Celebrity Deaths of 2009
Airdate
:
12/31/2009
The world was shocked when news broke that Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, had died at the age of 50 after suffering a sudden heart attack.
The news came in late June, while Jackson was preparing for a comeback tour.
Just weeks after his death, Jackson's brothers carried Michael's body in an elaborate, gold-plated casket into a memorial service that was watched around the world.
His three children, Paris, Prince, and Blanket, made a rare public appearance and for the first time, the world heard how much they loved their superstar father.
Two months later, a private funeral was held, with only family and friends in attendance. Along with Jackson's family, mourners included first wife Lisa Marie Presley and longtime friend Elizabeth Taylor.
The coroner ruled that Jackson's death was caused by "acute propofol intoxication," but the investigation is ongoing.
Former Charlie's Angels star Farrah Fawcett fought hard but lost her 3-year battle with cancer at the age of 62.
Farrah's longtime love Ryan O'Neal, who was with her to the end, helped carry Farrah's flower-covered casket. After loading it into the hearse, a heartbroken O'Neal took one last moment for a final goodbye.
The country turned to Walter Cronkite when President Kennedy was shot and killed. Then there was the unforgettable moment when his emotions bubbled to the surface as man landed on the moon.
The legendary CBS Evening News anchorman, known as "the most trusted man in America," died at 92.
Another TV giant who passed away this year was 60 Minutes creator Don Hewitt, who died at 86.
The country will always remember Patrick Swayze's unforgettable dance moves in the hit movie Dirty Dancing, and he made women swoon in Ghost. But the world saw him as a brave man and loving husband during his almost 2-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Just months before his death, he sat down with Barbara Walters to show the world his will to live.
Swazye succumbed to the disease in September. He was 57 years old.
The Kennedys lost two beloved family members in 2009. Ted Kennedy, known as the Lion of the Senate, lost his year-long battle with brain cancer. His wife Vicky was by his side. Teddy's sister and Maria Shriver's mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics, also passed away this year.
Liam Neeson's wife, actress Natasha Richardson, shockingly died at the young age of 45. Richardson's life was cut short following a minor fall on a Canadian ski slope. Richardson also left behind two sons.
Only Ed McMahon could belt out "Here's Johnny!" in that signature way. Johnny Carson's longtime Tonight Show sidekick died at 86.
Bea Arthur, one of the stars of The Golden Girls, passed away from cancer at 86.
And finally, the Travoltas lost their 16-year-old son Jett. Jett died during a family vacation in the Bahamas, reportedly from a seizure and hitting his head on a bathtub. It was a heartbreaking loss the Travolta family is still coming to grips with.
