Celebrities Who Died in 2020

Dawn Wells

Gilligan's Island - 1964-1967 — Dawn Wells. CBS-TV/UA/Gladysya Prod/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

The Gilligan's Island star, who played Mary Ann Summers on the hit show from 1964–67, died on Dec. 29 in Los Angeles, according to The Hollywood Reporter. She was 82.

Wells' publicist said that the actress died of causes related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Tina Louise, who played Ginger, is the last surviving major cast member of Gilligan's Island. The show also starred Bob Denver (Gilligan) Russell Johnson (Professor Roy Hinkley) and Alan Hale Jr. (Skipper).

Following the success of the family comedy, Wells reprised her character in the TV movies Rescue from Gilligan's Island (1978), The Castaways on Gilligan's Island (1979) and The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island (1981).

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Alto Reed

Reed, an original member of Bob Seger's Silver Bullet Band, died on the morning of Dec. 30 of colon cancer. He was 72.

Seger announced the news in an emotional statement on Twitter, paying tribute to the saxophonist and his longtime friend.

"It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of our lifelong friend and bandmate, Alto Reed. Alto passed away this morning at his home with his family by his side after fighting a courageous battle with colon cancer," the singer said.

"Alto has been a part of our musical family, on and off stage, for nearly 50 years," Seger continued. "I first started playing with Alto in 1971. He was amazing. He could play just about anything... he was funky, could scat, and play tenor sax and alto sax at the same time."

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Pierre Cardin

Fashion designer Cardin, whose name became synonymous with branding and licensing, died on Dec. 29 at the American Hospital in Paris, his family told the Agence France-Presse. The French Academy of Fine Arts confirmed his death on Twitter. He was 98.

As an haute couture designer, Cardin's futuristic fashions were popular in the 1960s. But he became globally influential for decades past that because he understood, pioneered and created the globalized market for French luxury items, and showed a demand for licensing brand names on items beyond a typical fashion line.

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Armando Manzanero

Legendary Mexican singer-songwriter Manzanero died of COVID-19 complications. He was 85.

On Dec. 28, the renowned musician died, weeks after testing positive for the coronavirus on Dec. 17 and five days after he was intubated, according to Mexico's El Universal. The newspaper reported that he was starting to be stable and was able to answer phone calls until the night before his death.

Manzanero composed hundreds of songs, including some that were translated to English such as the classic track "Somos Novios," which was recorded in English by Perry Como and Elvis Presley as "It's Impossible." (Como's rendition was nominated for a song of the year Grammy in 1971.) In 2014, Manzanero was recognized with a lifetime achievement award at the Grammy Awards.

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Tony Rice

Legendary bluegrass guitarist Tony Rice died at his home in North Carolina on Dec. 25. He was 69.

Former collaborator and longtime friend Ricky Skaggs released a statement on behalf of Rice's widow Pam and their daughter India, who are asking for privacy "to process during this difficult time."

"Sometime during Christmas morning while making his coffee, our dear friend and guitar hero Tony Rice passed from this life and made his swift journey to his heavenly home. It's still quite a shock to the whole family," Skaggs wrote.

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Nick McGlashan

Deadliest Catch star McGlashan died at age 33.

McGlashan, who worked as deck boss on the Discovery series, died on Dec. 27 in Nashville, according to TMZ, which first reported the news. The cause of death is currently unknown.

McGlashan appeared on 78 episodes of Deadliest Catch, starting in 2013. A rep for Discovery did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

His sister confirmed the news on Twitter, writing, "My brother nick passed away. This is the hardest thing I've ever had to go through. Please hold your loved ones tight."

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Phil Niekro

Former Atlanta Braves pitcher Phil Niekro, known for his trademark knuckleball died at 81.

The Hall of Famer died on Dec. 26 in his sleep following a "long battle with cancer," the team announced in a statement the following day.

"We are heartbroken on the passing of our treasured friend," the Braves said in a statement. "We will forever be grateful for having him be such an important part of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Nancy, sons Philip, John and Michael and his two grandchildren Chase and Emma."

A beloved player, Niekro spent 21 years of his 24-year career in the majors with the Braves, during which time he helped the team win their first division title since relocating from Milwaukee and pitched the franchise's 12th no-hitter in 1973.

As a sign of respect, the team retired his No. 34 jersey in 1984 — when Niekro started a brief stint with the New York Yankees — and the star was inducted into the team's Hall of Fame in 1999.

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Jon Huber

Professional wrestler Huber, known in the ring as Mr. Brodie Lee and Luke Harper, died in late December. He was 41.

His wife Amanda shared the sad news online, saying that her husband died on Dec. 26 after a "hard fought battle with a non Covid related lung issue."

"My best friend died today. I never wanted to write out those words. My heart is broken. The world saw him as the amazing @brodielee (fka Luke Harper) but he was my best friend, my husband, and the greatest father you would ever meet," Amanda, who shares two children with the late wrestler, wrote in an emotional post.

"No words can express the love I feel or how broken I am right now. He passed surrounded by love ones after a hard fought battle with a non Covid related lung issue," she added, going on to share that before his death, her husband had been treated at the Mayo Clinic.

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John 'Ecstasy' Fletcher

Fletcher of hip-hop trio Whodini died in mid-December, according to The Roots' Questlove.

In a short, yet touching post, The Roots' drummer revealed that Ecstasy had died at the age of 56. A cause of death has not been revealed.

"One Love to Ecstasy of the Legendary #Whodini," he captioned a black-and-white photo. "This man was legendary and a pivotal member of one of the most legendary groups in hip hop. This is sad man."

The group — originally comprising Jaili Hutchins, Grandmaster Dee and Ecstasy — was responsible for their influential approach to rap with songs such as "Freaks Come Out at Night," "One Love" and "Five Minutes of Funk" in the mid-1980s.

The group's influence is far-ranging and has been sampled over the years — Will Smith's "Potnas" and Tupac Shakur's "Troublesome '96" sample Whodini's song "Friends." Meanwhile, Beck sampled "Five Minutes of Funk" in his 1996 track "Gold Chains."

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Leslie West

Mountain co-founder and guitarist West died on Dec. 21. He was 75.

Dean Guitars confirmed his death in a statement on Twitter.

"With a heavy heart, we are saddened to hear about the passing of #Dean Artist and part of the Dean family, Leslie West. [He was] legendary and one of a kind. Rest In Peace," the band announced on their official Twitter account.

West (né Leslie Weinstein) died after going into cardiac arrest at his Florida home, Rolling Stone reported.

During the era of fellow guitar heroes Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Eddie Van Halen, West was revered as an equally talented, legendary guitar player.

His band, Mountain, was founded in 1969 and rose to stardom after performing at the Woodstock Festival which they landed in the first year of their inception.

Even after his countless accomplishments throughout his decades-long career, West will forever be immortalized as the roaring voice behind Mountain's timeless, smash hit "Mississippi Queen."

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Stella Tennant

Model Tennant died suddenly at the age of 50.

The supermodel's passing was confirmed by her family on Dec. 22.

"It is with great sadness we announce the sudden death of Stella Tennant on December 22, 2020. Stella was a wonderful woman and an inspiration to us all. She will be greatly missed. Her family asks for their privacy to be respected. Arrangements for a memorial service will be announced at a later date," Tennant's family said in the statement obtained by The Guardian.

Tennant broke into the fashion world in the early '90s and modeled alongside the reigning supermodel squad of the decade including Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss and Claudia Schiffer. The runway regular ruled the catwalks for all the high-fashion brands over the past 30 years, including Chanel, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Valentino, Versace and Jean Paul Gaultier.

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Kevin Greene

On Dec. 21, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pro Football Hall of Fame announced that Kevin Greene — a star at linebacker and defensive end who played in the NFL for 15 years — died at his home in Florida. He was 58. No cause of death was given.

"We lost an amazing player and person this morning with the passing of Kevin Greene," Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement on Twitter. "His sudden death is a shock to us all as he was a close friend and teammate to so many people in the Steelers family."

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K.T. Oslin

Country singer-songwriter Oslin (née Kay Toinette Oslin) died on Dec. 21. She was 78.

The "80's Ladies" star had been residing in an assisted-living facility since 2016 and was coping with Parkinson's disease. She was diagnosed with COVID-19 the week before her death, though it is unclear whether she died from coronavirus-related complications, Music Row reports. The outlet was the first to break the news — the Country Music Association confirmed her death in a statement soon after. Oslin was one of the most iconic trailblazers of country music, particularly for female artists in the male-dominated industry.

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Jeremy Bulloch

Bulloch, the actor who first brought Boba Fett to life in the original Star Wars trilogy, died on Dec. 17. He was 75.

Bulloch died in London following "health complications," an announcement of his death on the actor's website said. Bulloch had suffered from Parkinson's disease.

"He spent his final weeks in the wonderful care of staff at St George's Hospital in Tooting, close to the house where he and his wife Maureen had lived together for more than fifty years," the statement said. "Maureen and two of his sons, Jamie and Robbie, were with him during his final days."

Bulloch joined the Star Wars franchise in 1980's Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, starring as bounty hunter Boba Fett — a character that would go on to become a fan favorite. Bulloch reappeared as Fett in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi and then as Captain Colton in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

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Jeannie Morris

Morris, a longtime sportscaster who broke barriers for women in sports journalism during the 1970s and 1980s, died on Dec. 14. She was 85.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Morris died of appendiceal cancer, which she was receiving treatment for the past year. She died at her home in Chicago while surrounded by friends, her four adult children, and her ex-husband, retired Chicago Bears player Johnny Morris.

"My mom had a stack of accomplishments," her daughter, Holly, told the outlet. "She woke up every morning curious, grateful and spring-loaded to say, 'Yes.' That inspires me the most. The levity and bravery she brought to the last weeks of her life was a master class in dignity."

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Ann Reinking

Reinking, the Broadway star best known for her role as Roxie Hart in Chicago and as a muse for Bob Fosse, died on Dec. 12, Variety confirmed. She was 71.

The Tony-winning actress died in her sleep while visiting family in Seattle, her sister-in-law Darhla King told the outlet. The cause of death is not yet known, The New York Times reported.

"The world and our family have lost a vibrant, amazing talent and beautiful soul. Ann was the heart of our family and the life of the party," her family told Variety in a statement Monday. "She was visiting our brother in Washington state when she went to sleep and never woke up. We will miss her more than we can say. Heaven has the best choreographer available now. I'm sure they are dancing up a storm up there! Annie, we will love and miss you always!!!"

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Edgardo del Villar

Telemundo 47 anchor del Villar died after a battle with brain cancer.

Del Villar died on Dec. 13 after battling the disease over the last two years, according to NBC New York. He is survived by his mother and siblings, his wife — TV and radio host Carolina Novoa — and his daughter, Dana.

"Edgardo del Villar was a talented journalist and gifted storyteller with a smile that lit up the screen. We stood in awe as he fought an incurable disease with remarkable resolve; pushing himself to the limits, returning to the air throughout his treatment and remaining positive and upbeat through it all. He was our inspiration and we loved him," Cristina Schwarz, president and general manager of Telemundo 47, said in a statement to NBC New York.

"Our station family extends condolences to Edgardo's mother, his siblings, his wife Carolina — and his beloved daughter, Dana," said Schwarz.

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Charley Pride

Country legend Pride — a pioneer for Black musicians in country music — died on Dec. 12 in Dallas at the age of 86 due to complications from COVID-19, a statement on his website confirmed.

With top hits including "Kiss an Angel Good Morning" and "Is Anybody Goin' to San Antone," Pride became the first Black member of the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000.

He was born in Mississippi in 1934 as the son of a sharecropper. After a brief time serving in the Army and some unsuccessful attempts at becoming a professional baseball player, Pride headed to Nashville in 1963.

He recorded songs immediately but it wasn't until Pride's manager, Jack Johnson, met with late producer Jack Clement that Pride's career took off. Clement offered songs for Pride to learn and in 1965, RCA Record's Chet Atkins signed him to a recording contract.

Pride quit his day job as a smelter when his 1967 recording of Clement's "Just Between You and Me" broke into country's top ten — and the rest is history.

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Carol Sutton

Sutton, a veteran actress on both the stage and screen, died Dec. 10 at the age of 76 due to complications from COVID-19.

Sutton had been hospitalized at New Orleans' Touro Infirmary for several days prior to her death, according to WGNO.

Sutton played Nurse Pam in 1989's Steel Magnolias, starring Sally Field, Dolly Parton and Julia Roberts. On TV, she appeared in an episode of Queen Sugar, as well as episodes of True Detective and, most recently, HBO's Lovecraft Country.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell confirmed the news of her death in a lengthy tribute.

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Dame Barbara Windsor

Beloved British actress Windsor died on Dec. 10 at the age of 83.

Her husband, Scott Mitchell, confirmed her death to PA News, telling the agency that her final weeks were "typical of how she lived her life" and "full of humour, drama and a fighting spirit until the end."

"Myself, her family and friends will remember Barbara with love, a smile and affection for the many years of her love, fun, friendship and brightness she brought to all our lives and the entertainment she gave to so many thousands of others during her career," he said, according to Yahoo! News.

"It was not the ending that Barbara or anyone else living with this very cruel disease deserve," Mitchell added, referencing his wife's battle with Alzheimer's, which she was diagnosed with in 2014. "I will always be immensely proud of Barbara's courage, dignity and generosity dealing with her own illness and still trying to help others by raising awareness for as long as she could."

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Tommy 'Tiny' Lister

Lister, best known for his roles in The Dark Knight and the Friday film series, died at the age of 62.

While he had not tested positive for the novel coronavirus prior to his death, Lister died on Dec. 10 after exhibiting "COVID symptoms" for a week, his manager Cindy Cowan told PEOPLE.

"He was a gentle giant and one-of-a-kind," she said. "A man that's like been a brother to me for 20 years."

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Jason Slater

Slater, the original bassist and backup vocalist for the band Third Eye Blind, died on Dec. 9.

The musician's daughter, Alyssa Carlson, shared the sad news to TMZ, sharing that her father had suffered from liver failure and died at a hospital in Maui, Hawaii, that day. He was 49.

Carlson added in her comments to the outlet that she didn't know about Slater's condition until last month, when she got a call that he was in the hospital.

A rep for Third Eye Blind says in a statement shared with PEOPLE that although the band had not spoken with Slater in almost 25 years, "When a spirited member of the music scene is taken too soon, it is always a sad time."

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Arnie Robinson Jr.

Olympic gold medalist Robinson Jr. died on Dec. 1, USA Track and Field confirmed. He was 72.

The Hall of Famer died after testing positive for COVID-19, according to a GoFundMe page set up by his son, Paul Robinson.

Speaking with San Diego ABC affiliate KGTV, Paul told the outlet that his father first fell ill in mid-November, suffering from "labored breathing, coughing." He then tested positive for COVID-19 but began to feel better.

But, "out of the blue, he struggled to take breaths," according to Paul, before he eventually died.

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Natalie Desselle-Reid

Desselle-Reid died in early December at age 53 after a private battle with colon cancer.

Desselle-Reid's death was announced on her Instagram page on Dec. 7.

She was best known for roles on the UPN series Eve (2003–2006) and the Robert Townsend-directed 1997 comedy B.A.P.S., in which she played a waitress in Georgia who ends up caring for a Beverly Hills millionaire and living the life of "Black American Princesses." The cult classic famously co-starred Halle Berry.

Desselle-Reid also appeared in the racially diverse 1997 retelling of Cinderella, starring Brandy and Whitney Houston, and Madea's Big Happy Family (2001).

She is survived by her husband, Leonard, and children Sereno, Summer and Sasha.

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Chuck Yeager

Charles Elwood Yeager, the first pilot ever to break the sound barrier, died in early December. He was 97.

The retired brigadier-general's wife, Victoria Yeager, confirmed the news of his death on Dec. 7 through the former World War II pilot's Twitter account, writing, "It is w/ profound sorrow, I must tell you that my life love General Chuck Yeager passed just before 9pm ET."

"An incredible life well lived, America's greatest Pilot, & a legacy of strength, adventure, & patriotism will be remembered forever," she continued.

In addition to breaking the sound barrier on October 14, 1947, while flying the Bell X-1 as a test pilot, Chuck shot down more than 11 aircraft as a P-51 pilot on the Western Front in World War II.

