Twitter vs. 2017 Celebrity Death Scares

2017 has been in terms of celebrity deaths. Where 2016 was front-loaded with shocking numbers of major Baby Boomer-era celebrities dying young in the early months of the year, so far 2017 has seen us bid farewell to , , , and just a handful of other well-known stars.

Remembering Alan Rickman (video)

With his deep voice and droll humor, Alan Rickman was a highlight of any film he appeared in.

Remembering David Bowie (video)

David Bowie, the legendary singer and songwriter, shocked the world when he died at the age of 69 on January 10, 2016. One of the most consistently fascinating artists in popular music, Bowie came to international attention with his astronaut-themed ballad “Space Oddity” (known to many radio listeners by its first line, “Ground Control to Major Tom”). He propelled himself to superstardom performing in character as his alter-ego, the alien rock star Ziggy Stardust, and over the next 40 years, Bowie’s ever-changing music and image won legions of fans around the world. He was an inspiration to anyone who ever felt like an outsider, assuring them with his existence that weirdoes are beautiful, too.

Celebrity Grief

It can seem odd to feel such a deep sense of loss for someone you never met, and yet it is normal to grieve for anyone who has touched your life.

Istanbul Nightclub Shooting Victims

At least 39 people have been killed and more wounded in a New Year’s Eve attack on a nightclub in Istanbul, Turkey, according to multiple news sources.

Russian Military Plane Crash Victims

A Russian military plane crashed in the Black Sea killing 92 people.

Andrew Dorff (1976 - 2016)

Andrew Dorff, a songwriter who wrote No. 1 hits for country music stars Blake Shelton and Kenny Chesney, has died at the age of 40, according to multiple news sources.

Berlin Market Truck Crash Victims

A truck plowed through a busy Christmas market in Berlin, Germany, Monday, killing at least 12 people and injuring scores of others, according to multiple news sources.

Bernard Fox (1927 - 2016), Bewitched actor

Bernard Fox, the actor known for his role as Dr. Bombay on the sitcom “Bewitched,” died Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016, according to multiple news sources. He was 89.

Alan Thicke (1947 - 2016), Growing Pains dad

The Canadian actor was best known for his role as kind-hearted psychiatrist-dad Jason Seaver on the 1980s family sitcom “Growing Pains.”

Joe Ligon (1936–2016)

Joe Ligon, the energetic founder and lead singer of the three-time Grammy-winning gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy, died Sunday in Georgia, according to multiple news sources. He was 80.

Cairo Cathedral Bombing Victims

At least 25 people have died, and dozens more were wounded early Sunday in a bombing attack in a Coptic church in Cairo, Egypt, according to CNN and the government-sponsored Al-Ahram news outlet.

Indonesia Earthquake Victims

At least 97 people were killed early Wednesday in the wake of a 6.5 magnitude earthquake in Indonesia's Aceh province, according to CNN.

Rashaan Salaam (1974–2016)

Rashaan Salaam, a former Heisman Trophy-winning running back, has died at the age of 42, according to ESPN.

Colombia Plane Crash Victims

75 people, including many soccer players, were killedafter a charter plane crashed in Colombia southeast of the city of Medellin.

Melvin Laird (1922 - 2016)

Melvin Laird, the defense secretary who oversaw the 1973 withdrawal of U.S. troops from Vietnam, died Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016, according to multiple news sources. Laird was 94.

Leonard Cohen Taught Me How to Be a Person

As a child, I was surrounded by angry screaming. Leonard Cohen’s songs whispered of something better.

Robert Vaughn (1932–2016), The Man from U.N.C.L.E. star

Actor Robert Vaughn was known for "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.," "The Magnificent Seven," and "Superman III."

Leonard Cohen (1934–2016), Hallelujah singer and songwriter

Leonard Cohen, a legendary Canadian-born singer-songwriter, died Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, according to multiple news sources. He was 82.

Iowa Police Officers

Two police officers were killed early Wednesday in what was described as two separate ambush attacks in a suburb of Des Moines, Iowa, according to CNN. According to police, it started around 1:05 a.m. Wednesday in Urbandale, Iowa. Officers responding to a shots-fired call found an officer dead in his vehicle, a police spokesman said. About 20 minutes later, a second officer was found dead in his vehicle. The identities of the officers were being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Bob Hoover (1922 - 2016)

Robert A. "Bob" Hoover, a World War II fighter pilot who became an aviation legend for his skills as a test pilot and for his appearances in air shows, has died at age 94.

Eddie Applegate (1935 - 2016)

Eddie Applegate, the actor who played Richard, the boyfriend of Patty, on “The Patty Duke Show,” has died, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He was 81.

Herschell Gordon Lewis (1929–2016)

Horror filmmaker known as the Godfather of Gore.

Katie and Dalton Prager (1990 - 2016)

Katie Prager, the wife in the real "The Fault in Our Stars" couple, died Thursday after complications from cystic fibrosis at the age of 26, according to CNN. Her husband, Dalton Prager, died just a few days ago, on Saturday, of the same disease. He was 25.

Bobby Breen (1927 - 2016)

Bobby Breen, a former child star best known in the 1930s, has died at 88.

