Famous people and celebrities who died in January 2020

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in January 2020. This month marked the loss of influential and beloved figures whose contributions spanned various fields and touched many lives. Explore our detailed list to remember and celebrate their enduring legacies and the remarkable impact they had on the world

• Jan. 1 David Stern

  Legendary NBA commissioner who transformed professional basketball into a global sports phenomenon from 1984 to 2014.

• Jan. 1 Alexander Frater

  British travel writer and journalist (b. 1937)

• Jan. 1 Barry McDonald

  Australian rugby union player (b. 1940)

• Jan. 3 Qasem Soleimani

  Qasem Soleimani was a powerful Iranian major general who commanded the Quds Force and was assassinated in a US drone strike in 2020.

• Jan. 4 Tom Long

  Australian actor who graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art in 1994, with a diverse background including work as a sheep shearer and various farming roles. He was born in the United States to an Australian surgeon's wife and traveled extensively before pursuing acting.

• Jan. 5 Tafazzul Haque Habiganji

  Bangladeshi islamic scholar and politician (b. 1938)

• Jan. 6 Gordon Renwick

  Canadian ice hockey administrator and businessman (b. 1935)

• Jan. 6 Richard Maponya

  South african businessman (b. 1920)

• Jan. 7 Neil Peart

  Legendary drummer and lyricist of the iconic progressive rock band Rush, known for his extraordinary technical skill and profound songwriting.

• Jan. 7 Elizabeth Wurtzel

  Influential American writer known for her raw, confessional memoirs like 'Prozac Nation', which candidly explored mental health and personal struggles.

• Jan. 7 Silvio Horta

  American screenwriter and television producer (b. 1974)

• Jan. 8 Edd Byrnes

  Edd Byrnes was a popular American actor best known for his iconic role as Gerald Lloyd 'Kookie' Kookson III in the hit 1950s TV series '77 Sunset Strip'. He became a teen idol and cultural phenomenon during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

• Jan. 8 Buck Henry

  Renowned American comedy screenwriter, actor, and director known for co-creating 'Get Smart' and writing screenplays like 'The Graduate'.

• Jan. 8 Pat Dalton

  Australian footballer (b. 1942)

• Jan. 9 Mike Resnick

  Mike Resnick was a highly acclaimed and prolific American science fiction author, known for his numerous award-winning short stories and novels in the genre.

• Jan. 10 Qaboos bin Said

  Sultan of Oman who ruled from 1970 to 2020, transforming the country from an isolated, traditional society to a modern, developed nation. He was a key diplomatic figure in the Middle East, known for his moderate and balanced approach.

• Jan. 12 Sir Roger Scruton

  Prominent conservative British philosopher, writer, and political thinker who made significant contributions to aesthetics, political theory, and cultural criticism. He was a leading intellectual of conservative thought in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

• Jan. 13 Bryan Monroe

  American journalist and educator, (b. 1965)

• Jan. 15 Lloyd Cowan

  British athlete and coach (b. 1962)

• Jan. 16 Christopher Tolkien

  Son of famous author J.R.R. Tolkien, he was a respected academic and editor who managed and published his father's literary works, including posthumous editions of 'The Silmarillion' and other Middle-earth writings.

• Jan. 21 Terry Jones

  Renowned British comedian, writer, and medieval historian, best known as a key member of the legendary Monty Python comedy troupe. He was a multifaceted artist who contributed significantly to comedy, literature, and historical scholarship.

• Jan. 21 Morgan Wootten

  Renowned American high school basketball coach who significantly influenced the sport and mentored numerous successful players throughout his career.

• Jan. 23 Clayton Christensen

  Harvard Business School professor and world-renowned business theorist who introduced the groundbreaking concept of 'disruptive innovation', revolutionizing business strategy and management thinking.

• Jan. 26 Kobe Bryant

  Kobe Bryant was a legendary NBA basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five championships and becoming one of the most iconic athletes of his generation. He tragically died in a helicopter crash in 2020, alongside his daughter Gianna. Beyond basketball, he was an entrepreneur and Academy Award winner for his animated short film.

• Jan. 26 Gianna Bryant

  Gianna Bryant was the talented and promising basketball-loving daughter of NBA legend Kobe Bryant. She tragically died alongside her father in a helicopter crash in January 2020, shocking the sports world. Her passion for basketball and close relationship with her father made her a symbol of athletic potential cut short.

• Jan. 26 John Altobelli

  American college baseball coach (b. 1963)

• Jan. 27 Lina Ben Mhenni

  Tunisian activist and blogger who played a crucial role in the Arab Spring, documenting and advocating for democratic change in Tunisia.