In the past week, four titans of the entertainment world passed away. TV personality Ed McMahon was 86. Michael Jackson, legendary recording artist and one of the biggest stars the world had ever known, died at 50.

Earlier that same day, Farrah Fawcett, 70’s icon and star of the hit show “Charlie’s Angels,” succumbed to a long battle with cancer at 62. Finally, Billy Mays, the king of late night infomercials, breathed his last breath. With this unusual rash of celebrity deaths, the FIU campus was abuzz with chatter regarding the loss of these four stars.

“It’s creepy all the celebrities are dying,” said Ben Badger, FIU senior and SGA press secretary.

Michael Jackson’s death seemed to hit students particularly hard, with many students expressing disappointment that the late king of pop would be unable to mount the comeback he had so desperately sought.

“I knew he was coming out with new music and I’m upset we won’t get to hear it,” said Carrie De Leon, a sophomore and chemistry major.

“It’s sad it took his death for people to remember what a great performer he was,” said Vignesh Doraiswamy, a senior majoring in biology and religious studies.

Faculty members were also troubled by the passing of these four figures.

“She was pretty awesome,” said J.D. Louk, assistant director of Campus Life, on the passing of Farrah Fawcett.

Still, some tried to find the silver lining in this tragic turn of events.

Maybe people can “come away with something from this like cancer prevention,” said Louk.

The death of salesman and infomercial star Billy Mays also took students by surprise and saddened many.

“I would always sit up and watch his infomercials even if I didn’t buy anything. He always got me hooked,” said junior sports management major, Anthony Barbato.

But wait, there’s more. Students were also saddened that Mays passed away at the prime of his career.

“It’s unfortunate because he was at the peak of his popularity ... he was such a positive and exuberant person,” said Jephren Perez, a senior majoring in advertising.

Students who spoke to The Beacon agreed that the deaths of Jackson, Mays, McMahon and Fawcett were terrible losses.

The Beacon joins the rest of the student body in expressing our sadness regarding their untimely deaths.

-Compiled by Chris Cabral and Rachael Congdon.