Who’s Living Longer: Musicians, Businessmen, or Politicians?

2020 was a year when death was frequently on our minds and in the news.

Legacy.com on the Mehdi Hasan Show

Legacy's senior writer, , was interviewed on The Mehdi Hasan Show, the Peacock streaming network's current-affairs news show, on December 30, 2020. In a special episode, "50 Lives," dedicated to remembering those who died of COVID-19, Crowther and Hasan discussed what it's like to be an obituary reporter during the pandemic.

R.I.P. 2020: Remembering the Newsmakers Who Died

Of all the places the story of 2020 has been told, one of the most poignant has been the obituary pages. Journalists around the country have observed that obituary writing has been more personal, more emotional, and more meaningful this year as communities everywhere had to grieve under difficult pandemic circumstances. That's been true for everyday Americans, and it's also been true for the national newsmakers whose deaths made headlines. Join us now in this look back at some of the most honored celebrities who died in 2020.

Wilford Brimley (1934–2020), star of "Cocoon" and Quaker Oats ads

Wilford Brimley was a character actor known for his gruff and grumpy persona in movies including “Cocoon” and "The Natural," television shows such as “The Waltons” and “Our House,” and commercials for Quaker Oats and Liberty Medical’s supplies for diabetes patients.

Ian Holm (1931–2020), British star played Bilbo in "Lord of the Rings"

Sir Ian Holm was a British actor whose many roles included the hobbit Bilbo Baggins in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy and the android Ash in "Alien" (1979).

Phyllis George (1949–2020), groundbreaking sportscaster, Miss America, first lady of Kentucky

Phyllis George, who during her remarkable career was one of the first female sportscasters in American television as well as Miss America and the first lady of Kentucky, died Thursday at the age of 70.

Little Richard (1932–2020), one of the founding fathers of rock & roll

Little Richard, the flamboyant father of rock ‘n’ roll whose “Tutti Frutti” changed the world, died Saturday at the age of 87.

Roy Horn (1944–2020) of Siegfried & Roy, tiger-wrangling magician

Roy Horn was an internationally renowned illusionist whose duo with Siegfried Fischbacher, famed for sharing the stage with lions and tigers, was the most popular show in Las Vegas for more than a decade.

Mike Curtis (1943–2020), former Baltimore Colts star

Mike Curtis was a former star linebacker for the Baltimore Colts who had a key interception in their Super Bowl V win over Dallas.

Tom Lester (1938–2020), “Green Acres” star

Tom Lester was the last surviving cast member of the classic sitcom “Green Acres.” He starred as Eb, the wisecracking farmhand for Mr. and Mrs. Douglas.  

Henry Grimes (1935–2020), free jazz legend

Henry Grimes was a legendary free jazz bassist who played with many greats including Sonny Rollins.

Southeastern United States Tornado Victims (2020)

At least 30 people were killed as dangerous tornadoes touched down in the Southeastern United States on Easter Sunday. According to USA Today, 11 people in Mississippi, 9 in South Carolina, and 6 in Georgia died from the storms. It was the deadliest tornado outbreak since 2014.

John Prine (1946–2020), beloved singer-songwriter

John Prine was an American folk singer-songwriter renowned for songs featuring offbeat lyrics about life, love, and social issues.

Jim Lehrer (1934–2020), longtime anchor of “PBS NewsHour”

Jim Lehrer was a broadcast journalist well known for hosting “PBS NewsHour” for more than 30 years. Lehrer joined Robert MacNeil to cohost the program in 1976, when it was titled “The MacNeil/Lehrer Report.” When MacNeil left in 1995, it became “The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer,” renamed “PBS NewsHour” in 2009. In the 36 years before his 2011 retirement, Lehrer became a giant of broadcasting known for his directness. He always strove simply to report the news, feeling that opinion and analysis had no place in what he did. Lehrer moderated twelve presidential debates, more than any other moderator in U.S. history, most recently the first presidential general election debate of 2012. He was also a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and an author of plays, novels, memoirs, and screenplays, including the novel “Top Down” about the Kennedy assassination. Lehrer was honored with the National Humanities Medal and the George Foster Peabody Broadcast Award, and he was a member of the Television Hall of Fame.