Celebrity deaths 2021: Stars we’ve lost from Prince Philip to Paul Ritter
| Date | 04 January 2021 |
| Published date | 04 January 2021 |
| Publication title | Daily Star: Web Edition Articles (England) |
Saying goodbye to our heroes and stars we admire is never easy, and it’s important to take a moment to remember them.
They leave behind a legacy which will never be forgotten by friends, families and fans, and their contributions to the world will be enjoyed for years to come.
Here we remember the incredible stars who have passed away so far in 2021.
April
Prince Philip
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, sadly passed away on April 6, Buckingham Palace confirmed.
In a statement, the Palace confirmed: "It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
"His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.
"The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.
"Further announcements will be made in due course."
Paul Ritter
Actor Paul Ritter died from a brain tumour aged 54 on April 5.
Paul starred in all six series of Friday Night Dinner, and he was due to appear in the 10th anniversary special later this year.
As well as being well-known for his role of Martin Goodman, he also starred in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince as wizard Eldred Worple.
Paul also starred alongside Daniel Craig in James Bond Quantum of Solace.
As well as receiving praise for his stints on the silver screen, he enjoyed critical acclaim for his stage work, including Coram Boy.
March
Jessica Walter
Emmy-winning actress Jessica Walter died aged 80 on March 24.
Jessica was well known for playing the formidable Lucille Bluth on comedy series Arrested Development.
She was loved by many and enjoyed an incredible acting career which spanned over five decades.
Jessica starred in numerous television shows, including Murder, She Wrote, Babylon 5, Three’s A Crowd, The Magician and also had a cameo in The Big Bang Theory.
She won her first Emmy for her incredible performance in Ironside spin-off Amy Prentiss.
George Segal
George Segal passed away on March 23 aged 87 due to “complications from bypass surgery”.
Fan will recognise him as Albert “Pops” Solomon on all eight seasons of ABC sitcom The Goldbergs.
He also famously starred opposite Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in 1967's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf for which he received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
George is also well known for starring as Jack Gallo on NBC’s Just Shoot Me, which earned him two Golden Globe nominations, as well as turns in Bye Bye Braverman, Blume in Love, California Split and Look Who's Talking.
Houston Tumlin
Houston Tumlin, who was a child actor 15 years ago in Talladega Night: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, died on March 23 aged 28.
Shelby County Coroner Lina Evans told the publication that he had taken his own life inside his home in Pelham, Alabama.
He is best known for playing 10-year-old Walker Bobby, son of Will Ferrell’s character Ricky Bobby in the 2006 comedy film.
Richard Gilliland
Designing Women actor Richard Gilliland died at the age of 71 on March 18 after a “short illness”.
Richard was married to his co-star Jean Smart, and the pair were due to work together this summer in a film called Breaking News in Yuba County.
They met on the Designing Women set in 1986, and Jean said in an interview she had “lured” him to her dressing room on the pretext of helping her with a crossword puzzle.
Richard has starred in many big productions, including Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, Night Court, Judging Amy, 24, CSI, Criminal Minds, Dexter, Scandal, Desperate Housewives and Murder, She Wrote.
Yaphet Kotto
Yaphet Kotto, who starred in James Bond’s Live and Let Die, died aged 81 on March 15.
He began his career in theatre, making his professional acting debut at the age of 19 in Othello.
Yaphet got his breakthrough when he was cast as the main villain in the James Bond film Live and Let Die, playing Dr. Kananga / Mr. Big, a corrupt Caribbean Prime Minister who doubles as a drug lord.
He went on to star in cult-classic Alien and opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1987's The Running Man, before starring alongside Robert De Niro in the comedy thriller Midnight Run as FBI Agent Alonzo...
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