6 Celebrities Who Died This Week: Two Broadway Legends Have Passed Away
Fans are mourning six entertainers and notable figures who passed away this week.
Among the stars who died were two Broadway legends, a TV star and an Italian actress.
As fans bid farewell to these celebrities, let's look back at their lives and careers and celebrate their legacies in the world of film, television, theater and music.
1. Adele Zerilli Springsteen
(L-R) Jessica Rae Springsteen, Patti Scialfa, Honoree Bruce Springsteen, and Adele Springsteen arrive at MusiCares Person Of The Year Honoring Bruce Springsteen at Los Angeles Convention Center on February 8, 2013 in Los Angeles, California.
Bruce Springsteen's beloved mother, musical muse and concert dance partner, Adele Zerilli Springsteen, took her final bow Wednesday. She was 98.
Springsteen shared the news of his mother's death via Instagram, alongside a touching video of the duo dancing to Glenn Miller's "In the Mood."
In the caption, the musician quoted the lyrics of his 1998 song, "The Wish," which was written for Adele.
"I remember in the morning mom hearing your alarm clock ring," he wrote. "I'd lie in bed and listen to you getting ready for work, the sound of your makeup case on the sink. And the ladies at the office all lipstick, perfume and rustling skirts, how proud and happy you always looked walking home from work."
He continued, "It ain't no phone call on Sunday, flowers or a Mother's Day card. It ain't no house on the hill with a garden and a nice little yard. I've got my hot rod down on Bond Street, I'm older but you'll know me in a glance. We'll find us a little rock 'n roll bar and we'll go out and dance."
A cause of death was not disclosed. Adele's death came 13 years after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
Adele was often spotted dancing at her son's concerts and even joined him on stage several times.
In one memorable instance, the then-90-year-old danced to "Ramrod" at Springsteen's Madison Square Garden show in 2016, according to the Associated Press.
2. Chita Rivera
Rivera's daughter, Lisa Mordente, confirmed her passing in a statement to People.
With a career spanning over four decades, Rivera's impact on the stage was immeasurable.
Rivera originated the role of Anita in "West Side Story" in 1957. She went on to star in the productions of "Bye Bye Birdie," "Chicago," "Guys and Dolls" and "Threepenny Opera," among others.
She won two Tony Awards for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her performances in "The Rink" and "Kiss of the Spider Woman."
Rivera also received a Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement, a Kennedy Center Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
3. Hinton Battle
The actor's rep told USA Today that Battle passed away at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles following a lengthy battle with an illness. The exact cause of death will not be announced, according to his rep.
Battle was renowned for originating the role of The Scarecrow in the original Broadway production of "The Wiz."
He won Tony Awards for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performances in "Sophisticated Ladies," "The Tap Dance Kid" and "Miss Saigon," according to Playbill.
Battle also graced television screens and the silver screen, appearing on TV shows such as "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Smash" and the movie "Dreamgirls." He was also known for his work as a choreographer and director for various musicals, such as "Respect" and "Sistas: The Musical."
4. Sandra Milo
Milo's family said in a statement to RAI that the actress died in her sleep Monday at her home in Rome surrounded by her loved ones and her dogs, according to The Guardian. She was 90.
Throughout her acting career, Milo worked with many acclaimed directors, including Antonio Pietrangeli, Roberto Rossellini, Jean Renoir and Gabriele Salvatores.
She was perhaps best known for playing Carla, the mistress to Marcello Mastroianni's character, the film director Guido, in the Oscar-winning film "8½."
Milo also ventured into television, becoming a prominent talk show host in Italy.
5. Amanda Elizabeth Davies
Amanda Elizabeth Davies, Daughter of One Life to Live Star Erika Slezak, Dead at 42 pic.twitter.com/soJx0QrEbU
— People (@people) January 30, 2024
Amanda Elizabeth Davies, the daughter of "One Life to Live" actress Erika Slezak, passed away at the age of 42.
News of her death was shared on Slezak's official website, which revealed that Davies "died very suddenly." The date and cause of Davies' death have not been disclosed at this time.
Davies played the younger version of her real-life mother's character, Victoria "Viki" Lord, on "One Life to Live" in 2003.
"One Life to Live" executive producer Frank Valentini said in a statement to People Tuesday that he was "so saddened to hear of her tremendous loss."
The ABC soap opera, which aired from 1968 to 2013, earned Slezak six Daytime Emmy Awards.
6. Pat Webb
"Gogglebox" fans are mourning the loss of former star Pat Webb, who died after a lengthy battle with an undisclosed illness. She was 75.
Appearing for three seasons on the show alongside her son, Stephen Lustig-Webb, Pat charmed audiences with her genuine demeanor and down-to-earth personality.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Stephen remembered his mother as "one in a million" and "the absolute center of our world."
"Gogglebox" also paid tribute to Webb via Instagram, writing: "Pat was a much loved cast member on the show from series 10 -12 alongside her son Stephen. Mummy Pat will be remembered and missed by her children Stephen, Denise, Sharon, Beverley and the extended family."
