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 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 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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Lee Phillip Bell
Bell, who co-created The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful with her late husband William J. Bell, died on Feb. 25. She was 91.
“Our mother was a loving and supportive wife, mother and grandmother,” her children William James Bell, Bradley Phillip Bell and Lauralee Bell Martin said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.
“Gracious and kind, she enriched the lives of all who knew her. We will miss her tremendously,” their statement continued.
In addition to creating the beloved soap operas, the Emmy winner also had a successful broadcast journalism career, during which she hosted The Lee Phillip Show for over 30 years on CBS.
Bell won the Daytime Emmys’ lifetime achievement award in 2007, in addition to several other awards throughout her impressive career.
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Camila María Concepción
The trans Latina activist and Gentefied writer died by an apparent suicide on Feb. 21. She was 28.
Friends and colleagues confirmed her death on social media following the premiere of the Netflix series.
Concepción, who grew up in the Inland Empire area, studied English literature at Yale University before working with Transparent creator Jill Soloway under 50/50 by 2020, an initiative campaigning for gender parity in film, TV and art. She went on to work on Netflix’s show Daybreak before landing a position as writer’s assistant on Gentefied.
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Ben Cooper
The actor gained fame starring in many Hollywood Westerns in the 1950s and ’60s, including Johnny Guitar, Gunfight at Comanche Creek and Gunsmoke.
He died on Feb. 24 at age 86 at his home in Memphis after a long illness.
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David Roback
The legendary guitarist and cofounder of the band Mazzy Star died Feb. 24 at age 61, his rep confirmed.
The Los Angeles Times described him as “reclusive” and “press-shy,” but his band’s music was a staple for many in the ’90s and continues to be used in film and TV today.
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B. Smith
Smith, who got her start as a model before becoming a famous restauteur and lifestyle guru, died at age 70 on Feb. 22 after a battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s.
Born Barbara Elaine Smith (but known as B.), the star was one of the first African–American women to grace the cover of Mademoiselle magazine. She went on to open three eponymous restaurants, write three cookbooks and host the nationally syndicated show, B. Smith With Style.
After she received her diagnosis in 2013, she and husband Dan Gasby went public with the news in order to bring awareness to the difficulties caused by the disease for both those suffering from it and their caregivers.
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Pop Smoke
The up-and-coming rapper, 20, died from a gunshot during an alleged home invasion on Feb. 19.
Other musicians paid tribute to the young star (born Bashar Barakah Jackson) after news of his death spread. “You were too young,” Chance the Rapper wrote on Twitter. “God Bless and comfort your family. What a crazy trajectory you were on man smh.”
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Ja’Net DuBois
The star of Good Times, and the singer and co-writer of the Jeffersons theme song, DuBois died at age 74 at her home in Glendale, Calif. on Feb. 17.
In addition to her most beloved roles, DuBois acted on Broadway and in shows including The Love Boat and ER.
She was remembered fondly by many former costars, including Janet Jackson, who wrote “I am so very saddened to hear my longtime friend Ja’Net DuBois has passed away. I saw first hand how she broke stereotypes and changed the landscape for Black women in entertainment … I’ll miss you.”
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Kellye Nakahara
Known best for her role as Lt. Kellye Yamato on the ’70s hit show M*A*S*H, the actress died of cancer at age 72, surrounded by family and friends at her home on Feb. 15.
Former costars expressed admiration for the actress, who also appeared on Little House on the Prairie and NYPD Blue.
“What a good, feeling person she always was. Sensitive, kind and talented,” Alan Alda said
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Jason Davis
The actor — perhaps best known for voicing Recess‘ Mikey Blumberg during the animated series’ six-season run in the late 1990s and early 2000s — died at age 35 on Feb. 16, his mother confirmed. The cause of death was unknown at the time.
In a statement, Nancy Davis said, “Jason had a true heart of gold with such a zest for life. He was such a caring soul to everybody who ever knew him. He loved his friends and his family above all else.”
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Raphael Coleman
The child star of Nanny McPhee turned environmental activist died during a Feb. 6 run at age 25.
