Year in Review: Farewell to Great People: These Celebrities Died in 2020

They were famous, shaped by the political, cultural and media landscape and many died this year – these celebrities died in 2020:

Choir director Gothilph Fischer (11 December)

For decades he was the keeper of German songs. He sang wherever Gothilph Fisher appeared. It did not matter whether it was a man or a person. On 11 December, Fisher died at the age of 92 and “directed the angels in heaven”, as he once proclaimed with self-irony.

Fable-legend Diego Maradona (25 November)

He was considered one of the best footballers in the world. With his “Hand of God” and superb dribbling, Diego Maradona made fans known. More than once he jumped the death shovel. Golden Boy died at the age of 60 on 25 November.

Comedian Carl Dale (23 November)

It was only in early November that veteran German actor and comedian Karl Dale played a new role in the ARD series “Rote Rosen”. But he suffered a setback – and never recovered from it. He died on 23 November at the age of 79.

Star Nai Udo Walz (20 November)

He was the “master barber of the reign of Berlin”, a favorite of the society. From Romi Schneider to Angela Merkel, many celebrities rely on her skills. On November 20, star hairdresser Udo Walz died of complications from diabetes. His life was set for a film.

Actor Sean Connery (31 October)

For his successors, Sean Connery was the best James Bond. But he was also the father of Indiana Jones, he was William of Baserville. And he was a character who fought for an independent Scotland – without acknowledging the bad weather of golf. On October 31, at the age of 90, Connery died in Nassau with his family.

SPD politician Thomas Opperman (October 25)

Thomas Opperman wanted to withdraw from the Bundestag with the 2021 election. He was waiting for the time after that. The sudden death of the SPD politician not only devastated his party. The Bundestag Vice-President passed away completely surprisingly on 25 October at the age of 66.

Musician Spencer Davis (19 October)

With songs such as “Keep on Running”, “Somebody Help Me”, “Ima Man” or “Gimme Something Lovin”, the Spencer Davis Group celebrated success around the world, especially in the 1960s. Its founder, Spencer Davis, died on 19 October at the age of 81.

Actress Concheta Farrell (October 12)

Her acting colleagues Charlie Sheen and John Cryer described her as “absolute darling” and “amazing people” and as housekeeper Berta in “Two and a Half Men”, she delighted sitcom fans around the world: 12 Actress Constadt died on October. Ferrell at age 77.

Satirist and journalist Herbert Feuerstein (7 October)

As Harald Schmidt’s “Whipping Boy”, he became a cult figure: cabaret artist Herbert Feuerstein made TV viewers laugh – and he himself loved to laugh for 83 years.

Rock musician Eddie van Helen (6 October)

Eddie van Halen shaped rock music with his guitar and a mix of hard rock and heavy metal. The band became world famous after him and his brother. Now veteran music guitarists are mourning, who died of cancer on October 6 at the age of 65.

SPD politician Wolfgang Clement (27 September)

At the end you could clearly see his illness, but in late August Wolfgang Clement still came for a dinner at the NRW Prime Minister Armin Laskett (CDU). On September 27, the former head of state and federal economics minister died along with his family. He was 80 years old.

US Constitutional Judge Ruth Beder Zinsburg (September 18)

She has made a name for herself as a campaigner for women’s rights and was notorious for her pithy arguments. Many people have venerated Supreme Court Judge Ruth Beder Zinsberg like a pop star. “RBG” also caused a stir because of criticism of President Trump. He died at the age of 87 on 18 September after a serious illness.

Cartoonist Uli Stein (August 28)

Cute muse, funny penguins. Draftsman Uli Stein became famous for his funny animals. He suspected many idiots among the people, so he preferred animals. The cartoonist died at the age of 73 on 28 August.

Actor Chadwick Boseman (29 August)

There was shock and sadness in the United States, and beyond: Hollywood actor Chadwick Boseman died of cancer on August 29 at just 43 years old. The comic film adaptation of “Black Panther” made him a star – and a hero figure especially for African Americans.

Comedian Phipps Asmussen (9 August)

“Do you know …?” For many years Phipps Asamusan filled large halls with his jokes. He was a veteran of German post-war humor. He died on 9 August at the age of 82.

Former SPD leader Hans-Jochen Vogel (July 26)

During his career, Hans-Jochen Vogel served in several positions: Mayor of Munich and Berlin, Minister of Justice, Head of SPD. He was held in high regard during party lines. He died on 26 July at the age of 94.

Composer and Oscar winner Ennio Morricone (6 July)

Moving, heavy and often mysterious: Ennio Morricone’s film scores are classics such as “Play me the song of death” and “Mission”. The Italian cinema musician died on 6 July. The cultural world mourns.

Actor Tilo Prockner (2 July)

It is often the small but eye-catching roles that actor Tilo Pranker made on TV as well as on the big screen. The man with the mustache died on 2 July.

Pope’s brother George Rattinger (1 July)

Some time ago, his brother, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI., Met him. A little later, on 1 July, George Ratinger died at the age of 96. His cathedral sparrows bid him goodbye.

Werner Bhim aka Gottlieb Vendheels (2 June)

His “Poulsen Blenkenny” could not disappear at any hit party for years. Werner Bhim aka Gottlieb Vendheels died on 2 June – Gran Canaria, where he had recently moved from Hamburg.

Action artist Christo (31 May)

Christo packed destinations around the world, including the Reichstag in Berlin. The artist died in New York on May 31. The next big project he was planning should still be realized.

“King of Queens” star Jerry Stiller (May 11)

Jerry Stiller is known as the curious father-in-law Arthur in the US sitcom “King of Queens” in Germany. The comedian died at the age of 92 on 11 May.

Magier Roy Horn (8. Mai)

Roy Horn never really recovered from the tiger attack in Las Vegas. The horrific stage tragedy in 2003 ended the dream career of the magician duo “Siegfried and Roy”. On 8 May Roy Horn died at the age of 75 as a result of Kovid-19.

CDU social politician Norbert Blum (April 24)

Norbert Blum was one of the last representatives of the Republic of Bonn. The “Herz-Jesu-Marxists” sat at the cabinet table with Helmut Kohl for 16 years. Then he came out with his sponsor and only talked to him in dreams. Blum died at the age of 84 on 24 April.

TV-journalist Ulrich Kinjal (16 April)

He had a distinctive mustache and distinctive views: television journalist Ulrich Kinzal died on 16 April. Millions of people have known him since the 90s on behalf of Bodo Hauser in the ZDF show “Frontal”.

Actor Kirk Douglas (5 February)

He was one of the last screen legends of the Golden Age of Hollywood – at the age of 103, “Spartacus” hero Kirk Douglas died on 5 February. The film world mourned a rebellious star.

Basketball legend Kobe Bryant (January 26)

Kobe. One name is enough to cherish images and memories for eternity among sports lovers around the world. The news of the death of former NBA star Kobe Bryant on January 26 shook the sports world. He had a fatal accident in a helicopter crash in California – his 13-year-old daughter also died.

Actor Joseph Hanneslager (January 20)

One of the most popular German television series lost its most prominent face at the beginning of the year: “Rosenheim Cop” Joseph Henneslager lost the battle against cancer on January 20 at the age of 57.

(Dpa)