3 Celebrities Who Died Over The New Year Weekend
The new year began on a devastating note for the families of three celebrities.
Comedy legend Shecky Greene, Disney voice actress Ana Ofelia Murguía, and actor Tom Wilkinson passed away over the New Year weekend.
Let's remember their lives and legacies.
1. Shecky Greene
On Sunday, the world lost legendary Las Vegas stand-up comedian Shecky Greene. He died at his Las Vegas home from natural causes. He was 97.
Greene's widow, Marie Musso Greene, announced his passing via a statement to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
"He always made humor out of whatever he could. He made you laugh and feel good. It was a happy time," she said of their marriage.
Shecky Greene, an entertainment legend whose very name became synonymous with stand-up comedy, has died. He was 97.https://t.co/sLArSRABUq
— Las Vegas Review-Journal (@reviewjournal) December 31, 2023
Greene's comedy career spanned seven decades.
He revealed in a 1996 interview with the Las Vegas Sun that him moving to Las Vegas and getting the opportunity to open for Dorothy Shay, also known as the "Park Avenue Hillbillie," were the "making" of his career.
Over the years, Greene shared the stage with legendary figures like Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra.
His career included notable appearances on shows such as "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" and sitcoms like "Laverne & Shirley," "Roseanne," and "Mad About You."
He was inducted into the National Comedy Hall of Fame in 2020, leaving behind a legacy that shaped the landscape of comedy.
2. Ana Ofelia Murguía
Ana Ofelia Murguía, a Mexican film star and Disney voice actor, passed away Sunday. She was 90.
Murguía's death was announced via X, formerly Twitter, by the National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature.
The actress' artistic career was described as "vital for the performing arts of Mexico" by the organization.
Con profunda tristeza lamentamos el sensible deceso de la primera actriz Ana Ofelia Murguía, quien formaba parte del elenco estable de la @CNTeatromx del #INBAL y cuya trayectoria artística fue vital para las artes escénicas de México.
— Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (@bellasartesinba) December 31, 2023
Enviamos condolencias y abrazamos con… pic.twitter.com/BnEkpxG4k2
She had a prolific career in Mexican cinema, earning several Ariel Award wins and nominations. She starred in 1994's "The Queen of the Night" and 1995's "Nobody Will Speak of Us When We're Dead."
Murguía's most significant international role came with Disney's 2017 film "Coco," where she portrayed Miguel's great-grandmother, Mama Coco.
3. Tom Wilkinson
Tom Wilkinson, known for roles in "The Fully Monty," "Shakespeare in Love," and "Batman Begins," passed away at his home in the United Kingdom Saturday, the BBC reported. He was 75.
A cause of death has not been disclosed.
Wilkinson's career spanned four decades and earned him critical acclaim and accolades.
Wilkinson rose to international fame after starring in the hit comedy "The Full Monty." His role as Gerald Cooper earned him a BAFTA award.
He also received Oscar nominations for best actor for "In The Bedroom" (2001) and best supporting actor for "Michael Clayton" (2005).
In 2009, he won a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award for his role as Benjamin Franklin in the HBO miniseries "John Adams."
His other film credits included "Sense and Sensibility" and "In The Name of The Father."
