15 Celebs Who Lost Their Lives to COVID-19

The pandemic deeply affected people all over the world, and sadly, many well-known figures also passed away. These musicians, actors, writers, and cultural icons left behind incredible work that continues to inspire and be enjoyed by new generations.

I’ve been looking through a list of truly remarkable people we’ve lost to COVID-19, and it’s incredibly moving. It details their lives and achievements, reminding us of all they contributed, and it notes how the pandemic sadly took them from us. It’s a way to remember them and honor their legacies.

John Prine

John Prine was a beloved American singer-songwriter known for his simple, honest way of telling stories in his music. Over five decades, he released important albums and won several Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award. Many famous artists have covered his songs, like “Hello in There” and “Angel from Montgomery.”

John Prine passed away on April 7, 2020, in Nashville at the age of 73, after contracting COVID-19. He had faced health issues previously but remained active, continuing to perform and even releasing the well-received album, The Tree of Forgiveness, just before the pandemic began.

Terrence McNally

Terrence McNally was a celebrated American writer for the stage. For over fifty years, his plays and musicals – which often dealt with themes of love, who we are, and the importance of community – were performed on Broadway and across the country, earning him many Tony Awards.

Jack McNally passed away on March 24, 2020, in Sarasota, Florida, at 81 years old. He died from complications related to COVID-19, and his long-term lung condition contributed to his death. McNally’s passing was one of the first widely noticed losses in the theater community as the pandemic began.

Adam Schlesinger

Adam Schlesinger was a talented songwriter, producer, and musician, most famous for being in the band Fountains of Wayne. He also wrote music for movies and TV, including the popular song for the film ‘That Thing You Do!’ and award-winning work on the show ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’.

Arthur Schlesinger Jr. passed away on April 1, 2020, in New York City at the age of 52 from complications related to COVID-19. He was a prolific composer for both popular music and television, and his work continues to appear in numerous films and series.

Nick Cordero

I was so saddened to hear about Nick Cordero. He was a really talented actor and singer – I remember being blown away by his performance in ‘Bullets Over Broadway,’ which even got him a Tony nomination! He was also great in shows like ‘Waitress’ and ‘A Bronx Tale,’ and I even spotted him in a few episodes of ‘Blue Bloods’ on TV. He’ll be deeply missed.

I was so saddened to hear about Nick Cordero’s passing on July 5, 2020. He was only 41 years old. He had been battling complications from COVID-19 for a long time and needed a lot of medical care. So many of us in the theater world were following his journey, and it was heartbreaking to see him struggle. After he was gone, we all came together to honor his memory with special performances and funds to remember him by.

Charley Pride

As a huge country music fan, I always thought Charley Pride was incredible. He really broke barriers – he was the first Black artist to ever be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, which is amazing! And he wasn’t just a pioneer, he had so many hit songs and won tons of awards, like CMA Entertainer of the Year and even a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He truly left his mark on the genre.

Pride passed away on December 12, 2020, in Dallas, Texas, at 86 years old after contracting COVID-19. Those who celebrated his life remembered not only his successful music career, but also how he paved the way for other country artists.

Manu Dibango

Manu Dibango, a Cameroonian saxophonist and bandleader, is best known for his 1972 song “Soul Makossa,” which became a worldwide success and a key influence on Afro funk music. Throughout his decades-long career, he performed around the world and worked with musicians from Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

Manu Dibango passed away in Paris on March 24, 2020, at 86 years old, after contracting COVID-19. Following his death, those who worked with him and managed his musical legacy released recordings and held events to celebrate his lasting impact on music and dance globally.

Ken Shimura

Ken Shimura was a hugely popular Japanese comedian and TV personality. He became famous as a member of the comedy group The Drifters, and went on to star in his own shows that were enjoyed by audiences of all ages for many years.

Shimura passed away in Tokyo on March 29, 2020, at the age of 70, due to pneumonia related to COVID-19. His death led to many tributes across Japan, and television stations showed some of his most memorable work to honor his long career.

