In Memoriam 2016: Film, Television, Music, Sports, Literature, the Arts”¦

With 2017 upon us, let’s take one final look back at the luminaries and personalities of the entertainment world who left us in 2016, during a year that seemed more turbulent and taxing than any other in recent memory.

Challenges in the past and challenges ahead, it’s a tough time to live in the world right now with so many changes like a whirling dervish to the senses. While there is much sadness in recognizing and accepting the passing of so many great figures in 2016, it’s the endearing, endless, never-ending fanbase and legacy that will keep each and every one of these names mentioned here (and some are of only cult status, but still enjoy a rabid passionate following as equal as any global figure) alive and well in the consciousness and beyond. In no particular order and apologies in advance if some of your favorites were left off. This was a huge list to go through and what was more painful than compiling this list was the fact that these incredibly talented people are all no longer with us.

One of the all-time great TV dads, Alan Thicke, has died at the age of 69. Thicke, a massive hockey fan who often played in charity games with legends of the sport and other celebrities, was reportedly playing hockey with his son when he suffered a heart attack and was taken to Providence St. Joseph’s Medical Center where he later passed away.

Thicke is best known for playing Dr. Jason Seaver on the hit ABC sitcom Growing Pains. The show ran for 167 episodes from 1985 to 1992, and also starred Joanna Kearns as Thicke’s character’s wife, and Kirk Cameron, Tracey Gold, and Jeremy Miller as the character’s children, with Ashley Johnson playing the suddenly much older youngest child for the last couple of seasons. A homeless teenager (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) was brought into the family during the show’s final season.