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 Barry McDonald

  Australian rugby union player (b. 1940).

• Jan. 1 Alexander Frater

  British travel writer and journalist (b. 1937).

• 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...

• Jan. 5 Tafazzul Haque Habiganji

  Bangladeshi islamic scholar and politician (b. 1938).

• Jan. 6 Richard Maponya

  South african businessman (b. 1920).

• Jan. 6 Gordon Renwick

  Canadian ice hockey administrator and businessman (b. 1935).

• Jan. 7 Neil Peart

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

• Jan. 7 Elizabeth Wurtzel

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

• Jan. 7 Silvio Horta

  American screenwriter and television producer (b. 1974).

• Jan. 8 Edd Byrnes

  Edd Byrnes was an American actor best known for his role as 'Kookie' in the television series '77 Sunset Strip' and later for his role as Vince Fontaine in the film 'Grease'. He became a pop culture icon in the late 1950s and early 1960s due to his charismatic performances and unique persona. [bio]

• 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...

• 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.

• Jan. 12 Sir Roger Scruton

  Prominent conservative British philosopher, writer, and political thinker who made significant contributions to aesthetics, political...

• 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.

• Jan. 21 Terry Jones

  Terry Jones was a Welsh comedian, writer, actor, film director, and historian best known as a founding member of the influential comedy troupe Monty Python. With a career spanning television, film, and literature, he played a pivotal role in the creation, writing, and performance of Monty Python's Flying Circus and co-directed the iconic films Monty Python and the Holy Grail … [bio]

• Jan. 21 Morgan Wootten

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

• Jan. 23 Clayton Christensen

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

• Jan. 26 Kobe Bryant

  Kobe Bryant was an American professional basketball player who spent his entire 20-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Recognized as one of the greatest basketball players in history, Bryant was an 18-time All-Star, a five-time NBA champion, and the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP). His influence extended both on and off the court, and he was a … [bio]

• Jan. 26 Gianna Bryant

  Gianna Bryant was the talented and promising basketball-loving daughter of NBA legend Kobe Bryant.

• 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.