Year in Review 2017: 10 celebrities who left us this year
From Amir Zaki to Chester Bennington, here's a list of celebrities who passed away in 2017
PHOTO: PUBLICITY
The world lost many stars this year – whilst some left naturally, others saw very tragic ends. Compiled from Times of India, here are ten celebrities that we, unfortunately, will not see next year.
1. Bil Batori, 65
Pakistani stage actor Nusrat Ara famous for her character of ‘Bil Batori’ in popular children’s comedy series Ainak Wala Jinn passed away on the morning of October 14, 2017 in Lahore.
According to media reports, the actor was admitted at the Jinnah Hospital in Lahore due to respiratory issues and was shifted to the ICU due to her deteriorating condition. She was 65 years of age.
2. Ustad Fateh Ali Khan, 82
Celebrated classical singer and the patriarch of the Patiala family Ustad Fateh Ali Khan died in Islamabad on January 4, 2017 at the age of 82.
Born in 1935, he was amongst the foremost khyal singers in the Asian subcontinent and one of a few music practitioners who acquired legendary status in his lifetime.
3. Aamir Zaki, 49
One of Pakistan’s top guitar virtuosos Aamir Zaki, died due to heart failure on June 2, 2017, his family and friends confirmed. According to brother Shahid Zaki, he had been suffering from a prolonged illness for quite some time.
Playing the guitar since the age of 14, the 49-year-old was best known for a short stint with Vital Signs in 1994, when he toured globally with the group. He also played with the band on their fourth album before being asked to leave.
4. Shashi Kapoor, 79
Veteran Bollywood actor Shashi Kapoor passed away at 79 on December 4, 2017 after years of illness. Shashi died at a hospital in Mumbai, “Yes, he has passed away. He had a kidney problem for several years,” said his nephew Randhir.
The legendary actor was married to late English actor Jennifer Kendal, with whom he established the Prithvi Theatre in 1978. He’s survived by three children, Kunal Kapoor, Sanjana Kapoor and Karan Kapoor.
5. Reema Lagoo, 58
Famous for playing Salman Khan’s mother in many movies, actor Reema Lagoo, 58 was much loved by the nation. She died on May 18, 2017 from a heart attack.
The Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! star had also done many TV shows, including the iconic Tu Tu Main Main.
Apart from Bollywood and TV, she was renowned for her work in Marathi cinema too.
6. Vinod Khanna, 70
Veteran actor and one of Bollywood’s superstars during the 70s and 80s, Vinod Khanna said goodbye to world on April 27, 2017. The 70-year-old was battling cancer for a long while.
Incidentally, his good friend Feroz Khan also died on the same day in 2009.
7. Om Puri, 66
Bollywood lost a gem in the form of Om Puri on January 6, 2017. The 66-year-old died of a heart attack and his sudden demise left Bollywood in a state of shock.
There were later some news reports of his death not being due to a natural cause but nothing came out of it.
8. Chester Bennington, 41
Chester Bennington, lead singer of the chart-topping hard rock band Linkin Park, was found dead on July 20, 2017 at his southern California home in an apparent suicide.
He spoke openly in the past about his struggles to overcome his demons when Linkin Park first found fame in 2000 with their best-selling debut album ‘Hybrid Theory’ and went on to become one of the most popular alt-rock bands of their generation.
9. Tom Petty, 66
Singer and songwriter Tom Petty was known for his vibrant guitar riffs, distinctly raw, nasal vocals and slick song lyrics graced such hits as Refugee, Free Fallin’ and American Girl. The The 66-year-old died on October2, 2017 after “he was found unconscious and in cardiac arrest, stated his manager.
10. Hugh Hefner, 91
Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, 91, was known for his groundbreaking men's magazine and built a business empire around his libertine lifestyle. He kept a harem of young blondes that numbered as many as seven at his legendary Playboy Mansion.
