Gone But Not Forgotten in 2020
We’ve said goodbye to many famous faces, voices & names from radio, movies, television, sports, history, arts and literature so far in 2020. These celebrities and others said their final farewell to us recently.
(Celebrity Memorial Photo Montage: © A. Hamilton)
Celebrity deaths in 2020 that you may have missed:
Herb Adderley (nee Herbert Allen Adderley)
American Pro Football Hall of Fame football player, NFL cornerback (Green Bay Packers – 2 X Superbowl champ; Dallas Cowboys – 1 Superbowl champ), 5-time Pro Bowl & 5-time NFL champion (born June 8, 1939 – died Oct. 30, 2020; age 81).
Baby Peggy (nee Peggy-Jean Montgomery; aka Diana Serra Cary)
American child actress of stage & film (Fool’s Paradise; Helen’s Babies; Ah! Wilderness; Prisoners of the Storm; Brownie’s Little Venus; Fools First; Hollywood; Souls At Sea; Captain January; The Family Secret) & writer (born Oct. 29, 1918 – died Feb. 24, 2020; age 101). (Baby Peggy 1923 Photo: Hweits of L.A.)
Orson Bean (nee Dallas Frederick Burrows)
American actor of movies (Anatomy of a Murder), TV (Loren Bray on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman; Desperate Housewives; The Match Game; The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson) (born July 22, 1928 – died Feb. 7, 2020; age 91). Orson Bean was hit and killed by a car. (Orson Bean 1963 To Tell the Truth)
Peter Beard
American photographer of African wildlife (The End of the Game; Zara’s Tales) and celebrity portraits (Truman Capote; Salvador Dali; Andy Warhol; Andrew Wyeth) (born Jan. 22, 1938 – died Mar-Apr, 2020; age 82). Peter Beard had dementia before his body was found. (Peter Beard 2014 Photo: Peter Beard)
Lee Phillip Bell (nee Loreley June Phillip)
Daytime Emmy Award-winning American TV host (The Lee Phillip Show), soap opera creator & executive producer (The Young and the Restless; The Bold and the Beautiful) (born June 10, 1928 – died Feb. 26, 2020; age 91). Cause of death for Lee Phillip Bell is unknown. (Lee Phillip Bell 1970 Photo: WBBM-TV)
Warren Berlinger
American actor of stage, TV (Jerry Ames on The Secret Storm; The Joey Bishop Show; Operation Petticoat) & movies (The Shaggy D.A.; Because They’re Young; Spinout) (born Aug. 31, 1937 – died Dec. 2, 2020; age 83). Warren Berlinger’s cause of death is unknown. (Warren Berlinger 1960 Johnny Staccato)
Honor Blackman
English actress of TV (Catherine Gale on The Avengers; The Upper Hand; Doctor Who; Coronation Street) and movies (Goldfinger; A Night to Remember; Jason and the Argonauts) (born Aug. 22, 1925 – died Apr. 5, 2020; age 94). Honor Blackman died of natural causes. (Honor Blackman 1968 A Twist of Sand)
Ben Bova (nee Benjamin William Bova)
Hugo-winning American editor (Analog; Omni), National Space Society & Sci Fi Writers of America President, & sci-fi author (Gremlins, Go Home!; The Star Conquerors; Return to Mars) (born Nov. 8, 1932 – died Nov. 29, 2020; age 88). Ben Bova died of COVID-19 complications. (Ben Bova 1974 Dd-b Photo Blend)
Wilford Brimley
American actor of movies (The Electric Horseman; The China Syndrome; Brubaker; The Natural; Cocoon; The Firm; In & Out) and TV (Our House; The Waltons) (born Sept. 27, 1934 – died Aug. 1, 2020; age 85). Cause of death for Wilford Brimley is unknown. (Wilford Brimley 2012 Photo: Mark Majcher)
Lou Brock (nee Louis Clark Brock)
National Baseball Hall of Fame American St. Louis Cardinals left-fielder (1964 & 1967 World Series Champs), 8-time NL stolen base leader, 6-time MLB ALL-Star (born June 18, 1939 – died Sept. 6, 2020; age 81). Cause of death for Lou Brock is unknown. (Lou Brock 2008 Photo: Johnmaxmena2)
Jack Burns (nee John Francis Burns)
American TV writer (Dolly; The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour), producer, and actor (The Burns and Schreiber Comedy Hour; The Andy Griffith Show; Love, American Style) (born Nov. 15, 1933 – died Jan. 27, 2020; age 86). Jack Burns died of respiratory failure. (Jack Burns 1972 Getting Together Photo: ABC)
Edd Byrnes is 86 (nee Edward Byrne Breitenberger)
American singer-actor of TV (Kookie on 77 Sunset Strip; Murder, She Wrote; Fantasy Island) and movies (Darby’s Rangers; Marjorie Morningstar; Life Begins at 17, Up Periscope, Grease; Troop Beverly Hills) (born July 30, 1933 – died Jan. 8, 2020; age 87). Edd Byrnes died of natural causes. (Edd Byrnes 1973 CBS TV).
John Callahan
American actor of movies & TV (Edmund Grey on All My Children; Leo Russell on General Hospital; Eric Stavros on Falcon Crest; Craig Hunt on Santa Barbara; Dr. Baker on Days of Our Lives; Det. Mackenzie Johnson on The Bay; Watch Over Me; Emerald Point N.A.S.; Desperate Housewives) (born Dec. 23, 1953 – died Mar. 28, 2020; age 66). John Callahan died of a stroke.
Pierre Cardin (nee Pietro Costante Cardin)
Italian-French fashion & home decor designer (Elsa Schiaparelli, Christian Dior, Pierre Cardin), known for his preference for geometric patterns, mod-chic, and unisex designs, and restaurateur (Maxim’s) (born July 2, 1922 – died Dec. 29, 2020; age 98). (Pierre Cardin 2010 Photo: Terentiyeva)
Brent Carver
Tony Award-winning Canadian actor of Broadway (Kiss of the Spider Woman), TV (Leo and Me; Street Legal; Inside Canada), and movies (Ararat; Millenium; The Event; Romeo and Juliet; Deeply; Cross Country; The Wars; Shadow Dancing) (born Nov. 17, 1951 – died Aug. 4, 2020; age 68). Brent Carver’s cause of death is unknown.
