In 2023, and even the start of 2024, we said goodbye to several influential celebrities, whose talents and art live on in the work they produced in their lives. Iconic actors, directors and musicians alike all left a permanent impact on popular culture.
Angus Cloud
Conor Angus Cloud Hickey was born on July 10, 1998, and died on July 31, 2023, at only the age of 25. He was an actor, best known for his role as Fezco on the drama series “Euphoria.” He was 19 when he was scouted on the street for the role. He had never acted prior to this. Following his fame in “Euphoria,” he was cast in “The Perfect Woman” as himself. In 2021, he was cast in the movie “North Hollywood.”
Between 2020 to 2023, he appeared in three music videos, two videos for Juice Wrld and one video for Becky and Karol G. In 2023, he appeared in “The Line” and signed with the United Talent Agency.
He had three unreleased movies at the time of his death. He was set to appear in Universal film “Your Lucky Day” and a drama “Freaky Tales.” He was also set to appear in a biography picture about Vietnam War veteran, Tim O’Brien.
Jimmy Buffet
Jimmy Buffet was born on Dec. 25, 1946, and died on Sept. 1, 2023. He produced music for over five decades. However, he didn’t get into music until he was in college. He saw a fraternity brother of his got more attention from girls with his ability to play guitar, which is when he decided to pick it up for himself.
After his college graduation in 1970, he moved to Nashville, Tenn. and released his first record, “Down to Earth.” In 1974, his song “Come Monday” reached 30 on the Billboard charts. Four years later, his song “Margaritaville” spent 22 weeks on the Billboard charts, reaching No. 8.
He released 27 studio albums in his lifetime. He also received multiple Grammy nominations and awards from the Academy of Country music and Country Music Association awards. He would perform on stage for thousands of people but also do impromptu performances in different bars and beaches.
At the age of 76, he ended his four-year-long battle with skin cancer. He died surrounded by his family, friends and dogs. After his passing, he held 12 of the 50 spots on the Billboard charts. “Margaritaville” hit No. 1 on the Country and Rock Digital Song Sales charts.
“I absolutely love [his music], and it’s such a great style because it’s just that beachy vibe. It’s very unique,” stated senior, and Jimmy Buffet fan, Chase Bowes
Tina Turner
Tina Turner, born Anna Mae Bullock, was born on Nov. 26, 1939, and died on May 24, 2023. As a child she would perform as a part of her church’s choir. At 17, she and her sisters would perform in nightclubs. She met Ike Turner, and eventually ended up singing with his band, Kings of Rhythm.
After the president of R&B label Sue Records heard her sing, he and Ike Turner gave her the name Tina Turner for when she performs. She released the single, “A Fool in Love,” which reached No. 2 on the Hot R&B Sides chart. On the Billboard Hot 100, she hit No. 27. After several other singles between Tina and Ike, the received a Grammy nomination for “Best Rock and Roll Performance.”
In 1962, Tina and Ike moved to Los Angeles and got married. In 1976, however, the two got divorced after having a tumultuous marriage. Tina had two biological children, but Tina also adopted two of Ike’s children.
After splitting from Ike, she began her solo career. After beginning performing on her own, she went on 11 world tours. She released six albums and 72 singles. In 2005, her song “All the Best” debuted at No. 2.
Later in life, she came out about her having multiple life-threatening illnesses, such as high blood pressure and intestinal cancer. At 83, she passed away in her home in Switzerland.
Blackman junior Rachel Parks said, “I liked her. She was an icon, a drag-queen icon.”
Glynis Johns
Glynis Johns was born on Oct. 5, 1923, and died on Jan. 4, 2024. She appeared on stage from a young age, as her mother too was an actress. She made her film debut in “South Riding” in 1938. In her life she starred in 60 movies.
Johns had a unique voice that caused several songs and roles to be written specifically for her. In 1964, she starred in Disney’s “Mary Poppins” as Winifred Banks. The song “Sister Suffragette” was written for her by the Sherman Brothers. Another song, “Send in the Clowns,” was composed by Stephen Sondheim for her in the Tony Award Winning musical, “A Little Night Music.”
Later in life, she appeared on multiple TV shows. She starred as a reoccurring character on the sitcom, “Cheers.” On CBS, she worked on the show “Murder, She Wrote” and “Coming of Age.”
In 1991, she returned to “A Little Night Music” at the age of 68, now playing the mother of the character she originated many years earlier.
At the age of 100, she passed peacefully in an assisted living home.
Matthew Perry
Matthew Perry was born on Aug. 19, 1969, and died Oct. 28, 2023. He appeared in several small roles in multiple TV shows in the 1980s into the 1990s. At the age of 24, he was cast in the show “Six of One,” later called “Friends.”
The character of Chandler Bing made Perry an international celebrity. In 2002, he earned an Emmy nomination for “Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.”
“His humor, I think, is what made him such a good fit because he was naturally sarcastic and funny, not just in what he said but also the way he moved. I know it’s scripted and everything, but I thought he was such a good actor for comedic relief but also with a bit of trauma,” said senior and “Friends” watcher Megan Hickman.
Following the fame from “Friends” he starred in multiple movies. In 2006, he starred as Ron Clark in “The Ron Clark Story.” The movie earned him a Golden Globe and Emmy nomination. In 2009, he starred alongside Zac Efron in “17 Again.”
In 2011, he wrote and starred in his own comedy called “Mr. Sunshine.” In 2014, he helped write and produce the reboot of “The Odd Couple.”
In 2021, he attended the special “Friends: The Reunion.” A year later, he wrote a memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” which became a bestseller on Amazon and the New York Times charts.
From a young age, Perry struggled with alcoholism. He had suffered drug use his whole life, and he went to rehab and several alcoholics anonymous meetings over the years.
After his long battle, he finally became sober and was dedicated to speaking out about men’s mental health and drug issues in America. He was a celebrity spokesperson for the National Association of Drug Court Professionals and received a Champion of Recovery award from the White House office of National Drug Control Policy. He also opened the Perry House, a rehab center in his former mansion. During 2020, he created a clothing line where all the proceeds went the World Healt Organization (WHO) for COVID-19 relief.
At only 54, he was found dead at his home in Los Angeles. Perry said, “I would like to be remembered as somebody who lived well, loved well, was a seeker.”
Many fans felt shock and sad this year when a celebrity passed, but luckily their legacy and memory can live on. They touched many people whether it was through song, entertainment, movies, or their actions.
