While growing up, we all looked up to some of the celebs who inspired us by their work and talent. We wanted to be them, look like them, and act like them.
While most iconic celebrities are still around us, some of them are gone forever, and we never thought that would be possible.
Even though they do still live through their art and through our memories, we cannot help but feel nostalgic and sad knowing they are gone forever.
Here are some of the most impactful celebrities we lost, but who still live in our hearts.
1. Robin Williams
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Robin Williams wasn’t just a funny man; he was a magic spark personified.
His acting was truly warm, funny, and full of heart in every role he took, from Mrs. Doubtfire to Aladdin to Jumanji.
Adults and children could laugh and cry at the same time, which took a special kind of talent.
His energy was unmatched, and it still feels strange to know he is gone.
He left behind a legacy of happiness, kindness, and depth that still moves people.
2. Mr. Rogers
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Fred Rogers didn’t just act; he linked people together. His soft voice, warm cardigans, and honest words made kids feel safe in a world with a lot of noise and danger.
All he needed was a dummy, a trolley, and honesty to have our full attention.
He definitely taught us to talk about how we feel and to be kind to other people. If you grew up with his advice, you are aware of how impactful they were.
His death left a gap in kids’ TV shows that we don’t think will ever be fully filled.
3. Bob Ross
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Bob Ross made art feel easy to understand, and he made us feel relaxed with just a paintbrush and his soft voice.
“Mistakes” turned into “happy little accidents” because he was always so cool and encouraging.
You didn’t even have to like art to enjoy seeing him make trees and mountains with just a couple of brush strokes.
He was like the nicest art teacher in the world, and his voice became pretty iconic.
Bob died in 1995, but jokes, reruns, and ASMR videos still keep his legacy alive, and I have a feeling it will not die any time soon.
4. Steve Irwin
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The “Crocodile Hunter” was a chaotic and enthusiastic man wrapped in joy and khaki.
With every “Crikey!” he let out, Steve Irwin showed that he loved animals more than anything, and people felt it through their screens. He made learning about wildlife fun, brave, and truly full of love.
His sudden death in 2006 shocked everyone, especially kids who grew up watching him happily fight snakes and other wild animals.
*But Steve was truly one of a kind. His family has carried on his work, and we are excited to see what they come up with in the future.
5. Princess Diana
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She was more than just a princess; she was “the people’s princess.” Princess Diana added kindness, understanding, and a genuinely human touch to the British royal family.
She pushed everyone to be the best version of themselves, and she was a great role model for many.
People all over the world loved her style, her actions, and the fact that she was really open and honest.
Her sad death in 1997 truly broke people’s hearts all over the world, and many are still in pain when they remember her and her wonderfully pure spirit.
Even after all these years, people still mourn and wonder what she could have been if she were with us here today.
6. Paul Walker
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A lot of people will always think of Paul Walker as Brian from Fast & Furious, the main character in a very popular movie series.
Off-screen, though, he was a surfer, a humanist, and a really nice person. From the late 1990s on, his easygoing charm, beautiful smile, and bright blue eyes made him a fan favorite.
Fans were shocked when he died suddenly in 2013, and this tragic event left a huge hole in the series and fans’ hearts.
His co-stars, friends, and family still respect him, and his fans still pay tributes to his life and work.
7. Alex Trebek
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Alex Trebek was Jeopardy for many, many years. People knew him for his cool voice, ironic sense of humor, and full control of the board.
Even those who did not love Trivia enjoyed watching him.
When he died in 2020, it somehow marked the end of an era in TV that will never come back.
Every single night, he didn’t only bring intelligence to the show, but also style and class.
8. Michael Jackson
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Whether you loved him or not, you cannot deny that Michael Jackson truly made pop culture what it is today.
The moonwalk, the glove, and the music videos that felt like short movies all made him seem bigger than life.
Even though he had a rough childhood and personal life, he still made everybody else feel good with his art, and there is no denying that he had a huge impact on music and performance.
A lot of kids danced in their socks on wooden floors and pretended to be him.
He died in 2009, and his fans were more than devastated. We can all agree that music hasn’t been the same since then.
9. Heath Ledger
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Heath went from being a teen heartthrob in 10 Things I Hate About You to a terrifying force in The Dark Knight. He changed the way comic book bad guys were portrayed by making the Joker dark, scary, and memorable.
He was skilled, had depth, and had a quiet intensity that came through in every part. His sudden death at age 28 in 2008 was heartbreaking and felt very unfair.
We were just beginning to understand how high he could go when he left us, and that left fans heartbroken.
10. Betty White
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Betty White lived a long and interesting life. Her death really felt like the end of an era we all loved.
Everyone adored her, especially for her part on The Golden Girls, where she played the slightly scatterbrained Rose Nylund. She was smart and funny and made sass and sweetness go together perfectly.
Betty White stole hearts even when she was 90 years old. Her fans all agree that the world was a better place with Betty in it.
11. Whitney Houston
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Whitney’s voice was unique, strong, and truly extraordinary. From “I Will Always Love You” to “I Want to Dance With Somebody,” she left her mark on every stage she walked on.
There was no denying her talent; she was magnetic, and her impact on the industry was really huge.
Even though she had problems in her personal life, she was still perfect at her job and left us with some of the best romantic songs of all time.
It was very sad when she died in 2012, and the music world still hasn’t fully healed.
