People we lost in the arts and culture in 2020, Part 2
Here is the second half of the roll call of figures in arts, entertainment and popular culture who died in 2020 (cause of death cited for younger people, if available). (The first part appeared in Wednesday’s Green Sheet; for a full list, go to
July
Hugh Downs, 99. The genial broadcaster who became one of television’s most familiar and welcome faces with more than 15,000 hours on news, game and talk shows. July 1.
Nick Cordero, 41. A Tony Awardnominated actor who specialized in playing tough guys on Broadway. July 5. Coronavirus.
Ennio Morricone, 91. The Oscarwinning Italian composer who created the iconic theme for the spaghetti Western “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.” July 6. Complications of surgery after a fall.
Charlie Daniels, 83. Country music firebrand and fiddler who had a hit with “Devil Went Down to Georgia.” July 6. Stroke.
Naya Rivera, 33. A singer and actor who played a gay cheerleader on TV’s “Glee.” July 8. Drowning.
Kelly Preston, 57. She played foils to actors ranging from Tom Cruise in “Jerry Maguire” to Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Twins” and was married to actor John Travolta. July 12. Cancer.
Bo Black, 74. Energetic leader of Summerfest who led the Milwaukee music festival from being a local party to one of the country’s biggest music events. July 24.
Regis Philbin, 88. The genial host who shared his life with television viewers over morning coffee for decades. July 24.
John Saxon, 83. A versatile actor with a lengthy career who starred with Bruce Lee in “Enter the Dragon” and appeared in several “Nightmare on Elm Street” movies. July 25. Pneumonia.
Olivia de Havilland, 104. The actor beloved by millions was also a twotime Oscar winner and fighter who challenged Hollywood’s contract system. July 26.
August
Wilford Brimley, 85. He worked his way up from movie stunt rider to an indelible character actor who brought gruff charm, and sometimes menace, to a range of films. Aug. 1.
Gail Sheehy, 83. Journalist, commentator and pop sociologist who wrote the bestseller “Passages.” Aug. 24. Complications from pneumonia.
Chadwick Boseman, 43. He played
Black American icons Jackie Robinson and James Brown with searing intensity before inspiring audiences worldwide as the Black Panther. Aug. 28. Cancer.
September
Diana Rigg, 82. A British actress whose career stretched from iconic 1960s spy series “The Avengers” to fantasy juggernaut “Game of Thrones.” Sept. 10.
Toots Hibbert, 77. One of reggae’s founders and most beloved stars who gave the music its name. Sept. 11.
Juliette Greco, 93. A French singer, actress, cultural icon and muse to existentialist philosophers of the country’s postwar period. Sept. 23.
Helen Reddy, 78. She shot to stardom in the 1970s with her rousing feminist anthem “I Am Woman.” Sept. 29.
Mac Davis, 78. A country music star who launched his career crafting the Elvis hits “A Little Less Conversation” and “In the Ghetto,” and whose own hits include “Baby Don’t Get Hooked On Me.” Sept. 29.
October
Eddie Van Halen, 65. The guitar virtuoso who propelled Van Halen into one of hard rock’s biggest groups. Oct.
6. Cancer.
Johnny Nash, 80. A singer-songwriter, actor and producer who rose from pop crooner to early reggae star, and performer of the million-selling anthem “I Can See Clearly Now.” Oct.
6.
Rhonda Fleming, 97. The fiery redhead who appeared with Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Charlton Heston, Ronald Reagan and other film stars of the 1940s and 1950s. Oct. 14.
Spencer Davis, 81. A British guitarist and bandleader whose eponymous rock group had 1960s hits including “Gimme Some Lovin’ ” and “I’m a Man.” Oct. 19.
James Randi, 92. A magician who later challenged spoon benders, mind readers and faith healers as the country’s foremost skeptic. Oct. 20.
Viola Smith, 107. Pioneering musician from Mount Calvary, Wisconsin, who, in the 1930s, was billed as the “world’s fastest girl drummer.” Oct. 21.
Billy Joe Shaver, 81. An outlaw country singer-songwriter who wrote songs like “Honky Tonk Heroes” and “Old Five and Dimers Like Me.” Oct. 28.
Sean Connery, 90. The charismatic Scottish actor who rose to international superstardom as the suave secret agent James Bond. Oct. 31.
November
Norm Crosby, 93. The mangler of the English language who thrived in the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s as a television, nightclub and casino comedian. Nov. 7.
Bones Hillman, 62. Bassist and singer for politically charged Australian rock group Midnight Oil. Nov. 7. Cancer.
Alex Trebek, 80. He presided over “Jeopardy!” for more than 30 years. Nov. 8.
Dave Prowse, 85. The British weightlifter-turned-actor who was the body of archvillain Darth Vader in the original “Star Wars” trilogy. Nov. 28.
December
David L. Lander, 73. An actor who played Squiggy on the popular TV comedy “Laverne & Shirley.” Dec. 4.
Howard Wales, 77. Pianist from Milwaukee who played on some of the Grateful Dead’s most memorable recordings. Dec. 7.
Tommy “Tiny” Lister, 62. A former professional wrestler who was known for his bullying Deebo character in the “Friday” films. Dec. 10.
Charley Pride, 86. One of country music’s first Black superstars (“Kiss an Angel Good Morning”). Dec. 12. Coronavirus.
John le Carre, 89. The spy-turnednovelist whose elegant and intricate narratives defined the Cold War espionage thriller. Dec. 12.
Ann Reinking, 71. The Tony Awardwinning choreographer, actress and Bob Fosse collaborator. Dec. 12.
Jeremy Bulloch, 75. The English actor who first donned a helmet, cape and jetpack to play Boba Fett in the original “Star Wars” trilogy. Dec. 17.
Chad Stuart, 79. Half of the folkpop duo Chad & Jeremy (“A Summer Song,” “Yesterday’s Gone”). Dec. 20.
K.T. Oslin, 78. Pioneering country singer-songwriter, whose hits (“80’s Ladies”) spoke to a more mature country-pop sensibility. Dec. 21.
Leslie West, 75. Legendary Frontman and guitarist for hard-rock band Mountain. Dec. 22.
John Fletcher, 56. MC, under the name Ecstasy, with the pioneering hip-hop group Whodini. Dec. 23.
Tony Rice, 69. Influential bluegrass guitarist. Dec. 25.
Armando Manzanero, 85. Legendary Mexican singer and composer. Dec. 28.