In Memoriam: Celebrities who died in 2020

January 27, 2020

Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant – Jan. 26

The former NBA star and his daughter, 13, were among nine people who passed away in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif.

NBA Commissioner and CEO Adam Silver said the league was "devastated" by the news.

"For 20 seasons, Kobe showed us what is possible when remarkable talent blends with an absolute devotion to winning," he said, according to People. "He was one of the most extraordinary players in the history of our game with accomplishments that are legendary... But he will be remembered most for inspiring people around the world to pick up a basketball and compete to the very best of their ability. He was generous with the wisdom he acquired and saw it as his mission to share it with future generations of players, taking a special delight in passing down his love of the game to Gianna."

Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe's longtime teammate, shared his anguish at his friend's passing on Twitter.

"There's no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of [losing] my [niece] Gigi & my brother @kobebryant," he wrote. "I love u and u will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW."

Kobe's wife, Vanessa, was not on board the aircraft.

Photo: © Harry How/Getty Images

Terry Jones - Jan. 21

The Monty Python member has passed away from complications due to dementia at age 77.

Terry was one of the most well-known people in the beloved English comedy troupe, which also included Graham Chapman (1941-1989), Michael Palin, Eric Idle, John Cleese and animator/director Terry Gilliam. He was known for co-directing Monty Python and the Holy Grail with Gilliam, and also directed Python's other two big films, Life of Brian and The Meaning of Life.

Born in Wales, Terry first met Michael at university in Oxford. The two later appeared in The Complete and Utter History of Britain in 1969. His first work with Eric came from 1967-69, in Do Not Adjust Your Set. Monty Python and the Flying Circus, the group's TV series, came to be at the end of that decade and ran for four seasons. The team later branched out to the aforementioned beloved films.

In addition to his comedy work, Terry was a medieval historian, writing about Geoffrey Chaucer and hosting several TV documentaries on the Crusades in particular.

Terry's dementia, with which he was diagnosed in 2015, eventually left him unable to speak except a few words such as "yes" and "no."

He is survived by his children Sally and Bill, who he had with ex-wife Alison Telfer, and second wife Anna Söderström and their daughter, Siri.

Photo: © Mireya Acierto/FilmMagic

Neil Peart - Jan. 7

One of the giants of rock and roll has died.

Canadian rock legend Neil Peart, who was a member of seminal band Rush, has passed away at age 67 after a long battle with brain cancer.

A representative for Rush bassist and singer Geddy Lee announced the news on Jan. 10. Neil had battled the illness for more than three years and reportedly passed away in Santa Monica, Calif. earlier this week.

Rock music legends and Canadian stars were devastated by the news, and took took to social media to mourn Neil.

"I am so-so gut wrenchingly sad about Neil Peart," Jann Ardentweeted. "I just can't even get my head around him not being here anymore. I send love to his beautiful family and friends and to his millions of fans. @rushtheband I'm so sorry for your giant loss."

"So sad to hear of Neil Peart passing," former Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butlerwrote.

"My prayers and condolences to the Peart Family, Fans and Friends," KISS singer and bassist Gene Simmonssaid. "Neil was a kind soul."

Born in Hamilton in 1952, Neil helped popularize and create the progressive rock genre in the '70s and '80s through his work with Rush. The band became a Canadian institution thanks to his drumming and lyrics to all their songs, which he wrote. Practically every Canadian knows the words to "Tom Sawyer."

Rush were also incredibly successful in the United States - highly unusual for a Canadian rock band at that time.

Neil, Geddy and Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013, and they also received the Order of Canada in 1997. Prior to that, no rock musicians had ever received the hallowed honour. Neil also became the youngest ever member of the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame when he was inducted in 1983 at just 31 years of age.

Neil is survived by his wife, photographer Carrie Nuttall, and his daughter Olivia.

