As the coronavirus pandemic spreads globally, claiming thousands of lives, notable names are among those taken by the deadly virus.
Read more about them ahead. For more information on lives that were lost to the COVID-19 and the latest updates on confirmed cases in the U.S., expert health advice and how the virus is affecting people around the world, visit PEOPLE’s coronavirus hub here.
The Star Wars actor and dialect coach for the Lord of The Rings films, died at age 76 from complications of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), according to multiple reports.
Jill McCullough, the dialect coach’s representative, said in a statement to the Evening Standard that Jack died on Mar. 31 at a hospital outside of London as a result of complications he’d developed from COVID-19.
“Andrew lived on one the oldest working houseboats on the Thames, he was fiercely independent but madly in love with his wife; also a dialect coach: Gabrielle Rogers,” said McCullough. “Tragically she is stuck in quarantine in Australia having just flown in from NZ last week. She was unable to see or talk to him at the end of his life and there is a chance a funeral may not be held.”
Rogers said in a tweet on Tuesday, “We lost a man today. Andrew Jack was diagnosed with Coronavirus 2 days ago. He was in no pain, and he slipped away peacefully knowing that his family were all ‘with’ him.”
Jack’s resume was long, and he was most recently hired to work on The Batman starring Robert Pattinson.
He also worked as a dialect coach on many of the Marvel films, including Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain America: The First Avenger, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.
He is survived by his wife and two children.
Andrew Jack
The Star Wars actor and dialect coach for the Lord of The Rings films, died at age 76 from complications of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), according to multiple reports.
Jill McCullough, the dialect coach’s representative, said in a statement to the Evening Standard that Jack died on Mar. 31 at a hospital outside of London as a result of complications he’d developed from COVID-19.
“Andrew lived on one the oldest working houseboats on the Thames, he was fiercely independent but madly in love with his wife; also a dialect coach: Gabrielle Rogers,” said McCullough. “Tragically she is stuck in quarantine in Australia having just flown in from NZ last week. She was unable to see or talk to him at the end of his life and there is a chance a funeral may not be held.”
Rogers said in a tweet on Tuesday, “We lost a man today. Andrew Jack was diagnosed with Coronavirus 2 days ago. He was in no pain, and he slipped away peacefully knowing that his family were all ‘with’ him.”
Jack’s resume was long, and he was most recently hired to work on The Batman starring Robert Pattinson.
He also worked as a dialect coach on many of the Marvel films, including Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain America: The First Avenger, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.
He is survived by his wife and two children.
Maria Mercader
Mercader, a journalist and a producer for CBS News, died from coronavirus according to an announcement from CBS on Mar. 30. She was 54.
CBS said that the journalist, who had been at the network for three decades, had been on medical leave for an unrelated matter since late February and passed away in a hospital in New York.
According to the network,
According to the network, the veteran journalist “fought cancer and related illnesses for more than 20 years, and was an inspiration each time she returned to work after a setback threatened to end her life.”
“Even more than her talents as a journalist, we will miss her indomitable spirit,” Susan Zirinsky, CBS News president and senior executive producer, said in a statement. “Maria was part of all of our lives. Even when she was hospitalized — and she knew something was going on at CBS, she would call with counsel, encouragement, and would say ‘you can do this.’ I called Maria a ‘warrior,’ she was. Maria was a gift we cherished.”
Mercader is survived by her father Manuel and brother Manuel.
Orlando McDaniels
Former NFL player Orlando McDaniel died on Mar. 27 from complications of coronavirus. He was 59.
McDaniels, who got his start as a two-sport athlete during his time at Louisiana State University, recently displayed symptoms of the coronavirus after returning home to Texas following a trip to Washington, according to The Advocate. It is unclear where he may have contracted the virus.
McDaniel played briefly for the Denver Broncos after being selected in the second round of the 1982 NFL Draft. The athlete would later become executive director and founder of the North Texas Cheetahs girls’ track club, a position he held until his death.
The popular comedian, known as the Robin Williams of Japan, died at age 70 on March 30 in a Tokyo hospital from COVID-19 complications.
He rose to fame on the ’70s variety show Hachijidayo Zeninshugo! (It’s 8 O’clock, Assemble Everyone!) and was known for his slapstick comedy. Before the Tokyo Olympics were postponed, Shimura was slated to run in the Olympic torch relay to represent Higashimurayama, a neighborhood located in Tokyo’s suburbs.
Ken Shimura
The popular comedian, known as the Robin Williams of Japan, died at age 70 on March 30 in a Tokyo hospital from COVID-19 complications.
He rose to fame on the ’70s variety show Hachijidayo Zeninshugo! (It’s 8 O’clock, Assemble Everyone!) and was known for his slapstick comedy. Before the Tokyo Olympics were postponed, Shimura was slated to run in the Olympic torch relay to represent Higashimurayama, a neighborhood located in Tokyo’s suburbs.
Alan Merrill
The singer-songwriter, who wrote the hit song “I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll,” died on March 29 following a battle with COVID-19. He was 69.
His daughter, Lauren Merrill, announced his passing on Facebook. “The Coronavirus took my father this morning. I was given 2 minutes to say my goodbyes before I was rushed out,” she wrote.
She added, “We probably won’t be able to mourn him properly with a funeral. I just lost the greatest love of my life and won’t be able to hug anyone because I’ve been exposed and need to self quarantine for two weeks….alone.”
