In 2024, we've experienced the loss of several luminaries in the world of entertainment. These beloved figures—actors, comedians, musicians, singers, and coaches—have touched our lives with their talent, passion, and dedication. They've left an indelible mark on our hearts and shaped the world of entertainment in ways that will continue to inspire and influence generations to come.
Among the incredible actors who bid farewell this year, we mourn the loss of a true chameleon who effortlessly.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Stephen Gately died he was 33
Stephen Patrick David Gately died he was 33. Gately was an Irishpopsinger, songwriter and actor, who, with Ronan Keating, was one of two lead singers of the pop group Boyzone.[1] All of Boyzone's studio albums hit number one in the UK, their third and last being their most successful internationally. With Boyzone Gately had a record-breaking sixteen consecutive singles enter the top five of the UK Singles Chart.[2] He performed for millions of fans globally.[3] He released his only solo album in 2000, after the group's initial breakup, which charted in the UK top ten and yielded three UK hit singles including the top three hit "New Beginning." Gately went on to appear variously in successful stage productions and on television programmes as well as contributing further solo tracks to various compilations and soundtracks. In 2008, he rejoined his colleagues as Boyzone reformed for a series of concerts and recordings.
Gately wed Andrew Cowles, first in a commitment ceremony in Las Vegas in 2003 and more formally in a civil partnership ceremony in London in 2006. In 1999, he became one of the first pop stars to come out as gay.[4][5] He was also the first ever boyband member to do so.[6] Upon Boyzone's reformation, Gately featured as part of the first gay couple in a boyband's music video in what was to be his last music video with the band, for the song "Better".[7] He was discovered dead at an apartment he owned with Cowles in Majorca, Spain on 10 October 2009. Tim Teeman of The Times heralded Gately as a hero of gay rights for his response to being "smoked out of the closet".[8]
Gately grew up in severe poverty in the poor, working-class Sheriff Street area of Dublin.[9] He was the fourth of five children; his father Martin is a decorator and his mother, Margaret (born 1949) a cleaner.[10] His siblings are Michelle, Tony, Alan and Mark.[11] As a teenager he appeared in various musicals and theatre performances at school, such as Juno and the Paycock.[10]
Gately split from his first boyfriend, Stephen Howard, in 1993. Howard became a heroin addict and in 1995 committed suicide by hanging.[10]
On 16 June 1999, The Sun newspaper covered its front page with what it described as a "World Exclusive" and the headline, "Boyzone Stephen: I'm gay and I'm in love".[4] At the age of 23, Gately sold his story to the newspaper because he feared a former member of Boyzone's security was about to sell the story. The Sun had two further pages on the story as well as an editorial. Gately also revealed that in 1998 he had started a relationship with the then 27 year-old Eloy de Jong, who had been in the Dutch boy band Caught in the Act.[4] They had first met in 1995.
From 2000 to 2002, Gately suffered from depression and addiction to prescription drugs.[10]
Gately and de Jong split up in January 2002; Gately subsequently moved back to Dublin. After remaining single for a while, Gately started dating internet businessman Andrew Cowles, who had been introduced to him by mutual friends Elton John and David Furnish. Gately and Cowles held a commitment ceremony in a wedding chapel whilst on holiday in Las Vegas in 2003. On 19 March 2006, Gately entered into a civil partnership with Cowles in a ceremony in London.[21]
His manager Louis Walsh was unaware of Gately's sexuality when he selected him for Boyzone and has said that, had he known, he would have thought twice before picking him, claiming that "it wasn't cool then to have a gay guy in a band".[7]
Stephen Patrick David Gately died he was 33. Gately was an Irish pop singer, songwriter and actor, who, with Ronan Keating, was one of two lead singers of the pop group Boyzone.[1] All of Boyzone's studio albums hit number one in the UK, their third and last being their most successful internationally. With Boyzone Gately had a record-breaking sixteen consecutive singles enter the top five of the UK Singles Chart.[2] He performed for millions of fans globally.[3] He released his only solo album in 2000, after the group's initial breakup, which charted in the UK top ten and yielded three UK hit singles including the top three hit "New Beginning." Gately went on to appear variously in successful stage productions and on television programmes as well as contributing further solo tracks to various compilations and soundtracks. In 2008, he rejoined his colleagues as Boyzone reformed for a series of concerts and recordings.
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