From rock stars to wrestlers and actors, there have already been quite a few celebrity deaths in 2020 which have shocked the world.
The start of the decade has seen us wave goodbye much-loved stars such as spiritual medium Derek Acorah, drummer Neal Peart and MASH director Gene Reynolds.
Saying goodbye to our heroes and stars we admire is never easy. But they leave behind a legacy which will never be forgotten.
When someone is dies it’s important to celebrate their lives and remember the contributions they leave behind for the world to enjoy.
Here we remember the stars who have passed away so far in 2020.
FEBRUARY:
Gene Reynolds, 96, February 3
Gene Reynolds (Image: Getty Images)
TV director and co-creator of MASH Gene Reynolds passed away on Monday, February 3 at the age of 96.
His niece, Eve Reynolds, revealed he had died of heart failure at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center at Burbank, California.
He was best known for co-creating the TV series M*A*S*H, which ran for 11 years, alongside Larry Gelbart.
Gene was awarded three Emmys for the much-loved Show.
JANUARY:
Nicholas Parsons, 96, January 28
Nicholas Parsons (Image: PA)
Nicholas Parsons hosted the Radio 4 comedy game show Just A Minute from its inception in December 1967.
There have been more than 900 episodes of the show, with Parsons only missing a recording for the first time ever in June 2018 because of the flu.
He passed away on January 28 following a short illness at the age of 96.
Parsons had a long and successful TV and radio career, and was still active into his 90s.
The star was also known for his role as the quizmaster on ITV’s Sale Of The Century.
Kobe Bryant, 41, January 26
Kobe Bryant, passed away aged 41 (Image: PA)
NBA legend Kobe Bryant tragically died at the age of 41, in helicopter crash in Calabasas in California.
Sadly, Kobe’s 13-year-old daughter was also a passenger and died alongside her father.
The emergency services were quick to the scene but none of the nine passengers on board survived.
Kobe was undoubtably one of the greatest basket ballers of his time and devoted an entire 20-season career to the Los Angeles Lakers.
At the peak of his career, Kobe won 5 National Basketball Association (NBA) titles and took the crown at the All Star championships 18 times.
John Karlen, 86, January 22
John Karlen (Image: Getty Images)
Actor John Karlen has died age 86 from congestive heart failure at a hospice in California.
The star is best known for his role as Harvey Lacey, the husband of Tyne Daly’s Mary Beth Lacey in Cagney & Lacey.
Karlen also played conman Willie Loomis in the hit ABC horror soap Dark Shadows.
Dark Shadows news said on Twitter: “We are sad to report the death of #DarkShadows actor John Karlen, who played Willie Loomis, the unforgettable foil to Barnabas Collins.
“John died on January 22 in hospice care in Burbank, California. He was 86 had suffered a number of health setbacks over the past decade.”
Terry Jones, 77, January 21
Terry Jones (Image: Getty Images North America)
Monty Python star Terry jones has died at the age of 77.
Jones was diagnosed with dementia in 2015.
A statement from his family, read: “We are deeply saddened to have to announce the passing of beloved husband and father, Terry Jones.
“Terry passed away on the evening of January 21, 2020 at the age of 77 with his wife Anna Soderstrom by his side after a long, extremely brave but always good humoured battle with a rare form of dementia, FTD.”
After Monty Python, he worked on a variety of other projects, including the TV series Ripping Yarns with Michael Palin.
Peter Hobday, 82, January 18
Peter Hobday (Image: PA)
Former BBC radio presenter Peter Hobday has died at the age of 82.
The former Today show presenter was a regular on the show for 14 years, but was controversially dismissed from the popular Radio four programme.
Following an outcry from fans, the BBC were forced to deny claims he was let go because of his age.
Former Today host James Naughty said he was “a very learned man, terribly well-read and a man of vast accomplishments.”
Derek Fowlds, 82, January 17
Derek Fowlds
Heartbeat actor Derek Fowlds died at Royal United Hospitals Bath in the early hours of the Friday morning.
The actor who was best known for playing Bernard Woolley in Yes Minister had been suffering from pneumonia, which led to heart failure caused by sepsis.
Derek was a British TV favourite, and also portrayed the character Oscar Blaketon in Heartbeat for 18 years.
The Wandsworth native has also appeared in several films, including 1963’s Tamahine and 1964’s East of Sudan.
Rocky Johnson, 75, January 15
Rocky Johnson had a huge impact on the growth and success of WWE (Image: WWE)
Rocky Johnson, father of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, died aged 75.
Also known as Soul Man, he was a former World Tag Team Champion and was also inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
The wrestling legend had a remarkable career which saw him dominate the WWE world during the 1980s.
His son revealed he had died following medical complications after battling a “cold and infection”, and had a blood clot in the leg.
Jack Kehoe, 85, January 14
Jack Kehoe
Hollywood actor Jack Kehoe died surrounded by his relatives, five years after he suffered a debilitating stroke.
