In Memoriam: the incredible musicians, actors, authors, designers and creators we lost this year

They blazed trails for people of colour, wrote timeless novels, spent decades at the top of fashion, sang unforgettable songs, made entire generations of people laugh, acted in landmark TV shows, and got all of Canada dancing — and one was famously grumpy. 

And in 2019, their fans bid their final farewells.

Here are some of the many beloved musicians, actors, designers, creators and pop culture figures we lost this year. 

Toni Morrison, author, professor and Nobel Laureate, 88

• Rare interview with Toni Morrison on the importance of reading and writing
• Remembering Toni Morrison: the iconic author reflects on family, race and coping with personal tragedy
• As it Happened: The Archive Edition - 'Beloved' author Toni Morrison on race and the future of America

John Mann, Spirit of the West singer, songwriter and actor, 57

• John Mann died surrounded by music and loved ones sharing one last beer
• Remembering John Mann: Grant Lawrence and Alan Doyle pay tribute to the Spirit of the West singer

Godfrey Gao, Taiwanese-Canadian actor and model, 35

• Actor and model Godfrey Gao remembered as 'pioneer' of Asian representation

Gloria Vanderbilt, fashion designer, author, actress, artist, socialite, 95

• Heiress, designer Gloria Vanderbilt dead at 95
• Anderson Cooper reflects on love, loss and his relationship with mom Gloria Vanderbilt

Wayson Choy, Canadian author, 80

• Wayson Choy on his novel, The Jade Peony
• Wayson Choy, author of The Jade Peony, dead at 80

Ginger Baker, Cream drummer, 80

• Ginger Baker, drummer for Cream, dead at 80

Karl Lagerfeld, fashion designer, creative director, photographer, 85

• Karl Lagerfeld's legacy: Why the Chanel designer's death feels like the end of an era in fashion
• Karl Lagerfeld's death is end of an era, and end of a 'particular vision of women': fashion critic
• Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel's creative director, dead at 85

Nipsey Hussle, rapper, entrepreneur and activist, 33

• U.S. rapper Nipsey Hussle shot dead outside his L.A. store
• Witness says 'snitching' talk happened before Nipsey Hussle killing
• 'It's a celebration': Thousands gather for rapper Nipsey Hussle's Los Angeles memorial

Doris Day, actress, singer and animal rights activist, 97

• Doris Day, known for wholesome 1960s movie roles, dies at 97
• Doris Day was so much more than the 'wholesome' face of postwar America
• Doris Day turned to animal rights activism to find 'unconditional love,' says biographer

Luke Perry, actor, 52

• Luke Perry, actor known for Beverly Hills, 90210, dead at 52
• 'He was so kind and humble': Fans remember Luke Perry encounters in Vancouver
• 'Absolutely heartbroken': Hollywood tributes pour in for actor Luke Perry, dead at 52

Ric Ocasek, singer of the Cars, songwriter and record producer, 75

• The Cars lead singer Ric Ocasek dead at 75

Diahann Carroll, actress, singer, model and activist, 84

• Diahann Carroll, Oscar-nominated actress and singer, dies at 84

Graeme Gibson, Canadian novelist and conservationist, 85

• Graeme Gibson, Canadian novelist and conservationist, dead at 85
• Remembering Graeme Gibson, who loved birds and words
• Graeme Gibson and Margaret Atwood discuss writing

Valerie Harper, actress, 80

• Actress Valerie Harper, of Mary Tyler Moore Show and Rhoda fame, dead at 80

Kristoff St. John, Young and the Restless actor, 52

• Tributes pour in for Young and the Restless star Kristoff St. John, found dead at 52
• The Young and the Restless star Kristoff St. John died of heart disease, says coroner

Keith Flint, Prodigy front man, 49

• Prodigy frontman Keith Flint dead at 49

Sulli, actress and K-pop star, 25

• South Korean pop star Sulli found dead at her home

Tim Conway, comedian, 85

• Tim Conway, American comedy star, dead at 85

Peter Fonda, actor, 79

• Actor Peter Fonda, who starred in Easy Rider, dead at 79

Carol Channing, actress, singer, dancer and comedian, 97

• Broadway legend Carol Channing has died at age 97

Grumpy Cat, actor and Internet star, 7

• Internet star Grumpy Cat dead at 7