The Masked Singer has had some significant losses, which several stars who wore masks on the singing reality show having sadly died. The popular TV show has brought together a wide range of celebrity Masked Singers, across nine seasons and multiple specials since kicking off in 2019. Part of the show's successful across more than 50 channels has always been the magic of the reveal of famous, recognizable faces beneath the stunning mask creations.
Sadly, some of those reality stars have since passed away after appearing on The Masked Singer. All 3 of The Masked Singer US stars who died passed away in 2022. Leslie Jordan, and Kirstie Alley each entertained audiences with their Masked Singer appearances. They will forever be missed and remembered by fans of the show.
Bob Saget (Squiggly Monster)
Bob was best known for his portrayal of Danny Tanner, the beloved dad from Full House and its sequel Fuller House. He was also a successful stand-up comedian, the original host of America's Funniest Home Videos, and the narrator of How I Met Your Mother, providing the voice of the older Ted Mosby. Bob joined the cast of The Masked Singer season 4 as Squiggly Monster. His costume was silly and made entirely of multi-colored synthetic fur. It had six arms, five eyes, a smiling mouth with bright white teeth, and a small top hat on its long, shaggy hair. During the competition, Bob sang "Have You Ever Seen The Rain" by Creedence Clearwater Revival and "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones, highlighting his fantastic voice. He was a good friend of The Masked Singer panelist Robin Thicke's father, actor Alan Thicke, so Robin was able to guess him easily.
Bob died on January 9, 2022, at the age of 65, due to blunt head trauma from an accidental blow to the back of his head, most likely from a fall. He was found unresponsive in his hotel room at the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando. During The Masked Singer season 8 TV Theme Song Night, the show paid tribute to Bob. In the Battle Royale, Harp performed a slowed-down gospel-inspired version of Full House's theme song, "Everywhere You Look." It showcased the meaning of the lyrics in a way that no one had ever heard before. The audience and panelist Ken Jeong were brought to tears. Jodie Sweetin, who played Bob's daughter, Stephanie, on Full House was a special guest on that episode of The Masked Singer, which made the moment even more touching.
Leslie Jordan (Soft Serve & Guest Panelist)
Leslie had many film and television credits to his name and was best known for his roles on Will & Grace, American Horror Story, and The Cool Kids. At the time of his death, he was playing the lovable character Phil on the sitcom Call Me Kat. He brought joy and hope to people during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown when he became an online sensation with his viral videos.
Leslie was also a guest panelist on The Masked Singer. During season 6, he wore the Soft Serve mask and sang "This Little Light of Mine" before revealing himself and joining the panel. He returned as a guest panelist in season 7. His final appearance on The Masked Singer was during season 8 after his death. Leslie died at the age of 67 in a car crash due to a suspected medical emergency on October 24, 2022.
Kirstie Alley (Baby Mammoth)
Kirstie was a legendary actress whose Masked Singer season 7 stint as Baby Mammoth was her final television appearance. Kirstie had numerous television and film credits to her name, including her Emmy Award-winning role on Cheers, Veronica's Closet, the Look Who's Talking Franchise, and two seasons of Dancing With The Stars. As Baby Mammoth, Kirstie dressed in a gigantic, fuzzy, hot pink baby mammoth costume, complete with hooves, two tiny tusks, a trunk, and big eyes with long eyelashes. The costume was truly adorable, and everyone loved it. She lasted two weeks in the competition before her elimination.
During The Masked Singer season 7, Kirstie sang "Walkin' After Midnight" by Patsy Cline, "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)" by Cher, and "Me Too" by Meghan Trainor during a Duel Performance against Shaggy as Space Bunny. Kirstie also created a cute Baby Mammoth song and dance that delighted the panel and the audience. It was a silly and sweet moment that really captured Kirstie's personality. Kirstie died on December 5, 2022, at 71, after a short battle with colon cancer.
The Masked Singer fans were devastated by the shocking deaths of Bob, Leslie, and Kirstie. No one could have predicted their tragic deaths when they were performing on the show. They were taken from the world far too soon. They thrilled their fans by appearing in the singing competition. Fans will always remember how much joy they brought to The Masked Singer.
Other International Masked Singer Stars Who Died
The Masked Singer is one of just 56 international versions of the original South Korean show King Of Mask Singer that have spread across the world since the original became popular. As such, a number of international Masked Singers stars have died since their time on the show:
- Rogério Samora (Portugal) - Rogério Samora was Ananás (Pineapple) on the first season of A Máscara, the Portuguese version of The Masked Singer. The actor passed away on December 15, 2021 after a heart attack.
- Franco Gatti (Italy) - Italian musician Franco Gatti was one of the original four celebrities behind Baby Alieno 1 (Baby Alien) ans was a contestant on the second Italian season of Il cantante mascherato. He passed away on October 18, 2022.
- Ronnachai Thomayaparivat (Thailand) - Ronnachai Thomayaparivat was behind Coconut (หน้ากากมะพร้าว/ Na-Gak Ma-Prao) on the fourth season of Thai version of The Masked Singer. He died on October 17, 2021 after a battle with cancer at the age of 57.
- Robert Saikwan (Thailand) - Robert Saikwan was behind one half of The Geminis (หน้ากากราศีเมถุน) a masked duo who appeared on the eighth season of the Thai version of The Mask Singer. The comedy actor died on September 19th, 2020 of lung cancer.
- Jovit Baldivino (Philippines) - Filipino singer and actor Jovit Baldivino was the masked contestant behind Labuyo (Chilli Pepper) on the second season of The Masked Singer Pilipinas. He died after suffering a brain aneurysm on December 8, 2022.
- Maria João Abreu (Portugal) - Portugese actor Maria João Abreu was Monstro (Monster) on the first season of A Máscara, the Portuguese version of The Masked Singer. She died on May 13, 2021 after suffering a brain aneurysm.
- Tangmo Nida (Thailand) - Thai actress Tangmo Nida was behind the mask of Nurse (หน้ากากพยาบาล / Na-Gak Pa-Ya-Ban) on the first season of The Mask Singer Thailand. She was killed in a boating accident in February 2022.
- Sara Carreira (Portugal) - Singer Sara Carreira was Pantera (translated to Panther) on the first season of A Máscara, the Portuguese version of The Masked Singer. The daughter of acclaimed singer and songwriter Tony Carreira passed away on December 5, 2020 in a car crash.
- Grichka and Igor Bogdanoff (France) - Twin TV presenters Grichka and Igor Bogdanoff were twin Masked Singers Perroquets (Parrots) on the second season of the French Mask Singer. Grichka died on December 28, 2021, and Igor passed away six days later, both after contracting COVID-19.
- Sven Melander (Sweden) - Sven Melander was behind Pingvinen (Penguin) on the first season of Masked Singer Sverige, the Swedish version of The Masked Singer. The TV presenter and actor died of cancer on 31 March 2022.
- Georgina Beyer (New Zealand) - Former New Zealand politician Georgina Beyer was Pōhutukawa Tree on the second season of The Masked Singer New Zealand. The world's fist openly transgender politician died on 6 March 2023.
- Daniel Levi (France) - Singer Robot Daniel Levi was the masked celebrity behind Robot on the second season of Mask Singer, the French version of The Masked Singer. He died after losing his battle with cancer on August 6, 2022 at age 60.
Source: The Masked Singers/YouTube, The Masked Singers/YouTube, The Masked Singer/YouTube