Died May 2020

Darick Campbell (1966–2020), lap steel guitarist with the Campbell Brothers

Darick Campbell was the lap steel guitarist with the gospel band the Campbell Brothers.

George Floyd (1973–2020), whose death in Minneapolis sparked U.S. protests

George Floyd, a resident of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, died Monday, May 25, 2020 at the age of 46 while in the custody of Minneapolis police officers, which sparked nationwide protests against police brutality. He was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and grew up in Houston, Texas, where he graduated from Jack Yates High School in 1992. He was a member of the basketball team and the state title-winning football team there. At the time of his death, he worked as a security guard at Conga Latin Bistro.

Peggy Pope (1929–2020), actress who played secretary in “9 to 5”

Peggy Pope was an actress best known for playing the office secretary in the classic 1980 comedy film “9 to 5.”

Lennie Niehaus (1929–2020), jazzman who wrote music for Clint Eastwood movies

Lennie Niehaus was a jazz saxophonist who played and arranged music for Stan Kenton, and later wrote music for several Clint Eastwood films.

Roosevelt Taylor (1937–2020), former Bears All-Pro safety

Roosevelt “Rosey” Taylor was a former Bears All-Pro safety who helped lead the Chicago Bears to the 1963 NFL championship title.   

Emma Amos (1937–2020), artist whose work explored racism and sexism

Emma Amos was a painter whose brightly colored works shone a light on racism and sexism in America.

Michael Angelis (2020), “Thomas the Tank Engine” narrator

Michael Angelis was a British actor best known for narrating the children’s television series “Thomas the Tank Engine.”

Bob Kulick (1950–2020), Kiss, Lou Reed, Meatloaf guitarist

Bob Kulick was a renowned rock guitarist who performed and recorded with Kiss, Meatloaf, Lou Reed, and W.A.S.P.

Margaret Maughan (1928–2020), one of the first Paralympic gold medalists

Margaret Maughan was Britain's first Paralympic gold medal winner. She won gold in archery and swimming at the 1960 games in Rome.  

Anthony James (1942–2020), actor in “Unforgiven,” “In the Heat of the Night”

Anthony James was a character actor best known for roles in movies including “In the Heat of the Night” and “Unforgiven.”

Larry Kramer (1935–2020), playwright and AIDS activist

Larry Kramer was an influential playwright and AIDS activist whosebest-knownplay isThe Normal Heart, which was about theearly days of the AIDScrisis.

Bucky Baxter (1955–2020), steel guitarist for Bob Dylan, Steve Earle

Bucky Baxter was a pedal steel guitarist who toured with Bob Dylan and was a founding member of Steve Earle’s backing band, the Dukes.

Richard Herd (1932–2020), Mr. Wilhelm on “Seinfeld"

Richard Herd was a veteran well known for his role as George’s boss with the Yankees, Mr. Wilhelm, on “Seinfeld.”

Jimmy Cobb (1929–2020), jazz drummer for Miles Davis who played on “Kind of Blue”

Jimmy Cobb was a jazz drummer best known for his work with , including on the seminal album “Kind of Blue.”

Mory Kanté (1950–2020), Guinean musician who had an international hit with “Ye Ke Ye Ke”

Mory Kant é was a Guinean singer and kora player who brought the music of West Africa to the world with his 1987 hit, “Ye Ke Ye Ke.”

Eddie Sutton (1936–2020), Hall of Fame college basketball coach

Eddie Sutton was a college basketball coach who was the first to take four different teams to the NCAA tournament: Creighton, Arkansas, Kentucky and Oklahoma State.

Jerry Sloan (1942–2020), Hall of Fame Utah Jazz head coach

Jerry Sloan was one of the winningest head coaches in NBA history. He coached the Utah Jazz for 23 seasons, from 1988 to 2011 with a roster including future hall-of-famers John Stockton and Karl Malone. His impressive record as a coach included 15 consecutive playoff appearances, highlighted by consecutive NBA Finals against the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls.

Else Blangsted (1920–2020), acclaimed movie music editor

Else Blangsted was an acclaimed movie music editor known as the “Queen of Music Editors.” She fled from Germany to the United States to escape Nazi Germany.  

Wilson Jerman (1929–2020), former White House butler who served 11 presidents

Wilson Jerman was a former White House butler who worked for 11 presidents, from Dwight D. Eisenhower to Barack Obama.

Jesse Freitas Sr. (1921–2020), quarterback for San Francisco 49ers’ first team

Jesse Freitas, Sr. was a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers’ inaugural team in 1946.

Ravi Zacharias (1946–2020), popular Christian evangelist

Ravi Zachariaswas a popular Christian evangelistwhofoundedtheRavi Zacharias International Ministriesin Atlanta.

Shad Gaspard (1981–2020), former WWE star

Shad Gaspardwas a former WWE star who was a member of the tag teamCrymeTyme.

