(Editor’s note: There were too many Hollywood actors who passed away in 2022, to recognize all of them. The article highlights some who will be missed along with those not featured.)
Sidney Poitier, the first Black actor to win an Oscar for Best Actor, and several other famous actors did not live to see Jan. 1, 2023.
Poitier served in the military 1943-44, and after World War II, he pursued an acting career that blossomed in 1961, the year he starred in “Raisin in the Sun.”
He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in “Lilies of the Field” in 1963.
In 1967, he starred in four films, “The Jackal,” “To Sir with Love,” “In the Heat of the Night” and “Look Who’s Coming to Dinner.”
Poitier starred in many films and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 1974. He also served as a Bahamian diplomat before his death at 94.
Roger E. Mosley died at 83 following a car crash on Aug. 4, which left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. He was being treated at Cedar-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
He is best known for his role as Theodore Calvin, “T.C.” who was Magnum’s side-kick and a helicopter pilot in “Magnum P.I.”
The 1980s TV series ran for eight years, starring Tom Selleck (Magnum) as a former naval intelligence officer operating as a private detective in Hawaii where he was in charge of security for the Robin Master’s Estate.
Peter Bogdanovich, 82, was a film critic, writer, producer, director and actor. He directed “The Last Picture Show” in 1971, and the film put him on Hollywood’s radar as an innovative director. The film helped launch the career of Cybill Shepherd.
He followed up by directing “Paper Moon,” a comedy-drama hit that was released in 1973. However, he fell on hard times with the critics following his strong start as a movie director.
According to Roger Neal, the actor’s publicist; Paul Sorvino passed away at 83 from natural causes after suffering from a number of health-related issues over the past few months.
Sorvino played Paulie Cicero in “The Goodfellas,” and Sergeant Phil Cerreta in “Law and Order.” He was known for his versatility as an actor who was skillful at portraying either a “good guy” or a “bad guy.”
James Caan died in Los Angeles at 82 from a heart attack.
Caan had a significant role in “Brian’s Song” in 1971, and a year later he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Sonny Corleone in the film, “The Godfather,” the second highest-ranked movie of all time behind “Citizen Kane” according to the American Film Institute.
One of Caan’s most memorable roles was that of a novelist held captive by a demented female fan who nursed him back to health following his car wreck, only to break his legs to keep him from leaving. The movie titled “Misery” was released in 1990.
Caan and the other actors who passed away in 2022 will be missed by their many fans, family members and the Hollywood movie industry.
Ray Liotta, an Emmy-Award-winning-actor, died in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic at 64.
He is best known for his portrayal of Shoeless Joe Jackson in “Field of Dreams,” a film starring Kevin Costner in 1989 and for his role as Henry Hill in “Goodfellas.”
Liotta died in his sleep in a hotel room. He had been filming for “Black Bird.”
William Hurt, a leading man in Hollywood movies during the 1980s, died at 71 from prostate cancer at his home in Portland, Ore.
Hurt was nominated for Academy Awards four times, and he starred opposite Kathleen Turner in “Body Heat” and he won an Oscar for Best Actor for his role as a prisoner in “Kiss of the Spider Woman” (1985).
Emmy winner Louie Anderson died at 68 in Las Vegas. He was a standup comic, actor, TV host and media personality.
Glenn Swartz, Anderson’s publicist reported that he died from complications stemming from cancer of the blood.
Anderson had 61 film credits, including such comedies as “Coming to America” and “Coming 2 America.”
Robert Lang Saget died at 65 in the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Grande Lakes, Fla. He portrayed Danny Tanner in “Full House,” an ABC sitcom.
Saget, a standup comedian like Anderson, was an actor as well. He appeared in several films, including “Dumb and Dumber” and “Father and Scout.”
From directors to actors to standup comics who doubled as actors, Hollywood has honorary stars on its sidewalks.
