In Memory Of: Beloved Stars We Lost This Year - Page 5
Saying goodbye to someone you love or admire, even from afar, is never easy. That said, this year, in the midst of so much tragedy, the passing of many beloved stars hit quite differently. With so many people being extra mindful of their health and a number of people facing health scares due to the coronavirus, now more than ever many are appreciating life. They’re also feeling rocked in deep ways by the passing of so many people, from everyday individuals to notable figures.
Remembering the celebrities who have died this year, although sad, is a reminder of the ways in which so much has changed in 2020. Stars from across the entertainment industry — including the world’s top musicians, journalists, actors and athletes — were all some of the major names we’ve had to say goodbye to.
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Ashley “Minnie” Ross
Star of the Lifetime reality show Little Women: Atlanta, Ashley Ross, unfortunately passed away in April due to what was initially reported as a “hit and run car accident” at the age of 34. It later was revealed that the TV personality lost control of her car and ended up in a head-on crash with another vehicle.
Ross, a.k.a “Ms Minnie,” referred to herself as the “peacemaker” and was one of the show’s original cast members.
In the comments under a post written about her passing via Ross’ team on Instagram, many fans expressed sadness over her death and their love of her on the show.
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Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick Boseman’s death came as a shock to so many, as just about everyone outside of his small circle were unaware the actor was privately fighting colon cancer until his death in late August. He was diagnosed with the disease only four years ago, and died at the age of 43, as reported by the Associated Press.
Boseman’s legacy continues to live on through the widely impactful and larger than life roles he played, such as James Brown, Jackie Robinson, and most prominently, King T’Challa in Marvel’s Black Panther. The last film he acted in, Netflix’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, was released earlier in December to the excitement of his fans. His mentor and friend Denzel Washington — who produced the project — said “Chadwick will be remembered as a hero.”
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Natalie Desselle-Reid
Earlier this month, B.A.P.S. star Natalie Desselle-Reid passed away at the age of 53 due to a private battle with colon cancer. The star’s career spanned television and film, including the 1997 live-action TV movie Cinderella, Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big Happy Family, and the popular TV series Eve on UPN.
In her remembrance of Deselle-Reid, B.A.P.S. co-star Halle Berry tweeted a message saying, “Natalie represented actual Black women, not what Black women are perceived to be. For that she was often underrated, passed over — deprived of the platform she truly deserved. But her light continues to shine through the people who grew up watching her, the people who knew her and those of us who loved her.”
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Kobe and Gianna Bryant
Kobe and Gianna Bryant fatally passed away in an untimely helicopter crash on January 26. The news shocked the world and thousands flocked to the Staples Center in the weeks that followed to commemorate the deaths of the Lakers star and his 13-year-old daughter.
Through his 20-year career in the NBA, Kobe made a name for himself as one of the most premiere basketball players in the world. Playing as a shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe’s genuine love for the sport and Mamba mentality influenced everything he did. His daughter Gianna, who often went by Gigi, also played and had a love of the game like her father. Kobe even coached her basketball team at his Mamba Sports Academy.
The two left behind their loving family, including Vanessa, Natalia, Bianka, and Capri Bryant.
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Naya Rivera
The untimely death of Naya Rivera was tragic for many reasons, but particularly because she died after saving her son. The actress — who was best known for her role as Santana Lopez on the Fox hit show Glee — died from an accidental drowning after going swimming with her 4-year-old son while the two were on a brief boating trip.
Rivera, only 33 years old when she died, influenced many throughout the course of her lengthy career and the roles she played. Her role as Santana especially was important to young people of the LGBTQ community. Former fiancé Big Sean remembered the actress via his Instagram saying, “Rest In Peace Naya, God Bless your Soul! Thank you for blessing us all with your talent and presence. you are a hero!”
Source: 2020 Robert F. Kennedy Ripple Of Hope Award Gala / Getty
John Lewis
Former United States Representative John Lewis was 80 years old when he passed away in July. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in December 2019. The politician truly served as a representative of the American people. He was revered for the work he put in as one of the “Big Six,” a term used for the biggest leaders of Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.
Lewis was born in 1940 in Alabama. After being inspired by Martin Luther King Jr., Lewis began his work as a civil rights activist himself. He participated in sit-ins, was a Freedom Rider, and led the demonstration we now call Bloody Sunday. His life’s work will continue to impact the lives of Americans from all walks of life for years to come.
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B. Smith
B. Smith was a restaurant and cookbook author who unfortunately lost her battle to Alzheimer’s disease in February of this year. Being 70 years old when she passed, Smith fought through the disease for seven years after being diagnosed with it back in 2013.
In addition to her work in the culinary sphere, Smith also worked as a fashion model back in the ’60s. As her career grew, she influenced the lifestyles of many and did lot of work to highlight Alzheimer’s awareness — especially in the Black community. In a tweet, Ava DuVernay remembered her by saying, “The elegance. The grace. The style. May God rest and bless her soul. #BSmith was one-of-a-kind.”
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Little Richard
An icon and a legend, Little Richard was a talented musical performer across the board. As a singer and a songwriter, his influence in American music and pop culture is one that is unique and immeasurable.
Known for his flamboyant style and genre-combining sound, Richard Wayne Penniman was a man who broke both musical and social boundaries during his time. Richard was open about his homosexuality, honest at times about grappling with it, and was inspiring to many. His hits like “Long Tall Sally,” “Tutti Frutti,” and “Lucille” continue to live on. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
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Andre Harrell
In May, founder of Uptown Records and influential music and media mogul Andre Harrell died at the age of 59 in West Hollywood, California. The American producer was one of the first high-level visionaries of hip hop and R&B within the music industry and is credited with giving Diddy his start in the business.