He was best known for his role in the Oscar-winning film The Sting.
Kehoe played the role of “Erie Kid”, and stars alongside Paul Newman and Robert Redford.
During his 50-year career he has also starred alongside legends such as Al Pacino in the hit film, Serpico.
Stan Kirsch, 51, January 11
Stan Kirsch in Friends (Image: Warner Bros.)
Stan Kirsch, Hollywood star who is best known for playing Richie Ryan in Highlander, died at the age of 51.
Kirsch, who had a cameo in Friends as Monica’s love interest Ethan, was found dead by his wife.
It is believed he took his own life, and paramedics were unable to revive him.
He appeared in the Highlander TV series for six seasons, and also played Lieutenant Ferrari in JAG for five seasons.
Edd Byrnes, 87, January 8
Edd Byrnes as Vince Fontaine
Edd Byrnes died unexpectedly from natural causes at the age of 87.
Edd was best known for his role as dance-show host Vince Fontaine in Grease, where he hosted the National Bandstand.
The massive success of the film led to him being cast as the lead in the TV series $sweepstake$.
However, it was scrapped after several episodes.
He also appeared in the hit series Charlie’s Angels.
Buck Henry, 89, January 8
Buck Henry (Image: Getty Images)
Legendary film writer Buck Henry died of a heart attack at the age of 89 in Los Angeles.
He received an Oscar nomination for The Graduate, and also co-wrote the screwball masterpiece What’s Up, Doc? in 1972.
Buck also regularly performed on the US sketch series Saturday Night Live in the 1970s.
He later wrote Gus Van Sant’s black Comedy To Die For, starring Nicole Kidman.
Silvio Horta, 45, January 7
Silvio Horta (Image: PICTURE PERFECT/SHUTTERSTOCK)
Silvio Horta, the creator of the US sitcom Ugly Betty, died at the age of 45.
His cause of death has not been confirmed, but unverified sources speaking to Variety said it was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Horta worked on Ugly Betty for all four seasons from 2006 to 2010.
The show initially began as an adaptation of the Columbian soap opera Yo so Betty.
America Ferrara starred as main character Betty Suarez, and she was “stunned and heartbroken to hear the devastating news”.
Harry Hains, 27, January 7
Harry Hains (Image: WireImage)
Harry Hains, an actor who starred in an episode of American Horror Story, has died at the age of 27.
His mother, Jane Badler, announced the news, saying he had “struggled with mental illness and addiction”
She continued: “A brilliant spark shone bright too short a time.”
As well as appearing in American Horror Story, he also had parts in Sneaky Pete and The OA.
Neil Peart, 67, January 7
Neil Peart (Image: REUTERS)
Neil Peart, drummer of the rock band Rush, passed away at the age of 67.
He had been battling with brain cancer after being diagnosed three years ago.
Neil had retired from Rush and professional drumming in 2015, after reportedly suffering from arthritis.
He joined the band in 1974, replacing John Rutsey, and helped changed their sound.
Stephen Clements, 47, January 7
Stephen Clements (Image: BBC)
BBC Radio Ulster presenter Stephen Clements died at the age of 47.
The broadcaster had presented the mid-morning Stephen Clements show since September 2019.
The father-of-two had started his radio presenting career on Citybeat, and then hosted Q Radio’s Breakfast show for seven years.
The Breakfast Show became one of the most-listened to radio programmes in Northern Ireland at the time.
Derek Acorah, 69, January 3
Derek Acorah (Image: WireImage)
Derek Acorah died from pneumonia at the age of 69.
Derek, who was best known for appearing on Most Haunted, had been taken to hospital for sepsis.
He shot to fame alongside Yvette Fielding, and went on to present Derek Acorah’s Ghost Towers.
The TV star also featured in Michael Jackson: The Search for HIs Spirit in 2009.
Christopher Beeny, 78, January 3
Anna Karen as Olive and Christopher Beeny as Tony in The Rag Trade (Image: Mirrorpix)
Christopher Beeny, best known for his role in Upstairs, Downstairs, died at the age of 78.
The British actor made his TV breakthrough in the BBC series The Grove Family in the 1950s.
Christopher then appeared as Geoffrey in the single mother sitcom Miss Jones and Son in 1977.
He also made a guest appearance in Last of the Summer Wine in 2001.
Christopher repeated the role several times until 2009, and then joined was a regular character.
Lexii Alijai, 21, January 1
Lexii Alijai (Image: FilmMagic)
Upcoming rap sensation Lexii Alijai died at the age of 21.
The US singer, whose real name was Alexis Alijai Lynch, gained a following for rapping over songs such as Meek Mill’s Cold Hearted and Drake’s Girls Love Beyonce.
Lexii, who broke into the Billboard Hot 100 with her collaboration with American singer Kehlani Parrish, was looking to have a bright future.
Lexii released her first full length album Super Sweet 16 on her birthday.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
