Closer pays tribute to the iconic stars who helped shape our world.
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Bob Newhart: 1929-2024
A former accountant whose deadpan humor made him the star of The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart, Bob continued to work in films, including Elf, on TV and in stand-up before his July death at 94. “It’s a wonderful thing to be able to do,” he told Closer. “You go out and do a good show, and you and the audience are happy for an hour or so.”
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Shelley Duvall: 1949-2024
After a star turn in The Shining, Shelley, who died in July at 75, created children’s programming with Faerie Tale Theatre and Tall Tales & Legends. Her final role, in 2023’s The Forest Hills, brought her full circle. “If you ever do a horror film,” she said, “other horror films are going to come to you, no matter what you do.”
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Maggie Smith: 1934-2024
She performed Shakespeare, won two Oscars and never, ever, stopped working. Two later-in-life roles, Downton Abbey’s sharp-tongued Lady Violet and Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter films, brought Maggie worldwide fame. “One went to school, one wanted to act, one started to act and one’s still acting,” said the star, who passed away at 89 in September.
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Shannen Doherty: 1971-2024
The former wild child of Beverly Hills, 90210, and Charmed displayed courage and dignity in a nearly decade-long battle with breast cancer. She passed away at 53 in July. “Every day I pick myself up and hope that I do better,” said the inspirational star.
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Phil Donahue: 1935-2024
His pioneering talk show brought controversial topics to daytime television and won 20 Emmy Awards. “We had no couches, no announcers, no band,” said Phil, who passed away in August at 88. “We had to go with the issues — that’s what made us alive.”
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Kris Kristofferson: 1936-2024
“I wouldn’t be doing any of it if it weren’t for writing,” said the performer, who died at 88 in September and wrote “Me and Bobby McGee,” among other hits. Kris found a second career in film, winning a Golden Globe for A Star Is Born, but returned to music with the outlaw country supergroup the Highwaymen.
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James Earl Jones: 1931-2024
This longtime theater actor gained a broader audience as the voice of Star Wars’ Darth Vader and The Lion King’s Mufasa — but acting began as a way to overcome his childhood stutter. “I don’t say I was cured. I just work with it,” said the Tony and Grammy award winner, who passed in September at age 93.
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Mitzi Gaynor: 1931-2024
“South Pacific made everything else in my career possible,” Mitzi, who was born Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber, told Closer. Her international success in that 1958 musical gave Mitzi the clout to record albums, star in TV specials and become one of the most popular nightclub acts of the 1960s. “I love what I do, and I truly love an audience,” said Mitzi, who passed away in October at age 93. “It’s an honor and a privilege.”
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Teri Garr: 1944-2024
Her smart, sunny presence made the Young Frankenstein star, who passed away in October at 79, a favorite guest of David Letterman and Johnny Carson. Diagnosed with MS in 1999, Teri became a spokeswoman for MS research and support. “I really do count my blessings,” she said.
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Richard Simmons: 1948-2024
The fitness guru preached a gospel of self-love and wellness with feel-good TV appearances and his Sweatin’ to the Oldies videos, which made exercise fun and inclusive. “Focus on what you like about yourself,” Richard, who died last July at 76, urged, “and that will bring you peace.”
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