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Wonderwall.com is taking a look at the bold-faced names we’ve lost in 2023 so far, starting with this news…
Adam Rich — the former child star who’s best known as Nicholas Bradford, the youngest son on the his ’70s and ’80s ABC show “Eight Is Enough” — died at 54 on Jan. 7, family members confirmed to TMZ. A law enforcement source told the webloid that Adam was found lifeless but that foul play is not suspected. Adam also appeared on shows including “Code Red,” “The Six Million Dollar Man,” “The Love Boat,” “Fantasy Island,” “CHiPs,” “Silver Spoons” and more. One of his last performances was in David Spade’s 2003 comedic movie “Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star.”
MORE: Stars we lost in 2022
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Character actor Earl Boen — who was perhaps best known for his work as Dr. Peter Silberman in the “Terminator” franchise — died in Hawaii on Jan. 5, a family member confirmed to TMZ. Earl, who also acted in movies like “Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult” and “Nutty Professor II: The Klumps” — was 81.
MORE: Stars we lost to the coronavirus
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Walter Cunningham — the last surviving astronaut from the 1968 Apollo 7 mission — died at 90 on Jan. 3 in Houston, NASA confirmed. Apollo 7 was the first manned flight of the Apollo program. It marked a return to human spaceflight following the fire that killed three Apollo 1 astronauts in 1967.
MORE: Celebrities who died too soon
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On New Year’s Day, Fred White — the drummer for Earth, Wind & Fire — passed away, brother and bandmate Verdine White announced. Fred — a Rock and roll Hall of Fame member who played on eight Earth, Wind & Fire albums — was 67. “He joins our brothers Maurice, Monte and Ronald in heaven and is now drumming with the angels! Child protégé, member of the EWF ORIGINAL 9, with gold records at the young age of 16 years old! He was brother number 4 in the family lineup,” Verdine wrote on Instagram, adding, “But more than that at home and beyond he was the wonderful bro that was always entertaining and delightfully mischievous! And we could always count on him to make a seemingly bad situation more light hearted! He will live in our hearts forever, rest in power beloved Freddie!! We thank you all for your love, blessings and support at this time. Soar high baby bro, we love you to the shining [stars] and back!”
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Action sports legend Ken Block — the founder of DC Shoes and Hoonigan Racing — died in a snowmobile accident near his Park City, Utah, home on Jan. 2. The five-time X Games medal winner, who was also a popular social media personality, was 55. According to the Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office, Ken was making his way up a steep slope when his snowmobile fell back on top of him. “Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And most importantly, a father and a husband,” his racing company said in a statement. “He will be incredibly missed.”
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