Famous People Who Died In 2020

Discover the most famous people died who died in the year 2020. This list includes people like Kobe Bryant, Kirk Douglas, Neil Peart, Rocky Johnson, Lexii Alijai and many more. This list of celebrities is loosely sorted by popularity. People featured on this list, include lyricists & songwriters, composers, jazz musicians and pianists who died in 2020. This list includes people from United States and many more countries.
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 1 
Kobe Bryant
(One of the Greatest Basketball Players of All Time)
Kobe Bryant
745
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 23, 1978
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: January 26

The former professional basketball player, Kobe Bryant, was drafted into NBA immediately after his school and went on to become one of the most successful basketball players of his generation. During his career of two decades, the Los Angeles Lakers player created numerous new records. He authored a book and one of his poems even inspired an animated short film.

 2 
Chadwick Boseman
97
Birthdate: November 29, 1976
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Anderson, South Carolina, United States
Died: August 28

A versatile actor and an inspiration for a generation of black youths, Chadwick Boseman is best remembered for portraying notable real life black figures like Jackie Robinson, Thurgood Marshall and James Brown in their biopics. His excellent performance in Black Panther, though, turned him into a household name.

 3 
Diego Maradona
(One of the Greatest Football Players in the History of the Sport)
Diego Maradona
212
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 30, 1960
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Lanús, Argentina
Died: November 25

Nicknamed The Golden Boy, Diego Maradona is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time. Thanks to his popularity and controversial personal life, which includes drug abuse issues and addiction to cocaine, Diego Maradona became a world-renowned counterculture icon. He was also an iconic figure in popular culture.

 4 
Sean Connery
(The First Actor to Portray Fictional British Secret Agent James Bond on Film)
Sean Connery
104
Birthdate: August 25, 1930
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, Scotland
Died: October 31

The first person to play James Bond on screen, Scottish actor Sean Connery went on to star in seven films of the franchise. The role catapulted him to international fame, but this charismatic actor was not restricted to his iconic role. He also tasted critical and commercial success in other productions including Murder on the Orient Express and The Untouchables

 5 
Katherine Johnson
(Mathematician and One of the First African-American Women to Work as a NASA Scientist)
Katherine Johnson
92
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: August 26, 1918
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, United States
Died: February 24
Katherine Johnson was a physicist and mathematician, remembered as the first African-American female NASA scientist. Her calculations helped launch the space missions of Alan Shepard and John Glenn. She was crucial to the Apollo program and won a Congressional Gold Medal and a Presidential Medal of Freedom for her achievements.
 6 
Naya Rivera
(Actress and Singer Best Known for Playing 'Santana Lopez' on 'Glee (2009-2015)')
Naya Rivera
99
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: January 12, 1987
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Valencia, Santa Clarita, California, United States
Died: July 8

A talented actress who felt deeply about social issues, Naya Rivera was known for playing roles that reflected her standing on issues like racism and queer representation. She openly championed for LGBT+ rights, immigrants' rights, and women's rights. The brilliant young woman met a tragic end when she drowned in a lake in 2020.

 7 
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
(Former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (1993 - 2020))
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
98
Listed In: Lawyers & Judges
Birthdate: March 15, 1933
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States
Died: September 18

The first Jewish woman to serve on the US Supreme Court, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a jurist who served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. An advocate for gender equality and women's rights, she spent the majority of her legal career championing these causes. She remained professionally active until her death in 2020.

 8 
Pop Smoke
(American rapper closely associated with Brooklyn drill)
Pop Smoke
54
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: July 20, 1999
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Canarsie, New York, United States
Died: February 19
 9 
Eddie Van Halen
(Guitarist and Keyboardist of the Rock Band Van Halen)
Eddie Van Halen
68
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: January 26, 1955
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Died: October 6

Eddie Van Halen was an American songwriter and guitarist. The co-founder of the popular rock band Van Halen, Eddie is widely considered one of the greatest guitar players in the history of rock music. He is credited with popularizing the tapping technique, which is now used extensively by guitarists all over the world.

