Latest News

• 6th December 2023

  A Cheer for Lear

  

  US sitcom writer-producer, Norman Lear, has passed at the age of 101 to provide DeathList 2023 with its 18th death of the year. Lear was born in 1922 and joined the US Air Force in 1942, flying many German bombing missions In World War II. In the 1950’s he became a comedy scriptwriter for TV shows. In 1971, his sitcom, All in the Family (a remake of the British sitcom Til Death Do Us Part), was picked up and would become the first of his many successful shows. Sanford and Son, based on another British sitcom, Steptoe and Son, was another success, starting in 1972. Among his other notable shows were Maude, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, Good Times and The Jeffersons. Over his career, he became known as a pioneer for using his light entertainment TV show platform to raise issues of equality. In 1980 he founded People for the American Way, an advocacy group for politically liberal causes. Lear was making his debut appearance on DeathList, grabbing 28th position.
  1 appearance: 2023 (28)
  

  18th Death

  Age: 101, TV Producer, Cause of death: Natural Causes

• 30th November 2023

  MacGowan, MacGowan, Gone

  

  Pogues frontman, Shane MacGowan, has finally succumbed to the years of hard living, producing another hit for DeathList 2023. MacGowan was born in England but spent his early years in Ireland, before returning to England at the age of six. He won a scholarship to the exclusive Westminster School in London but was expelled after being found with drugs. He then became a regular face on the English punk scene, gaining some notoriety for his behaviour at an early gig by The Clash in 1976. In 1982, he formed The Pogues, who went to have much success, notably releasing the classic Christmas song, Fairytale of New York in 1987. MacGowan was sacked by The Pogues in 1991 as his drug use and drinking became an increasing problem. The Pogues reformed with MacGowan in 2001 and stayed together playing occasional tours until 2014. In recent years, MacGowan’s health deteriorated significantly. MacGowan was making his fifth appearance on DeathList this year and was selected in the prestigious number 50 slot. He was 65 years old.
  5 appearances: 2023 (50), 2022 (50), 2021 (48), 2020 (36), 2019 (48)
  

  17th Death

  Age: 66, Pogue, Cause of death: TBA

• 30th November 2023

  The Kiss-inger of Death

  

  American diplomat and stateman, Henry Kissinger, has passed at the age of 100, providing DeathList 2023 with another score. Kissinger was born in 1923 in Germany but emmigrated to the US in 1938 to avoid Nazi persecution. He became a key adviser to Presidents Kennedy and Johnson and was appointed Secretary of State under Nixon. He played a pivotal part in negotiating the Paris Peace Accords to end the Vietnam war, winning the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize, although was blamed by many for prolonging the conflict. Kissinger was a controversial figure with involvement in covert overseas operations to further US interests which disregarded humans rights and democratic interests. Kissinger was making his 11th appearance on DeathList, selected for the second consecutive year at number two.
  11 appearances: 2023 (2), 2022 (2), 2021 (13), 2020 (17), 2019 (12), 2018 (27), 2016 (24), 2015 (34), 2013 (43), 2012 (36), 1993 (26)
  

  16th Death

  Age: 100, Diplomat, Cause of death: TBA

• 19th November 2023

  Joss is another loss

  

  Distinguished English actor, Joss Ackland, has bowed out to move the score on again for DeathList 2023. Ackland had a career which spanned six decades in which he graced the stage, screen, and television with his compelling performances, becoming renowned for his versatility, His filmography includes roles in movies such as "The Hunt for Red October", "White Mischief" “Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey” and "Lethal Weapon 2”, where he played an evil South African and got to utter the classic line “Diplomatic Immunity…” before being blown away by Murtaugh, who replied “It’s just been revoked”. Ackland was making his second appearance on DeathList, this year at number 21. He passed away at the age of 95.
  2 appearances: 2023 (21), 2022 (49)
  

  15th Death

  Age: 95, Actor, Cause of death: Old Age

• 19th November 2023

  Got Carter

  

  Former First Lady of the United States, Rosalynn Carter, has passed at the age of 96, becoming another successful candidate for DeathList 2023. Born in 1927, she married Jimmy Carter in 1946 and served as First Lady from 1977 to 1981. In addition to undertaking the usual ceremonial duties she also used her position to champion meaningful causes. Soon after her husband left office she co-founded The Carter Center, a non-profit with goals to advance human rights and alleviate human suffering. Carter would go on to use this as a platform to campaign to raise awareness globally on mental health issues. Earlier in 2023 it was announced that Carter had been diagnosed with dementia. She was making her third appearance on DeathList, this year at number 15.
  3 appearances: 2023 (15), 2022 (20), 2021 (23)
  

