Recent celebrity deaths can be a bit dark to search on Google. However, if you need to know the celebrities that died today, or were wondering the status of celebrities on the 2022 death pool, this is your guide. So this list will serve as your reference for celebrities who died in 2022. If you’re wondering about a famous actor who just died, or what famous person died this year, you’ll certainly get the full story on recent Hollywood deaths here.
This list will answer searches like who died this week, latest celebrity deaths, and celebrity deaths this week. One of those famous deaths in 2022 was NFL coach Dan Reeves, one of the first celebrities who died in 2022.
You can continue to check back throughout the year to keep tabs on what famous people died this year. You may be surprised by the celebs who died, and maybe even a little broken-hearted if you were a big fan.
Check back for the most recent famous deaths, and all of the other celebrity deaths of 2022.
Barbara Walters passed away on December 30, 2022. She was 93.
Walters was pioneering broadcast journalist whose interviews would go on to be worldwide sensations. She was the creator of daytime talkshow, The View, where women of differing opinions would come together to discuss current issues and news. She was a trailblazing journalist broke boundaries for professional women everywhere. Throughout her storied career, she interviewed people via her programs The Barbara Walters Specials and 10 Most Interesting People to Watch. In her prime, she interviewed every president and first lady since Richard and Pat Nixon. In 1984, she went on to co-host and correspond for ABC's 20/20. For more than five decades, Walters asked the hard-hitting questions and pulled no punches, making her a hero to journalists everywhere.
In an article for People, former The View moderator Meredith Veira penned a letter saying, “Thank you for clearing the path forward. We may all follow in your footsteps. But no one will ever fill your heels. I know you're supposed to Rest In Peace, but first I have a funny feeling you are writing a note to The Almighty. And I am sure you will bag the exclusive interview.”
Vivienne Westwood passed away on December 29, 2022. She was 81.
Westwood was a well-known fashion designer who burst onto the scene with her punk designs. Her style was subversive and bold, notable for height-defying pumps and intricate corsetry as well as tartan and safety pin details. She brought her rebel spirit to London when she first brought punk to fashion in the 1970s through her shop with Malcolm McLaren. She was known as the godmother of punk.
Supermodel Naomi Campbell wrote in an Instagram post, "The Original Queen of Fashion, Dame #VivenneWestwood@viviennewestwood, wife, mother, grandmother and friend.. I remember as I child riding the bus home from school and driving by Kings Road seeing all the punks with their risk taking way of dressing and hair. It was revolutionary, i didn’t know then that I would meet Vivienne Westwood in 86 and not only get to work with her but be able to call her a friend. Your Strength was admirable in a business dominated by men. You were a force of nature, that would always encourage me to push forward and not give up on things I was passionate about outside of modeling. Your honesty was to be valued whether we liked to hear it or not, you spoke your truth, real and authentic. Your story telling designs that were busting with regal and ground breaking cuts that everyone has copied til this very day!!! And your beautiful love story with Andreas, @ndreaskronthaler one we’d read about in fairy tales, that i was able to witness for decades. We can only dream of such love. YOUR LEGACY IS JUST BEGINNING, and it will be etched in stone for forever, as your contribution to our industry is immeasurable. They could not make enough awards for what you truly deserved. To be be able to visit with you recently i feel blessed and will carry that memory in my heart always. My sincere condolences to Andrea’s Jo and all family and loved ones . REST ON THE THRONE YOU SO GREATLY DESERVE QUEEN."
Edson “Pelé” Arantes do Nascimento passed away on December 29, 2022. He was 82.
A member of three Brazilian World Cup champion teams, Pelé was widely regarded as the greatest soccer player of all time and often was given credit for coining the term "the beautiful game," used to describe the sport. The world was officially introduced to the phenom at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. Displaying remarkable speed, athleticism and field vision, the 17-year-old Pelé scored three goals in a 5-2 semifinal win over France before netting two more goals in the 5-2 championship win over the host country. Pelé helped Brazil to win two more World Cup trophies — at the 1962 World Cup in Chile and the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. Brazil crashed out in the first round of the 1966 World Cup in England, having only played three matches.
Throughout the years, the legend of Pelé continued to grow — so much so that in the late 1960s, the two factions in the Nigerian Civil War reportedly agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire so they could watch him play in an exhibition game in Lagos. Pelé was also known to be a fair and highly influential player, who stood out for his charismatic leadership and sportsmanship on the pitch. Pelé went on to play for the New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League after a brief retirement from the sport. He played his final game in an exhibition between New York and Santos in October 1977, competing for both sides. He retired with a total of 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, a Guinness World Record.
Pelé held the records for youngest player to play in a World Cup final, youngest goal scorer and youngest hat-trick scorer in World Cup history. In 1978, he was awarded the International Peace Award for his work with UNICEF, and in 1999, FIFA named him "Co-Player of the Century" along with Argentine star Diego Maradona.
Ruggero Deodato passed away on December 29, 2022. He was 83.
Deodato was the director of the controversial horror film, Cannibal Holocaust. The film was banned in several countries for its gore, nudity, and graphic subject matter. Deodato studied under directors Roberto Rossellini and Sergio Corbucci to finetune his craft. Throughout the ‘60s and ’70s, he released films that were increasingly gory and provocative. His film Last Cannibal World was censored for animal cruelty in the U.K.
Ronan Vibert passed on December 22, 2022. He was 58.
Vibert was a veteran actor, well known for his roles in Saving Mr. Banks and The Pianist. Throughout his career, he worked with some of the top directors and actors in the business. Some of his other film roles include The Snowman, Dracula Untold, Shadow of the Vampire, The Cat's Meow, Tomb Raider 2, and Tristan and Isolde.
Actress Kathy Burke tweeted, “Just heard about the death of lovely, Ronan Vibert. We first worked together at Manchester Royal Exchange back in the 80’s. We had great times together. Our favourite was seeing The Pogues, Glasgow Barrowlands on Paddy’s night. Oh, how we jumped.”
Mike Hodges passed away on December 17, 2022. He was 90.
Hodges was most famously known for directing films Get Carter, Croupier, and Flash Gordon. Throughout his career he primarily specialized in hard-boiled, crime dramas like Pulp in 1972, but it was utterly campy and stylized take on Flash Gordon that cemented his cult status for years to come. His film Get Carter is often regarded as one of the greatest British gangster films of all time. He is often lauded as the inspiration for many directors from Martin Scorsese to Stanley Kubrick.
Brian Blessed, who starred as the titular Flash Gordon in Hodges' film, paid tribute on the BBC Radio 4's World At One program saying, ""Hodges [had a] brilliant imagination, but his direction - mind-blowing. Great manner, great perception."
