It's been a rough year all around with so much loss. No one has been spared, and while many of us mourn the loss of those near and dear to us, we've also collectively mourned the death of celebrities. Since the beginning of the year, we've been hit with the loss of so many prominent stars. Fans everywhere have mourned the loss of some of their favorite celebrities. For example, Kobe Bryant's sudden death in January shook the sports and entertainment worlds and left many of his fans and the public brokenhearted. The loss of a huge star like him usually impacts many and leaves a mark for a long time to come. The athlete lost his life in a helicopter crash that also took the lives of his daughter Gianna and seven other people.
More from MamásLatinas: Celebrity deaths: Famous stars who died in 2019
That sad news was followed by other big stars, like actor Chadwick Boseman and rapper Pop Smoke, whose death during a home invasion was devastating for the music world. It's never easy to see people lose their lives at a young age, and losing a celebrity who has touched our lives is always painful and leaves us mourning, regardless of their age. Scroll through to pay tribute to some of the celebrities we've lost in 2020.
Pierre Cardin died on December 29.
Born in Italy in 1922, he later moved to France and became a French citizen. He founded his namesake fashion brand in 1953 and in 1954 designed the bubble dress, which was a huge hit throughout the world. He’s been a fashion icon ever since. The designer died in France at the age of 98.
Armando Manzanero died on December 28.
To say that the Mexican composer and singer was prolific is an understatement. He wrote more than 600 songs over the course of his career. Songs that were sung by superstars including Elvis Presley, Raphael, and Luis Miguel. He died from COVID-19 at the age of 85.
Tito Rojas died on December 26.
The Puerto Rican singer and songwriter known as “El Gallo Salsero” released over 25 albums during his long and illustrious his career. He died of a suspected heart attack on the balcony of his home. He was 65 years old.
Charley Pride died on December 12.
He will be remembered as "country music’s first Black superstar and the first Black member of the Country Music Hall of Fame." He died of COVID-19 related complications. He was 86 years old.
David Lander died on December 4.
Squiggy! David Lander played Squiggy on the 70s sitcom Laverne & Shirley. He died of complications related to multiple sclerosis, which he had lived with for a long time. He worked with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to raise awareness. He was 73 years old at the time of his death.
Diego Maradona died on November 25.
The legendary Argentine soccer player and coach died from a stroke. He is considered by many to be one of the greatest soccer players of all time. He was known for his ability to control the ball. He died at the age of 60.
Alex Trebek died on November 8.
Alex Trebek hosted the game show Jeopardy! for 36 years. Originally from Canada, he moved to the US in the '70s and hosted a variety of shows. He signed on with Jeopardy! in 1984. He died at the age of 80 after being diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
Sean Connery died on October 31.
The Scottish actor was the first actor to play James Bond. The movie icon died in his sleep while in the Bahamas after having been "unwell for some time", according to his son. He died at the age of 90.
Eddie Van Halen died on October 6.
The gifted guitarist and songwriter was a co-founding member of the rock band Van Halen. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. He died from throat cancer at the age of 65.
Anthony Galindo Ibarra died on October 3.
The former Menudo singer attempted suicide on September 27 and died a few days later. “It is with deep pain that we want to inform you that today, Saturday, Oct. 3, at 3:43 in the afternoon, our dear Anthony Galindo has passed away after 6 days where the doctors did what was humanly possible to save his life,” wrote Ibarra’s family on his Instagram page.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg died on September 18.
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court. Appointed by President Clinton in 1993, she championed gender equality. She died from metastatic pancreatic cancer at the age of 87.
Chadwick Boseman died on August 28.
Chadwick Boseman died of complications from colon cancer. He was a well-respected and talented actor. He is beloved by many for his role as the Marvel superhero T'Challa, aka Black Panther, in the movie Black Panther. He died at the age of 43.
Manuel "El Loco" Valdés died on August 28.
The legendary Mexican comic and actor with the bushy eyebrows and crazy stare had a successful career that spanned more than seven decades. He died at the age of 89 after suffering from various illnesses, including cancer.
Wilford Brimley died on August 1.
Wilford Brimley managed to have a prolific acting career without ever taking any acting lessons. He was in many successful movies including Cocoon and many people knew him as the Quaker Oats guy from television commercials. He died at the age of 85 as a result of a kidney ailment.
Regis Philbin died on July 24.
"His family and friends are forever grateful for the time we got to spend with him — for his warmth, his legendary sense of humor, and his singular ability to make every day into something worth talking about," his family said in a statement. "We thank his fans and admirers for their incredible support over his 60-year career and ask for privacy as we mourn his loss." The talk show legend died at the age of 88.
Raymundo Capetillo died on July 13.
The Mexican actor began his acting career in the 1960s and worked in theater, television, and film. He died after being hospitalized in Mexico for a week due to COVID-19. He was 76 years old.
Kelly Preston died on July 12.