Marge Champion (nee Marjorie Celeste Belcher)
American choreographer, dancer-actress of TV (The Marge and Gower Champion Show) & films (Show Boat; Lovely to Look At; Three for the Show; Mr. Music; Jupiter’s Darling) (born Sept. 2, 1919 – died Oct. 21, 2020; age 101). Cause of death for Marge Champion is unknown. (Marge Champion 1952)
Mary Higgins Clark is 92 (nee Mary Theresa Eleanor Higgins)
American novelist (A Stranger is Watching; Pretend You Don’t See Her; Where are the Children?; The Cradle Will Fall; A Cry in the Night; While My Pretty One Sleeps) (born Dec. 24, 1927 – died Jan. 31, 2020; age 92). Cause of death for Mary Higgins Clark is unknown. (Mary Higgins Clark 2012 Photo: Alvintrusty)
Forrest Compton
American TV actor (Gomer Pyle: USMC; The Edge of Night; Bright Promise; The Brighter Day; The F.B.I.; Hogan’s Heroes; Another World; Loving; One Life to Live; As the World Turns) (born Sept. 15, 1925 – died Apr. 4, 2020; age 94). Forrest Compton died of COVID-19. (Forrest Compton 1970 Dan August)
Sean Connery
(nee Thomas Sean Connery)
Scottish film actor (Dr. No; Marnie; Goldfinger; The Great Train Robbery; The Russia House; The Untouchables; The Rock; The Hunt for Red October; Finding Forrester) (born Aug. 25, 1930 – died Oct. 21, 2020; age 90). Sean Connery died after a long illness. (Sean Connery 1960s Photo: kate gabrielle)
Robert Conrad (nee Conrad Robert Falk)
American actor of TV (Tom Lopaka on Hawaiian Eye & 77 Sunset Strip; James T. West on The Wild Wild West; Black Sheep Squadron) & movies (Palm Springs Weekend; Young Dillinger) (born Mar. 1, 1935 – died Feb. 8, 2020; age 84). Robert Conrad died of heart failure. (Robert Conrad 1976 Photo: NBC TV)
Kevin Conway
American actor of stage, TV (One Life to Live; The Outer Limits; Oz; The Black Donnellys), and movies (One Good Cop; Flashpoint; Homeboy; F.I.S.T.; Paradise Alley; Rambling Rose) (born May 29, 1942 – died Feb. 5, 2020; age 77). Kevin Conway died of a heart attack. (Kevin Conway Photo: By Permission)
Ashley Cooper
International Tennis Hall of Fame Australian World #1 tennis player, 8X Grand Slam singles / doubles winner (Australian, US, & French Open; Wimbledon) (born Sept. 15, 1936 – died May 22, 2020; age 83). Ashley Cooper’s cause of death is unknown. (Ashley Cooper 1962 Photo: Harry Pot)
Ben Cooper
American actor of movies (Arizona Raiders; Thunderbirds; Johnny Guitar; The Rose Tattoo) and TV (The Fall Guy; The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo; Perry Mason; Combat!; Gunsmoke) (born Sept. 30, 1933 – died Feb. 24, 2020; age 86). Ben Cooper had dementia before he died. (Ben Cooper 1960 Bonanza)
Ben Cross (nee Harry Bernard Cross)
English actor of stage, TV (The Far Pavilions; Dark Shadows), and movies (Chariots of Fire; First Knight; A Bridge Too Far; Young Blades; Star Trek; The Venice Project) (born Dec. 16, 1947 – died Aug. 18, 2020; age 72). Ben Cross died of cancer. (Ben Cross 2017 Photo: Peter Vulchev / Courtesy Ben Cross)
Clive Cussler
American underwater explorer, NUMA founder, & adventure author of Dirk Pitt & Kurt Austin novels (Raise the Titanic!; Valhalla Rising; Arctic Drift; Zero Hour) (born July 15, 1931 – died Feb. 24, 2020; age 88). Cause of death for Clive Cussler is unknown. (Clive Cussler 2011 Photo: Staff Sgt. Luke Graziani)
Charlie Daniels (nee Charles Edward Daniels)
Grammy Award-winning Musicians & Country Music Hall of Fame singer-songwriter (The Devil Went Down to Georgia; Uneasy Rider) (born Oct. 28, 1936 – died July 6, 2020; age 83). Charlie Daniels died of a hemorrhagic stroke. (Charlie Daniels 2017 Photo: Steve Kwak / Maryland GovPics)
Mac Davis is 78 (nee Morris Mac Davis)
American actor (The Mac Davis Show) & country singer-songwriter (Baby, Don’t Get Hooked on Me; A Little Less Conversation; It’s Hard to be Humble; In the Ghetto) (born Jan. 21, 1942 – died Sept. 29, 2020; age 78). Mac Davis died of open heart surgery complications. (Mac Davis 1986 Photo: U.S. DoD)
Emmy & Academy Award-winning English-American actress (The Snake Pit; The Heiress; Gone With the Wind; My Cousin Rachel; The Adventures of Robin Hood) (born July 1, 1916 – died July 25, 2020; age 104). Olivia de Havilland died of natural causes. (Olivia de Havilland 1948 Photo: Screenland)
Brian Dennehy
Tony Award-winning American actor of TV (Jack Reed films; Dynasty) and films (Looking for Mr. Goodbar; Semi-Tough; Foul Play; 10; First Blood; Cocoon; Silverado; F/X;) (born July 9, 1938 – died Apr. 15, 2020; age 81). Brian Dennehy died of cardiac arrest. (Brian Dennehy 2009 Photo: Justin Hoch)
Tommy DeVito
American singer, lead guitarist of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame vocal group Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons (Big Girl’s Don’t Cry; Sherry; Walk Like a Man; Rag Doll) (born June 19, 1928 – died Sept. 21, 2020; age 92). Tommy DeVito died of COVID-19 complications. (Tommy DeVito 1966 Photo: Philips Records)
Kevin Dobson
American actor of movies (Midway; All Night Long) & TV (Knots Landing; Det. Bobby Krocker on Kojak; Days of Our Lives; One Life to Live) (born Mar. 18, 1943 – died Sept. 6, 2020; age 77). Kevin Dobson had an autoimmune deficiency before he died. (Kevin Dobson 1981 Shannon Photo: CBS TV)
Kirk Douglas (nee Issur Danielovitch)
American author, filmmaker and actor (Spartacus; Lust for Life; The Strange Love of Martha Ivers; A Letter to Three Wives; The Bad and the Beautiful; Tough Guys; My dear Secretary) (born Dec. 9, 1916 – died Feb. 5, 2020; age 103). Cause of death for Kirk Douglas is unknown. (Kirk Douglas 1952 The Big Trees)
Shirley Douglas
Canadian actress of stage, television (May Bailey on Wind at My Back; Street Legal, Robson Arms) & movies (Lolita; The Wars; Dead Ringers), American Civil Rights activist, daughter of Tommy Douglas, ex-wife of Donald Sutherland, & mother of Kiefer Sutherland (born Apr. 2, 1934 – died Apr. 5, 2020; age 86). Shirley Douglas died of pneumonia complications.