Photo: © Mat Hayward/Getty Images

<h2>Edd Byrnes - Jan. 8</h2>
<p><strong>Edd Byrnes</strong>, known for his work on <I>77 Sunset Strip</I> and for starring in <I>Grease</I> as Vince Fontaine, has passed away at age 87.
<p>Edd's son Logan announced the news, writing that his father passed away from natural causes at home in Santa Monica, Calif.
<p>"He was an amazing man and one of my best friends," Logan tweeted. "His is the story of an ambitious young kid who, in his 20s, drove out to Hollywood from New York City with a few hundred dollars and a dream of making it big in the entertainment business."
<p>Edd also scored roles in <I>Charlie's Angels</I> and TV series <I>Married... with Children</I>.
<p>He's survived by his ex-wife, <strong>Asa Maynor</strong>, and Logan.
<p>Photo: © Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

<h2>Harry Hains - Jan. 7</h2>
<p><I>American Horror Story</I> fans are mourning the star's loss after Harry passed away at age 27.
<p><strong>Jane Badler</strong>, Harry's mother, took to Instagram to share the sad news on Jan. 10.
<p>"My beautiful son died," she wrote. "He was 27 and had the world at his feet. But sadly he struggled with mental illness and addiction.
<p>"A brilliant spark shone bright too short a time... I will miss you Harry every day of my life."
<p>She went on to say a memorial service for Harry will be held in Los Angeles.
<p>Harry was also known for work on <I>The OA</I> and <I>Sneaky Pete</I>.
<p>Photo: © Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Airgraft

Nick Gordon - Jan. 1

The ex-boyfriend of Bobbi Kristina Brown, the late Whitney Houston's late daughter, passed away from a suspected overdose at the beginning of 2020.

Nick's attorney, Joe Habachy, confirmed his client had passed away at age 30, according to CNN.

"My heart is heavy today after learning that my long time client Nick Gordon died," Joe said in a statement. "While I cannot speak to the specific circumstances of his death, I can say that it's been truly heartbreaking to have witnessed first hand the total devastation that drug addiction. Has wreaked upon a group of young friends, all of whom were loved and had immense potential."

Meanwhile, People reports Jack Walker, Jr., Nick's brother, confirmed Nick passed away from an overdose.

"We are devastated by the loss of my beautiful brother," Jack told the publication in a statement. "He fills a void in the hearts of my family and his friends. Nick's battle in life was not an easy one. I will be forever grateful that my God afforded a small moment at the very end of Nick's life, and I was able to hold his hand as he journeyed on."

Whitney Houston's family began raising Nick when he was just 12 years old. He eventually went on to become Bobbi's boyfriend after Whitney died in 2012. Bobbi later passed away in 2015, after spending six months in a coma following being found unresponsive in a bathtub.

A civil case that came out of Bobbi's death later found Nick legally responsible for her passing, putting him on the hook for US$36 million, which he was required to pay to Bobbi's estate.

Nick's cause of death hasn't been revealed yet, but he had wrestled with substance abuse for a long time, dating back to Bobbi's hospitalization. At that time, Dr. Phil convinced him to seek treatment.

Jack Walker, Jr., Nick's father, told the Daily Mail "everything was good" with his son leading up to New Year's Eve. The publication also reported Nick suffered several heart attacks on New Year's Day and was taken to Altamonte Springs Hospital in Altamonte Springs, Fla., where he passed away.

"I spoke with Nick during the day," he said. "He seemed happy, he seemed calm, everything was going good.

"He was a free spirit, he was in a good state of mind," he continued. "Everything that Nick was doing was great. He told me 2020 was going to be better than 2019."

Jack initially reacted with total devastation to the news on Facebook.

"God why did I have to lose my brother on New Year," he wrote. "All I can do is cry. I love you so much big brother, I hope you heard me talking to you at your bedside. You are with me and I can feel it. I love you, I love you, I love you. Watch over me and your nieces."

Funeral arrangements for Nick have not been announced yet.