The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc around the world. The number of cases continues to increase, putting immense pressure on healthcare systems everywhere. Many lives claim by this novel virus that first made an appearance in China. The pandemic’s economic impact is massive, and the loss of lives is the most excruciating for family and friends. In the case of celebrities and public figures, lives claimed by COVID-19 have broken hearts beyond the circle of loved ones.
While every death is difficult, the loss is especially hard when the person in question was young, such as the 26-year-old Pilipino vlogger Lloyd Cadena and the 30-year-old Zimbabwean journalist Zororo Makamba who lost their lives to the novel coronavirus earlier this year. It’s been more than nine months since COVID-19 was first discovered and over six months since it became a cause of global concern, and the list of casualties continues to grow. This video covers some of the famous people we have sadly lost to coronavirus so far.
Tommy DeVito
Gaetano Tommy DeVito met Frankie Valli in 1956. Four years later, along with Nick Massi and Bob Gaudio, the two formed the band that would eventually become the most successful rock and doo-wop band of the 1960s. DeVito who served as the lead guitarist of the band quit it in 1970 after a long and successful career. On September 21, 2020, DeVito died of complications related to coronavirus. His death was announced by Frank Valli and Bob Gaudio. DeVito was 92.
Nick Cordero
Nick Cordero, the Canadian Broadway actor who had impressed critics and audiences with his portrayal of the character Cheech in the Broadway musical Bullets Over Broadway, lost his life to coronavirus on July 5, 2020. He was 41 at the time. Nick survives by his wife, Rockette-turned fitness trainer Amanda Kloots, and son Elvis. Amanda used her Instagram account to share with the world Nick’s struggle with the coronavirus.
Tom Seaver
Baseball icon Tom Seaver, more popularly known as Tom Terrific and the Franchise, and considered one of the greatest Mets players of all time died of complications arising from Lewy body dementia and COVID-19 on August 31, 2020. Tom was 75. In his almost 20-year-long career, the former pitcher had earned 12 all-star elections, won 311 games and had an earned-run average of 2.86. Seaver inducts into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 199 His wife and two daughters broke the news to his fans.
Herman Cain
Herman Cain, the former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza and Tea Party activist, became a household name after his 2012 presidential candidacy. He was one of the serious contenders for the Republican nomination until allegations of sexual misconduct emerged and doomed his campaign. Though Cain suspended his campaign in December 2011, he remained involved in politics. He was detected with COVID-19 in early July and passed of coronavirus complications on July 30, 2020. Cain was the co-chair of Black Voices for Trump and regularly contributed to Newsmax.
Roy Horn
Roy Horn, one half of the American-German magic duo Seigfried & Roy, lost his life to COVID-19 on May 8. He was 75 at the time. Roy and his partner used magic, costumes and exotic animals to entertain audiences during their shows. However, in 2003, after a white tiger attacked Roy while he was on stage, Roy took early retirement. Siegfried Fischbacher, Roy’s magic partner, shared the news with Roy’s fans in a statement that said the magician breathed his last at the Mountain View Hospital in Las Vegas after putting up a brave fight against the coronavirus.
Chris Trousdale
Christopher Ryan Pask, more popularly known as Chris Trousdale, started his Broadway career when he was just eight years old. He was cast alongside Ashley Tisdale in Les Miserables. When Chris was 14, he was approached by two music producers who were looking to create a boy band. The band was called Broadway Kids and also featured Sugar Beats member Jesse McCartney. In 1999, Chris joined hands with Greg Raposo and along with Jesse, Frankie J. Galasso and Matt Ballinger formed Dream Street, which released its debut album in 2000. Unfortunately, Chris died from complications related to COVID-19 on June 2, 2020, at a very young age of 34. His fans were heartbroken.
From young to the old, this pandemic has been harsh on people of all age groups. Most of the names on this list left us both heartbroken as well as surprised. For instance, we were absolutely heartbroken to hear the news of The Dark Knight Rises actor Jay Benedict’s death. We will tell you all about his battle with coronavirus in a while. Meanwhile, we want to take a minute to request you to like and subscribe to our channel.
Steve Dalkowski
If you have seen the 1988 American romantic comedy sports film Ball Durham, you must certainly be familiar with the name Steve Dalkowski. Steve was a hard-throwing left-handed minor league pitcher who had served as the inspiration for the character Nuke Laloosh in the film. Steve passed away from COVID-19 complications at the Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain, Connecticut. The former athlete was 80 and suffering from co-morbidities.
Joe Diffie
Joe Diffie, the country music star who was often compared to the legendary singer and songwriter George Jones passed away due to complications related to coronavirus on March 29. He was 61. In his decades-long career, the country-music hitmaker had delivered five Number One singles within only the first half of the nineties. Joe’s hit songs include Bigger Than the Beatles and Home. In 1993, Joe had also been nominated for the Best Country Collaboration for his song Not Too Much to Ask.
