The world also said goodbye to U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a lion of the civil rights movement who died in July. Other former political figures who died this year include Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak, New York Mayor David Dinkins, Arizona Gov. Here is a roll call of some influential figures who died in 2020 (cause of death cited for younger people, if available):___JANUARY___David Stern, 77. The guitarist who supplied the scratching, seething sound that fueled the highly influential British punk band Gang of Four. He fused African rhythms with funk to become one of the most influential musicians in world dance music.

LOS ANGELES Wilford Brimley, who worked his way up from movie stunt rider to an indelible character actor who brought gruff charm, and sometimes menace, to a range of films that included Cocoon, The Natural and The Firm, has died. Brimley also starred in Cocoon: The Return, a 1988 sequel. Wilford Brimley was a man you could trust, Bensky said in a statement. He was one of a kind.Barbara Hershey, who met Brimley on 1995s Last of the Dogmen, called him a wonderful man and actor. He always made me laugh.Though never nominated for an Oscar or Emmy Award, Brimley amassed an impressive list of credits.