Robin Williams gestures during a panel discussion for his upcoming HBO show "Robin Williams: Weapons of Self-Destruction" at the Television Critics Association Cable summer press tour in Pasadena, July 30, 2009.
Robin Williams gestures during a panel discussion for his upcoming HBO show "Robin Williams: Weapons of Self-Destruction" at the Television Critics Association Cable summer press tour in Pasadena, July 30, 2009. Reuters

We lost several major entertainers in 2014. While all of them were established and celebrated in their own way, some of them are considered iconic. The death of some these celebrities revealed a dark phase of their life when they succumbed to depression and took their lives. Some others died naturally of old age. While they were alive, they entertained and made people smile. Here are five people whom we are going to miss next year.

Pete Seeger

The folk legend who spearheaded the revival of the American fold died on Jan.27 in Manhattan. He was 94 and had an illustrious career in music as a songwriter, singer and folk-song collector. His grandson Kitama Cahill Jackson confirmed the death of the legend who died at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Hoffman won the Oscar for Best Actor in 2006 for "Capote" where he portrayed writer Truman Capote. He died on Feb 2 when he was only 46 years old. The American actor was found dead on the bathroom floor of his New York apartment with a syringe in his left arm. Unlike Williams who was found sober while committing suicide, Hoffman reportedly died of acute mixed drug intoxication, including cocaine, heroin, amphetamine and benzodiazepines. CNN reported that the manner of death had been ruled as an accident.

Robin Williams

He was one of the strongest actors Hollywood has ever produced. The comedian, who made people burst into laughter on numerous occasions, committed suicide on Aug 11 at the age of 63. It was reported that he was suffering from anxiety and depression. NBC News reported that he had also suffered from the early stages of Parkinson's Disease as well as increasing feelings of compulsion and paranoia. Williams died of "asphyxia due to hanging" in his California home.

Richard Attenborough

Richard Attenborough was one of the most iconic figures of British cinema. He passed away on Aug 24 at the age of 90. His distinguished career in both theatre and film made him a renowned representative of British films to the world. Some of the most important films in his career included Jurassic Park (1993), The Great Escape (1963) and Miracle on 34th Street (1994) where he played Santa Claus.

Joan Rivers

The comedian, who was known for her candid sense of humour, died on Sept 4 at the age of 81. She was often labelled as "acid-tongued" as she scared badly dressed celebrities on Hollywood red carpets with raucous criticism. New York City's medical examiner declared that she had died of brain damage due to lack of oxygen. CBS News reported that she had stopped breathing during an endoscopy on Aug. 28.

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@IBTimes.com.au