His mother confirmed the news on social media, writing ““He died doing what he loved, working for the noblest cause of all. His family could not be prouder. Let’s celebrate all he achieved in his short life and cherish his legacy.”
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Nikita Pearl Waligwa
The young actress, who had a featured role in Queen of Katwe, died at age 15 of a brain tumor, multiple outlets reported. The film’s director Mira Nair had helped raise funds for treatment during an earlier bout with the illness, but it returned a few years later.
Nyong’o paid tribute to her young costar, writing “It is with great sadness that I post about the passing of Nikita Waligwa, the sweet, warm, talented girl whom I worked with on the film, Queen Of Katwe. She played Gloria with such vibrancy.”
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Lynn Cohen
Cohen, who starred for three seasons on Sex and the City as Magda (and reprised the role in the films) died Feb. 14 at age 86.
Wrote Cynthia Nixon, her costar on the series, “Many people knew & loved Lynn Cohen as Miranda’s stalwart Polish nanny Magda. To me she was that & so much more — an involved citizen, a true friend & a great actress in so many different roles.”
Those included parts in The Hunger Games, Munich and Damages.
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Orson Bean
The actor and comedian, who frequently appeared on the game show To Tell the Truth, died at age 91 after being hit by a car in Los Angeles Feb. 14.
He had recently starred with his wife, actress Alley Mills, in the world premiere of a new play at the Ruskin Group Theatre in Santa Monica, which ended its run the week before he died. He also kept up his work on television, with roles on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, How I Met Your Mother and Modern Family.
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Robert Conrad
Conrad, best known for his role in the television show The Wild Wild West, died at 84 in February.
He had many roles on television in the ’50s and ’60s, and recorded music as Bob Conrad at the same time. He was inducted into the Stuntman’s Hall of Fame.
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Caroline Flack
The former Love Island host died at home on Feb. 15 at age 40.
“We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today on the 15th February,” her family said in a statement given to the U.K.’s Press Association. “We would ask that the press both respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time.”
Paramedics were called to her London home the night before her death, but after assessing the situation it was decided that she did not need hospital treatment and that she was fit to be left at home.
Flack stepped down as host of Love Island, which she had fronted since its debut in 2015, in December 2019, after being charged with assault by beating following a reported domestic indicdent involving her boyfriend Lewis Burton, who has denied the incident.
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Amie Harwick
Harwick, a well known Hollywood sex and family therapist and the former fiancée of Drew Carey, died after falling from a balcony on Feb. 15. She was 38.
The Los Angeles Police Department arrested a former boyfriend of Harwick’s, whom they believe attacked her after a restraining order against him had expired, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Carey mourned the loss of The New Sex Bible for Women author, telling PEOPLE, “Amie and I had a love that people are lucky to have once in a lifetime.” He added, “She was positive force in the world, a tireless and unapologetic champion for women, and passionate about her work as a therapist. I am overcome with grief.”
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Kirk Douglas
The Hollywood icon died on Feb. 5, 2020. He was 103.
“It is with tremendous sadness that my brothers and I announce that Kirk Douglas left us today at the age of 103,” Michael Douglas said in a statement to PEOPLE. “To the world, he was a legend, an actor from the golden age of movies who lived well into his golden years, a humanitarian whose commitment to justice and the causes he believed in set a standard for all of us to aspire to.”
Michael continued, “But to me and my brothers Joel and Peter he was simply Dad, to Catherine, a wonderful father-in-law, to his grandchildren and great grandchild their loving grandfather, and to his wife Anne, a wonderful husband.”
“Kirk’s life was well lived, and he leaves a legacy in film that will endure for generations to come, and a history as a renowned philanthropist who worked to aid the public and bring peace to the planet,” Michael added. “Let me end with the words I told him on his last birthday and which will always remain true. Dad- I love you so much and I am so proud to be your son.”
The Spartacus acting legend, who had been in good health since suffering a stroke in 1996, is survived by his wife of 65 years, Anne, and his sons Michael, Joel, and Peter.