 10 
Alex Trebek
(Game Show Host & Television Personality)
Alex Trebek
52
Birthdate: July 22, 1940
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Greater Sudbury, Canada
Died: November 8

An eminent television personality, Alex Trebek is best known for hosting the popular game show Jeopardy since it was revived in 1984. He has also hosted many other game shows, both in America and Canada. In February 1991, he became the first person to host three American game shows at the same time. He is currently undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer.

 11 
Kenny Rogers
(Best-Selling Country Music Artists of All Time)
Kenny Rogers
28
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: August 21, 1938
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Houston, Texas, United States
Died: March 20

Kenny Rogers was an American singer-songwriter. He is among the best-selling musicians of all-time list, having sold over 100 million records. His songs and albums remain influential among country music lovers. A multi-talented personality, Rogers was also successful as an actor and entrepreneur; he was the co-founder of the Kenny Rogers Roasters chain of restaurants.

 12 
Little Richard
(Known for His Hit Single 'Long Tall Sally' & Regarded as the 'Architect of Rock and Roll')
Little Richard
40
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: December 5, 1932
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Macon, Georgia, United States
Died: May 9
The Architect of Rock and Roll Little Richard is best known for his track Tutti Frutti, which was included in the National Recording Registry. His music was characterized by energetic piano and back beats. His songs broke all racial barriers and were equally appreciated by white and black listeners.
 13 
Rocky Johnson
(Professional Wrestler and Father of Actor and Former WWE Wrestler Dwayne Johnson)
Rocky Johnson
38
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 24, 1944
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Amherst, Canada
Died: January 15

The father of former WWE wrestler and actor Dwayne Johnson, Rocky Johnson was a popular Canadian professional wrestler. He was the first black wrestler to win the Georgia Heavyweight Championship. He inspired several popular wrestlers, such as The Rock. He is also credited with helping wrestlers like Hulk Hogan establish themselves in the wrestling world.

 14 
Kelly Preston
(Actress)
Kelly Preston
68
Birthdate: October 13, 1962
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Died: July 12

Considered one of the most underrated actresses, the late Kelly Preston left her mark in both films and television shows and across a variety of genres. The charming actress starred alongside big Hollywood actors including her husband John Travolta and made her presence felt in most of them.

 15 
Kirk Douglas
(Actor and Filmmaker)
Kirk Douglas
42
Birthdate: December 9, 1916
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Amsterdam, New York, United States
Died: February 5

The quintessential American action hero of the 1950s, Kirk Douglas remained one of the most bankable stars of Hollywood throughout the decade. Regarded as one of the greatest actors of classic Hollywood cinema, Kirk Douglas was a man of many talents. Also known as a writer and philanthropist, he was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1981.

 16 
Jerry Stiller
(Known for His Role on the Sitcom 'Seinfeld' and the Comedy Series ‘The King of Queens’)
Jerry Stiller
23
Birthdate: June 8, 1927
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: New York City, United States
Died: May 11

Veteran actor Jerry Stiller had an extensive six-decade-long career in the entertainment industry. He began performing comedy with his wife, Anne Meara, in the 1960s and soon started acting in films and TV shows as well. His son, Ben Stiller, is also an actor, and the two had appeared in many films together.

 17 
Brian Dennehy
14
Birthdate: July 9, 1938
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States
Died: April 15

Brian Dennehy was a prolific stage actor with two Tony Awards under his belt. He is credited with exploring playwright Eugene O'Neill’s works and bringing his popular characters to life at Chicago's Goodman Theatre. Also an acclaimed television and film actor, Brian Dennehy appeared in more than 180 films and several TV series.

