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.

Longtime actor Peter Vaughan has died at the age of 93. His agent released a brief statement confirming the actor’s death, adding that he “died peacefully with his family around him.”

Vaughan was born in 1923, and his acting career began way back in the mid-1950s. At the time of his passing he had over 220 credits to his name, but he’s perhaps best known today for his 11-episode stint on the HBO series Game of Thrones. Vaughan played the elderly member of the Night’s Watch who offered wise words to characters like Jon Snow and Samwell Tarly, Maester Aemon Targaryen, great uncle to Daenerys Targaryen and great-great uncle, as fans recently discovered, to another popular character.