In Memoriam: Remembering the classic stars we lost in 2023

This year we had to say goodbye to familiar faces from Laverne & Shirley, Lost in Space, Night Court, and more.

Image: The Everett Collection

As we reach the end of the year, we want to take a moment to reflect upon the beloved familiar faces that passed away in 2023.

Over the past 12 months, we have had to say goodbye to sitcom legends, groundbreaking singers, classic horror icons, and more. Their work and how they touched lives will continue to live on.

Here are some of the losses that hit the TV industry in 2023.

R.I.P. Norman Lear, TV legend who created All in the Family, Sanford and Son, and much more

 

There was no topic off limits for the legendary producer and writer. Lear was 101.

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R.I.P. Cindy Williams, Shirley Feeney from Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley

 

The classic actress was nominated for a BAFTA for her role opposite Ron Howard in American Graffiti.

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R.I.P. Richard Moll, gentle giant bailiff Bull on Night Court

 

He became a fan favorite on the courtroom sitcom, and later voiced an iconic Batman villain. The actor was 80 years old.

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R.I.P. Mark Goddard, Maj. Don West of Lost in Space

 

After piloting the Jupiter 2, the actor went on to become a special education teacher. He was 87 years old.

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R.I.P. Adam Rich, child star best known as Nicholas Bradford from ''Eight Is Enough''

 

Rich was just 8 years old when he displayed the memorable pageboy haircut with his character of Nicholas Bradford.

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R.I.P. Lisa Loring, the original Wednesday from The Addams Family

 

Loring took over the grim role of Wednesday Addams when she was just 6 years old, three years after her child modeling career began.

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R.I.P. Ricou Browning, the aquatic Gill-man in Creature From the Black Lagoon

 

The underwater legend came back twice more as the Gill-man before creating the Flipper franchise. He was 93 years old.

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R.I.P. Tina Turner, legendary singer, actress and inspirational figure

 

The trailblazing singer and dancer, dubbed "The Queen of Rock and Roll," was 83.

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R.I.P. Eileen Saki, known for classic role as Rosie on M*A*S*H

 

The actress, who also appeared in Splash, was 79.

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R.I.P. David Crosby, co-founder of '60s rock groups The Byrds, Crosby, Stills & Nash

 

A long-lasting legacy will live on through some of the most influential music of the 1960s.

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R.I.P. Harry Belafonte, singer, actor and civil rights activist

 

The singer behind such hits as "The Banana Boat Song (Day-O)" and "Jump in the Line" was 96.

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R.I.P. Suzanne Somers, Chrissy from Three's Company

 

The classic TV star was 76.

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R.I.P. Bob Barker, ''The Price is Right'' and ''Truth or Consequences'' host and animals rights activist

 

He guest-starred on Bonanza, advocated for spaying and neutering pets, and refused to host a beauty pageant due to their use of fur. The long-time game show host was 99.

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R.I.P. Bert I. Gordon, classic B-movie director and creator of several Svengoolie favorites

 

The horror and sci-fi legend gave us giant spiders, rampaging mutants and shrinking men. He was 100 years old.

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R.I.P. Tony Bennett: American landmark dies at 96

 

He collaborated with the greats of the history of pop music, from Rosemary Clooney and Count Basie to Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga.

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R.I.P. Marty Krofft, who partnered with brother Sid to create an empire of kid's TV shows

 

They started by designing sets and costumes for Hanna-Barbera and shaped the landscape of children's TV in the Seventies. Marty Krofft was 86.

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R.I.P. Lara Parker, Angelique on the gothic soap ''Dark Shadows''

 

She captivated audiences as she went up against Barnabas Collins, and later wrote several novels based on the show. The actress, author, and teacher was 84.

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R.I.P. Gerald Castillo of Saved by the Bell

 

The actor played A.C. Slater's father on the hit sitcom.

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R.I.P. Michael Norell, Capt. Hank Stanley on Emergency!

 

The actor/producer/screenwriter was 85.

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R.I.P. Judy Farrell, who appeared on M*A*S*H alongside her husband, Mike Farrell

 

M*A*S*H fans may recognize her as Nurse Able from her multiple episodes.

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R.I.P. Carole Cook, wife to Don Knotts in ''The Incredible Mr. Limpet,'' frequent guest on ''The Lucy Show''

 

Comedic legend Lucille Ball convinced Cook to head west to California. She did, and an impressive career in television and film followed.

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R.I.P. Earl Boen, Reverend Lloyd Meechum from ''Mama's Family,'' Dr. Silberman in ''Terminator'' franchise

 

With nearly 300 acting and voice credits to his name, Earl Boen had no shortage of success in the entertainment industry.

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R.I.P. Inga Swenson, Hoss Cartwright's mother on Bonanza

 

The acclaimed actress was 90.

