“Unforgettable Losses: The Stars We Lost Between Christmas and New Year That Still Haunt Our Memories”

As the holiday season rolls around, we grab our eggnog and cozy up by the fire, ready to share laughs and memories with loved ones. Yet, like a plot twist in a holiday special gone wrong, we’re reminded of a somber reality—many beloved stars have left us during this festive time. From the soul-stirring ballads of Wham! icon George Michael to the cosmic charm of Carrie Fisher, who graced our screens as the indomitable Princess Leia, a surprising number of celebrities have taken their final bows between Christmas and New Year. So, as we deck the halls and holly-jolly it up, let’s take a moment to reflect on these cultural icons we’ve lost during this whimsical yet bittersweet season. It makes you wonder—how does the universe find the right time to wave goodbye to our favorites? LEARN MORE.

A number of famous faces have passed away during the festive period over the years.

From Wham! icon George Michael to Star Wars favourite Carrie Fisher, there’s been dozens of celebrities who have sadly died between Christmas and New Year.

As Christmas approaches, here we remember some of the icons who we’ve lost during the Christmas period.

George Michael

George Michael died on Christmas Day in 2016 (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Much-loved singer George Michael was found dead on Christmas Day in 2016. He passed away from heart failure at the age of 53 at his home in Goring-on-Thames.

George’s death was announced via a statement shared online, which read: “It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period.”

The Wham! singer’s death was attributed to natural causes due to dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and a fatty liver.

Carrie Fisher

Carrie Fisher played Princess Leia in the Star Wars franchise (Lucasfilm)

Actress Carrie Fisher passed away on 27 December 2017 following a four-day stint in intensive care. The star had suffered a health scare on a flight, which eventually led to her death at the age of 60.

Carrie’s daughter Billie Lourd confirmed her death in a statement, which dozens of celebrities paying tribute to the late Star Wars actress.

Her exact cause of death could not be determined, but sleep apnea and fatty tissue on the walls of arteries were among the contributing factors.

Sonny Bono

Sonny Bono with wife Cher (UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

American singer and actor Sonny died on 5 January, 1998 at the age of 62. He suffered severe injuries when he hit a tree while skiing in South Lake Tahoe, California.

Sonny rose to fame alongside his second wife Cher, with the pair forming duo Sonny & Cher. Sonny was also the mayor of Palm Springs from 1988 until 1992.

Carlos Marín

The Spanish baritone died at the age of just 53 (Victor Chavez/Getty Images)

Carlos Marín was famed for being part of classical group II DIVO. The singer died at the age of 53 in a Manchester hospital.

He had tested positive for COVID-19 on 7 December, before being placed in an induced coma days later. He passed away on 19 December, 2021.

James Avery

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star James Avery died on New Year’s Eve in 2013 (Mark Mainz/Getty Images)

James Avery was famed for portraying Uncle Phil in 90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The actor passed away on 31 December, 2013 in Los Angeles, aged 65.

His death came as a result of complications he suffered from an open-heart surgery in California.

James’ Fresh Prince co-star Joseph Marcell, who played the family butler Geoffrey, told CNN that the late star was ‘a marvellous man and a truly wonderful actor’.

Natalie Cole

R&B star Natalie Cole died on New Year’s Eve in 2015 (Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos/Getty Images)

R&B singer Natalie Cole rose to fame in the 1970s and is remembered for popular songs such as ‘Our Love’ and ‘This Will Be’. The daughter of jazz singer Nat King Cole, Natalie was also a songwriter and actress.

She passed away on 31 December, 2015 at the age of 65 from congestive heart failure. It was caused by her idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH), which she was diagnosed with in 2009.

Debbie Reynolds

Actress Debbie Reynolds sadly died just one day after her daughter, Carrie Fisher (Getty Images/Bob Riha, Jr.)

American actress and singer Debbie Reynolds was in the spotlight for almost seven decades and is remembered for her portrayal of Helen Kane in the hit film Three Little Words.

Debbie died following a stroke on 28 December, 2016, one day after the death of her daughter, fellow actress and Star Wars icon Carrie Fisher.

James Brown

The legendary RnB singer died on Christmas Day in 2006 (David Corio/Michael Ochs Archives)

One of the most influential artists of his generation, James Brown is remembered for his hit songs such as ‘Living in America’ and ‘I Got You (I Feel Good)’. The singer passed away on Christmas Day in 2006 from congestive failure, at the age of 73.

James’ pal Charles Bobbitt told The New York Daily News that the singer had said he was “going away tonight” before taking three breaths and falling asleep.

Tanya Roberts

Tanya Roberts was best known for her roles in Charlie’s Angels and That 70s Show (Keith Hamshere/Getty Images)

American actress and model Tanya Roberts died on 4 January 2021, at the age of 65, from a urinary tract infection (UTI) which developed into sepsis. Her partner Lance O’Brien and spokesman Mike Pingel informed NBC News that Tanya had died at a medical centre in Los Angeles.

Many will remember Tanya for her portrayal of Julie Rogers in Charlie’s Angels or Midge Pinciotti in That 70s Show.

Dean Martin

Dean Martin passed away on Christmas Day in 1995 (Henry Gris/FPG/Getty Images)

On Christmas Day in 1995, Hollywood icon Dean Martin passed away at the age of 87 from acute respiratory failure. His death came exactly 29 years after his mother’s passing.

Martin is remembered as being a member of The Rat Pack alongside Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop, as well as his Christmas song covers and for fronting The Dean Martin Show.