James Drury (nee James Child Drury Jr.)
American actor of TV (The Virginian; Firehouse; Gunsmoke; Zane Grey Theater) and films (The Tender Trap; Love Me Tender; Bernardine; Pollyanna; The Young Warriors) (born Apr. 18, 1934 – died Apr. 6, 2020; age 85). James Drury died of natural causes. (James Drury 1962-1971 The Virginian Photo: NBC)
Ja’net Dubois is 74 (nee Jeannette Dubois)
Emmy Award-winning American singer-songwriter (The Jeffersons theme) & actress of movies and TV (Willona Woods on Good Times; Love of Life; The Wayans Bros.) (born Aug. 5, 1945 – died Feb. 17, 2020; age 74). Ja’net Dubois died of natural causes. ( Ja’net Dubois 1977 Good Times Photo: CBS TV)
Marj Dusay (nee Marjorie Ellen Pivonka Mahoney)
Emmy Award-winning American actress of TV (Days of Our Lives; The Facts of Life; Santa Barbara; All My Children; Guiding Light; Capitol) and movies (Clambake; MacArthur) (born Feb. 20, 1936 – died Jan. 28, 2020; age 83). Cause of death for Marj Dusay is unknown. (Marj Dusay 1969 Daniel Boone)
John Ericson (nee Joachim Alexander Ottokar Meibes)
German-American actor of TV (Honey West; General Hospital) & films (Pretty Boy Floyd; Teresa; The Student Prince; Rhapsody; Bedknobs and Broomsticks; Bad Day at Black Rock) (born Sept. 23, 1926 – died May 3, 2020; age 93). John Ericson died of pneumonia. (John Ericson 1958 Zane Grey Theater)
Tony Fernández (nee Octavio Antonio Fernández Castro)
Dominican MLB shortstop (Toronto Blue Jays – 1993 World Series Champs), 5x All-Star & 4x Gold Glove winner (born June 30, 1962 – died Feb. 16, 2020; age 57). Tony Fernández died of complications from pneumonia, a stroke, and a coma. (Tony Fernández 1986 Photo: Jack Orton / Sentinel)
Conchata Ferrell (“Chatty“)
American actress of TV (Berta on Two and a Half Men; Hearts Afire; L. A. Law; E/R; The Ranch) and films (Network; Heartland; Edward Scissorhands; Mystic Pizza) (born Mar. 28, 1943 – died Oct. 12, 2020; age 77). Conchata Ferrell had a cardiac arrest. (Conchata Ferrell 2016 Photo: thepaparazzigamer)
Rhonda Fleming (nee Marilyn Louis)
American film actress (Spellbound; Gunfight at the O.K. Corral; The Redhead and the Cowboy; A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court; Cry Danger; Out of the Past) (born Aug. 10, 1923 – died Oct. 14, 2020; age 97). Cause of death for Rhonda Fleming is unknown. (Rhonda Fleming 1959 Ad: Photoplay)
Whitey Ford (nee Edward Charles Ford; “The Chairman of the Board“)
Baseball Hall of Fame American MLB All-Star (10 times) New York Yankees pitcher (1950-1967) with 6 World Series victories, 1961 World Series MVP & Cy Young winner (born Oct. 21, 1928 – died Oct. 8, 2020; age 91). Whitey Ford had dementia before he died. (Whitey Ford 1953 Photo: Bowman Gumo)
Harriet Frank Jr. (nee Harriet Goldstein)
American movie screenwriter (The Long, Hot Summer; Norma Rae; Hud; Hombre; Murphy’s Romance; Stanley & Iris; The Cowboys; The Carey Treatment) (born Mar. 2, 1923 – died Jan. 28, 2020; age 96). Cause of death for Harried Frank is unknown. (Harriet Frank Amazing Stories 1953: Ziff-Davis Publishing)
Allen Garfield is 80 (nee Allen Goorwitz)
American actor of TV (Chicago Hope) and movies (Teachers; The Brink’s Job; Gable and Lombard; The Front Page; The Candidate; The Majestic; The Black Stallion Returns) (born Nov. 22, 1939 – died Apr. 7, 2020; age 80). Allan Garfield died of COVID-19. (Allen Garfield 1973 The Marcus-Nelson Murders)
Phyllis George (nee Phyllis Ann George; aka Phyllis George Brown)
Miss America, TV sports & news reporter (The NFL Today; CBS Morning), TV host (The New Candid Camera; People) (born June 25, 1949 – died May 14, 2020; age 70). Phyllis George died of Polycythemia vera complications. (Phyllis George 2019 Photo: John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com)
Bob Gibson (nee Robert Gibson; “Gibby” or “Hoot“)
Baseball Hall of Fame American MLB pitcher (St. Louis Cardinals), 1968 NL MVP, 2X Cy Young & World Series Champ, MLB Gold Glove & All-Star (born Nov. 9, 1925 – died Oct. 2, 2020; age 84). Bob Gibson died of pancreatic cancer. (Bob Gibson 2010 Photo: Monowi)
Ruth Bader Ginsburg (nee Joan Ruth Bader)
American lawyer, Rutgers & Columbia law schools professor, pioneering women’s rights advocate, U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice (born Mar.15, 1933 – died Sept. 18, 2020; age 87). Ruth Bader Ginsberg died of pancreatic cancer complications. (Ruth Bader Ginsberg 2016: Supreme Court)
Mary Pat Gleason (nee Mary Patrick Gleason)
Daytime Emmy Award-winning American screenwriter and character actress of TV (Jane Hogan on Guiding Light; Mom; Desperate Housewives; Highway to Heaven; Night Court; WTF 101; Will & Grace; 1600 Penn) & movies (No Easy Way; The Crucible; 13 Going on 30; A Cinderella Story;Big Stone Gap) (born Feb. 23, 1950 – died June 2, 2020; age 70). Mary Pat Gleason died of cancer.
