Despite many celebrations recorded in 2018 by the entertainment industry, it has also recorded counting losses and some of those loses include the lives of a number of our favourite stars.
For soul lovers and senior citizens news one the death of the “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin, was quite a sad one. Franklin was an eruptive singer who reigned atop the pop and R&B charts in the late ’60s and early ’70s. She had a succession of albums and singles of unparalleled power and emotional depth, which cut across generations before and after her time. She died on August 16, aged 76.
Stan Lee, took comicbooks to a whole new level when he co-created iconic superheroes Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, and the X-Men – characters. These characters launched a renaissance in the industry that knew no bounds before springing on to the silver screen, garnering millions of fans across the globe in the process. He died on November 12 at 95 years.
Katherine Noel Valentine Brosnahan, was more popularly known as Kate Spade and Kate Valentine. The American fashion designer was famous for her leather works and other creative enterprises. She was the founder and former co-owner of the designer brand Kate Spade New York. She died on June 5, at the age of 55.
Burt Reynolds was one of the Hollywood stars who dominated the industry in the ’70s and early ’80s. Films as ‘Deliverance,’ ‘Smokey and the Bandit,’ ‘The Longest Yard’ and ‘Semi-Tough,’ endeared him to many. He passed on at 82 on September 6.
South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, composer and singer, Hugh Ramapolo Masekela was known for his jazz compositions and for writing well-known anti-apartheid songs. Some of them were ‘Soweto Blues’ and ‘Bring Him Back Home.’ Masekela who described as “the father of South African jazz” died on January 23.
Margaret Ruth Kidder, better known as Margot Kidder, was a Canadian-American actress and activist who co-starred with the late Christopher Reeves in the original ‘Superman’ film as Lois Lane. Her career spanned over five decades with recognitions which included three Canadian Screen Awards and one Daytime Emmy Award. She died on May 13 at age 69.
Verne Troyer was best known for his role as Mini-Me in the ‘Austin Powers’ films and one of the shortest men in the world, standing at only 2 ft 8. The American actor, comedian, and stunt performer died on April 21.
Very many foodies the world over and even Nigeria were glued to their screen to share in the culinary delights Anthony Bourdain so effortlessly dished out from his globetrotting. These televised episodes also shot him to fame and him to many hearts. The television personality and writer died by suicide on June 8. He was 61.