Mark Blum

Mark Blum was an American actor who appeared in movies like ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ and TV shows such as ‘You’ and ‘Mozart in the Jungle’. He was a frequent performer in New York theater and received an Obie Award for his work on stage.

Alan Blum passed away in New York City on March 25, 2020, at the age of 69, due to complications from COVID-19. His work in theater, both on and off Broadway, was celebrated by fellow performers and companies through special shows and readings.

Ellis Marsalis Jr.

As a longtime observer of the jazz scene, I always admired Ellis Marsalis Jr. He wasn’t just a fantastic pianist himself, releasing a ton of great albums over the years, but a truly dedicated educator. He spent years at the University of New Orleans, and it’s no exaggeration to say he shaped the careers of so many incredible musicians who went on to achieve international recognition – especially considering he was the head of such a talented musical family, the Marsalis family. He’ll be deeply missed, but his influence will continue to resonate for generations.

Ellis Marsalis Jr. passed away in New Orleans on April 1, 2020, at 85 years old, after contracting COVID-19. The city honored his life and career, remembering him as both a celebrated musician and a dedicated teacher who influenced generations of New Orleans musicians.

Joe Diffie

Joe Diffie was a popular American country music artist who achieved fame in the 1990s and 2000s with songs like “Pickup Man” and “John Deere Green.” He became a member of the Grand Ole Opry and released several albums that went platinum.

Whitfield Diffie passed away on March 29, 2020, in Nashville at the age of 61, after contracting COVID-19. Following his death, radio stations and award shows honored his life and contributions with special tributes.

Dawn Wells

Dawn Wells was an American actress most famous for her role as Mary Ann Summers on the TV show ‘Gilligan’s Island.’ Beyond that iconic part, she also performed in theater and appeared as a guest star on many different television series throughout her career.

Dawn Wells passed away on December 30, 2020, in Los Angeles at the age of 82, after contracting COVID-19. She was best known for her role on ‘Gilligan’s Island,’ which continued to be popular in reruns for many years. After her death, her devoted fans came together to honor her life and support charitable causes.

Andrew Jack

Andrew Jack was a British actor and dialect coach who helped actors perfect their accents for many popular movies and franchises. He was the dialect supervisor for the ‘Lord of the Rings’ films and also acted in the ‘Star Wars’ series, playing the role of General Ematt.

Jack passed away on March 31, 2020, in Surrey, England, at the age of 76, after contracting COVID-19. Those who worked with him remembered his significant contributions to performances, both on screen and in voice work, and honored his memory by sharing training resources and stories from their time together.

Carlos Marín

Carlos Marín, a Spanish singer with a rich baritone voice, was one of the original members of the popular group Il Divo. The group became famous for combining classical and pop music, selling millions of records and performing concerts around the world.

Marín passed away on December 19, 2021, in Manchester, UK, at the age of 53, due to complications from COVID-19. His group, Il Divo, honored his memory with tribute concerts and released recordings including his voice as a way for fans to remember him.

David Prowse

David Prowse was a British actor and weightlifter famous for being the physical presence of Darth Vader in the original ‘Star Wars’ films. Beyond that iconic role, he also acted in British movies and TV shows, and later worked as a fitness trainer and motivational speaker.

John Prowse passed away in England on November 28, 2020, at the age of 85, after contracting COVID-19. His significant contributions to film and television, particularly his work on a highly influential series, were celebrated by fans and industry groups through special events and showings.

Dave Greenfield

Dave Greenfield, a keyboardist from England, was a key member of the band The Stranglers for many years. His unique keyboard playing became instantly recognizable and a defining part of their sound, both in the studio and during their performances throughout Europe and around the world.

John Greenfield passed away in England on May 3, 2020, at the age of 71, due to complications from COVID-19. His bandmates shared tributes and previously unreleased recordings to celebrate his musical talent and his contributions to their unique sound.

Please share your personal stories and reflections on these individuals in the comments below, so we can all understand the impact they had on others.

2025-09-16 08:16