Death, for us all, is inevitable. A lot of us never know when, and rightly so, but some of our friends and family are gone too soon. We are still connected to the lost celebrities who have entertained us for years or decades, although they may not be our friends. Whether from the world of sports, red Hollywood carpets, behind the glass in the recording studio, or on TV and movie screens, these lost celebrities are sorely missed. Since our parents were children, some of these celebrities have existed, others have arisen in recent years, but all made significant contributions to our entertainment and influence. For their selfless contributions to their fields, remember all those lost celebrities. Each day, their work still inspires us.
All The Celebrities We’ve Loved and Lost This 2020
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant, better known as the ‘Black Mamba’ on the court, was one of the greatest basketball players ever to play the game, playing with the Los Angeles Lakers as a shooting guard in his 20-season career. Five NBA championships, 18 All-Star awards, and two-time NBA Finals MVP status resulted from his expertise, leadership, and competitive personality. On retirement, he won the 2017 film’s Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film, Dear Basketball. At the beginning of 2020, traveling to a travel basketball match with his daughter, Gianna, their private helicopter fell tragically.
Kobe Bryant
Juice WRLD
Jarad Anthony Higgins, known worldwide as Juice Wrld, was a former American rapper and singer out of Chicago. His hit “Lucid Dreams” was played on Spotify over a billion times. In addition to an earlier hit, Lucid Dreams enabled Juice Wrld to obtain contracts with Lil Bibby’s Grade A Productions and Interscope Productions, and All Girls Are the Same. Higgins passed away upon ingestion of several unknown pills during a flight from Van Nuys, California, to Chicago, Illinois.
Juice WRLD
Cameron Boyce
Boyce may look familiar to the older audience as one of the Eagle Eye plot pieces starring Shia Lebouf and as Adam Sandler’s son in Grown Ups and Grown Ups 2. He was a mainstay on the Disney Channel, starring Jessie, Pretty Much Everything’s Gamer Guide, and the voice acting of Jake and the Never Land Pirates. Boyce died of complications from his epilepsy at the young age of 20.
Cameron Boyce
Rocky Johnson
Although Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson leapfrogged him in the Fame Department, Rocky Johnson was the original professional wrestler of the family. Rocky, born in Canada, started his wrestling career in 1964, winning several National Wrestling Alliance titles. The duo won the 1983 World Tag Team Championship in 1983, alongside tag team partner Tony Atlas, and became World Wrestling Entertainment’s first black champions. Johnson died of pulmonary embolism, believing that in early January 2020 he had the flu, ignoring the visit of a prospective doctor.
Rocky Johnson
Rip Torn
Rip Torn, with a career spanning over 60 years, was a respected actor and voice actor. As Patches O’houlihan, Zed in the Men in Black Franchise, and as Arties on The Larry Sanders Show, he’s featured in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. Torn died at the age of 88 from Alzheimer’s and its complications.
Rip Torn
Neil Peart
The principal lyricist and drummer of the band Rush were Neil Peart, widely recognized for being the youngest to be inducted into the 1983 Modern Drummer Readers Poll Hall of Fame. Also, during his tours, the respected author, Canadian songwriter, and musician created many stories while incorporating fantasy, philosophy, and humanitarian themes into his verses. After a three-plus-year chronic disease, Neil retired from his glioblastoma struggle at age 67.
Neil Peart
Chuy Bravo
Chuy Bravo, the famous Mexican-American actor, born as Jesus Melgoza, was Chelsea Handler’s protege on her television program, Chelsea Lately. Bravo, who had migrated to the United States, settled in California San Fernando Valley with his family at the age of 15, started acting during the early 90s. He was even spotlighted in Pirates of the Caribbean 2007: At the World’s End. As one of his enduring decisions to help his Latin community talents find work in different entertainment projects, Chuy founded the Bravo Academy in Los Angeles.
Chuy Bravo
Stephanie Sherk
Stephanie Sherk, who was born in Ontario, Canada, moved to the US to further her career as a model, producer, and actress. The CSI: Cyber actress and her appearance in #Hashtag: The Series may be remembered by you. Valentine’s Day, Crash Landing, and Big Date are included in the writing credits.
Stephanie Sherk
Beth Chapman
Beth Chapman, the popular wife of Dog the Bounty Hunter, co-starred in the reality television series Dog the Bounty Hunter, Dog, and Beth: On the Most Wanted of the Chase Dog with husband Duane “Dog” Chapman. Two years after the filming of Dog’s show began, however, the two married in 2006. In 2019, at the end of June, she was placed in a medical coma, passing away from cancer complications days later.