Terry Goodkind
American fantasy author (The Sword of Truth: Wizard’s First Rule; Blood of the Fold; Chainfire; The Omen Machine) and suspense novelist (The Law of Nines) (born Jan. 11, 1948 – died Sept. 17, 2020; age 72). Cause of death for Terry Goodkind is unknown. (Terry Goodkind 2003 Photo: Mystar1959)
Peter Green (nee Peter Allen Greenbaum)
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame British blues guitarist and singer-songwriter of Fleetwood Mac (Black Magic Woman; Albatross; Shake Your Moneymaker; Man of the World) (born Oct. 29, 1946 – died July 25, 2020; age 73). Cause of death for Peter Green is unknown. (Peter Green 1970 Photo: Nick Contador)
Buck Henry (nee Henry Zuckerman)
American director, host, actor & screenwriter of TV (Get Smart; Saturday Night Live; Falcon Crest), movies (Heaven Can Wait; The Graduate; The Owl and the Pussycat; What’s Up, Doc?) (born Dec. 9, 1930 – died Jan. 8, 2020; age 89). Buck Henry died of a heart attack. (Buck Henry 1978 Photo: Alan Light)
Richard Herd (nee Richard Thomas Herd Jr.)
American actor of TV (T. J. Hooker; Seinfeld; SeaQuest 2032; Simon & Simon; Dallas; Knots Landing) and movies (Wolf Lake; The China Syndrome; Corporate Affairs; Anna Nicole) (born Sept. 26, 1932 – died May 26, 2020; age 87). Richard Herd died of cancer. (Richard Herd 2005 Photo: Uga30005)
Ian Holm (aka Sir Ian Holm Cuthbert)
Tony Award-winning English actor of TV & films (Chariots of Fire; Time Bandits; Alien; The Fifth Element; The Hobbit movies; The Lord of the Rings; The Day After Tomorrow; Young Winston) (born Sept. 12, 1931 – died June 19, 2020; age 88). Ian Holm had Parkinson’s disease before he died.
Roy Horn (nee Uwe Ludwig Horn)
German-American entertainer, white lions and tigers magician with partner Siegfried Fischbacher (Siegfried & Roy at the Mirage Resort and Casino 1990-2003) (born Oct. 3, 1944 – died May 8, 2020; age 75). Roy Horn died of complications from COVID-19. (Roy Horn c. 2003 Photo: Carol M Highsmith)
Robert Hossein
French writer, director & actor (Madame; Love on a Pillow; Enough Rope; Marco the Magnificent; Of Flesh and Blood; The Secret Agents; The Heist; The Burglars; Angélique films) (born Dec. 30, 1927 – died Dec. 31, 2020; age 93). Robert Hossein died of COVID-19. (Robert Hossein 1992 Photo: Georges Biard)
Dale Hawerchuk
Hockey Hall of Fame Canadian NHL centre (Winnipeg Jets; Buffalo Sabres; St. Louis Blues; Philadelphia Flyers), 1982 Calder Memorial Trophy, QMJHL 1979 Rookie of the Year (born Apr. 4, 1963 – died Aug. 18, 2020; age 57). Dale Hawerchuk died of stomach cancer. (Dale Hawerchuk 2008 Photo: Horge)
John Karlen (nee John Adam Karlewicz)
American actor of TV (Willie Loomis on Dark Shadows; Harvey Lacey on Cagney & Lacey; Love is a Many Splendored Thing; The Doctors; Another World; Barnaby Jones; Quincy M.E.; The Streets of San Francisco; Murder, She Wrote) & movies (Daughters of Darkness; Impulse) (born May 28, 1933 – died Jan. 22, 2020; age 86). John Karlen died of heart failure.
Paula Kelly
American actress of stage, TV (Ginger Jones on Santa Barbara; Night Court; The Streets of San Francisco), & movies (Sweet Charity; The Andromeda Strain; Top of the Heap; Soylent Green) (born Oct. 21, 1943 – died Feb. 9, 2020; age 76). Cause of death for Paula Kelly is unknown. (Paula Kelly 1977 Photo)
Irrfan Khan (nee Sahabzade Irfan Ali Khan)
Indian movie actor (Slumdog Millionaire; Inferno; A Mighty Heart; The Amazing Spider-Man; Jurassic World; New York, I Love You; The Darjeeling Limited; The Namesake; Life of Pi) (born Jan. 7, 1967 – died Apr. 29, 2020; age 53). Irrfan Khan died of a colon infection. (Irrfan Khan 2014 Photo: Bollywood Hungama)
Shirley Knight (aka Shirley Knight Hopkins)
American Tony & Emmy-winning actress of TV (Hawaiian Eye; Desperate Housewives; Surfside 6) & films (Sweet Bird of Youth; As Good As It Gets; The Dark at the Top of the Stairs) (born July 5, 1936 – died Apr. 22, 2020; age 83). Shirley Knight died of natural causes. (Shirley Knight 1959 Johnny Staccato)
John Le Carré (nee David John Moore Cornwell)
British MI5/MI6 intelligence officer & spy thriller novelist (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy; The Spy Who Came in from the Cold; Little Drummer Girl; The Russia House; The Night Manager) (born Oct. 19, 1931 – died Dec. 12, 2020; age 89). John Le Carré died of pneumonia. (John Le Carré 2017: German Embassy London)
Tom Lester (nee Thomas William Lester)
American actor of TV (Eb Dawson on Green Acres, Petticoat Junction, & The Beverly Hillbillies) and films (Benji; The Pistol: The Birth of a Legend) (born Sept. 23, 1938 – died Apr. 20, 2020; age 81). Tom Lester died of Parkinson’s Disease complications. (Tom Lester 1976 Charo and the Sergeant Photo: ABC)
James Lipton