Hefner created Playboy as the first stylish glossy men's magazine which had intellectual appeal with top writers such as Kurt Vonnegut, Joyce Carol Oates, Vladimir Nabokov, James Baldwin and Alex Haley. ‘Hefner peacefully passed away at his home’, Playboy Enterprises said in a statement
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1. Bil Batori, 65
Pakistani stage actor Nusrat Ara famous for her character of ‘Bil Batori’ in popular children’s comedy series Ainak Wala Jinn passed away on the morning of October 14, 2017 in Lahore.
According to media reports, the actor was admitted at the Jinnah Hospital in Lahore due to respiratory issues and was shifted to the ICU due to her deteriorating condition. She was 65 years of age.
2. Ustad Fateh Ali Khan, 82
Celebrated classical singer and the patriarch of the Patiala family Ustad Fateh Ali Khan died in Islamabad on January 4, 2017 at the age of 82.
Born in 1935, he was amongst the foremost khyal singers in the Asian subcontinent and one of a few music practitioners who acquired legendary status in his lifetime.
3. Aamir Zaki, 49
One of Pakistan’s top guitar virtuosos Aamir Zaki, died due to heart failure on June 2, 2017, his family and friends confirmed. According to brother Shahid Zaki, he had been suffering from a prolonged illness for quite some time.
Playing the guitar since the age of 14, the 49-year-old was best known for a short stint with Vital Signs in 1994, when he toured globally with the group. He also played with the band on their fourth album before being asked to leave.
4. Shashi Kapoor, 79
Veteran Bollywood actor Shashi Kapoor passed away at 79 on December 4, 2017 after years of illness. Shashi died at a hospital in Mumbai, “Yes, he has passed away. He had a kidney problem for several years,” said his nephew Randhir.
The legendary actor was married to late English actor Jennifer Kendal, with whom he established the Prithvi Theatre in 1978. He’s survived by three children, Kunal Kapoor, Sanjana Kapoor and Karan Kapoor.
5. Reema Lagoo, 58
Famous for playing Salman Khan’s mother in many movies, actor Reema Lagoo, 58 was much loved by the nation. She died on May 18, 2017 from a heart attack.
The Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! star had also done many TV shows, including the iconic Tu Tu Main Main.
Apart from Bollywood and TV, she was renowned for her work in Marathi cinema too.
6. Vinod Khanna, 70
Veteran actor and one of Bollywood’s superstars during the 70s and 80s, Vinod Khanna said goodbye to world on April 27, 2017. The 70-year-old was battling cancer for a long while.
Incidentally, his good friend Feroz Khan also died on the same day in 2009.
7. Om Puri, 66
Bollywood lost a gem in the form of Om Puri on January 6, 2017. The 66-year-old died of a heart attack and his sudden demise left Bollywood in a state of shock.
There were later some news reports of his death not being due to a natural cause but nothing came out of it.
8. Chester Bennington, 41
Chester Bennington, lead singer of the chart-topping hard rock band Linkin Park, was found dead on July 20, 2017 at his southern California home in an apparent suicide.
He spoke openly in the past about his struggles to overcome his demons when Linkin Park first found fame in 2000 with their best-selling debut album ‘Hybrid Theory’ and went on to become one of the most popular alt-rock bands of their generation.
9. Tom Petty, 66
Singer and songwriter Tom Petty was known for his vibrant guitar riffs, distinctly raw, nasal vocals and slick song lyrics graced such hits as Refugee, Free Fallin’ and American Girl. The The 66-year-old died on October2, 2017 after “he was found unconscious and in cardiac arrest, stated his manager.
10. Hugh Hefner, 91
Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, 91, was known for his groundbreaking men's magazine and built a business empire around his libertine lifestyle. He kept a harem of young blondes that numbered as many as seven at his legendary Playboy Mansion.
Hefner created Playboy as the first stylish glossy men's magazine which had intellectual appeal with top writers such as Kurt Vonnegut, Joyce Carol Oates, Vladimir Nabokov, James Baldwin and Alex Haley. ‘Hefner peacefully passed away at his home’, Playboy Enterprises said in a statement
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