Beth Chapman
Ashley Massaro
Although she worked as a TV host, sexy model, Survivor: China contestant, Massaro was best known for her career as a wrestler and joined WWE in 2005. On the Raw brand, she was first seen transitioning to SmackDown! Paul London and Brian Kendrick are the WWE Tag Team champions. In July 2008, she left and appeared in TV and music videos and even worked for 94.3 The Shark as a DJ.
Ashley Massaro
Danny Aiello
Danny Aiello was a great American actor of Italian descent. His credits include Once Upon a Time in America, Cairo’s The Purpose Rose, Moonstruck, Harlem Nights, and, of course, Part II, The Godfather. Aiello was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in Doing the Right Thing to portray Salvator ‘Sal’ Frangione.
Danny Aiello
John Witherspoon
John Weatherspoon (AKA Witherspoon) appeared in Hollywood Shuffle, The Five Heartbeats, Brooklyn Vampire, TV shows such as The Boondocks, and Wayans Bros. began his career in Hollywood in 1965 with The Tracy Morgan Show. In Jay-“I Z’s Just Wanna Love U,” LL Cool J’s “Ain’t Nobody,” and Goodie Mob’s “They Don’t Dance No Mo” music videos, the Detroit-born actors also appeared.
John Witherspoon
Regis Philbin
After Regis ‘passing, this official statement was released-“His family and friends are forever grateful for the time we got to spend with him-for his warmth, his legendary sense of humor, and his unique ability to make something worth talking about every day,” the statement read. “We thank his fans and admirers for their tremendous support throughout his sixty-year career…”
Regis Philbin
Grant Imahara
MythBusters’ star Grant Imahara passed away from a brain aneurysm at 49 on July 13th, 2020. The engineer joined the Discovery Channel series in season 3, becoming a fan-favorite team member quickly.
Grant Imahara
Naya Rivera
Naya Rivera, best known for her time on ‘Glee,’ was the victim of a tragic accident while spending the day on Lake Piru with her four-year-old son. The young boy was found on the rental pontoon alone after they had gone swimming together. She never returned to the boat again.
Naya Rivera
Kelly Preston
For two years, actress Kelly Preston battled cancer before succumbing to it at 57 on July 12, 2020. The late wife of John Travolta was best known for her roles in ‘Jerry Maguire,” For the game’s love’ and What a girl wants.’
Kelly Preston
Carl Reiner
As a comedy writer, director, and actor, Carl Reiner had over six decades of a long and illustrious career. Reiner died of natural causes on June 29th, 2020, at the age of 98. His television, film, and stage work led to nine Emmy Awards for American Humor, a Grammy Award, and the Mark Twain Prize.
Carl Reiner
Mary Pat Gleason
At 70, Mary Pat Gleason passed away on June 2nd, 2020. Her name might not be familiar to you, but you know her face and her iconic personality. Her acting list of credits continues, but the outstanding television roles were French teacher Madame Oeuf on Saved by the Bell, dressing room attendant Lucille on Sex and City, elementary school teacher Mrs. Butters on Desperate Housewives, and homeless woman Sally on Will & Grace. In A Cinderella Tale, Unbearable Violence, The Crucible, and I Pronounce You Chuck and Larry were her best-known film roles.
Mary Pat Gleason
Fred Willard
Fred Willard was a legend of comedy and has been featured in your long list of favorite movies and TV shows. On 15 May 2020, he died of natural causes and left behind a legacy that greatly affected both the genre of comedy and Hollywood.
Fred Willard
Jerry Stiller
Jerry Stiller, the father of the actor and producer Ben Stiller, died of natural causes on May 11, 2020. He tweeted, “For about 62 years, he was a great dad and grandfather, and the most dedicated husband to Anne.” He’ll be missed greatly. Love you, Dad.”Seinfeld”Seinfeld”The King of Queens,”The King of Queens.
Jerry Stiller
Little Richard
Little Richard, the wild man of early rock n ‘roll, died following his bone cancer battle on May 9, 2020, at the age of 87. He was responsible for such hits as “Tutti Frutti” and “Long Tall Sally”
Little Richard
Sam Lloyd
On 30th April 2020, comedy star Sam Lloyd lost his battle with lung cancer. If you were a fan of ‘Scrubs’ and ‘Seinfeld,’ then surely you know his face and what the shows would have been without his presence. Actor Zach Braff wrote, “Rest In peace to one of the funniest actors I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with.” “Every time we did a scene together, Sam Lloyd made me crack up and break character.” He was not ready to be a kinder guy. The time I had with you, Sammy, I’ll cherish forever.
