COVID-19 has taken the lives of many people as it runs rampant throughout the world. Some of the victims of COVID-19 have been celebrities.
Jay Benedict
On April 4, 2020, actor Jay Benedict passed away due to complications from COVID-19. He was born on April 11, 1951, in Burbank, California. At some point, his family moved to the United Kingdom. There is not any further information about his childhood or school years.
Living in the U.K. gave him the opportunity to have recurring roles on British television. Additionally, he participated in several theatrical productions.
Benedict is best known for his role in the 1986 movie, “Alien.” He played the role of Doug Hamilton in the U.K. TV series, “Emmerdale.” The well-known actor also played Rich Twit in “The Dark Knight.”
He married Vanessa Pereira at some point, they divorced and have one child together. Later, he married Pheobe Scholfield and they had two children together.
Benedict is survived by his wife and three children. The actor was 68 at the time of his death. Due to the quarantine set in place because of COVID-19, funeral and celebrations of his life may be limited and/or postponed.
Lee Fierro
On April 5, 2020, actress Lee Fierro passed away due to complications from COVID-19. She was 91 at the time of her death.
Her name at birth was Elizabeth Lee Fierro, and she was born on Feb. 13, 1929.
Fierro is known for her role as Mrs. Kitner in the 1975 film “Jaws,” and “Jaws: The Revenge,” in 1987. After filming “Jaws,” she opened Island Theatre Workshop, which is a children’s theatre. She opened it with her friend Mary Payne in Tisbury Martha’s Vineyard. For 25 years she was the artistic director at the Island Theatre Workshop and worked for the company for 40 years.
Many years later, Fierro went into a seafood restaurant and saw they had a sandwich named the “Alex Kitner Sandwich.” She mentioned she played the mother of Kitner in the movie. The owner of the restaurant ran out to meet her; it was Jeffrey Voorhees who played her son. The two had not seen each other since the filming of the movie.
She is survived by her five children, seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. There may be limitations for her funeral due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
A Few Other Celebrities COVID-19 Has Taken
Beloved four-time Tony Award-winning playwright, Terrence Mcnally, passed away on March 24, 2020. He was the age of 81 at the time of his death. He was the mastermind behind many wonderful plays such as, “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” “Ragtime,” and “Love! Valour! Compassion!”
Actress Lucia Bosè passed away from pneumonia after contacting COVID-19 on March 23, 2020. She starred in the films “Story of a Love Affair (1950)” and “Death of a Cyclist (1955).” She was 89 at the time of her death.
Chef Floyd Cardoz died on March 25 due to complications from COVID-19. He was the age of 59 at the time of his death. In Season 3 of “Top Chef Masters,” Cardoz was the winner. He had opened a few restaurants in his lifetime. On March 26, actor Mark Blum died from complications from COVID-19. He starred in “Crocodile Dundee,” and “Desperately Seeking Susan.” In addition to movies, he also starred in the Lifetime/Netflix series “You.”
More Celebrities Who Died From COVID-19
Veteran news reporter for CBS, Maria Mercader passed away on March 29. She died after contracting COVID-19, and she was 54. She worked for over 30 years, reporting and directing.
Country music singer Joe Diffie died on March 29. His death was due to complications from COVID-19. Fans found out about his diagnosis two days prior to his death. Some of his known hits are, “Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox (If I Die),” “Third Rock From the Sun,” and “Pickup Man.” He is survived by his wife and five children.
Rock musician Alan Merill died from complications of COVID-19 on March 29. He is known for the song he co-wrote and recorded, “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll.” His daughters miss him greatly.
These are just some of the celebrity deaths that have occurred due to the virus. Continue to follow the guidelines set in place due to this pandemic. COVID-19 has taken the lives of many people worldwide. If people follow the rules set in place it will stop the spread of COVID-19.
By Sheena Robertson
Sources:
The Wrap: Celebrities Who Have Died From the Coronavirus (Photos)
People: Jaws Actress Who Played Mrs. Kintner, Lee Fierro, Dead at 91 from Coronavirus Complications
Independent: Lee Fierro death: Jaws star dies aged 91 from coronavirus complications
USA TODAY: ‘Aliens,’ ‘ The Dark Knight Rises’ Actor Jay Benedict dies at 68 from coronavirus
IMDB: Jay Benedict
IMDB: Lee Fierro
IMDB: Joe Diffie
IMDB: Alan Merrill
Top and Featured Image Courtesy of Tom Gill’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License