I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “Everybody dies, but not everybody lives”. It’s a sad, yet true fact of life, and one that can be especially hard to grapple with when it comes to the celebrities we’ve grown up watching, loving, and admiring.
Unfortunately, 2017 was a particularly hard year for fans of some of the world’s most beloved actors and musicians. We take a look back at some of the famous faces that we lost in 2017, and explore the lasting legacies they left behind.
Costumes Designer Eiko Ishioka
Eiko Ishioka was a Japanese costume designer and art director who was widely acclaimed for her work in the film and theatre industries. She designed costumes for a number of memorable films, including Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992), The Cell (2000), and Immortals (2011). She also designed the costumes for Madonna’s Blonde Ambition World Tour in 1990.
Ishioka was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1938. She graduated from Tama Art University in 1961 and went on to become an art director for the Shochiku film company. In 1973, she left Shochiku to pursue a career in costume design.
Ishioka died on February 21, 2017 at the age of 78, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. She was awarded an honorary Academy Award in 2012 for her lifetime achievement in costume design.
Actor Bill Paxton
Bill Paxton was an actor who was best known for his roles in films such as Aliens (1986), Twister (1996), Titanic (1997), and Apollo 13 (1995). His television credits included Big Love (2006-2011) and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2014-2015).
Paxton was born in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1955. He was an avid rock climber in his youth, and he attended college at the University of Texas at Austin. After college, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.
Paxton died on February 25, 2017, at the age of 61, due to complications from heart surgery. He was posthumously awarded a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series for his role as Bill Henrickson on Big Love.
Singer Chris Cornell
Chris Cornell was a singer, songwriter, and musician who was best known as the lead singer of the Seattle-based rock band Soundgarden. He was also the lead singer of the supergroup Audioslave, and he released four solo albums during his career.
Cornell was born in Seattle, Washington, in 1964. He began playing music as a teenager, and he formed the band Soundgarden in 1984. The band went on to become one of the most successful acts of the ’90s, selling over 10 million records.
Cornell died on May 18, 2017, at the age of 52. His death was ruled as a suicide by hanging. He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Soundgarden in 2017.
Actor Adam West
Adam West was an actor who was best known for his iconic portrayal of Batman in the 1960s television series. He also had roles in films such as The Happy Hooker Goes to Hollywood (1977) and Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999).
West was born in Walla Walla, Washington, in 1928. He attended college at Whitman College in Walla Walla, and he began acting in the 1950s. He made his television debut in 1959, and he went on to star in the popular Batman television series from 1966 to 1968.
West died on June 9, 2017, at the age of 88, after a battle with leukemia. He was posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who died in IT 2017?
In 2017, notable figures who died included costumes designer Eiko Ishioka, actor Bill Paxton, singer Chris Cornell, and actor Adam West.
When did Eiko Ishioka die?
Eiko Ishioka died on February 21, 2017, at the age of 78, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
What was Bill Paxton's most famous role?
Bill Paxton was best known for his roles in films such as Aliens (1986), Twister (1996), Titanic (1997), and Apollo 13 (1995). His television credits included Big Love (2006-2011) and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2014-2015).
What band was Chris Cornell the lead singer of?
Chris Cornell was the lead singer of the Seattle-based rock band Soundgarden. He was also the lead singer of the supergroup Audioslave, and he released four solo albums during his career.
What year did Adam West play Batman?
Adam West played Batman in the 1960s television series from 1966 to 1968.