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David L. Lander

David Lander — Michael McKean (left) and David L. Lander. Everett Collection

Actor, comedian and multiple sclerosis advocate Lander (right), most beloved for his role as Andrew "Squiggy" Squiggman on the classic Garry Marshall sitcom, Laverne & Shirley, died on Dec. 4 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after bravely fighting MS for several decades, PEOPLE confirms.

Born David Leonard Landau, the youngest son of two Jewish schoolteachers, in Brooklyn, New York, on June 22, 1947, the actor never let his illness prevent him from pursuing his life's passions.

Having amassed over 120 film and television credits, including Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Used Cars, Scary Movie and 101 Dalmatians: The Series, Lander continued working as an animation voice actor as recently as 2017.

Lander decided to become an actor when he was just 10 years old, studying drama first at the High School for the Performing Arts, before continuing his education and training in Pittsburgh at Carnegie Mellon University, where he was introduced to fellow performer Michael McKean (left), forming a creative partnership that would forever change the course of his life.

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Whitney Collings

Bad Girls Club star Collings died on Dec. 3 at the age of 33.

"I am completely broken and will never get over this. Life is so unfair. She was kind with a big heart," her mother Linda Houghton Collings wrote on Facebook, according to TMZ, which was the first to share the news.

The reality star died in a hospital near her hometown of Boston, but a cause of death has not yet been given, according to the outlet.

The Boston medical examiner did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

Collings appeared on season 3 of the Oxygen series in 2008 when she was 21 years old. At the time, she was studying biology and physics at Salem State University, according to a profile in the Boston Herald.

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Warren Berlinger

Berlinger, known for his roles on Happy Days and several other TV shows and movies, died on Dec. 2. He was 83.

Berlinger, who also appeared on Broadway, died at the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Valencia, California, his daughter Elizabeth Berlinger Tarantini confirmed to PEOPLE.

"His favorite role on stage was J. Pierrepont in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," Tarantini told PEOPLE, "but I don't know anyone who succeeded in life more than my dad. Everyone who met him loved him, everyone."

The actor's cause of death was not revealed.

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Rafer Johnson

Johnson, the famed Olympian who won gold and helped subdue Robert F. Kennedy's assassin in 1968, died on Dec. 2 at age 86.

The former athlete — whose cause of death was not announced — died at his home in Sherman Oaks, the University of California, Los Angeles, confirmed in a statement.

Johnson rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s thanks to his remarkable talents in track and field, which was sparked by his decathlon win at the Pan American Games as a student at UCLA in 1955.

Five years later, Johnson became the first African American flag bearer for the United States at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. He'd go on to win the gold medal in the decathlon and would be instrumental in bringing the Games to Los Angeles in 1984.

For his work in bringing the Olympics stateside, Johnson was given the honor of lighting the Olympic torch at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

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Hugh Keays-Byrne

Keays-Byrne, the man who embodied two of the iconic villains from George Miller's Mad Max film franchise, died on Dec. 1 at age 73.

Director Brian Trenchard-Smith, who directed Keays-Byrne in 1975's The Man From Hong Kong, announced the news on Dec. 2 on his Facebook page, writing, "I am sad to report that our friend Hugh Keays-Byrne passed away in hospital yesterday."

"A former Royal Shakespeare Company actor who settled in Australia co-starred in my Man From Hong Kong, and achieved world wide recognition as the Toecutter in Mad Max, and Immortan Joe in Mad Max-Fury Road," Trenchard-Smith wrote alongside a photo of Keays-Byrne.

"This photo reflects the innate sense of humor he brought not only to my film but every production he worked on," the filmmaker continued. "He was a fine actor and a good friend to [wife] Margaret and myself for 46 years. We spent many happy Sunday mornings with him, his partner Christina, and a group of fellow actors and artists (the Macao Light Company) at the house they shared in Centennial Park. Christina, Jack, Shawn, Tim, Ralph, Robina, our hearts go out to you."

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Pat Patterson

Patterson, the WWE Hall of Famer who is considered the sport's first gay superstar, died in early December at age 79.

Patterson's death was announced by the WWE on Dec. 2 in a statement that called him a "true trailblazer of the industry" who made his mark as a renaissance man not just in the ring, but as a color commentator and behind the scenes as well.

"WWE is saddened to learn that Pat Patterson has passed away at the age of 79," the WWE said in a statement.

Born Pierre Clermont in Montreal, Patterson — who said he spoke only French and no English when he moved to the U.S. — began his wrestling career in 1958 before joining the WWE in the late 1970s.

Patterson officially retired from the ring in 1984, but continued to work with the WWE, becoming a color commentator and taking on a role as confidante for WWE CEO Vince McMahon.

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Abby Dalton

Dalton, an Emmy-nominated actress best known for her role in Falcon Crest, died on Nov. 23 in Los Angeles after battling "a long illness," her rep told Deadline. She was 88.

Dalton got her start in film in the 1950s with several projects from director Roger Corman, including Rock All Night and The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent, both of which premiered in 1957.

She later became a TV star, joining 1960s sitcoms The Joey Bishop Show and Hennesey, the latter of which earned Dalton an Emmy nomination in 1961 for outstanding performance in a supporting role by an actor or actress in a series.

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Tony Hsieh

Former Zappos CEO Hsieh died from complications of smoke inhalation, the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed to PEOPLE. His death was ruled an accident, the office confirms.

Hsieh died at 46 on Nov. 27 after sustaining injuries in a house fire while visiting Connecticut. He was reportedly surrounded by family at the time of his death while hospitalized.

"Tony's kindness and generosity touched the lives of everyone around him, and forever brightened the world," said a statement from DTP Companies, which Hsieh founded. "Delivering happiness was always his mantra, so instead of mourning his transition, we ask you to join us in celebrating his life."

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David Prowse

The English actor, who played Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy, has died. He was 85.

The bodybuilder-turned-actor, who also appeared in the Stanley Kubrick classic A Clockwork Orange, passed away on Nov. 28 after a brief illness, his agent Thomas Bowington told the BBC. Prowse announced in 2014 that he had dementia and has also battled prostate cancer, according to The Washington Post.

Bowington shared the sad news to the world on social media, writing on Twitter, "It is with great regret and heart-wrenching sadness for us and millions of fans around the world, to announce that our client DAVID PROWSE M.B.E. has passed away at the age of 85."

Star Wars legend Mark Hamill added his own homage, describing Prowse as "a kind man & much more than Darth Vader."

"So sad to hear David Prowse has passed," Hamill wrote on Twitter. "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. #RIP"

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Diego Maradona

The Argentinian soccer star has died, the Argentine Football Association confirmed in a tweet on Nov. 25. He was 60.

Maradona suffered a heart attack in his home, the BBC said.

Earlier in November, Maradona underwent an operation for bleeding in his skull, the Associated Press reported at the time. The doctor who performed the operation said Maradona had no complications from the surgery and was doing "excellent" at the time.

Maradona famously captained Argentina's 1986 men's soccer team, helping lead them to a World Cup victory. A goal Maradona scored in the World Cup quarterfinal match between Argentina and England was known as the "hand of God goal," and is one of the most famous soccer goals of all time.

He is frequently referred to as one of the best soccer players of all time, and in 2000, Maradona was announced as the joint winner of the FIFA player of the century award. He shared it with Brazilian soccer player Pelé.

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David Dinkins

Dinkins, who made history as New York City's first Black mayor, died on Nov. 23. He was 93.

Dinkins' death, which occurred just over a month after his wife Joyce's death, was confirmed by the NYPD.

"Today we mark the passing of former Mayor David Dinkins. An enormous loss to our city, we laud him for a life of service dedicated to the people of this 'beautiful mosaic' — he built bridges & strengthened partnerships in every corner of NYC," Police Commissioner Dermot Shea wrote on Twitter. "Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Rest In Peace," he added.

Dinkins had reportedly been found by his health aide after returning home from his office at Columbia University, where he taught as a professor in the institution's School of International Public Affairs.

A former Marine and member of the U.S House of Representative, Dinkins ran against incumbent mayor Ed Koch in 1989 and won the Democratic primary for the mayorship before he went on to beat Rudy Giuliani by a margin of 47,000 votes, the slimmest margin in election history for the New York office.

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Hal Ketchum

The country singer, famous for songs like "Small Town Saturday Night" and "Past the Point of Rescue," died on Nov. 23 at age 67 after battling Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

His wife Andrea announced his death on Facebook the following day. "With great sadness and grief we announce that Hal passed away peacefully last night at home due to complications of dementia," she wrote in a statement.

"May his music live on forever in your hearts and bring you peace," added Andrea.

She revealed his diagnosis in April 2019, noting at the time that he would be retiring from his performing career.

Born in Greenwich, New York, Ketchum went on to be inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry in January 1994. According to his Opry bio, the artist began playing drums at 15 before switching to guitar. Additionally, he "spent nearly 20 years as a carpenter and furniture builder before getting his break in the music business," and he was a painter.

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Ed Murray

Bill Murray's brother Ed, who served as the inspiration behind the lead character in Caddyshack, has died, according to an announcement on Nov. 23 from the 70-year-old actor's golf apparel company, William Murray Golf. It is believed he was 76.

The company shared a statement on Instagram alongside photos of the Murray brothers throughout the years.

"It's with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of the legend Ed Murray," the caption read. "Named after the family patriarch, it was Ed who introduced the Murray family to this wonderful game of golf — by way of caddying at Indian Hills Country Club — at the age of 10, no less. (They don't make 'em like that anymore.)"

"Ed was the recipient of the Evans Scholarship back in 1963, while attending Northwestern University — a scholarship awarded to golf caddies — a family storyline which served as inspiration for the Danny Noonan character in Caddyshack when Brian Doyle-Murray co-wrote that iconic screenplay," the statement continued. "Ed and all five Murray brothers are members of the Caddie Hall of Fame, as well — something all the boys take pride in, as this game helped shape their lives."

The Murray brothers were indicted in the Caddie Hall of Fame — which recognizes the role of caddies in the game of golf — in 2015.

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John Gilbert Getty

The grandson of oil tycoon J. Paul Getty has died. He was 52.

His family confirmed the musician's passing on Nov. 23. The Getty heir died on Friday, Nov. 20 in San Antonio, Texas.

"With a heavy heart, Gordon Getty announces the death of his son, John Gilbert Getty," a spokesperson for his father, composer Gordon Getty, said in a statement provided to PEOPLE.

"John leaves behind his daughter, Ivy Getty, whom he loved beyond measure, and his brothers Peter and Billy. His brother, Andrew, predeceased John. John's mother, Ann Gilbert Getty, passed this September."

"John was a talented musician who loved rock and roll. He will be deeply missed."

John's daughter Ivy shared a moving tribute post, alongside several photos of the father-daughter pair.

"My father was awesome — coolest man to ever land on this planet and I will forever be the proudest daughter," she wrote.

"Love you so much Dad....life is cruel sometimes.... I have not one, but two guardian angels watching over me now...here are some of my favorite pictures of him (and selfishly a couple of us)."

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Ben Watkins

Ben, a fan favorite contestant on MasterChef Junior, died on Nov. 16, the Chicago Tribune reported, after struggling with a rare form of cancer for a year and a half. He was 14. The teen's death comes three years after both his parents were killed in a domestic violence incident in 2017.

In a statement, Ben's uncle Anthony Edwards and grandmother Donna Edwards said that he had gone "home to be with his mother."

"After losing both his parents in September 2017, we have marveled at Ben's strength, courage and love for life," the statement, shared on a GoFundMe campaign page, said. "He never, ever complained. Ben was and will always be the strongest person we know."

Days before his 13th birthday last year, Ben was diagnosed with Angiomatoid Fibrous Histiocytoma, an extremely rare soft tissue tumor that occurs in only a small number of children and young adults.

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John Shimooka

The former world tour surfer, affectionately known as "Shmoo," has died at the age of 51.

Shimooka died on the morning of Nov. 16, according to Surfing NSW, an Australian governing body for surfing in New South Wales.

"A talented former world tour surfer, commentator, jiu jitsu black belt and General Manager of Partnerships for Surfing NSW since 2018, 'Shmoo' was a much-loved member of the global surfing community and the Surfing NSW family," the organization said in a statement. "He will be remembered for his passion for the lifestyle as well as his energy and enthusiasm."

"Everyone in our organization joins his son, Brandon, immediate family, and his extended worldwide network of friends, in grieving his loss," the statement continued. "It is our saddest day. We will commemorate and celebrate John's life in the days and weeks to come."

Though a cause of death was not given, Surfing NSW did include a contact number for Lifeline — a non-profit organization that provides free crisis support and suicide prevention services in Australia — alongside its statement on Facebook.

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DJ Spinbad

DJ Spinbad, whose real name was Chris Sullivan, reportedly died on Nov. 10, though a cause of death is still unknown. He was 46.

Spinbad was known as an influential DJ in New York's music scene and worked at the WHTZ radio station in New York.

In addition to several mix tapes, Spinbad had released two albums: Underground Airplay in 2001, followed by FabricLive.14 in 2004.

Reps for Spinbad did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

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Mo3

Rapper Mo3 was killed in Dallas, Texas, on Nov. 11. He was 28.

Dallas police officers responded to a call reporting a shooting around noon on Nov. 11, police said in a statement.

Mo3, whose real name is Melvin A. Noble, was shot multiple times and died at a local hospital, according to police. An earlier statement from police said that the suspect, who has yet to be identified, had been chasing Noble after the rapper got out of his car to run away.

The rapper was best known for his song "Errybody (Remix)" — a collaboration with Boosie Badazz. Mo3 and Boosie released an album in February.

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Tommy Heinsohn

The longtime Celtics player, coach and broadcaster died on Nov. 10. He was 86.

Heinsohn was an "active participant in each of the Celtics' 17 World Championships," the team said in a statement, calling his legacy "extraordinary and singular."

The basketball legend won Rookie of the Year in 1957 and was named to six All-Star teams during his playing career from 1956–1965. He won eight NBC Championships and was the Boston team's lead scorer for half of those title runs.

In 1969, Heinsohn was named head coach and went on to lead the Celtics to World Championships in 1974 and 1976. His number, 15, was retired by the team in 1965.

Heinsohn was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame twice: first in 1986 as a player and in 2015 as a coach.

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Alex Trebek

Over a year after he was first diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer in March 2019, the longtime Jeopardy! host has died. He was 80.

"Jeopardy is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends. Thank you, Alex," the show announced via Twitter on Nov. 8.

Born in Ontario, Trebek began his career at the Canadian Broadcasting Company in 1961. He hosted a few other game shows before taking on the role of Jeopardy! host in 1984, becoming a household name over the nearly 40 years that he starred on the series.

He battled several other health issues throughout his time on the show, including two heart attacks, a full knee replacement, surgery to remove blood clots on his brain and a torn Achilles tendon.

Trebek is survived by his wife Jean and their two children: son Matthew, 29, and daughter Emily, 27.

He also has an older daughter Nicky, 53, whom he adopted when he was married to Nicky's mom, his first wife Elaine Callei.

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Ken Spears

The co-creator of the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! cartoons died on Nov. 6. He was 82.

The legendary television writer and producer died from complications related to Lewy body dementia, according to his son Kevin Spears.

"Ken will forever be remembered for his wit, his story-telling, his loyalty to family, and his strong work ethic," he told Variety in a statement. "Ken has not only made a lasting impression on his family, but he has touched the lives of many as co-creator of 'Scooby-Doo.' Ken has been a role model for us throughout his life and he will continue to live on in our hearts."

Born in 1938 in Los Angeles, Spears developed a friendship with producer William Hanna's son, which later led him to join Hanna-Barbera Productions as a sound editor in 1959. There, he met Joe Ruby, who would become his longtime collaborator and with whom he founded Ruby-Spears Production in 1977.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! first premiered on CBS and aired until 1976. It saw several reboots, film adaptations and spinoffs.

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Bert Belasco

The actor, best known for his role on the BET series Let's Stay Together, has died. He was 38.

The actor's father, Bert Belasco Sr., told TMZ that his son was found dead on Nov. 8 in a hotel room in Virginia, where he was quarantining amid the COVID-19 pandemic in preparation for a new project.

According to TMZ, Belasco was found after his girlfriend was unable to reach him and asked hotel staff to check on him.

Belasco Sr. told the outlet he believes that his son suffered a fatal aneurysm. The family is awaiting autopsy results.

A rep for Belasco did not immediately return PEOPLE's request for comment.