  14th Death

  Age: 96, Ex- FLOTUS, Cause of death: TBA

• 21st October 2023

  Charlton’s no long shot

  

  Legendary footballer, Sir Bobby Charlton, has succumbed to dementia at the age of 86 providing DeathList 2022 with another score. In 1954, as a 16-year-old, Charlton signed a contract with Manchester United, a club for which he would go on to play for nearly 20 years. In February 1958, Charlton was aboard the aeroplane carrying the Manchester United team which crashed in Munich, killing 23 of those on board, including eight of the team’s players. Charton was one of nine players who survived the crash. In the following years, Charlton would cement his reputation as one of football’s greats, becoming known for his explosive playing style and thunderous shot. In 1966, he was a key part of the England team that won the World Cup and, in 1968, he won the European Cup with Manchester United. Charlton played his last game for United in 1973 but maintained a close relationship with the club for the rest of his life, becoming a much-respected ambassador for United and English football. He was knighted in 1994. This year he was making his second appearance on DeathList, selected at number 12.
  2 appearances: 2023 (12), 2022 (16)
  

  13th Death

  Age: 86, Footballer, Cause of death: Dementia

• 30th August 2023

  Tycoon Fayeds Away

  

  Egyptian business tycoon, Mohamed Al-Fayed, has cashed out at the age of 94 to provide DeathList 2023 with another success. Al-Fayed career started by founding a shipping company in Egypt with his brothers. He moved to the UK in the 1960s and started investing in property and luxury goods brands. He acquired the Ritz Hotel in Paris in 1979 and, in 1985, purchased the luxury London store, Harrods. In 1997, he bought Fulham Football Club. He became embroiled in a controversy for allegedly paying MPs to ask questions in parliament when his application for UK citizenship was rejected. In 1997, his son, Dodi Fayed, was killed in a car accident in Paris with Princess Diana. He then spent much of the rest of his life pushing conspiracy theories that the Royal Family had “arranged” the accident. In 2000, Al-Fayad appeared on the Ali G show, participating in some cringeworthy rapping which either showed he had a sense of humour or was completely unselfaware. He was making his first appearance on DeathList in 45th position.
  1 appearance: 2023 (45)
  

  12th Death

  Age: 94, Businessman, Cause of death: TBA

• 26th August 2023

  Bob Barker - Come on Down!

  

  American game show host, Bob Barker, has passed to provide DeathList 2023 with its eleventh correct answer. Barker started his career as a radio host, before moving into television in 1950 to host a game show called Truth or Consequences, which ran for 18 years. In 1972 he was hired to host The Price Is Right, a role which continued until 2007 and cemented him as a game show legend, collecting 19 Emmys along the way. He was a vegetarian and a very active animal rights campaigner. He died at the age of 99, while making his seventh appearance on DeathList, this year rising to number 3.
  7 appearances: 2023 (3), 2022 (4), 2021 (11), 2020 (15), 2019 (15), 2018 (18), 2017 (26)
  

  11th Death

  Age: 100, The Price is Right, Cause of death: Nautral Causes

• 17th August 2023

  Chat Show Host is Toast

  

  English television presenter and broadcaster, Michael Parkinson, has passed on to provide a further success for DeathList 2023. Parkinson started his career as a newspaper journalist then moving to be a television producer and sports commentator before becoming a presenter and landing his chat show, “Parkinson”, with the BBC in 1971. The show ran until 1982 and then returned again in 1987 until he finally retired in 2007. Over the years, he interviewed hundreds of celebrities, including Muhammad Ali, Elvis Presley and The Beatles. He was awarded a knighthood in 2002 for his services to broadcasting. Parkinson died at the age of 88, while making his first appearance on DeathList. This year he was selected at number 43.
  1 appearance: 2023 (43)
  

  10th Death

  Age: 88, Broadcaster, Cause of death: TBA

• 21st July 2023

  Bennett leaves heart (and other organs) in San Francisco

  

