Celebrity Deaths 2026

Photo Credits – Wikipedia **I do my best to keep this page updated once or twice a week. So if I miss Celebrity Deaths, please send me a message. 

JANUARY

20 – Rob Hirst (69): Australian drummer, songwriter and activist, best known as a founding member of Midnight Oil. Renowned for his powerful, driving style and politically charged songwriting, he helped shape iconic albums like Diesel and Dust and global anthem “Beds Are Burning.” For over four decades, he combined music with outspoken advocacy for Indigenous rights and environmental causes, becoming one of Australia’s most influential rock musicians.

23 – Bob Weir (78): American Musician – Co-founding member, rhythm guitarist, and vocalist for the legendary rock band the Grateful Dead, rhythmically shaping their signature improvised live jams for over 30 years and continuing their legacy through Dead & Company.

30 – Catherine O’Hara (71): Canadian actress and comedian celebrated for her brilliant character work and comedic timing. Rose to fame on SCTV and became widely beloved as Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek, winning an Emmy in 2020. Also unforgettable as Kevin’s mother in Home Alone, she is admired for her versatility across film and television.

FEBRUARY

2 – Chuck Negron (83): Singer-Songwriter – Co-founded the iconic rock band Three Dog Night, serving as the lead vocalist on their biggest hit singles including “Joy to the World,” “One,” and “Easy to Be Hard”. His soaring four-octave range anchored 21 Billboard Top 40 hits before he overcame severe addiction to launch a successful solo career and publish his memoir, Three Dog Nightmare.

15 – Robert Duvall (95): Acclaimed American actor and director, widely regarded as one of the finest performers of his generation. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for Tender Mercies (1983) and delivered unforgettable performances as Tom Hagen in The Godfather and Lt. Col. Kilgore in Apocalypse Now. Known for his quiet intensity and authenticity, his career has spanned more than six decades across film, television, and stage.

23 – Robert Carradine (71): Actor – Best known for portraying lovable nerd Lewis Skolnick in the cult comedy Revenge of the Nerds and its sequels, helping turn the film into one of the defining college comedies of the 1980s. Member of the renowned Carradine family, son of John Carradine and brother of David Carradine, with a career spanning decades across film and television.

27 – Neil Sedaka (86): Singer–songwriter and pianist – One of the most successful pop hitmakers of the late 1950s–60s and a major songwriter of the Brill Building era. Known for classics like “Oh! Carol,” “Calendar Girl,” and “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do,” he later revived his career in the 1970s with hits such as “Laughter in the Rain” and “Bad Blood.” Famous for his melodic songwriting partnership with lyricist Howard Greenfield.

 

March

19 – Chuck Norris (86): Martial artist, actor, and pop-culture icon – Rose to fame through martial arts championships before starring in action films and the long-running TV series Walker, Texas Ranger. Renowned for his tough-guy persona, he became an internet legend through “Chuck Norris Facts,” exaggerating his strength and invincibility, cementing his status as a symbol of exaggerated masculinity and enduring cultural humor.

April

20 – Alan Osmond (76): Musician – Founding member and leader of The Osmonds, a hugely successful 1970s pop group known for hits like “One Bad Apple.” As the eldest brother, he guided their rise to international fame and shaped their wholesome image. Later stepped back from performing after developing multiple sclerosis, but remained active behind the scenes, contributing to the group’s enduring legacy.

26 – Nedra Talley (80): Singer – Founding member of the iconic 1960s girl group The Ronettes, best known for hits like “Be My Baby.” Distinguished by her steady harmonies alongside lead singer Ronnie Spector, she helped shape the sound of the girl group era under producer Phil Spector and his influential “Wall of Sound” style, leaving a lasting mark on pop music history.

May

6 – Ted Turner (87): Media Mogul – Founded CNN, the world’s first 24-hour news network, and built a broadcasting empire that included TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network and Turner Classic Movies. A pioneer of cable television, he transformed how audiences consumed news and entertainment, while also becoming a major philanthropist and environmental advocate through his billion-dollar charitable giving and conservation efforts.

June

12 – Ronnie Schell (94): Actor and comedian – Best remembered as Marine Pvt. Duke Slater, Gomer Pyle’s witty best friend on the classic sitcom Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. A longtime stand-up comedian dubbed “America’s Slowest Rising Comedian,” he enjoyed a career spanning more than seven decades, with memorable roles in Good Morning, World, numerous hit TV series, and voice work in animated favorites including The Smurfs.

14 – Anne Schedeen (77): Actress – Best remembered as Kate Tanner, the devoted mother on the beloved NBC sitcom ALF (1986–1990), appearing in all four seasons and over 100 episodes. A familiar face on television throughout the 1970s and 1980s, she also had memorable roles on Paper Dolls, Three’s Company, Cheers, and Emergency!, earning a reputation as a dependable and versatile television actress.

30 – Victor Willis (74): Singer and songwriter – Best remembered as the original lead singer and co-founder of the disco group Village People, helping create global pop culture hits including “Y.M.C.A.,” “Macho Man,” and “In the Navy.” Known for his iconic policeman persona, Willis became one of the defining voices of the disco era, with songs that remain instantly recognizable and celebrated worldwide decades later.

July

6 – Louise Lasser (86): Actress – Best remembered for starring in the groundbreaking sitcom Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (1976–1977), earning widespread critical acclaim for her unique comedic and dramatic performance. She was also an original cast member of Saturday Night Live and appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout a career spanning more than six decades, becoming a distinctive presence in American comedy and television.