Sam Lloyd
Howard Finkel
For the World Wrestling Federation, now known as WWE, the legendary Hall of Fame ring announcer was Howard Finkel. Finkel apparently experienced a massive stroke in 2018 and has been in ill health since then. His deep, booming voice is iconic, introducing the likes of Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage and Ric Flair to the ring. He passed away on April 16th, 2020.
Howard Finkel
Shirley Douglas
Shirley Douglas, the actress, and mother of Keifer Sutherland, died on April 5, 2020, due to pneumonia complications. The actress starred in the television play “Lolita” as Mrs. Starch in producer Stanley Kubrick’s “Dead Ringers” (1962) and David Cronenberg’s “Wind at My Back” (1988) and as a widowed mother during the Depression (1996). She received a Gemini Award for her role in the 1999 TV film “Shadow Lake,”
Shirley Douglas
Bill Withers
Regardless of the age at which you were born, not knowing Bill Withers’ songs would be a sin. “He was the singer/songwriter for such hits as “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Depend on Me and “Use Me.” On March 20th, 2020, he died after a lengthy struggle with cardiovascular disease.
Bill Withers
Kenny Rogers
Rogers was one of the true music crossover artists and scored hits in both countries and pop with songs such as “Islands in the Stream” and “Lucille.” “The Rogers family is sad to announce that Kenny Rogers passed away last night at 10:25 p.m. at the age of 81,” his rep said. “Under the care of the hospice and surrounded by his family, Rogers died peacefully at home from natural causes.
Kenny Rogers
Max von Sydow
On March 8, 2020, Max von Sydow passed away in Provence, France. He is most notable for his roles in The Exorcist and Game of Thrones. He was known as one of the most prolific Swedish actors ever for the gravitas he added to his roles.
Max Von Sydow
James Lipton
James Lipton died after his struggle with bladder cancer at the old age of 93. He was the founder and head of ‘Inside the Actors Studio’ where he asked some of the biggest stars of Hollywood about their acting techniques and inspirations that made their careers so popular.
James Lipton
Esther Scott
Esther Scott suffered a heart attack at the age of 66 in L.A. She was best known for her roles in The Birth of a Nation and ‘Boyz n the Hood.’ She made a career of being the nurturing yet strict maternal figure in over seventy movies and countless TV shows.
Esther Scott
Kirk Douglas
The iconic actor, Kirk Douglas, passed away when he was 103. On Instagram, Michael posted, “It is with tremendous sadness that my brothers and I announce that at the age of 103, Kirk Douglas left us today.” He added, “To the world, he was a legend, an actor from the golden age of movies who lived well into his golden years, a humanitarian whose dedication to justice and the causes he believed in.”
Kirk Douglas
John Singleton
The director was the first African American and the youngest person ever nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director at 24, and is known for directing Boyz n the Hood in 1991. 2 Quick 2 Angry, Shaft, Higher Schooling, Poetic Justice, and Rosewood, the 1997 drama, were also directed by Singleton. Singleton passed away in April 2019, days before the stroke, after being taken off life support.
John Singleton
Sue Lyon
At the very young age of 13, Sue Lyon became a model in the entertainment industry. She did, however, earn a Golden Globe in the 1962 movie for her appearance as Lolita, the title character. Other credits for Lyon include The Iguana’s Night, Evel Knievel, Tony Rome, and 7 Women.
Sue Lyon
Silvio Horta
Silvio Horta, an American screenwriter and director, will be known for adapting the Colombian soap opera, Yo soy Betty, la fea, to ABC’s Ugly Betty. He acknowledged the Golden Globe for Best Satire Series-Ugly Betty-mentioning, “Betty is an immigrant, like most of us up here, and The American Dream is alive and well and available to anyone who wants it.” The first ten Cuban-Americans founded their own production business, Silent H Productions, frequently mispronounced as a satirical reference to their last name.
Silvio Horta
Elizabeth Wurtzel
Elizabeth Wurtzel, best known for publishing Prozac Nation as the American author/journalist, often concentrated her work on her personal struggles involving addiction, depression, and personal/work life. Because of her confessional-type memoirs, she became a Generation X voice, driving a spike in this very intimate writing style. Wurtzel died of complications due to metastasized breast cancer at the age of 52 in 2020.