American TV producer, screenwriter, actor & host (Inside the Actors Studio; Guiding Light; The Edge of Night; Another World; Return to Peyton Place; Capitol) (born Sept. 19, 1926 – died Mar. 2, 2020; age 93). James Lipton died of bladder cancer. (James Lipton 2007 Photo: David Shankbone)
Tommy Lister Jr. (nee Thomas Lister Jr.; “Tiny“; “Z-Gangsta“)
American WWF pro wrestler (Zeus), actor of TV & films (Friday; Wired to Kill; Posse; Universal Soldier; The Fifth Element; Little Nicky; The Dark Knight) (born June 24, 1958 – died Dec. 10, 2020; age 62). Thomas Lister had COVID-19 before he died. (Tommy Lister 2012 Photo: Airman Aaron Stout / US Air Force)
Jean Little
Legally blind Taiwanese-Canadian children’s author of stories about children with disabilities (Orphan at My Door; Mine for Keeps; From Anna; If I Die Before I Wake; One to Grow On) (born Jan. 2, 1932 – died Apr. 6, 2020; age 88). Cause of death for Jean Little is unknown. (Jean Little 2016 Photo: Kaparica)
Michael Lonsdale (aka Michel Lonsdale)
French actor (Is Paris Burning; The Day of the Jackal; Moonraker; The Holcroft Covenant; The Remains of the Day; The Name of the Rose; Ronin; Chariots of Fire) (born May 24, 1931 – died Sept. 21, 2020; age 89). Cause of death for Michael Lonsdale is unknown. (Michael Lonsdale 2011 Photo: Georges Biard)
Trini Lopez (nee Trinidad López III)
American singer (If I Had a Hammer; Michael; Lemon Tree; The Bramble Bush), guitarist, host & actor of TV (Hullabaloo) & films (Marriage on the Rocks; The Dirty Dozen) (born May 15, 1937 – died Aug. 11, 2020; age 83). Trini Lopez died of COVID-19 complications. (Trini Lopez 1975 Photo: Florida Memory)
Vera Lynn (nee Vera Margaret Welch; “The Forces’ Sweetheart“)
English singer (We’ll Meet Again; The White Cliffs of Dover; My Son, My Son; I Love This Land; Auf Wiederseh’n Sweetheart), and actress (Rhythm Serenade) (born Mar. 20, 1917 – died June 18, 2020; age 103). Cause of death for Vera Lynn is unknown. (Vera Lynn 1962 Photo: Eric Koch / Dutch National Archives)
Diego Maradona (“The Golden Boy“)
Argentinian soccer (football) player (Argentinos Juniors; Barcelona; Napoli; Argentina team captain, 1986 & 1990 World Cup Champs), FIFA Player of the 20th Century (tied with Pele) (born Oct. 30, 1960 – died Nov. 25, 2020; age 60. Diego Maradona died of a heart attack. (Diego Maradona 1981 Photo)
Phyllis McGuire
American Vocal Group Hall of Fame singer with The McGuire Sisters (Sincerely; Picnic; Sugartime), actress of TV & films (Come Blow Your Horn; Arthur Godfrey and His Friends) (born Feb. 14, 1931 – died Dec. 29, 2020; age 89). Phyllis McGuire died of natural causes. (Phyllis McGuire 1957 Photo: Radio TV-Mirror)
Jimmy McLane (nee James Price McLane Jr.)
International Swimming Hall of Fame Olympic & American record-setting men’s freestyle champion swimmer (Olympics: 1948 London – gold, 1500m & 4 x 200m relay & silver, 400m; 1952 Helsinki – gold, 4 x 200m relay) (born Sept. 13, 1930 – died Dec. 13, 2020; age 90). (James McLane 1952)
Michael Medwin
English TV & movie (Someone at the Door; The Lady Craved Excitement; Shadow of the Past; Hell in Korea; Curtain Up; Doctor at Sea; The Longest Day; The Jigsaw Man) (born July 18, 1923 – died Feb. 26, 2020; age 96). Cause of death for Michael Medwin is unknown. (Micheal Medwin 1958 The Duke Wore Jeans)
Howie Meeker (nee Howard William Meeker)
Canadian NHL player (Toronto Maple Leafs – 1947, 1948 & 1949 Stanley Cups) and Hockey Hall of Fame sports broadcaster (Hockey Night in Canada; Howie Meeker’s Hockey School) (born Nov. 1923 – died Nov. 8, 2020; age 97). Cause of death for Howie Meeker is unknown. (Howie Meeker 1947 Photo)
Ennio Morricone (aka Maestro; aka Dan Savio)
Italian composer of 500+ movies (A Fistful of Dollars; For a Few Dollars More; El Greco; Navajo Joe; The Good, the Bad and the Ugly; Two Mules for Sister Sara) (born Nov. 10, 1928 – died July 6, 2020; age 91). Ennio Morricone died after a fall. (Ennio Morricone 2012 Photo: Georges Biard)
Bobby Joe Morrow
National Track & Field Hall of Fame American 3X Olympic gold-medal sprinter (1956 Melbourne – 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay), 1956 SI “Sportsman of the Year” (born Oct. 15, 1935 – died May 30, 2020; age 84. Bobby Joe Morrow died of natural causes. (Bobby Joe Morrow 1956 Photo: AP)
Stirling Moss
International Motorsports Hall of Fame English Formula One race car driver (16 Grand Prix wins), 1955 Aintree British Grand Prix & Italy’s Mille Miglia 1000 mile road race winner (born Sept. 17, 1929 – died Apr. 12, 2020; age 90). Stirling Moss died after a long illness. (Stirling Moss 1958 What’s My Line?)
Peg Murray (nee Margaret L. Murray)
Tony-winning American actress of stage, films & TV (Carrie Johnson Lovett on Love of Life; Olga Swenson on All My Children; The Doctors and the Nurses; Mary Pat on Loving; Another World) (born Feb. 14, 1924 – died Nov. 29, 2020; age 96). Peg Murray’s cause of death is unknown. (Peg Murray 1960 The New Girl)
Johnny Nash (nee John Lester Nash Jr.)
