2023, just like any other year, had its share of highs and lows. While new stars emerged in the entertainment scene, others quietly left the stage but left an indelible mark.
Lisa Marie Presley, singer and daughter of Elvis Presley
Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of Elvis Presley and a singer-songwriter dedicated to her father's legacy, died after being hospitalized for a medical emergency. She was 54.
Her death in a Los Angeles hospital was confirmed by her mother, Priscilla, a few hours after her daughter was rushed to the hospital by paramedics after a medical episode at her home.
"It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us," Priscilla Presley said in a statement. "She was the most passionate, strong and loving woman I have ever known."
Fashion designer Paco Rabanne
Paco Rabanne, the Spanish-born designer known for perfumes sold worldwide but who made his name with metallic space-age fashions that put a bold, new edge on catwalks, died aged 88.
Rabanne was known as a rebel designer in a career that blossomed with his collaboration with the family-owned Puig, a Spanish company that now also owns other design houses, including Nina Ricci, Jean Paul Gaultier, Carolina Herrera and Dries Van Noten. The company also owns the fragrance brands Byredo and Penhaligon's.
Hollywood sex symbol Raquel Welch
Raquel Welch, whose emergence from the sea in a skimpy, furry bikini in the film "One Million Years B.C." would propel her to international sex symbol status throughout the 1960s and '70s died aged 82 after a short illness.
Welch's breakthrough came in 1966's campy prehistoric flick "One Million Years B.C.," despite having a grand total of three lines. Clad in a brown doeskin bikini, she successfully evaded pterodactyls but not the notice of the public.
TikToker Baba Mona, daughter, two sisters die in road accident
TikTok star Kevin Oselu, popularly known as Baba Mona died in a grisly road accident that also claimed the life of his daughter Mona and two sisters on Friday, February 24, 2023.
The accident occurred at Tunnel trading centre, Kipkelion East and according to eyewitnesses, the saloon car they were travelling in veered off the road before hitting a barrier.
Tom Sizemore, 'Saving Private Ryan' actor
Tom Sizemore, the "Saving Private Ryan" actor whose bright 1990s star burned out under the weight of his own domestic violence and drug convictions, died aged 61.
The actor had suffered a brain aneurysm on Feb. 18 at his home in Los Angeles. He died in his sleep at a hospital in Burbank, California, his manager Charles Lago said.
Sizemore became a star with acclaimed appearances in "Natural Born Killers" and the cult-classic crime thriller "Heat." But serious substance dependency, abuse allegations and multiple run-ins with the law devastated his career, left him homeless and sent him to jail.
South African rapper Costa Titch
The music industry mourned the demise of Costa Titch, a talented South African rapper who passed away while performing on stage at the Ultra Music Festival in Johannesburg. He was only 28 years old.
According to videos of the performance shared online, the rapper fell on stage while performing his hit song "Big Flexa,", but he was quickly lifted by his security team and continued with his show. However, he fell again a few moments later and had to be taken off the stage.
South African Jazz singer Gloria Bosman
Gloria Bosman, a renowned South African jazz singer, composer, and songwriter, died at the age of 50, leaving the music industry in grief. Her death was confirmed by the South African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO), where she served on the Board until her untimely passing.
Lance Reddick, 'The Wire' and 'John Wick' star
Lance Reddick, a character actor who specialized in intense, icy and possibly sinister authority figures on TV and film, including "The Wire," "Fringe" and the "John Wick" franchise, died aged 60.
His publicist Mia Hansen attributed his death to natural causes. No further details were provided.
Harry Belafonte
Harry Belafonte, the civil rights and entertainment giant who began as a groundbreaking actor and singer and became an activist, humanitarian and conscience of the world, died aged 96.
Belafonte died of congestive heart failure at his New York home, his wife Pamela by his side, said publicist Ken Sunshine.
With his glowing, handsome face and silky-husky voice, Belafonte was one of the first Black performers to gain a wide following on film and to sell a million records as a singer; many still know him for his signature hit "Banana Boat Song (Day-O)," and its call of "Day-O! Daaaaay-O." But he forged a greater legacy once he scaled back his performing career in the 1960s and lived out his hero Paul Robeson's decree that artists are "gatekeepers of truth."
Jerry Springer
Jerry Springer, the onetime mayor and news anchor whose namesake TV show featured a three-ring circus of dysfunctional guests willing to bare all - sometimes literally - as they brawled and hurled obscenities before a raucous audience, died at 79.
At its peak, "The Jerry Springer Show" was a ratings powerhouse and a U.S. cultural pariah, synonymous with lurid drama. Known for chair-throwing and bleep-filled arguments, the daytime talk show was a favourite American guilty pleasure over its 27-year run, at one point topping Oprah Winfrey's show.
Simply the best: Tina Turner
Tina Turner, widely referred to as the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll, died at the age of 83.
News of her demise was confirmed by her spokesperson who said the legendary musician died in her home in Kusnacht near Zurich, Switzerland.
"With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model."
Turner's musical journey began in 1957 when she joined Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm. Initially known as Little Ann, she made her first appearance on the record "Boxtop" in 1958.
It was in 1960 that she adopted the stage name Tina Turner and achieved early success with the popular duet single "A Fool in Love". Together, Ike & Tina Turner became renowned for their captivating live performances, solidifying their reputation as one of the most impressive acts in music history.
'My land is Kenya' singer Roger Whittaker
Kenyan-born British folk and country singer, Roger Whittaker died at the age of 87.
In Kenya, he is famous for 'My Land Is Kenya' song and expert whistling but became a global sensation in 1969 with his hit song Durham Town.
His other hits included The Last Farewell and New World in the Morning, and he sold nearly 50 million records around the world, his website said.
Ally B
The Kenyan entertainment scene lost coast-based musician Ali Mwakaribu, popularly known as Ally B, known for hits like Maria, Bembea and Kadzo among others.
The singer reportedly passed away on the afternoon of November 1 at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital. He had been battling a short illness of Pneumonia before then.
Eric Moyo, the first-ever winner of Idols East Africa
Zimbabwean gospel artist Eric Moyo, aged 41, succumbed to a stroke, collapsing on stage during a performance in South Africa.
Moyo, a notable member of Joyous Celebration and the inaugural winner of Idols East Africa passed away at a hospital in Port Elizabeth.
'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' star Andre Braugher
Renowned actor Andre Braugher, a two-time Emmy winner celebrated for his roles in "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" and "Homicide: Life on the Street," passed away at the age of 61.
The news was confirmed by his publicist, Jennifer Allen, who said that the actor succumbed to a brief illness.
