Tammy Faye, 65, 1942-2007

Tammy Faye was a strong woman who made a living out of the ‘PTL Ministry.’ Despite being a TV evangelist, she never shied away from voicing her opinions without the fear of becoming an outcast or being judged.

The televangelist was doing well until a cancer diagnosis in 1996 came into her life like a wrecking ball. Ultimately, Faye passed away only hours after giving a heartwarming interview on the ‘Larry King Show.’ Even today, her legacy lives on in the form of musicals and gospel plays that convey the much-beloved Tammy’s teachings.

Jan Crouch, 77, 1939-2016

Known as the co-founder of the ‘Trinity Broadcasting Network,’ Jan Crouch was instrumental in its growth, eventually becoming one of the most successful religious channels. All the hard work paid off as she made herself a considerable fortune of $50 million.

Sadly in 2016, Crouch suffered a stroke in Orlando, and she passed on a week later, at the age of 77. The image on the right was one of the last photos of the television host, and although she unsurprisingly looked a bit older, Jan still had the unique charm that we all appreciated her for.

Bob Marley, 36, 1945-1981

Even before turning thirty-five, Bob Marley saw his popularity soar like a high-powered rocket! He might not be alive anymore, but the streets of many Caribbean towns will tell you that his music and legacy lives on.

It all started when Marley formed the ‘Wailers’ with his friends Peter Tosh and Bunny Livingston. Banking on its success, he became a big advocate of Rastafarianism, and that reflected in many of his songs. Eventually, the singer became an inspiration and a beacon of hope for many in Jamaica and all over the world, making him an undisputed musical legend of the era.

Michelle Thomas, 30, 1968-1998

Miss Teen New Jersey in the ‘70s, International Queen of Jamaica in the ‘80s, and a super-hit show in the ‘90s – Michelle Thomas never failed to surprise in each of these decades! She was a devoted actress and loyal partner to her boyfriend Malcolm-Jamal Warner, neither of which ever changed until her last breath.

In what came as a heartwarming last act, Michelle never let her life-threatening conditions come in the way of her work and finished all her pending shoots before her body gave up. This fact is even more astonishing, considering that she was barely in her thirties at the time!

Joe Diffie, 61, 1958-2020

When coronavirus struck in 2019, we didn’t know how it would affect our lives, and since then, many people have tragically succumbed to it, among them Joe Diffie. The American country music singer rose to fame in the 90s with his hit songs’ Home’ and ‘Bigger than the Beatles’ topping charts worldwide.

Diffie’s demise was heartbreaking for many of his fans, who adored him and looked forward to listening to more of his mellow tunes. Making the transition from working in the oilfields as a youngster to become one of the most excellent country musicians of all time was no easy feat, and his story will inspire generations to come.

Phil Hartman, 49, 1948-1998

On May 28th, 1998, the world woke up to the news that legendary comedian Phil Hartman had tragically passed on. The artist who was at the peak of his career when he passed away was found lifeless at his home, where his wife, too, had recently breathed her last.

Before his demise, the actor had worked on an impressive number of productions, including ‘The Simpsons,’ and was part of ‘S.N.L.’ through which he earned the nickname ‘The Glue’ for his knack of bringing the cast and crew together. Sad to lose such a talent, but his work will forever live on.

Jerry Orbach, 69, 1935-2004