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Top 10 celebrity deaths of 2009

The year of 2009 witnessed the sad passing of a number of stars of the stage and screen who touched many lives around the world.

"King of Pop" Michael Jackson dies at 50

Former King of Pop Michael Jackson has died of a heart attack. His death brings an end to a dazzling but in later years, a bizarre and freakish life and career.

Chinese martial arts novelist Liang Yusheng dies at 85

Some of Liang´s novels were adapted for TV and film. Among the more famous movie adaptations were director Tsui Hark´s Seven Swords (2005) and Ronny Yu´s The Bride with White Hair (1993), which were big screen versions of Seven Swords of Mount Heaven and Romance of the White Haired Maiden.

China´s renowned anchorman Luo Jing dies at 48

Luo Jing, a household face in China for his outstanding broadcasting service as a prime time newscaster for China Central Television (CCTV), died on Jun.5 morning. He was 48.

"Monk Sha" Yan Huaili passes away

73-year-old Yan Huaili, an acclaimed actor best known for the 1982´s classic TV series "Journey to the West", died April 12 from lung complications.