Throughout 2022, the world mourned the passing of many celebrities and influential people. It wouldn’t be right to move ahead in 2023 without giving these people a proper send off. 

Queen Elizabeth ll: Arguably one of the most recognizable people in the world, Queen Elizabeth passed on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96 years old. Her death sent shockwaves around the world as she was the longest reigning British monarch in history. Her ability to lead the British was her defining quality, as well as her kindness. While we might not be able to fully understand her lasting legacy right now, there is no doubt that she will be remembered and missed for generations to come.

Olivia Newton-John: Olivia Newton-John passed on August 8, 2022, at the age of 73 years old. The British-Australian singer was most widely known for her musical talent and acting skills. Newton-John was a four-time Grammy winner, and throughout her career she earned numerous other awards. Newton-John’s acting career was most known for her role as Sandy Olsen in the 1978 movie, Grease, which many students here have performed at some time on stage. Newton-John’s career will be remembered for years as she truly was a multi-talented star.

Barbara Walters: Arguably the most hard hitting death to the journalism world in years, Barbara Walters passed on December 30, 2022, at the age of 93 years old. Her work as a woman in a heavily male dominated field forever changed the landscape of journalism. When asked who inspired them to become a journalist, many will say Walters. She broke glass ceilings and truly opened the doors for women in this field. She was even able to create the hit daytime TV show, The View, where a panel of women from numerous different backgrounds such as: age, ethnicity, and political beliefs. Walters will go down as one of the greatest journalists of all time, and the entire journalism world will greatly miss her work.

Pelé: One of the most recognizable names in sports, and one of, if not the most recognizable sports figure of the 20th century. Pelé otherwise known as Edson Arantes do Nascimento, passed on December 29, 2022, at the age of 82. After a long battle with cancer, the world finally said goodbye to one of the greatest footballers to ever strap on a boot. Pelé’s legacy will be unlike any other. He was the only player in history to win three World Cups in 1958, 1962, and 1970 with Brazil. Pelé changed the way that the sport is played today, and players like him truly come around once in a generation.

While those were just some of the celebrities that we lost in 2022, here are many of the other notable passes that we need to remember.

Sydney Poitier: Poitier was the first ever African American to the Academy Award for best actor for his role in Lilies of the Field, and changed the entertainment buisness for many like him.

Sacheen Littlefeather: Littlefeather was a Native American actress who fought for Native American rights, and she gave one of the most memorable, and powerful speeches at the 1973 Academy Awards.

Bob Saget: Known best for his role Danny Tanner on Full House, Saget was one of most recognizable actors in the 90’s.

Angela Lansbury: Known most for being the voice of Mrs. Potts in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Lansbury was an actress who was extremely talented at playing a wide variety of roles. 

Stephen “tWitch” Boss: Stephen Boss, also known as “tWitch”, was a dancer who was the DJ on the Ellen Degeneres show. His death shocked fans as he was only 40 years old. Boss and Ellen were always seen having fun together on her show. 

Robbie Coltrane: Harry Potter fans felt this one very hard. Coltrane, who played Hagrid in the Harry Potter series, was the actor behind the lovable character that we all knew and loved.

Ivana Trump: Ivana Trump was the first wife of former President Donald J. Trump. Her passing on July 14 was fairly sudden for the Trump family. She divorced from Donald Trump in 1992, and she also is the mother to Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Ivanka Trump. 

Naomi Judd: Judd’s passing on April 30 meant that the U.S. had lost one of its greatest country singers of the 20th century. Judd was one of the first major female country singers in the 80’s to win multiple Grammys.

Pope Benedict XVI: Another major death was Pope Benedict XVI, who passed on December 31. Benedict was pope between 2005 and 2013, and he became the first ever pope to resign and not die sitting as Pope. 

Leslie Jordan: Leslie Jordan was a beloved actor who starred in numerous TV shows throughout the past 40 years. His light hearted spirit and his bubbly personality were some of his best traits, and whenever he was on a talk show, you could bet that he would get the whole audience laughing.

2022 was a very difficult year to say goodbye to all of these celebrities, as they left such big impacts on so many different people. Their talents stretched far and their impact can be felt all over the world. They all left lasting marks while they were here, and we will miss them all so much.