Ellis Marsalis
On April 1, 2020, Ellis Marsalis, a noted pianist and an educator, succumber to COVID-19. He was 85. Ellis Marsalis had played a key role in the 20th-century revival of jazz. All four of his sons are prominent Jazz artists. Ellis Marsalis was a working musician and teacher who dedicated years to Jazz. During the 1980s, his sons Wynton and Brandford gained popularity and spearheaded the revival of traditional Jazz, Ellis, along with sons, became a household name. Branford shared the new of his father’s death with newspapers and also said that his father was not a great musician and an even better father.
Allen Daviau
Allen Daviau is a known name in Hollywood. Over the course of his life, the American cinematographer received five nominations at the Academy Awards with many well-received films under his belt, including Empire of the Sun and The Color Purple. Undoubtedly, his most-watched loved, and remembered film is E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, the famous science fiction movie produced and directed by the maestro Steven Spielberg. Daviau passed at the age of 77 on April 15, 2020, from complications arising due to COVID-19.
Lucia Bosè
The Italian actor Lucia Bosè was a woman of great talent. Born in 1931, Bosè won a beauty pageant at the age of 16, which paved her way to the silver screen. She remained famous and was often seen in movies until she left her flourishing career to start a family. Eventually, Bosè separated from her husband and returned to movies in her later years. She was seen in Something Creeping in the Dark, Violanta, and Under the Sign of Scorpio. Bosè passed at the age of 89 from pneumonia as a complication arising due to COVID-19.
Terrence McNally
American playwright and screenwriter Terrence McNally was an artist who was loved equally by audiences and critics. His plays and musicals were enjoyed around the world; some of his most loved work includes Love! Valour! Compassion!, Kiss of the Spire Woman, and Ragtime. McNally received much recognition and many awards over the years, including an Emmy, the Tony Award for Best Play, two Obie Awards, and a Rockefeller Grant. McNally, a lung cancer survivor, passed at the age of 81 on March 24, 2020, due to COVID-19.
Ken Shimura
Japanese comedian, actor, and T.V. personality Ken Shimura was a well-known figure in Japan. Shimura’s comedy career kicked off in 1974 with The Drifters, a comedy group that performed Hachiji Dayo! Zen’inshugo! Later, he gained his solo act with Ken Shimura Daijoubuda. With widespread fame as a comedian, Shimura led several shows over the course of his life, but his most famous stint was that in Hachiji Dayo! Zen’inshugo! Shimura passed at the age of 70 on March 29, 2020, from pneumonia as a complication of COVID-19. The comedian was diagnosed on March 23, and he was one of the few celebrities in Japan to disclose his diagnosis to the public.
Floyd Cardoz
The Indian born American chef Floyd Cardoz was best known for his victory in Top Chef Masters (2011). He was the first Indian chef who was raised in India to run the kitchen at a renowned restaurant in NYC. Cardoz won several awards over the years and went on two write two cookbooks; he also featured on GQ’s “Top 50 Most Influential Global Indians” list in 2011. Cardoz passed at the age of 59 on March 25, 2020, from COVID-19. After he took a flight from Mumbai to New York, he was hospitalized when he tested positive for the infection.
Alan Merrill
American songwriter, guitarist, vocalist, and actor Alan Merrill is best known for ‘I Love Rock’ n’ Roll,’ for which he was the writer and lead vocalist. Merrill, who was originally Sachs before he changed his last name, was one of the first western artists to become popular in Japan. Later in life, he released several solo albums, many of which received a lukewarm reception. Merrill passed at the age of 69 on March 29, 2020, from COVID-19 related complications.
Princess María Teresa of Bourbon-Parma
Born in 1933 in Paris, Princess María Teresa was a part of the Spanish Royal Family as Spain’s King Felipe VI’s distant cousin. The Red Princess, as she was called, was best known for her activism in the fight for women’s rights, freedom, and social justice. Teresa is the first royal known to have lost her life to COVID-19. She passed at the age of 86 on March 26, 2020, in Paris.
Allen Garfield
American actor Allen Garfield is a familiar face since he starred in more than 100 films and shows. Some of his more noteworthy roles were in Beverly Hills Cop II, Obsession, The Patriots, The Cotton Club, The Black Stallion Returns, and Diabolique. Garfield passed at the age of 80 on April 7, 2020, from COVID-19 related complications in California.
Jay Benedict
American born British actor Jaya Benedict was best known for his roles in the soap Emmerdale, the drama Foyle’s War, and the movie Aliens. On an international scale, his most recent noteworthy appearances in films include The Dirty Dozen: Next Mission, The Dark Knight Rises, and The White Knight. Benedict passed at the age of 68 from COVID-19 related complications in London.
It’s sad to hear of such amazing artists who are no more among us. Did we miss any other notable artists who we lost to coronavirus? If yes, please leave a comment; we would be glad to hear from you. If you enjoy our videos, don’t forget to like this video and subscribe to our channel for more interesting facts. Also, don’t forget to hit the bell icon to stay updated with our latest videos.