"It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my beautiful wife Kelly has lost her two-year battle with breast cancer. She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many," wrote John Travolta on Instagram. "My family and I will forever be grateful to her doctors and nurses at MD Anderson Cancer Center, all the medical centers that have helped, as well as her many friends and loved ones who have been by her side. Kelly's love and life will always be remembered." She died at the age of 57.
Naya Rivera died on July 8.
The Glee star's body was recovered on July 13 after she had gone missing during a boat trip on Lake Piru in California. She was with her son Josey Hollis at the time. They both went for a swim and she somehow managed to get him back on the boat before sinking into the lake herself. She died at the age of 33.
Nick Cordero died on July 5.
The Broadway actor died after being in the hospital with COVID-19 for more than 90 days. His wife, Amanda Kloots, documented his excruciating experience, which included having his leg amputated and being put in a medically induced coma. He died at the age of 41.
Carl Reiner died on June 29.
The Hollywood legend was a comic, a writer, a director, and a performer with a career that spanned more than six decades. He won numerous awards including nine Emmys and a Grammy. He died of natural causes at the age of 98.
Héctor Suárez died on June 1.
The Mexican actor and comedian’s son Héctor Suárez Gomís shared the following statement via social media on June 2, 2020: "With deep pain, we want to share with you the death of Héctor Suárez Hernández. The Suárez family asks you to please understand this moment of great sadness that we are experiencing and we also hope you can respect our mourning." The cause of the comedy legend’s death has not been released, but he was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2015. He died at the age of 81.
Fred Willard died on May 15.
Fred Willard spent more than 50 years sharing his comedic genius with the world. His acting credits are far too long to list, but a few standouts include his performances in Best in Show, This Is Spinal Tap, Everybody Loves Raymond, and Modern Family. He died of cardiac arrest at the age of 86.
Lynn Shelton died on May 15.
Lynn Shelton was thriving career-wise as a filmmaker and TV director. Her directing work included episodes of Little Fires Everywhere, GLOW, and Mad Men. According to Adam Kersh, her representative, she died from a previously undiagnosed blood disorder at the age of 54.
Gregory Tyree Boyce died on May 13.
You might recognize Gregory Tyree Boyce from his role as Tyler Crowley, a high school student, in the 2008 Twilight film. He and his girlfriend Natalie Adepoju were found dead in a Las Vegas condo on May 13. He was 30 and she was 27 years old. Both of their deaths were ruled as an accidental overdose of fentanyl and cocaine.
Jerry Stiller died on May 11.
On May 11, Ben Stiller wrote on Twitter: “I’m sad to say that my father, Jerry Stiller, passed away from natural causes. He was a great dad and grandfather, and the most dedicated husband to Anne for about 62 years. He will be greatly missed. Love you Dad.” Jerry was a fixture in many American living rooms during his long and successful career. He played Frank Costanza on Sienfeld and Arthur Spooner in King of Queens. He died at the age of 92.
Little Richard died on May 9.
Rolling Stone describes Little Richard as “a founding father of rock & roll whose fervent shrieks, flamboyant garb, and joyful, gender-bending persona embodied the spirit and sound of that new art form.” They’re not wrong. Some of his well-known songs include “Good Golly Miss Molly” and “Tutti Frutti.” He died of bone cancer at the age of 87.
Roy Horn died on May 8.
It’s hard to think of Roy Horn without thinking of his partner Siegfried Fischbacher. The two were better known as Siegfried & Roy. They had a very popular magic and animal act that ran in Las Vegas from 1993 to 2003. It ended because Roy was mauled by one of the tigers in the act. Roy died as a result of complications from COVID-19 at the age of 75.
Brian Dennehy died on April 15.
“It is with heavy hearts we announce that our father, Brian passed away last night from natural causes, not Covid-related. Larger than life, generous to a fault, a proud and devoted father and grandfather, he will be missed by his wife Jennifer, family and many friends," wrote his daughter Elizabeth Dennehy on Twitter. He was 81 at the time of his death.
Kenny Rogers died on March 20.
“The Rogers family is sad to announce that Kenny Rogers passed away last night at 10:25PM at the age of 81. Rogers passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family,” wrote the Rogers family on Twitter. Kenny Rogers gifted us with classics like “Islands in the Stream” and “The Gambler.”
Camila María Concepción died on February 21.
Trans writer and actor Camila María Concepción died by suicide at the age of 28. If you’ve watched the Netflix series Gentefied, she co-wrote the “Protest Tacos” episode. She was also a writer for the show Daybeak. She was also an activist. “In late February, 5050by2020 lost one of our most powerful compatriots, Camila Maria Concepción. Camila was on the original founding Advisory Board of 5050by2020 and has always elevated the experiences of transgender women of color,” reads a tribute to Camila on the organization’s website.
Pop Smoke's life ended too soon on February 19.
