Paying tribute to the stars we've lost in 2019 - in memoriam
We honour the stars we've lost, through the words of those who knew them best.
2019 has already seen us say farewell to a number of famous faces from the world of entertainment. Here, we pay tribute to stars of TV, film, music and beyond, along with the words of their friends, colleagues and loved ones – gone, but never forgotten.
Claudine Auger - actress who played Bond girl Domino in Thunderball - died December 18
"Farewell Claudine Auger, the most beautiful Bond girl of all. You haunted my dreams as Domino in Thunderball" - David Walliams
Nicky Henson – actor known for roles in Fawlty Towers and as Jack Edwards in EastEnders – died December 15
"Truly devastated to hear about the passing of my beautiful TV Dad. A wonderfully talented actor, a true gentleman, not forgetting his terrifically wicked sense of humour. Thinking of his family." – Emma Barton
Rene Auberjonois – who played Odo in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine – died December 8
"I love and respect Rene more than I can say right now. This beautiful soul. My heart. Oh" – Nana Visitor
Ron Leibman - actor, who played Rachel's father on Friends - died December 6
"So many of the best memories of my career, have Ron Leibman in them. Thank you, Ron. For my being my champion. Rest, my friend." – Sally Field
Dorothy Catherine "DC" Fontana – Star Trek writer – died December 2
"As a writer, Fontana is credited with many episodes focusing on Vulcan culture and helped blaze a trail for female writers in sci-fi television. She is the mind behind The Original Series and The Animated Series episodes like “Yesteryear” and “Journey to Babel,” which introduced Spock’s father Sarek and mother Amanda. She co-wrote the Hugo Award nominated The Next Generation episode “Encounter at Farpoint” with Gene Rodenberry, and she continued to write for TNG and Deep Space Nine. Her last produced credit was an episode of webseries Star Trek: New Voyages, starring Walter Koenig." – Star Trek
Clive James - author, broadcaster and presenter of Radio 4's Point of View - died November 24
"RIP Clive James, 80. A brilliantly funny man." – Piers Morgan
"Woe, Clive James has also died, the best telly critic that ever there was." – Rev Richard Coles
Gary Rhodes - celebrity chef best known for MasterChef and Rhodes around Britain - died November 26
"Shocked and really very sad to hear about the passing of Chef Gary Rhodes. Met him through work on several occasions and he was always so inspiring, polite and very kind to my staff and I. He will always remain a British culinary icon never to be forgotten." – Sabrina Ghayour
"So so sad to hear about Gary Rhodes. His banana and syrup loaf was the first thing I baked all on my own. The pages are stuck together with syrup So much love to his family #garyrhodes." – Candice Brown
Gay Byrne - broadcaster and presenter of Ireland's Late Late Show - died November 4
"So very sad to hear about the passing of Gay Byrne. He was a giant in broadcasting. He showed us all how it should be done. Generous, funny, informed but more than anything else, completely at ease on air. My thoughts are with Kathleen, the girls and a nation that adored him." – Graham Norton
John Witherspoon - actor who played Willie Jones aka Pops in Friday - died October 29
"I'm devastated over the passing of John Witherspoon. Life won't be as funny without him." – Ice Cube
"My dad, my grandpa, my comedic inspiration! I love you Spoons! Rest In Paradise, King." – Regina King
"I'm sad. Broken. Hurt.. yet extremely grateful to God that I got to spend 5 years of my life working with one of the funniest sweetest wisest humblest loving man @johnnywitherspoon you were my tv dad and my mentor and my friend. I miss you already. Something don't feel right. This is heavy on my heart. Anyone that knows me knows how much I love pops. You have a strong wife and great kids. What an amazing family. Your boys damn near grew up on the #Wayansbros set they'll always be like my little brothers and sons. I will pass on all the jewels that you bestowed on to us. Thank you God for the many many many laughs that we shared on and off the set. You got "all the keys" and I know you got one to heaven's gate. Anytime I want to laugh or to see you I'm gonna put on a episode of Wayans Bros and laugh until I cry. I miss already... hope your dancing in heaven with ugly white shoes on. 'Pops pops sugar pops'." – Marlon Wayans
Leah Bracknell – actress who played Zoe Tate in Emmerdale – died October 16
"So sorry to hear that the beautiful soul, Leah Bracknell, has lost her battle with cancer. The world has lost a little sparkle." - Sally Ann Matthews
"Everyone on Emmerdale is very sad to hear of the death of Leah Bracknell. Leah was a hugely popular member of the Emmerdale cast for over 16 years. During that time she featured in some of the show's most high profile and explosive plots and always delivered a pitch perfect performance.
