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We lost dozens of celebrities in 2016 , from legendary musicians to long-time TV stars to pop-culture staples, and it was jarring to wake up to news of another passing almost every week.
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As stars age along with us, no doubt we’ll be saying goodbye to more and more of our favourite stars as the years go on, but unquestionably, this year certainly packed a wallop.
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Here are some of the big-name celebrities we lost in 2016, in no particular order.
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<strong>Zsa Zsa Gabor</strong><br /><br />Gabor, who lived to the amazing age of 99, was considered one of the <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/3134649/hollywood-icon-zsa-zsa-gabor-dead-at-99/" ; target="_blank">last true Hollywood divas</a>.
2/47
<strong>Muhammad Ali</strong><br /><br />A true legend beyond description, Ali <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2741258/muhammad-ali-who-riveted-the-world-as-the-greatest-dies/" ; target="_blank">broke barriers in a hostile time</a> and will live on in infamy for all of his accomplishments.
Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images
3/47
<strong>Carrie Fisher</strong><br /><br />Most widely known as Princess Leia of the 'Star Wars' franchise, Carrie Fisher <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/3146134/carrie-fisher-dead-star-wars-icon-dies-at-age-60/" ; target="_blank">passed away just before Christmas</a> after suffering cardiac arrest on a trans-Atlantic flight. Reports claim the 60-year-old never regained consciousness.
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<strong>Debbie Reynolds</strong><br /><br />Debbie Reynolds, the beloved '50s and '60s star, <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/3150591/debbie-reynolds-mother-of-carrie-fisher-hospitalized-reports/" ; target="_blank">died one day after her daughter</a>, Carrie Fisher, after suffering a stroke. Her alleged last words were "I want to be with Carrie."
5/47
<strong>David Bowie</strong><br /><br />The year started off on a very sad note when iconic musician Bowie <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2445282/musician-david-bowie-dies-at-69-after-battle-with-cancer/" ; target="_blank">passed away at 69</a> after a clandestine battle with cancer.
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<strong>Prince</strong><br /><br />Definitely one of the most shocking passings of 2016, legendary musician Prince was <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2653654/prince-dead-at-57/" ; target="_blank">found dead in an elevator</a> after reportedly suffering a drug overdose.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
7/47
<strong>Leonard Cohen</strong><br /><br />Canada mourned one of their greatest musicians and poets when <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/3061218/leonard-cohen-influential-canadian-musician-dies-at-82/" ; target="_blank">Cohen passed away in late 2016</a>.
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<strong>Florence Henderson</strong><br /><br />Many people <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/3088109/brady-bunch-mom-florence-henderson-dead-at-82/" ; target="_blank">considered Henderson as their TV mom</a>, since she played the mom on 'The Brady Bunch' for its entire run.
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
9/47
<strong>Alan Thicke</strong><br /><br />Thicke <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/3125678/canadian-actor-alan-thicke-dies-at-age-69/" ; target="_blank">died unexpectedly</a> in December from a ruptured aorta while he was playing hockey with one of his sons.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
10/47
<strong>Alan Rickman</strong><br /><br />Rickman, a tremendous actor who won people's hearts with roles in various movies including 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves' and the 'Harry Potter' series, passed away <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2453239/british-actor-alan-rickman-dead-at-69/" ; target="_blank">after a lengthy battle with cancer</a>.
Ian Gavan/Getty Images
11/47
<br /><br />George Michael, '80s pop star and gay-rights icon, <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/3147567/george-michael-dead-former-wham-singer-dies-at-53-reports/" ; target="_blank">died on Christmas Day</a> after his heart failed. He was 53 and had been reclusive for the past several years.
12/47
<strong>Gene Wilder</strong><br /><br />The beloved actor, best-known for playing Willy Wonka in 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory,' passed away from complications from Alzheimer's disease <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2909608/gene-wilder-willy-wonka-and-blazing-saddles-actor-dead-at-83/" ; target="_blank">at the age of 83</a>.
13/47
<strong>Garry Shandling</strong><br /><br /> Actor and comedian Shandling <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2599269/garry-shandling-the-larry-sanders-show-star-dead-at-66-report/" ; target="_blank">pioneered a pretend brand of self-focused docudrama</a> with 'The Larry Sanders Show.'
Eric Isaacs/FilmMagic
14/47
<strong>Patty Duke</strong><br /><br />Duke, who <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2605518/patty-duke-miracle-worker-oscar-winner-dead-at-69/" ; target="_blank">won her Oscar at age 16</a> for her performance as Helen Keller in 'The Miracle Worker,' passed away at 69.
Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
15/47
<strong>René Angélil</strong><br /><br />Angélil was singer Celine Dion’s manager, mentor and singing coach <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2454633/rene-angelil-celine-dions-husband-dies-of-cancer-at-age-73/" ; target="_blank">since she was a teenager</a>. The couple has three children together —René-Charles, 14, and five-year-old twins Nelson and Eddy.
