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In Memoriam 2020: Singers, Dancers, Actors, Writers, Directors

ByGramilano Reading Time: 11 minutes
In-memoriam-2020-2
In memoriam 2020 2

A subjective list of artists the world has lost in 2020.

Olivia de Havilland1916-2020Actor“To Each His Own, The Heiress, Gone with the Wind and so many others. A two-time Best Actress Oscar winner, Olivia de Havilland was a mainstay of Hollywood’s Golden Age and an immeasurable talent. Here’s to a true legend of our industry.” – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Kirk Douglas1916-2020ActorSpartacus, The Bad and the Beautiful, Out of the Past, and Paths of Glory.
Vera Lynn1917-2020Singer“I am so sad to hear of her passing but at the same time so glad to have met her and experienced first-hand her warm, fun-loving personality. Her voice will sing in my heart forever.” – Paul McCartney
Marge Champion1919-2020Dancer“The beautiful Marge Champion has died at 101. Before I started in Hello Dolly I had lunch with her just to hear some tales; she was Gower Champion’s assistant on Dolly. We howled. She gave me a lesson in how to come downstairs without looking down; sadly…it didn’t work.” – Bette Midler. She was hired by Walt Disney as a dance model for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Marge and her husband Gower Champion were a dance team in MGM musicals of the 1940s and 50s.
Helen Gray McGehee1921-2020DancerShe was a key member of the Martha Graham Dance Company where she performed for nearly thirty years.
Pierre Cardin1922-2020DesignerItalian born fashion designer, making clothes for and costumes for many of her projects.
Carl Reiner1922-2020ActorComedy writer, director, and performer. “Carl Reiner was a comedic giant, one of the smartest comedy minds ever. He used his voice to the very end, speaking truth to power and the insanity we are all living in.” – Ben Stiller
Rhonda Fleming1923-2020ActorAmerican film actress and singer. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court.
Nicholas Parsons1923-2020ActorRadio and TV Presenter and actor. ‘s Into the Woods.
1924-2020Dancer“Zizi Jeanmaire, who has died aged 96, was a classical ballerina of distinction, and an actor, singer and chic star of the Paris music hall. Her best-known role was in one of the last century’s most famous ballets, Carmen, created by her husband, Roland Petit.” – The Guardian
Gabriel Bacquier1924-2020SingerHis large discography spans five decades, and he was considered as “the ambassador of French song”.
John Tooley1924-2020AdministratorRan the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, for 18 years from 1970, as general administrator and then general director.
Honor Blackman1925-2020ActorPussy Galore in the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger, The Avengers, The Sound of Music opposite Petula Clark, and Nunsense in the West End.
Herbert Kretzmer1925-2020WriterEnglish lyricist for Les Misérables. He had a long-time collaboration writing the English lyrics to the songs of Charles Aznavour.
Othella Dallas1925-2020DancerOne of the last living early members of the Katherine Dunham Company.
Virginia Bosler1926-2020DancerBrigadoon, Oklahoma!
James Lipton1926-2020ActorInside the Actor’s Studio host. “Rest in peace, James Lipton. He was interested in the actor’s process, which was so refreshing.” – . The librettist and lyricist for the short-lived 1967 Broadway musical Sherry!, based on the play The Man Who Came to Dinner.
Betty Jones1926-2020DancerCharter member of the José Limón Dance Company.
Geoffrey Palmer1927-2020ActorAs Time Goes By.
Ennio Morricone1928-2020ComposerA Fistful of Dollars, Cinema Paradiso, , Once Upon a Time in America, The Mission, The Untouchables, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, and 400 others.
Max von Sydow1929-2020ActorIngmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal and The Virgin Spring, William Friedkin’s infamous shocker The Exorcist, and ‘s Hannah and Her Sisters. He was Oscar-nominated for Pelle the Conqueror and Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. He was in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Game of Thrones.
Gabriella Tucci1929-2020SingerItalian soprano particularly associated with the Italian repertory performing in major opera houses worldwide.
Tommy Rall1929-2020DancerActor and acrobatic dancer who displayed his athletic dexterity in the classic MGM musicals Kiss Me Kate and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. He was Barbra Streisand’s prince in the parody of Swan Lake in Funny Girl and danced a vaudeville tap number with Steve Martin in Pennies From Heaven.
Rosanna Carteri1930-2020SingerRosanna Carteri was an Italian soprano, primarily active from the 1950s through the mid 1960s.
Rosalind Elias1930-2020SingerMezzo-soprano who sang 700 performances at the Met.
Sean Connery1930-2020Actor“I got my break ‘big break’ when I was five years old. And it’s taken me more than seventy years to realize it. You see, at five, I learned to read. It’s that simple, and it’s that profound.”
Barbara Jefford1930-2020ActorBest known for her theatrical performances with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Old Vic and the National Theatre. She repeated many Shakespearean roles in her long career, appearing in 54 productions of all but four of his plays.
Ian Holm1931-2020Actor1967 Tony Award for Lenny in The Homecoming; 1998 Laurence Olivier Award for King Lear; 1981 BAFTA and Oscar nomination for Chariots of Fire.
Mady Mesplé1931-2020SingerOne of the greatest coloratura voices of the twentieth century.
Nello Santi1931-2020MusicianItalian opera conductor.
Barry Tuckwell1931-2020MusicianAustralian horn player and conductor.
Little Richard1932-2020Singer“Little Richard was not only a giant but a pioneer of the so-called Rock ‘n’ Roll music industry. He had such a unique voice and style that no one else has matched it… Rock ‘n’ Soul is here to stay!” – Quincy Jones. Wop-bop-a-loo-mop alop-bom-bom!
Christiane Eda-Pierre1932-2020SingerSoprano and one of France’s first international Black opera stars.
Elinor Ross1932-2020SingerAmerican soprano, a dramatic soprano particularly associated with the Italian repertory.
Des O’Connor1932-2020SingerComedian, singer and TV host.
Krzysztof Penderecki1933-2020ComposerHis orchestral music was much quoted in feature films. Operas include The Devils of Loudun, Paradise Lost, Die schwarze Maske, Ubu Rex.