Joan Jett, who sang Merrill’s 1982 hit, paid tribute to the songwriter on Twitter, writing, “I’ve just learned of the awful news that Alan Merrill has passed.”
“My thoughts and love go to his family, friends and music community as a whole,” she wrote. “I can still remember watching the Arrows on TV in London and being blown away by the song that screamed hit to me. With deep gratitude and sadness, wishing him a safe journey to the other side.”
Diffie, one of the most celebrated country artists of the ’90s, died on March 29, his publicist confirmed to PEOPLE. He was 61.
The Grammy-winning artist posted about his positive diagnosis two days before his death.
“I am under the care of medical professionals and currently receiving treatment after testing positive for coronavirus,” Diffie wrote on social media. “We want to remind the public and all my fans to be vigilant, cautious and careful during this pandemic.”
Among the country stars to pay tribute to the late musician were Carrie Underwood, Travis Tritt and Jason Aldean.
Joe Diffie
Diffie, one of the most celebrated country artists of the ’90s, died on March 29, his publicist confirmed to PEOPLE. He was 61.
The Grammy-winning artist posted about his positive diagnosis two days before his death.
“I am under the care of medical professionals and currently receiving treatment after testing positive for coronavirus,” Diffie wrote on social media. “We want to remind the public and all my fans to be vigilant, cautious and careful during this pandemic.”
Among the country stars to pay tribute to the late musician were Carrie Underwood, Travis Tritt and Jason Aldean.
The Tony-winning playwright died on March 24 at the age of 81, a spokesperson for McNally confirmed to PEOPLE.
McNally was a lung cancer survivor who lived with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs.
He was being treated at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital in in Sarasota, Florida at the time of his death.
McNally is survived by his husband Tom Kirdahy. The longtime pair were first partnered in a civil union ceremony in Vermont on December 20, 2003, before getting married in Washington, D.C. on April 6, 2010.
Terrence McNally
The Tony-winning playwright died on March 24 at the age of 81, a spokesperson for McNally confirmed to PEOPLE.
McNally was a lung cancer survivor who lived with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs.
He was being treated at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital in in Sarasota, Florida at the time of his death.
McNally is survived by his husband Tom Kirdahy. The longtime pair were first partnered in a civil union ceremony in Vermont on December 20, 2003, before getting married in Washington, D.C. on April 6, 2010.
Blum, a character actor known for playing a number of notable roles on stage and screen, died on March 26 due to complications associated with the novel virus. He was 69.
The star was known for his roles in movies, like Desperately Seeking Susan and Crocodile Dundee, and television, which includes You, NYPD Blue, Mozart in the Jungle and Succession. He also booked guest parts on shows like Law & Order, The West Wing, The Sopranos and more.
Blum is survived by his wife, Janet Zarish.
Mark Blum
Blum, a character actor known for playing a number of notable roles on stage and screen, died on March 26 due to complications associated with the novel virus. He was 69.
The star was known for his roles in movies, like Desperately Seeking Susan and Crocodile Dundee, and television, which includes You, NYPD Blue, Mozart in the Jungle and Succession. He also booked guest parts on shows like Law & Order, The West Wing, The Sopranos and more.
Blum is survived by his wife, Janet Zarish.
Chef Floyd Cardoz died on March 25 at Mountainside Medical Center in New Jersey as a result of complications from coronavirus, a spokesperson for his Hunger Inc. Hospitality Group confirmed to PEOPLE. He was 59.
The famed chef was admitted to the hospital for symptoms a week before his passing when he tested positive for COVID-19.
At the time of his diagnosis, he posted an update on his Instagram page, writing that he sought medical help as a “precautionary measure.”
“Sincere apologies everyone. I am sorry for causing undue panic around my earlier post. I was feeling feverish and hence as a precautionary measure, admitted myself into hospital in New York,” he wrote, adding he “was hugely anxious about my state of health” as he had just returned from a trip to Germany.
Born in Bombay, India, Cardoz moved to New York City to work in the restautant business. In 1997, he partnered with famed restaurateur Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group to open the contemporary Indian restaurant Tabla. Cardoz also own several other restaurants and competed on and won Bravo’s Top Chef Masters season 3 in 2011.
Cardoz is survived by his mother Beryl, his wife and business partner, Barkha, whom he met at hospitality school in India, and their two sons, Peter, 27, and Justin, 22.
Floyd Cardoz
Chef Floyd Cardoz died on March 25 at Mountainside Medical Center in New Jersey as a result of complications from coronavirus, a spokesperson for his Hunger Inc. Hospitality Group confirmed to PEOPLE. He was 59.
The famed chef was admitted to the hospital for symptoms a week before his passing when he tested positive for COVID-19.
At the time of his diagnosis, he posted an update on his Instagram page, writing that he sought medical help as a “precautionary measure.”
“Sincere apologies everyone. I am sorry for causing undue panic around my earlier post. I was feeling feverish and hence as a precautionary measure, admitted myself into hospital in New York,” he wrote, adding he “was hugely anxious about my state of health” as he had just returned from a trip to Germany.
Born in Bombay, India, Cardoz moved to New York City to work in the restautant business. In 1997, he partnered with famed restaurateur Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group to open the contemporary Indian restaurant Tabla. Cardoz also own several other restaurants and competed on and won Bravo’s Top Chef Masters season 3 in 2011.
Cardoz is survived by his mother Beryl, his wife and business partner, Barkha, whom he met at hospitality school in India, and their two sons, Peter, 27, and Justin, 22.
Source: Yahoo News
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