娱乐英语新闻:Top 10 celebrity deaths of 2009

BEIJING, Dec. 29 -- The year of 2009 witnessed the sad passing of a number of stars of the stage and screen who touched many lives around the world. Here through the article from a chinadaily.com.cn special, we look back at the celebrities we lost and pay tribute to them for the joy and memories they brought to us.

    1. Michael Jackson - the King of Pop

U.S. pop star Michael Jackson performs "We are the World" during the World Music Awards at Earl's Court in London Nov. 15, 2006.

Michael Jackson, U.S. singer died June 25 aged 50. Jackson died suddenly after suffering a cardiac arrest in a rented Los Angeles mansion. The Los Angeles coroner ruled his death a homicide, and several doctors who treated Jackson have been investigated. Officials have focused on the singer's use of a powerful anesthetic called propofol to help induce sleep.

2. David Carradine - popular American character actor

U.S. actor David Carradine arrives for a screening at the 57th Cannes Film Festival in this May 21, 2004 file photo. (Xinhua/Reuters, File Photo)

    U.S. actor David Carradine died June 3 aged 72. The star of the 1970s television show "Kung Fu" was found naked and hanging from a rope in the closet of his luxury Bangkok hotel room, according to Thai police.

    3. Stephen Gately - lead singer of boyband Boyzone

Stephen Gately of the boy band Boyzone speaks to fans at a music store in Bombay in this Aug. 2, 2000 file photo. (Xinhua/Reuters, File Photo)

    Stephen Gately, Irish singer died Oct. 10 aged 33. The member of Irish boyband Boyzone died due to fluid on his lungs while on holiday on the Spanish island of Majorca.

    4. Patrick Swayze - star of "Dirty Dancing" and "Ghost"

In this May 26, 1998 file photo, Patrick Swayze is seen at an activity in Dubai. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

    Patrick Swayze, U.S. actor died Sept. 14 aged 57. The actor best known as the smoldering dance instructor in “Dirty Dancing” died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He cemented his status as a big screen sex symbol with his performance in 1990 romance “Ghost” alongside Demi Moore.