Zoe Caldwell1933-2020ActorShe won her first Tony in 1966, for Slapstick Tragedy, and went on to win again for 1968’s The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and 1982’s Medea. Her final Tony Award came in 1995, for her portrayal of in ‘s Master Class.
Julian Bream1933-2020MusicianBritish guitarist and lutenist who inspired a revival of interest in both instruments.
Eugenia Ratti1933-2020SingerA lyric coloratura soprano of considerable charm, she excelled in soubrette roles in works by Cimarosa and Mozart such as Susanna, Zerlina, Despina, and in light Donizetti.
Charley Pride1934-2020SingerDuring the peak years of his recording career, he had 52 top-10 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, 30 of which made it to number one.
Ronald Harwood1934-2020WriterThe Dresser, Quartet, and an Oscar for his screenplay of The Pianist.
Fou Ts’ong1934-2020MusicianChinese-born British pianist. Driven from China during Mao’s rule, Fou kept up a correspondence with his father that became a beloved book in the wake of the Cultural Revolution.
1935-2020SingerThe Italian soprano, who was widely recognised as one of the finest Verdi and Puccini singers of the twentieth century,
Harry Kupfer1935-2020DirectorHe directed more than 200 opera productions.
David Prowse1935-2020ActorDarth Vader in Star Wars.
Larry Kramer1935-2020WriterAmerican playwright includingThe Normal Heart, and LGBT rights activist.
Roy Hudd1936-2020ActorComedian and actor. In 1977 he was Fagin in Oliver! and in 1982 he played Bud Flanagan in Underneath the Arches both in the West End.
Patricia Beatty1936-2020DancerCanadian choreographer, dancer, director and teacher.
Jeannette Pilou1937-2020SingerSoprano born in Egypt to Greek parents specialising in Italian and French repertoire.
Barbara Windsor1937-2020ActorKnown for Carry On films and Eastenders. She received a Tony Award nomination in 1965 for the musical Oh, What a Lovely War!
Derek Fowlds1937-2020ActorYes Minister, Heartbeat and The Basil Brush Show. “I don’t know what to say, I’m so desperately sad. Such times we had, rest in peace Mr Derek, my best friend forever.” – Basil Brush
Diana Rigg1938-2020ActorSo many roles including the 1987 West End production of Stephen Sondheim’s Follies. “My Beloved Ma died peacefully in her sleep… she spent her last months joyfully reflecting on her extraordinary life, full of love, laughter and a deep pride in her profession. I will miss her beyond words.” – Rachel Stirling
Terrence McNally1938-2020WriterAmerican playwright, librettist, and screenwriter: Master Class, The Lisbon Traviata, Ragtime, Kiss of the Spider Woman. Dead Man Walking’s composer, Jake Heggie, said of his librettist, “He had a nearly infallible instinct for the combination of music and drama.”
Kenny Rogers1938-2020SingerCountry music.
John Peter1938-2020CriticDrama critic of the Sunday Times from 1984 to 2003. “John was an erudite, perceptive and often brilliant critic whose work was informed by a profound knowledge of European culture.” – Michael Billington
Wilhelm “Willy” Burmann1939-2020Dance Teacher“For decades, he presided over a dance class in Manhattan, guiding stars with a sharp wit and a grand aim: instilling discipline and excellence.” – The New York Times
Kenzo Takada1939-2020Designer“Fashion is like eating. You shouldn’t stick with the same menu.”
Joel Schumacher1939-2020DirectorAmerican film director, screenwriter, and costume designer. The Wiz, .
Silvano Carroli1939-2020SingerItalian baritone, especially of the Italian repertoire.
Tim Brooke-Taylor1940-2020ActorEntertainer best known for The Goodies.
Helen Reddy1941-2020SingerI Am Woman, You and Me Against the World, Pete’s Dragon. “‘The Queen of Housewife Rock’ means I’ve reached a lot of people in a simplistic manner who would never go to a lecture or read an article on Women’s Lib.”
Terry Hands1941-2020DirectorHe founded the Liverpool Everyman Theatre and ran the Royal Shakespeare Company for thirteen years. He directed Peter Nichols’ 1982 musical Poppy for the RSC which won the Olivier Award.
Luigi Roni1942-2020SingerItalian bass.
Terry Jones1942-2020ActorMonty Python co-founder. “He was far more than one of the funniest writer-performers of his generation, he was the complete Renaissance comedian – writer, director, presenter, historian, brilliant children’s author, and the warmest, most wonderful company you could wish to have.” – Sir Michael Palin
Alan Parker1944-2020DirectorBugsy Malone, Midnight Express, Fame.
John Travis1945-2020DancerDancer, archivist and teacher. CEO at the British Ballet Organization.
Michael Stennett1946-2020DesignerCostume designer, collaborator of John Copley and known for his creations for Joan Sutherland.
Peter Jonas1946-2020Administrator1985 to 1993 he was general director of English National Opera. 1993 to 2006 Jonas was intendant of the Bavarian State Opera.
Ben Cross1947-2020ActorPrivates on Parade, Billy Flynn in Chicago (1979 West End), Chariots of Fire.
Ann Reinking1949-2020DancerChicago, All That Jazz, Dancin’: The New York Times on Dancin’: There could be no doubt that Miss Reinking had joined the ranks of Broadway’s brightest stars. With her long legs, mane of silky, flying hair and feline intensity, Ms Reinking is a standout in some very fast company.”
Harold King1949-2020DancerFounder and Director of London City Ballet.
Brent Carver1951-2020ActorBroadway actor in Parade and Kiss of the Spider Woman for which he won the Tony Award in 1993.
John Sessions1953-2020ActorComedian and actor.
Rebecca Luker1961-2020SingerTony-nominated actress for Show Boat, The Music Man and Mary Poppins.
Kelly Preston1962-2020ActorJerry Maguire. “It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my beautiful wife Kelly has lost her two-year battle with breast cancer.” – John Travolta
Ezio Bosso1971-2020MusicianItalian composer, pianist, double bass player, and conductor. “I’ve stopped asking myself ‘why?’ Every problem is an opportunity.”
Nick Cordero1978-2020ActorNominated for the Tony Award for 2014’s Bullets Over Broadway.
Michael Lonsdale1931-2020ActorBritish-French actor, best known in the English-speaking world for his role as villain Hugo Drax in the James Bond film Moonraker, but worked with Orson Welles, François Truffaut, Joseph Losey, Louis Malle, Luis Buñuel, and many others.
Michel Piccoli1925-2020ActorOne of the greatest French character actors of his generation in more than 170 films, six directed by Luis Buñuel including Belle de Jour and The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie.
In-memoriam-2020
In memoriam 2020
In-memoriam-2020-3
In memoriam 2020 3

