Alex Carson
2020 was an unprecedented year. A global pandemic forced the entire humanity into lockdown, carrying in its wake uncertainty, gloom and fear. The year was one of loss as we lost many talented actors from the world of Television across the world. Here is a look at some of those who are no longer alive this year.
Carl Reiner, the Multifaceted Master of Comedy, Dead at 98
Carl Reiner, the brilliant writer, performer, and director who earned a special place in comedy history, died at his Beverly Hills home in 2020. He was 98 years old. His death was confirmed by Annie Reiner, his daughter.
Reiner, the father of filmmaker and actor-activist Rob Reiner, had won nine Emmy awards. Some of Carl Reiner’s most popular films as a director include “Oh God. It stars George Burns. Some of the others are “All of Me,” with Lily and Martin Tomlin, and “The Jerk,” with Steve Martin. In later years, Reiner took over the role as a statesman of comedy, respected for his versatility as a terrific performer. He was also well versed with social media and maintained an active presence on Twitter until his last day. He was vocal about his views opposing President Donald Trump’s.
He has authored several novels and memoirs, including a sequel to “Enter Laughing,” “Continue Laughing,” “I Remember Me”, and “My Anecdotal Life”. In “My Anecdotal Life,” Carl Reiner has observed that inviting people to laugh when someone is laughing at himself/herself is a wise practice. According to him, that way you can appear like be a fool but you’d be the fool-in-charge. With this, we can safely conclude that Reiner has taught us a lot about life and there was, perhaps a lot more to learn.
Reiner’s wife Estelle, to whom he had been married since 1943, had passed away in 2008. Besides Rob Reiner, his son, the other survivors include Sylvia Anne, his daughter, and Lucas, his son.
�Friday’ Star Tommy �Tiny’ Lister Announced Dead
Tommy “Tiny” Lister, the famous, hulkish actor whose pro-wrestler frame and menacing on set disposition highlighted the films, Jackie Brown, The Fifth Element, and over 200 other films, passed away in 2020, He was 62 when he breathed his last. Cindy Cowan, his manager confirmed the actor’s death. The cause of death was not known, but Cowan had informed Variety that he was found unresponsive in his Los Angeles apartment after showing some symptoms of Covid-19 a few days before he passed away.
The 6-foot-5, 285-pound actor’s characters in movies spanned from that of President Lindberg for the film The Fifth Element to the role of the brother of Adam Sandler in Little Nicky to Zeus in the 1989 movie titled, No Holds Barred. The latter film, sponsored by the WWE, provided Hulk Hogan a break into the world of acting. But the actor’s role as that of a wrestling heel to the protagonist of Hogan became the film’s memorable part. His acting extended into stints as an actual pro wrestler, with Lister and Hogan carrying on with their cinematic feud at several WWE events.
Broadway Star, Ann Reinking, has passed Away at 71
Ann Reinking, the Tony-winning singer, actress, choreographer and dancer, died on 12th December aged 71 years. Known and loved for her skills as a triple threat on screen and stage, Reinking was perhaps best-known for both her professional and personal association with Bob Fosse, the director-choreographer. She replaced Gwen Verdon as Roxie Hart in the production of Chicago and reprised the role in the 1996 revival, for which she secured the Tony for Best Choreography. Reinking helped make the musical Fosse, a showcase of the legendary choreographer’s art. Some of her other credits included Goodtime Charley, Over Here, Sweet Charity, A Chorus Line, and Bye Bye Birdie.
Well, we have already covered quite a few of our lost stars. Wondering if there are more? Well, we will get to that. Meanwhile, if you are enjoying this video, do not forget to like and subscribe to our channel.
Talented child ballet star, called ‘the next Billy Elliot’ was found dead
A talented ballet hero, the new Billy Elliot in the making was discovered dead at the age of 14. The ballet star, Jack Burns, had been tipped to become an upcoming star in the Scottish Ballet. He had given a winning performance in the hit TV show Outlander in the year 2014. The young dancer was found hanging in his home at Inverclyde and was immediately rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead on 1st December. The star’s death is, however, not being treated as suspicious. Jack Burns was referred to as an “inspiration” by all his teachers after he had up dancing about seven years back. Inquiries are in progress to establish the exact cause of the child’s death.
Alex Trebek, Beloved Jeopardy host dies at 80
Alex Trebek, the beloved host of the famous game show “Jeopardy!” right from its debut in 1984, died of pancreatic cancer in 2020. He was 80 years old at the time of his death. The official “Jeopardy!” The Twitter account had confirmed the news soon after his peaceful death at his family home on 8th November.
Trebek had revealed during March last year that he had been diagnosed with Stage Four pancreatic cancer. He had told USA Today during one of his interviews in October that he had lived a good life, what he precisely calls a full life, and that he was nearing the end of his life. Sony Pictures Entertainment, which has been the owner of the show since its predecessor Columbia Pictures Television had acquired Merv Griffin Enterprises back in 1986, confirmed that “Jeopardy!” episodes that were hosted by Trebek will be aired through the 25th December.
Trebek’s final day in the studio was 29th October. Sony also revealed that the show would not be deploying any plans to appoint Trebek’s successor.