  Legendary American singer, Tony Bennett, has crooned his last at the age of 96, to provide DeathList with success number nine. Bennett’s career spanned over seven decades. From chart-topping hits like "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" to numerous Grammy successes and collaborations with artists like Lady Gaga, Bennett's secured his place as a cultural icon. Beyond his music, Bennett was known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly his advocacy for arts education in schools through the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in New York. Bennett was making his ninth appearance on DeathList suffering from Alzheimer's in his later year. He took the number seven slot on the list this year.
  6 appearances: 2023 (7), 2022 (10), 2021 (22), 2020 (22), 2014 (46), 1993 (9)
  

  9th Death

  Age: 97, Crooner, Cause of death: TBA

• 12th July 2023

  The Unbearable Lightness of No Longer Being

  

  Czech-born author, Milan Kundera, has closed the final chapter of his life to provide DeathList 2023 with its eighth success. Kundera published his first novel in 1967 which gained him international recognition. His most famous work, “The Unbearable Lightness of Being” was published in 1984 to huge critical acclaim, spawning a successful movie in 1988 and propelling him to become one of the most prominent literary figures of the 20th century. His works often explored themes of political repression. In his early years, he was a supporter of the Czechoslovak communist regime but in time he became disillusioned with it and personally suffered censorship and persecution. In 1975, he moved to France where he lived the rest of his life. He died at the age of 94. He was selected at number 23 on this year’s list, being his second appearance.
  2 appearances: 2023 (23), 2022 (46)
  

  8th Death

  Age: 94, Author, Cause of death: TBA

• 24th May 2023

  Simply at Rest!

  

  Singing legend, Tina Turner, has passed at the age of 83. Turner’s initial fame came from her partnership with Ike Turner in the late 1950s and 1960s, who she met as a teenager. They had several notable hits including River Deep - Mountain High, Proud Mary and Nutbush City Limits, however, she also suffered greatly from the hits that Ike administered to her throughout an abusive marriage that lasted for 16 years. In 1976, Turner fled her marriage and successful career. She resumed work as a solo artist, although initially at a low-key level. However, she managed to secure a solo record deal and recorded her album, “Private Dancer”, in 1984, which propelled her to become one of the biggest artists in the world, with huge hits such as What's Love Got to Do with It, I Can't Stand the Rain and the album title track. Turner continued as a major global artist throughout the remainder of the 1980s, 1990s and into the 2000s with further hits such as Steamy Windows and Simply the Best. She eventually retired from performing in 2008 and was inducted Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, once as a member of Ike & Tina Turner and once as a solo artist. She suffered from ill health in her later years and died making her second appearance on DeathList, this year at number 48.
  2 appearances: 2023 (48), 2019 (47)
  

  7th Death

  Age: 84, Singer, Cause of death: TBC

• 10th May 2023

  Rolf Harris Cark Tomb Time

  

  Former singer, artist and entertainer, Rolf Harris, has passed away at the age of 93 providing DeathList 2023 with a popular success and its sixth hit of the year. Harris initially came to fame as a singer in the 1960s with hits such as Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport, Sun Arise, Jake The Peg and Two Little Boys. In the 1970s he started to appear more on British TV being given his own shows such as Rolf Harris Cartoon Time and similar shows. Later in his career he recorded a version of Stairway to Heaven and became a regular at Glastonbury Festival in the early 2000s. In the later parts of career, rumours had started to spread that Harris had a dark secret. It started to become clear that the clues had been there for years and then people started to come forward to substantiate the claims. Finally, it was revealed that Harris was indeed an Australian…Despite this, his career appeared to continue successfully until 2014 when he was convicted of sexual offences against a minor and subsequently charged with further similar offences. Harris passed away from neck cancer on 10 May 2023 although his death was not made public until 23 May. Harris was debuting on DeathList in 2023 being nominated at 38.
  1 appearance: 2023 (38)
  

  6th Death

  Age: 93, Paedophile, Cause of death: Neck Cancer

• 25th April 2023

  Daylight come and Harry’s not going home…

  

  Singer, actor, and activist, Harry Belafonte has passed at the age of 96, providing another hit for DeathList 2023. He was born in New York, in 1927 and rose to fame in the 1950s as a calypso singer. His most famous song was his recording of the Banana Boat Song which reached number 2 in the Billboard charts in 1957, highly recognisable for its wailing “Day-O” introduction. Belafonte also starred in films and television shows and was a vocal advocate for civil rights and social justice. Belafonte received numerous awards, including multiple Grammys, a Tony and an Emmy and was the older living person to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Belafonte was making his fifth appearance on DeathList, breaking the top ten this year with the number 9 slot.
  5 appearances: 2023 (9), 2022 (13), 2021 (26), 2020 (23), 2019 (30)
  

