The entertainment world lost many notable talents in 2016, among them pop icons David Bowie and Prince, country music legend Merle Haggard, actors Gene Wilder and George Kennedy and Alan Rickman, novelist Harper Lee, television producer Gary Marshall and playwright Edward Albee.

Obituaries of actors, filmmakers, musicians, producers, dancers, composers, writers and others associated with the performing arts who died in 2016 are included. Date, place and cause of death are provided for each, along with a career recap and a photograph. Filmographies are given for film and television performers. Books in this annual series are available dating to 1994, and a subscription plan is available for future volumes.