In a year filled with never-ending challenges, the deaths of entertainers who brought us solace and inspiration were particularly difficult blows to bear. Whether it was a figure who passed away after suffering in silence, a young life that was cut short or a star who made their mark on the world over decades, they will always be remembered for the contributions to cinema, music and the arts. In no particular order, here are some of the stars that died in 2020.
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Chadwick Boseman: Best known for his role in ‘Black Panther’, Boseman’s death on August 28 at the age of 43 came as a shock to many around the world. The star had been fighting a private four-year battle with colon cancer, continuing to work while receiving treatment. “It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman,” read a statement posted to his Twitter feed. “It was the honour of his life to bring King T’Challa to life in ‘Black Panther.’”
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Naya Rivera: The ‘Glee’ actress had rented a boat for an outing with her four-year-old son Josey on July 8 at Lake Piru in California when she went missing. She and Josey had reportedly been swimming, but she told her son to get back on the boat and then disappeared in the water. Rivera, 33, was later found dead on July 13. There was an outpouring of grief for the young star who was a devoted mum. The last tweet she posted was a picture with her son and the caption: “Just the two of us.”
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Jeremy Bulloch: The British actor, who died on December 17, was best known for playing bounty hunter Boba Fett in the original ‘Star Wars’ films. He died at the age of 75 in hospital in Tooting, South London, “following health complications, including several years living with Parkinson’s disease”, his website said. “Jeremy had a long and happy life as an actor and was best known for his roles in the films Summer Holiday, Star Wars and James Bond,” it added.
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Jerry Stiller: Known for his roles on ‘Seinfeld’ and ‘The King of Queens’, the actor and father of comedian Ben Stiller died on May 11 at the age of 92. “I’m sad to say that my father, Jerry Stiller, passed away from natural causes. He was a great dad and grandfather, and the most dedicated husband to Anne for about 62 years. He will be greatly missed. Love you Dad,” wrote Ben. Jerry was one half of the comedy team Stiller and Meara, composed of him and his wife, Anne Meara. They were married for over 60 years before her death.
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Charley Pride: A pioneering Black country musician, Pride died at the age of 86 on December 12 due to complications arising from COVID-19. “I’m so heart-broken that one of my dearest and oldest friends, Charley Pride, has passed away. It’s even worse to know that he passed away from Covid-19. What a horrible, horrible virus. Charley, we will always love you,” Dolly Parton tweeted. During his career, Pride won three Grammys and was the first African American to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
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Kenny Rogers: The iconic country singer, known for such hits as ‘Lucille’, ‘Lady’ and ‘Islands in the Stream’ died on March 20 at the age of 81. He died at home in Sandy Springs, Georgia, “from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family,” a tweet read. Identifiable through his husky voice, the singer sold tens of millions of records and won three Grammys. He was also the star of TV movies based on ‘The Gambler’ and other songs.
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Sean Connery: No one played Bond quite like Connery did. The actor, who died on October 31 aged 90 due to pneumonia and old age, was considered by many to be the best James Bond the movie franchise has ever seen and his death drew countless tributes from fans.
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Nick Cordero: The Broadway and TV actor was one of many hit by the pandemic. He died on July 5 at the age of 41 after a 95-day fight with COVID-19 and complications arising from it, which included having to get his leg amputated. “My darling husband passed away this morning. He was surrounded in love by his family, singing and praying as he gently left this earth,” his wife Amanda Kloots wrote on Instagram. “I am in disbelief and hurting everywhere. My heart is broken as I cannot imagine our lives without him.”
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Dave Prowse: The actor best known for playing Darth Vader in the ‘Star Wars’ franchise died at the age of 85 on November 28. The former body builder’s height — 6 feet 7 inches — helped get him the role as the iconic villain. “May the force be with him, always!” his agent Thomas Bowington wrote at the time.
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Bill Withers: The legendary soul singer, with hits like ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ and ‘Lean on Me’ died on March 30 following heart complications. He was 81 years old. “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved, devoted husband and father. A solitary man with a heart driven to connect to the world at large, with his poetry and music, he spoke honestly to people and connected them to each other,” the family said.
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Conchata Ferrell: The star, who played the much-loved housekeeper Berta on ‘Two and a Half Men’, died at the age of 77 on October 12 due to complications from cardiac arrest. “She was a beautiful human,” ‘Two and a Half Men’ star Jon Cryer said, according to a Deadline report. “I’m crying for the woman I’ll miss, and the joy she brought so many.”
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Eddie Hassell: ‘The Kids Are All Right’ actor died on November 1 at the age of 30 after being shot in the stomach in an alleged robbery. Hassel began acting as a child appearing in several television shows during the 2000s and 2010s.
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Eddie Van Halen: In a massive blow for the music community, the rocker, considered one of the greatest guitar players, died of cancer on October 6 at the age of 65. He was a founding member of the hugely successful rock band named after him and his drummer brother.
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Alex Trebek: The host of popular game show ‘Jeopardy!’ died on November 8 after battling pancreatic cancer for nearly two years. He was 80. Numerous tributes poured in following his death, with many remembering Trebek’s impact on their childhoods and praising his amiable and friendly nature. “Alex Trebek, you brought us so much knowledge, both important and fun, through the years. Your final battle with cancer was heroic, and we are heart-broken that it has taken you from us. I’ll take ‘Great TV Personas of Our Time’ for $800. The heavens have all the answers now,” actor George Takei wrote on Twitter.
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Kelly Preston: The actress and wife of John Travolta died at the age of 57 on July 12 after a two-year battle with cancer. She was known for her roles in movies such as ‘Mischief’ and ‘Jerry Maguire’. “It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my beautiful wife Kelly has lost her two-year battle with breast cancer. She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many,” Travolta, her husband of 29 years, wrote in an Instagram post.
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Diana Rigg: The commanding British actress, whose role in ‘Game of Thrones’ is now part of pop culture history, died September 10 at the age of 82. Her daughter Rachael Stirling said she died of cancer that was diagnosed in March. Before playing the crafty Olenna Tyrell in ‘Game of Thrones’, she had starred in a number of projects including the 1960s show ‘The Avengers’ and the Bond movie ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’.
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Kirk Douglas: The screen legend and father of actor Michael Douglas died on February 5 at the age of 103. The ‘Spartacus’ actor was renowned for the macho tough guy roles he took on in around 90 movies over a six-decade career. “It is with tremendous sadness that my brothers and I announce that Kirk Douglas left us today at the age of 103,” Douglas said in a statement. “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 commitment to justice and the causes he believed in set a standard for all of us to aspire to.”
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Peter Green: A co-founder of Fleetwood Mac, who was considered to be one of Britain’s best Blues guitarists, died on July 25. He was 73. During the peak of his career, he suffered from addiction and mental illness, which eventually led him to leave the band in 1971. Stevie Nicks, who was part of the new line-up after his departure, said after his death: “My biggest regret is that I never got to share the stage with him. I always hoped in my heart of hearts that that would happen... His legacy will live on forever in the history books of Rock n Roll.”
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Ian Holm: Immortalised for his role as Bilbo Baggins in ‘Lord of the Rings’, the award-winning actor died on June 19 at the age of 88. Holm passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family and carer, his agent Alex Irwin said in a statement at the time. His illness was Parkinson’s-related.
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Caroline Flack: In a grim reminder of the perils of fame, the British television presenter died on February 15 at age 40 due to suicide. A family lawyer said she had killed herself and was found in her London apartment. Flack hosted controversial reality show ‘Love Island’ from its launch in 2015, but stepped down after being charged with assaulting her boyfriend, Lewis Burton.
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