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Elsa Raven

The actress, best known for her role as the "Save the Clock Tower" lady in Back to the Future, died at her Los Angeles home on Nov. 3, her agent, David Shaul, told Deadline. She was 91.

Raven, who was born Elsa Rabinowitz in September 1929, had a long career as a character actress starting out on stage before appearing in well-known Hollywood films.

Her first film role came in 1970 with The Honeymoon Killers. She quickly landed other small roles in The Amityville Horror, where she played the realtor, the John Malkovich film In the Line of Fire and The Moderns, in which she played Gertrude Stein.

Raven can be seen in Titanic as Ida Strauss, one-half of the older couple who lie in bed together as water pours into their room as the ship sinks. Raven also appeared on television with roles in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Seinfeld, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital, Amen and Wiseguy.

Raven is survived by her sister-in-law, Lynne Rabinowitz, and her 15 nieces and nephews, according to Variety.

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Eddie Hassell

The actor, best known for his roles in the Oscar-nominated film The Kids Are All Right and the NBC television series Surface, has died. He was 30.

The New York Times reported that the young actor died on Nov. 1 around 1 a.m. local time after he was fatally shot while outside of his girlfriend's apartment in Grand Prairie, Texas.

According to Variety, Hassel's rep said that the shooting appeared to be tied to a carjacking. A spokesperson for the Grand Prairie Police Department released a statement to Entertainment Tonight noting that "the motive is still under investigation but detectives can confirm a car was taken from the scene and later recovered."

Per The Associated Press, police took the actor to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The outlet added that no arrests have yet been made tied to the case.

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Luis Troyano

The Great British Bake Off star has died from oesophageal cancer following a battle with the disease. He was 48.

His agent, Anne Kibel, confirmed the sad news in a statement on Twitter on Nov. 3.

"Sadly, my lovely client lost his brave fight against Oesophageal cancer last week. A fantastic man with a love of baking that saw him get to the finals of GBBO, write a wonderful book, Bake It Great and do so much more. Always in our thoughts," Kibel wrote.

Troyano was a runner up on Great British Bake Off in 2014, coming in behind Nancy Birtwhistle. The show shared a tribute to Luis on Twitter, paying their respects to his friends and family.

After his time on the popular show, he went on to publish a cookbook titled Bake it Great. He also made regular appearances on BBC's Good Food channel, according to the Independent.

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Sean Connery

Prolific James Bond actor Sean Connery died overnight in his sleep on Oct. 31 while staying in the Bahamas.

"His wife Micheline and his two sons, Jason and Stephane have confirmed that he died peacefully in his sleep surrounded by family," a rep for the actor told PEOPLE. "There will be a private ceremony followed by a memorial yet to be planned once the virus has ended."

Connery's wife Micheline Roquebrune told the Mail on Sunday that the actor had been struggling with dementia.

"It was no life for him," the French-Moroccan artist told the publication. "It took its toll on him," she said. "He was not able to express himself latterly."

His son Jason also the BBC that his father had been "unwell for some time."

"We are all working at understanding this huge event as it only happened so recently, even though my dad has been unwell for some time," he said. "A sad day for all who knew and loved my dad and a sad loss for all people around the world who enjoyed the wonderful gift he had as an actor."

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Nikki McKibbin

Nikki McKibbin, who came in third place in the first season of American Idol, has died. She was 42.

Her husband Craig posted an emotional tribute on Oct. 31, sharing that his wife "suffered an aneurysm" on Oct. 28, but had been kept on life support in order to donate her organs to people in need.

"Many of you already know something is wrong. The love of my life Nikki Sadler suffered an aneurysm on Wednesday. She would already be gone, but she's an organ donor and has been kept on life support to make that possible," he wrote on social media. "That shouldn't be a surprise to us. Even at the end she is still giving."

Born in Grand Prairie, Texas, the actress competed on Popstars in 2001, just one year before stepping onto the Idol stage. Her first album, Unleashed, was released in 2007, followed by a Christmas album the following year.

She went on to appear on the reality series Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew in 2008 seeking treatment for an alcohol and cocaine addiction, according to Variety.

In 2014, McKibbin briefly returned to Idol, to support her son Tristen Langley, then 15, who got eliminated after making it past the audition round.

Two years later, McKibbin went on to undergo a number of back surgeries.

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Herb Adderley

Herb Adderley, who was part of six different championship teams from 1961 to 1971, died on Oct. 30, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced. He was 81.

"The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Herb Adderley. He was a great player and an even greater man," said Hall of Fame President and CEO David Baker in a statement.

"Herb left an indelible mark on the Game and was respected tremendously by players and personnel across the league," added Baker of the cornerback, who played for the Greenbay Packers and later the Dallas Cowboys.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Herb's wife, Brenda, and their entire family. We will forever keep his legacy alive to serve as inspiration for future generations," concluded Baker's statement. Baker added that the Hall of Fame's flag would be flown at half-staff to honor Herb's memory.

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Leanza Cornett

Cornett, who was crowned Miss America in 1993, has died at the age of 49.

Her death was confirmed by the Miss America Organization on Oct. 28 in a statement reading, "Leanza had a bright and beautiful spirit and her laugh was infectious. We know she meant so much to so many, including all of you."

"We are devastated by this sudden loss in our Miss America family and we are deeply sorry for her family and close friends for their loss," the statement read. "At the moment, we do not have any further information regarding a service for Leanza and we ask that you please respect her family during this difficult time."

A cause of death was not given, though News 4 Jax — an NBC News affiliate based out of Cornett's hometown of Jacksonville, Florida — reported that the pageant queen died after she was hospitalized for a head injury.

After winning the title of Miss America, Cornett went on to appear in several television series, including Saved by the Bell: The New Class, Grown Ups, The Tick, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Weeds.

Her ex-husband Mark Steines, with whom she shared sons Kai and Avery, also confirmed the news of her passing.

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Jeremy Orr

The former NFL wide receiver, who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Colts, died on Oct. 27, according to the Associated Press. He was 85.

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay mourned the loss on Twitter, writing: "Rest in peace to another NFL legend."

"Jimmy led the NFL in yards per reception three times during his 13 years in the league, and 'Orr's Corner' in the south endzone at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium was sacred ground," he continued. "Our condolences to Jimmy's family."

Orr played football for the University of Georgia before making his professional debut in 1958 on the Steelers roster. He stayed with the team until joining the Colts in 1961, where he remained through the 1970–71 season.

While playing with the Colts, Orr also picked up his first and only Super Bowl win, as the team triumphed against the Dallas Cowboys in 1971.

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Billy Joe Shaver

The Grammy-nominated Texas singer-songwriter who was a pioneer of the Outlaw Country movement died on Oct. 28 following an illness, a rep for Shaver said in a statement to PEOPLE. He was 81.

After joining the Navy at age 16, Shaver went on to have a number of jobs before becoming a songwriter for country singer Bobby Bare in Nashville in 1965.

His big break came with Waylon Jennings' 1973 landmark album Honky Tonk Heroes, which Shaver co-wrote 10 of the 11 songs for. In addition to Jennings, several famous singers recorded Shaver's songs, including Elvis Presley, David Allan Coe, Patty Loveless and more.

Over the course of his career, Shaver went on to release more than 20 albums, including his most recent, 2014's Long in the Tooth, which became his first album to chart on Billboard's Top Country Albums and the Billboard 200.

He was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006.

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Jerry Jeff Walker

The country music legend who wrote the hit "Mr. Bojangles" died on Oct. 23. He was 78.

The musician died after a years-long battle with throat cancer and "some other health issues," family spokesperson John T. Davis confirmed to the Associated Press.

Born Ronald Clyde Crosby in Oneonta, New York, the artist's career took off once he relocated to Austin, Texas in 1971, according to Rolling Stone. There, he became a pioneer of the Texas outlaw country scene and later became famous for his 1968 track "Mr. Bojangles," which was inspired by a street performer he met in a New Orleans drunk tank.

The track became Walker's first hit and was later covered by several artists including Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, Nina Simone, Dolly Parton and more.

In 1986, Walker and his wife Susan established their own record label, Tried & True Music. He released multiple albums under his label and continued to create and perform music late into his life, with 2018's LP It's About Time marking his final music release.

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Marge Champion

Champion, the legendary dancer, actress and model for Disney's character Snow White, has died. She was 101.

The Broadway star and Emmy-winning choreographer died Oct. 21 in Los Angeles, dance instructor Pierre Dulaine confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.

Born Majorie Celeste Belcher on Sept. 2, 1919, in Hollywood, the star found a love for dance at an early age. Her father, Ernest Belcher, founded the Celester School of Dance, where he taught stars like Shirley Temple and Fred Astaire.

Belcher was also friends with Walt Disney, which led the animation team working on 1937's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to study Champion's movements on a soundstage to make the fictional princess move realistically.

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Tony Lewis

The Outfield's lead singer and bassist died on Oct. 20 at his London home, according to a statement from his team. Lewis was 62. The cause of his death was not revealed.

"Tony Lewis, singer of the '80s rock band The Outfield, suddenly and unexpectedly passed away," read the statement. "Tony's music touched people around the globe for decades."

"Tony Lewis's legacy will live on forever through his beautiful family and his legendary music," the statement later read. "The family requests their privacy during this difficult time."

Lewis is survived by his wife of 35 years Carol, his two daughters Gemma and Rosie and three grandchildren.

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Doreen Montalvo

The Broadway actress died on Oct. 17 at the age of 56.

Montalvo's manager, Steve Maihack, confirmed the news in a statement on Instagram. Her cause of death was unclear, though Playbill reported she was suffering a "sudden ailment".

Montalvo was part of the original Broadway cast of 2008's In the Heights. She also notably starred in the musical, On Your Feet, and has made several guest appearances on TV shows like Law & Order, Madam Secretary and The Good Wife.

She will now appear posthumously in the film adaptations of In the Heights and West Side Story, which were both slated to debut earlier this year before the ongoing coronavirus pandemic postponed their premieres until 2021.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, who created and starred in In the Heights before creating his acclaimed musical Hamilton, mourned his costar on social media after learning about her death.

Miranda tweeted of Montalvo, "Everyone who met Doreen became her new friend. She held her friends so dearly and easily. You'd go to her cabaret show and see people YOU hadn't seen in years; but Doreen stayed in touch. Everyone stayed in touch with Doreen."

He added, "It is monstrously unfair that we did not get more time with her. More shows with her. More music with her. More life with her. When someone brings that much joy and love to everyone they meet, that much commitment to the craft they love ... it's unfair. And heartbreaking."

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James Redford

The filmmaker, activist and son of actor Robert Redford, died on Oct. 16. He was 58. James' wife, Kyle, confirmed the news on her Twitter account, sharing several photos of her husband and their family.

"James died today. We're heartbroken. He lived a beautiful, impactful life & was loved by many," Kyle tweeted. "As his wife of 32 yrs, I'm most grateful for the two spectacular children we raised together."

She added, "I don't know what we would've done w/o them over the past 2 yrs."

On Oct. 19, Kyle told The Salt Lake Tribune that James died from bile-duct cancer in his liver. Kyle said her husband's liver disease had returned two years ago and that the cancer was discovered last November while he was awaiting a liver transplant.

James is survived by his wife, Kyle, and their two children, Dylan and Lena.

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Paul Matters

The former AC/DC bassist has died.

Matters — who played bass for the famed rock band in their early years — died on Oct. 14, according to a Facebook post from his friend, Rod Wescombe. Neither the cause of death or Matters' exact age at the time of his death was mentioned in the announcement.

"Shocked and sad to hear of the passing of Paul Matters," Wescombe began his post before he detailed his friendship with the rocker, noting they first met in 1973 before they played together in "a one-off band" later on.

"I moved to Sunshine on the lake further south and Paul would drop in to chill whenever he was in the area," he added. "I recall he could always make me laugh when he was in the mood. After leaving New South Wales I lost contact with him as did many other people over the years."

Concluding his message, Wescombe wrote that Matters "lived a reclusive life in his later years" and that his "early rock n' roll life style [sic] led to ailing health."

"He will be missed by all who knew him. R.I.P. Mr. Paul Matters," he ended his message alongside a guitar emoji.

Reps for AC/DC could not be reached for comment.

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Vaughn McClure

The ESPN reporter died at his home near Atlanta, Georgia, ESPN announced on Oct. 15. The reporter's cause of death was not revealed.

McClure covered the NFL for ESPN, and was a beat reporter for the Atlanta Falcons, contributing to both TV and radio coverage of the team, including their appearance at the Super Bowl in 2017.

"We all loved Vaughn. He had a heart of gold. He was so helpful to our reporters," said ESPN's senior deputy editor for digital NFL coverage John Pluym in a statement. "In the last few hours, we've heard so many stories about how Vaughn had helped them with a story or how he put in a good word for them with a coach or player."

"Talking to Vaughn on the phone was always a joy. I loved how you could just sense the excitement in his voice for being able to cover the Falcons for ESPN," Pluym added. "We will all miss him greatly. And I'll end this the way Vaughn ended every phone call with a colleague: 'Appreciate you. Love you.' We all loved him, too."

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Conchata Ferrell

The Two and a Half Men star died on Oct. 12 due to complications following a cardiac arrest, according to Deadline. She was surrounded by family at Sherman Oaks Hospital in Sherman Oaks, California, at the time of her death. She was 77 years old.

Her death comes about five months after she suffered a heart attack. Her husband Arnie Anderson told TMZ that the actress was hospitalized in May after feeling ill. She spent more than four weeks in the intensive care unit and went into cardiac arrest at one point, which Anderson said lasted for about 10 minutes.

Anderson told TMZ that while he spoke with his wife's nurse frequently, he wasn't able to visit her at the time due to coronavirus guidelines. (Ferrell had not suffered from the virus, but visitors are being restricted in hospitals and care centers as a precautionary measure.)

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Joe Morgan

The Major League Baseball Hall of Famer died on Oct. 11 at his home in Danville, California, a family spokesperson told the Associated Press. He was 77.

According to the outlet, Morgan, a two-time MVP and 10-time All-Star second baseman for the Cincinnati Reds, was suffering from a nerve condition, a form of polyneuropathy.

"The Reds family is heartbroken," CEO Bob Castellini said in a statement on Twitter. "He had a lifelong loyalty and dedication to this organization that extended to our current team and front office staff. As a cornerstone on one of the greatest teams in baseball history, his contributions to this franchise will live forever. Our hearts ache for his Big Red Machine teammates."

Morgan's 22-year career in the MLB began in 1963 with the Houston Colt .45s and Astros for nine seasons before he was traded to the Reds in 1971, according to the Hall of Fame website.

He was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 1987 and to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990. His jersey No. 8 was retired.

He is survived by his wife Theresa, their twin daughters Kelly and Ashley, and his daughters Lisa and Angela from his first marriage to Gloria Morgan, the AP reported.

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Whitey Ford

Edward Charles "Whitey" Ford — the legendary New York Yankees pitcher who won more World Series games than any other pitcher — has died, the MLB team announced on Oct. 9.

The Yankees' all-time wins leader died at his Long Island home on Oct 8, according to the Associated Press. Ford's cause of death was unknown.

"The Yankees are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Hall of Famer Whitey Ford," the team said in a statement. "Whitey spent his entire 16-year career as a Yankee. A 6x WS Champion and 10x All-Star, The Chairman of the Board was one of the best lefties to ever toe the rubber. He will be deeply missed."

Ford signed with the Yankees shortly before the 1947 season and was given the nickname "Whitey" by teammate Lefty Gomez for his white-blonde hair. He spent his entire career with the team, debuting in 1950 and retiring in 1967 at the age of 38.

Ford is survived by his wife Joan and their two children Eddie and Sally Ann, MLB.com said.

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Desiree S. Anzalone

Desiree S. Anzalone. Desiree Anzalone/Instagram

Anzalone, who was the only great-granddaughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz Sr., died on Sept. 27 at Smilow Center in Connecticut, PEOPLE confirms, following a battle with stage 4 breast cancer. She was 31.

Desiree was first diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer at the age of 25. After undergoing chemotherapy, she ultimately decided to get a double mastectomy. Although she was in remission for a period of time, she learned two years ago that her cancer had returned as stage 4 and had spread to her liver, lungs and bones.

