Famous People Who Died In 2017

First up, the King of Glam. Tom Petty left us in October, and man, did that sting. He was the guy who made being a heartbreaker sound like the most fun career ever. Who else could make "I won't back down" feel like a personal motto?

And then there was Glen Campbell. The Rhinestone Cowboy himself. He gave us all the feels with "Wichita Lineman," then bravely shared his battle with Alzheimer’s. Talk about a final, heartbreaking encore.

Wait, I can’t forget Gregg Allman. The man played the Hammond B3 organ like it was a sentient creature. He was the soul of the Allman Brothers, and without him, "Whipping Post" just isn’t the same.

The Funny Ones Who Broke Our Hearts

Comedy took a massive hit. Charlie Murphy—yes, Eddie’s brother—was a storyteller for the ages. His "Prince and Pizza" story on Chappelle’s Show is still the funniest thing I’ve ever heard. Did you know he was also a writer on Norbit? We forgive him.

Then there was Jerry Lewis. The man was a hurricane of physical comedy and a genius fundraiser. He practically invented the telethon, for crying out loud. And he was 91, so he had a good run, but still—it felt like the end of an era.

And can we talk about Don Rickles? The master of insult comedy. He could roast you so hard you’d thank him for it. He was 90, but his passing made the world a much less sarcastic place.

Movers and Shakers (Some Literally)

We lost Chuck Berry at 90. The man invented rock and roll guitar. If you’ve ever played a power chord, you owe him a debt. He was still touring, too, like a glorious, duck-walking zombie of pure rock energy.

And Fats Domino went the same year. The "Blueberry Hill" legend was a gentle giant of New Orleans piano. He made you want to dance, even if you had two left feet. He was 89, and he took a whole lot of joy with him.

Don’t sleep on Bernard "Pretty" Purdie. Oh wait, he didn’t die—but Chris Cornell did. That one was a gut-punch. Soundgarden, Audioslave—that voice could shake mountains. It still feels surreal.

The Icons We Took for Granted

Mary Tyler Moore passed in January. She was the woman we all wanted to be: funny, smart, and capable of throwing a hat in the air like a boss. She changed TV forever. Thank you for being a friend, indeed.

And Roger Moore—James Bond himself. He was the suave, eyebrow-raising Bond who made espionage look like a vacation. He was 89, which is a good innings, but now who will save the world with a perfectly tailored suit?

Let’s not overlook Adam West. The original Batman. He was so corny and perfect, he made the whole thing a campy masterpiece. He laughed last, because his Batman is the one everyone remembers.

The Coolest Cats in the House

Hugh Hefner left the Playboy Mansion at 91. He was a complicated guy, no doubt. But he also helped fund the Civil Rights Movement and fought for free speech. The man knew how to throw a party—and a magazine.

We also said goodbye to Lil Peep. He was only 21. That one hurt for a different reason—it was so raw and sudden. He was the emo-rap prince, and he left way too soon. It’s a reminder that youth doesn’t protect you.

And David Cassidy. The teen heartthrob from The Partridge Family passed at 67. He battled alcoholism, but for a moment, he made millions of teenage girls scream. That’s a superpower, even if it’s a tough one.

The Athletes and the Artists

Aaron Hernandez? Yeah, that was a wild, tragic story. The former NFL star was serving a life sentence for murder when he died by suicide at 27. It’s a grim, cautionary tale that still leaves me with more questions than answers.

On a lighter note, Jim French—you might not know the name, but you know his voice. He was the model for the Duke from the Duke Nukem video games. He flexed his way into video game history.

And John Hillerman (Higgins from Magnum, P.I.). He was the perfect foil to Tom Selleck’s mustache. Who knew a stuffy British butler could be so lovably annoying?

So, What Now?

Honestly, looking back at 2017 feels like scrolling through a yearbook full of people you didn’t realize were so important until they were gone. It was a brutal year for celebrity deaths, but it also reminded us how much these folks gave us. They made us laugh, cry, dance, and think.

So here’s to them. Tom, Glen, Charlie, Don, Mary—thank you for the memories. And hey, if you’re reading this in 2024 or beyond, maybe put on "Free Fallin'" today. I promise it will make you smile. And maybe cry a little. That’s okay too.

What a year. What a weird, wonderful, heartbreaking year.