Celebrity Deaths Of 2018: Looking Back At The Stars We Lost (Part I)

In Memoriam

Many stars have faded from the sky as we sent our last farewells to many big names that passed away in 2018. Here is a brief callback to some names we will live to miss.

Supriya Devi: 27th January

One of the biggest names of the film industry in India, a Veteran Bengali legend, Supriya Devi has taken her last breath on January 27 in the arms of her loved ones. She made her name after a historical portrayal of the main protagonist Neeta in the movie “Meghe Dhaka Tara”. She started her acting career at the age of 7 in “Basu Paribar” starred Uttam Kumar, her career bloomed only brighter as she took part in many more Hindi movies such as “Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein”, “Begaana”, or “Aap Ke Parchhaiyan”. She passed away at the age of 85 due to a fatal cario-respiratory failure.

Sridevi: 25th February

Perhaps the biggest shock that happened to Bollywood industry in 2018 is that famous actress Sridevi, a Bollywood superstar who we’ve grown to love after movies like “Sadma” or “Solva Sawan”, had passed away due to cardiac arrest at the age of 54. Her real name is Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan. Her acting started quite early at the age of 4 and the first films starred her were some Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu films. Eventually, she dropped out of school and officially started her career with a debut in Bollywood in 1979. However, not until 1983 did she mark herself in the Hindi film industry with ‘Sadma’.

The actress will forever be remembered with her charms in films like ‘Chandni’ and ‘Lamhe’ and praised with her comic timing in ‘Chaalbaaz’ and ‘Mr. India’. Her return to the silver screen with ‘English Vinglish’ was a huge success and in ‘Mom’ is the last appearance of her in 2017.

Nargis Rabadi aka Shammi Aunty: March 6

Shammi Aunty, known for popular films like ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’, ‘Dil’, etc., kicked the bucket at the age of 89. She made her debut as an actress in her first film ‘Ustad Pedro’ in 1949. Her talent was discovered by the actor-producer Sheikh Mukhtar and he was also the one who advised her to take screen name as Shammi instead of using her real name, Nargis.

Hubert de Givenchy: March 10

The infamous Hubert de Givenchy passed away at the age of 91. He was known as an aristocratic French designer and the couturier to Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy Oasis. The man’s understated styles spoke for a golden age of elegance. Another master in the fashion industry, Cristóbal Balenciaga taught him his trade. In 1988, the label of Givenchy was bought by the LVHM luxury group; however, seven years after that Givenchy still remained as the head of creative design.

The talented fashion designer took his last breath at the Renaissance chateau, which he shared with Philippe Venet, his partner and fellow designer.

Narendra Jha: March 14

The 55-year-old actor had passed away after suffering from a fatal heart attack. Narendra Jha left us in sorrow and dear memoriam of a decorated career with successful movies such as “Haider”, “Raees”, or “Kaabil”, just to name a few.

Stephen Hawking: March 14

Perhaps one of the most brilliant minds that mankind ever had, Professor Stephen William Hawking had taken his last breath on 14th of March, 2018. Professor Stephen Hawking had done more to theoretical physics and astral physics than anyone can ever imagine since he suffered from a rare disease called ALS at the age of 21. Despite the fact that most of his life was bounded to a wheelchair and a computer, he continued to become Lucasian Professor at University of Cambridge - such position that held by Sir Isaac Newton in the year 1663. A dedicated member of the Royal Society as well as the US National Academy of Science, his passing will be eternally missed by millions of people.

Avicii: April 20

Songs like “Wake me up”, “Levels”, “Waiting for love” or “Hey brother” which once were the top chart smashers that made millions of fans fell in love with, are now the remnant of a passed talent named Avicii. The famous Swedish DJ/Music producer was twice nominated for Grammy in 2012 and 2013. His undeniable talent had been proven and showcased times and times again, and his passing due to self-inflicted damage has left us in sorrow ever since.

Kate Spade: June 5

Kate Spade, businesswoman and famous fashion designer, committed suicide back on June 5, leaving us in many questions surrounding her death. The Missouri born designer was the founder of Kate Spade high-end handbags and fashion brand. In 2006, she apparently sold her shares of her own company, however, she returned in a few years with a new fashion line of product.

Anthony Bourdain: June 8

Anthony Bourdain was a New York born chef who changed the cooking game when he used a variety of media platforms as tools to bring people closer to the idea of professional home-cook. People know and love his TV shows such as “A Cook’s tour” and “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations”. Along with several books such as “Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly”, he had become one of the most famous faces in the culinary world. Anthony Bourdain committed suicide in a hotel room in France, June 8, 2018, at the age of 62.

Rita Bhaduri: July 17

Actress Rita Bhaduri was announced dead in a hospital due to kidney failure on July 17 at the age of 62. Throughout her life, she had contributed to India’s film and television industry by taking on many roles that now has become iconic, which only makes her passing that much impactful.

M Karunanidhi: August 7

Due to old age, movie producer/scriptwriter Muthuvel Karunanidhi had taken his last breath on 7th of August, 2018. From the year of 1969 to 2011, Karunanidhi served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He also played an important role in regional politics picture, won 13 elections in the state.

V.S. Naipaul: August 11

V.S. Naipaul began his writing career in mid 50s and his well decorated and successful career was proven by a Nobel Prize for Literature in 2011. Novels such as “In a Free State”, “A House for Mr Biswas”, or “A Bend in the River”, just to name a few, are amongst his famous publications. The Trinidad-born British author later was honoured a Knighthood from Queen Elizabeth in 1989. He took his last breath in 2018 at the age of 85.

Somnath Chatterjee: August 13

After a long battle with a kidney ailment, Somnath Chatterjee, former Lok Sabha speak was announced dead at the age of 89. He served under the UPA government from the year 2004 to 2009.