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Kobe Bryant
The basketball icon died in Calabasas, California in a helicopter crash the morning of Jan. 26, 2020, a source confirmed to PEOPLE. He was 41.
Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, was also onboard the private helicopter when it went down on Sunday, reps for the former basketball player told TMZ Sports.
Sources told ESPN that the helicopter was headed to a travel basketball game for Gianna, and that the other passengers were another player and their parent.
Spokespersons for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and L.A. Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Bryant is survived by wife Vanessa, 37, and their daughters Natalia, 17, Bianka, 3, and Capri, 7 months.
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Norma Michaels
Actress Michaels, most recognized for her role as Josephine on King of Queens, died on Jan. 11. She was 95.
A statement by her spokesperson announced that Michaels passed away peacefully at her home in Palm Springs, California.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Michaels’ acting career began in 1954 on The George Gobel Show and went on to span six decades across both film and television. Some of her most memorable appearances include Modern Family, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Everybody Loves Raymond, Gilmore Girls and Malcolm in the Middle.
Her last role was as Sally Field’s mother in 2015’s indie hit Hello, My Name Is Doris.
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Rocky Johnson
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s father, Canadian professional wrestler Rocky Johnson died in January at age 75.
World Wrestling Entertainment confirmed the news on its website on Jan. 15, writing, “WWE is saddened to learn that Rocky ‘Soul Man’ Johnson (born Wayde Douglas Bowles), a WWE Hall of Famer, former World Tag Team Champion, and father of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, has passed away at age 75.”
Born in Nova Scotia, Canada, Rocky began wrestling when he was 16 years old. He started his career in 1964 and went on to join the WWE in 1983 when he began wrestling with Tony Atlas. The duo became a part of the first African-American tag team — known as The Soul Patrol — to win the World Tag Team Championship in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).
After retiring in 1991, Rocky continued to train his son, actor Dwayne, to follow in his footsteps as a wrestler.
“Dad, I wish I had one more shot to tell you, I love you, before you crossed over to the other side,” Dwayne, 47, said in an emotional tribute on Instagram after his father’s passing. “But you were ripped away from me so fast without warning. Gone in an instant and no coming back. Im in pain. But we know it’s just pain and it’ll pass.”
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Stan Kirsch
Highlander actor Kirsch died by apparent suicide, his wife Kristyn Green confirmed on Facebook on Jan. 13. He was 51.
According to TMZ, Kirsch was discovered by his wife in their Los Angeles home. Paramedics were called, but the actor was pronounced dead on the scene.
Kirsch is best known for his starring role as Richie Ryan on the original Highlander television series for six seasons from 1992 to 1998.
At the time of his death, Kirsch was working as an acting coach in Los Angeles. His other TV credits include JAG, Invincible, and one episode of Friends in season 1, when he memorably played a high school student lying about his age to date Monica (Courteney Cox).
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Neil Peart
Rush’s legendary drummer and lyricist died after a years-long battle with brain cancer on Jan. 7. He was 67.
“It is with broken hearts and the deepest sadness that we must share the terrible news that on Tuesday our friend, soul brother and band mate of over 45 years, Neil, has lost his incredibly brave three and a half year battle with brain cancer (Glioblastoma),” bandmates Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson wrote in a statement on Twitter.
Peart joined Lee and Lifeson in 1974, and earned his place as one of the greatest drummers in rock history over the course of his decades-long career.
In addition to his time with the band, Peart also released a number of books including Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road and Far and Away: A Prize Every Time.
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Scott Patric
The celebrity hair and makeup artist famous for his work on Project Runway died of a heart attack in his sleep in his New York City apartment on Jan. 8. He was 53.
“It is with a heavy heart that I can confirm makeup artist Scott Patric has passed,” read the statement from Contact. “He was found today in his bed after not responding to calls. His talent, creativity and warmth were limitless. He will be greatly missed.”
From 2012 to 2019, Patrick worked as a makeup consultant and glamour lead on Project Runway and a number of the competition series’ spin-offs, including All Stars, Threads and Junior.
