Celebrity deaths of the decade

2000
Alec Guinness (b. 1914)
Actor known best as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original Star Wars films


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2001
George Harrison (b. 1943)
Lead guitarist and vocalist of world-famous rock band The Beatles


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2002
Joe Strummer (b. 1952)
Musician known best as rhythm guitarist and frontman of The Clash


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2003
Johnny Cash (b. 1932)
Influential American country, folk, blues and rock singer-songwriter


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2004
Ray Charles (b. 1930)
Legendary jazz and rock-and-roll songwriter of the 20th century


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2005
Johnny Carson (b. 1925)
Comedian known best as host of The Tonight Show for 30 years


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2006
Steve Irwin (b. 1962)
TV wildlife expert named “The Crocodile Hunter”


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2007
Anna Nicole Smith (b. 1967)
An actress, model, Playboy bunny and international sex symbol


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2008
Heath Ledger (b. 1979)
Actor who died from ingesting a toxic combination of drugs at age 28


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2009
Michael Jackson (b. 1958)
The most influential pop dancer and entertainer of the 20th century


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