Stage and Screen Legends Lost in 2022

Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that this website contains images and names of deceased persons.

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The stage and screen world lost many legends in 2022. Some were screen icons from the Golden Age of Hollywood era, while others were still young and in their primes.

Whether they had small character-actor parts that always made you laugh, had well respected supporting roles or Oscar-winning performances in bonafide classics, these fallen stars all deserve their stamp on the entertainment world.

May their roles continue to bring entertainment and inspiration to all who watch them for many decades to come.

British-American actress, Dame Angela Lansbury

16 October 1925 - 11 October 2022

Dame Angela Lansbury was a stage and screen icon whose career spanned an incredible eight decades. Playing in countless TV, film and theatre roles, her most recognised ones were in Murder, She Wrote, Gaslight and Bedknobs and Broomsticks. Lansbury died peacefully in her sleep, aged 96. You can read her full tribute here.       

American actress, Anne Heche

25 May 1969 - 12 August 2022

Starring in a variety of genres in film, television and theatre, Anne Heche received multiple Emmy Awards. Her most famous roles were in Walking and Talking (1996), Donnie Brasco (1997) and high profile roles in 1997 films Volcano and I Know What You Did Last Summer. Her leading role alongside Harrison Ford in Six Days Seven Nights (1998) is another fan favourite. Anne Heche passed away aged 52 in a fatal LA car accident.

American actress, Betty White

17 January 1922 - 31 December 2021

Best known for her role as Rose on The Golden Girls (1985) and The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970), Betty White had a long history in television, dating back to 1952. She is also remembered for her devoted efforts and love for animals and high involvement as an animal activist. Betty White passed away in her sleep, aged 99.  You can read her full tribute here.

American comedian and actor, Bob Saget

17 May 1956 - 9 January 2022

Robert Saget was best known for his role as Danny Tanner on the popular American sitcom Full House from 1987 to 1995.  He also hosted America's Funniest Home Videos for eight years and was the voice of narrator Ted Mosby on How I Met Your Mother. Also a talented stand-up comedian, his 2014 album That's What I'm Talkin' About was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album. Bob Saget tragically died from an accidental fall in his hotel room while on his stand-up tour, he was 65.  

American actress, Estelle Harris

22 April 1928 - 2 April 2022

Estelle Harris was a popular actress and comedienne best known for her exaggerated laugh and high-pitched voice as Estelle Costanza on the popular TV sitcom, Seinfeld. Estelle Harris passed away of natural causes, aged 93.

American actor, James Caan

26 March 1940 -  6 July 2022

James Caan came onto the movie scene playing Sonny Corleone in The Godfather (1972), which earned him Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actor. He repeated his role in The Godfather Part II (1974). With 137 credits as an actor from 1961 to 2021, Caan had a legendary body of work under his belt. James Caan died of a heart attack at the age of 82.

Australian television presenter and actor, John Hamblin

18 March 1935 - 21 September 2022

John Hamblin, was a British-born Australian children's television presenter and actor who is best known for this role as a Play School presenter for nearly 30 years. With his cheeky sense of humour and clever wit he became one of Australia's most loved presenters. Hamblin also appeared in many TV shows like Number 96, Class of '74, Sons and Daughters and The Young Doctors. John Hamblin passed away at the age of 87.

American actress, Kirstie Alley

12 January 1951 - 5 December 2022

Kirstie Alley was best known for her role as Rebecca Howe in the popular American sitcom Cheers, which she received an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe for her role in 1991. Notable films she starred in included Look Who's Talking (1989), For Richer or Poorer (1997) and Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999). From 1997 to 2000, Alley starred in Veronica's Closet, which earned her further Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. Kirstie Alley passed away following a short battle with cancer, she was 71.

American actor, Leslie Jordan

29 April 1955 - 24 October 2022

Leslie Jordan was a comedian, writer and singer who had memorable roles in popular TV shows Will & Grace and American Horror Story. Jordan died after he crashed his car in LA after suffering a medical emergency. He was 67 years old. You can read his full tribute here.

New Zealand actor, Marshall Napier

22 October 1951 - 14 August 2022

James Marshall Napier had a succession of strong supporting roles in Australasian film and television shows and also had a noteworthy stage career. Most remembered for his roles in the Light Between Oceans (2016), Babe (1995) and TV series Police Rescue (1989), McLeod's Daughters (2001-2006), All Saints (1998) and Water Rats (1996-1999). Marshall Napier passed away from brain cancer, aged 70.

American actor, Michael Hagerty

May 10 1954 - May 5 2022

Often seen in blue-collar worker comedy roles, Hagerty's most famous was his recurring role as Mr. Treeger, the building superintendent, on Friends and the manager of a muffler shop on HBO's Lucky Louie. Michael Hagerty passed away aged 67.

