In Memoriam: The New Yorkers We Lost In 2022
NEW YORK CITY — The Harlem-trained actor who changed the way America viewed its black citizens on screen, the first woman who didn’t get angry (she got everything), the Astoria blogger who reminded us to love Julia Child.
These are just a few New Yorkers we lost in 2022.
As the year comes to a close, Patch is taking a moment to look back and remember the stars, fighters, writers and workers whose impact on New York City will not soon be forgotten.
Sidney Poitier
Years before Sidney Poitier became Sidney Poitier, he was a teenager living in Harlem – directionless and broke, but looking for an opportunity. The groundbreaking actor died at the age of 94 on January 6.
Ray Liotta
The New Jersey actor, known for his roles in “Goodfellas” and “Field of Dreams,” died on May 26. Ray Liotta was 67. Liotta’s acting career began with his role playing Joey Perrini on the TV show “Another World” — filmed in New York. The city – in 1978.
James Caan
Legendary “Godfather” actor James Caan died on July 6. Caan was born in The Bronx in 1940 and grew up in Sunnyside, Queens. He played football in college but fell in love with theater. In addition to his role as Sonny Corleone in The Godfather, he played Frank in the 1981 film Thief and Paul Sheldon in the 1990 film Misery.
Ivana Trump
Ivana Trump died on July 14 at the age of 73. Donald and Ivana Trump dominated the social and media world of New York City in the 1980s and 1990s, a couple of a publicity-loving businessman and a Czech fashion model. The couple divorced in 1992.
Albert Vann
Political icon Albert Vann, a former assemblyman and city councilman who mentored some of the city’s top names, died at his home in Bed-Stuy on July 15. He was 87 years old. Vann was known as the “bedrock of Bed-Stuy.” ” where he grew up and later represented for three decades in the state and city legislatures.
His legacy includes mentoring some of the city’s most powerful elected officials, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, former City Council member Robert Cornegy and Mayor Eric Adams.
Paul Sorvino
Legendary actor and Brooklyn native Paul Sorvino died of natural causes in Indiana on July 25. He was 83 years old. Sorvino spent more than 50 years in the entertainment industry. He was perhaps best known for playing crooks and cops like Paulie Cicero on “Goodfellas” and NYPD Sergeant Phil Cerretta on “Law & Order.” He was mourned by many, including his daughter, Oscar-winning actress Mira Sorvino.
Julie Powell
Julie Powell died on October 26 of cardiac arrest at the age of 49. She started the Julie/Julia Project, in which she spent a year trying to cook every recipe in Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking, which catapulted her into food. – World fame in 2002.
Patch National Editor Beth Dalbey and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