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<strong>George Gaynes</strong><br /><br />Gaynes played the lovable doofus Commandant Eric Lassard in the 'Police Academy' movies and Punky Brewster’s father in '80s TV series 'Punky Brewster.' He lived a lengthy life, <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2522707/george-gaynes-police-academy-and-punky-brewster-actor-dead-at-98/" ; target="_blank">dying at age 98</a>.
ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images
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<strong>Lemmy Kilmister</strong><br /><br />The Motorhead frontman, whose outsized persona made him a hero for generations of hard-rockers and metal-heads, <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2423620/motorhead-frontman-hard-rock-hero-lemmy-kilmister-dies/" ; target="_blank">died after a brief battle with cancer</a>.
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<strong>Glenn Frey</strong><br /><br />Another death that <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2461560/eagles-founding-member-glenn-frey-dead-at-67/" ; target="_blank">happened early in the year</a>, Frey was one of the founding members of The Eagles, and he passed away after succumbing to complications from rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis and pneumonia.
Mike Pont/FilmMagic
19/47
<strong>Harper Lee</strong><br /><br />The author of the best-selling novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird' died at the age of 89.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
20/47
<strong>Gordie Howe</strong><br /><br />Known as Mr. Hockey, <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2753666/gordie-howe-dead-at-88/" ; target="_blank" rel="noopener">Howe died in June</a> at his daughter’s home at the age of 88.
File/Global News
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<strong>George Kennedy</strong><br /><br />The actor, who starred in 'Cool Hand Luke' and 'The Naked Gun' movies, <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2548513/george-kennedy-who-starred-in-cool-hand-luke-and-naked-gun-series-dies-at-age-of-91/" ; target="_blank">died at the age of 91</a>.
Bobby Bank/WireImage
22/47
<strong>Merle Haggard</strong><br /><br />The country-music legend, who wrote songs like 'Okie From Muskogee' and 'Sing Me Back Home,' <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2622329/merle-haggard-dead-country-music-legend-dies-of-pneumonia-at-79/" ; target="_blank">died at 79</a>.
23/47
<strong>Joey Feek</strong><br /><br />Country musician Joey Feek passed away after a <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2555976/country-singer-joey-feek-has-died-after-battle-with-cervical-cancer/" ; target="_blank">much-publicized battle with cancer</a>, with millions of fans hanging on her every word as she bravely approached her own death.
Frazer Harrison/ACMA2013/Getty Images for ACM
24/47
<strong>Pat Conroy</strong><br /><br />Beloved author Conroy <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2559853/prince-of-tides-author-pat-conroy-lauded-after-death-at-70/" ; target="_blank">died at 70 at his home</a> in Beaufort, South Carolina, surrounded by family and friends.
Boris Spremo/Toronto Star via Getty Images
25/47
<strong>Anton Yelchin</strong><br /><br />One of the most shocking deaths of 2016 was the passing of 27-year-old Yelchin, who was <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2772623/anton-yelchin-star-trek-actor-dies-in-car-crash-at-27/" ; target="_blank">killed by his own car</a> at his residence.
Francois Durand/Getty Images
26/47
<strong>Doris Roberts</strong><br /><br />The actress <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2647108/doris-roberts-star-of-everybody-loves-raymond-dies-at-90/" ; target="_blank">spent nine years</a> portraying Marie Barone on 'Everybody Loves Raymond' and was a staple on prime-time TV.
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images
27/47
<strong>Arnold Palmer</strong><br /><br />Known widely as 'The King of Golf,' <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2962910/golf-great-arnold-palmer-dead-at-87/" ; target="_blank">Palmer died at 87</a> after being admitted to the hospital Thursday for some cardiovascular work.
28/47
<strong>Morley Safer</strong><br /><br />One week after retiring from '60 Minutes,' Safer <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2711200/morley-safer-dead-at-84-one-week-after-retiring-from-60-minutes/" ; target="_blank">died at 84</a> with 46 years of broadcasting experience under his belt.
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29/47
<strong>Tony Burton</strong><br /><br />Burton, who appeared in six 'Rocky' films with Sylvester Stallone, <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2542335/tony-burton-rocky-actor-dies-at-age-78/" ; target="_blank">died in California</a> at the age of 78.
30/47
<strong>Joanie 'Chyna' Laurer</strong><br /><br />The former WWE wrestler <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2652775/former-wwe-wrestling-star-chyna-dies-at-46/" ; target="_blank">died at 46</a> from an apparent overdose of alcohol and drugs.
31/47
<strong>Christina Grimmie</strong><br /><br />At the very young age of 22, Grimmie was <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2755630/singer-christina-grimmie-shot-after-concert-in-florida-orlando-police/" ; target="_blank">shot while onstage</a> performing at a concert in Orlando, Florida.
