What Happened This Year 2020

People Who Died in 2020

Grant Imahara

Television presenter and engineer
Born
October 23rd, 1970 54 years ago
Died
July 13th, 2020 4 years ago — 49 years old

Engineered and presented segments for the science entertainment television series MythBusters. Played a crucial role in building and operating robots for the show as part of a team that explored the validity of urban legends and myths. Worked on numerous projects in movie production and robotics. Was also involved in the development of animatronics and special effects in various films.

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Zindzi Mandela

South African politician and diplomat
Born
1960 65 years ago
Died
July 13th, 2020 4 years ago — 60 years old

Third daughter of Nelson Mandela, played significant roles in politics and diplomacy in South Africa. Served as South Africa's ambassador to Denmark from 2015 until her death in 2020. Advocated for her father's legacy and participated in the struggle against apartheid. Her activism included efforts to promote peace and reconciliation in post-apartheid South Africa.

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Tony Taylor

Cuban baseball player and coach
Born
December 19th, 1935 89 years ago
Died
July 16th, 2020 4 years ago — 84 years old

Played second base in Major League Baseball for teams including the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago Cubs. Had a career spanning 1958 to 1971. Served as a coach for various teams after retirement from playing. Contributed to the development of young players and the promotion of baseball in Cuba.

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Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya

Pair skater, World Junior Champion
Born
2000 25 years ago
Died
July 17th, 2020 4 years ago — 20 years old

Competed in pair skating for Australia after switching from representing Russia. Achieved significant success as part of a competitive figure skating partnership. Won the World Junior Figure Skating Championships in 2017. Excelled in international competitions, contributing to the visibility of pair skating in Australia. Represented Australia at various global events, including the ISU Grand Prix series.

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Michael Brooks

Political commentator and media host
Born
1983 42 years ago
Died
July 20th, 2020 4 years ago — 37 years old

A political commentator and media host, contributed to progressive discourse through various platforms. Hosted 'The Michael Brooks Show,' which featured analysis of current events and interviews with political figures. Contributed to 'The Majority Report' and various publications, discussing issues surrounding social justice and economic equality. Engaged audiences with incisive critiques of mainstream political narratives.

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Annie Ross

Jazz singer and actress in 'The Thelonious Monk Story'
Born
July 25th, 1930 94 years ago
Died
July 21st, 2020 4 years ago — 89 years old

A Scottish-American jazz singer and actress, this individual gained prominence in the 1950s and 1960s. A key figure in the world of vocal jazz, she gained recognition for her unique vocal style and innovative use of lyrics tailored for jazz standards. Her performance in 'The Thelonious Monk Story' showcased her talents as an actress while also emphasizing her musical prowess. Collaborations with other notable musicians further solidified her position in the jazz community. This individual also made significant contributions to musical theater, bringing a distinct voice to performances.

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Regis Philbin

Television host and actor, 'Live!'
Born
August 25th, 1931 93 years ago
Died
July 24th, 2020 4 years ago — 88 years old

Born in 1931, this individual gained prominence as a television host and actor. The long-running morning show 'Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee' became a staple of American television, showcasing a variety of celebrity interviews and segments. Later partnered with Kelly Ripa, the show continued its success. This individual also hosted the popular game show 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,' which became a cultural phenomenon. Known for energetic personality and quick wit, this individual left a significant mark on daytime television.

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Lou Henson

College basketball coach and innovator
Born
January 10th, 1932 93 years ago
Died
July 25th, 2020 4 years ago — 88 years old

A college basketball coach with a career spanning several decades, had a significant influence on the sport. Coached at New Mexico State University and University of Illinois. Led teams to multiple NCAA tournaments, achieving notable success during the 1980 and 1991 seasons. Recognized for developing player talent and emphasizing strong teamwork. Inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015, reflecting contributions to the coaching profession.

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Olivia de Havilland

Actress and Academy Award winner
Born
July 1st, 1916 108 years ago
Died
July 26th, 2020 4 years ago — 104 years old

Born in 1916, this British-American actress gained prominence in Hollywood during the Golden Age of cinema. Renowned for roles in classics, she starred in 'Gone with the Wind' as Melanie Hamilton and in 'The Heiress', for which she received an Academy Award for Best Actress. The actress broke barriers in the film industry, becoming a notable advocate for performers' rights, challenging studio contracts that restricted actors. Her career spanned several decades, with performances that showcased a range of characters and emotional depth. Later in life, she received further recognition for her contributions to cinema, earning multiple honors and a lasting legacy in film history.

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