American actress and singer, Nichelle Nichols

28 December 1932 - 30 July 2022

Nichelle Nichols has been remembered for her role as Nyota Uhura in Star Trek and its film sequels. Her portrayal of Uhura was an inspiration for African American actresses on American television. Nichols volunteered at NASA to promote their programs and recruit diverse astronauts, including women and ethnic minorities from 1977 until 2015. She passed away aged 89.

Australian icon, Dame Olivia Newton-John

26 September 1948 - 8 August 2022

Dame Olivia Newton-John was a British-Australian singer, actress and activist and four-time Grammy Award winner.  Fans first fell in love with Newton-John's natural beauty and down to earth charm in her on screen-performance with John Travolta in the hit musical film Grease. Her iconic music career included five number-one songs and many other top-ten hits. Olivia Newton-John passed away following her long journey with breast cancer. She was 73.

American actress and comedian,

5 May 1927 - 30 July 2022

Patricia Carroll was the voice of Ursula in The Little Mermaid (1989) and all Ursula role sequels followed. She is remembered for her comedy appearances in The Danny Thomas Show (1953), Laverne & Shirley (1976) and ER. The actress and entertainer was also an Emmy, Drama Desk, and Grammy Award winner, as well as a Tony Award nominee. Carroll passed away in her Massachusetts home, aged 95.

American actor Paul Sorvino

13 April 1939 - 25 July 2022

Paul Sorvino's tall, dark and imposing presence often saw him playing authority figures on both sides of the law. Best remembered for his roles in Goodfellas (1990), the Rocketeer (1991) Nixon (1995) and Falling (2016) as well as TV show Law & Order. Paul Sorvino passed away of natural causes, aged 83.

American actor, Philip Baker Hall

10 September 1931 - 12 June 2022

Philip Baker Hall was well known for his collaborations with Paul Thomas Anderson in Boogie Nights (1997) and Magnolia (1999). He also had leading roles in films, Secret Honor (1984) where fans enjoyed his turn as Richard Nixon and also his performance as a veteran gambler in Hard Eight (1996). Philip Baker Hall passed away aged 90 from emphysema.

American actor, Ray Liotta

18 December 1954 - 26 May 2022

Best remembered for playing the tough guy in films like Something Wild (1986),Goodfellas (1990), Cop Land (1997) and Narc (2002). Liotta returned to TV in cop drama Shades of Blue (2016) alongside Jennifer Lopez. Ray Liotta passed away in the Dominican Republic aged 67.

Scottish actor, comedian, Robbie Coltrane

30 March 1950 - 14 October 2022

Robbie Coltrane gained worldwide recognition in the 2000s for playing Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter film series and was appointed an OBE in the 2006 New Year Honours by Queen Elizabeth II. Coltrane also appeared in films Nuns on the Run (1990) and in the James Bond films GoldenEye (1995) and The World Is Not Enough (1999). Other appearances included Ocean's Twelve (2007), The Brothers Bloom (2008), Great Expectations (2012) and voice acting roles in animation films The Tale of Despereaux (2008) and Brave (2012). Contrane suffered from osteoarthritis in later life and passed away in October, aged 72.

Bahamian-American actor and diplomat, Sidney Poitier

20 February 1927 - 6 January 2022

The first black actor and first Bahamian to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Lilies of the Field in 1963, Poitier was also a strong advocate in the Civil Rights movement during this time. Other notable roles were in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner and To Sir, with Love. Sidney Poitier passed away, aged 94.

Australian actor and activist, Uncle Jack Charles

5 September 1943 - 13 September 2022

 

Jack Charles will be remembered for his advocacy for Aboriginal people and for establishing the first Indigenous theatre in Australia in 1971. A member of the Stolen Generation, Jack spent his life between acting, addiction, crime and doing time, later becoming a role model for LGBTQI Indigenous Youth. He was awarded Australian of the Year in 2015 and Male Elder of the Year in 2022 National NAIDOC Week Awards.

American actor, William Hurt

20 March 1950 - 13 March 2022

Nominated for three consecutive Best Actor Academy Awards in the mid-1980s, his films included Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985), Children of a Lesser God (1986) and Broadcast News (1987). Hurt studied acting at the Juilliard School with Robin Williams and Christopher Reeve before starring in 1980 film, Altered States, which won him a Golden Globe nomination. Hurt passed away aged 71 from natural causes.

By Kirsten Jakubenko

Sources:

• https://www.mytributes.com.au/article/tribute-angela-lansbury/4478958/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leslie_Jordan  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0756114/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
• https://tedxsydney.com/contributor/uncle-jack-charles/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Charles
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Saget https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001627/
• https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/celebrity-deaths/oscarwinning-actor-william-hurt-dead-at-71/news-story/04b576b89378556df716cbbe54949204  https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/ray_liotta
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Baker_Hall https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001311/?ref_=nmbio_bio_nm
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Caan https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000649/
• https://www.newidea.com.au/john-hamblin-death  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robbie_Coltrane
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Hagerty https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estelle_Harris#Personal_life_and_death