Desiree is survived by her father, Mario, and his wife, Nancy; her mother, Julia, and her husband, Halbert Massey; her maternal grandmother, Susan Callahan Howe; grandfather Desi Jr.; paternal grandmother, Carol Anzalone; paternal great-grandmother, Marjorie Broadhurst; stepbrothers Sammy and Joe, and AJ and Nick; and her fiancé and caregiver, Chris Reynolds.

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Tom Kennedy

Longtime television game show host Tom Kennedy — who hosted popular shows like You Don't Say!, Password Plus, Dr. I.Q. and Name That Tune, among others — died on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at his home in Oxnard, California, friend Steve Beverly confirmed on Facebook.

"Tom had not been well in recent months but remained in communication with his family and close friends," wrote Beverly on Oct. 11.

Kennedy, along with his brother, fellow game show host Jack Narz, was honored with the Game Show Congress' Bill Cullen award for lifetime achievement back in 2005. He hosted more than 15 television shows and worked as an actor in TV guest roles and stage productions.

Kennedy is survived by his children, Linda, James Jr. and Courtney, as well as daughter-in-law Linda, granddaughter Abigail, and his sister.

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Anthony Galindo Ibarra

Venezuelan singer, model and former Menudo band member Anthony Galindo Ibarra, famously known as El Papi Joe, has died. He was 41 years old.

His death follows a suicide attempt on Sunday, Sept. 27, his family confirmed in a statement.

"It is with deep pain that we want to inform you that today, Saturday, Oct. 3, at 3:43 in the afternoon, our dear Anthony Galindo has passed away after 6 days where the doctors did what was humanly possible to save his life," the family said in a statement shared on the singer's Instagram.

It continued: "We thank you for all the prayers and support in these difficult times for our family and for so many people who had the opportunity to meet him personally and as an artist."

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help pay for funeral expenses.

The late singer is survived by his wife Dayana Maya and daughter Elizabeth Michelle.

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Johnny Nash

The singer-songwriter, who was perhaps best known for the 1972 track "I Can See Clearly Now," died on Oct. 6 at his home in Houston, Texas, his son told CBS Los Angeles. Nash's cause of death was not immediately made public. He was 80 years old.

"I Can See Clearly Now" was a chart-topper, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and selling more than 1 million copies.

The singer is reportedly survived by his wife Carli and son Johnny.

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Eddie Van Halen

The co-founder of iconic band Van Halen died on Oct. 6 after fighting throat cancer, his son Wolf confirmed on Twitter. He was 65.

"I can't believe I'm having to write this, but my father, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, has lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning," he wrote on Twitter. "He was the best father I could ask for. Every moment I've shared with him on and off stage was a gift."

"My heart is broken and I don't think I'll ever recover from this loss," he added. "I love you so much, Pop."

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Clark Middleton

The actor, best known for his roles on The Blacklist and Showtime's Twin Peaks revival, has died. He was 63.

Middleton died in his L.A. home on Oct. 4 as a result of the West Nile Virus, according to his wife Elissa.

"With heavy hearts we announce the passing of a life eminently worthy of celebration: Clark Tinsley Middleton, 63 — beloved actor, writer, director, teacher, hero, husband, beacon, friend," she said in a statement, Variety reported. "Clark transitioned on October 4th as a result of West Nile Virus, for which there is no known cure. Clark was a beautiful soul who spent a lifetime defying limits and advocating for people with disabilities."

West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne disease with no vaccine or treatment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most people infected with West Nile Virus do not feel sick, though one in five people who contract the disease develop symptoms and about one in 150 people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.

Middleton is survived by his wife, his brother and his mother, according to Variety.

The Arthritis Foundation has set up a memorial fund in his honor.

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Kenzo Takada

The Japanese designer died in Paris from coronavirus complications, his spokesperson told Agence France Presse. He was 81.

The founder of the global Kenzo brand was the first Japanese designer to make his mark in Paris. Kenzo's designs accentuated his love of graphics and large floral prints. After a nearly 30-year career in France, he sold his eponymous fashion house to LVMH in 1993 and retired from fashion six years later.

Last January, he returned with the launch of a homewares brand. The move came over 50 years after he first launched Jungle Jam, which became known simply as Kenzo.

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Bob Gibson

The legendary pitcher died on Oct. 2, the MLB confirmed on Twitter. He was 84.

The former St. Louis Cardinals player announced last year that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Gibson, born in Nebraska in 1935 as the youngest of seven, first joined the Cardinals in 1959 after initially playing basketball with the Harlem Globetrotters and then deciding on a sport change. He remained with the St. Louis team until his retirement in 1975.

The athlete overcame several health struggles in his childhood before embarking on his career in sports, including asthma, rickets and a heart murmur, according to the MLB. Later, he attended Omaha's Creighton University and became the school's first Black baseball player and basketball player.

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DJ Cookie Monsta

DJ Cookie Monsta has died, his label Circus Records announced on Twitter on Oct. 2. The dubstep DJ, born Tony Cook, was 31.

"Our beloved Tony Cook (aka Cookie Monsta) has left us," the label wrote. "We are devastated, no words can contain our feelings on such a day."

"All of our thoughts go to Tony's family, friends and our heart especially goes out to Tony's son Olly, the Mini Monsta," they continued. "The world will miss you Cookie, we will miss you brother."

The label then added that they will not be commenting further "out of respect for Tony's family." Cook's cause of death has not been revealed.

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Archie Lyndhurst

The star of CBBC series So Awkward and the son of English actor Nicholas Lyndhurst has died. He was 19.

His death was confirmed by the network, which said in a statement on Oct. 1, "We're so sorry to have to tell you that Archie Lyndhurst, who so brilliantly played Ollie in So Awkward on CBBC, has very sadly died after a short illness. Archie will be hugely missed by all who worked with him, and by all the fans who laughed along with Ollie in the show."

Nicholas and his wife said in a statement to PEOPLE: "Lucy and I are utterly grief stricken and respectfully request privacy."

In addition to his work on So Awkward, Archie also provided his voice to the video game Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward and played a younger version of Jack Whitehall's character in the BBC comedy Bad Education.

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Bonni Lou Kern

Bonni Lou Kern, one of the original Mouseketeers on The Mickey Mouse Club, has died. She was 79.

The TV star died on Sept. 28 in an assisted living facility in Wooster, Ohio, according to her obituary. She was with her beloved cat of 19 years, JoJo.

Born in 1941 In Alhambra, California, Kern rose to fame when she appeared as a Mouseketeer in Disney's The Wonder Mouseketeers!

At just 14 years old, Kern starred in the inaugural episode — titled "Save Bonni Lour Kern!" — in which her fellow Mouseketeers try to rescue her from a fishing net. She went on to appear in the spinoff film Save the Wonder Mouseketeers!

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Helen Reddy

The hitmaker behind the feminist anthem "I Am Woman" died on Sept. 29 in Los Angeles. She was 78.

The singer's children Traci Donat and Jordan Sommers confirmed Reddy's death on her official fan page, writing it was with ″deep sadness″ that they announced the news.

″She was a wonderful Mother, Grandmother and a truly formidable woman. Our hearts are broken. But we take comfort in the knowledge that her voice will live on forever,″ the statement said.

The Australian-born singer released the pro-feminist track ″I Am Woman" in 1971, which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart the following year and became an unofficial anthem for the women's rights movement in the 1970s. She followed that up with popular tracks including ″Delta Dawn,″ ″Angie Baby,″ and ″Ain't No Way to Treat a Lady."

The Grammy winner's life was recently honored in the biopic I Am Woman, starring Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Danielle Macdonald and Evan Peters,

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Mac Davis

The country music legend died on Sept. 29 following complications after a serious heart procedure. He was 78.

The Country Music Association confirmed the sad news in a press release.

The day before his death, Davis's family revealed that he was critically ill. ″We are sorry to report that legendary singer/songwriter Mac Davis is critically ill following heart surgery in Nashville,″ his family announced in a brief statement on Twitter. ″Your love and prayers will be deeply appreciated at this time.″

After beginning his career as a songwriter for Elvis Presley, the singer-songwriter amassed several hit singles and notable accolades of his own including "Baby Don't Get Hooked on Me" and "Stop and Smell the Roses."

He was named ACM Entertainer of the Year in 1974 and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 2000. Not long after in 2006, he was inducted into the National Songwriters Hall of Fame.

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Jay Johnstone

The former Major League Baseball player died on Sept. 26 following complications from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), his daughter, Mary Jayne Sarah Johnstone, told the Associated Press. He was 74.

″COVID was the one thing he couldn't fight,″ Mary said, adding that her father died at a nursing home in Granada Hills. ″It's really kind of shocking.″

Johnstone played on the New York Yankees from 1978 to 1979, followed by a brief stint on the San Diego Padres before heading to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1980. In 1982, Johnstone was traded to the Chicago Cubs before returning to the Dodgers in 1985.

He also spent time on the California Angels, Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics and Philadelphia Phillies throughout his decades-long career. He worked as a radio commentator for the Yankees and Phillies after retiring.

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Yuko Takeuchi

Takeuchi Yuko. Visual China Group via Getty Images

The actress was found dead at her Tokyo apartment on the morning of Sept. 27, according to Deadline. She was then transported to a local hospital where she was confirmed dead, reported The Japan Times. Takeuchi was 40 years old.

Although Takeuchi did not leave a note, her death is presumed a suicide, according to Variety. She is survived by her husband, actor Nakabayashi Taiki, as well as two children.

"It came all of a sudden, and we are all stunned and saddened by the news," Takeuchi's talent agency, Stardust Promotion Inc., said in a statement to The Japan Times.

Stardust Promotions Inc. has not responded to PEOPLE's request for comment.

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Keith Hufnagel

After a two-and-a-half-year battle with brain cancer, Hufnagel, the legendary skateboarder and founder of HUF Worldwide, has died. He was 46.

HUF Worldwide announced the news in a statement on Instagram on Sept. 24. "Though he beat the odds and fought back much longer than his diagnosis permitted, he ultimately and unfortunately lost the fight," the statement read.

"Keith was not only the 'HUF'nagel in HUF. He was the heart and soul of this brand. He built and brought together a community of people like no one else could," the statement continued, saying that the star "paved the way for all of us — as a respected professional skateboarder, shop owner, brand founder, footwear and apparel designer, creative director, and industry leader. He showed us how to do it, and how do it right."

The statement concluded by saying that Hufnagel's "legacy will continue to live on at HUF. Today, tomorrow and forever. Rest in peace, Keith."

Hufnagel is survived by his wife Mariellen and their two children.

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Michael Lonsdale

The actor, who portrayed Hugo Drax in the James Bond film Moonraker, has died, his agent told the AFP. He was 89.

Lonsdale was perhaps best known for the 1979 Bond film, as well as his role as detective Claude Lebel in the 1973 film The Day of the Jackal.

The star was remembered by the team behind the James Bond franchise, screenwriter Michael G. Wilson and producer Barbara Broccoli on Twitter.

"We are very sad to learn of the passing of Michael Lonsdale, who played Hugo Drax in Moonraker. He was an extraordinarily talented actor and a very dear friend. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time," they said in a statement shared to the James Bond Twitter account on Sept. 22.

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Pamela Hutchinson

The Emotions' singer has died at 61.

On the morning of Sept. 20, the soul group announced on Facebook that Hutchinson had died the Friday prior after battling health challenges for several years.

"In loving memory, we are saddened to announce the passing of our sister, Pamela Rose Hutchinson, on Friday, September 18, 2020," the group — now comprising sisters Wanda and Sheila — wrote. "Pam succumbed to health challenges that she'd been battling for several years. Now our beautiful sister will sing amongst the angels in heaven in perfect peace."

"During this time, the family kindly asks for fans and friends to respect our privacy," the announcement continued. "We appreciate all kind words, photos, and videos you may want to post for our beloved Pamela and of course your loving prayers. A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered. We love you, Pamela!"

The Emotions has always been comprised of the Hutchinson sisters, but Pamela replaced older sister Jeanette when she left the group.

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Christopher 'Kentucky' Ellis

The Street Outlaws star has died at the age of 39. He was found dead at his home in Oklahoma City on Sept. 9.

Authorities discovered Ellis in his home surrounded by a liquor bottle and a syringe "with a small amount of dark liquid inside it consistent with heroin," an incident report obtained by PEOPLE said.

Ellis' roommate and two friends told police that they had not heard from him for two days, according to the report. The roommate told authorities that he had previously tried checking up on Ellis, but his door was closed and locked.

The two friends told police that they were aware Ellis had struggled with alcohol and drug use, the report said.

Police said that foul play was not suspected and that the medical examiner responded to the scene.

TMZ was the first to report the news of Ellis' death. An initial autopsy was inconclusive and a toxicology report is pending, TMZ reported.

A spokesperson for the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

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Sei Ashina

The Japanese actress, known for her role in 2007's Silk, was found dead in her Tokyo apartment on Sept. 14, her management company confirmed in a statement. She was 36.

Ashina's death was confirmed to be an apparent suicide by Tokyo police, according to Variety. The outlet reported she was discovered by her brother after she stopped responding to messages and phone calls.

Ashina, who began her career as a model, first began acting in 2002, with the series The Talk of Happiness, known as Shiawase no Shippo, in Japan. She continued to land roles in a number of Japanese films and TV shows, including Yae's Sakura and the police drama Aibo.

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Toots Hibbert

The reggae icon has died. He was 77.

Hibbert died in Jamaica on Sept. 11, according to a statement released on social media by his band, Toots and The Maytals.

"It is with the heaviest of hearts to announce that Frederick Nathaniel 'Toots' Hibbert passed away peacefully tonight, surrounded by his family at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica," the statement read, which noted that Hibbert, the frontman of the group, is survived by his wife of 39 years, Miss D, and their children.

Although a cause of death has not yet been revealed, the band tweeted on Aug. 31 to confirm reports that the singer was in an intensive care unit awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test. Several days later, they shared that he was still receiving care at the hospital but was in "stable condition."

Hibbert is widely credited as a pioneer for the reggae genre — his 1986 song, "Do the Reggay," is even said to be the origin of the genre's name. Some of his other hits include "Pressure Drop," "Monkey Man" and "Funky Kingston."

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Stevie Lee

The Professional wrestler, who went by the name Puppet The Psycho Dwarf in the ring, has died. He was 54.

Lee's family confirmed the news on a GoFundMe page, revealing that the athlete "unexpectedly passed away" at his home the morning of Sept. 9.

"He was beloved by many and has many friends that were family, fans that adored him, but only his brother Jim left to take care of final arrangements," the statement read. "Puppet has put smiles across the world with his hardcore attitude and lifestyle."

Donations from the GoFundMe page will go to Lee's brother, Jim Richardson, for funeral costs.

Lee began his wrestling career on the series NWA: Total Nonstop Action in 2002. He also created the Half-Pint Brawlers organization which earned its own reality series, Half-Pint Brawlers, on Spike TV in 2010, according to Deadline.

"He is a legend in the art of Midget Wrestling," the GoFundMe page read. "He needs our help to give him one last curtain call."

Born Stevie Lee Richardson, the wrestler also appeared as himself in Johnny Knoxville's 2010 film, Jackass 3D. He also had credits in Oz the Great and Powerful and American Horror Story: Freak Show.

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Aaron Grissom

The chef, who competed on the 12th season of Top Chef, has died at the age of 34.

Grisson passed away on Sept. 8 after suffering "multiple blunt force injuries" in a traffic accident, according to the Pierce County medical examiner. His death was ruled as an accident.

He was involved in a motorcycle accident near Chambers Bay in Washington, Yu Nanakornphanom, who owned Moshi Moshi ramen bar where Grissom previously worked as head chef, told The News Tribune.

Grissom had selflessly given his kidney to Nanakornphanom when the restaurant first opened, the eatery owner told the paper.

"Bravo and the Top Chef family are saddened to learn about the passing of Chef Aaron Grissom from Season 12: Boston," a representative for the network told PEOPLE in a statement. "Our deepest sympathy goes out to his family and friends."

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Diana Rigg

The award-winning British actress died on Sept. 10. She was 82.

"She died peacefully early this morning," her agent told the BBC. "She was at home with her family who have asked for privacy at this difficult time."