The jovial emcee had secured five Daytime Emmy Awards for his role as an outstanding host of a long-standing game show. In 2011, Trebek also received the Peabody Award for his contribution in celebrating, encouraging, and rewarding knowledge; Many of you may not be knowing that “Jeopardy!” is the only post-1960 show to have received such honor.
Trebek holds the Guinness World Record for the most game show episodes hosted by the same presenter in the same program from June 2014. The celebrity host has hosted over 8,200 episodes of “Jeopardy!” spanning through 37 seasons. This show, which airs in tandem in most markets with “Wheel of Fortune,” has delivered fascinating ratings, for much of which, the credit goes to Trebek’s popularity and longevity as a beloved host.
David Lander, the Squiggy on ‘Laverne and Shirley,’ passed away at 73
Actor David Lander, known all over the world for his memorable role as Squiggy in the famous TV sitcom “Laverne & Shirley,” was yet another star who passed away in 2020, at the age of 73.
Kathy Fields Lander, the wife, broke the news of Lander’s death to the Associated Press. Lander died at the Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Medical Center due to complications related to multiple sclerosis. The actor had been battling it for about 40 years. During the time of his death, Lander was surrounded by his daughter, son-in-law, and his wife.
The actor has worked closely with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society after going public with his diagnosis in 1999, opening up about his experience with the disease during conferences.
Lander had become widely known for the role of Squiggy in the “Laverne & Shirley” show during the period 1976 to 1983. Michael McKean, who had played the role of “Lenny” on the same show, shared a lovely throwback photo of Lander and him on Twitter following the news of his death. It not only was trending on social media but also captured the hearts of millions of fans, including ours.
Robert Conrad, The Wild Wild West star, dead at 84
Robert Conrad, the actor best known for starring in The Wild Wild West, passed away due to heart failure in Calif. He was 84. Jeff Ballard, his family spokesperson told PEOPLE magazine that he has lived a wonderful long life and while his family is saddened by his passing away, he’ll live forever but in their hearts.
Born in Illinois on 1st March 1935, Conrad took on his first major role on the set of Hawaiian Eye in the year 1959 after serving as a milkman. Later on, he also took on the role of James T. West, a Secret Service agent in The Wild Wild West, which was aired between 1965 and 1969. His small-screen credits include Centennial, The D.A., Assignment: Vienna, and the Baa Baa Black Sheep.
Along with his work on TV, he had made his strides in the world of movies with roles in the More Wild Wild West, based on, Murph the Surf, Samurai Cowboy, and The Lady in Red. The Dead Above Ground released in 2002 was his last onscreen debut.
As a recording artist, Conrad found success under Bob Conrad, the moniker, between the ’50s and ’60s. He received accolades all throughout his career. The notable ones are the Distinguished Service Award for Broadcasting and being inducted into the Hollywood Stuntman’s Hall of Fame. He is survived by eight children and 18 grandchildren shared with his ex-wives Joan Kenley and LaVelda Fann.
Lyle Waggoner, the Actor of �Wonder Woman’ and ‘The Carol Burnett Show’ Dead at 84
In 2020, we lost Lyle Waggoner, the actor who had the leading man looks and the one who has done seven seasons of The Carol Burnett Show before his versions of Steve Trevor on Wonder Woman. He was 84.
In 1965, this handsome Kansas native was screen-tested for the Caped Crusader on the 20th-Century Fox-ABC series starring Batman. The role, however, had gone to Adam West. Waggoner had taken part in an episode of Gunsmoke and a couple of films when he was hired to be an announcer on The Carol Burnett Show, which had gone on the air In September, back in 1967. Though it may be hard to believe, Burnett was actually extremely afraid to talk to the audience in the initial days of the show; the actor did not want to talk directly on the camera, revealed Bob Mackie, the costume designer in an interview in 2000.
CNBC told the public in February 2016 that Waggons had 800 trailers and annual revenue of about $17 million. Waggoner mentioned a year later that he has supplied 30 trailers only for Dancing with the Stars. Waggons married Sharon Kennedy in 1960, and they had sons, Jason and Beau together.
Former �Two and a Half Men’ Co-Star Is Dead at 77
The three-time Emmy nominee, actor Conchata Ferrell, who has appeared in over 200 episodes of the show, Two and a Half Men and was regular on L.A. Law�s sixth season, passed away in October at Sherman Oaks Hospital due to complications following a massive cardiac arrest. She was 77 years old at the time of her death.
Ferrell is perhaps best known for her role as Berta, a no-nonsense housekeeper, in Two and a Half Men, a popular comedy. The role earned her the nominations for the Best Supporting Actress in Comedy Series once in 2005 and again in 2007.
On her death, a Two and a Half Men’s actor Jon Cryer said that she has always been a beautiful human. Charlie Sheen, another Men star, stated that a genuine friend, a sweetheart, and a consummate pro. He also added that Berta’s, housekeeping was a tad suspect and her �people’ keeping was amazing.
This veteran actress also got an Emmy nomination in the year 1992 for her role in LA Law as the Susan Bloom. She was a regular on that Emmy-winning series during its sixth season. Her other notable TV series include ER, BJ and the Bear, Good Times, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Grace and Frankie.
The world has mourned collectively with the passing away of these eminent personalities. Here’s hoing that 2021 will be a better year with not much to lose (wish we could say: with nothing).
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