of Everything.” He was 48. 

Mickey Jones

Mickey Jones, who played Rodney "Hot Rod" Dunham on "Justified" and construction worker and avid drummer Pete on the 1990s sitcom "Home Improvement," died early on Wednesday, Feb. 7, of an undisclosed illness, publicist Cherry Hepburn said. Jones worked steadily in TV since the 1970s. His movie credits included "Sling Blade," ''Tin Cup" and "Starman." He  started as a musician, playing drums with Bob Dylan and The First Edition with Kenny Rogers, among others. Jones was 76.

John Mahoney

John Mahoney, the actor who played the cranky dad in "Frasier," died on Sunday, Feb. 4, in Chicago after a brief hospitalization, his longtime manager Paul Martino said. The cause of death was not immediately announced. He was 77.

Louis Zorich

Tony Award-nominated actor Louis Zorich died on Tuesday, Jan. 30, according to a representative from his talent agency. The actor was best known for playing a grumpy Greek diner owner in "The Muppets Take Manhattan" and the father of Paul Reiser's character on the NBC sitcom "Mad About You." He was 93.

Mark Salling

Mark Salling, who played bad boy Noah "Puck" Puckerman in the hit musical-comedy "Glee," died of asphyxia by hanging on Tuesday, Jan. 30, according to the Los Angeles Coroner. His death comes just weeks after he pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. He was 35.

Ursula K. Le Guin

Ursula K. Le Guin, an American author of novels, children's books, shown in 2001, died on Jan. 22. The award-winning science fiction and fantasy writer who explored feminist themes and was best known for her Earthsea books, died peacefully at her home in Portland, Ore., according to a brief family statement posted to her Twitter account. She was 88.

Jim Rodford

Jim Rodford, the former bassist of The Kinks, died on Jan. 20. The English musician who had been performing with the band The Zombies since 1999, died after taking an accidental fall, the band announced on its official Facebook page. He was 76.

Olivia Cole

Olivia Cole, who won an Emmy Award for her portrayal of Matilda, wife to Chicken George in the landmark miniseries "Roots," died on Jan. 19, at her home in San Miguel de Allende, a central Mexico city. The cause of death was a heart attack.  She was 75.

Dorothy Malone

Dorothy Malone, seen here with Anthony Quinn in 1957, died on Friday, Jan. 19, from natural causes in her hometown of Dallas, according to her daughter Mimi Vanderstraaten. Malone was an Oscar-winning actress who won hearts of 1960s television viewers as the long-suffering mother in the nighttime soap "Peyton Place." She was 93.

Peter Mayle

Peter Mayle, author of the bestseller “A Year in Provence” and other books, died on Thursday, Jan. 18. According to a statement released by his publisher, Alfred A. Knopf, Mayle died at a hospital near his home in the south of France, after a brief illness. He was 78. 

Peter Wyngarde

Longtime British television star Peter Wyngarde died in London on Monday, Jan. 15. The stylish actor, best known for his role as Det. Jason King in the popular "Department S" TV show, had also been cited by the creators of the "Austin Powers" films as one of the inspirations for the fictional character. He was 90.

Dolores O’Riordan

Dolores O’Riordan, the feisty lead singer of Irish rock band The Cranberries, known for her distinctive wail in ’90s hits like “Linger” and “Zombie,” died on Monday, Jan. 15. No cause of death was immedaitely released following her death but publicist Lindsey Holmes said the singer’s family was “devastated” by the news. She was 46.

Bobby Zarin

On Saturday, Jan. 13, Jill Zarin announced on her website that her husband, Bobby Zarin, left, had died after a lengthy battle with cancer. The "Real Housewives of New York City" star wrote, "we are devastated to share the news that our beloved Bobby Zarin passed away peacefully today surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer. There are no words to describe how heartbroken we are." He was 71. 

Doreen Tracey

The death of Doreen Tracey, top right, was announced on Wednesday, Jan. 10. The former child star -- who played one of the original cute-as-a-button Mouseketeers in the 1950s -- was in the hospital being treated for pneumonia following a two-year long battle with cancer at the time of her death. Tracey, seen in a 2001 photo with Cheryl Holdridge, Tommy Cole and Bobby Burgess, was 74.

Jerry Van Dyke

Jerry Van Dyke, the younger brother of Dick Van Dyke, died Friday, Jan 5, in Arkansas, according to his manager. The actor had struggled for decades to achieve his own stardom before clicking as the dim-witted assistant coach Luther Van Damin on the hit show "Coach." He was 86.