The up-and-coming New York rapper was shot and killed at a rental home in Hollywood Hills, California, during an early morning home invasion by a group of armed and masked men. The Panamanian star's career was just beginning to take off. May he rest in peace.
Dr. Amie Harwick died on February 15.
The known Hollywood therapist died in February at age 38. An ex-boyfriend of hers was charged with killing the marriage and family and sex therapist in her Hollywood Hills apartment by throwing her over a balcony.
Caroline Flack was found dead on February 15.
The British star and former host of the TV show Love Island died at the age of 40. She was found dead in her home in London, England, and her cause of death was later determined to be suicide.
Esther Scott died on February 14.
The actress appeared in popular movies like Boyz n the Hood and Dreamgirls and was known for taking on matriarchal roles. She suffered an apparent heart attack and died in her home in Santa Monica, California. She was 66.
Lynn Cohen died on February 14.
The actress died in New York in February at age 86. She had a long career and was known for her role as Magda in HBO's Sex and the City and her role in the Hunger Games series.
Former child actor Raphaël Coleman died on February 6.
The family of Nanny McPhee star and climate change activist Raphaël Coleman confirmed that he died in February during a trip at the age of 25. The British actor's mother, Liz Jensen, confirmed his death in a tweet saying, "Rest in peace my beloved son Raphael Coleman, aka Iggy Fox."
Kirk Douglas died on February 5.
The legendary Hollywood actor died at his home in Beverly Hills, California, on February 5. He died at the age 103 from natural causes. He is survived by his son actor Michael Douglas.
Kobe Bryant died on January 26.
The former Laker died in a tragic helicopter accident on his way to his daughter Gianna's basketball game. Nine people died as a result of the helicopter crash. He left behind three other daughters and wife Vanessa Bryant. He was 41.
Gianna Bryant also died on January 26.
Gianna was just 13 years old when she died in the same helicopter accident as her father Kobe Bryant. She was the second child of the basketball star and his wife, and she was a rising basketball player. Kobe loved to brag about her basketball skills.
The Rock's father Rocky "Soul Man" Johnson died on January 15.
Rocky "Soul Man" Johnson, who was a Canadian professional wrestler and Hall of Fame inductee, died suddenly in January. "He had not been feeling well. He'd been battling a cold and infection and on Tuesday he had what's called a deep vein thrombosis, which is essentially a blood clot in the leg," his famous son explained in an Instagram video. "It was a big ol' blood clot that broke free, traveled up his body, and went right to his lung, clotted his lung, and he died very quickly from a massive heart attack." He was 75.
Carlos Girón died on January 13.
The Mexican Olympian medalist died at age 65 from pneumonia. The athlete participated in the Olympics in Moscow in 1980. That's where he won a silver metal in the 3 meter springboard event.
Norma Michaels died on January 11.
The veteran TV and movie actress Norma Michaels died from natural causes in January at her home in Palm Springs, California. She was 95. She was best known for her role as Josephine on King of Queens alongside Jerry Stiller.
Edd Byrnes died on January 8.
The actor, who rose to fame in the 1950s playing a detective on the show 77 Sunset Strip. At the height of his fame, he used to get 15,000 fan letters a week. Later in his life, he featured in the 1978 movie Grease. He was 87 at the time of his death.
Harry Hains died at age 27 on January 7.
The American Horror Story actor died at age 27, after struggles with mental health and addiction. His mother confirmed his death on Instagram, and his cause of his death was not disclosed at the time. Since then the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner revealed that the actor died of accidental fentanyl intoxication.
Silvio Horta died on January 7.
Silvio Horta, who was the creator of ABC's popular series Ugly Betty, was found dead in a Miami motel room in early January. His cause of death was reportedly suicide. “I’m stunned and heartbroken to hear the devastating news of Ugly Betty creator, Silvio Horta’s death. His talent and creativity brought me and so many others such joy & light. 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," wrote American Ferrera on Instagram.
Daniel Rengifo died on January 5.
The Colombian actor died at the age of 26. He had been battling the brain tumor since 2014 and had lost sight in one of his eyes. Sadly, he died during an operation for the brain tumor.
Andrea Arruti died on January 3.
The Mexican voice-over actress Andrea Arruti died in January at the age of 21. Her family revealed that the Frozen star died of respiratory complications. It's hard to believe that someone so young is gone.
Lexii Alijai died on January 1.
The up-and-coming rapper died in January at the age of 21. "This individual died due to mixed fentanyl and ethanol toxicity,” the medical examiner confirmed in a press release obtained by Fox News. The overdose was deemed accidental. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse "Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid analgesic that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent."
David Stern died on January 1.
The world of basketball took a loss when David Stern died on New Year's Day in Manhattan. He had a 30-year tenure as commissioner of the NBA. He was 77.
Nick Gordon died on January 1.
Nick Gordon was known for his relationship with Whitney Houston's late daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown. According to the medical examiner's office in Florida, he died from a heroin overdose. He died three years after his former girlfriend's death. He was 30.
