Celebrities We Lost In 2020, And We Only Just Realized

Look, 2020 was…uh, not easy. By mid-March, January and February seemed remote and idealized: a beta trial of what the year could've been. And not only did the world change on social and economic levels but the natural passing of time quietly also plucked a few beloved stars from their sky. As we put 2020 behind us, we stop for a moment to remember those we lost and celebrate figures who made an unforgettable impact on our culture.

1. Kenny Rogers, 81

During a sixty-year career, Rogers landed 24 hits at number one on the charts and sold over 50 million albums in the United States. His song "The Gambler" won a Grammy and was covered by many artists, including Johnny Cash. He also launched an eponymous fried chicken chain.

2. Mary Higgins Clark, 92

Known as the "Queen of Suspense," Clark was a #1 New York Times bestselling author of 51 books. She sold over 100 million copies in the U.S. alone, and many went on to be adapted for film and television.

3. Fred Willard, 86

Best known for his roles in Everybody Loves Raymond and Modern Family, Willard also contributed characters to comedy classics like This Is Spinal Tap, the Anchorman movies, and Christopher Guest's mockumentaries.

4. Lynn Shelton, 54

An awarded filmmaker known for movies such as Humpday and Your Sister's Sister, Shelton began her career as an editor before taking the plunge into directing in her 30s. Her work screened at Sundance, Cannes, and South by Southwest.