American co-founder of JODA Records, actor (Key Witness; Take a Giant Step), singer & songwriter (I Can See Clearly Now; Tears on My Pillow; Hold Me Tight; As Time Goes By) (born Aug. 19, 1940 – died Oct. 6, 2020; age 80). Cause of death for Johnny Nash is unknown. (Johnny Nash 1965 Photo: Joda Records)y
Curly Neal (nee Frederick Neal)
American professional basketball player, point guard and ball handler with the Harlem Globetrotters, wearing #22 for 22 years, from 1963-1986 (born May 19, 1942 – died Mar. 26, 2020; age 77). Curly Neal’s cause of death is unknown. (Curly Neal 1972 Photo: The Harlem Globetrotters)
Lori Nelson (nee Dixie Kay Nelson; “Santa Fe’s Shirley Temple“)
American actress of TV (How to Marry a Millionaire) & movies (Hot Rod Girl; Francis Goes to West Point; The All American; Tumbleweed; Walking My Baby Back Home; Pardners) (born Aug. 15, 1933 – died Aug. 23, 2020; age 87). Lori Nelson had Alzheimer’s disease before she died. (Lori Nelson 1953)
Phil Niekro (nee Philip Henry Niekro; “Knucksie“)
American Baseball of Fame MLB knuckleball pitcher (Milwaukee Braves; Toronto Blue Jays; New York Yankees; Cleveland Indians; Atlanta Braves), 5X Gold Glove & MLB All Star (born Apr. 1, 1939 – died Dec. 26, 2020; age 81). Phil Niekro had cancer when he died. (Phil Niekro 2003 Photo: Chris Evans)
Ken Osmond (nee Kenneth Charles Osmond)
American TV actor (Eddie Haskell on Leave it to Beaver & The New Leave it to Beaver; Lassie; Fury; The Loretta Young Show) & films (C’Mon, Let’s Live a Little) (born June 7, 1943 – died May 18, 2020; age 76). Ken Osmond died of COPD complications & PAD. (Ken Osmond 2014 Photo: Louise Palanker)
Neil Peart
Drummer & Rock & Roll Halls of Fame Canadian-American musician and songwriter for Rush (Closer to the Heart; The Spirit of Radio; New World Man; Tom Sawyer) (born Sept. 12, 1952 – died Jan. 7, 2020; age 67. Neil Peart died of brain cancer. (Neil Peart 2004 Milan Concert Photo: Enrico Frangi)
Regis Philbin
American TV host (Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee; Who Wants to be a Millionaire; The Joey Bishop Show; Million Dollar Password) (born Aug. 25, 1931 – July 24, 2020; age 88). Regis Philbin died of cardiovascular disease. (Regis Philbin 2008 Photo: John Mathew Smith and Celebrity-Photos.com)
Bonnie Pointer (nee Patricia Eva Pointer)
Grammy Award-winning American songwriter, singer (Heaven Must Have Sent You; I Can’t Help Myself [Sugar Pie Honey Bunch]), with The Pointer Sisters (Yes We Can Can; Fairytale; How Long [Betcha’ Got a Chick on the Side]) (born July 11, 1950 – died June 8, 2020; age 69). Bonnie Pointer died of cardiac arrest.
Kelly Preston (nee Kelly Kamalelhua Smith)
American Neutrogena model, actress of TV and films (Secret Admirer; Jack Frost; The Experts; SpaceCamp; 52 Pick-Up; Love at Stake; Twins; Battlefield Earth) (born Oct. 13, 1962 – died July 12, 2020; age 57. Kelly Preston died of breast cancer. (Kelly Preston 2005 Photo: Davis J. Anderson / US Navy)
Charley Pride
Grammy-winning American country music singer (Kiss An Angel Good Mornin’; More to Me; I’d Rather Love You; We Could; Then Who Am I; Someone Loves You Honey) (born Mar. 18, 1934 – died Dec. 12, 2020; age 86). Charley Pride died of COVID-19 complications. (Charley Pride Photo: courtesy Joseph Llanes)
Steve Priest (nee Stephen Norman Priest)
British bass guitarist, backing vocalist with Sweet (The Ballroom Blitz; Fox on the Run; Little Willy; Action; Love is Like Oxygen; Block Buster!; Wig-Wam Bam; Hell Raiser; Teenage Rampage; The Six Teens; Poppa Joe) (born Feb. 23, 1948 – died June 4, 2020; age 72). Cause of death for Steve Priest is unknown.
David Prowse
English bodybuilder, actor of TV (Green Cross Code Man; The Edge of Night) & films (Darth Vader in Star Wars; A Clockwork Orange; Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell) (born July 1, 1935 – died Nov. 28, 2020; age 85). David Prowse died of COVID-19. (David Prowse 2006 Photo: Joe Lillibridge)
Helen Reddy (“Queen of 70s Pop“)
Grammy-winning Australian-American singer-songwriter (I Am Woman, Delta Dawn; We’ll Sing in the Sunshine), & TV host (The Helen Reddy Show) (born Oct. 25, 1941 – died Sept. 29, 2020; age 78). Helen Reddy had dementia & Addison’s disease before she died. (Helen Reddy 1974 Photo: Capitol)
American filmmaker & actor of TV (The Dick Van Dyke Show; Caesar’s Hour) and films (The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming!; Gidget Goes Hawaiian; The Thrill of it All) (born March 20, 1922 – died June 29, 2020; age 98). Cause of death for Carl Reiner is unknown. (Carl Reiner 1964 Photo: CBS)
Ann Reinking
Tony Award-winning American choreographer (Chicago; Fosse), dancer-actress of Broadway (Sweet Charity; Dancin’; A Chorus Line; Cabaret; Goodtime Charley) & movies (All That Jazz; Annie; Micki + Maude; Movie Movie) (born Nov. 10, 1949 – died Dec. 12, 2020; age 71). (Ann Reinking 2018 Photo: Greg2600)
Mike Resnick (nee Michael Diamond Resnick)
Hugo Award-winning American sci-fi editor & writer (Kirinyaga; The Manamouki; Seven Views of Olduvai Gorge; The 43 Antarean Dynasties; Travels with My Cats) (born Mar. 5, 1942 – died Jan. 9, 2020; age 77). Mike Resnick died of cancer. (Mike Resnick 2016 Photo: Damdamdidilolo)
