Remembering celebrities and their legacies

Lucybelle Gerlieb ’24 shares impactful celebrities that have unfortunately passed away in the past few months.

Lucybelle Gerlieb, Reporter|March 3, 2022

Sidney Poitier ( John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com)

Sidney Poiter

Bahamian-American actor Sidney Poitier passed away on January 6th of this year in Los Angeles, California. He was in many movies from 1950 to 1980, and then some. His full name was Sidney L. Poitier and he was born on February 20, 1927 in Miami, Florida. He was actually the first African American Academy Award winner for best actor for his movie Lilies of the Field in 1963. In addition to his acting career, he served in a medical unit during WWII. Poitier was loved throughout the film industry and he and his films will not be forgotten.

Bob Saget

Bob Saget, American stand-up comedian and actor best known for his role as Danny Tanner in Full House, unfortunately passed away unexpectedly on January 9, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. His full name was Robert Lane Saget and he was born on May 17, 1956 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Before acting, his original ambition was to become a doctor. However, younger generations may not have known that he was the very first host of America’s Funniest Home Videos, also known as AFV. He hosted the show for 8 seasons, from 1989 to 1997. I wish we could have seen even more work from this amazing actor and we are terribly sad to see him go.

Meat Loaf

Meat Loaf, American singer and actor famous for his 1977 album Bat Out of Hell, sadly passed away on January 20th of this year in Nashville, Tennessee. His full name was Michael Lee Aday and he was born on September 27, 1947 in Dallas, Texas. You may have heard some of his songs such as Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad or I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That). But there may have been some things you didn’t know about him. Surprisingly, he was vegetarian for 11 years. He was also colorblind his whole life. Meat Loaf was such an influential artist and even though he passed away at 74, it’s very sad that he had to say goodbye.

Betty White

Beloved American actress Betty White passed away on December 31, 2021. You probably recognize her from the show Golden Girls, where she played Rose Nylund for seven seasons. Her full name was Betty Marion White Ludden and she was born on January 17, 1922 in Oak Park, Illinois. She actually holds the Guinness World Record for Longest TV Career for a Female Entertainer. But you may not have known that she was a zookeeper and Ambassador to the Animals for the Los Angeles Zoo. Betty White has been in so many amazing productions and it’s heartbreaking that she passed just before turning 100 years of age.

Prince Philip

Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, woefully passed away on April 9, 2021 in Windsor, United Kingdom. His full name was Philip Mountbatten and he was born on June 10, 1921 in Corfu, Greece. He actually changed his name after he became a British citizen; his birth name was Philippos Andreou. He was married to Queen Elizabeth during the time of his passing. Shockingly, Prince Philip spoke 3 languages: English, French, and German. He was a very influential figure, and it’s sorrowful to see him go.

André Leon Talley

André Leon Talley, an American fashion journalist famous for his work on Vogue, unfortunately, passed away on January 18, 2022, in White Plains, New York at the age of 73. He was also in a handful of movies and TV shows. His full name was AndréA. Leon Talley and was born on October 16, 1948, in Washington, D.C. He was Vogue’s first African-American male creative director. Talley was also awarded the Chevalier de l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres in France, an honor for arts and letters. His work definitely stood out in the fashion world, and he will be remembered and greatly missed.