We often forget at times that even our favourite celebrities aren’t immune to natural human occurrences, whether it be sickness or an accident that claims their life. Even though our most beloved stars leave this world, their legacy lives on in the memories and hearts of their fans and the impact they leave in their wake.
From American actor George Wendt to Chinese actress Zhu Yuanyuan and even Pope Francis, we honour eight public figures who faced the world through their performances, films, and teachings. Each of these individuals left a lasting impact on their respective fields, a legacy that continues to inspire those who follow in their footsteps.
1. George Wendt
“Cheers” beloved barfly, Norm Peterson, was played by George Wendt. Sadly, the actor passed on 20th May (Tuesday) at the age of 76. Known to be a humble and kind man who had a strong dedication to his family and his craft, George was the face of one of the witty characters in all 275 episodes of the show “Cheers”. Before he passed, he had a couple of health issues, appearing in a wheelchair when he visited a medical dialysis facility. However, it is noted that he passed peacefully in his sleep.
2. Ruth Buzzi
The comedy community lost a member on 1st May (Tuesday) with long-time comedian and actor Ruth Buzzi, passing away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 88. Mostly recognised for her skit as her signature character “Gladys Ormphby” on “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-in” back in 1968 until 1973. Besides her physical humour, she earned a special place in the audience’s hearts with her warm and approachable personality, and will be remembered for years to come.
3. Steve Pepoon
The American television writer and director, Steve Pepoon, was well known for working on shows like “The Simpsons” and “The Wild Thornberrys”, of which he was the co-creator. Unfortunately, he passed on 3rd May (Saturday) at the age of 68, outside his home. He had been battling a severe heart condition for two years before his death. His wife, Mary Stephenson, confirmed his passing. His legacy continues, and fans and colleagues honour him with tributes to his significant contributions to television writing and animation.
4. Charley Scalies
Thomas “Horseface” Pakusa was a well-loved character in the second season of the HBO series “The Wire”. It was because of the American actor’s performance that many fans of the show began recognising the late Charley Scalies. The man who was known to have a warm and humble personality succumbed to his sickness with Alzheimer’s on 1st May (Tuesday), passing at the age of 84. He’s also known for her performance in the hit crime drama, “The Sopranos”.
5. Kirk Medas
Fans of MTV’s “Floribama Shore” were devastated by the news of their star, Kirk Medas, passing away on 2nd May (Friday) at the early age of 33 years old. He has the nickname “The Glue” from the rest of the group due to his ability to bring everyone together with his humour and warm personality. It was clear how much he cared about the people that he surrounded himself with. He had been suffering from pancreatitis and sepsis two weeks before he succumbed to liver failure.
6. James Foley
James Foley, the director behind the sequels of the well-known movie series “Fifty Shades of Grey”, passed away on 6th May (Tuesday), at the age of 71 years old. A man who focused on the thriller and drama genres, he was renowned for the storytelling of his work to be emotionally intense and have mainly character-driven narratives. He had been fighting against prolonged brain cancer before he passed away. His other works include 2007’s “The Perfect Stranger” and 1986’s “At Close Range”.
7. Zhu Yuanyuan (朱媛媛)
Beloved Chinese actress Zhu Yuanyuan, known for her reputation for her versatility and emotional depth, had passed away on 21st May (Wednesday). Many may recognise her in the television series “The Happy Life of Talkative Zhang Damin,” which earned her the Best TV Actress Award at the Beijing Chunyan Awards and the Favorite Actress Award at the Golden Eagle Awards. Even during the five-year battle with cancer before her passing, she continued to be optimistic while showing warmth and kindness towards her fans.
BONUS: Pope Francis
The world mourns as the widely-loved Pope Francis passed on 21st April (Wednesday), at the age of 88 years old. While he’s not a celebrity by trait, we thought he should be honourably mentioned due to the impact he made during his time as the Pope. As he led the Catholic churches for the past 13 years, he made significant changes worldwide that gained more of the population to adore him. He focused on mercy over judgment, allowing women to have more roles in some ministries, and spreading the idea of religious tolerance to others who weren’t Catholic.
Sources: The Straits Times, Global Times, Y! Entertainment, People (1)(2)(3)(4), Yahoo News
Zaima Humaira contributed to this article.