Elizabeth Wurtzel
Buck Henry
Popular for co-writing What’s Up, Doc?, The Graduate, Mel Brooks co-created Get Smart with Henry, an American actor, director, and screenwriter. He went on to host SNL 10 times between 1976 and 1980 and guest-starred in Will & Grace, 30 Rock, and Hot in Cleveland. Following a heart attack in Los Angeles aged 89, Henry passed away in 2020.
Buck Henry
Alexis Eddy
Alexis Eddy was an MTV reality contestant on Are You the One? Her past history of drug abuse has become a large segment of her screen persona. She described herself as “just a washed-up MTV reality star wondering why people still care about what she’s up to,” and died of cardiac arrest at her home in early 2020.
Alexis Eddy
Ed Byrnes
Edward Byrne Breitenberger, also better known as Eddy Byrnes, was the American actor best remembered as the lead in 77 Sunset Strip. He was also a notable cast member as the teen-dance host, Vince Fontaine, in 1978’s Grease. The Byrnes family television background is continued by his uncle, Logan, an anchor for KUSI-TV News, San Diego, California.
Ed Byrnes
Emily Hartridge
Emily was from Britain, a well-known YouTuber and TV host. Her vlogs began in 2012 and were published in the Ten Reasons Why… series. In her videos, modern life, love, sex, marriages, and mental wellbeing have also been explored. When operating an e-scooter in July 2019, she was hit by a vehicle in South West London. She is supposedly the first entity to succumb to injuries involving an e-scooter in the world.
Emily Hartridge
Kevin Fret
Another famous Puerto Rican rapper and vocalist was the first publicly gay Latin trap singer, Kevin Fret. Fret graduated from Roger L Putnam Vocational-Technical High School in Springfield, Massachusetts. Fret was renowned for “breaking gender norms […] and stigma about being gay, gender nonconforming, and freely expressing gender identity in a country where gay people are still mocked, bullied, and killed,” said queer activist and filmmaker Samy Nemir Olivares in a country where gay people are still mocked, bullied, and killed. In January 2019, Fret was gunned down while riding his motorcycle.
Kevin Fret
Scott Patric
Patric, a makeup artist on the Project Runway All-Stars, died in his sleep at the age of 53 due to a heart attack. The performer has collaborated with many stars in demand, such as Taylor Swift, Kate Moss, and Madonna. His friends noted that, due to his warmth, creativity, and hearty mustache, he would be greatly missed.
Scott Patric
Stan Kirsch
By appearing in several Campbell’s soup commercials, Stan Kirsch began his entertainment career at just four years of age. In 1992, he appeared at the Sky and General Hospital in the fast-living soap opera, Riders. The actor is recognized for his role as Richie Ryan in Highlander: The Series, but he has also starred in Friends, Family Law, and JAG.
Stan Kirsch
Norma Michaels
With a Hollywood career spanning 6 decades, Norma Michaels is best known for portraying Josephine in The King of Queens. Michaels got her to start the Jack Benny Show, but in Modern Family, Highway to Heaven, Everybody Loves Raymond, and in the Wedding Crashers and Easy A movies, she would end up earning credits for her work.
Norma Michaels
Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick Boseman’s loss was a complete surprise to the fans and costars, as his spouse revealed that he had been battling colon cancer for the past four years. All the while, in Marvel’s “Black Panther” Jackie Robinson, James Brown, and, of course, King T’Challa were incredibly determined to work through the treatment, giving performances to the world.
Chadwick Boseman
Diana Rigg
Actress Dame Diana Rigg was most recently recognized for her role in ‘Game of Thrones’ as Olenna Tyrell. Her daughter said she died from cancer at 84 after being hospitalized in March 2020. She added, “She spent her last months reflecting joyfully on her extraordinary life, full of love, laughter and great pride in her career.”
Diana Rigg
Alex Trebek
He spent the last year of his life doing small house projects during the pandemic, Trebek said, as he was too immune to leave. At the age of 80, his family and a small gathering of friends surrounded him as he passed by. Trebek wrote about his hopes for his legacy in his memoir. First of all,” he wrote, “I would like to be remembered as a good and loving husband and father, and also as a decent man who did his best to help people perform at their best. “I’ll be perfectly happy if that’s how my story ends: sitting on the swing with the woman I love… in the vicinity of my wonderful children.”
Alex Trebek