A Celebrity Is Loved All Over The World – For The Roles He Plays & The Characters he Wins Our Hearts With. When He Passes Away, It Is As If Apart Of Us Has Died Along With Him!
2020 is over (Finally!) With the Covid vaccine rolling out in most countries, and more affordable options to follow, we have a new ray of hope. But we lost many along the way – 2020 witnessed legends depart from our lives. Join us as we pay tribute to the stars who left us this year.
1. Maradona – The Legendary Footballer
Diego Armando Maradona (30 October 1960 – 25 November 2020) was an Argentine professional football player. He’s regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, he was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the 20th Century award.
For all you Millenials and Gen Z, the sight of this player zooming down a football field and scoring a heart-stopping goal is all you need to watch to fall in love with the adrenalin rush that is a football match! Watch for Maradona because – there ain’t goin’ to be another in a decade perhaps … or longer!
Maradona played in four FIFA World Cups, including the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. He gained overnight celebrity status when he captained the Argentine national team to victory in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, winning the final in Mexico City against West Germany. Throughout the tournament, Maradona ruled the football field, dominating & dynamic in triumph!
He later became the coach of Argentina’s national football team in November 2008.
Maradona passed away at age 60 after suffering a heart attack in Tigre, Argentina.
2. Sushant Singh Rajput
Sushant Singh Rajput (21 January 1986 – 14 June 2020) was an Indian actor-celebrity. He starred in a number of commercially successful Bollywood films such as M.S. Dhoni (2016), Kedarnath (2018) and Chhichhore (2019). He received a Screen Award and was nominated for the Filmfare Awards twice.
On 14 June 2020, Rajput, aged 34, was found dead. His death was a shock to many of us around the world. He is alleged to have committed suicide and the reason for his death was cited as depression.
Watch his song Dil Bechara, shot in a single take:
Sushant’s death left many unanswered questions – of nepotism, mental health and perhaps, even drug usage in one of the world’s largest and most glamorous industries – Bollywood.
As the world woke up to the shocking revelations, inquires are still undergoing with many well known names under the spotlight, unfortunately, a precious life was lost in the bargain – his fans have been very disheartened and vow to avenge the real culprits.
3. Kenny Rogers
Kenneth Ray Rogers (August 21, 1938 – March 20, 2020) was an American singer, songwriter, musician & actor.
Kenny Rogers is the name you turned to when you dreamed Country Music. He charted more than 120 hit singles across various music genres, topping the country and pop album charts. Kenny was the best selling music artist of his time and enjoyed a much-loved & successful career.
Listen in to a collection of his hits to pay tribute to some soulful country music and the celebrity singer that was Kenny!
He collaborated with other country music legends during his career, including Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson.
Rogers died at the age of 81 due to natural causes.
4. Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bean Bryant (August 23, 1978 – January 26, 2020) was an American professional basketball player. He spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
He was a five-time NBA champion. Kobe played for the LA Lakers throughout his career. Moreover, he’s considered one of the greatest players in the game’s history.
Kobe was a devoted husband and dedicated father, mentor to young people, a successful business leader and philanthropist – a celebrity who inspired from a very young age. Many mourned his deaths – fans, those close to him as well as total strangers.
He died in a helicopter crash along with his daughter and 7 other passengers en route to a youth basketball tournament in Thousand Oaks, California hosted by his Mamba Sports Academy. His untimely death was met with disbelief and sadness throughout the world.
5. Irrfan Khan-Celebrity
Irrfan Ali Khan ( January 1967 – 29 April 2020) was an Indian actor who worked in Hindi cinema as well as British and American films. He was one of the finest actors in Indian cinema. Khan’s career spanned over 30 years and earned him numerous acknowledgements, including a National Film Award.
His popular movies includes The Amazing Spider-Man , Life of Pi, Jurassic World, Inferno, New York & Hindi Medium.
Irrfan Khan carried an image of modesty, humility and a down to earth aura that won his character roles like Lunchbox, Piku as well as a parallel career in British American cinema. His last venture Angrezi Medium was released after his passing. The film was released in India theatrically on 13 March 2020 and digitally on the streaming platform Disney+ Hotstar on 6 April 2020. It was later removed from cinemas due to Covid but was met with the same popularity, love and affection from his fans as all his other projects!
Khan was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor in 2018. He died at the age of 53 on 29 April 2020 due to a colon infection. He lives on in our hearts and on the screen due to the heartwarming roles he embraced in his prematurely shortened acting career.
6. Rishi Kapoor
Rishi Raj Kapoor (4 September 1952 – 30 April 2020) was an Indian actor who worked in Hindi films. He’s one of the most successful actors in the history of Indian cinema. Kapoor received several accolades, including winning four Filmfare Awards, three Zee Cine Awards and a National Film Award.
His was an illustrious career that spanned nearly 50 years. Rishi Kapoor continued to work into 2019 and has left us a library of iconic roles to replay on screen. If there ever were a natural actor in screen, Rishi’s name would feature him up on the list, we watched him assume multiple characters with the same limitless energy, swaying to some of the most hummable songs in Bollywood. Here are some to give you a Rishi Kapoor throwback moment:
Rishi Kapoor appeared in many movies such as Hum tum, Love Ajkal, Coolie and so many more.
He died of leukemia on 30 April 2020, aged 67.
7. Sean Connery
Sir Sean Connery (25 August 1930 – 31 October 2020) was a Scottish actor. He became known as the first actor to portray fictional British secret agent James Bond on film, starring in seven Bond films between 1962 and 1983.[1][2][3] Originating the role in Dr. No, Connery played Bond in six of Eon Productions’ entries and made his final appearance in the Jack Schwartzman-produced Never Say Never Again.
Sean Connery was perhaps the most successful Bond man of all. But what made him stand out from the crowd was his ability to age and become even better with each passing year. His post Bond movies earned him as much success as the franchise which is a rare feat indeed for any actor. Sean Connery was the manifestation of talent, good looks and a sex appeal that made his life affair with camera lens a pleasure to behold for all generations!
watch his Hunt for Red October to see him in full glory!
He died at the age of 90, after being unwell for many days.
8. Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick Aaron Boseman (November 29, 1976– August 28, 2020) was an American actor and playwright & a well known celebrity.
An idol for many young people across the globe, his dedication, hardwork and integrity touched many lives, those who knew him and even those who didn’t.
Boseman achieved international fame for playing superhero Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) from 2016 to 2019. He appeared in four MCU films, including an eponymous 2018 film that earned him an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. As the first black actor to headline an MCU film, he was also named to the 2018 Time 100.
He died of cancer-aged 43.
9. Eddie Van Halen
Edward Van Halen (January 26, 1955 – October 6, 2020) was an American musician and songwriter. He was the main songwriter and guitarist of the American rock band Van Halen
His band were best known for their song Jump, which hit the top of the US charts in 1984.
He died at the age of 65 from cancer.
10. Kirk Douglas
Kirk Douglas (December 9, 1916 – February 5, 2020) was an American actor, producer & director. He appeared in more than 90 films. The famous celebrity, Douglas was popular for his explosive acting style. He displayed as a criminal defense attorney in Town Without Pity.
Ask your grandparents about him, and they’ll have stories to tell. Kirk Douglas ruled the screen for many glorious years and played many iconic roles
His rugged good looks and muscular intensity made him a commanding presence in films like Lust for Life as Vincent Van Gogh, Spartacus as a gladiator and Paths of Glory were all eternally memorable character portrayals. Watch if you are into classic movies and appreciate the old world Hollywood charm of yesteryears!
He died at the age of 103 after living in a golden era of Hollywood.