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
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<strong>Abe Vigoda</strong><br /><br />This star of 'Barney Miller' and 'The Godfather,' relatively unknown until the mafia movie franchise, <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2478420/abe-vigoda-dead-barney-miller-godfather-actor-dies-at-94/" ; target="_blank">died in January at age 94</a>.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
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<strong>David Gest</strong><br /><br />Gest, who was <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2633282/david-gest-found-dead-in-hotel-liza-minnellis-ex-husband-dies-at-62/" ; target="_blank">married to entertainer Liza Minnelli for five years</a> from 2002 to 2007, was a houseguest on the U.K.'s 'Celebrity Big Brother' earlier this year.
Dave Hogan/Getty Images
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<strong>Charmain Carr</strong><br /><br />Best-known for sweetly portraying the eldest von Trapp daughter Liesl in 'The Sound of Music,' <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2947781/charmian-carr-sound-of-music-actress-dies-at-73/" ; target="_blank">Carr died at 73</a>.
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<strong>Michu Meszaros</strong><br /><br />Known for playing alien ALF in '80s sitcom 'ALF,' Meszaros died at 76 <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2758782/alf-actor-dead-michu-meszaros-dies-at-76-after-week-in-a-coma/" ; target="_blank">after a week in a coma</a>.
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<strong>Frank Sinatra, Jr.</strong><br /><br />The son of Rat Pack singer Frank Sinatra, Sinatra, Jr. <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2583087/frank-sinatra-jr-dies-of-cardiac-arrest-while-on-tour/" ; target="_blank">died unexpectedly of cardiac arrest</a> while on tour in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Bryan Linden/WireImage
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<strong>Malik 'Phife Dawg' Taylor</strong><br /><br />The A Tribe Called Quest rapper <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2595447/phife-dawg-of-a-tribe-called-quest-dies-at-45/" ; target="_blank">suffered from many health issues</a> at the time of his death at 45.
38/47
<strong>Ronnie Corbett</strong><br /><br />Corbett, half of much-loved duo 'The Two Ronnies,' <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2609798/ronnie-corbett-half-of-comedys-two-ronnies-dies-at-85/" ; target="_blank">died at the age of 85</a>.
39/47
<strong>Youree 'Miss Cleo' Harris</strong><br /><br />The 53-year-old TV psychic appeared frequently in catchy '90s commercials, selling her 'readings' in her Jamaican accent. <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2848688/miss-cleo-tv-psychic-dies-at-age-53-after-cancer-battle/" ; target="_blank">She died from cancer</a>.
40/47
<strong>Craig Strickland</strong><br /><br />Country singer Strickland's body was <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2432138/missing-country-singer-craig-stricklands-body-found-reports/" ; target="_blank">found in a lake</a> after he'd gone duck-hunting with a friend; he was only 29.
41/47
<strong>Afeni Shakur Davis</strong><br /><br />Davis, the mother of late rapper Tupac Shakur, <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2676675/tupac-shakurs-mother-afeni-shakur-davis-dies-at-69/" ; target="_blank">died in California</a> after reportedly suffering a heart attack.
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<strong>Alexis Arquette</strong><br /><br />Transgender activist and sister to Patricia and David Arquette, Alexis <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2933356/transgender-actress-alexis-arquette-dead-at-age-47/" ; target="_blank">passed away from complications from AIDS</a> at the age of 47.
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<strong>Lou Pearlman</strong><br /><br />While Pearlman wasn't necessarily beloved in the music industry, he's credited with forming boy bands Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync; he <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2894555/lou-pearlman-backstreet-boys-and-n-sync-creator-dies-in-prison/" ; target="_blank">died in prison</a> at 62.
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<strong>Sharon Jones</strong><br /><br />Jones, the powerhouse who shepherded a soul revival despite not finding stardom until middle age, <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/3076667/sharon-jones-dap-kings-singer-dies-at-60-after-battle-with-cancer/" ; target="_blank">died at 60</a> after a pancreatic cancer battle.
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<strong>Peter Vaughan</strong><br /><br />The British actor, <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/3109243/peter-vaughan-maester-aemon-on-game-of-thrones-dies-at-93/" ; target="_blank">who died at 93</a>, found an entire legion of new fans as Maester Aemon on 'Game of Thrones.'
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<strong>Angela 'Big Ang' Raiola</strong><br /><br />The 'Mob Wives' star battled throat cancer for a year before <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2525193/big-ang-mob-wives-star-dies-at-55-after-cancer-battle/" ; target="_blank">dying with her family and friends by her bedside</a>.
Steve Mack/Getty Images
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<strong>Denise Katrina 'Vanity' Matthews</strong><br /><br />A one-time Prince protégée, Vanity <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2519290/vanity-princes-protegee-dies-at-57-after-long-illness/" ; target="_blank">died after years</a> of battling kidney failure at the age of 57.
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