Rigg was catapulted to fame as the witty, seductive spy Emma Peel on the British cult series The Avengers in the 1960s, which earned her two Emmy nominations. She gained a new legion of fans decades later as the brilliantly wicked Lady Olenna Tyrell on HBO's Game of Thrones from 2013 to 2017, which earned her Emmy nominations in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Rigg also played Bond girl Tracy Draco in 1969's On Her Majesty's Secret Service, the first and only appearance of George Lazenby as 007. Rigg's character was the only Bond girl ever to marry the spy but was promptly killed off in the movie's finale.

Rigg was diagnosed with cancer in March, her daughter Rachael Stirling told The Hollywood Reporter. Stirling told the outlet she "spent her last months joyfully reflecting on her extraordinary life, full of love, laughter and a deep pride in her profession."

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Xavier Ortiz

Xavier Ortiz, a former member of Mexican group Garibaldi, died on Sept. 7. He was 48.

Ortiz's Garibaldi bandmate Sergio Mayer tweeted the news of his death. Hours later, Mexican newspaper Reforma reported that Ortiz died by suicide at his Guadalajara, Jalisco home.

"With profound sadness and great pain, I inform you of the death of my loved brother and great bandmate of the Garibaldi group and actor, Xavier Ortiz," wrote Mayer on Twitter. "My sincere condolences to his family, friends and the artistic community."

Ortiz was one of the original members of Garibaldi, whose lineup comprised of Ortiz, Mayer, Paty Manterola, Charlie López, Pilar Montenegro, Luisa Fernanda Lozano, Katia Llamos and Victor Noriega. The group rose to fame in the early '90s.

Following his work with the group, Ortiz went on to act in several telenovelas, in the 2005 film Journey from the Fall and in the theater with Aventurera.

He shared an 8-year-old son named Xavi with ex-wife Carisa de León, to whom he was married for four years.

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Lou Brock

The St. Louis Cardinals legend and two-time World Series champion died on Sept. 6 at age 81.

Brock was known as "baseball's most dangerous player for more than a decade" during his tenure with the Cardinals during the 1960s and '70s, according to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He helped the Cardinals win World Series titles in 1964 and 1967, and enjoyed a storied career in the MLB that lasted until his retirement in 1979.

"Lou was among the game's most exciting players, becoming the 14th player in history to reach 3,000 hits and holding Baseball's all-time record for stolen bases in a season and career for many years," MLB commissioner Robert Manfred Jr. said in a statement. "He was known for his dominant performances in his three career World Series. Lou was an outstanding representative of our National Pastime and he will be deeply missed."

A cause of death for Brock has not yet been publicly announced.

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Kevin Dobson

The actor, known for his roles on the 1970s series Kojak and the 1980s series Knot's Landing, died on Sept. 6 from "medical complications," the United Veteran's Council of San Joaquin County, of which Dobson was former chairman, said in a Facebook post. He was 77.

"The United Veterans Council regrets to inform you that our former Chairman and Army Veteran Kevin Dobson passed away this evening Sunday September 6th, 2020 due to medical complications," the statement said. "Our condolences to his family and May he Rest In Peace."

The following day, the council shared another tribute to Dobson, including several photos from throughout his career.

"Army Veteran, Veterans Rights Activist, Film and Television Actor Kevin Dobson has passed away. He was 77 Years Old. Condolences to the entire family. Rest In Peace..." the post said.

Dobson is survived by his wife Susan, children Mariah, Patrick and Sean, and several grandchildren.

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Bruce Williamson

The Temptations' former lead singer died on Sept. 6 at his Las Vegas home after battling coronavirus, TMZ reported. He was 49.

"There's no words in the world that can express how I feel right now," his son Bruce wrote on Facebook. "I love you Daddy thank you for being awesome thank you for being loving thank you for being Who You Are I pray to God and we will meet again, I love you Daddy R.I.H KING WILLIAMSON."

The singer joined The Temptations in 2006 and continued with the group through 2015. After leaving the group, Williamson sang soul music. He was set to perform on Sept. 12 at a pay-per-view concert.

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Cliff Robinson

The All-Star athlete known as "Uncle Cliffy," who played 18 seasons in the NBA, has died at the age of 53. A cause of death was not immediately released.

Robinson played for the Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors and the New Jersey Nets. The forward/center was named to the All-Star game in 1994 and won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1993.

The 6'10" star is an alumnus of the University of Connecticut. After college, he was a second-round draft pick for the Blazers.

After retiring in 2007, Robinson remained in the public eye and traveled to the Philippines to compete on Survivor: Cagayan in 2013.

Robinson is survived by his wife of 17 years, Heather, and a son, Isaiah.

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Chadwick Boseman

Boseman died on Aug. 28.

"Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and battled with it these last 4 years as it progressed to stage IV," his family confirmed on social media.

"A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much. From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and several more, all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy," they said.⁣ "It was the honor of his career to bring King T'Challa to life in Black Panther. ⁣He died in his home, with his wife and family by his side."

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Justin Townes Earle

Singer Justin Townes Earle, who was the son of singer Steve Earle, died on Aug. 23 at 38 years old. His cause of death was not made immediately known.

Earle's family confirmed his death in a statement on Instagram and Facebook, sharing, "It is with tremendous sadness that we inform you of the passing of our son, husband, father and friend Justin."

"So many of you have relied on his music and lyrics over the years and we hope that his music will continue to guide you on your journeys. You will be missed dearly Justin 💔," the family said.

The statement concluded with a lyric from Earle's 2014 song "Looking for a Place to Land" from his Absent Fathers record: "I've crossed oceans/ Fought freezing rain and blowing sand/ I've crossed lines and roads and wondering rivers/ Just looking for a place to land."

Earle is survived by his wife, Jenn Marie and their 3-year-old daughter Etta St. James.

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Jack Sherman

Jack Sherman, an early guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, has died. He was 64, and a cause of death has not been determined.

"We of the RHCP family would like to wish Jack Sherman smooth sailing into the worlds beyond, for he has passed," the group wrote in a statement posted on Instagram on Aug. 22.

"Jack played on our debut album as well as our first tour of the USA. He was a unique dude and we thank him for all times good, bad and in between. Peace on the boogie platform," they added.

Sherman also worked as a session musician for Bob Dylan, Tonio K and George Clinton, over the course of his career, Deadline reported.

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Frankie Banali

Frankie Banali, drummer for the band Quiet Riot, died on Aug. 20 in Los Angeles after battling stage four pancreatic cancer since April 2019, his wife Regina said in a statement. He was 69.

"He put up an inspiringly brave and courageous 16-month battle to the end and continued playing live as long as he could," she wrote, adding that at the time of his diagnosis, doctors only gave him six months to live.

"He lived for playing live and performed for millions of fans around the world throughout his career," she wrote. "His wish for everyone is that you be your own health advocate for early detection so you may live long and rescue many animals."

The drummer was the only remaining member of Quiet Riot's original 1982 lineup. The band reunited in 2010, three years after the death of vocalist Kevin DuBrow in 2007 of a cocaine overdose. Banali also served as the band's manager and played drums in the heavy metal band W.A.S.P.

Banali is survived by his wife Regina and his daughter Ashley.

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Chi Chi DeVayne

The RuPaul's Drag Race star has died. She was 34.

DeVayne's death, which was confirmed by Entertainment Weekly, comes after she was recently hospitalized. Her cause of death is not immediately clear at this time.

In early August, DeVayne asked her fans on Instagram to "keep me in your prayers" following her hospitalization, EW reported. In July, the star was hospitalized with high blood pressure and suspected kidney failure, but she was later discharged, according to the outlet.

A week ago, fans began to flood the comments section of DeVayne's Instagram, saying the star was "battling pneumonia right now."

Since news of her death broke, RuPaul and DeVayne's fellow Drag Race alums have paid tribute to her on social media.

"I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of Chi Chi DeVayne. I am so grateful that we got to experience her kind and beautiful soul. She will be dearly missed, but never forgotten. May her generous and loving spirit shine down on us all," RuPaul said in a tweet posted to the RuPaul's Drag Race Twitter account. "On behalf of VH1, World of Wonder and the cast and crew of RuPaul's Drag Race, I extend my deepest sympathy - from our family to hers."

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Todd Nance

Nance, Widespread Panic's founding drummer, has died. He was 57.

The drummer died the morning of Aug. 19 in Athens, Georgia, "from sudden and unexpectedly severe complications of a chronic illness," his family said in a statement on the band's website.

The family said that a memorial service is not being planned at this time, but that more information will be provided at a later time "as decisions are made regarding the best way to honor Todd's extraordinary life and career."

"The Nance family appreciates the love and support of all and requests that their privacy be honored during this hard time," the statement concluded.

"With heavy hearts and loving memories we say goodbye to our brother Todd Alton Nance," said a statement attributed to the "Widespread Panic Family."

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Ben Cross

The actor, known for his role as Olympic athlete Harold Abrahams in the 1981 film Chariots of Fire, has died, PEOPLE has confirmed. He was 72.

Cross died the morning of Aug. 18 in Vienna, Austria, according to multiple reports. The actor had a long career working in theater and film, studying acting at London's prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) and going on to make his film debut in the 1976 World War II film A Bridge Too Far.

In 1978, Cross starred in the musical Chicago, playing Billy Flynn. The part led to his casting in Chariots of Fire which won the Oscar for Best Picture.

Cross is survived by his two children, Theo and Lauren, from his first marriage.

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Linda Manz

Linda Manz, known for her performances in films like Days of Heaven and Out of the Blue died on Aug. 14 after a battle with lung cancer and pneumonia. She was 58.

Manz's first movie role came when she was 15 in the 1978 drama Days of Heaven, directed by Terrence Malick and also starring Richard Gere, Brooke Adams and Sam Shepard. She went on to appear in films like The Wanderers (1979), Out of the Blue (1980), Gummo (1997) and had a final supporting role in David Fincher's The Game.

"She leaves behind a husband, two sons and three grandchildren who all love and miss her tremendously," her family said on a GoFundMe page established by her son Michael Guthrie. "Linda was a loving wife, a caring mom, a wonderful grandma and a great friend who was loved by many."

The page is raising money to cover her final expenses.

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Ash Christian

Emmy and Tony Award-winning producer, actor and founder of Cranium Entertainment, died on Aug. 13. He was 35.

The late producer ran his own New York-based production company where he produced numerous films including 1985, Hurricane Bianca, Little Sister and Coin Heist. His credits as an actor included roles on Cleaners, The Good Wife, The Good Fight, Law & Order and Person of Interest.

Christian was listed as a producer on numerous projects currently in production including As Sick As They Made Us, Mayim Bialik's directorial debut starring Dustin Hoffman, and The Sixth Reel, starring Charles Busch and Doug Plaut, per his IMDB page.

Christian died in his sleep on Thursday while vacationing in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, according to The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline.

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Reni Santoni

Reni Santoni, the actor best known for his roles in Dirty Harry and Seinfeld's Poppie the pizza chef, died on Aug. 1 from natural causes. He was 81.

Santoni had spent several months in hospice care in Los Angeles, his friend Tracy Newman, a musician and TV writer and producer, told PEOPLE.

Santoni had over 100 movie credits listed on IMDb at the time of his death, including roles in Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry (1971), Eddie Murphy's Doctor Dolittle (1998) and Sylvester Stallone's Cobra (1986).

Santoni is survived by his son, Nick, according to The Wrap.

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Olivia de Havilland

The Gone with the Wind star died in her sleep at home in Paris on July 25. She was 104.

Less than a month before her death, de Havilland, who had been the oldest surviving star of the controversial 1939 film, which also starred Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable, celebrated her birthday on July 1.

The Hollywood legend was a two-time winner of the Academy Award for Best Actress: 1946's To Each His Own and 1950's The Heiress.

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Regis Philbin

The beloved TV host died on July 24. "We are deeply saddened to share that our beloved Regis Philbin passed away last night of natural causes, one month shy of his 89th birthday," his family shared with PEOPLE in an exclusive statement.

"His family and friends are forever grateful for the time we got to spend with him — for his warmth, his legendary sense of humor, and his singular ability to make every day into something worth talking about. We thank his fans and admirers for their incredible support over his 60-year career and ask for privacy as we mourn his loss," the Philbin family said.

The star began his run as host of Live! with co-hosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Kelly Ripa, and also served as the original host of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

Philbin, who was married twice, is survived by daughters J.J. Philbin and Joanna Philbin, whom he shared with his wife of 50 years, Joy Philbin. He was also father to daughter Amy Philbin, whom he shared with his first wife Catherine Faylen. Philbin and Faylen had another child, son Daniel Philbin, who died in 2014.

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Peter Green

The singer-songwriter, guitarist and founding member of Fleetwood Mac died at the age of 73. Green's family announced through lawyers that the musician died "peacefully in his sleep."

Stevie Nicks paid tribute to Green after news of his death. "I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Peter Green. 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," Nicks said in a statement, obtained by PEOPLE.

"When I first listened to all the Fleetwood Mac records, I was very taken with his guitar playing. It was one of the reasons I was excited to join the band. His legacy will live on forever in the history books of Rock n Roll. It was in the beginning, Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac and I thank you, Peter Green, for that. You changed our lives," she said.

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Rep. John Lewis

The longtime Congressman and renowned civil rights activist died on July 17. He was 80 years old.

The politician was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in December 2019.

"The world has lost a legend; the civil rights movement has lost an icon, the City of Atlanta has lost one of its most fearless leaders, and the Congressional Black Caucus has lost our longest serving member. The Congressional Black Caucus is known as the Conscience of the Congress. John Lewis was known as the conscience of our caucus," the Congressional Black Caucus said in a statement. "A fighter for justice until the end, Mr. Lewis recently visited Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington D.C. His mere presence encouraged a new generation of activists to 'speak up and speak out' and get into 'good trouble' to continue bending the arc toward justice and freedom."

Lewis dedicated his life to protecting human rights and was at the forefront of the civil rights movement, named one of the movement's Big Six leaders by age 23.

Since being elected to Congress in 1986, Lewis advocated for healthcare reform, improvements in education and the fight against poverty. He also oversaw multiple renewals of the Voting Rights Act.

Former President Barack Obama awarded Lewis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his life's work in 2011.

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Rev. C.T. Vivian

The civil rights leader and field general for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. died on July 17 at the age of 95.

Two of Vivian's daughters, Kira Vivian and Denise Morse, confirmed their father's death to The New York Times, sharing that he had been in hospice care. News of his death broke just hours before that of his fellow Freedom Rider, Rep. John Lewis.

Born in Missouri and raised in Illinois, Vivian took part in his first civil rights protest in 1947 and went on to lead sit-ins, boycotts and marches in segregated cities across the country.

From 1963 through 1966, Vivian served as the national director of 85 local chapters of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a civil rights organization first led by Dr. King.

Vivian was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013.

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Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya

The Olympic figure skater died at the age of 20, the International Skating Union confirmed on July 17.

The Russian athlete died in Moscow, though additional details of her death were not immediately known, the Associated Press reported.

Born in Russia, Alexandrovskaya gained Australian citizenship in 2016, and competed for the country alongside skating partner Harley Windsor at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics and placed 18th. The pair won the world junior title the year before. In February, she retired from the sport due to injuries.

"The ISU is shocked by the news of Ekaterina's passing," President Jan Dijkema said in a statement on ISU's website. "She was a talented pair skater and the Figure Skating community will miss her. We offer our deepest sympathies to her family, friends and teammates and mourn this tragic loss."

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Naya Rivera

The Glee star was reported missing on July 8 after an outing to Lake Piru in Ventura County, California. Rivera and her 4-year-old son, Josey Dorsey, rented a pontoon boat, and when the boat was overdue to be returned, staff found it with Josey wearing a life jacket, sleeping alone on board.

Five days after her disappearance, Naya Rivera was confirmed dead. She was 33.

"We are confident the body we found is that of Naya Rivera," Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub said in a news conference on July 13. "It has been an extremely difficult time for her family throughout this ordeal ... our hearts are with them and we share in their grief for Naya's loss."

"[Josey] and Naya swam in the lake together," Ayub said. "It was during that time that her son described being helped onto the boat by Naya. He told investigators he looked back and saw her disappear under the surface of the water."

Later, he added, "We believe that she mustered enough energy to get her son back on the boat, but not enough to save herself."

The California native started her Hollywood career at age 4, finding her first recurring role on the CBS sitcom The Royal Family. Rivera also made appearances on shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Family Matters and The Bernie Mac Show. She played Santana Lopez on Glee and appeared in nearly every episode of the musical comedy's six seasons. Most recently, the actress starred in the series Step Up: High Water.

