Tribute to the Stars

During this amazing 2022 year we had to say farewell to a lot of amazing entertainers. Like everyone else, entertainers pass away all the time, but it seems like this year we just lost so many more in a much larger capacity. I’ve written about several of them who have had a big impact on me, including Ray Liotta and Jason David Frank, so now I want pay tribute to some of our other favorite entertainers who parted ways with us this year.

Active since the 1940's, Bahamian born Sidney Poitier rose to prominence in the 1950's as a theater actor in some of the most historical plays in showbiz history, including 1959's A Raisin in the Sun. By the 1960's Poitier became one of the biggest stars in Hollywood with his film's To Sir with Love, In the Heat of the Night, and Guess Who's coming to Dinner, all of which were released in 1967. Poitier would eventually win the Oscar for Best Actor at the Academy Awards for his performance in Guess Who's coming to Dinner and he captured the heart of cinema and the American conscious with his stories that dealt with race relations.

Born in Cambridge, England, Olivia Newton-John danced and sang her way into hearts of countless fans around the world starting in the 1960's. By the 1970's, Newton-John had become one of the most prominent young stars of the time with albums like Let Me Be There, Have You Never Been Mellow, Clearly Love and Come On Over. In 1978 Newton-John starred alongside John Travolta in the most iconic film in the history of dance and music, Grease. The film was a massive critical and commercial hit that swept award season and to this day has one of the most successful film soundtracks of all time.

Film fans of all ages and backgrounds will never forget the face of Paul Sorvino. With a career spanning 66 years, Paul Sorvino captivated the world of entertainment with roles like Paul Cicero (based off real life gangster, Paul Vario) in Martin Scorsese's 1990 landmark gangster film classic, Goodfellas and Seargent Phil Cerreta during season 2 of Dick Wolf's hit television series, Law & Order. In addition to his dramatic performances, Sorvino also starred in a number of successful comedies like Money Talks (1997) and See Spot Run (2001). Sorvino will always be remembered for his roles of authority both as an antagonist and protagonist.

Hailing from Ashland, Kentucky, Country music legend, Naomi Judd rose prominence in the 1980's as one of country music's biggest voices when she formed the mother-daughter singing duo known as The Judds with her daughter Wynonna. The Judds would go on to win five Grammy awards between the 80's and early 90's. After breaking up due to Naomi's diagnosis of hepatitis C in 1991 she eventually began a successful solo career. Judd also had a successful career as an actress and television host. Like her eldest daughter Wynonna, Judd's youngest daughter. Ashley is one of the most prominent actresses of the past 30 years.

Born in Rutherglen, Scotland, Robbie Coltrane began his career in the late 70's and found success in films from the 80's like Flash Gordon (1980) and Mona Lisa (1986). Coltrane's height would become one of his most defining attributes throughout the course of his career. Robbie Coltrane would grow to worldwide fame and notoriety in 2001 when he was casts as Rubeus Hagrid, the larger than life gentle giant of the Harry Potter film series.

Hailing from Los Angeles, California, West Coast Hip Hop icon, Coolio began his career in the sub genre of Gangsta rap in the Ice Cube affiliated group known as WC and the Madd Circle. After going solo in the mid 1990's he released his double platinum hit album Gangsta's Paradise, the title track which was featured on the soundtrack to the 1995 hit drama, Dangerous Minds became a massive hit for its captivating and detailed description of the mentality of a gangster living a gangster's life.

Born into a military family from Moses Lake, California, Clarence Alfred Gilyard began his career as an actor in the 80's. By the late 80's and early 90's he rose to success after co-starring in roles in hit shows and films including Matlock, Die Hard and Top Gun. Perhaps the most notable role played by Gilyard is James "Jimmy" Trivette on the hit action-western series Walker, Texas Ranger, alongside Chuck Norris from 1993 to 2001. I personally will always remember his role as Jimmy Trivette the most being that Walker, Texas Ranger was my godmother's favorite show and I would watch it with her all the time.

If you like having a few drinks and if health is important to you, then you might be a fan of Kirstie Alley. Born in Wichita, Kansas, Alley first rose to fame as an actress in the late 80's playing the character Rebecca Howe on the NBC hit sitcom, Cheers. Alley's performance in Cheers as the lovable neurotic character earned her Golden Globe award and an Emmy award. By 2004 Alley became the spokeswoman for Jenny Craig and was one of Hollywood's most visible advocates for health and weight management.

There are so many other stars who have passed away this year. As a matter of fact, there are too many to name. From sports to entertainment, whether its James Caan, Nichelle Nichols, Anne Heche, Aaron Carter, Cheslie Kryst, Stephen "Twitch" Boss and many more, not only will we miss all of these stars who have brought us so much joy with their life's work, but we will always appreciate these shining stars who now hover above us forever.

~~Dedicated to all the stars who went home this year.