Lister died on December 10 at age 62 after reporting symptoms of COVID-19
Documents from the L.A. County Medical Examiner confirm the Fifth Element star was suffering from the coronavirus at the time of his death
However, the medical examiner determined it was heart disease that killed him, not COVID-19, according to documents obtained by TMZ
The actor documented his difficulties breathing in a video interview days before his death
Lister is best known for playing the villain in Friday and its sequel Next Friday, as well as the president in the Bruce Willis film The Fifth Element
Screenplay News and Reviews
Some of the entertainers, innovators, news makers and people of note we lost in 2020
Now that the year is finally over and done with, we at Village Media would like to take pause and remember those the world lost in 2020.
Here are just some of the entertainers, innovators, news makers, and people of note that left us this year (in no particular order):
Alex Trebek – Jeopardy! host from 1984 through 2020. The Northern Ontario native also made appearances in numerous television series, usually as himself. He was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Daytime Emmy in 2011 and named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2017 by then Governor General David Johnston for “his iconic achievements in television and for his promotion of learning, notably as a champion for geographical literacy.”
Relatives and relative strangers. A vicious virus united us with a prevailing sense of loss. It got to the point when we cringed every time the phone rang or we turned on the television, fearing that there would be news of yet another person passing away. This year has seen the deaths of legends and loved ones alike. Many across the country, and close to home, were claimed by COVID-19, while others succumbed to the ravages of illness or time. Others were children who barely had time to make their marks in this world.
As a rough year ends, The Sacramento OBSERVER takes a minute to reflect and acknowledge some of the many Blacks who died in 2020. They are gone, but not forgotten.
By Betti Halsell, Contributing Writer
Published December 17, 2020
FILE – In this Monday, Aug. 10, 2015 file photo, Tommy ‘Tiny’ Lister greets fans as he arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of “Straight Outta Compton” at the Microsoft Theater. Tommy “Tiny” Lister, a former wrestler who was known for his Deebo character in the “Friday” films, has died. He was 62. Lister manager, Cindy Cowan, said Lister was found unconscious in his home in Marina Del Rey, California, on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020. He was pronounced dead at the scene. (Photo by John Salangsang/Invision/AP, File)
Known for his iconic character “Deebo” in the Cube Vision production series “Friday” Tommy Lister died on Thursday, December 10, 2020. Lister lived a colorful life, crossing entertainment lines as a pro-wrestler to a noted actor, the 275-pound performing artist was known as the “Gentle Giant,” to all his fans and loved ones.
By Chris Bengel, CBS Sports
Actor and professional wrestler Tommy “Tiny” Lister died at the age of 62 on Thursday, according to his manager Cindy Cowan. Law enforcement was called to the scene of Lister’s Marina Del Ray, California, residence just before 3 p.m. on Thursday after there was a call regarding an unconscious male.
Cowan revealed that Lister displayed symptoms of COVID-19 in recent days. The actor had been working on a film, but had to cancel shooting as a result of feeling ill.
Lister wasn’t transported to the hospital and was pronounced dead at the scene. The coroner has yet to reveal a cause of death for the 6-foot-5 entertainer.