Gene Reynolds (nee Eugene Reynolds Blumenthal)
Emmy Award-winning American director & actor of movies & TV (M*A*S*H; Hogan’s Heroes; My Three Sons; Room 222; The Ghost and Mrs. Muir; Leave it to Beaver; My Three Sons) (born Apr. 4, 1923 – died Feb. 3, 2020; age 96) Gene Reynolds died of heart failure. (Gene Reynolds 1950 The Lone Ranger)
Allan Rich
American actor of TV (Hill Street Blues; Judging Amy) and movies (Serpico; Voices; Bad Guys; Another Chance; Quiz Show; A League of Old Men), founder of We Care About Kids charity (born Feb. 8, 1926 – died Aug. 22, 2020; age 94). Allan Rich died of dementia complications. (Alan Rich 1984 Photo: Alan Light)
Henri Richard (nee Joseph Henri Richard; “The Pocket Rocket“)
Hockey Hall of Fame Canadian NHL centre & captain for the Montreal Canadiens (1971-1975), winner of 11 Stanley Cups between 1956-1973 (born Feb. 29, 1936 – died Mar. 6, 2020; age 84). Henri Richard had Alzheimer’s Disease before he died. (Henri Richard 1940s Photo: JonnyThunnder)
Little Richard (nee Richard Wayne Penniman)
Grammy, Songwriters, and Rock & Roll Halls of Fame American singer-songwriter (Tutti Frutti; Long Tall Sally; Lucille; Keep A Knockin’; Good Golly Miss Molly; The Girl Can’t Help It) (born Dec. 5, 1932 – died May 9, 2020; age 87). Little Richard died of bone cancer. (Little Richard 2007 Photo: Anna Bleker)
Diana Rigg (nee Enid Diana Elizabeth Rigg)
Tony & Emmy Award-winning English actress of TV (Emma Peel on The Avengers; Masterpiece Mystery; Game of Thrones) & films (On Her Majesty’s Secret Service; The Hospital; Evil Under the Sun) (born July 20, 1938 – died Sept. 10, 2020; age 82). Diana Rigg died of cancer. (Diana Rigg 1973 Photo: NBC TV)
Kenny Rogers (nee Kenneth Ray Rogers)
Country Music Hall of Fame Grammy winning American singer-songwriter (Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town; Lucille; She Believes in Me; Lady) (born Aug. 21, 1938 – died Mar. 20, 2020; age 81). Kenny Rogers died at home. (Kenny Rogers 1996 Photo: John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com)
John Saxon (nee Carmine Orrico)
American actor of TV (Another World; Falcon Crest) & movies (Summer Love; The Reluctant Debutante; War Hunt; Black Christmas; The Electric Horseman; Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation) (born Aug. 5, 1936 – died July 25, 2020; age 83). John Saxon died of pneumonia. (John Saxon 1955 Medic)
Gale Sayers (“Kansas Comet“)
Pro Football Hall of Fame American halfback (Chicago Bears), 1965 NFL Rookie of the Year, & I Am Third author (Brian’s Song inspiration) (born May 30, 1943 – died Sept. 23, 2020; age 77). Gale Sayers had dementia before he died. (Gale Sayers 2008 Photo: Michael Tolzmann / US Army)
Tom Seaver (nee George Thomas Seaver)
Baseball Hall of Fame American MLB pitcher (NY Mets; Cincinnati Reds; White Sox), NL 1967 Rookie of the Year, & 3X Cy Young-winner (born Nov. 17, 1944 – died Aug. 31, 2020; age 75). Tom Seaver died of lewy body dementia & COVID-19 complications. (Tom Seaver 1971: New York Mets)
Eddie Shack (nee Edward Steven Phillip Shack; “The Entertainer“; “The Nose“)
Canadian Clear the Track, Here Comes Shack hockey player (Toronto Maple Leafs – 1962-1964 & 1967 Stanley Cups; Boston Bruins; LA Kings; Buffalo Sabres; New York Rangers) (born Feb. 11, 1937 – died July 25, 2020; age 83). Eddie Shack died of throat cancer. (Eddie Shack 1967 Photo: Boston Bruins)
Bob Shane (nee Robert Castle Schoen)
Grammy Award-winning American singer with the Kingston Trio folk-rock group (Tom Dooley; [The Wreck of the] ‘John B’; Wimoweh; All My Sorrows; Tijuana Jail; Oh Cindy) (born Feb. 1, 1934 – died Jan. 26, 2020; age 85). Cause of death for Bob Shane is unknown. (Bob Shane 2007 Photo: Sensei8)
Don Shula (nee Donald Francis Shula)
Pro Football Hall of Fame American football player & winningest NFL coach (Miami Dolphins – 1972 & 1973 Super Bowl Champs; Baltimore Colts – 1968 NFL Champs) (born Jan. 4, 1930 – died May 4, 2020; age 90). Cause of death for Don Shula is unknown. (Don Shula 1974 Photo: The Mike Douglas Show)
Fred Silverman
American producer for ABC, CBS, and NBC TV (Matlock; Diagnosis Murder; Jake and the Fatman; In the Heat of the Night; Father Dowling Mysteries; Perry Mason TV movies; The Mighty Orbots) (born Sept. 13, 1937 – died Jan. 30, 2020; age 82). Fred Silverman died of cancer. (Fred Silverman 1977 Photo: UPI)
Maj Sjöwall
Swedish translator and author, co-creator with Per Wahlöö, of Police Detective Martin Beck mystery novels (The Laughing Policeman; Murder at the Savoy; Roseanna) (born Sept. 25, 1935 – died Apr. 29, 2020; age 84). Maj Sjöwall died after a long illness. (Maj Sjöwall 2005 Photo: Anneli Salo)
Millie Small (nee Millicent Dolly May Small)
Jamaican songwriter, reggae, ska, & bluebeat singer (My Boy Lollipop; Sweet William; Bloodshot Eyes; What Am I Living For; My Street; Chilly Kisses; See You Later, Alligator) (born Oct. 6, 1946 – died May 6, 2020; age 73). Millie Small died of a stroke. (Millie Small 1964 Photo: Harry Pot / Nationaal Archief)
André Gagnon
