Meat Loaf, Louie Anderson, Sidney Poitier, and Bob Saget Are Among the Stars Who Died in 2022

Emmy-winning comedian and game show host Louie Anderson died at age 68 on Jan. 21. His longtime publicist Glenn Schwartz told Deadline that the Baskets star and Family Feud host died in a Las Vegas hospital days after entering for treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a form of cancer.

Rock star Meat Loaf, born Marvin Lee Aday, died on Jan. 20 at the age of 74. “Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight,” his longtime agent Michael Greene told the Associated Press in a statement. “We know how much he meant to so many of you and we truly appreciate all of the love and support as we move through this time of grief in losing such an inspiring artist and beautiful man… From his heart to your souls… don’t ever stop rocking!”

The musician was best known for his hit 1977 album Bat Out of Hell, recorded with songwriter Jim Steinem and producer Todd Rundgren. Bat Out of Hell was made into a musical that ran from 2017 to 2020 and included hit songs such as “Paradise By the Dashboard Light,” “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad,” and “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That).”

Bob Saget, known for his role as Danny Tanner on Full House and for hosting America’s Funniest Home Videos, died on Jan. 9 at age 65. On Jan. 10, his family issued their own statement, obtained by Us Weekly. “We are devastated to confirm that our beloved Bob passed away today,” the statement read. “He was everything to us and we want you to know how much he loved his fans, performing live and bringing people from all walks of life together with laughter.”

Tributes later poured in from his wife, Kelly Rizzo, his Full House costars, and several other celebrities.

Sidney Poitier, the first Black actor to win best actor at the Oscars, died on Jan. 7 at age 94. Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis confirmed his passing during a press conference. “It is with great sadness that I learned this morning of the passing of Sir Sidney Poitier. Our whole Bahamas grieves and extends our deepest condolences to his family,” he began. “But even as we mourn, we celebrate the life of a great Bahamian: a cultural icon, an actor and film director, an entrepreneur, civil and human rights activist and, latterly, a diplomat. We admire the man, not just because of his colossal achievements, but also because of who he was: his strength of character; his willingness to stand up and be counted; and the way he plotted and navigated his life’s journey.”

The prolific actor helped pave the way for future Black stars in Hollywood. Denzel Washington, Michael B. Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, and more wrote touching tributes to Poitier following his death.