Being raised in the Bronx, Harrell’s leap into the industry began as a rapper in the duo Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. His trajectory from an artist to an executive only grew upwards from there. The Revolt Network, where Harrell served as the vice chairman, summed up Harrell’s impact in a major way. The outlet said, “Andre’s impact on hip-hop and the culture and on us has been immeasurable and profound. May he Rest In Peace.”
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Betty Wright
Singer Betty Wright was 66 years old when she lost her battle to cancer in May. The R&B songstress was best known for the songs “Clean Up Woman,” “Tonight Is The Night,” and 1975’s “Where Is The Love,” which won her a Grammy Award in the Best Rhythm and Blues Song category.
Born in Miami, Wright was into music from the early days of her childhood. She released her debut album at the age of 15 and had the airwaves ablaze with her voice throughout the ’70s and ’80s. Being sampled by many artists throughout the industry, from Mary J. Blige to Afrika Bambaataa, Wright’s influence will continue to live on, in addition to her music.
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Tommy “Tiny” Lister
Actor Tommy D “Tiny” Lister Jr. unfortunately passed away earlier this month at the age of 62 in Marina del Rey, California. Best known for his performance as Deebo in the Friday film franchise, he brought laughter to many screens (and maybe some scares with his intimidating gaze).
With his career in the entertainment industry beginning in the ’80s after appearing in Beverly Hills Cop II and Runaway Train, Lister had a stint as a wrestler and even appeared in Hulk Hogan’s 1989 movie No Holds Barred. His career also included appearance in the films The Dark Knight and Austin Powers in Goldmember.
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Zindzi Mandela
Daughter to South Africa’s Nelson and Winnie Mandela, Zindzi Mandela passed away in Johannesburg at the age of 59 years old in July. According to her son Zondwa Mandela, although Zindzi tested positive for the coronavirus on the day she died, “there were several other tests done and those tests will give us further information as to what could have led to her untimely death.”
In a home full of anti-apartheid activists, Zindzi made a name for herself within the movement as well. Zindzi served South Africa as its ambassador to Denmark. At the time of her passing, the country’s Minister of International Relations Naledi Pandor said, “Zindzi will not only be remembered as a daughter of our struggle heroes, Tata Nelson and Mama Winnie Mandela, but as a struggle heroine in her own right. She served South Africa well.”
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Ben Watkins
At the age of 14, former Masterchef Junior contestant Ben Watkins unfortunately passed away after his battle with a rare form of cancer called angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma. He had only been diagnosed with the illness soon after his 13th birthday.
Watkins lost both of his parents back in 2017, but despite that tragedy, is remembered as being strong and resilient in the face of his obstacles, especially for his age. Starring in Masterchef Junior during the show’s sixth season, Watkins was a fan favorite and he made it to the top 18. Main host of the show and famous chef Gordon Ramsay described Watkins as an “incredibly talented home cook and even stronger young man.”
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Johnny Nash
American singer-songwriter Johnny Nash was 80 years old at the time of his death in early October, due to natural causes. His career began in the 1950s, and after releasing several albums, Nash achieved mainstream appeal with his chart topping song “I Can See Clearly Now,” which was a No. 1 hit in 1972.
While he himself had a successful career as a pop ballad singing musician, “Nash had a surprising hand in the development of reggae. As one of the owners of the JAD Records label, he signed Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer to an exclusive deal early in their careers,” as reported by NPR.
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Bert Belasco
Actor Bert Belasco, best known for his role as Charles Whitmore in the BET series Let’s Stay Together, was found dead in November in his hotel room at the age of 38 years old. Co-star Jackée Harry described him as a “a talented, kind young man” on Twitter after news of his passing broke.
The actor was in Virginia at the time of his death for a movie he was filming. He was said to be quarantining at the hotel where Henrico County police officers later found him. The TV star also appeared in hit shows such as House, Key and Peele, and Superstore.
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Nicole Thea
Popular YouTuber Nicole Thea shockingly passed away in July due to a heart attack. The dancer, who was pregnant at the time of her passing, was only 24 when she died. The mother-to-be and her boyfriend — fellow dancer Jeffery Frimpong a.k.a Global Boga — planned to name their son Reign. Frimpong shared recently that even though Thea died of a heart attack, a hospital mistake contributed to her passing.
Thea shared her life with the thousands of subscribers she had on her YouTube channel and posted a wide variety of content on her platform. Her videos included her pregnancy journey, her Ghanaian heritage, makeup tutorials and travel vlogs.
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Ja’Net DuBois
American actress Ja’net Dubois passed away in February at reportedly the age of 74. She began gracing our TV screens in the ’60s — later playing the character Willona Woods on the hit series Good Times.
After that, Dubois carried out a long-lasting career in television, including guest roles in Black sitcoms and staples such as Moesha, The Wayans Bros., and Eddie Murphy’s animated series The PJs. The latter role landed the actress two primetime Emmys.
Dubois also famously co-wrote and performed “Movin’ On Up,” the iconic theme song for The Jeffersons, which lives in many of our hearts to this day. With the song becoming a cultural staple for those seeking success and upward mobility, Dubois’ impact will continue to inspire people to reach for the stars.
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Bill Withers
Legendary soul singer of the ’70s Bill Withers was another of the many stars who passed away this year, leaving behind an immense legacy. His timeless hits like “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Just The Two Of Us” and “Lovely Day” have been staples for generations of families and households. One of his most popular hits, 1972’s “Lean On Me,” had a resurgence of popularity this year in association to the coronavirus pandemic and the support of healthcare workers.
As reported by his family, the singer-songwriter died in March due to heart complications and was 81 at the time of his passing. Although he stopped recording in the mid-80s, the warm values of togetherness and compassion in his music will continue to resonate.