Read to Your Children (In Memory of Anna Dewdney)

When Anna Dewdney died last weekend, her obituary in Publisher's Weekly included one unusual specification: "She requested that in lieu of a funeral service that people read to a child instead."

Dr. Donald Henderson (1928 - 2016)

Dr. Donald Henderson, epidemiologist who led the effort that eliminated smallpox, has died at the age of 87, according to multiple news sources.

The Story Behind the Year's Funniest Obituary

When the recently went viral, we wanted to learn more about the story behind the words. We talked to Ziegler's family members and found out how they worked together to create the perfect tribute to their father.

James Woolley (1966–2016)

Former keyboardist for Nine Inch Nails.

Rouen, France, Bar Fire Victims

An accidental fire broke out around midnight Friday at a bar in the northern French city of Rouen, killing 13 people and injuring six, according to multiple news sources.

Update: Is 2016 the Year of the Celebrity Death?

Linnea Crowther writes celebrity obituaries for Legacy.com, the global leader in online obituaries. After seeing dozens of Facebook posts early this year asking why so many celebrities were dying all of a sudden, she set out to determine whether 2016 really is . Her As the second quarter of the year drew to a close, she had a hunch that the numbers continued to be bad for the rich and famous. Read on to find out just how right she was.

Baton Rouge Shooting Victims

Three law enforcement officers were killed Sunday morning in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, after a gunman ambushed them, according to multiple news sources. Three other officers were wounded in the attack. The gunman died in a shootout with the police. Killed were Baton Rouge Officers Montrell Jackson and Matthew Gerald. The third victim, Brad Garafola, 45, was an East Baton Rouge sheriff’s deputy. His death was confirmed by a spokeswoman for the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office. He was a 24-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office. At the time of his death, he was working in civil processing and foreclosures, the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release posted on its Facebook page.

Our Collective Grief – Mourning for Those We’ll Never Know

How do we process the loss to our national community in the wake of so much violence?

Istanbul Ataturk Airport Bombing Victims

At least 43people have been killed and 239others injured in a bombing at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, according to multiple news sources.

Colorado Van Crash Victims

Five people died Sunday in the wake of a collision involving an Amtrak train and a van about three miles north of Trinidad, Colorado, according to multiple news sources. The five people who were killed were the driver and four passengers of the van. A sixth occupant was taken to a hospital with injuries that police described as serious. The right side of the van was struck after it failed to yield the right of way to the train, the Colorado State Patrol said in a news release. None of the train's passengers or crew members was hurt, according to authorities, who added that the van was not stopped on the railroad tracks.

Russian Boating Accident Victims

At least 14 teenagers who were taking part in a summer-camp outing died in a storm Sunday night while boating on Lake Syamozero in northwest Russia, according to multiple news sources.

Orlando Nightclub Shooting Victims

Authorities now say 49 people were killed and more than 50 people were injured early Sunday in the wake of a shooting inside a nightclub in Orlando, Florida, according to police.

Angela Paton (1930 - 2016)

Character actress Angela Paton, known best for her role in "Groundhog Day" with Bill Murray, died Thursday, according to her family. She was 86.

Alan Young (1919 - 2016), Mister Ed star

Correction: After the publication of this obituary, Alan Young's date of death was determined to be May 19, 2016.

John Berry (1963–2016), Beastie Boys founding member

Founding member of the Beastie Boys hip-hop group.

EgyptAir Flight 804 Crash Victims

Rescue crews were searching early Thursday for EgyptAir Flight 804, which French President Francois Hollande said "was lost and that it has crashed" into the Mediterranean Sea with 66 people aboard.

Afeni Shakur (1947–2016), Tupac Shakur's mother

Afeni Shakur, the mother of the late hip-hop legend Tupac Shakur, died May 2, 2016, according to multiple news sources. She was 69.

Why Does It Seem Like More Celebrities Are Dying in 2016?

You've probably heard people talking about it. Maybe you've even asked the question yourself: Why are so many celebrities dying this year? We broke down the numbers to find out.

Guy Hamilton (1922 - 2016)

Guy Hamilton, a film director who helmed four of the James Bond movies, died Thursday. He was 93. Hamilton died at his home in Majorca, Spain. No cause of death was immediately available. Hamilton directed the Bond films "Goldfinger" (1964), "Diamonds Are Forever" (1971), "Live and Let Die" (1973), and "The Man With the Golden Gun" (1974).

Milt Pappas (1939 - 2016)

Milt Pappas, former Cubs pitcher who almost threw a perfect game in 1972, died Tuesday at the age of 76.

Kabul Bombing Victims

At least 28 people were killed and more than 320 people injured Tuesday in a suicide bombing near the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, according to multiple news sources.

Doris Roberts (1925 - 2016), Everybody Loves Raymond star

Doris Roberts, the Emmy Award-winning actress known best for her performance as Marie Barone on "Everybody Loves Raymond," has died at the age of 90.

Bill Campbell (1940 - 2016)

Bill Campbell, a mentor to Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and other Silicon Valley CEO’s, has died at 75.

Michi Kobi (1924–2016)

Actress Michi Kobi, who was known for roles in movies including "12 to the Moon," died March 1, according to a statement released by her family this weekend. She was 91.