15 Celebs Who Lost Their Lives to COVID-19

The pandemic has taken a heavy toll on families and communities everywhere, and it has also reached many of the public figures whose work touched millions. From musicians and actors to writers and cultural leaders, these people left behind rich legacies that continue to be discovered and celebrated by new audiences.

This list looks back at prominent names whose deaths were attributed to complications from COVID-19. Each entry includes key details about their careers and the circumstances reported at the time, so readers can remember what they accomplished and when they were lost.

John Prine

John Prine was a revered American singer and songwriter whose plain spoken storytelling influenced generations of folk and country artists. He released landmark albums across five decades and earned multiple Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy. His songs like Hello in There and Angel from Montgomery have been recorded by many major artists.

Prine died on April 7, 2020 in Nashville at the age of 73 due to complications from COVID-19. He had battled serious health challenges in prior years and continued to tour and record, including the acclaimed album The Tree of Forgiveness shortly before the pandemic.

Terrence McNally

Terrence McNally was an American playwright and librettist whose works explored love, identity, and community in contemporary life. His plays and musicals earned numerous Tony Awards, and his writing reached Broadway and regional stages for more than half a century.

McNally died on March 24, 2020 in Sarasota, Florida at the age of 81 from complications of COVID-19. He had a history of chronic lung disease, and his passing was one of the earliest high profile losses in the theater world during the first wave of the pandemic.

Adam Schlesinger

Adam Schlesinger was a songwriter, producer, and musician best known as a member of Fountains of Wayne. He wrote widely for film and television, including the title song for the film ‘That Thing You Do’ and Emmy winning work on ‘Crazy Ex Girlfriend’.

Schlesinger died on April 1, 2020 in New York at the age of 52 due to complications from COVID-19. He was an active collaborator across pop and television music and left an extensive catalog that continues to be used in series and films.

Nick Cordero

Nick Cordero was a Canadian actor and singer who earned a Tony nomination for his role in the Broadway musical ‘Bullets Over Broadway’. He also appeared in ‘Waitress’ and ‘A Bronx Tale’ on stage and made television appearances in series such as ‘Blue Bloods’.

Cordero died on July 5, 2020 in Los Angeles at the age of 41 following a prolonged hospitalization for complications from COVID-19. His illness involved significant medical interventions and was closely followed by the theater community, which later honored him with tribute performances and memorial funds.

Charley Pride

Charley Pride was a pioneering American country music star and the first Black artist inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He recorded dozens of charting singles and earned major honors, including the CMA Entertainer of the Year award and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Pride died on December 12, 2020 in Dallas at the age of 86 due to complications from COVID-19. His memorial services highlighted both his long recording career and his impact on opening doors for future artists in country music.

Manu Dibango

Manu Dibango was a Cameroonian saxophonist and bandleader whose 1972 track Soul Makossa became a global hit and a touchstone for Afro funk. He collaborated with artists across Africa, Europe, and the Americas and toured internationally for decades.

Dibango died on March 24, 2020 in Paris at the age of 86 due to complications from COVID-19. His estate and collaborators later organized releases and tributes that documented his influence on popular music and dance culture around the world.

Ken Shimura

Ken Shimura was a beloved Japanese comedian and television star known for longstanding variety programs and sketch comedy. He rose to fame with The Drifters and later headlined shows that drew large audiences across multiple generations.

Shimura died on March 29, 2020 in Tokyo at the age of 70 due to pneumonia caused by COVID-19. His passing prompted widespread remembrances in Japan, and broadcasters reaired classic segments to commemorate his decades on television.

Mark Blum

Mark Blum was an American stage and screen actor recognized for roles in films such as ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ and appearances in television series including ‘You’ and ‘Mozart in the Jungle’. He worked extensively in New York theater and won an Obie Award for his stage performances.

Blum died on March 25, 2020 in New York at the age of 69 from complications of COVID-19. Theater companies and colleagues honored his contributions with dedicated performances and readings that highlighted his work on and off Broadway.

Ellis Marsalis Jr.

Ellis Marsalis Jr. was an American jazz pianist and educator and the patriarch of the Marsalis musical family. He recorded numerous albums and taught at the University of New Orleans, where he helped mentor artists who went on to international careers.

Marsalis died on April 1, 2020 in New Orleans at the age of 85 due to complications from COVID-19. The city marked his passing with tributes that recognized both his role as a performer and his decades of teaching in New Orleans.

Joe Diffie

Joe Diffie was an American country singer known for hits such as Pickup Man and John Deere Green. He joined the Grand Ole Opry and toured widely through the 1990s and 2000s with multiple platinum records.

Diffie died on March 29, 2020 in Nashville at the age of 61 due to complications from COVID-19. Radio stations and award shows highlighted his body of work and his standing in the Nashville community in memorial segments that followed.

Dawn Wells

Dawn Wells was an American actress best known for playing Mary Ann Summers on the television series ‘Gilligan’s Island’. She also worked in theater and made guest appearances on a range of television programs throughout her career.

Wells died on December 30, 2020 in Los Angeles at the age of 82 due to complications from COVID-19. Her role on ‘Gilligan’s Island’ remained a fixture in syndication for decades, and her official fan organizations organized tributes and charity efforts in her memory.

Andrew Jack

Andrew Jack was a British dialect coach and actor who worked on major franchises and high profile films. He served as a dialect supervisor for projects such as the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy and appeared as General Ematt in ‘Star Wars’ films.

Jack died on March 31, 2020 in Surrey, England at the age of 76 due to complications from COVID-19. Productions he worked on acknowledged his behind the scenes impact on actors and voice work, and colleagues shared training materials and stories from sets as memorials.

Carlos Marín

Carlos Marín was a Spanish baritone and a founding member of the classical crossover group Il Divo. The quartet sold millions of albums and toured internationally with performances that blended pop and operatic styles.

Marín died on December 19, 2021 in Manchester in the United Kingdom at the age of 53 due to complications from COVID-19. Il Divo continued with tribute concerts and released recordings that featured his vocals as part of memorial projects for fans.

David Prowse

David Prowse was a British actor and weightlifter best known for physically portraying Darth Vader in the original ‘Star Wars’ trilogy. He also appeared in British film and television and worked as a trainer and public speaker.

Prowse died on November 28, 2020 in England at the age of 85 due to complications from COVID-19. Film organizations and science fiction conventions marked his passing with displays and screenings that documented his work on the landmark series.

Dave Greenfield

Dave Greenfield was an English keyboardist and longtime member of The Stranglers. His playing style became a signature element of the band on recordings and tours across Europe and beyond.

Greenfield died on May 3, 2020 in England at the age of 71 after testing positive for COVID-19. The band released statements and archival material that honored his musicianship and documented his role in the group’s sound.

Share your thoughts and memories of these figures in the comments so others can learn what their work meant to you.