My Funny

The year of 2009 witnessed the sad passing of a number of stars of the stage and screen who touched many lives around the world. Here through the article from a chinadaily.com.cn special, we look back at the celebrities we lost and pay tribute to them for the joy and memories they brought to us.

1. Michael Jackson - the King of Pop

U.S. pop star Michael Jackson performs "We are the World" during the World Music Awards at Earl's Court in London Nov. 15, 2006.

Michael Jackson, U.S. singer died June 25 aged 50. Jackson died suddenly after suffering a cardiac arrest in a rented Los Angeles mansion. The Los Angeles coroner ruled his death a homicide, and several doctors who treated Jackson have been investigated. Officials have focused on the singer's use of a powerful anesthetic called propofol to help induce sleep.

2. David Carradine - popular American character actor


U.S. actor David Carradine arrives for a screening at the 57th Cannes Film Festival in this May 21, 2004 file photo.

U.S. actor David Carradine died June 3 aged 72. The star of the 1970s television show "Kung Fu" was found naked and hanging from a rope in the closet of his luxury Bangkok hotel room, according to Thai police.

3. Stephen Gately - lead singer of boyband Boyzone


Stephen Gately of the boy band Boyzone speaks to fans at a music store in Bombay in this Aug. 2, 2000 file photo.

Stephen Gately, Irish singer died Oct. 10 aged 33. The member of Irish boyband Boyzone died due to fluid on his lungs while on holiday on the Spanish island of Majorca.

4. Patrick Swayze - star of "Dirty Dancing" and "Ghost"


In this May 26, 1998 file photo, Patrick Swayze is seen at an activity in Dubai.

Patrick Swayze, U.S. actor died Sept. 14 aged 57. The actor best known as the smoldering dance instructor in “Dirty Dancing” died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He cemented his status as a big screen sex symbol with his performance in 1990 romance “Ghost” alongside Demi Moore.

5. Brittany Murphy - American actress and singer


Actress Brittany Murphy arrives for the European premiere of "Happy Feet " at the Empire cinema in London Nov. 26, 2006.

Brittany Murphy, U.S. actress died Dec. 20 aged 32. Murphy suffered a cardiac arrest in her LA bathroom and was pronounced dead at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. She co-starred in films such as "Clueless," "8 Mile," "Girl, Interrupted" and "Sin City," and enjoyed enduring success on the small screen providing the voice of the vacuous Texan Luanne Platter in the cartoon series "King of the Hill." But Murphy' career waned in recent years. Her emaciated appearance had also sparked concerns about her health.

6. Natasha Richardson - British actress


British actress Natasha Richardson arrives at the amFAR Gala in New York in this file photo taken on Jan. 31, 2008.

Natasha Richardson, a gifted and precocious heiress to acting royalty whose career highlights included the film "Patty Hearst" and a Tony-winning performance in a stage revival of "Cabaret," died on March 18, 2009 at age 45 after suffering a head injury from a skiing accident.

7. Chen Lin - Chinese mainland pop singer


Mainland pop singer Chen Lin is dead after apparently leaping to her death from an apartment building in Beijing, on Oct. 31, 2009, the same day as her former husband's birthday.

Chen Lin, Chinese singer died Oct. 31 aged 40. Mainland pop singer Chen Lin died after apparently leaping to her death from an apartment building in Beijing, on the same day as her former husband's birthday. Chen was emotionally stricken by the failure of her twelve-year marriage with her former husband, which resulted in depression. The singer rose to stardom in 1993 with her debut album "I Never Know Your Love", which sold over 1.5 million copies.

8. Li Yu - Chinese mainland actress


Li Yu, Chinese actress died on March 14. She died of lymph cancer. Li rose to fame in 2001 with her debut acting in "Romance in the Rain".

Li Yu, Chinese actress died March 14 aged 33. She died of lymph cancer. Li rose to fame in 2001 with her debut acting in "Romance in the Rain".

9. A Sang - Taiwan pop singer


Judy Huang Yanlin (A sang), Taiwan singer died on April 6 aged 34. This pop singer died of breast cancer despite two-years of treatment. Her soothing voice and touching ballads enjoyed great popularity among listeners.

Judy Huang Yanlin (A sang), Taiwan singer died on April 6 aged 34. This pop singer died of breast cancer despite two-years of treatment. Her soothing voice and touching ballads enjoyed great popularity among listeners.

10.Cheng Kui'an - Hong Kong actor


David Tsui (Cheng Kui’an), Hong Kong actor died Aug. 27 aged 54. Cheng suffered from nasopharyngeal carcinoma, cancer in the nose, which later spread to his liver. In his 23-year performing career, Cheng played various minor roles in 350 films with his characteristic and impressive acting.
David Tsui (Cheng Kui’an), Hong Kong actor died Aug. 27 aged 54. Cheng suffered from nasopharyngeal carcinoma, cancer in the nose, which later spread to his liver. In his 23-year performing career, Cheng played various minor roles in 350 films with his characteristic and impressive acting.

(Source: chinadaily.com.cn)

Label: actor death 2009, actress death 2009, artist death 2009, singer death