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Grant Imahara

Grant Imahara, a former cohost of Discovery's MythBusters and host of White Rabbit Project on Netflix, "died suddenly," The Hollywood Reporter reported. The cause of death was determined to be a brain aneurysm.

Imahara was previously an engineer at the THX division of Lucasfilm, before moving on to Lucasfilm's Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), where he worked on films such as The Lost World: Jurassic Park, all three Star Wars prequels, both sequels to The Matrix and more.

Imahara joined MythBusters on season 3, leaving the show in 2014 with co-hosts Kari Byron and Tory Belleci. The trio later teamed up to host Netflix's 2016 show, White Rabbit Project.

"We are heartbroken to hear this sad news about Grant. He was an important part of our Discovery family and a really wonderful man. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family," a representative for Discovery said in a statement to the outlet on Monday.

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Kelly Preston

Party In Honour Of John Travolta's Receipt Of The Inaugural Variety Cinema Icon Award - The 71st Annual Cannes Film Festival — Kelly Preston. Stephane Cardinale/Corbis/Getty

"On the morning of July 12, 2020, Kelly Preston, adored wife and mother, passed away following a two-year battle with breast cancer," a family representative told PEOPLE exclusively. Preston was 57.

Preston is survived by her husband John Travolta and their children: daughter Ella, 20, and 9-year-old son Benjamin. Son Jett died at age 16 in January 2009.

A representative for the family told PEOPLE, "Choosing to keep her fight private, [Preston] had been undergoing medical treatment for some time, supported by her closest family and friends. She was a bright, beautiful and loving soul who cared deeply about others and who brought life to everything she touched. Her family asks for your understanding of their need for privacy at this time."

The actress starred in films such as Mischief (1985), SpaceCamp (1986), Twins (1988), Jerry Maguire (1996) and For Love of the Game (1999).

Preston's final film role was in the 2018 film Gotti in which she played Victoria Gotti, the wife of Mafia boss John Gotti, who was portrayed by her real-life husband, John Travolta. The pair celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary in September 2019.

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Zindzi Mandela

The South African ambassador to Denmark and youngest daughter of former President Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela died on July 13. She was 59.

CNN reported that Zindzi died at a Johannesburg hospital. Two days later, her son Zondwa Mandela told the South African Broadcasting Corporation that his mother had tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) the day of her death and that the family is awaiting the results of "a complete and full autopsy."

Zindzi was a "fearless political activist who was a leader in her own right," South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement, which was obtained by CNN.

Zindzi also studied law at the University of Cape Town, where she earned a bachelor's degree in 1985. Since 2015, she had served as South Africa's ambassador to Denmark.

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Galyn Görg

Galyn Gorg in 2015. Gabe Ginsberg/FilmMagic

The RoboCop2 actress died on July 14, one day before her 56th birthday.

Sheila Legette, a rep for the actress, confirmed to USA Today that Görg died while being treated for cancer in Hawaii, adding that she had "quietly and privately fought a good fight" during her health struggle.

"Galyn was a beautiful soul who loved life, art, dance and was a phenomenal woman who I called not only a client but a good friend," Legette told the outlet. "She will be missed beyond measure."

According to a GoFundMe page set up by her loved ones, Görg was diagnosed with "cancer throughout her entire body and lungs."

In addition to her role in 1990's RoboCop2, the actress was best known for guest starring on a number of popular TV shows, including Lost, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Twin Peaks and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

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Nicole Thea

YouTube star Nicole Thea, who was pregnant with her first child, died on July 11 at age 24.

Thea's family confirmed the heartbreaking news on Sunday in an Instagram post, and also shared that Thea's unborn son, whom she and her boyfriend Global Boga hoped to name Reign, also died.

"To all Nicole's friends and supporters it is with great sadness that I have to inform you that Nicole and her son she and Boga named Reign sadly passed away on Saturday morning," the family's post read.

Thea's family went on to explain that the YouTube star had "pre-scheduled a few YouTube videos and Boga has made the decision to allow them to be aired."

"As a family we ask that you give us privacy because our hearts are truly broken and we are struggling to cope with what has happened," they said.

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Lil Marlo

Rapper Lil Marlo was fatally shot on July 11 in Atlanta, according to multiple reports.

The Atlanta Police Department said in a statement that around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, they responded to a call about a single vehicle accident on Interstate 285 in downtown Atlanta, and upon arriving they found a "30-year-old driver deceased inside the vehicle," Complex reported.

On Sunday morning, the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed to both NBC News and TMZ that a man named Rudolph Johnson, which is the rapper's real name, had been brought in within the past 24 hours.

Lil Marlo was a member of Quality Control Music since 2017. With the label, he released several projects, including "1st n 3rd," "The Real 1" and "9th Ward God." He also made several appearances on "Quality Control: Control The Streets Vol. 1 and 2."

Lil Marlo is survived by his children, whom he paid tribute to on Father's Day last month with a series of photos and videos on Instagram.

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Nick Cordero

The Broadway star died after a months-long battle with the coronavirus. He was 41.

Cordero, whose Broadway credits include Waitress and Rock of Ages, died on the morning of July 5 at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he had been hospitalized for over 90 days.

He is survived by his wife Amanda Kloots, whom he wed in September 2017, and their 1-year-old son Elvis Eduardo.

"God has another angel in heaven now. My darling husband passed away this morning. He was surrounded in love by his family, singing and praying as he gently left this earth. I am in disbelief and hurting everywhere. My heart is broken as I cannot imagine our lives without him. Nick was such a bright light. He was everyone's friend, loved to listen, help and especially talk. He was an incredible actor and musician. He loved his family and loved being a father and husband. Elvis and I will miss him in everything we do, everyday," she wrote on Instagram.

"To Nicks extraordinary doctor, Dr. David Ng, you were my positive doctor! There are not many doctors like you. Kind, smart, compassionate, assertive and always eager to listen to my crazy ideas or call yet another doctor for me for a second opinion. You're a diamond in the rough," Kloots continued.

"I cannot begin to thank everyone enough for the outpour of love , support and help we've received these last 95 days. You have no idea how much you lifted my spirits at 3pm everyday as the world sang Nicks song, Live Your Life. We sang it to him today, holding his hands. As I sang the last line to him, 'they'll give you hell but don't you light them kill your light not without a fight. Live your life,' I smiled because he definitely put up a fight. I will love you forever and always my sweet man," she concluded.

In support of Cordero's family, a GoFundMe page was created to raise funds for his medical bills.

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Carl Reiner

The legendary stand-up comedian, actor, director, producer, writer and singer who has graced the silver screen for decades, has died, TMZ was the first to report. Reiner's assistant Judy Nagy also confirmed to Variety.

The outlet said Reiner died on the night of June 29 at his home in Beverly Hills from natural causes. He was 98.

Best known for creating and starring in The Dick Van Dyke Show, Reiner got his start acting in Broadway musicals including Inside U.S.A. and landed the lead role in Call Me Mister. His big break came in 1950 when he was cast in Your Show of Shows appearing in comedy skits, working alongside writers Mel Brooks and Neil Simon.

In addition to his professional success, Reiner has also had a fulfilling personal life as well. He married singer Estelle Lebost in 1943. They were married for 64 years, until her death. The couple had three children: [director] Rob, Lucas and Annie.

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Jas Waters

The This Is Us writer died on June 9, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner's office. She was 39.

Her cause of death was listed as hanging and the manner of death was ruled as suicide.

Writers of the NBC show confirmed her death in a statement.

"The entire #ThisIsUs family was devastated to learn of Jas Waters passing. In our time together, Jas left her mark on us and ALL over the show. She was a brilliant storyteller and a force of nature," a tweet from their joint account. "We send our deepest sympathies to her loved ones. She was one of us. RIP @JasFly."

In addition to This Is Us and Kidding, Waters also worked on Hood Adjacent With James Davis and The Breaks.

Earlier on in her career, Waters ran her own entertainment website and served as a columnist for Vibe magazine. She was also featured in the first and only season of VH1's reality series The Gossip Game, which focused on bloggers and other media figures covering the music industry.

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Bonnie Pointer

The founding member of the '70s and '80s R&B group The Pointer Sisters died on June 8. She was 69.

"Bonnie was my best friend and we talked every day," her sister and former bandmate, Anita, said in a statement to PEOPLE. "We never had a fight in our life. I already miss her, and I will see her again one day."

More than 50 years ago, Bonnie and her sisters began singing in their father's church in Oakland, California, and in 1973 they released their self-titled debut album, which featured their first hit, "Yes We Can Can."

Bonnie recorded five albums with her sisters and co-wrote the Pointer Sisters country hit "Fairytale" with Anita. They performed the song live at the Grand Ole Opry in 1974, making history as the first African American vocal group to ever perform at the famed venue. The following year, they took home their first Grammy for best country duo or group for the track. Bonnie later went on the pursue a solo career in Motown.

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Chiranjeevi Sarja

The Indian movie star died of a heart attack at age 39, according to B.S. Yediyurappa, the chief minister of Karnataka, India.

Yediyurappa confirmed the news on Twitter on June 7.

"It is a shock to hear the news that Kannada famous artist Chiranjeevi Sarja died of a heart attack," he wrote, roughly translated to English. "Prematurely dying at the age of just 39 is shocking. I pray that God may grant them goodwill, their family, and the strength to endure grief for their vast fan base."

Sarja was known for his decade-long career in film, including roles in movies like 2013's Whistle and 2018's Amma I Love You. He had three films released this year.

According to the Hindustan Times, Sarja is survived by his wife, actress Meghna Raj, whom he wed in 2018. He is from a family of entertainers: his uncle is famous actor Arjun and his grandfather is actor Shakti Prasad.

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Donald 'Reche' Caldwell

The former NFL wide receiver died at age 41 on June 6 after being shot and killed in an "ambush" outside his home in Tampa, Florida, his mother Deborah told News Channel 8.

Deborah told the outlet that her son was shot in the leg and chest just as he was heading out on a date with his girlfriend. He was later found by Tampa Police Department dead in his front yard.

She added that Reche's last words were, "Tell everybody I love them."

Tampa Police Department told NBC News that they are investigating the homicide and said it did "not appear to be a random act."

The New England Patriots, the team that Reche played for in 2006, paid tribute to the late athlete on Twitter. "We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of former Patriot Reche Caldwell. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends," the team wrote.

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Kurt Thomas

Thomas, the first American male gymnast to win a gold medal at the world championship, died on June 5. He was 64.

Thomas' family first shared the sad news of his passing with International Gymnastic Magazine. Prior to his death, Thomas suffered a tear of the basilar artery in the brain stem, which caused him to have a severe stroke on May 24.

"Yesterday I lost my universe, my best friend and my soul mate of twenty-four years. Kurt lived his life to the extreme, and I will be forever honored to be his wife," wife Beckie Thomas told the outlet.

At the 1978 world championships in Strasbourg, France, Kurt's signature skill, a dismount called the "Thomas Salto," earned him the first world championship gold medal for the U.S. men's gymnastics program.

After retiring from the sport in 1980, he worked as a TV analyst for ABC Sports during the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. In 2003, Kurt was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.

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Chris Trousdale

Trousdale, an actor and former member of the boy band Dream Street, died on June 2 of complications from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). He was 34.

News of his death was confirmed by a statement shared to his Instagram, which read, "It is with a heavy heart that we confirm the passing of Chris Trousdale on June, 2, 2020 from an undisclosed illness. He was a light to so many and will be missed dearly by his family, friends and fans all over the world."

Former Dream Street bandmate Jesse McCartney paid tribute to his friend, noting in his caption that Trousdale "passed away due to complications from COVID-19." He added, "Chris had an explosively charming personality with boundless amounts of talent."

In addition to his music career, Trousdale appeared on TV shows including Days of Our Lives, Shake It Up, Austin & Ally and Lucifer.

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Mary Pat Gleason

The Mom actress died of cancer on June 2. She was 70.

Gleason's manager confirmed the news to Variety.

Writer and director Ron Fassler also shared the news on Facebook, posting a sweet tribute to his late friend.

"Mary Pat Gleason, one of the dearest and sweetest people I have ever had the pleasure to know, passed away last night at the age of seventy. She has 174 credits on her IMDB page (with one unreleased film still to come), but she was so much more than a wonderful actress," Fassler wrote.

Gleason's many TV credits include Will & Grace, Life in Pieces, Desperate Housewives, WTF 101, How to Get Away with Murder, Shameless, Instant Mom, Scandal, Sex and the City and more.

In 1986, Gleason won a Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding drama series writing team for her work on The Guiding Light.

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Gregory Tyree Boyce

The Twilight actor, 30, and girlfriend Natalie Adepoju, 27, were found dead in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 13, Clark County Medical Examiner spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE.

Boyce, who was best known for his role as Tyler Crowley in the first Twilight movie, and his girlfriend's cause of death is still pending, the spokesperson added.

The actor leaves behind a 10-year-old daughter Alaya while Adepoju, who is originally from Los Angeles, California, is survived by her young son Egypt.

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Andre Harrell

Andre Hall — Andre Harrell. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

The legendary music executive and founder of Uptown Records died on May 7 of heart failure in his West Hollywood home, multiple outlets reported. He was 59.

Before he rose to the top of the business side of the music industry, Harrell began his music career as an artist with the rap duo Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Harrell worked his way up at Def Jam Records starting in 1983, and three years later, left to found Uptown Records in New York City. There, he discovered Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs, also known as P. Diddy.

A three-part scripted miniseries chronicling the story of Harrell and Uptown Records, titled Uptown, was announced by BET last December and is still scheduled to premiere sometime this year.

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Fred Willard

The comedic star died on May 15 of natural causes, a rep for the actor confirmed to PEOPLE. He was 86.

"My father passed away very peacefully last night at the fantastic age of 86 years old. He kept moving, working and making us happy until the very end," his daughter Hope Mulbarger told PEOPLE in a statement. "We loved him so very much!"

Born in Ohio, the four-time Emmy nominee — whose numerous credits include Best in Show, This Is Spinal Tap, Everybody Loves Raymond and Modern Family — began his career in sketch comedy, and transitioned to films and TV in the 1970s.

The actor was also passionate about his work with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, City of Hope and Actors and Others for Animals.

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Lynn Shelton

The director, best known for her work on indie films including Your Sister's Sister and TV series GLOW and Little Fires Everywhere, died in Los Angeles on May 15. She was 54.

Shelton died of a previously unidentified blood disorder, her publicist Adam Kersh confirmed, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Shelton's romantic and creative partner for the past year, comedian Marc Maron, shared a statement with IndieWire. "I have some awful news. Lynn passed away last night," he began. "She collapsed yesterday morning after having been ill for a week...It was not COVID-19. The doctors could not save her. They tried. Hard."

"She was a beautiful, kind, loving, charismatic artist. Her spirit was pure joy. She made me happy. I made her happy. We were happy. I made her laugh all the time. We laughed a lot. We were starting a life together. I really can't believe what is happening," he added. "This is a horrendous, sad loss."

Since her 2006 directorial debut (with indie film We Go Way Back), the Seattle native has written and directed eight feature films, and lent her talents to a number of hit TV shows like The Morning Show, Mad Men, Fresh Off the Boat and New Girl.

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Phyllis George

The former Miss America, who went on to become the first female co-anchor on The NFL Today, has died at 70.

The cause of death was polycythemia vera, a rare blood cancer that George was diagnosed with 35 years ago, her family told The New York Times and CNN.

The Texas native was catapulted to stardom when she became the 50th Miss America in 1971. "It was the springboard to everything I've done in my life," she said of winning the title in a 2007 Texas Monthly interview.

She went on to become a trailblazing sportscaster, joining The NFL Today as the program's first female co-anchor in 1975.

George's daughter, Pamela Brown, who is CNN's senior White House correspondent, told the outlet that her mother "paved the way for other women to become sportscasters."

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Beckett Cypher

Melissa Etheridge and ex-partner Julie Cypher's 21-year-old son died of an opioid overdose on Wednesday.

Speaking to PEOPLE, the star, 58, said Beckett had struggled with addiction for some time.

"Today I joined the hundreds of thousands of families who have lost loved ones to opioid addiction," Etheridge told PEOPLE in a statement. "My son Beckett, who was just 21, struggled to overcome his addiction and finally succumbed to it today. He will be missed by those who loved him, his family and friends."