 18 
Chuck Yeager
(American Test Pilot and the First Air Force Officer to Exceed the Speed of Sound in Flight)
Chuck Yeager
15
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: February 13, 1923
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Myra, West Virginia, United States
Died: December 7
U.S. Air Force pilot Chuck Yeager was the first human to break the sound barrier, when he flew the Bell X-1 in 1947. He was a P-51 Mustang fighter pilot in World War II and also fought in the Vietnam War. He inspired the novel and movie The Right Stuff.
 19 
Olivia de Havilland
(One of the Leading Actresses of Golden Age of Hollywood )
Olivia de Havilland
31
Birthdate: July 1, 1916
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
Died: July 26

The veteran actress of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Olivia de Havilland shot to fame with Gone With the Wind and later established her cinematic career with movies like To Each His Own and The Heiress. Her rivalry with her sister and the court battle against a powerful studio also made headlines.

 20 
Diana Rigg
(British Actress Known for Her Roles in 'The Avengers', 'Game of Thrones', 'Medea')
Diana Rigg
20
Birthdate: July 20, 1938
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Doncaster, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Died: September 10

English actress Diana Rigg had a wide-ranging career in films, television and theatre that spanned over six decades. Memorable roles of Diana include Emma Peel in television series The Avengers, which made her a sex-symbol; Mrs. Danvers in television drama Rebecca that won her an Emmy Award; and title role in the play Medea that won her a Tony Award.

 21 
Dawn Wells
(Actress)
Dawn Wells
18
Birthdate: October 18, 1938
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Reno, Nevada, United States
Died: December 30

Actress Dawn Wells is best remembered for her role as Mary Ann Summers in the CBS sitcom Gilligan's Island. She studied theater arts and design at the University of Washington and made her TV debut soon after. Venturing into films as well, she went on to build a successful acting career. Besides acting, she was involved in many charitable endeavors.

 22 
Carl Reiner
(A Legend of American Comedy)
Carl Reiner
7
Birthdate: March 20, 1922
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States
Died: June 29
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 23 
Ennio Morricone
(One of the Greatest Film Composers of All Time)
Ennio Morricone
12
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: November 10, 1928
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Rome, Italy
Died: July 6

Regarded as one of the world’s greatest film composers, Ennio Morricone was an Italian composer, orchestrator and conductor who scored music for over 500 films in his career spanning seven decades. Morricone covered a wide range of music styles and is best known for scores in the Dollar Trilogy and Once Upon a Time in the West.

 24 
Bill Withers
(American singer-songwriter)
Bill Withers
7
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: July 4, 1938
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Slab Fork, West Virginia, U.S.
Died: March 30

Soul and R&B legend Bill Withers is best remembered for hits such as Ain't No Sunshine and Lean on Me. The three-time Grammy Award-winner also inspired the documentary Still Bill. A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Bill moved on to other jobs after his 15-year music career. 

 

 25 
Fred Willard
(Actor known for his roles in several Christopher Guest mockumentary films such as Waiting for Guffman and Best in Show)
Fred Willard
14
Birthdate: September 18, 1933
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Shaker Heights, Ohio, United States
Died: May 15
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 26 
Neil Peart
(Best Known as the Drummer and Primary Lyricist of the Rock Band 'Rush')
Neil Peart
19
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: September 12, 1952
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Hamilton, Canada
Died: January 7

Neil Peart was a Canadian songwriter, author, and musician. Best known as the drummer of the popular rock band Rush, Peart was nicknamed The Professor for his technical proficiency. In 1983, Neil Peart became the youngest person ever to be inducted into the Modern Drummer publication's Readers Poll Hall of Fame.

 27 
Wilford Brimley
19
Birthdate: September 27, 1934
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Died: August 1

A stint at U.S. Marine Corps and a variety of jobs later, Wilford Brimley finally entered the world of acting, albeit as an extra. He established himself as a character actor and bagged his first leading role at the age of fifty. His notable work include Cocoon, The Natural and Our House. He is known for Quaker Oats commercials too.

