Celebrity Deaths 2020 In Memoriam
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Charley Pride
Country music legend Charley Pride has passed away at the age of 86 due to complications from COVID-19. He was a country music star whose career spanned over six decades with hits like "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'". Pride was country music's first black superstar and a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He will be greatly missed.
Rest in peace Charley.
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Dame Barbara Windsor
Dame Barbara Windsor, the beloved British actress, passed away on Dec. 10. The star of the Carry On film series and EastEnders died from Alzheimer's at a care home in London, according to the BBC. She was 83.
Windsor was born Barbara Ann Deeks in Shoreditch, London, on Aug. 6, 1937, and went on to a successful career as a screen and stage actress. She began on the stage before earning a BAFTA nomination for 1963 film Sparrows Can't Sing and also beginning her work in the Carry On films in the mid-60s.
She was also well-known for starring as "Peggy Mitchell" on the BBC One soap opera EastEnders from 1994 until her final appearances in 2016. That year, Windsor was made a Dame (DBE) for her services to charity and entertainment. She later went public in 2018 with her Alzheimer's diagnosis, and the BBC reported that she'd been moved to a care home in August 2020. She has now passed away. May she rest in peace.
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David Lander
Laverne & Shirley actor David Lander has passed away at age 73. David portrayed "Squiggy" on the sitcom from 1976 to 1983. He died due to years of struggling with multiple sclerosis, 37 to be precise. David's wife, daughter, and son-in-law were all beside him during his final moments at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. His family said in a statement to CNN:
"David's family hopes his fans will remember him for all the laughter he brought into the world."
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Abby Dalton
Abby Dalton, the actress known for playing "Julia Cumson" on Falcon Crest, passed away on Nov. 23. According to THR, Dalton's family announced on Nov. 30 that she'd died after a long illness. She was 88.
Dalton enjoyed a lengthy career as a TV and film actress, dating back to the late 1950s. Her breakout roles came on Hennesey (1959-1962) and The Joey Bishop Show (1962-1965), before she starred on Falcon Crest in the 1980s as the daughter of "Angela Channing" (Jane Wyman). She was also a regular on TV game shows and comedy programs throughout the '60s and '80s.
Though she rarely acted in the 2000s, her final role came in a 2013 short titled Mrs. Sweeney, directed by her daughter, actress Kathleen Kinmont. Dalton is survived by her husband of 60 years, Jack, and their three children. May she rest in peace.
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David Prowse
David Prowse, the actor best known for portraying "Darth Vader" in the original Star Wars trilogy, passed away on Nov. 28. Prowse's agent told the BBC that he died after a "short illness." He was 85.
The 6-foot-7 English bodybuilder became an actor in the 1960s, later starring in notable film and TV roles, including as bodyguard "Julian" in A Clockwork Orange and guest spots in episodes of Doctor Who, Little House on the Prairie, and Beverly Hillbillies. But he was most associated with the Star Wars universe, playing "Darth Vader" on-screen in episodes IV-VI, while James Earl Jones provided the character's voice.
The Star Wars family is mourning the loss of the actor, with Mark Hamill leading the tributes. "He was a kind man & much more than Darth Vader," Hamill tweeted. "Actor-Husband-Father-Member of the Order of the British Empire-3 time British Weightlifting Champion & Safety Icon the Green Cross Code Man. He loved his fans as much as they loved him."
Prowse was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2000, and was later the subject of 2015 documentary I Am Your Father. May he rest in peace.
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Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona, the Argentine football legend, died on Nov. 25 after suffering a heart attack, according to the BBC. The sad news was also confirmed by the Argentine Football Association on Twitter. Maradona was 60.
Often cited as one of the greatest footballers of all time, Maradona captained Argentina to a victory in the 1986 World Cup. In addition to his national team, he also played for F.C. Barcelona and S.S.C. Napoli.
In later life, Maradona transitioned to coaching and team management. He'd also struggled with addiction over the years, and had been undergoing treatment and serious surgeries in 2019 and 2020. He's now passed away, less than one month after his 60th birthday. His name remained synonymous with football excellence to this day. May he rest in peace.
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Alex Trebek
Alex Trebek, the beloved TV host, sadly died on Sunday, Nov. 8. Jeopardy! announced the news on social media, writing that he "passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends." He was 80.
The Canadian-born Trebek had hosted Jeopardy! since 1984 and was also the host of many other Canadian and American TV programs over the years. In early 2019, he announced that he'd been diagnosed with stage-IV pancreatic cancer, and had provided several health updates to fans and well-wishers since that time. He's now passed away following a hard-fought battle.
Trebek is survived by his wife Jean and their two children, as well as a daughter he adopted from his first marriage. May he rest in peace.
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Geoffrey Palmer
Geoffrey Palmer, the popular star of British television, passed away on Nov. 5. As his agent reported to news outlets, Palmer died "peacefully at his home." He was 93.
The actor, born in London in 1927, was best known for roles on British TV sitcoms. He starred opposite Judi Dench on As Time Goes By, and was earlier known for work on The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin and Butterflies. Other notable TV credits included The Avengers, Fawlty Towers, and Doctor Who.
Palmer, a screen, stage, and radio actor, also made appearances in well-known films such as A Fish Called Wanda and 1997 "James Bond" film Tomorrow Never Dies—in which he played "Admiral Roebuck."
Palmer was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2004, and he'll posthumously appear in a final role in film An Unquiet Life. He's survived by his wife of over 50 years, Sally, and their two children. May he rest in peace.
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Carol Arthur and Dom DeLuise
Hollywood actress Carol Arthur has just passed away at the Mary Pickford House at the Motion Picture & Television Fund at 85 years old. The widow of beloved comedian Dom DeLuise was known for her work in many hilarious Mel Brooks films like Blazing Saddles, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, and Silent Movie.
The adored funny girl will be survived by her 3 sons with Dom DeLuise, Peter, Michael, and David. David took to social media to wish his Mother goodbye saying, "I will miss you and love you forever. Give Dd a big hug and a kiss from me."
Mel Brooks also posted a message saying, "Sad to hear of Carol Arthur's passing. She was so great in Blazing Saddles as Harriet Johnson the over-the-top, outspoken schoolmarm. She will be missed."
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Sean Connery
"Bond" actor Sean Connery has died in the Bahamas on the night of October 31, 2020 at the age of 90. This was announced by his family, as the British broadcaster BBC reported on Saturday. The Scottish acting legend was the first "James Bond" and one of the most sought-after men of the last century. In the last years, he had withdrawn more and more. As his son reported to the BBC, Sean Connery had not felt well for some time.
May the legendary actor rest in peace.