According to a recent survey by obituary database Tributes.com, Paul Newman is the No. 1 most significant national death of 2008. While knowing the legend is no longer with us hurts, Newman left behind a beyond influential body of work and a lasting legacy. I’ll certainly miss those baby blues, but the celebrity deaths that affected me the most this year were the ones that were totally unexpected — Heath Ledger, Tim Russert (both on the Tributes.com list), Bernie Mac. People who I didn’t even know I’d miss so much until after they were gone, because I wasn’t prepared for them to go.
Which star will you miss the most? Remember your favorites in our Legacies ‘08 gallery, where celebs pay tribute to the legends who left us.
More on celebs we lost in 2008:
Legacies ‘08: Stars Pay Tribute to the Legends Who Left Us (Extended Versions)
Remembering Heath Ledger
Remembering Bernie Mac
Remembering Paul Newman
Remembering Estelle Getty
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Comments (1-30) of 139 Add your comment
I’m about as big a Paul Newman fan as there is, and I really enjoyed Heath Ledger’s work, but to say that either of their deaths really affected me would be a lie. It sounds insensitive, but I didn’t know these people, their deaths didn’t have an affect on me. They both made me say “Aw man, that sucks,” but then I went on with my day. Heath’s was more shocking, as he was so young, but neither had a direct affect on my life.
heath ledger, hands down. tragic.
I missed Tim Russert all through the election season.I would have loved to see his excitement and analysis of the election. I miss him every Sunday monrning.
I think the passing of majel roddenberry hit me the most. Most of the time, i don’t care much but her, Newman and Legder were by far the ones that made me real sad.
Agree w/ Dan.
Heath, fo sho. I’m much sadder about the tragic death of a young person, with their whole life ahead of them, than someone who lived a long, rich, full life like Paul Newman. It took me a week to cope with Heath’s death.
I think Heath Ledgers probably because it was so senseless (and avoidable)
heath ledger most affected me, then bernie macs death.
Paul Newman affected me because he was such a legend and a kind man, and it’s tragic that he’s not around anymore. Heath Ledger’s was tragic because he had a lot of great work left in him at such a young age, and it’s heartbreaking the world won’t be able to see that now.
Heath Ledger’s death had the most jarring effect. Less than two months after we finally got to see a peek of his role as the Joker and he was no longer with us. I was anticipating a huge presence from him in 2008 with The Dark Knight. It was a shock that it was a posthumous presence.
Tim Russert’s death was pretty sad because he offered so much to the political landscape. This is going to sound insensitive, but I didn’t anything sad about Heath Ledger’s death. If people are going to decide they can only exist by ridiculously over-medicating themselves, then death is a risk they take.
Heath Ledger’s death is without a doubt the most affecting of 2008. Paul Newman lived a life of solid entertainment – decades of it. He showed promise in his young years, then delivered throughout his career. How can anyone argue that the loss of a life lived to the fullest is more heartbreaking than that of a young one with decades to go? Paul Newman and Heath Ledger share characteristics – both were hailed as the next best thing, and had throngs of fans. But Heath’s life is the one that lost years of success and criticial and popular acclaim.
For only the second time in my life, I cried for a celebrity when they died. The 1st was John Wayne and the 2nd was Paul Newman. Heath’s death was such a shock so it stuck with me a little longer but I grew up with Mr. Newman!
I think Tim Russerts death struck me the most b/c he died before he could experience and commentate on the most significant election in U.S History
I agree with the author that the most affecting celebrity deaths are the truly unexpected ones — I would put Heath Ledger, Tim Russert and Bernie Mac at the top of the list. Paul Newman had lived a long, eventful life, and produced so many great movies. Whereas with someone like Heath Ledger, I was just struck by how sad it was that we would never get to see the other great roles he could fill.
For me it was Heath Ledger. He had the potential to be the most influential actor of his generation but sadly we will never comprehend the full extent of that potential. Still, his performance in The Dark Knight will never be forgotten.
Tim Russert’s death affected me more on a personal level than the actors mentioned.
heath ledger
Heath was the most shocking and he was just too young. I was sadden a lot about Bernie and Paul but I definitely knew Paul was sick. I also knew Bernie wasn’t well so it had crossed my mind that things wouldn’t go so well eventually. You kind of prepare for the announcement.
Bernie Mac. So sad to see him go. Hands down the best story teller of our time. I still laugh at jokes I heard him tell years ago. Too too funny. He was the last of his kind.
Heath Ledger
Michael Crichton
Heath Ledger and Tim Russert.
I suppose the celebrity I will miss the most would be actor Heath Ledger because he went too soon. Mr. Ledger had so much potential to increase his film body of work ala Paul Newman but alas, we’ll never have that. It is best to savor Mr. Ledger’s performance in “Brokeback Mountain” which I consider his best film. His role was so poignant, and I couldn’t take my eyes off him during the entire movie. The final scene of the film plays over and over in my mind. Mr. Ledger captured heart-rendering loss so deeply. I will never forget the actor Heath Ledger. Matilda, you had a good dad.
Here here to Michael Crichton. Paul Newman and Heath Ledger certainly affected me a lot, but when you go back and look at all the different things Crichton has had his hand in you see the enormity of the loss. (And this coming from someone who doesn’t even consider himself a fan.)
i was saddened by paul newman’s passing and agree with everyone that he had a full, rich life and will be wonderfully remembered by all. i think heath ledger’s death was, indeed, tragic and senseless….. but these are actors and we did not really know them – we’ve liked the characters they’ve played whereas Tim Russert was a personality…he brought himself into our living rooms and i missed him greatly during the election.
George Carlin
Heath Ledger’s death was the most shocking and most affecting to me. I never was a fan, but when he was cast as the Joker I became interested in his work. The only movie I’d seen of his was 10 Things I Hate About You. But when I learned of his other films I really began to respect and appreciate him,he was brilliantly talented. When he died, it was quite honestly the first time I felt saddened by the death of a ‘celebrity’, but more than that- each time I saw a picture of his daughter it broke my heart. An actor didn’t just die..a father did. It seems so unfair, and I really hated how the media handled it with their ‘theories’. Heath Ledger will be one of the few actors I will always remember as a I grow older.
i agree with the other posts but the one that hit me was leroi moore. summer concerts with my friends will never be the same again.
LeRoi Moore hands down. It was so shocking and sudden… and to think that I will never hear his sweet saxophone when I attend DMB concerts is beyond heart breaking.