Scott’s editorial work has appeared in magazines like Vogue and Glamour, and according to his official website, he has styled a range of A-listers, including Angelina Jolie, Katie Holmes, Kerry Washington, Madonna, Paris Hilton and Dwayne Johnson.
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Edd Byrnes
Byrnes, an actor best known for his portrayal of suave radio announcer Vince Fontaine in 1978’s Grease, died on Jan. 8. He was 87.
Byrnes’ son, news anchor Logan Byrnes, confirmed the news on Twitter, writing, “It is with profound sadness and grief that I share with you the passing of my father Edd Byrnes.”
“He was an amazing man and one of my best friends,” Logan continued, adding a press release that stated the actor had “died unexpectedly” of “natural causes” at his home in Santa Monica, California.
In addition to his role in Grease, Byrnes was known for his turn as Kookie in the TV series 77 Sunset Strip, and continued guest-starring in shows such as CHiPs, House Calls, Charlie’s Angels, Vega$, The Love Boat and Fantasy Island.
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Alexis Eddy
Eddy, a smiling and self-proclaimed “redneck” from West Virginia who appeared on MTV’s Are You the One? season 6, died on Jan. 9, West Virginia’s Mannington Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE. She was 23.
The police received a call from Eddy’s home just before 7 a.m. ET, and upon arrival found a female who suffered from cardiac arrest. She was pronounced dead on the scene. The cause of death is not yet known, and police could not comment on whether foul play is suspected.
“MTV is deeply saddened to hear about the tragic loss of Alexis Eddy. Our hearts go out to her family and friends during this difficult time,” MTV said a statement on Are You the One?‘s Twitter account.
Eddy openly discussed her struggle with drug abuse during her time on the show in 2017. In recent months, however, she posted to social media about being “clean and sober” and feeling “so very blessed.”
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Buck Henry
The legendary Oscar-nominated screenwriter, actor and director Henry died of a heart attack at Cedars-Sinai Health Center in Los Angeles on Jan. 8. He was 89.
Born in New York City on Dec. 9, 1930, Henry achieved fame and an Oscar nomination for writing The Graduate screenplay, as well as for Catch-22 and co-creating Get Smart.
Henry is also a founding member of Saturday Night Live’s Five-Timers Club, which consists of members who have hosted the comedy sketch show five or more times. Henry hosted 10 times.
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Elizabeth Wurtzel
The controversial author of Prozac Nation — who popularized confessional-style memoirs and opened up the national conversation around depression — died on Jan. 7 at the age of 52.
Her husband, Jim Freed, confirmed to The Washington Post that she’d been battling metastatic breast cancer, which then spread to her brain. She died due to complications from leptomeningeal disease in Manhattan, according to the newspaper.
Wurtzel was just 26 when Prozac Nation — a hyper-personal account of her struggles with depression, her dependency on drugs, and her sex life — was published, and indelibly shaped the future of the memoir genre.
Friends and fans paid tribute to the author, who went on to write several more books including Bitch: In Praise of Difficult Women (1998) and More, Now, Again: A Memoir of Addiction (2001). Ronan Farrow shared a heartfelt tribute which encouraged fans to get tested for the BRCA gene, which she advocated for after her breast cancer diagnosis.
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Silvio Horta
Ugly Betty creator Horta died by suicide on Jan. 7 in Miami. He was 45.
Horta was best known for creating the beloved ABC comedy Ugly Betty, which ran from 2006 to 2010 and starred America Ferrera as the titular character.
The long-running series nabbed Horta an Emmy nomination in 2007 for outstanding comedy series, and a Golden Globe for best television series — comedy or musical.
“I’m stunned and heartbroken to hear the devastating news of Ugly Betty creator, Silvio Horta’s death,” Ferrera wrote in an emotional tribute on Instagram.
“His talent and creativity brought me and so many others such joy & light,” she continued. “I’m thinking of his family and loved ones who must be in so much pain right now- and of the whole Ugly Betty family who feel this loss so deeply.”
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