Cultural Icons and Celebrities We Lost in 2020
By: Andrew Martin
Tags: 2020, Culture, Celebrity, Death, Pop Culture

Image via Unsplash- Derek Owens

Cultural Icons and Celebrities We Lost in 2020

Like it or not, celebrities make an indelible impact on our lives. People who are so famous in their respective professions of entertainment and athletics become so familiar to us that they are almost like family, even if we rarely have the chance to ever meet them in person. Sadly, the natural progression of life takes some of our most beloved figures from us every year. 2020 has been no exception but perhaps the bleakness of the ongoing pandemic makes the loss of some of our biggest icons this year all the more difficult. Here are some of the brightest stars we have lost during the last 12 months.

Alex Trebek: Some fans of the popular quiz show Jeopardy watched religiously while others perhaps caught a few minutes here and there. No matter how much time was spent watching the beloved host, he was an integral part of the vast majority of Americans’ households for the past 35 years at 7:00–7:30 p.m.

Kobe Bryant: One of the biggest stars in NBA history, the prolific Los Angeles Lakers’ guard was barely a few years into his retirement when tragedy struck. He and his teenaged daughter Gigi were two of nine people killed in a helicopter crash in January while headed to one of her basketball tournaments.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Supreme Court Justice held her post for 27 years before succumbing to cancer. A staunch feminist and advocate for justice, she left a gaping hole on the bench with her passing, which was rapidly filled in a contentious move by the Trump administration.

Chadwick Boseman: Best known for his work as the title character in Marvel’s Black Panther, he was an accomplished actor with an impressive resume of credits under his belt. However, his superhero role resonated the most with audiences. His sudden passing from cancer was a shock to many.

David Prowse: Although he was an accomplished thespian, his most well-known work was serving as the man under the black helmet. He was Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy, and while his face was never seen on screen in those films, his character is one of the most memorable in cinematic history.

Eddie Van Halen: The primary songwriter, guitarist and co-founder of the famous rock band Van Halen, he was a key figure of 1980s culture. Few musicians rocked out to his level, and his solo guitar work was the stuff of legends.

Regis Philbin: Similar to Trebek, Philbin was a mainstay in households due to his voluminous work on television. In addition to co-hosting Live with Regis and Kathy Lee (and later Kelly Ripa) for years, he also hosted popular game shows like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and countless other programs. His gregarious personality and thick Bronx, New York accent were instantly recognizable even if you only heard him from the other room.

Olivia De Havilland: Although she has been out of the spotlight for years, she was an accomplished actress in early Hollywood; perhaps best known for her work as Melanie Hamilton in the legendary movie Gone with the Wind. She died weeks after her 104th birthday in France, where she had lived for years since retiring from acting.

John Lewis: Few can claim leading a life of service and leadership to the extent of Lewis. He was a leading force in the Civil Rights movement before moving on to a career in politics. He served as a Congressman from Georgia for 33 years right up until his death at the age of 80.

Kenny Rogers: A man of many talents, the seemingly perpetually white-haired and bearded crooner was a staple in country music for years. His Gambler song led to a popular movie. He also broadened his appeal with memorable duets with Dolly Parton and a popular eponymous fried chicken fast-food chain.