7 Black Performers Who Passed In 2012
In 2012 there were a few shocking deaths of Black actors and actresses. Whitney Houston is probably the one that comes to mind first, but there were several notable Black performers who also lost their lives.
1. Sherman Hemsley, known best for his role as Thomas Jefferson in CBS sitcom The Jeffersons. died at the edge of 74.
2. Actress and Grammy winning singer Whitney Houston died in February 2012. Causes are still being examined, but accidental drowning was given as the reason.
3. Yvette Wilson died at 48-years-old from cervical cancer. She is best known for her role on Moesha and the show’s spin off The Parkers.
4. Al Freeman Jr., who played the Islam leader Elijah Muhammad in Spike Lee’s Malcolm X, died last year at age 78.
5. Michael Clarke Duncan, well known for his soul wrenching performance in The Green Mile, passed away at age 54 due to complications following a heart attack. 
6. Workaholics star Jessie “Jet Set” Hudson died from a heart attack at age 58 . He is known for a recurring role in Workaholics, and also made appearances in New Girl and Key & Peele.
7. Don Cornelius, host and creator of Soul Train suffered increasingly extreme pain for years following a brain operation. He committed suicide at age 75.
