Hollywire Remembers Celebrities Who Passed On In 2009
2009 was a tough year for the entertainment community. We saw the passing of many celebrities...some tragically gone before their time. HOLLYWIRE would like to take a minute to remember the following:
KUNG FU FIGHTING-Actor David Carradine passes away in Asia. Life often imitated art for David Carradine, most recognized for his role in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill. A world reknown actor, director and martial artist, Carradine's cause of death is still being questioned. One thing's for sure, Kung Fu fighting flicks will never be the same.
9) AS SEEN ON TV-Billy Mays death changes the world of infomercials forever. OxiClean, Big City Slider station-popular products we know because we saw the king of infomercials, Billy Mays, pitch them all. Sadly the world of infomercials won't ever be the same since Billy Mays death this past June. That beard, that voice--irreplaceable.
8) JETT TRAVOLTA--Gone at the age of sweet 16. Last January started off with the sad news that John Travolta's son, Jett, had passed away in the Bahamas. Since then, it has been confirmed that Jett did in fact have Autism and experienced seizures as a result of his condition. As we approach the year anniversary of his death, Hollywire remembers the sweet face of Jett.
7) STEVE McNAIR--Remember the Titans. The NFL grieved this past July when Steve McNair was found murdered in his Tennessee home. McNair had helped the Tennessee Titans make it to the playoffs four times and even played with the team in the Super Bowl. Prior to his passing, McNair had retired from football. The last team he had played for was the Baltimore Ravens.
6) ED McMAHON--Clears the "Publishers Clearing House" and heads to the sky. We know him from Star Search, our parents and grandparents knew him from the Tonight Show. Families from all generations watched him for years as the happy host of the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes. And in June of 2009, Ed McMahon headed to the big clearing house in the sky. Considered by Entertainment Weekly as one of the biggest sidekicks, Ed McMahon rounds out #6 in our Hollywire remembers list.
5) FARRAH FAWCETT-- A pop culture icon passes away but her impact on Hollywood will stay forever. Farrah Fawcett, one of the original Charlie's Angels, is an actual angel herself now since she lost her battle to cancer this past June. Forever feathered, Farrah used her iconic hairstyle and great looks to attract a very steady fan following. Her poster sales "broke records, making her an international sex symbol in the 1970s and 1980s."
4) PATRICK SWAYZE--Gone but not forgotten. With several movie credits, including "Dirty Dancing", "Ghost" and "Point Break," Patrick Swayze's death has been hard on his many fans. Pancreatic cancer may have claimed his life but those who loved him will always remember "nobody puts baby in a corner." We had the time of our life watching you P.S.!
3) BRITTANY MURPHY--Left the world clueless with regard to her untimely death. Audiences loved Brittany Murphy's character in Clueless, the film which saw her rise to fame. From there, the dark haired, brown eyed beauty starred in 8 Mile, Uptown Girls, and Sin City. While we await the coroners toxicology reports, Hollywood continues to remember Murphy who was just laid to rest this Christmas Eve.
2) DJ AM--Sneakerhead and mash up major, passed away 12 months after escaping death in a plane crash. This is perhaps one of the saddest stories in entertainment. Adam Goldstein, also known as DJ AM, has a near brush with death when a plane he is flying in crashes killing crew members and two passengers. Then almost a year later, DJ AM is found dead in his NYC apartment of an apparent "accidental drug overdose." A struggling addict his whole life, DJ AM lives on in his MTV series "Gone Too Far."
1) LONG LIVE THE KING OF POP--Michael Jackson. The man, the music, the legened. Michael Jackson tops off our list for those Hollywire will remember. June 25th, 2009-Michael Jackson goes into cardiac arrest in his Bel Air home and cannot be resuscitated. Months later, the world continues to weep for the "most commercially successful and influential entertainer of all time."
