2011's top arts stories: Amy Winehouse, Liz Taylor, Charlie Sheen and more
Celebrity deaths, births, celebrations and scandals in the arts and entertainment world captured the public's attention in 2011.
The passing of famous figures often dominate the headlines, with 2011 no different. From veterans such as Hollywood siren Elizabeth Taylor and Canadian funnyman Roger Abbott to the shocking demise of Amy Winehouse and reality show stuntman Ryan Dunn, readers eagerly pored over details of many entertainment world deaths.
On the flip side, however, the CBCNews.ca audience also followed more celebratory events, from baby news from Beyoncé and the Beckhams to a former Beatle’s latest wedding to Oscar and Grammy Award wins. Regular servings of scandal from Charlie Sheen, courtroom drama tied to Michael Jackson’s doctor Conrad Murray and a headline-grabbing anti-Nickelback campaign are among the other stories that piqued audience curiosity in 2011.
The most-read stories from the arts world in 2011:
- Singer Amy Winehouse found dead
- Jackass star Ryan Dunn dies in crash
- Elizabeth Taylor dies at 79
- Michael Jackson's doctor found guilty
- At home with Deadmau5
- Air Farce actor Roger Abbott dies
- Natalie Wood drowning blamed on Robert Wagner
- Sheen fired from Two and a Half Men
- Beyoncé baby steals the show at MTV VMA's
- Arcade Fire wins Grammy best album
January:
- Censor Dire Straits song: broadcast panel
- Oprah meets half-sister given up for adoption
- Gervais's Globes trash talk slammed
- Peter Donaldson was 'finest actor's actor'
- The King's Speech leads Oscar race
February:
- Arcade Fire wins Grammy best album
- Aguilera shrugs off Super Bowl anthem flub
- CBS reporter sexually assaulted in Cairo
- King's Speech lands Oscars triumph
- Jim Reed, former CBC anchor, dies
March:
- Elizabeth Taylor dies at 79
- Air Farce actor Roger Abbott dies
- At home with Deadmau5
- Sheen fired from Two and a Half Men
- Hip hop's Nate Dogg dies at 41
April:
- Charlie Sheen disappoints in Detroit
- Cooking show celebrity Ken Kostick dies
- Actor Michael Sarrazin dies at 70
- Red Green regular Wayne Robson dies
- Michael Douglas began cancer journey in Canada
May:
- Sheen replaced by Kutcher on Two and a Half Men
- Paul McCartney pops the question, again
- Cannes boots Lars von Trier for Hitler comments
- Grease actor Jeff Conaway dies
- Winfrey bids au revoir to daytime TV fans
June:
- Jackass star Ryan Dunn dies in crash
- Madonna, Ritchie divorce settlement to surpass $90M
- Columbo's Peter Falk dies
- Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz tie the knot
- A primer on India's booming film industry
July:
- Singer Amy Winehouse found dead
- Victoria Beckham gives birth to 4th child
- TV reporter's job-quitting manifesto goes viral
- Elwy Yost, longtime TV host, dies at 86
- Final Harry Potter film hits theatres worldwide
August:
- Beyoncé baby steals the show at MTV VMA's
- Amy Winehouse death not by illegal drugs, tests show
- Former Warrant singer Jani Lane found dead
- Mr. Bean actor recovering after crashing supercar
- Rockers Alexisonfire announce breakup
September:
- Quebec actor nominated for César film award
- Kiefer Sutherland 'heartbroken' by Jack Layton's death
- Spartacus actor Andy Whitfield dies
- Amy Winehouse death related to detoxification
- TV ad volumes must be lowered
October:
- Russell Brand's Canada ban claim a joke
- New book questions famed van Gogh ear-lopping incident
- Paul McCartney, U.S. heiress tie the knot
- Coronation Street actress Betty Driver dies
- Amy Winehouse's death due to too much alcohol, coroner says
November:
- Michael Jackson's doctor found guilty
- Natalie Wood drowning blamed on Robert Wagner
- Nickelback faces haters in NFL halftime show gig
- Justin Bieber paternity suit dropped, report says
- Andy Rooney of 60 Minutes dies