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Rocky Johnson , the wrestler father of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson , has died aged 75.
In a statement announcing his death, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) said it "extends its condolences to Johnson's family, friends and fans". No cause of death was given.
Rocky, who was known as “Soul Man”, became the first African-American WWE tag team champion in 1983, a title he earned with his partner Tony Atlas.
After he retired in 1991, his son Dwayne continued his wrestling legacy – which is where he got his nickname ‘The Rock ’ – before becoming an actor.
In 2008, Dwayne helped induct his father into the WWE Hall of Fame, where the company said “he will be forever enshrined as one of sports-entertainment’s most influential performers”.
Show all 93 1 /93Culture stars we lost in 2020 Culture stars we lost in 2020 Derek Acorah TV medium presenter Derek Acorah died aged 69 on 3 January, 2020 after suffering "a very brief illness". He was best known for presenting Most Haunted.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Christopher Beeny 'Upstairs Downstairs' actor Christopher Beeny died aged 78 on 3 January, 2020. He also starred in 'In Loving Memory' and 'Last of the Summer Wine' alongside Thora Hird.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Elizabeth Wurtzel American writer and journalist Elizabeth Wurtzel died aged 52 on 7 January, 2020. The author of Prozac Nation, who sparked a boom in confessional writing, had been suffering from cancer.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Buck Henry The acclaimed screenwriter behind The Graduate and Get Smart died of a heart attack on 8 January, aged 89. He received critical acclaim for co-writing the 1967 Oscar-nominated film The Graduate, and also received a Best Director Academy Award nomination for the comedy Heaven Can Wait, alongside Warren Beatty.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Harry Hains Actor Harry Hains starred in shows including The OA and American Horror Story, as well as working as a model and musician. He died aged 27, his mother confirmed on Instagram, after struggles with mental health and addiction. The cause of his death was not disclosed.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Alexis Eddy Alexis Eddy was a contestant on season six of MTV's 'Are You the One?' She died after suffering a cardiac arrest on 9 January, aged 23.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Edd Byrnes Edd Byrnes played smooth-talking dance contest host Vince Fontaine in 1978 musical 'Grease'. He died suddenly on 8 January.
Culture stars we lost in 2020 Stan Kirsch Stan Kirsch, who starred in the Highlander TV series and in an episode of Friends, died on 11 January at his Los Angeles home. He played Richie Ryan in Highlander: The Series and Monica's underage love interest Ethan in the season one Friends episode 'The One With the Ick Factor'.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Derek Fowlds Derek Fowlds died on 17 January, aged 82. The British star was best known for playing Bernard Wooley in Yes Minister and its spin-off Yes Prime Minister, as well as Sgt Oscar Blaketon in Heartbeat.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Jim Lehrer Jim Lehrer, the famed host of PBS NewsHour, died at the age of 85 "peacefully in his sleep", according to the network. Lehrer was also a frequent debate moderator during elections.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Tyler Gwozdz Tyler Gwozdz died of a suspected drug overdose aged 29 on 13 January 2020. He appeared on US reality series 'The Bachelorette' in 2019
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Terry Jones Monty Python co-creator, writer, actor and director of 'Life of Brian' Terry Jones died aged 77 on 21 January 2020.
Culture stars we lost in 2020 Nicholas Parsons Broadcaster Nicholas Parsons died aged of 96 on 28 January after a short illness. He presented BBC Radio 4's Just a Minute and popular ITV game show Sale of the Century.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Kirk Douglas Hollywood legend Kirk Douglas died aged 103 on 5 February.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Raphael Coleman Raphael Coleman, who starred in Nanny McPhee, died at the age of 25 on 6 February.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Orson Bean Veteran actor Orson Bean, who appeared in more than 100 TV shows and films over a career that spanned over six decades, died aged 91 after being struck by two cars in Venice, California.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Joseph Shabalala Shabalala, the founder of the South African group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, died in February aged 78. He is known around the world for leading one of the most recognised acts from South Africa.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Caroline Flack Caroline Flack died on 15 February, aged 40. The presenter was best known for presenting Love Island.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Nikita Pearl Galigwa Child star Nikita Pearl Waligwa, who appeared in Disney film Queen of Katwe, died aged 15 on 16 February.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Jason Davis Former child star Jason Davis, who voiced Recess character Mikey Blumberg, died aged 35 on 16 February.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Andrew Weatherall The DJ and musician Andrew Weatherall died 17 February at the age of 56. A pioneer in the genres of acid house and electronica, Weatherall produced albums, remixed musicians and worked as a DJ, artist and journalist. He died "swiftly and peacefully" in a London hospital, his management confirmed, after experiencing a pulmonary embolism.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Esther Scott The actor Esther Scott died on 18 February aged 66 after suffering a heart attack. She's remembered for her roles in Boyz n the Hood, Hart of Dixie, and many other programmes including Beverly Hills, 90210, Full House, Melrose Place, The King of Queens, Sister, Sister, 7th Heaven, and ER.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Pop Smoke Rapper Pop Smoke was "shot and killed" in a suspected armed burglary on 19 February when he was just 20.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 James Lipton James Lipton, host of Inside the Actors Studio, died on 2 March from bladder cancer. He was 93.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Max von Sydow Oscar-nominated actor Max von Sydow, best known for roles in The Seventh Seal, The Exorcist, Flash Gordon and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, died on 8 March aged 90. He also played the Three-Eyed Raven in Game of Thrones.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Roy Hudd Actor, comedian and entertainer Roy Hudd died 16 March at the age of 83. Hudd’s death was confirmed by his agent. “We are sad to announce the passing of the much-loved and amazingly talented Roy Hudd OBE,” his agent’s statement read. “After a short illness, Roy passed away peacefully on Sunday 15 March, with his wife Debbie at his side. Hudd found fame as a comedian, before transitioning into radio and screen acting. He hosted the BBC Radio 2 satire The News Huddlines from 1975 until 2001, and voiced Max Quordlepleen in the original radio production of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. On television he starred in Dennis Potter’s acclaimed mini-series Lipstick on Your Collar, and made appearances on Coronation Street, Ashes to Ashes and Call the Midwife.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Lyle Waggoner Lyle Waggoner died on 17 March after battling an illness at the age of 84. He was best known for his roles on The Carol Burnett Show and Wonder Woman.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Mark Blum The actor, who starred in 'Desperately Seeking Susan' and recently appeared in 'YOU' as bookstore owner Mr Mooney, died of coronavirus complications in March. He was 69 years old.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Andrew Jack A dialect coach for many actors who himself starred in two Star Wars films, Andrew Jack died in March of coronavirus complications. He worked on many high-profile films, leaving a mark on franchises such as Lord of the Rings and Avengers.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Bill Withers US singer-songwriter Bill Withers, whose hits included “Lean On Me”, “Lovely Day” and “Ain’t No Sunshine”, died aged 81 on 30 March.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Adam Schlesinger Adam Schlesinger, the Fountains of Wayne bass player and co-songwriter, died of coronavirus on 1 April aged 52. His song credits included "Stacy's Mom" and the Oscar-nominated title song from Tom Hanks film That Thing You Do (1996).
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Eddie Large Eddie Large died on 2 April aged 78 after contracting coronavirus in hospital, his agent confirmed. He had been suffering from heart failure.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Honor Blackman Honor Blackman, best known for her iconic roles as Bond girl Pussy Galore in Goldfinger and Cathy Gale in The Avengers, died 6 April at the age of 94. In a statement, her family confirmed she died of natural causes in Lewes, Sussex. Outside of her two star-making roles, Blackman’s credits included Jason and the Argonauts, Bridget Jones’s Diary and the Nineties sitcom The Upper Hand.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Tim Brooke-Taylor Comedian and actor Tim Brooke-Taylor, best known as a member of the Goodies, died on 12 April at the age of 79 after contracting coronavirus.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Shirley Knight The actor, whose work in 'The Dark at the Top of the Stairs' and 'Sweet Bird of Youth' earned her two Oscar nominations, died in April aged 83. In recent years, she starred as Bree Van de Kamp's mother-in-law Phyllis Van de Kamp in 'Desperate Housewives'.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Fred the Godson The prominent New York rapper, who collaborated with the likes of Diddy, Pusha T and Jay Pharoah, died in April aged 35. He had previously said on social media he was being treated for Covid-19.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Lynn Faulds Wood Lynn Faulds Wood, best known for presenting Watchdog, died on 24 April after suffering a stroke. Wood helped to create the world’s first evidence-based guide to symptoms of bowel cancer, and the guide was officially adopted by the Department of Health in Britain in 2000.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Irrfan Khan The actor and Bollywood icon Irrfan Khan died on 29 April at the age of 53. Khan was hospitalised in Mumbai after suffering a kidney infection. He had been fighting infeneuroendocrine cancer since 2018. In a statement, a spokesperson said: “It’s saddening that this day, we have to bring forward the news of him passing away. Irrfan was a strong soul, someone who fought till the very end and always inspired everyone who came close to him." Khan appeared in films including The Warrior (2001), Life of Pi (2012), Slumdog Millionaire (2008) and The Amazing Spider-Man (2012).
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Cady Groves The US singer/songwriter Cady Groves died on 2 April at the age of 30. Groves' death was confirmed by her brother as being a result of natural causes, following the spreading of "twisted misinformation" about her death. “The medical examiner has completed [an] autopsy and there was no indication of foul play or self harm. Simply put, Cady Groves died of natural causes. “She had some medical problems last fall and our best guess at this point until further testing is complete is that they had resurfaced. Please respect her name and family before sharing information that did not come directly from here.” Groves was best known for her singles "This Little Girl" and "Oil and Water".
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 John Mahon The actor, who played a language laboratory director in The Exorcist and also starred in LA Confidential, died aged 82 on 3 May.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Florian Schneider The death of Florian Schneider, the co-founder of Kraftwerk, was reported on 6 May. He formed the acclaimed German electronic band with Ralf Hütter in 1970 and, over four decades, released 10 studio albums, including the seminal five-track record Autobahn (1974). A friend of Schneider's said he had been diagnosed with cancer.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Brian Howe Brian Howe, the lead singer of Bad Company, died on 6 May at the age of 66. The musician, who was the British supergroup’s main vocalist, is said by a family member to have died from cardiac arrest on his way to hospital.
Culture stars we lost in 2020 Ty The rapper died in May aged 47 after contracting Covid-19. Born Ben Chijioke in London to Nigerian parents, Ty was a beloved member of the British hip hop scene.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Little Richard The legendary pioneer of rock'n'roll died aged 87 from bone cancer on Saturday 9 May. Born in Georgia, US, Little Richard enjoyed a string of hits in the Fifties including 'Tutti Frutti' and 'Long Tall Sally', and inspired a generation of artists including The Beatles, David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, and Prince.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Corey La Barrie YouTube star Corey La Barrie was killed in a car crash in Los Angeles on his 25th birthday, on Sunday 10 May.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Michel Piccoli The French actor, who made history in films such as Jean-Luc Godard’s 'Le Mépris', died on 12 May aged 94.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Ken Osmond The 'Leave It to Beaver' star, who portrayed the iconic Eddie Haskell, died on 18 May at the age of 76.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Richard Herd The actor, who played Mr Wilhelm on 'Seinfeld', died on 26 May aged 87.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Bonnie Pointer The singer, a founding member of the Pointer Sisters, died aged 69 on 8 June.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Dame Vera Lynn Dame Vera Lynn, the British singer whose songs were hugely popular during the Second World War, died aged 103 on 18 June.
Culture stars we lost in 2020 Ian Holm Veteran English actor Ian Holm died on 19 June at the age of 88. The theatre-trained actor, who appeared as Ash in Alien and Bilbo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings, was Oscar-nominated for his role in 1981 film Chariots of Fire.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Carl Reiner The comedy pioneer, who created 'The Dick Van Dyke Show', died aged 98 on 29 June.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Louis Mahoney The actor and anti-racism campaigner, who starred in 'Doctor Who' and 'Fawlty Towers', died in June aged 81.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Nick Cordero Broadway actor Nick Cordero died on 6 July from coronavirus at the age of 41, after battling the illness for 95 days. Cordero’s wife Amanda Kloots, who had been chronicling her husband’s condition on social media, confirmed the news. “God has another angel in heaven now,” Kloots posted on her Instagram. “My darling husband passed away this morning. He was surrounded in love by his family, singing and praying as he gently left this earth.”
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Naya Rivera Glee star Naya Rivera drowned in Lake Piru by accident on 8 July, aged 33.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Ennio Morricone Italian film composer Ennio Morricone died on 6 July at the age of 91. His credits include Sergio Leone films A fistful of Dollars and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly as well as The Thing, The Untouchables and The Hateful Eight.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Kelly Preston Kelly Preston, best known for her roles in Twins and Jerry Maguire, died after a two-year battle with breast cancer on 12 July, aged 57. She was the wife of John Travolta.
Culture stars we lost in 2020 Grant Imahara Grant Imahara, the host of MythBusters and Netflix series White Rabbit Project, died on 13 July, aged 49. The electrical engineer and robotocist died suddenly from a brain aneurysm.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Galyn Gorg Twin Peaks and Fresh Prince of Bel Air actor Galyn Gorg died on 14 July, aged 55
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Haruma Miura Haruma Mirua, the Japanese actor known for playing Eren Jaegar in the adventure film Attack on Titan, died on 18 July, aged 30.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Michael Brooks Michael Brooks, the host of political web series The Michael Books Show and The Majority Report, died of "a sudden medical condition" on 20 July, aged 37.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Demitra Roche Bad Girls Club star Demitra “Mimi” Roche, nicknamed the “Miami Maverick“, died on 20 July, aged 34
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Tim Smith Cardiacs frontman Tim Smith died from a heart attack on 21 July, aged 58
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Olivia de Havilland Gone with the Wind star Olivia de Havilland died on. 26July, aged 104.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Chris Needs BBC Radio Wales presenter Chris Needs died from a heart condition on 26 July, aged 66.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Malik B Malik B, a longtime member of The Roots, died on 29 July, aged 47.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Sir Alan Parker Sir Alan Parker, the director films including Bugsy Malone and Evita, died on 31 July, aged 76.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Wilford Brimley Cocoon star Wilford Brimley died on 1 August, aged 85. He had been ill with a kidney condition for two months.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Tony Morris Acclaimed broadcaster Tony Morris hosted the regional ITV news series for 17 years. He died on 1 August, aged 57.
Culture stars we lost in 2020 Daisy Coleman Netflix star Daisy Coleman, the subject of documentary Audrie & Daisy, died by suicide on 4 August, aged 23.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Linda Manz Linda Manz, who appeared in Terrence Malick's 1978 film Days of Heaven, died from lung cancer on 14 August, aged 58.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Ben Cross Ben Cross at an event on 25 February 2011 in West Hollywood, California.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Chi Chi DeVayne Chi Chi DeVayne onstage during the finale party for RuPaul's Drag Race season eight in 2016
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Justin Townes Earle Justin Townes Earle performs onstage in Indio, California in 2013
Culture stars we lost in 2020 Joe Ruby Ruby launched the beloved cartoon with co-creator Ken Spears in 1969
Culture stars we lost in 2020 Chadwick Boseman Boseman died aged 43 in August 2020
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Bruce Williamson
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Dame Diana Rigg La estrella de James Bond Diana Rigg, que murió a la edad de 82 años, en el Festival de Cine de Cannes en 2019
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Toots Hibbert Toots Hibbert has died just weeks after releasing his final album
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Helen Reddy Obit Helen Reddy
Culture stars we lost in 2020 Frank Windsor Frank Windsor was best known for his role in the hit BBC series 'Z-Cars'
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 presidency-numbers-4.jpg Thomas Jefferson is said to be the cleverest of all US presidents
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Clark Middleton 'The Blacklist' actor Clark Middleton has died of West Nile Virus
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Margaret Nolan Sean Connery with Margaret Nolan in ‘Goldfinger’
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Johnny Nash Johnny Nash
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Paul Matters Steve Cowley, Peter De Jong, Paul Matters
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Spencer Davis Britain Obit Spencer Davis
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Frank Bough Frank Bough y Selina Scott, los presentadores de BBC Breakfast Time.
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Sir Sean Connery Sean Connery in ‘The Untouchables'
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Bobby Ball.jpg Bobby Ball as Frank in ‘Not Going Out'
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Archie Lyndhurst Archie Lyndhurst, the son of 'Only Fools and Horses' actor Nicholas Lyndhurst, has died
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Ben Watkins
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Culture stars we lost in 2020 Thomas Jefferson Byrd (left) Thomas Jefferson Byrd and Spike Lee
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Rocky was known for battling racism in wrestling. “I was headstrong,” he said in 2017. “I kept myself in shape and the stuff they were doing in the south, I wouldn’t go for. They wanted to whip me on TV, like they used to do with the slaves and all that. I said, ‘No. I came in as an athlete, and I’ll leave as an athlete.’ And they respected me for that.”
Figures from the wrestling world have been paying tribute to Rocky.
Actor and retired wrestler Mick Foley tweeted: "I am so sorry to hear of the passing of the great Rocky Johnson. Always a gentleman, I always enjoyed talking with him.
"My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the fans who loved him. A very sad day for wrestling."
Wrestler Matt Hardy wrote: "Saddened to hear about the passing of Rocky Johnson.
"Rocky was always extremely friendly and kind to me every time I interacted with him over the years. My condolences and thoughts go out to his family."
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