THE New Year has only just begun but we have already bid farewell to some beloved stars.
Here we take an opportunity to honour some of the iconic figures who are sadly no longer with us.
The iconic singer and actor sadly passed away aged 74 on January 20, with TMZ reporting he died from Covid – although these claims are yet to be confirmed.
Born Marvin Lee Aday on September 27, 1947, the singer shot to fame with his powerful, wide-ranging voice.
His Bat Out Of Hell trilogy – Bat Out of Hell, Bat Out Of Hell II: Back Into Hell, and Bat Out Of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose – has sold more than 65 million albums worldwide.
Meat Loaf was a Grammy winner, and won Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance for the song I’d Do Anything For Love.
His family said: “Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight with his wife Deborah by his side.”
French movie star Gaspard died at age 37 following a ski accident.
His tragic passing happened on January 19.
The 37-year-old model and actor was rushed to hospital in a serious condition after the incident in the La Rosière ski resort in the Savoie region, but didn’t make it.
He will appear posthumously in Marvel’s upcoming Moon Knight series.
Yvette, an actress known for roles in iconic films such as The Black Hole from 1979, died at age 80 of natural causes on January 17.
The iconic star most famously starred opposite Rod Taylor in the 1960 George Pal-directed adaptation of the H.G. Wells novel The Time Machine.
The film was produced at MGM Studios where Yvette was soon put under a long term contract.
16 and Pregnant star Jordan died aged just 26-years-old.
She passed away on January 16, but the former reality TV star’s cause of death is unknown.
Jordan, her boyfriend, Derek Taylor, and daughter Evie appeared on MTV’s 16 & Pregnant back in 2014.
The young parents’ heartbreaking story played out on the show, as they were homeless while Jordan prepared to give birth.
Ronnie, the lead singer of the legendary girl group the Ronettes, died following a short battle with cancer.
She was 78-years-old when she passed away on January 12.
Her family said in a statement: “Ronnie lived her life with a twinkle in her eye, a spunky attitude, a wicked sense of humor, and a smile on her face.
“She was filled with love and gratitude.”
The Ronettes – who used to tour with the Beatles – were known for hits like Baby I Love You and Walking in the Rain.
Bachelor Nation mourned the death of Bachelorette contestant Clint.
He was just 34 when he passed away January 11, although it is unknown how he died.
Clint appeared during the eleventh season, which aired back in 2015.
During the series, he was one of the men vying for the love of Kaitlyn Bristowe.
Clint was eliminated from the lineup during his third week.
Stand-up comedian and actor Bob shocked the world of comedy when he passed away aged just 65.
He died suddenly on January 9 of a suspected heart attack or stroke.
Bob was famous for his roles on Full House, How I Met Your Mother, and America’s Funniest Home Videos,.
Calvin Simon died at 79-years-old on January 6.
He was the co-founder of the music group Parliament-Funkadelic and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member.
The late music star contributed to the tracks such as Give Up the Funk, and Flash Light.
Marilyn, a lyricist who has won multiple Oscars, Emmys, and Grammys — and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame died in the early hours of January 8.
She was aged 93 when she passed away following respiratory failure.
Her husband Alan was reportedly by her side at her time of death.
The couple, who married in 1958, are best known for their songs The Way We Are, How Do You Keep the Music Playing? and hundreds of others.
The legendary actor, who was the first Black man to win a Best Actor Oscar, passed away on January 6.
Aged 94-years-old Sidney died from a combination of heart failure, Alzheimer’s dementia and prostate cancer,
He started in Hollywood during the 1950s, focusing on the themes of race and social justice in much of his work.
Among Sidney’s films included roles in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, In the Heat of the Night, and Lilies of the Field.
The Miami-born star won an Oscar in 1959 for his work in The Defiant Ones.
The Broadway actress died at her home in New York City on January 4 aged 99.
The famed soap opera star was also the sister of legendary playwright Arthur Miller – who wrote many of the plays Joan performed in during her six decade-long-career.
She was also the younger sister of Kermit Miller, and was briefly sister-in-law to Marilyn Monroe, when the blond bombshell was married to Arthur.
