COVID-19 Until The Death Of An Important Figure In The Art World Becomes A Gray Stigma In 2020

Bill Withers (Twitter @RealBillWithers)

JAKARTA - From the legend of Monty Python, Terry Jones to soul music icon Bill Withers, we look back on some of the famous figures from the art world who died in 2020.

Even though they are no longer with us, their works will remain remembered and loved for many years to come - whether they be actors, musicians, poets or painters.

January saw the departure of Most Haunted presenter, Derek Acorah, and American writer and journalist Elizabeth Wurtzel. Just a Minute broadcaster and announcer Nicholas Parsons also died this first month.

In February, former Love Island host Caroline Flack died, as did DJ and musician Andrew Weatherall and rapper Pop Smoke.

Inside the Actors Studio host James Lipton died on March 2, at the age of 93, while Oscar-nominated actor Max von Sydow - who starred in films such as The Seventh Seal (1957), The Exorcist (1973) and Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) )) - died on March 8, aged 90.

Country music icon Kenny Rogers passed away on March 20. The family said Kenny Rogers died at his home at the age of 81. Launching ABC News, the final tribute ceremony for the icon will be held behind closed doors due to the outbreak of the corona virus.

Ain't No Sunshine singer Bill Withers died on March 30 - which his family confirmed on April 3 - from heart complications. Withers is 81 years old.

Figures from all over the music and entertainment world have paid tribute to Withers since news of his death emerged. Brian Wilson, Lenny Kravitz, Nile Rodgers, Jennifer Hudson, Graham Coxon, Héloïse Letissier, to Christine and the Queens shared their memories of the legend, including singing one of Withers' most famous songs with their own version.

#RIPBillWithers Class, class and more class. https://t.co/nmdufDEpFP

- Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) April 3, 2020

Very Sad .. this clip of Bill and hos amazing band was a huge favorite for the Coxonaughts on the road. RIP😥 Withers - Ain't No Sunshine https://t.co/ELpQ2j1dE6

- graham coxon (@grahamcoxon) April 3, 2020

On the same day, country singer from Oklahoma, Joe Diffie died of complications from COVID-19. He started his music career in 1990 when he released the album A Thousand Winding Road. Its flagship song, Home, reached a position on the Billboard Hot Country chart.

April witnessed the death of Fountains of Wayne star Adam Schlesinger, British comedian Eddie Large and Star Wars star Andrew Jack. All three are caused by COVID-19.

Reporting from The Independent, Jack died at St Peter's Hospital in Surrey, England at the age of 76. Jack is known as a voice coach for actors who starred in Star Wars, Batman, Lord of the Rings and a number of Avengers films. Jack had appeared as Major Ematt in Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. He also voiced Moloch in Solo: A Star Wars Story.