What a sad season for the arts!

It has been a sad season for movies, wrestling and music fans with the shocking deaths of Hulk Hogan, 71, (real name Terry Gene Bollea), godfather of heavy metal music Ozzy Osbourne, 76, and Malcolm Jamal Warner, 54, best known for playing Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show.

OZZY OSBOURNE

Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary lead singer of Black Sabbath and a prominent figure in heavy metal music, died on July 22. In his later years, Osbourne battled a rare genetic disorder related to Parkinson’s disease, which was worsened by his history of substance abuse.

He had performed his final concert with Black Sabbath in his hometown Birmingham, England, just weeks before his death. His final show was a farewell event uniting the original band members, marking the end of his iconic career and collecting at least $190 million for charity, according to Rolling Stone.

Osbourne will remembered for Crazy Train (1980), Mr. Crowley (1980), No More Tears (1991), Mama, I’m Coming Home (1991), Bark at the Moon (1983), Shot in the Dark (1986), Changes (2003) featuring Kelly Osbourne, among others.

“So sad to hear the news of @ ozzyosbourne passing away. He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods — a true legend. He was also one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. I will miss him dearly.

To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love. Elton xx,” singer Elton John posted on his Instagram “Aston Villa Football Club is saddened to learn that world-renowned rock star and Villain, Ozzy Osbourne has passed away.

Growing up in Aston, not far from Villa Park, Ozzy always held a special connection to the club and the community he came from. The thoughts of everyone at Aston Villa are with his wife Sharon, his family, friends, and countless fans at this extremely difficult time. Rest in peace, Ozzy,” the club noted in a statement.

HULK HOGAN

As fans of rock and heavy metal music were still grieving the death of Ozzy Osbourne, disaster struck with the death of Terry Gene Bollea aka Hulk Hogan on July 24, at his home in Clearwater, Florida, after a heart attack.

Hogan was famous for his iconic wrestling matches in the WWE such as his bout at Madison Square garden where he defeated Andre the Giant (RIP).

In a condolence message, Paul Michael Levesque Triple H Chief Content Officer at WWE wrote: “WWE would not be where it is today without the larger-than-life characters that compete in the ring … and few, if any, loomed larger than Terry ‘Hulk Hogan’ Bollea.

He was the archetype of what it meant to be a ‘Superstar’ – a global sensation that inspired millions.”

“The wrestling world has lost a true legend. His contributions to our business are immeasurable and for that I am appreciative. Thank you, Hulk Hogan,” retired wrestler Mark Callaway (the Undertaker) wrote.

MALCOM JAMAL WARNER AND CHUCK MANGIONE

Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, died on July 20 in Costa Rica. According to ABC news, Warner drowned after being caught by a strong rip tide while swimming near Cocles Beach in Limon where Warner was reportedly swimming with a friend; his eight-year-old daughter was onshore and not in the water at the time.

Surfers and bystanders reportedly helped rescue him and bring him to shore, where he received extensive CPR for about 45 minutes, but he was declared dead by the Costa Rican Red Cross with the autopsy confirming cause of death was accidental drowning.

Also, Chuck Mangione, the legendary jazz musician known for his hit Feels So Good, died in his sleep at home on July 22, at the age of 84 and per his family and official statements, the cause of death was natural causes.

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