In Memoriam: The New Yorkers We Lost In 2022

NEW YORK CITY — The Harlem-trained actor who changed how America viewed its Black citizens on screen, the first wife who didn't get mad (she got everything), the Astoria blogger who reminded us to love Julia Child.

These are just a few New Yorkers we lost in 2022.

As the year draws to a close, Patch is taking a moment to look back and remember the stars, the fighters, the writers and the workers whose impact on New York City won't be forgotten any time soon.

Sidney Poitier

Years before Sidney Poitier became Sidney Poitier, he was a teenager living in Harlem — directionless and broke, but angling for an opportunity. The groundbreaking actor died at 94 on Jan. 6.

Ray Liotta

The New Jersey native known for his roles in "Goodfellas" and "Field of Dreams" died May 26. Ray Liotta was 67. Liotta's acting career began with his role playing Joey Perrini on the TV show "Another World" — filmed in New York City — in 1978.

James Caan

The legendary "Godfather" actor James Caan died July 6. Caan was born in The Bronx in 1940 and grew up in Sunnyside, Queens. He played football in college, but fell in love with the theater. In addition to his role as Sonny Corleone in "The Godfather," he played Frank in the 1981 flick "Thief" and Paul Sheldon in the 1990 film "Misery."

Ivana Trump

Ivana Trump died July 14 at 73. Donald and Ivana Trump stood atop New York City's social and media worlds in the 1980s and 1990s, a pairing of a publicity-loving businessman and a stylish Czech model. The couple divorced in 1992.

Albert Vann

The political icon Albert Vann, a former assembly and city councilman who mentored some of the top names from the borough, died in his Bed-Stuy home on July 15. He was 87. Vann was known as a "bedrock of Bed-Stuy," where he grew up and later represented for three decades in the state and city legislatures.

His legacy includes mentoring some of the city's most high-powered elected officials, including the New York Attorney General Letitia James, former City Councilmember Robert Cornegy and Mayor Eric Adams.

Paul Sorvino

The legendary actor, and Brooklyn native, Paul Sorvino died of natural causes in Indiana on July 25. He was 83. Sorvino spent more than 50 years in the entertainment industry. He was perhaps most known for playing crooks and cops like Paulie Cicero in “Goodfellas” and the NYPD sergeant Phil Cerretta on “Law & Order." He was mourned by many, including his daughter, Academy Award-winning actress Mira Sorvino.

Julie Powell

Julie Powell died on Oct. 26 from cardiac arrest at age 49. She launched the Julie/Julia Project, in which she spent a year trying to cook every recipe in Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking,"that catapulted her to food-world fame in 2002.

Patch National Editor Beth Dalbey and the Associated Press contributed to this report.