"My heart is broken," the musician continued. "I am grateful for those who have reached out with condolences and I feel their love and sincere grief."

"We struggle with what else we could have done to save him, and in the end we know he is out of the pain now," she says. "I will sing again, soon. It has always healed me."

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Corey La Barrie

The YouTube star died on his 25th birthday following a car crash in Los Angeles on May 10.

The fatal incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. in the Valley Village area of L.A., when Ink Master's Daniel Silva was driving a 2020 McLaren 600LT "at a high rate of speed" and "lost control," running off the road and colliding with a stop sign and tree, authorities allege. La Barrie was reportedly in the passenger seat.

Silva and La Barrie were both transported to a local hospital, where La Barrie was pronounced dead. The following day, Silva was arrested.

Prior to his death, La Barrie had over 330,000 subscribers on YouTube and over 200,000 followers on Instagram.

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Mary Pratt

The trailblazing female died on May 6, at age 101.

The baseball player is believed to have been the last surviving member of the 1943 Rockford Peaches, the team that was part of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which inspired the sports movie A League of Their Own in 1992.

"We are terribly sad to report that former Rockford Peaches and Kenosha Comets pitcher, Mary Pratt passed away on May 6th. She was 101 years old," tweeted the league. "Mary was the last known original Peaches player that played on the 1943 team. Her stories, her energy will be missed for a long time."

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Pavle Jovanovic

The former U.S. Olympic bobsledder died by suicide on May 3. He was 43.

The USA Bobsled and Skeleton released a statement on May 9 confirming his death.

"The winter sports community has suffered a tragic loss," USA Bobsled/Skeleton CEO and former teammate of Jovanovic, Aron McGuire said in a statement. "Pavle's passion and commitment towards bobsled was seen and felt by his teammates, coaches, competitors, and fans of the sport."

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Jerry Stiller

The comedy legend died at 92, his son actor Ben Stiller confirmed on May 11.

"I'm sad to say that my father, Jerry Stiller, passed away from natural causes," Ben said in a tweet. "He was a great dad and grandfather, and the most dedicated husband to Anne for about 62 years."

He concluded, "He will be greatly missed. Love you Dad."

The actor was best known for his role as George Costanza's dad on Seinfeld, which earned him an Emmy nomination for outstanding guest actor in a comedy series.

Jerry also appeared opposite his son in Zoolander, as well as Ben's films Heavyweights, The Heartbreak Kid and Hot Pursuit.

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Betty Wright

The Grammy Award-winning R&B singer, whose hits include "No Pain, (No Gain)" and "Tonight Is the Night," died on May 10. She was 66.

Her niece announced her passing on Twitter. "I just lost my aunt this morning.... and now my mood has changed.... sleep in peace aunty Betty Wright," she wrote on Twitter. "Fly high angel."

Reflecting on the kindness Wright showed her over the years, her niece also expressed regret at not being able to pay her one last visit. "My auntie was a legend.... she helped me get my first paychecks singing background..... and I didn't make it to see you this past week and that's going to haunt me .... R.I.P. Betty Wright," she wrote.

The Miami native, born Bessie Regina Norris, landed her first record deal at just 12 years old and went on to release more than 10 top 20 hit songs.

The six-time Grammy nominee won her first and only award in 1976 for her song "Where Is the Love."

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Little Richard

The rock and roll legend died on May 9 following a battle with bone cancer. He was 87.

The "Good Golly Miss Molly" singer's agent of 40 years, Dick Alen, confirmed the musician's death to PEOPLE.

"Little Richard passed away this morning from bone cancer in Nashville. He was living with his brother in Nashville," Alen said. "He was battling for a good while, many years. I last spoke to him about two or three weeks ago. I knew he wasn't well but he never really got into it, he just would say 'I'm not well.' He's been suffering for many years with various aches and pains. He just wouldn't talk about it much."

Born Richard Wayne Penniman, the musician rose to fame in the 1950s thanks to his energized performances behind the piano and embrace of androgyny, setting the stage for many performers who came after him.

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Cady Groves

The singer-songwriter known for hits like "This Little Girl," "Love Actually," "Forget You," "Dreams" and "Oil and Water" died on May 2 at age 30.

Cady's older brother, Cody Groves, first announced the sad news in an emotional post on Twitter over the weekend, saying that Cady "has left this world."

"Details are limited right now but family is trying to get them and will keep people updated," he said. "Rest In Peace little sis."

In a follow-up tweet, Cody said his sister's death was the result of "natural causes" pending a final coroner's report. Foul play and self-harm have both been ruled out by the coroner, Cady's rep told PEOPLE.

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Sam Lloyd

The actor, best known for his role as lawyer Ted Buckland on Scrubs, passed away at the age of 56 on April 30, his agent confirmed to PEOPLE.

Lloyd was diagnosed with a brain tumor in January of last year, shortly after welcoming his son Weston with wife Vanessa, according to a GoFundMe campaign set up by Scrubs producer Tom Hobert. Following the diagnosis, doctors found that cancer in his brain had metastasized from his lungs and spread to his liver, spine and jaw, the page said.

In addition to his role as Ted Buckland in 95 episodes of Scrubs, the gifted character actor also appeared in such shows as Desperate Housewives, Shameless, Modern Family, The Middle, Spin City and Seinfeld. In film, he had roles in The Brothers Solomon, Galaxy Quest and Flubber.

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Matty Simmons

The co-founder of National Lampoon magazine and producer of Animal House died on April 29. He was 93.

The movie producer's daughter, Kate Simmons, announced the sad news on Instagram the following day.

"Yesterday I lost my hero. My dad had gone from the sharpest, healthiest 93 year old most people have encountered to abruptly having every imaginable issue except corona," Kate wrote in the caption. "What he did in a lifetime was legendary."

She continued, "He wrote like nine books and could finish a novel faster than I'll probably finish this post. When we lost my mom a couple years ago it felt like a part of us both died. He told me early on, we're a team now and we have to stick together. We did just that and became inseparably close. He became my best friend in the world."

A Brooklyn, New York native, Simmons was the Executive Vice President of the Diner's Club, the first credit card company created, and went on to found Twenty-First Century Communications in 1967, a publishing company that published Weight Watchers and National Lampoon magazines.

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Ashley Ross

Ashley “Minnie” Ross — Ashley "Minnie" Ross. Scott Gries

The Little Women: Atlanta star died on April 27 from injuries sustained in a car accident. She was 34.

Her management announced the news on the late reality star's Instagram account and confirmed her death to PEOPLE, saying, "It is with profound sadness that we confirm on behalf of the family of Ashley Ross aka 'Ms Minnie' of Little Women: Atlanta has succumbed to injuries from a tragic hit and run car accident today at the age of 34. The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time."

A show rep for Little Women remembered Ross as "the most beautiful, kind, giving, generous human ever" in a statement to PEOPLE.

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Marty & Nancy Smith

The motocross legend, 63, and his wife died in a dune buggy accident in Southern California on April 27, according to their close friend Lee Ramage.

"It's with the heaviest, grieving heart that I have to tell you Marty and Nancy Smith were killed yesterday in a rollover accident in his dune buggy at the imperial sand dunes," Ramage wrote on Facebook the following day, sharing a photo from just hours before the tragic accident.

"My wife, Tammi and I were in the buggy and were unhurt," Ramage said, explaining that the couple tried everything they could to save their friends' lives while waiting for help to arrive.

Marty was known as a legendary motocross racer and was inducted into the American Motocross Association Hall of Fame in 2000. The San Diego native was the AMA's first-ever champion and dominated the sport in the 1970s, before retiring in the early 1980s.

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Irrfan Khan

The famed Bollywood star and actor — who had over 150 credits to his name, including notable roles in Slumdog Millionaire, Jurassic World, Life of Pi and The Amazing Spider-Man — has died. He was 53 years old.

In late April, Khan had been admitted to a hospital in Mumbai with a colon infection, CNN reported. Khan had been experiencing health issues in recent years and was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor in 2018, a rare condition affecting cells that release hormones into the bloodstream. His representatives confirmed his death to media outlets on April 29.

He is survived by his wife, Sutapa Sikdar, and two grown sons, Babil and Ayan.

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Peter Beard

Following a years-long battle with dementia, the famed fashion and wildlife photographer was found dead at age 82 after he went missing from his Montauk, New York, home on April 1.

On April 19, nearly three weeks after his disappearance, his family confirmed Beard's death in a statement shared on social media, which thanked everyone for their support as well as the local police for their search efforts.

The statement also reflected on Beard's lasting legacy.

"Peter was an extraordinary man who led an exceptional life. He lived life to the fullest; he squeezed every drop out of every day. He was relentless in his passion for nature, unvarnished and unsentimental but utterly authentic always. He was an intrepid explorer, unfailingly generous, charismatic, and discerning," it read.

Beard dedicated more than half his life to documenting life in Africa after becoming enamored with the continent and its natural landscapes during a visit at age 17.

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Brian Dennehy

The two-time Tony Award winner died of natural causes on April 15. He was 81.

"It is with heavy hearts we announce that our father, Brian passed away last night from natural causes, not Covid-related," the actor's daughter, Elizabeth Dennehy, announced on Twitter. "Larger than life, generous to a fault, a proud and devoted father and grandfather, he will be missed by his wife Jennifer, family and many friends."

The Connecticut-born actor began his career — which spanned the small and big screens, as well as Broadway — doing comedic films, although he later became known primarily for his dramatic roles.

His breakthrough role was the overzealous sheriff, Will Teasle, in 1982's First Blood alongside Sylvester Stallone as Rambo. In addition to a number of other films, he memorably starred alongside Chris Farley in 1995's Tommy Boy.

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Jo Ferguson

The longtime celebrity stylist and Australian fashion editor died at 46, The Daily Telegraph reported on April 9.

According to the outlet, her death came after "a long battle with ill health," which ultimately ended in kidney and liver failure.

"Sadly my inspirational sister Jo passed away defiantly last night, just after midnight," Jo's brother, Scott Ferguson, said, according to the outlet.

Jo was well-known throughout the fashion industry, having been a fashion editor at Cleo magazine, according to multiple outlets including the Telegraph.

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Chynna

The rapper and model died at her Philadelphia home on April 8, her manager John Miller confirmed to PEOPLE. She was 25.

At this time, her cause of death is unknown, he said.

"Chynna was deeply loved and will be sorely missed," the young rapper's family said in a statement provided to PEOPLE.

The rising star's death comes just four months after she released her third EP If I Die First.

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Vic Henley

The comedian died of a pulmonary embolism on April 6, his niece confirmed on Facebook. He was 57.

"We already miss him so much and feel the heavy weight of this loss. He was our best friend," the relative wrote. "We love you more than you could ever know, Uncle Vic."

Comedians across the industry mourned Henley's loss on social media.

"RIP VIC HENLEY. Such a funny man. Loved him. Thoughts and prayers to his family," wrote Adam Sandler on Twitter, while Jim Gaffigan wrote that he was "so sad" to hear of Henley's death and that he was "always a light in a dark world."

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John Prine

The celebrated country-folk singer and songwriter behind classics such as "Angel from Montgomery" died on April 7 from coronavirus complications. He was 73.

After being hospitalized for COVID-19 on March 26 and intubated two days later, the musician died at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, a representative confirmed on behalf of Prine's family to PEOPLE.

His wife of 23 years, Fiona Whelan Prine, was also diagnosed with COVID-19 earlier in March and had been keeping fans updated about Prine's condition while he was in the hospital.

A two-time cancer survivor, Prine released his last album, The Tree of Forgiveness, in 2018. He is survived by Fiona and their three children.

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Al Kaline

The Detroit Tigers baseball legend died at his home in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, on April 6, according to the Detroit Free Press. He was 85.

His cause of death was not released, though a family friend told The Detroit News that Kaline had recently suffered a stroke.

"It's with a heavy heart that the Detroit Tigers confirm Al Kaline has passed away at the age of 85. One of the most distinguished and decorated players in the history of baseball, 'Mr. Tiger' was one of the greatest to ever wear the Olde English 'D,'" a statement from the Detroit Tigers, obtained by PEOPLE, read. "The Hall of Famer has been a pillar of our organization for 67 years, beginning with his Major League debut in 1953 and continuing to present in his duties as Special Assistant to the General Manager. Our thoughts are with Mr. Kaline's wife, Louise, and family now, and forever."

After 22 years with the team, Kaline retired in 1974 after recording his 3,000th hit. He finished his career with 3,007 hits, 399 home runs, 498 doubles, 75 triples and 1,582 RBIs — all of which he did while playing with the Tigers.

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James Drury

Drury, who famously starred in one of the longest-running Westerns in the history of television, The Virginian, died of natural causes on April 6, his assistant confirmed on Facebook. He was 85.

"THE COWBOY took his last ride," Lindsey Karen wrote. "It is with immense sadness that I let you all know that James Drury, our beloved Virginian and dear friend passed away this morning of natural causes, Monday, April 6, 2020. He will be missed so much. It is beyond words. Memorial service to be determined later."

Along with The Virginian, the actor also starred in the ABC series Firehouse and appeared on series including, Alias Smith and Jones, The Fall Guy and Walker, Texas Ranger.

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Maeve Kennedy Townsend McKean & Gideon

After going missing in a canoe accident, the granddaughter of slain Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and her 8-year-old son are presumed dead.

Maeve's husband, David McKean, shared the news on Facebook on April 3, one day after his wife and son went missing from the family property in Shady Side, Maryland, where they were quarantining.

"Despite heroic efforts by the Coast Guard and many state and local authorities, the decision has now been made to suspend the active rescue effort," David wrote in a lengthy and emotional Facebook post, following 26 hours of searching.

"It is clear that Maeve and Gideon have passed away," he said, adding that the search for their recovery will continue.

David and Maeve shared two more children, Gabriella, 7, and Toby, 2½.

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Giacinto Gorga

Teresa Giudice confirmed the news of her father Giacinto Gorga's death on April 3.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey star, who lost her mom Antonia Gorga in March 2017 following a battle with pneumonia, shared a heartfelt tribute to her dad on Instagram.

"My father, my protector, my hero, God took you early this morning to be with mommy, I saw you peacefully pass & I know you kept fighting for my daughters and I," she wrote. "I have so many amazing thoughts of you, every day seeing you in the kitchen at my home, teaching my girls to cook, my partner in crime on shopping trips, your love of the shore & my travel buddy. You always wanted everyone to have a good time, eat great food, have a stiff drink and enjoy life."

"Thank you for showing us all what true love is. Love you Papa Rest In Peace," she added.

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Adam Schlesinger

The Fountains of Wayne co-founder died after testing positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). He was 52.

The musician's lawyer, Josh Grier, confirmed his death to Rolling Stone on April 1. Schlesinger had been hospitalized and placed on a ventilator.

Schlesinger won three Emmys throughout his career: one for writing lyrics for Rachel Bloom's hit CW musical series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and two for his lyrical contributions to the 2011 and 2012 Tony Awards telecasts. He also earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song for his title track to the 1996 film That Thing You Do!

Celebrities including Tom Hanks, late-night TV hosts Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel and more paid tribute to the late musician on social media.

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Logan Williams

The teen actor known for playing a young Barry Allen on The CW's The Flash died at the age of 16 on April 2.

His mother Marlyse Williams confirmed his passing to The Tri-City News — a local newspaper serving the areas near Coquitlam, British Columbia, in Canada — sharing that her family is "absolutely devastated" by the death.

The grieving mom shared that due to social distancing protocols surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, the family is having a difficult time mourning. "I am not able to hug my parents who lost their only grandchild," Williams said. "It's hard."

Williams' cause of death has not been released.

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Bill Withers

Withers, a three-time Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter famous for his hits "Lean on Me" and "Ain't No Sunshine," died on March 30 in Los Angeles from heart complications, his family told the Associated Press in a statement on April 3.

"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," read the statement. "As private a life as he lived close to intimate family and friends, his music forever belongs to the world. In this difficult time, we pray his music offers comfort and entertainment as fans hold tight to loved ones."

Musicians across genres mourned the "Lovely Day" singer on social media after learning of his passing.

Withers, who stepped back from the music industry during the 1980s, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.

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Peter Gamba

The longest-standing editor of The Real Housewives of New York City died on April 1 due to coronavirus complications. He was 63.

Bravo announced the sad news the following day, dedicating RHONY's season 12 premiere to Gamba, who they said, "made the show what it is today."

