This article was published on July 7th, 2020

As COVID-19 continues to affect the countries and communities around the world, there are a number of stars in 2020 that have tested positive for the virus and lost their lives. HomoCulture covers some of the celebrities that have been lost due to complications from the virus this year. 

Roy Horn

As one half of the Vegas stage act Siegfried & Roy, Roy Horn died on May 8^th this year due to complications from COVID-19 at the age of 75. Along with partner Siegfried Fischbacher, the Las Vegas act ran from 1990 until 2003, famously ending after Horn was attacked live on stage by one of their tigers during an act. 

Matthew Seligman

Regarded as one of the top bassists in the music industry, Seligman worked with David Bowie and other big names in the industry across several decades. After contracting COVID-19 earlier this spring, he died at St. George’s University Hospital in London on April 17^th at the age of 64. 

Mark Blum

As a noted stage actor, Blum appeared in several Broadway productions, winning an Obie Award for the show Gus and Al. He also appeared in several popular movies, including Crocodile Dundee, and Desperately Seeking Susan with Madonna. Most recently, Blum appeared in Succession, and You. He succumbed to COVID-19 complications on March 25^th at 69 years of age. 

Jay Benedict

The actor had several notable roles in top Hollywood productions, including Aliens and The Dark Knight Rises. Benedict also lent his voice to several documentaries, video games, and commercials on the radio and television. On April 4^th, he died from COVID-19 related issues. 

Ellis Marsalis, Jr. 

Regarded as jazz royalty, Marsalis was noted for his contributions to the music industry, his career as a music educator, and father to four sons that followed him into the music industry. The pianist and New Orleans jazz titan died on April 1^st at the age of 85 from COVID-19 complications. 

Alan Merrill

The singer-songwriter wrote the iconic rock & roll song ‘I Love Rock & Roll’, which was famously covered by Joan Jett. He died on March 29^th from COVID-19 complications at the age of 69. 

Andrew Jack

Appearing in some of the biggest movies ever, Jack was a noted dialect coach that had roles in the Star Wars trilogy, as well as Thor: Ragnarok, Lord of the Rings, and Batman Begins. On march 31^st, he died from COVID-19 complications. 

Adam Schlesinger

The winner of Emmy and Grammy awards, Schlesinger was a songwriter that first gained fame as the bassist and co-founder of Fountains of Wayne. Nominated in 1996 for the title track in the film That Thing You Do for Best Original Song, Schlesinger most recently earned 3 Emmys as a producer on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. He succumbed to COVID-19 on April 1^st at the age of 52. 

Joe Diffie

Singer/songwriter Diffie was a prodigious Nashville talent, boasting a string of hits that included ‘Home’, ‘Whole Lotta Gone’, ‘C-O-U-N-T-R-Y’, ‘The Quittin’ Kind’ ‘Texas Size Heartache’, ‘A Night to Remember’, and many more. He also wrote hits for several top country artists, including Jo Dee Messina, Tim McGraw, and Conway Twitty. On March 29^th, Diffie died from COVID-19 complications at 61 years of age. 

Terrence McNally

The winner of four Tony Awards, Terrence McNally was one of the most acclaimed playwrights of the past few generations. His notable works include Master Class, Love! Valour! Compassion!, Ragtime, and Kiss of the Spider Woman. With many of his works considered iconic, McNally’s death on March 24^th to COVID-19 touched the entire entertainment industry, with the Broadway community uniting to perform a livestream reading of his 1991 play Lips Together, Teeth Apart. He was 81. 

Fred the Godson

The New York rapper was known for his collaborations with top talent like Meek Mill, Diddy, and Cam’ron. On April 23^rd, Fred the Godson died from COVID-19 complications.