 28 
Charley Pride
(Country Singer and One of Three African-American Members of the 'Grand Ole Opr')
Charley Pride
10
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: March 18, 1934
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Sledge, Mississippi, United States
Died: December 12
Charley Pride was an American professional baseball player, guitarist, and singer. During the 1970s, Pride became the best-selling singer for RCA Records since Elvis Presley. In his illustrious career, Pride won many awards including three American Music Awards and four Grammy Awards. In 2000, Pride was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
 29 
Charlie Daniels
(Singer-Songwriter Best Known for His Number-One Country Hit ‘The Devil Went Down to Georgia’)
Charlie Daniels
9
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: October 28, 1936
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Wilmington, North Carolina, United States
Died: July 6

Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Charlie Daniels, is remembered for his contributions to Southern rock, country, and bluegrass music. He had an extensive career that spanned over half a century and was inducted into the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame. He had also appeared in a few films.

 30 
Grant Imahara
(Known for His Work on the Television Series 'Mythbusters', on Which He Designed and Built Numerous Robots)
Grant Imahara
7
Listed In: Engineers
Birthdate: October 23, 1970
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
Died: July 13

Grant Masaru Imahara, a Japanese-American electrical engineer, roboticist, television host and actor, began his career at Lucasfilm, where he got involved with several big budget films including Star War franchise. Later, he joined MythBusters as a member of Build Tea and was well-known for his contribution in it. His other important works include White Rabbit Project, BattleBots, Star Trek Continues etc.

 31 
Conchata Ferrell
(Best Known for Her Role as ‘Berta’ in the TV Series ‘Two and a Half Men’)
Conchata Ferrell
21
Birthdate: March 28, 1943
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Loudendale, West Virginia, United States
Died: October 12
Emmy-nominated actor Conchata Ferrell was best known for her portrayal of housekeeper Berta in Two and a Half Men. She began her career with the off-Broadway show The Sea Horse, which won her a Drama Desk and an Obie award. She had also appeared in Krampus and Erin Brockovich.
 32 
Sushant Singh Rajput
(Actor)
Sushant Singh Rajput
47
Birthdate: January 21, 1986
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Patna, Bihar, India
Died: June 14
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 33 
Orson Bean
(Actor, Comedian, and Host of Game Shows and Talk Shows)
Orson Bean
6
Birthdate: July 22, 1928
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Burlington, Vermont, United States
Died: February 7

Veteran actor, Orson Bean, was once considered a mainstay of Los Angeles’ small theater scene. Born in the late 1920s, he served in the army for a few years before beginning his career in entertainment. He appeared in numerous TV shows, plays, and films, making a name for himself as one of the finest actors of his generation.

 34 
Ian Holm
(British Actor Best Known for His Role in the Film 'Chariots on Fire')
Ian Holm
9
Birthdate: September 12, 1931
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Goodmayes, Essex, England
Died: June 19
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
 35 
Peter Green
(Musician & Songwriter)
Peter Green
7
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: October 29, 1946
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Bethnal Green, London, England
Died: July 25

Peter Green was an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Green is credited with founding the popular British-American rock band, Fleetwood Mac. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. Named in Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time list, Green has influenced many other guitarists like Joe Perry and Gary Moore.

 36 
Terry Jones
(Actor)
Terry Jones
12
Birthdate: February 1, 1942
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, Wales
Died: January 21
Starting his career as a comedy writer, actor-director Terry Jones later soared to fame as part of the Monty Python comedy team. An avid historian, too, he wrote several books and presented TV documentaries on the topic. In his later years, the BAFTA Cymru award winner struggled with dementia. 
 37 
John Saxon
(Known for His Roles in Westerns and Horror Films)
John Saxon
11
Birthdate: August 5, 1936
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: July 25

American actor and martial artist, John Saxon was best known for the film Enter the Dragon where he co-starred with the legendary Bruce Lee. The famous character actor of Western and horror films, in his extensive career spanning six decades, worked in more than 200 films and television shows including three Nightmare on Elm Street movies, The Appaloosa and Dynasty.