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84 Comments

Spaceseed 9 months ago
Seems like I grew up along side of these folks. Golden Hollywood is mostly gone from us.
bw19751975 9 months ago
There where so many last year, probably could not fit all like, Matthew Perry, Ryan O Neil, Stella Stevens, and I know he had a trouble later life Robert Blake Barretta. Keep your eye on the sparrow !!!
Franee 9 months ago
Delighted to be part of my fave horror movie madness! Thanks for all the classic terror trivia, jokes, puns, mirth & merriment - KOZ u r the BEST, RICH!
Sorry, I seem inappropriate & jovial instead of serious & respectful.
We were indeed blessed with so many memorable performers/actors/singers/comedians who are entertaining in Heaven now. Each one gifted us with a treasure chest of memories & talent & we are forever grateful.
🙏🏻🎭🎬🧛‍♂️🧟🎼🎤🎸🎹🤣👌❤️
AlexMaryRain 9 months ago
How about David McCallum? I love him on the Man From U.N.C.L.E.
clrayles 9 months ago
Don’t forget legendary comedian Shecky Greene who passed away on 12/31.
lschlesi 9 months ago
If you live long enough (I've just turned 75 on Christmas Day) everyone you ever knew as the "adults" when you were a child will be gone, along with a lot of your friends and family from your own generation. And, of course, the people you watched on the big and little screen will continue to disappear at a steady rate until it is your turn to occupy the box. This life is only a temporary period, like an exam at school. When time is called, your test is scored and you get the grade (and the fate) that you've earned and deserve, as have all who have gone before you. Unfortunately, many of us are not even aware we are being tested.
2006unknown lschlesi 9 months ago
Hebrews 9:27 - "And just as it is destined for people to die once, and after this comes judgment"
scott lschlesi 9 months ago
Lovely. Thank you.
Jamesduffy05 lschlesi 9 months ago
Well said!
JustGeri 9 months ago
How did I miss Mike Storell??!! Dang…loved Captain Stanley!!
JustGeri JustGeri 9 months ago
Norell! Geesh
KV 9 months ago
Unless I missed it, left off the list is David McCallum, most recently "Ducky" on "NCIS", and the 60's Illya Kuryakin on "The Man From Uncle", and also movies, most notably, "The Great Escape"
ww245 9 months ago
Like sands thru an hour glass, we're losing all those people who brought good entertainment to TV and movies. All I can do is hope there's a great theater in the afterlife to watch all the excitement in. I feel so alone at times with those characters we grew up with.....RIP all....
QazWiz 9 months ago
very sad that MeTV only R.I.P.'s stars that they have in the lineup
we'll need to wait for the big three awards (Tony's, Emmy's & Oscars) to see the best lists...
and still not see the Musical ones that stayed in the studios....
terrymarvin 9 months ago
Saturday, December 30, 2023--6:13 pm CST

I don't know if yall know who the Smothers Brothers were, they had a variety show called "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour". Tommy Smothers passed away from lung cancer on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at his home in Santa Rosa, California at the age of 86. His brother Dick announced his death on Tuesday, December 26, 2023. I thought I would mention it to you.

Terry Marvin (Dallas, Texas, USA)
theFAN2000 terrymarvin 9 months ago
The date on the story is 12/26 so probably they did it before really having the info on his passing. I am sure they would have included him if they had.
justbeinme terrymarvin 9 months ago
sad for such a loved icon of our times, I never heard that he had passed.. Thank you for letting us know...
QazWiz terrymarvin 9 months ago
FRANKLY, i think if you're too young to had chance to see The Smothers Brothers you shouldn't be allowed to vote for any State or National election... they were the Chappell of 70's Comedy
QazWiz theFAN2000 9 months ago
yeah any list needs to wait for late entries... probably list was made as early as 15th (of December) but certainly before Christmas Eve so done for the holidays :-(
ww245 terrymarvin 9 months ago
Thanx for mentioning it and OMG, the Smothers Brothers show was a staple at my house. Loved the skit with Mama Cass and Tommy singing "Dream a little dream of me".....that was so funny!
GEMof72 terrymarvin 9 months ago
Wow! Didn’t know, 🥲🥲🕊️
GMan321 9 months ago
Great article, but big omission with Phyllis Coates, Lois Lane in the first season of The Adventures of Superman starring George Reeves. Also absent from the list is Superman alumni Judy Nugent, as mentioned by another poster here. Both passed away within the past couple of months or so.
QazWiz GMan321 9 months ago
not MeTV i don't think... Reeves' Superman use to be on MeTV on weekends but haven't seen it this year so thinking maybe the stopped buying it last January .... sure i saw it last year though
Chuckman333 9 months ago
A very rough years for celebrities.
God bless those left behind
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