  5th Death

  Age: 96, Singer, Cause of death: Heart failure

• 3rd April 2023

  Laying down the Lawson

  

  British politician, Nigel Lawson, has passed away at the age of 91 to record another score for DeathList 2023. Lawson started his career as a journalist for the Financial Times and later became the editor of The Spectator magazine. In 1974, Lawson was elected to Parliament as a Conservative MP. He served in various roles in government, including Secretary of State for Energy and Secretary of State for Transport. However, it was his appointment as Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1983 by Margaret Thatcher that would define his political career. He was a key ally of Thatcher and played a crucial role in the Conservative government's economic reforms of the 1980s, overseeing the deregulation of financial markets and the reduction of income tax rates. After resigning in 1989, he was back in the public eye after dieting to lose a massive amount of weight and publishing a bestselling diet book. Meanwhile, his daughter, Nigella Lawson, rose to fame as a celebrity cook. Lawson was making his second appearance on DeathList, this year at number 42.
  2 appearances: 2023 (42), 2012 (26)
  

  4th Death

  Age: 91, UK Politican, Cause of death: TBA

• 28th March 2023

  Ryuichi for the sky

  

  Japanese musician, composer, and actor, Ryuichi Sakamoto has passed away to provide DeathList 2023 with another success. Sakamoto was considered to be an innovative and influential musician, blending classical, electronic, and world music styles. He studied music composition at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music before embarking on a career in music. In the late 1970s, he formed the pioneering electronic music group Yellow Magic Orchestra, which achieved worldwide success and helped to establish the sound of Japanese techno-pop. Throughout his career, Sakamoto composed music for films, television shows, and video games, winning an Academy Award for Best Original Score for his work on the 1987 film "The Last Emperor." He also collaborated with a diverse range of artists, including David Bowie, Iggy Pop and David Sylvian. In addition to his music career, Sakamoto was also an activist and philanthropist, working tirelessly to raise awareness about environmental and humanitarian issues. He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 but continued to create music and perform until his passing. Sakamoto was making his first appearance on DeathList, selected at number 39. He was 71.
  1 appearance: 2023 (39)
  

  3rd Death

  Age: 71, Musician, Cause of death: Cancer

• 9th February 2023

  Raindrops Keep Fallin’ but Burt’s Dead…

  

  Legendary composer and songwriter, Burt Bacharach, has penned his last chart-topper at the age of 94 to provide DeathList 2023 with another hit. After a stint in the army in the early 1950s, Bacharach's career was launched when he landed a job as Marlene Dietrich’s music director. In the late 1950s Bacharach started to write the many of his famous songs which were hits for a wide variety of artists, including Three Wheels on my Wagon, Walk On By, I Say A Little Prayer, What the World Needs Now Is Love, Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head. Bacharach died at the age of 94, while making his third appearance on DeathList, this year at number 29.
  3 appearances: 2023 (29), 2022 (34), 2021 (42)
  

  2nd Death

  Age: 95, Singer Songwriter, Cause of death: Natural Causes

• 5th February 2023

  General Strike!

  

  General Pervez Musharraf, the tenth president of Pakistan, has passed to provide DeathList 2023 with its first success of the year. Musharraf graduated from the Pakistan Military Academy and joined the Pakistan Army in 1964, starting a gradual climb through the ranks, becoming the head of the armed forces in 1998. In 1999 the army staged a coup, paving the way for Musharraf to take over as President of Pakistan in 2001. In the early days of his presidency, he supported the War on Terror and attempted to improve relations with India, however his term was marred by scandal and claims of corruption. In 2007, Musharraf was implicated in the assassination of Benazir Bhutto and eventually resigned as president in 2008, exiling himself from Pakistan. Musharraf survived at least four assignation attempts during his lifetime but ultimately passed away in Dubai from suffering from amyloidosis at the age of 79. He was making his third appearance on DeathList, this year at number 34.
  3 appearances: 2023 (34), 2020 (47), 2004 (35)
  

  1st Death

  Age: 80, Former Pakistani President/Moving target, Cause of death: Amyloidosis