Stage and screen legends lost in 2020

Legends of the stage and screen live on forever in the hearts of their fans for the impact they have on the arts and on people's lives. Here are just some of the stage and screen legends that have passed away in 2020.

Australian singer, Helen Maxine Reddy

Born in 1941. Known as the "Queen of '70s pop". Her song 'I Am Woman' became an anthem for second-wave feminism and had significant impact on popular culture. Passed away at age 78.

Australian-American actress, Betty Bobbitt

Born in 1939. Known for her role as Judy Bryant in Prisoner. She also starred alongside Paul Hogan in the Crocodile Dundee films. Passed away at age 81 after suffering a stroke.

Australian entertainer, Jeanne Mitchell

 

Born in 1938. Known as Jeanne Little. She won the Gold Logie award in 1976 and made her name on The Mike Walsh Show. She retired from the spotlight after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2019. Passed away at age 82.

Australian actor, Tom Long

Born in 1968. Star of the film The Dish. He played the role of the court clerk Angus in ABC TV's beloved drama series, Sea Change. Passed away at age 51 of encephalitis.

British actor and former weightlifter, David Prowse

Born in 1935. Played the role of Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy behind the suit and mask. Passed away at the age of 85 due to complications from COVID-19.

Australian actor, Arthur Dignam

Born in 1939. Began his career in 1962 after playing the role in the Aussie film Lend Me Your Stable. He has also been involved in movies such as Dead Kids, The Devil's Playground. The Dismissal, Moulin Rouge! and Australia. Passed away at the age of 80 after suffering heart attack.

Australian actress, Zoe Caldwell

Born in 1933. She was one of the leading classical stage actors and a four-time Tony Award winner. Caldwell won four Tony Awards for her performances on Broadway in Tennessee Williams' Slapstick Tragedy, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Medea and Master Class. Passed away at the age of 86 after suffering from Parkinson's disease.

Australian actor and musician, Harry Hains

Born in 1992. Best known for his role in American Horror Story, The OA and The Surface. He was studing pre-med in Australia before moving to New York City. He eventually pursued his modelling, music and acting career in Los Angeles. Passed away at the age of 27.

American actor, Chadwick Aaron Boseman

Born in 1976. The first black actor to headline a Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film. He is known for his portrayal of T'Challa (Black Panther) in the MCU from 2016 to 2019, especially in Black Panther (2018). Passed away at the age of 43 due to colon cancer.

Scottish actor, Sir Sean Connery

Born in 1930. He gained recognition as the first actor of the British secret agent James Bond in film between 1962-1983. Passed away at age 90.

British actress, Barbara Windsor

Born in 1937. Best known for her roles in soap-opera EastEnders and the Carry On films. Passed away at age 83 after battling Alzheimer's disease. 

By Cailtlin Duan

Sources:

• Hayward, A. (2020). Betty Bobbitt Obituary. Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/global/2020/dec/02/betty-bobbitt-obituary
• Esther, H. (2020). Legendary Australian entertainer Jeanne Little dies. Retrieved from: https://www.smh.com.au/culture/celebrity/legendary-australian-entertainer-jeanne-little-dies- 2020... -p56cgs.html
• Gates, A. (2020). Helen Reddy Dies at 78; Sang 'I Am Woman'. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/29/arts/music/helen-reddy-dead.html
• Convery, S. (2020). Tom Lang, Australian actor and star of SeaChange, dies aged 51. Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/jan/06/tom-long-australian-actor-and-star-of-seachange-dies-aged-51
• Gibey, R. (2020). David Prowse obituary. Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/nov/29/david-prowse-obituary
• Fox, J. (2020). Arthur Dignam dies aged 80: Veteran actor known for his roles in Moulin Rouge! and Australia suffers a heart attack while 'waving to a friend on his morning walk'. Retrieved from: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-8309299/Australian-actor-Arthur-Dignam-80-dies-heart-attack-waving-friend.html
• SMH. (2020). Australian Tony-winning actor Zoe Caldwell dies at 86. Retrieved from: https://www.smh.com.au/culture/theatre/australian-tony-winning-actor-zoe-caldwell-dies-at-86- 2020... -p542ga.html
• Scott, K. 'American Horror Story' actor Harry Hains' cause of death revealed. Retrieved from: https://globalnews.ca/news/6655190/harry-hains-cause-of-death/
• BBC. (2020). Chadwick Aaron Boseman dead: Colon cancer cut 'Black Panther' hero King T'Challa #WakandaForever journey - See Chadwick 43 years life and times. Retrieved from: https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/world- 5395...
• BBC. (2020). Sean Connery: James Bond actor dies aged 90. Retrieved from: https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts- 5476...  
• https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/celebrity-deaths/actress-barbara-windsor-dead-at-83-after-alzheimers-battle/news-story/2bd5f5d759214883cf0d21e70a825521