Remembering the Stars We've Lost in 2020

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).

Reed, an original member of Bob Seger's Silver Bullet Band, died on Dec. 30 morning 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."

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.

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 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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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."

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."

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.

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."

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.

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.

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."

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!!!"

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.

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. 

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.

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."

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."

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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."

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"

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.

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.

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.

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 to 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.

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)."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

Prolific James Bond actor Sean Connery died overnight in his sleep on Oct. 31, 2020 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."

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, 2020, 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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

The Outfield's lead singer and bassist died on Oct. 20, 2020 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.

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."

The filmmaker, activist and son of actor Robert Redford, died on Oct. 16, 2020. 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 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.

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.

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."

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.)

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.

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.

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.