Juno-winning French-Canadian classical-pop music pianist, arranger & composer for opera (Nelligan), theatre, TV & films (The Pianist; Running; Phobia; The Hot Touch; Tell Me That You Love Me) (born Aug. 2, 1936 – died Dec. 3, 2020; age 84). André Gagnon had Lewy body disease before he died. (André Gagnon 2016 Photo: Asclepias)
Jerry Stiller (nee Gerald Isaac Stiller)
American comedic actor of TV (Arthur Spooner on The King of Queens; Frank Costanza on Seinfeld; Stiller & Meara; Tattinger’s) & movies (The Taking of Pelham One Two Three; Nadine; Zoolander) (born June 8, 1927 – died Feb 8, 2020; age 92). Jerry Stiller died of natural causes. (Jerry Stiller 1965 Photo)
Pamela Tiffin (nee Pamela Tiffin Wonso)
American film actress (State Fair; For Those Who Think Young; The Lively Set; Come Fly With Me; The Pleasure Seekers; The Hallelujah Trail; Harper; Summer and Smoke) (born Oct.13, 1942 – died Dec. 2, 2020; age 78). Pamela Tiffin’s cause of death is unknown. (Pamela Tiffin 1965 Photo: ABC Network)
Eddie Van Halen (nee Edward Lodewijk van Halen)
Dutch-American guitarist & songwriter for Van Halen (Jump; Why Can’t This Be Love; When It’s Love; [Oh] Pretty Woman; Runaround; Top of the World; You Really Got Me) (born Jan. 26, 1955 – died Oct. 6, 2020; age 65. Eddie Van Halen died of throat cancer. (Eddie Van Halen 2015 Photo: Laurence Faure)
Max von Sydow
Swedish actor of TV (Game of Thrones) & films (Remember; Three Days of the Condor; Voyage of the Damned; The Exorcist; Hawaii; Never Say Never Again) (born Apr.10, 1929 – died Mar. 8, 2020; age 90). Max von Sydow’s cause of death is unknown. (Max von Sydow 1965 The Reward Photo: 20th Century Fox)
Alex Trebek (nee George Alexander Trebek)
Canadian-American TV host (Reach for the Top), TV producer & host of Jeopardy! since 1984, thoroughbred race horse breeder and trainer (born July 22, 1940 – died Nov. 8, 2020; age 80). Alex Trebek died of pancreatic cancer. (Alex Trebek 2012 Photo: Anders Krusberg / Peabody Awards)
Jerry Jeff Walker (nee Ronald Clyde Crosby)
American country singer-songwriter (Mr. Bojangles; L. A. Freeway; Jaded Lover; The Pickup Truck Song; Leavin Texas) (born Mar. 16, 1942 – died Oct. 23, 2020; age 78). Cause of death for Jerry Jeff Walker is unknown. (Jerry Jeff Walker 1975 Photo:Athena Enterprises, Inc. / .MCA Records)
Lyle Waggoner
American actor of TV (The Carol Burnett Show; Col. Steve Trevor on Wonder Woman), movies (Love Me Deadly), producer (Consumer America) (born Apr.13, 1935 – died Mar. 17, 2020; age 84). Lyle Waggoner died after a short illness. (Lyle Waggoner 1976 Photo: ABC Studios)
Dawn Wells
American actress of TV (Mary Ann on Gilligan’s Island; 77 Sunset Strip; Hawaiian Eye; Surfside 6) and movies (The New Interns; The Town That Dreaded Sundown) (born October 18, 1938 – died Dec. 30, 2020; age 82). Dawn Wells died of COVID-19 causes. (Dawn Wells 1975 Photo: Freeman and Best)
Leslie West (nee Leslie Weinstein)
American rock guitarist, songwriter (Hang Me Out to Dry), and singer with West, Bruce and Laing, The Vagrants (Respect), and Mountain (Mississippi Queen; Long Red) (born Oct. 22, 1945 – died Dec. 22, 2020; age 75). Leslie West died of a heart attack. (Leslie West 2008 Photo: Wilson Bilkovich)
Stuart Whitman
American actor of movies (The Comancheros; The Sound and the Fury; Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines; The Mark) and TV (Cimarron Strip; Superboy) (born Feb. 1, 1928 – died Mar. 16, 2020; age 92). Stuart Whitman died of skin cancer. (Stuart Whitman 1972 The Woman Hunter)
Fred Willard (nee Frederick Charles Willard)
American actor of TV (Fernwood Tonight ; America 2-Night; Everybody Loves Raymond; Modern Family; Mad About You) & movies (Silver Streak; This is Spinal Tap; Best in Show) (born Sept. 18, 1939 – died May 18, 2020; age 86). Fred Willard died of natural causes. (Fred Willard 2011 Photo: Bridget Laudien)
Bill Withers (nee William Harrison Withers Jr.)
Grammy Award-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame American songwriter & singer (Lean on Me; Ain’t No Sunshine; In the Name of Love; Use Me; Just the Two of Us) (born July 4, 1938 – died Mar. 30, 2020; age 81). Bill Withers died of heart problem complications. (Bill Withers 1976 Photo: Columbia Records)
Mickey Wright (nee Mary Kathryn Wright)
World Golf Hall of Fame LPGA Tour American golfer, 5-time Vare Trophy (1960-1964) winner, 2X AP Female Athlete of the Year (1963 & 1964), 2010 Bob Jones Award (born Feb. 14, 1935 – died Feb. 17, 2020; age 85). Mickey Wright died of a heart attack. (Mickey Wright 1966 Photo: Associated Press)
Chuck Yeager (nee Charles Elwood Yeager)
International Air & Space, and National Aviation Halls of Fame American USAF WWII and Vietnam War veteran, test pilot, decorated hero, and Brigadier General, 1st human to break the sound barrier (born Feb. 13, 1923 – died Dec. 7, 2020; age 97). (Chuck Yeager c. 1970s Photo: U. S. Air Force)
Dana Zátopková (nee Dana Ingrova)
Czechoslovakian javelin thrower, European champ (1954 Bern & 1958 Stockholm) and Olympic medalist (1952 Helsinki gold; 1960 Rome silver) (born Sept. 19, 1922 – died Mar. 13, 2020; age 97). cause of death for Dana Zátopková is unknown. (Dana Zátopková 2007 Photo: Petr Novák, Wikipedia)
More Gone But Not Forgotten
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