Photo: Rodin Eckenroth/Getty, Ser Baffo via Getty, Chelsea Lauren/Variety/Penske Media via Getty
TheScreen Actors Guildtook a moment to pay tribute to the stars who died over the past year during the 2023SAG Awards.
The emotional video montage aired during the awards ceremony on Sunday honored late stars includingOlivia Newton-John,Kirstie Alley,Leslie Jordan,Barbara Walters,Angela Lansbury,Raquel Welch,Richard Belzer,Cindy Williams,Anne Hecheand more.
Opening up the sentimental moment,Don Cheadle, 58, said of the actors and actresses, “We were their friends, colleagues, and their fans. Regardless of relationship, we knew and loved the actors that we loved and lost last year.”
He added, “We traveled with them on unforgettable journeys; they told us the best stories.”
Olivia Newton-John.Rodin Eckenroth/Getty
Newton-John died on Aug. 8, five years after she announced thatshe was diagnosed with breast cancerwhich had metastasized to the sacrum. The four-time Grammy Award winner revealed herfirst diagnosis of breast cancerin 1992.
“I worship this woman. My mother. My best friend.@therealonj💋💕👯♀️,” she captioned the post on her Instagram page.
Kirstie Alley.Cindy Ord/Getty
Alley, who madea name for herself in Hollywoodwhen she starred as Rebecca Howe onCheers, was privately living with cancer a short time before she died, her children revealed as they announced her death.
In a statement to PEOPLE, True and Lillie Parker said thatAlley diedon Dec. 5 and shared for the first time that she had been diagnosed with cancer “only recently.”
“We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered,” they said in a statement.
Vivien Killilea/Getty
Jordan, 67,died in a car crashon Oct. 24 after suffering an apparent medical emergency. After PEOPLE confirmed the news, it wasannouncedon his official Instagram later that day.
Jordan was most famous for scene-stealing roles including his portrayal of Beverley Leslie inWill & Grace, which earned him a 2006 Primetime Emmy for outstanding guest actor in a comedy series.
Heche was taken off life support on Aug. 14, nine days after she was involved in adevastating car crashon Aug. 5.
The actressremained in a comafor nearly a week before it was revealed on Aug. 12 that she was"not expected to survive.“Heche was declaredlegally deadin the state of California on Aug. 12, though her heart continued to beat until Aug. 14 to ensure her organs could be donated following her wishes.
Anne Heche.Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage
Richard Belzer, the actor, comedian and author known for starring as John Munch for more than two decades onHomicide: Life on the StreetsandLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit, died at age 78 on Feb. 19.
FormerLate Show with David Lettermanwriter Bill Scheftconfirmed the death to PEOPLE. “His last words were, ‘F— you, motherf—er,’ " Scheft toldPEOPLE. Belzer died at his home in Bozouls in southwest France “peacefully with family at his side,” Scheft added.
TheLaw & Order: Special Victims Unitstar’s loved ones exclusively shared a statement with PEOPLE, saying they “are overwhelmed with the beautiful and heartfelt memories, admirations and love from Richard’s family, friends, acquaintances and admirers.”
Jemal Countess/WireImage
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“It has been truly helpful for us, his family, in traversing through this challenging time. So thank you,” Belzer’s family continues. “We have had a delay in making a statement in regards to his passing because, although he did have several health issues that had been difficult but not terminal, he experienced quite a sudden decline in health that caught us completely off guard, which lead to his passing.”
The 2023SAG Awardsceremony aired live from the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles onNetflix’s YouTube channel.
source: people.com