Annie Glenn (1920–2020), John Glenn’s widow, speech disorder advocate

Annie Glenn was the widow of astronautC2and senator and an important advocate for those with speech disorders.C2C2C2

John Patrick Mahon (1938–2020), actor in “L.A. Confidential,” “Armageddon”

John Patrick Mahon was an actor known for roles in films including “L.A. Confidential,” “Zodiac,” and “Armageddon.”

Gregory Tyree Boyce (2020), “Twilight” actor

Gregory Tyree Boyce was an actor best known for playing Tyler Crowley in the 2008 movie “Twilight.” The movie was the first in a series of films based on novels written by Stephenie Meyer.

Ken Osmond (1943–2020), Eddie Haskell on “Leave It to Beaver”

Ken Osmond played smart aleck Eddie Haskell, best friend of Wally Cleaver, on the classic sitcom “Leave It to Beaver.”

Jorge Santana (1951–2020), guitarist for Malo and Carlos Santana’s brother

Jorge Santana was the guitarist for Malo, who had a 1972 hit with “Suavecito.” He was also the younger brother of Carlos Santana.

Lynn Shelton (1965–2020), “Little Fires Everywhere,” “Humpday” director

Lynn Shelton was a writer, director, and producer known for films including “Humpday” (2009), as well as for directing episodes of TV shows including “Little Fires Everywhere,” “Mad Men,” and “GLOW.”

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.

Fred Willard (1933–2020), comic actor who starred in “Best in Show”

Fred Willard was a comic actor beloved for roles in films including “Best in Show,” “A Mighty Wind,” and “This Is Spinal Tap.” During his long career he also appeared in several TV shows, including "Fernwood 2 Night," "Real People," "Roseanne," "Murder, She Wrote," "Everybody Loves Raymond," and "Modern Family." His final recurring role was as Steve Carell's father in the upcoming Netflix series "Space Force."

Frank Bielec (1947–2020), "Trading Spaces" designer

Frank Bielec was a designer who appeared on TLC’s reality home improvement show “Trading Spaces.” He participated in every season from 2000 to 2008 and returned for the show’s 2018 revival.

Astrid Kirchherr (1938–2020), Beatles’ friend and photographer

Astrid Kirchherr was a close friend and photographer of the Beatles who was once engaged to former Beatle Stuart Sutcliffe.

Pepper Rogers (1931–2020), legendary college football coach

Pepper Rogers was a legendary college football head coach who roamed the sidelines for Georgia Tech, UCLA, and Kansas.

Bob Watson (1946–2020), first black MLB general manager to win a World Series

Bob Watson was a Major League Baseball player and general manager who became, with the New York Yankees in 1996, the first black general manager to win a World Series.

S. David Freeman (1926–2020), ‘green cowboy’ who led the Tennessee Valley Authority

S. David Freeman was a renewable energy champion who led the Tennessee Valley Authority and advised presidents on green power.

Beckett Cypher (2020), Melissa Etheridge’s son

Beckett Cypher was the son of singer Melissa Etheridge and her ex-partner Julie Cypher. The pair, who split up in 2000, had two children together by aritficial insemination, Beckett and his sister Bailey. Their biological father is rock legend David Crosby.

Cécile Rol-Tanguy (2020), World War II French resistance hero

Cécile Rol-Tanguy was a French resistance hero during World War II who helped liberate Paris from the Nazis.

Aimee Stephens (1960–2020) transgender activist in current Supreme Court case

Aimee Stephens was a transgender woman whose job discrimination case went to the Supreme Court in 2020.

Corey La Barrie (2020), YouTube star

Corey La Barriewas a YouTube star and Instagram influencer who attracted a large following for his comedic posts.

Paul Vasquez (2020), “Double Rainbow” guy

Paul Vasquez became a viral video sensation known as “double rainbow" guy after he posted a video of a double rainbow he witnessed along with his excited reaction at the sight.  

Andre Harrell (1960–2020), Uptown Records founder discovered Diddy

Andre Harrell was a hip-hop and R&B visionary who started Uptown Records and discovered Sean “Diddy” Combs.

Mary Pratt (1918–2020), last surviving member of 1943 Rockford Peaches baseball team

Mary Pratt was a pitcher with the Rockford Peaches in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which was featured in the hit 1992 movie “A League of Their Own.”

Jerry Stiller (1927–2020), comedian who played Frank Costanza on “Seinfeld”

Jerry Stiller was a comedian and actor best known for playing Frank Costanza on “Seinfeld.”

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.

Jimmy Glenn (2020), New York boxing and bar owner legend

Jimmy Glenn was a legendary New York City boxing trainer and bar owner who ran the famous Times Square establishment Jimmy’s Corner.

Barry Farber (1930–2020), longtime talk radio host

Barry Farber was a popular conservative talk radio host who had been broadcasting since 1960, most recently on CRN Digital Talk Radio.

Bruce Baker (1943–2020), invented Minspeak for nonverbal people's AAC speech devices

Bruce Baker was the creator of Minspeak, a communication system that allows people with disabilities such as cerebral palsy or ALS to communicate verbally.

Brian Howe (1953–2020), former Bad Company singer

Brian Howe was the former lead vocalist with rock group Bad Company, taking over for Paul Rogers in 1986.