COVID-19: Celebrities who lost their lives to the pandemic
The coronavirus sees no boundaries. After indefinitely shutting down the world entertainment business, the deadly virus has started claiming the lives of admired artists and performers from across the globe. On Sunday, celebrated country music star Joe Diffie joined the unfortunate list of personalities who died due to the new disease. Here are the notable celebrities who succumbed to complications related to the COVID-19.
Country music star Joe Diffie died on Sunday
Joe Logan Diffie, noted country singer, having a line-up of hits in 90s such as Home and Pickup Man, died on Sunday in Nashville, at age of 61. The singer/songwriter had revealed on Friday that he contracted the coronavirus, thus becoming the first country star to announce such a diagnosis. Joe shared a Grammy award for Same Old Train with Marty Stuart and others.
Veteran stage and film actor Mark Blum
Veteran stage actor Mark Blum, better known for his roles in Hollywood movies from the 1980s, Desperately Seeking Susan and Crocodile Dundee, died on March 25 due to COVID-19 complications. He was 69 years old. More recently, the actor appeared in supporting roles on TV series such as Succession, You, and Mozart in the Jungle. Blum was also an Obie Award recipient.
Terrence McNally, the 'Bard of American theater'
Blum's demise came shortly after another famed New York theater personality succumbed to complications related to the coronavirus. Terrence McNally, considered as one of the greatest contemporary playwrights, died of the fatal virus on March 24 in Florida. He was 81 years old. The Bard of the American theater as he was lovingly called, McNally won four Tony Awards through the 1990s.
Indian-born American celebrity chef Floyd Cardoz
Mumbai-born American celebrity chef Floyd Cardoz, the winner of reality show Top Chef Masters and owner of successful restaurants in New York as well as India, passed away due to complications related to the novel coronavirus, his company announced. He was 59 years old. Floyd had traveled internationally recently in the month of March. His death was lamented by personalities from Hollywood and Bollywood.
Legendary Cameroonian musician Manu Dibango
Legendary singer, songwriter, and saxophonist Manu Dibango died on March 24 from an illness linked to the coronavirus, in France. He was 86 years old. The musician was popular for fusing traditional Cameroonian music with funk, inspiring generations of musicians over the decades. His most celebrated songs included Soul Makossa, Emma, Wilderness, Ekedi, Bao Bao, and Africadelik, among others.