Andy Cohen also honored Gamba on Watch Watch Happens Live with Andy Cohen, where he referred to him as "the show's life blood" and shared that he "cut the very first episode of New York Housewives back in season 1."

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Sergio Rossi

Rossi, one of Italy's most famous footwear designers, died in Cesena from complications related to the coronavirus, the brand confirmed on April 3. He was 84.

The acclaimed designer was hospitalized with the virus days earlier, Women's Wear Daily reported.

Rossi launched his company in 1968, after learning the trade from his father, and it soon grew into one of Italy's largest luxury shoe brands.

"Today everyone at Sergio Rossi joins me in remembering our dear Sergio, the inspiring founder of our dream," Riccardo Sciutto, CEO of the Sergio Rossi Group shared on the brand's Instagram page Friday.

Before his death, the designer was also involved in the fight against coronavirus, donating €100,000 to the Sacco hospital in Milan.

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Julie Bennett

Bennett, the famous voice behind Cindy Bear in The Yogi Bear Show cartoons, died on March 31 from complications related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, her talent agent and longtime friend, Mark Scroggs, confirmed to PEOPLE. She was 88.

"She was definitely a personality and a throwback to Hollywood glamour," Scroggs said in a statement.

Appearing in several small roles over the course of her career, Bennett was best known for her vocal talents, which were featured in popular cartoons such as The Bullwinkle Show, Mr. Magoo, The Bugs Bunny Show and Spider-Man: The Animated Series.

In the early 1990s, Bennett became a personal manager under the name Marianne Daniels. She went on to represent new and established artists for the next 20 years.

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Joe Diffie

Diffie, one of the most celebrated country artists of the 1990s, died March 29 from complications of the coronavirus, his publicist confirmed to PEOPLE. He was 61.

Two days before his death, the Grammy-winning artist announced he tested positive for the virus.

"I am under the care of medical professionals and currently receiving treatment after testing positive for coronavirus," he wrote on social media. "We want to remind the public and all my fans to be vigilant, cautious and careful during this pandemic."

The Tulsa, Oklahoma, native and Grand Ole Opry member had more than 20 Top 10 hits and 13 albums over his career, including five singles that reached No. 1 on the charts: "Home," "Bigger Than the Beatles," "If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets)," "Third Rock From the Sun" and "Pickup Man."

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Tomie dePaola

The beloved children's book author and illustrator, best known for his Strega Nona series, died after suffering complications from surgery after falling in his New Hampshire home last week, his literary agent Doug Whiteman told CNN. He was 85.

Whiteman told the outlet that dePaola passed away at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and was sadly alone because of visitor restrictions put in place due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

"Due to the coronavirus and a quarantine at the hospital where he was being treated, Mr. dePaola was in isolation when he died," said Whiteman, according to the outlet.

Over the course of his career, DePaola was honored with several accolades, including the Children's Literature Legacy Award in 2011, and according to his agent, "was one of only a handful of children's book creators to have received honors from both the Caldecott and Newbery Award committees of the American Library Association."

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Maria Mercader

The CBS News journalist and producer died from coronavirus at a hospital in New York at the age of 54, according to an announcement from CBS on March 29.

According to the network, Mercader also "fought cancer and related illnesses for more than 20 years, and was an inspiration each time she returned to work after a setback threatened to end her life."

Starting at the network in 1987 as part of its page program, Mercader worked her way up to the CBS News foreign and national desks and helped produce some of the biggest stories — including the death of Princess Diana and the 9/11 attacks. She won a business reporting Emmy Award in 2004.

"Her notable professional contributions are part of the CBS Archives, but it is her magnificent human spirit that touched so many of us, that will stay with us forever," said Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews, EVP of Strategic Professional Development at CBS News.

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Alan Merrill

The singer, guitarist and songwriter died in New York as a result of the coronavirus on March 29. He was 69.

Merrill was best known for writing the iconic track "I Love Rock 'n' Roll." He originally wrote and recorded the hit song while he was a member of the band the Arrows, who released the track in 1975. The song would later become a huge hit for Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, who topped the charts with the tune in 1982.

The musician's death was announced by his daughter Laura on Facebook.

"The Coronavirus took my father this morning," she wrote. "I was given 2 minutes to say my goodbyes before I was rushed out. … By the time I got in the doors to my apartment I received the news that he was gone."

She urged that everyone take social distancing protocols seriously. "If anything can come of this I beg of you to take this seriously. Money doesn't matter. People are dying," she wrote.

"Stay home if not for you...for others. For my dad."

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Jan Howard

On March 28, the country singer-songwriter and longstanding member of the Grand Ole Opry died at age 91.

According to a statement from the Grand Ole Opry, where Howard was inducted in March 1971, the singer "passed away peacefully" in Gallatin, Tennessee.

"Jan Howard was a force of nature in country music, at the Opry, and in life," said Grand Ole Opry Vice President and Executive Producer Dan Rogers.

Since her career began in 1960, she had more than 20 Top 40 solo singles, including "Bad Seed" and "Evil on Your Mind" — the latter of which earned her a Grammy Award nomination, in addition to her nomination for "My Son," which honored her son Jimmy, who was killed while fighting in Vietnam.

The singer went on to work with the armed forces and veterans, and later received the Tennessee Adjutant General's Distinguished Patriot Medal, its highest civilian honor.

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Rev. Joseph Lowery

The prominent and beloved figure in the civil rights movement died at his home in Atlanta of natural causes on March 27, multiple outlets reported. He was 98.

Tyler Perry, Jamie Foxx and more celebrities mourned Lowery's loss on social media, with Martin Luther King Jr.'s youngest child Bernice also sharing a tribute to her "Uncle Joe."

"It's hard to imagine a world or an Atlanta without Reverend #JosephLowery," she wrote. "I'm grateful for a life well-lived and for its influence on mine. I'll miss you, Uncle Joe. You finally made it up to see Aunt Evelyn again." Lowery's wife of 65 years, Evelyn, died in 2013.

Former President Barack Obama, who awarded Lowery the Medal of Freedom in 2009, also honored the late hero's legacy on Instagram, writing that he "changed the face of America" and "did so much to carry us ever closer to the just, fair, inclusive, and generous America promised in our founding ideals."

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John Callahan

The soap star best known for his role as Edmund Grey on the daytime soap opera All My Children died following a massive stroke on March 27. He was 66.

His former costars and fellow soap actors paid tribute to Callahan, including Kelly Ripa, Sarah Michelle Gellar and his ex-wife Eva LaRue.

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Mark Blum

The Desperately Seeking Susan star died due to complications associated with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), his representatives confirmed on March 26. He was 69.

The New Jersey native began his career on Broadway in 1977 and later moved to the big screen, where he was best known for his role as Madonna's love interest in 1985's Desperately Seeking Susan.

In addition to landing several guest star roles on popular shows throughout his three-decade career, Blum had recurring roles on NYPD Blue (FBI Agent Mike Francis), Mozart in the Jungle (Union Bob), Succession (Bill) and You (Mr. Mooney). He also continued to act in shows on and Off-Broadway.

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William Dufris

Dufris, who was the voice of Bob on Bob the Builder, has died.

Dufris' company Pocket Universe Productions announced on March 25 that the co-founder had died of complications from cancer. He was 62, according to multiple reports.

"We are heartbroken to announce that the co-founder of @pocketplot and the director of 'EC Comics Presents… The Vault of Horror', William Dufris, has died from cancer. There is a hole in a lot of people's hearts right now. We will have more to say later. Bless you, Bill," the production company wrote on Twitter.

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Floyd Cardoz

The chef died on March 25 as a result of complications from coronavirus, a spokesperson for his Hunger Inc. Hospitality Group confirmed to PEOPLE. He was 59. His family confirmed his death to the Indian publication Scroll.in.

The Top Chef Masters winner was first admitted to Mountainside Medical Center in New Jersey with a fever on March 18 and died there one week later.

At the time, he posted an update on his Instagram page, saying he sought medical help as a "precautionary measure."

Cardoz was born in Bombay, India, and moved to New York City to work in restaurant kitchens. In 1997, he partnered with famed restaurateur Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group to open the contemporary Indian restaurant Tabla, which quickly became an iconic Manhattan establishment, earning three stars from The New York Times.

Cardoz is survived by his wife and business partner, Barkha, whom he met at a hospitality school in India, and their two sons, Peter, 27, and Justin, 22.

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Terrence McNally

The beloved contemporary theater playwright died on March 24 due to complications from the coronavirus. He was 81.

A spokesperson for McNally confirmed his death to PEOPLE.

A lung cancer survivor, McNally lived with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs.

He was being treated at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Sarasota, Florida, at the time of his death.

Born on Nov. 3, 1938, in St. Petersburg, Florida, McNally grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas. He went on to attend Columbia University and held honorary degrees from the prestigious Juilliard School (1998) and New York University (2019).

Over McNally's six-decade career, he wrote a series of diverse plays, musicals, operas, films and television projects. His works received national acclaim in the process and a slew of awards, including an Emmy, four Tony awards and a lifetime achievement Tony in 2019.

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Albert Uderzo

The artist who co-created France's most beloved cartoon character, Asterix, with the writer René Goscinny, died at 92.

"Albert Uderzo died in his sleep at his home in Neuilly, after a heart attack that was not linked to the coronavirus. He had been extremely tired for the past several weeks," his son-in-law Bernard de Choisy told Agence France-Presse news agency on March 24, according to CNN.

The artist's comic work — often referred to as "the Disney of France" — was translated into over 100 languages and sold over 370 million copies worldwide. A large theme park dedicated to the characters sits just outside Paris. Uderzo's work has generated over two dozen adaptions in animated and live-action films, with another currently in the works.

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Kenny Rogers

After years of being vocal about his ailing health, the Country Music Hall of Fame singer died on March 20. He was 81.

"Rogers passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family," the singer's family said in a statement released on his social media the following day.

"The family is planning a small private service at this time out of concern for the national COVID-19 emergency. They look forward to celebrating Kenny's life publicly with his friends and fans at a later date," the statement added.

Born in Houston, Texas, on Aug. 21, 1938, Rogers began his music career in 1957 with his first song, "That Crazy Feeling" before rising to stardom with his cross-genre group, Kenny Rogers and The First Edition.

His illustrious career went on to span five decades, during which he sold more than 100 million records and won three Grammys and 18 American Music Awards.

His biggest hits included his signature song "The Gambler," "Lucille," "Ruby," "Lady" and "Islands in the Stream" — his beloved duet with frequent collaborator Dolly Parton, which reached No. 1 on the pop charts in 1983.

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Roger Mayweather

The former boxing champion and uncle of Floyd Mayweather died on March 17. He was 58.

Floyd's website announced the news, revealing that the late legendary boxer and trainer had long battled with diabetes and deteriorating health.

"My uncle was one of the most important people in my life inside and outside of the ring," Floyd, 43, said in a statement. "Roger was a great champion and one of the best trainers in boxing. Unfortunately, his health was failing him for several years and now he can finally rest in peace."

Roger, a two-division boxing world champion, had a professional record of 59 wins and only 13 losses during his career, which lasted from 1981 through 1999.

Floyd added, "Roger meant the world to me, my father Floyd Sr., my uncle Jeff, our whole family, everyone in and around the Mayweather Boxing Gym and the entire boxing world. It is a terrible loss for all of us."

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Lyle Waggoner

The Carol Burnett Show actor died on March 17 at the age of 84, PEOPLE confirmed.

The actor's son, Jason, said he died peacefully with his wife, Sharon, by his side.

Best known for his work on The Carol Burnett Show from 1967 to 1974, Waggoner also starred as Steve Trevor in Wonder Woman during the latter half of the '70s.

"He was funny, kind and multi-talented. But even more than that, a loving friend. I will miss him," Burnett, 86, said in a statement.

The actor and comedian went on to appear in various TV shows, including The Love Boat, before retiring to start his own business — a company named "Star Waggons" that leased out trailers to the entertainment industry.

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Stuart Whitman

The San Francisco-born actor known for his work on screens both big and small since the 1950s died on March 16. He was 92.

"Old Hollywood lost another one of its true stars," one of Whitman's sons, Justin, confirmed to TMZ. He added that the actor died at his home in Montecito, California, surrounded by family.

"Stuart Whitman was known for his rugged roles and handsome charm," the family said in a statement to the outlet. "We were proud of him for his TV, film roles and his Oscar nomination, but what we will really remember is his exuberant love of his family and friends."

Whitman, with more than 180 acting credits across his decades-spanning career, earned a Best Actor nomination for an Academy Award in 1961 for his turn in The Mark.

In addition to his big screen roles, the star also had stints on TV series like Highway Patrol in the '50s, Cimarron Strip in the '60s, Fantasy Island in the '70s and Superboy in the '80s and '90s.

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Max von Sydow

The celebrated Swedish actor, who memorably played a priest in the iconic horror film The Exorcist and starred as the Three-Eyed Raven in Game of Thrones, has died. He was 90.

Von Sydow died at his home in Provence, France, on Sunday, March 8. His wife Catherine von Sydow, a documentary filmmaker and producer, confirmed his death to the French press the following day.

"It's with a broken heart and with infinite sadness that we have the extreme pain of announcing the departure of Max Von Sydow on March 8, 2020," she said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The couple married in 1997 after she worked as his assistant on some of his films. The two share two sons, and von Sydow shares two more sons with ex-wife, actress Christina Olin. He and Olin were married from 1951 to 1979.

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James Lipton

The New York Times reported that the longtime Inside the Actors Studio host died at home in New York City on March 2 at the age of 93. The prolific interviewer — who spoke to nearly every A-lister about their craft — had bladder cancer.

The Detroit native, who served in the Air Force, started out as an actor himself, though had more luck as a writer and later, producer.

His series, which began in 1994, aired on Bravo until 2019, when he left (it then moved to Ovation TV). The series has been nominated for 20 Emmy Awards in the outstanding informational series or special category and received the Emmy in 2013.

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Jack Welch

Welch, the former chairman and CEO of General Electric who was once dubbed the "Manager of the Century," died on March 1 at his home, CNBC reported. He was 84.

Welch, who grew GE into a powerhouse thanks in part to an emphasis on keeping only the most productive employees on board, died of renal failure, according to the outlet, which reported that he was surrounded by his wife Suzy and his family.

"More than anything else — leader, business icon, management genius - more than those things, although they are all true too — Jack was a lifeforce made of love," Suzy Welch, whom he married in 2004, told CNBC in a statement. "His irrepressible passion for people, all people, his brilliant curiosity about every-single-thing-on-earth, his gargantuan generosity of spirit toward friends and strangers alike — they added up to a man who was superhuman yet completely human at once."

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Joe Coulombe

Coulombe, who founded the inexpensive, trading post-themed grocery chain Trader Joe's, died on Feb. 28 in Pasadena, California. He was 89.

Coulombe's son, also named Joe, told The Associated Press that his father died after a long illness.

"Joe was an extraordinarily smart and accomplished entrepreneur who built a company that introduced something welcomingly different in the grocery retail space. Joe opened the first Trader Joe's store in 1967 in Pasadena, California," the company said in a press release. "Notably thrifty and insightful, Joe went against conventional industry norms at the time, moving away from national brands and introducing Trader Joe's private label in 1972."

"Joe was the perfect person at the right time for Trader Joe's. He was a brilliant thinker with a mesmerizing personality that simply galvanized all with whom he worked. He was not only our founder, he was our first spokesperson. He starred in captivating radio ads for years, always signing off with his unique, 'thanks for listening,' " added CEO Dan Bane.

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Claudette Nevins

The Hollywood star's family confirmed in a statement and announced she died in hospice on Feb. 20 at her home in Los Angeles. She was 82.

"Claudette's acting career spanned six decades and included roles on Broadway, regional theater, national companies, numerous television shows, voiceovers and commercials," the family's statement read. "Competent in everything she touched, Claudette was funny, strong-willed, awesomely disciplined, relentless in her pursuit of excellence. Starting from very humble origins, Claudette grew herself into an elegant, articulate, gorgeous woman who was universally admired. She was dazzling. She will be endlessly missed."

Nevins was well known for her Broadway roles in Neil Simon's Plaza Suite, as well as her time performing during the national tour of The Great White Hope, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

She also had recurring roles in the '90s television drama Melrose Place and the '70s CBS series Headmaster in which she portrayed Andy Griffith's wife.

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Remembering the Stars We've Lost in 2020