"Zoe Tate was one of soaps first lesbian characters and Leah made sure the character was both exciting and credible. Leah herself was a very generous and caring colleague, much loved by cast and crew alike." - John Whiston, MD Continuing Drama & Head of ITV in the North
Robert Forster – actor best known for roles in Jackie Brown, Twin Peaks and Last Man Standing – died October 11
"I'm saddened today by the news that Robert Forster has passed away. A lovely man and a consummate actor. I met him on the movie Alligator (pic) 40 years ago, and then again on BB. I never forgot how kind and generous he was to a young kid just starting out in Hollywood. RIP Bob." - Bryan Cranston
"Had the honor of making this little gem of a movie (Diamond Men) with this incredible gem of a man — Robert Forster. Truly one of the kindest, most giving actors/human beings that I’ve ever worked with, and forever a dear friend. He’ll be missed." - Donnie Wahlberg
Juliette Kaplan - actress who played Pearl in Last Of The Summer Wine - died October 10
"Juliette Kaplan, 'Our Pearl', has finally succumbed to the cancer she has bravely battled for so long. Thank you everyone who sent their love and support to this fearless and supremely gifted actress. As she said, 'Ta-ta and it's been fun'." - her agent Barry Langford
Diahann Carroll - star of Dynasty - died on October 4
"Diahann Carroll walked this earth for 84 years and broke ground with every footstep. An icon. One of the all-time greats. She blazed trails through dense forests and elegantly left diamonds along the path for the rest of us to follow. Extraordinary life. Thank you, Ms. Carroll." - Ava DuVernay
Peter Sissons - news broadcaster for ITV and the BBC – died October 2
"Very sorry to hear of the death of former colleague Peter Sissons. A great journalist and a fine presenter at ITN and the BBC. #RIP" – Simon McCoy
"Great sadness here at ITN at the death of Peter Sissons who worked here from 1964, he was Industrial Editor in the 1970s and then presenter of News at One." – Chris Choi
Rob Garrison – actor, best known for his role as Tommy in The Karate Kid – died September 27
"Rob Garrison was a kind gentleman from the 1st day I met him to the last day we spoke. I am so glad he had the opportunity to show his range & genuine heart w/his performance last season on Cobra Kai. His campfire scene was of my favs of Season 2. RIP my friend. U will b missed." – Ralph Macchio
"Our entire Karate Kid/Cobra Kai family is devastated by the news of OG Cobra Rob Garrison's passing. He was a truly gifted performer and an even better man. My heart goes out to Rob's family during this difficult time.
"I'm heartened to know how much Rob enjoyed and cherished his time working on Cobra Kai. We were looking forward to seeing his smiling face again this season, as we had plans for Tommy to ride again. But he'll remain in our thoughts every day as we strive to make him proud." – Jon Hurwitz
Linda Porter – actor, best known for her role as Myrtle in Superstore – died September 26
"Here’s hoping the angels don’t call cut right away because your best stuff always came at the end. We’ll miss you Linda Porter." – Ben Feldman
"RIP Linda Porter. A true delight of a person who was up for anything." – Vanessa Ramos
Sid Haig – horror star, filmmaker and musician – died September 21
"On Saturday, September 21, 2019, my light, my heart, my true love, my King, the other half of my soul, Sidney, passed from this realm on to the next. He has returned to the Universe, a shining star in her heavens. He was my angel, my husband, my best friend and always will be. He adored his family, his friends and his fans. This came as a shock to all of us. We, as a family, are asking that our privacy and time to mourn be respected. Sidney Eddie Mosesian 7/14/39 - 9/21/19 Husband, Father, Grandfather, Friend.Goodnight, my love. We will find each other again, next time. I love you." - Susan L Oberg, Sid's wife
"#RIP #SidHaig He will be missed by many. Talented actor with a huge heart. An absolute legend. #tuttif**kingfruity" - AllHorror
Aron Eisenberg – Star Trek: Deep Space Nine star – died September 21
"It is with extreme regret and sadness to announce that my love and best friend, Aron Eisenberg, passed away earlier today. He was an intelligent, humble, funny, emphatic soul. He sought to live his life with integrity and truth. He was so driven to put the best he had into whatever work was put before him." - Malissa Longo, his wife
"I have lost a great friend and the world has lost a great heart. He was a man of conviction and enormous sensitivity and the best of humanity. Kitty and I grieve for Aron, his boys, and Malissa. Flights of angels my friend...you will be missed. There are no words..." - Armin Shimerman
Eddie Money – Grammy-nominated rock singer and songwriter – died September 13
"It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our loving husband and father. It's so hard to imagine our world without him. However he will live on forever through his music." - Money family
"RIP my friend. Memories like this and your music will live forever. Our love goes out to your wonderful family. I know you and Bill are rocking. May every cover band play an Eddie Money song tonight." - Sammy Hagar
John Wesley – actor known for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – died September 9
"Sad to hear of the passing of #JohnWesley. Grateful to have known & worked with him in the play “BIRD”where he was brilliant as Charlie Parker when I was a young grad student @UCSDTheatre. He was a gifted generous actor, teacher, mentor & sweet soul. RIP Dear John." - Gloria Mann
"Rest in a power #JohnWesley...I had the pleasure of workshopping a play with John, such a gift. A phenomenal actor." - Simone Missick
Photo Director, Hearst UK
Shyvonne Thomas is Digital Spy's Photo Director, looking after Digital Spy's and Hearst's digital brand visuals across the board. She also writes and conducts interviews specialising in the Power shows, anything Beyoncé, family days out, as well as championing content across Black TV shows and movies.
Having started her career as Shopping Assistant for Mother & Baby and Pregnancy and Birth magazines in 2010, Shyvonne moved on to become Picture Assistant at heat magazine in 2012, before joining the Daily Star, Express and OK! websites as Galleries Editor in 2014.
Shyvonne is an NCTJ-accredited journalist and studied an honours degree in Journalism. In 2021, Shyvonne was shortlisted for the PPA Unsung Hero Award. Shyvonne is also a proud mum.
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