A Look at David Bowie Tributes in Pop Culture

The late artist inspired many

By Julia Hays Jan 11, 2016 4:59 PMTags
David Bowie, Live at WembleyRichard Young/REX Shutterstock

The passing of the legendary David Bowie has left a hole in the music industry.

The singer died at the age of 69 after a battle with cancer. The sad news was confirmed Sunday evening.

As Bowie's loved ones and the celebs he inspired pay tribute to the iconic musician, there are other homages to Bowie's career that can be found throughout pop culture.

In a career that spanned decades, Bowie's presence was felt not only in his own projects, but as Hollywood would honor his work and influence as well, through parody and celebration.

Bowie had many appearances, cameos, and starring roles himself—from Labyrinth to Zoolander—but these are some of the references that showed how ingrained Bowie was in entertainment.

His songs and style are easily recognizable in these projects.

In Adam Sandler's 2002 comedy Mr. Deeds the comedian takes on Bowie's "Space Oddity" in a fun helicopter sing-along.

The "party pooper" who cuts off the song is the film's villain, of course, because who doesn't love rocking out to Bowie with friends?

The late singer's tune "Heroes" is covered by Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor in Moulin Rouge's memorable mashup "Elephant Love Medley"—along with other iconic songs.

Bowie's haunting cover with Massive Attack of Eden Ahbez's song "Nature Boy" also appears on the Moulin Rouge soundtrack, and his song "Diamond Dogs" is featured as a cover by Beck.

Bowie has influenced characters written into TV shows as well.

In a 2007 episode of HBO's Flight of the Conchords (season six), "Bowie," one of the main characters, Bret, gets advice from a dream version of David Bowie.

One of the episode's songs "Bowie's in Space" serves as a parody look at Bowie's career.

The Venture Bros., an animated series on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, paid homage to Bowie with a mysterious villain known as "The Sovereign," who is later revealed on the show to be Bowie himself.

Another TV show with an unforgettable Bowie moment? Friends.

Watching Chandler get caught singing "Space Oddity" in season five is just priceless.

This Funny Or Die tribute to Bowie takes on the singer's 1977 Christmas special appearance with another musical legend, Bing Crosby.

In the video, Will Ferrell plays Bowie while John C. Reilly channels Crosby for two seasonal duets.

Frederic REGLAIN/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

The Grammy-winning artist released his final album, Blackstar, on his 69th birthday Friday.

Bowie is survived by two children, Duncan Jones and Alexandria "Lexi" Zahra Jones, and his wife Iman.