The number of famous personalities lost in 2016 is nothing short of astonishing.
As 2016 comes to a close, it is difficult to fathom the loss of pop culture titans that left us this year.
Carrie Fisher's death came as society is still reeling from the loss of singer George Michael, who passed just two days before on Christmas Day.
Many of the notable deaths came from the music world.
It's a sad roll call that began in January when the iconic singer David Bowie died in New York after a secret battle with liver cancer. He had just celebrated his 69th birthday and the release of what would be his final album, the critically acclaimed Blackstar.
Read: David Bowie Fans Line Around the Block to Pay Their Respects at His NYC Home
A concept record about facing death, Blackstar was released January 8, just two days before Bowie passed away.
That same month, guitarist and founding member of The Eagles, Glenn Frey, died of complications from pneumonia and other medical issues at age 67.
In March, rapper Malik "Phife Dawg" Taylor from A Tribe Called Quest passed away after a lengthy battle with diabetes. Months after the 45-year-old’s sudden death, his band released their first album in 18 years in November, the critically acclaimed, We Got It From Here… Thank You 4 Your Service. It went straight to No.1 after it arrived and became the hip-hop outfit’s first record to reach Billboard’s summit.
In April, the nation was shocked when Prince was found dead at his Paisley Park estate in Minnesota. The Grammy-winning icon was just 57, and died of an opioid overdose.
Leonard Cohen, the singer/songwriter famous for his soulful “Hallelujah,” died in November at age 82. He had released his final album, You Want It Darker, in September. Like Bowie’s Blackstar, the record was about approaching the end of your life.
The same month, soul singer Sharon Jones passed away at 60 after a long battle with cancer. Her fight against the disease was featured in the 2016 documentary, Miss Sharon Jones!
A number of American heroes and icons also left us this year.
Boxer and civil rights leader Muhammad Ali was laid to rest in June after the former heavyweight champion suffered septic shock. Ali, who was 74 when he passed, battled Parkinson’s disease for more than 30 years.
A funeral that shut down his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, was attended by President Bill Clinton, Billy Crystal, Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis.
Read: The Champ's Final Round: Muhammad Ali Is Laid to Rest
In March, former first lady Nancy Reagan passed away at 94. The widow of President Ronald Reagan was buried at the California library that carries her husband's name.
The first American to ever orbit the Earth and the oldest man to ever fly in space, former Ohio senator John Glenn, passed away in early December at 95.
There were also famous faces of television who left us.
In early December, fans were anguished when Growing Pains star Alan Thicke suffered a fatal ruptured aorta while playing hockey. He was 69.
Brady Bunch matriarch Florence Henderson passed away in November at 82.
Beloved Everyone Loves Raymond star Doris Roberts passed away in April at age 90.
Hollywood titans also departed in 2016.
Cherished British actor Alan Rickman died in January at 69 after a battle with Pancreatic cancer.
Also in January, Abe Vigoda, the subject of many death hoaxes in his life, died at 94.
Oscar winner Patty Duke passed away in March at 59 after suffering sepsis from a ruptured intestine.
Comedy icon Gene Wilder died in August after a battle with Alzheimer’s. The Blazing Saddles star was 83.
Funnyman Garry Shandling passed away in March after a blood clot in his heart caused his death. He was 66.
Actress and socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor passed away earlier this month at 99.
Rising star Anton Yelchin, 27, best known for his work in the Star Trek reboot, was involved in a freak accident after he was pinned by his truck against a brick pillar outside his California home in June. The actor passed days before the premiere of the franchise's latest installment, Star Trek: Beyond. The film was dedicated to his memory.
An artist who calls himself Chris The Barker has depicted all of the deaths and major events like Brexit, the Chapecoense soccer team’s plane crash and other tragedies in a portrait inspired by the classic Beatles album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
I'm really sorry everyone. This is so sad. I feel awful. #RIPCarrieFisher #sgtpepper2016 May the force be with 2017. pic.twitter.com/3HJM8mJPVQ
— christhebarker (@christhebarker) December 27, 2016
Watch: The Force Awakens: Women of All Ages Don Princess Leia Costumes to Honor Carrie Fisher
