People around the world took to social media in 2016 to mourn the many celebrities that passed away.
Here are some of the famous faces who attracted the most reaction online.
David Bowie
The year started badly for music fans with the death of rock star David Bowie at the age of 69 on January 10.
As news of his death spread, social media went into meltdown and moving impromptu memorials were held for the well-loved singer and performer.
The horror year that was to follow even prompted a meme suggesting Bowie was the glue that held the universe together.
Alan Rickman
Like Bowie, Alan Rickman died suddenly on January 14 at the age of 69 from cancer – a condition he had not publicly disclosed.
Best known for his roles in 'Harry Potter' and 'Die Hard', he was remembered as an actor who redefined the ‘bad guy’ role.
Stars and fans alike poured out their grief on social media.
Harper Lee
American author, Harper Lee, who wrote the literary classic 'To Kill a Mockingbird', died aged 89 on February 19.
She followed up her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel with the prequel 'Go Set a Watchman' in 2015.
Umberto Eco
Author Umberto Eco died aged 84, also on February 19.
The Italian author famously wrote the novel 'The Name of the Rose', but thought of himself more as a philosopher than a novelist.
George Martin
Known as the “fifth Beatle”, George Martin died on March 8 aged 90.
He was the music producer who made the Beatles a household name and produced a record number of hit records in the US and the UK.
Prince
Music fans were in for yet more shock when Prince died aged 57 on April 21.
He was found unresponsive in his Paisley Park Studios home and was later pronounced dead.
The news of his death prompted a world-wide out-pouring of grief.
Muhammad Ali
Three-time heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali, who once declared himself to be the “greatest”, died aged 74 on June 3.
Ali was known for his showmanship and his stellar career and fought a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
He was an inspiration to many social media users around the world.
Gene Wilder
Gene Wilder, the man who embodied many great roles, including Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, died on August 29 aged 83.
Social media remembered him fondly for his comic roles in movies like 'Young Frankenstein' and 'Blazing Saddles'.
After his death from Alzheimer’s, his nephew issued a statement saying the family had kept Wilder’s illness a secret so children would not associate Willy Wonka with the disease.
Max Walker
The well-liked Test cricketer Max Walker died aged 68 on September 28.
After a sporting career that covered not only cricket but AFL, he became a popular commentator for the Nine Network.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej died in hospital after a long illness aged 88 on October 13.
King Bhumibol enjoyed near deity status in Thailand and his death sparked mass displays of public grief around the country.
He was replaced on the throne by his only son Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn.
Leonard Cohen
The Canadian poet and novelist, Leonard Cohen, died at the age of 82 on November 7.
The announcement of his death was made on his official Facebook page and fans took to both Facebook and Twitter to express their grief at his passing.
Robert Vaughn
Best known for his role in the 1930s TV show 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.', Robert Vaughn died on November 11 aged 83.
He also featured in the iconic Western, 'The Magnificent Seven'.
Fidel Castro
There were mixed reactions to the death of former Cuban Communist dictator Fidel Castro.
He died on November 25, aged 90, prompting fried among some Cuban residents, and jubilation among other, particularly the Cuban community in Miami.
Earlier in the year, on February 23, his brother Ramon died, aged 91.
World leaders also had mixed responses to Castro’s death.
Florence Henderson
The actor behind the classic television character Carol Brady, Florence Henderson died from heart failure, aged 82 on November 24.
She had a varied career across television, stage and screen, including repeated spin-off and return series of 'The Brady Bunch'.
Andrew Sachs
Known by many as the hapless Spanish waiter Manuel on the 1970s sitcom 'Fawlty Towers', Andrew Sachs died aged 86 on November 23.
The German-born actor had reportedly suffered from vascular dementia for four years.
While he went on to perform other roles, he was always best known for his work on 'Fawlty Towers'.
John Glenn
The first American to orbit the Earth, John Glenn died in Ohio on December 9 aged 95.
He was also the oldest person to ever go into space, blasting off aboard the shuttle Discovery aged 77.
He also served as a US senator for the state of Ohio for 24 years until 1999.
Zsa Zsa Gabor
Zsa Zsa Gabor, the Hungarian-born actress and socialite, died on December 18 aged 99.
Born Sair Gabor, she starred in a number of films and television shows, but was best known for her tumultuous personal life.
She was married nine times, the final time to Frédéric Prinz von Anhalt, whom she married in 1986.
George Michael
And just when we thought 2016 could not wrench one more giant from among our ranks, George Michael's publicist announced the singer had "passed away peacefully" at his home on December 26. He was 53 years old.
The singer-songwriter, who first rose to prominence after forming Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley in 1981, went on to have a highly successful solo career, releasing popular hits including Careless Whisper, Faith and Jesus to a Child.
Michael's first solo album, Faith, released in 1987, sold over 25 million copies and landed him a Grammy. By the time of his death, he was one of the world's biggest selling artists.
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