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5 Comments
HORIA GANESCU

Dear friends, it is a great pleasure for me to wish you a Happy New Year! Stay safe and healthy!
R.I.P.!
I would suggest and recommend two other great names: Pianist FOU TS’ONG (1934-2020) and Singer LUIGI RONI (1942-2020).
They were great musicians and I would be glad if you could also add them.
I would like to thank you in advance.
All the best and kindest regards from Bucharest, Romania!
HORIA GANESCU, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

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gramilano

Thank you.

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Gypsy Rose

Michael Lonsdale (1931-2020), a British-French actor was frequently cast in Louis Buñuel’s movies, appeared in two films by François Truffaut (The Bride Wore Black and Stolen Kisses). He is likely best remembered as the villain Hugo Drax in the James Bond movie “Moonraker”.

Michel Piccoli (1925-2020), a French actor who starred in films by Louis Buñuel, Louis Malle, Jean-Pierre Melville, Alain Resnais, Alfred Hitchcock and Jean-Luc Godard.

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gramilano

Thank you so much!

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HORIA GANESCU

Dear friends,
I would like to thank you so much for adding my two suggestions: Pianist FOU TS’ONG (1934-2020) and Bass LUIGI RONI (1942-2020).
I wish you a Happy New Year 2021! Stay safe and healthy!
All the best and kindest regards from Bucharest, Romania!
Yours sincerely,
HORIA GANESCU, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

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