Celebrity Deaths in 2017: Stars We’ve Lost

The rock legend died at the age of 66 on October 2 after suffering cardiac arrest. The Grammy winner was best known as the lead singer of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the group behind hits including “Free Fallin'” and “American Girl.” The band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.

The Playboy founder died at the age of 91 on Wednesday, September 27. “My father lived an exceptional and impactful life as a media and cultural pioneer and a leading voice behind some of the most significant social and cultural movements of our time in advocating free speech, civil rights and sexual freedom,” his son Cooper Hefner said in a statement. “He defined a lifestyle and ethos that lie at the heart of the Playboy brand, one of the most recognizable and enduring in history. He will be greatly missed by many, including his wife Crystal, my sister Christie and my brothers David and Marston, and all of us at Playboy Enterprises.”

The Goodfellas actor died at a nursing home in New Jersey on September 18 at the age of 89. He served four years on active duty as an army major and was part of the U.S. Army Reserve for more than 30 years, as well as the U.S. National Guard from 1957 to 1965. He later starred alongside his close friend Robert De Niro in films including Goodfellas, The King of Comedy and The Mission.

The Twin Peaks and Big Love actor died of natural causes on September 15, 2017, at the age of 91. Stanton, whose career spanned more than six decades, was most recently seen as Carl Rodd in the Showtime revival of Twin Peaks. He also had memorable roles in films including Alien, Paris, Texas, Repo Man and Pretty in Pink.

Rosie O’Donnell’s ex-wife died at age 46 of an apparent suicide on September 11. “I am saddened to hear about this terrible tragedy,” O’Donnell said in a statement to Us. “Mental illness is a very serious issue affecting many families. My thoughts and prayers go out to Michelle’s family, her wife Krista and their child.” The former couple, who were married from 2012 to 2016, adopted daughter Dakota in 2013.

‘Sopranos’ actor Frank Vincent died in New Jersey on September 13, 2017. He was 78.

“‘Shiloh’ actor Blake Heron died at his Los Angeles home on September 8, 2017. He was 35.”

 ‘Montgomery Gentry’ singer Troy Gentry tragically died in a New Jersey helicopter crash in September. He is survived by his wife Angie and the couple’s two daughters, Kaylee and Taylor.

Walter Becker, one of the cofounders and guitarist for Steely Dan, died on Sunday, September 3. “I intend to keep the music we created together alive as long as I can,” his bandmate and longtime friend Donald Fagen said in a remembrance.

The actor died at his home in Beverly Hills at the age of 91 on August 31. He was best known for his role as Oscar Goldman on The Six Million Dollar Man and its spinoff, The Bionic Woman. His acting credits also included Forbidden Planet, Paths of Glory and Perry Mason.