Rewritten title: Remembering the Celebrities we Lost in 2023

The entertainment industry continued to deal with loss in 2023 after losing beloved stars in the final days of 2022, including Barbara Walters, Kirstie Alley, and Stephen “tWitch” Boss. On New Year’s Day, former member of hip-hop group Three 6 Mafia, Lola “Gangsta Boo” Mitchell, was found dead in her home. She was 43 years old. The Associated Press reported on the rapper's death. The “Mitchell family would like to thank everyone for their condolences regarding the untimely death of Lola ‘Gangsta Boo’ Mitchell,” said the rapper's family in a statement. “The family is asking for your continued prayers and privacy as we process the loss of our loved one.”

The same day, Fred White’s brother announced that the Earth, Wind & Fire drummer had died. Via Instagram Verdine White captioned: “Dearest Family Friends and Fans….. Our family is saddened today With the loss of an amazing and talented family member, Our beloved brother Frederick Eugene ‘Freddie’ White. 🙏🏾🙏🏾💔💔🥁🥁.” He also published a series of throwback photos of the “September” artist drumming and posing with the band. He called his sibling a “child protégé” and noted he was a “member of the EWF ORIGINAL 9, with gold records at the young age of 16 years old.” White was 67 years old.

Alan Rankine, a founding member of the Scottish band The Associates, died at the age of 64. “He died peacefully at home shortly after spending Christmas with his family,” his two sons announced via Facebook on January 2, adding that they would keep his social media accounts active because “the community meant a lot to our dad.”

Rally driver and YouTuber Ken Block died at the age of 55 in a snowmobile accident on January 2. Block’s Hoonigan Racing team said in a statement, “Ken was a visionary, a pioneer, and an icon. And most importantly, a father and husband. He will be incredibly missed. Please respect the family’s privacy at this time while they grieve.” CNN reports that he was riding the vehicle down a slope in Utah when the snowmobile toppled over him, and he succumbed to injuries sustained in the accident.

Lance Reddick, known for his role in The Wire, died at the age of 60 during the press tour for the film John Wick: Chapter 4. A rep for the actor confirmed to Us Weekly in a March 17 statement that he died of natural causes. Keanu Reeves and the film’s director, Chad Stahelski, paid tribute to the late star in a joint statement, saying, “We are deeply saddened and heartbroken at the loss of our beloved friend and colleague Lance Reddick. He was the consummate professional and a joy to work with...Our love and prayers are with his wife Stephanie, his children, family, and friends. We dedicate the film to his loving memory. We will miss him dearly.”