 38 
Honor Blackman
(Best Known for Her Role as ‘Pussy Galore’ in the Film ‘Goldfinger’)
Honor Blackman
14
Birthdate: August 22, 1925
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: London, England, United Kingdom
Died: April 5
Honor Blackman became one of the oldest actors to play the "Bond Girl," with the role of Pussy Galore in Goldfinger. Fans also loved her as Cathy Gale in the series The Avengers and as Laura West in The Upper Hand. Blackman was also active in British politics.
 39 
Irrfan Khan
(One of the Finest Actors in Indian Cinema)
Irrfan Khan
38
Birthdate: January 7, 1967
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Tonk, Rajasthan, India
Died: April 29
Padma Shri- and National Award-winning actor and NSD graduate Irrfan Khan initially worked as an air conditioner repairman in Mumbai before he got a breakthrough in Salaam Bombay! He also impressed international audiences with movies such as The Namesake. He died of a colon infection at 53, leaving behind countless mourning fans.
 40 
Don Shula
(Football coach)
Don Shula
16
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 4, 1930
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Grand River, Ohio, United States
Died: May 4
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 41 
Gale Sayers
(American Football Player)
Gale Sayers
10
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 30, 1943
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Wichita, Kansas, United States
Died: September 23
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 42 
John Prine
(Known for an Often Humorous Style of Original Music That Has Elements of Protest and Social Commentary)
John Prine
17
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: October 10, 1946
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Maywood, Illinois, United States
Died: April 7
 43 
Jack Welch
(Former Chairman & CEO of General Electric)
Jack Welch
8
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: November 19, 1935
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Peabody, Massachusetts, U.S
Died: March 1
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 44 
Max von Sydow
19
Birthdate: April 10, 1929
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Lund, Sweden
Died: March 8

Max von Sydow was a Swedish actor and director. In an illustrious career spanning seven decades, Max contributed immensely to American and European cinema, theatre, and television. He appeared in 11 of Ingmar Bergman's films, including The Seventh Seal, which houses the iconic scene where Max's character challenges the personification of Death to a game of chess.

 45 
Edd Byrnes
(Actor)
Edd Byrnes
6
Birthdate: July 30, 1933
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: New York City, New York
Died: January 8
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 46 
Joel Schumacher
(Director, screenwriter, producer)
Joel Schumacher
3
Birthdate: August 29, 1939
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States
Died: June 22
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
 47 
Ric Ocasek
(Primary Co-Lead Vocalist of the Rock Band ‘The Cars’)
Ric Ocasek
9
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: March 23, 1944
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Died: September 15
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 48 
Vanessa Guillén
(Soldier who was murdered on April 22, 2020, inside a Fort Hood, Texas)
Vanessa Guillén
13
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: September 30, 1999
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: United sates
Died: April 22
 49 
Christopher Tolkien
(Editor, Illustrator, Academic and the Son of Author J. R. R. Tolkien)
Christopher Tolkien
10
Birthdate: November 21, 1924
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Leeds, United Kingdom
Died: January 16

Christopher Tolkien was a French and English academic editor. The son of legendary author J. R. R. Tolkien, Christopher edited much of his father's work, which was published after his father's demise. Christopher Tolkien is also credited with drawing the original maps in, The Lord of the Rings, one of his father's highly acclaimed novels.

 50 
Lyle Waggoner
4
Birthdate: April 13, 1935
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Died: March 17

Lyle Waggoner was an American sculptor, actor, model, travel trailer salesman, and presenter. He is best remembered for his association with The Carol Burnett Show between 1967 and 1974. He is also credited with founding Star Waggons, a company that aimed at helping the entertainment industry by leasing customized location trailers.