Skip to main content
Tags: us celebrities | coronavirus deaths

Stars Who Have Died From Coronavirus

joe diffie performs onstage last april
Joe Diffie performs onstage during the 2019 Stagecoach Festival at Empire Polo Field on April 26, 2019 in Indio, California. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Stagecoach)

By    |   Monday, 30 March 2020 12:21 PM EDT

The coronavirus has claimed the lives of several celebrities in recent days.

Last week, news that playwright Terrence McNally had died of complications from the coronavirus shook the world and since then there have been other stars who have died. We take a look at those prolific figures who have passed away:

1. Joe Diffie

Joe Diffie, an iconic country music singer, died on Sunday from complications of the coronavirus, CNN confirmed. Two days before his death, the 61-year-old revealed that he had tested positive for the virus.

Diffie released 13 albums and was a regular chart-topper. His hits included "If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets)" and "Honky Tonk Attitude."

2. Terrence McNally

The 81-year-old playwright died due to complications from the coronavirus on Tuesday at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Sarasota, Florida.

McNally's illustrious career was punctuated with Tony awards for plays including and "Love! Valour! Compassion!" and "Master Class." He was a lung cancer survivor who lived with chronic inflammatory lung disease.

3. Mark Blum

The "Desperately Seeking Susan" star died at age 69 due to complications from the coronavirus. The news was confirmed on Thursday by the Screen Actors Guild

Blum achieved fame in 1985, when he appeared alongside Madonna and Rosanna Arquette in "Desperately Seeking Susan." He made dozens of TV appearances, appeared on Broadway and was also well known behind the scenes for his involvement with the theater community.

4. Floyd Cardoz

Floyd Cardoz, best known as the world-renowned chef from India who introduced his native cuisine to the fine dining restaurants of America, died on Tuesday from the coronavirus, according to The New York Times.

The 59-year-old's cooking drew rave reviews. One critic described his dishes as "American food, viewed through a kaleidoscope of Indian spices."

5. Manu Dibango

Manu Dibango, considered a pioneer in his art, died on Tuesday from the coronavirus. The renowned jazzman was hospitalized several days before his death from an unspecified illness linked to COVID-19. He was reportedly recovering when his health took a turn for the worse.

Dibango was instrumental in paving the way for "world music" in the 1970s with his hit song "Soul Makossa" breaking grounds at the time.

6. Maria Mercader

The CBS News producer died on Sunday from the coronavirus at age 54, according to WJW.

Mercader kicked her career off in CBS's page program. She worked with the network for three decades.

7. Alan Merill

Alan Merrill, who co-wrote the iconic hit "I Love Rock and Roll," died on Sunday morning from the coronavirus. He was 69. Merill's daughter confirmed the news in a post to Facebook.

"I was given 2 minutes to say my goodbyes before I was rushed out," she said of visiting her father in hospital. "He seemed peaceful and as I left there was still a glimmer of hope that he wouldn’t be a ticker on the right hand side of the CNN/Fox news screen."

Zoe Papadakis

Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.

Related Stories:

© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.


TheWire
The coronavirus has claimed the lives of several celebrities in recent days.
us celebrities, coronavirus deaths
488
2020-21-30
Monday, 30 March 2020 12:21 PM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
TOP

Interest-Based Advertising | Do not sell or share my personal information

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Download the Newsmax App
NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved