,

Black Celebrities Who Have Died from COVID-19

As the nation mourns one million deaths due to Covid, we remember the Black actresses, musicians and athletes we've lost to coronavirus.

Photo: Getty Images Win McNamee

Earlier this month, we crossed the grim milestone of over one million people lost to COVID-19 in the United States. Whether we want to believe it or not, this fatal virus is still affecting hundreds of thousands of people on a daily basis and has taken many lives in the last two years.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

People in the Black community have been severely affected just as much as any other group and as a result, a lot of Black lives.

Here are some of the Black celebrities that have died from COVID-19.

DJ Kay Slay

Photo: Getty Images Johnny Nunez/WireImage

DJ Kay Slay, born Keith Grayson, was a graffiti artist-turned-DJ whose work transcended multiple generations of hip-hop fans. Last month in April, he died from COVID-19 at the age of 55.

John Davis

Photo: AP Nico Schimmelpfennig/picture-alliance/dpa

John Davis, one of the voices behind the once-popular R&B duo Milli Vanilli, died at the age of 66 due to complications from coronavirus in May 2021.

Charley Pride

Photo: AP Charles Sykes/Invision

The iconic country singer died from COVID-19 in December 2020 at the age of 86. Heโ€™s the singer behind classic songs such as โ€œKiss an Angel Good Morninโ€ and โ€œIs Anybody Goinโ€™ to San Antone.โ€

Carol Sutton

Photo: AP Willy Sanjuan/Invision

New Orleans-based actress Carol Sutton died at the age of 76 in December 2020 due to complications from coronavirus. The long-time actress appeared in the 1989 movie Steel Magnolias and the popular TV show Queen Sugar.

Arnie Robinson Jr.

Photo: [{'styles': [], 'value': 'usatf.org', 'type': 'Text'}]

The Olympian who won a gold medal in the long jump at the 1976 Olympics died of COVID-19 in December 2020 at the age of 72, according to USA Track and Field. He also won a bronze medal in the long jump at the 1972 Olympics.

Tommy Lister

Photo: AP John Salangsang/Invision

Tommy โ€œTinyโ€ Lister, the actor best known for playing โ€œDeeboโ€ in the classic 1995 comedy films Friday, died after showing COVID symptoms the week prior to his death in December 2020. He was 62.

Bruce Williamson

Photo: Getty Images MANDEL NGAN/AFP

Bruce Williamson, who was a member of The Temptations from 2007 until 2015, died from COVID-19 complications at the age of 49 in September 2020. He was diagnosed with COVID-19 in late August just weeks after having his gallbladder surgically removed.

Herman Cain

Photo: AP Richard Shiro

Georgia politician Herman Cain died from COVID-19 at the age of 74 in July 2020. The Republican politician was hospitalized for over a month after attending a Trump rally without a mask.

Fred the Godson

Photo: AP Walik Goshorn / Media Punch /IPX

The New York-based rapper died in April 2020 after fighting the COVID-19 virus for weeks. He shared on Instagram that he had been diagnosed with the fatal virus and asked fans to keep him in their prayers. He died at the age of 35.

Ellis Marsalis Jr.

Photo: AP Charles Sykes

Legendary jazz musician, educator and patriarch Ellis Marsalis Jr. died at the age of 85 due to complications associated with the coronavirus. The New Orleans-based pianist played alongside accomplished musicians Cannonball Adderley and Ed Blackwell.

Wallace Roney

Photo: AP Sipa

Long-time jazz trumpeter Wallace Roney died from coronavirus complications around the time the United States went on a national lockdown in March 2020. He was 59. Roney was a protรฉgรฉ of musical legend Miles Davis.

Orlando McDaniel

Photo: Getty Images Denver Post

Former NFL player Orlando McDaniel died in March 2020 due to complications from the coronavirus at the age of 59. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 1982 NFL Draft. He only appeared in three NFL games.

Colin Powell

Photo: AP Pablo Martinez Monsivais

The first Black secretary of state, Colin Powell, died from COVID-related complications at the age of 84 in October 2021. He was fully vaccinated.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Have You Heard of The Tragic Story of Phyllis Hyman, a Beautiful, Soulful Singer Derailed By Her Own Demons?

Have You Heard of The Tragic Story of Phyllis Hyman, a Beautiful, Soulful Singer Derailed By Her Own Demons?

The soulful singer, known for hits like "Living All Alone and "You Know How to Love Me" died on June 30, 1995, just days before her 46th birthday ...
13 Ways Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' Will Impact Black Americans

13 Ways Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Will Impact Black Americans

With its hidden provisions and bold attacks to Medicaid and Pell Grant recipients, here's everything you need to know before it's way too late ...

Suge Knight Claims Tupac's Mother Made This Shocking Move in His Final Moments

Suge Knight Claims Tupac’s Mother Made This Shocking Move in His Final Moments

Knight's latest claim follows a series of confessions that might be tough to beliieve for a lot of folks ...
Spoilers: Black TikTok Has Theories on Whether Taraji's Daughter in 'Straw'

Spoilers: Black TikTok Has Theories on Whether Taraji’s Daughter in ‘Straw’

A very interesting theory about the major plot twist of the film is now being widely dissected and we've just got to discuss it! ...
The Unbelievable Reasons Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Got off to a Rocky Start

The Unbelievable Reasons Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Got off to a Rocky Start

So far, the jury has sent five different notes to the judge, suggesting jury deliberation in this case will be tedious and difficult ...
The Gruesome Truth Behind the Death Of a 7-Year-Old Florida Girl Found Unresponsive in Her Home

The Gruesome Truth Behind the Death Of a 7-Year-Old Florida Girl Found Unresponsive in Her Home

Naikishia L. Williams originally told police her daughter became unresponsive after she was given medication, but quickly, those claims were refuted ...
Remy Ma Detained After Altercation With Daughter of Man Her Son is Accused of Killingโ€” And it Was All Caught on Camera

Remy Ma Detained After Altercation With Daughter of Man Her Son is Accused of Killingโ€” And it Was All Caught on Camera

Jayson Scott, Remy Ma's son, faces murder charges for his alleged involvement in the 2021 shooting death of Darius Guillebeaux ...
DDG Says He Wants Another Kid, But the Details Behind It Have the Internet Big Mad

DDG Says He Wants Another Kid, But the Details Behind It Have the Internet Big Mad

In a now viral clip, the popular streamer was caught expressing his desire to have another child, but his method has the internet in a tizzy! ...
Mike Tyson Wants to Talk to Trump About What??

Mike Tyson Wants to Talk to Trump About What??

The former heavyweight champion wants President Trump to make the changes to some current laws that the Biden administration did not ...
Why a Lot of Black Folks Aren't Feeling Michelle Obama's Post-White House Era

Why a Lot of Black Folks Aren’t Feeling Michelle Obama’s Post-White House Era

After her podcast with her brother launched in March, some dedicated fans say silence is golden ...
Chris Brown Wants This... To Stop Right Now!

Chris Brown Wants This… To Stop Right Now!

Conversations about where Brown stands amongst the R&B space specifically, were renewed recently but it doesn't seem like he's here for it ...
Huge New Development in Case of Black Daycare Owner Who Shot Husband After Discovering Abuse

Huge New Development in Case of Black Daycare Owner Who Shot Husband After Discovering Abuse

Supporters say Daycare Owner shouldn't have spent a single day behind bars ...
Plot Twist: MAGA Drags Ex-Rep. Jamaal Bowman for N-Word Claims And They Are ... Right

Plot Twist: MAGA Drags Ex-Rep. Jamaal Bowman for N-Word Claims And They Are … Right

Past studies have noted a link between racism and health concerns for Black Americans, but there's no evidence to directly back up Bowman's claims ...
Photo: Getty Images Paras Griffinfor Idol Roc; Win McNamee

Why Nelly Needs to Finally Admit the Real Reason He Performed For Trump

Nelly is still defending his decision to perform at President Donald Trump's inauguration, when he should just own up to it ...
Black TikToker Who Sprayed Bug Killer on Walmart Food Learns His Fate

Black TikToker Who Sprayed Bug Killer on Walmart Food Learns His Fate

Wolfie Kahletti pleaded guilty in April, and now, he's officially been sentenced for his December crimes ...
Three Friends Were Headed To A Beyoncรฉ Concert, But One  Dies On the Way. Guess What The Other Two Did Next?

Three Friends Were Headed To A Beyoncรฉ Concert, But One Dies On the Way. Guess What The Other Two Did Next?

A group of friends who experienced tragedy on their way to a Cowboy Carter show have sparked a viral debate about what would keep fans from seeing Queen Bey ...
This White Singer Sang This Chaka Khan Iconic Hit and Black Internet Lost Its Mind

This White Singer Sang This Chaka Khan Iconic Hit and Black Internet Lost Its Mind

Once Hayley Williams' clip began to make the rounds on social media, a lot of Black folks had a myriad of reactions! Let's get into it ...
Will Smith Just Brought Up the Chris Rock Oscars Slap And He Doesn't Seem Sorry ...Anymore

Will Smith Just Brought Up the Chris Rock Oscars Slap And He Doesn’t Seem Sorry …Anymore

It looks like the "Fresh Prince" star is feeling a bit differently about it than before and we've got the tea to prove it! ...
Angela Bassett arrives for the 74th Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, on September 12, 2022. Photo: Getty Images Chris Delmas / AFP

8 Black Actors Who Got Their Start in August Wilson Plays

Some of our greatest actors have appeared in the prolific playwright's shows on and Off Broadway ...