9 – Randolph Mantooth (79): Actor – Best known for starring as paramedic John Gage on the hit TV series Emergency! (1972–1977), which helped inspire public interest in emergency medical services and paramedicine. A longtime advocate for firefighter and EMS safety, he has spent decades supporting first responders through public education, speaking engagements, and safety campaigns.

13 – Sam Neill (78): Actor – Acclaimed New Zealand star best remembered as paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise. During a career spanning more than five decades, he also delivered acclaimed performances in The Piano, My Brilliant Career, Dead Calm, The Hunt for Red October, Event Horizon, and Peaky Blinders, earning a reputation as one of the most versatile and respected actors of his generation.

15 – Hal Williams (91): Actor – Built a six-decade career after taking up acting in his 30s following work as a social worker and postal employee. Most memorable as steady family patriarch Lester Jenkins on the hit sitcom 227 and recurring police officer “Smitty” on Sanford and Son, alongside standout roles in The Waltons and Private Benjamin.

For a closer look at his life and legacy, check out this  Hal Williams Tribute Video , which breaks down his iconic TV roles and transition into Hollywood.

17 – Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon (89): Rock ’n’ Roll Singer – High-energy pioneer best known for the million-selling 1959 hit “Tallahassee Lassie” and 1962’s “Palisades Park,” both defining songs of early rock ’n’ roll. He also scored hits with “Way Down Yonder in New Orleans” and “Transistor Sister.” Cannon made a remarkable 110 appearances on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand, more than any other performer, and continued recording and performing for decades.

August

1 – Vincent Pastore (80): Actor – Acclaimed SAG Award-winning character actor best known for his iconic portrayal of mob enforcer Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on HBO’s groundbreaking drama series The Sopranos.

2 – David Bruce Rivkin (78): Record Producer & Engineer – Known professionally as David Z, he was a Grammy-winning architect of the “Minneapolis sound” who collaborated extensively with Prince and produced hits for Fine Young Cannibals and Lipps Inc.

3 – Jon Cypher (94): Actor – Versatile stage and screen performer who starred as Prince Christopher opposite Julie Andrews in Cinderella (1957), played Chief Fletcher Daniels throughout Hill Street Blues, and portrayed General Marcus Craig on Major Dad.

4 – Dorrance Earnest Funk (85): Professional Wrestler – Known professionally as Dory Funk Jr., he held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship for over four years—the second-longest uninterrupted reign in title history—and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame alongside his brother Terry.

5 – Terry Buffalo Ware (76): Musician & Composer – Revered Americana guitarist and composer who played with Ray Wylie Hubbard and the Cowboy Twinkies, performed at every Woody Guthrie Folk Festival since 1998, and released 12 solo albums.

5 – Jean Margaret Lodge (99): Actress – Prolific British film and stage actress who starred as Queen Guinevere in The Black Knight (1954) and appeared across classic British cinema throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

6 – Peter Katsis (69): Music Manager – Legendary talent manager and founding partner of The Firm who helped launch the 1990s alternative revolution, managing top acts like Korn, Backstreet Boys, Jane’s Addiction, and Smashing Pumpkins.

8 – Randy Burns (78): Musician – Influential folk singer-songwriter and guitarist who emerged as a fixture of the 1960s Greenwich Village scene, opening at the legendary Gaslight Cafe and releasing pioneering acid-folk albums with ESP-Disk and the Sky Dog Band.

8 – John Crowley (83): Author – World Fantasy and World Science Fiction award-winning author celebrated for his landmark 1981 fantasy novel Little, Big, his acclaimed Ægypt cycle, and his decades of teaching creative writing at Yale University.

9 – Reginald Horace Bannister (80): Actor & Musician – Cult horror icon best known as Reggie, the shotgun-toting ice cream man-turned-hero who starred across all five films in the Phantasm franchise.

11 – Ben Jones (82): Actor and Politician – Portrayed the beloved, quick-witted mechanic Cooter Davenport on the iconic television series The Dukes of Hazzard (1979–1985). Beyond his acting career, he achieved the rare feat of transitioning into federal politics, serving two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Georgia’s 4th congressional district from 1989 to 1993.

11 – Christy Knowings (46): Actress & Comedienne – Beloved performer who rose to fame as a main cast member on Nickelodeon’s hit sketch comedy show All That and voiced characters on animated series like Sesame Street.

11 – Colin Julius Bobb (51): Rapper & Producer – Experimental underground hip-hop pioneer known professionally as Sensational (and formerly Torture with Jungle Brothers), whose 1997 debut Loaded With Power established a singular style of lo-fi, fractured beats and unconventional flows.

13 – Mark Rydell (97): Director & Actor – Acclaimed Academy Award-nominated filmmaker who directed cinema classics such as On Golden Pond (1981), The Rose (1979), and The Reivers (1969), as well as memorable acting roles including Marty Augustine in The Long Goodbye (1973).

14 – Ruby Andrews (79): Soul Singer – Acclaimed Chicago soul vocalist whose powerful 1967 hit “Casonova (Your Playing Is Much Too Bold)” became an enduring classic of northern soul and R&B.

15 – Tommy John (83): Major League Baseball Pitcher – Four-time MLB All-Star who won 288 games across a 26-season career, forever changing sports medicine after becoming the first athlete to successfully undergo and return from revolutionary ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction—now known worldwide as “Tommy John surgery”.

16 – Margaret “Peggy” Webber (101): Actress & Writer – Prolific radio, television, and film performer who played Lady Macduff in Orson Welles’s Macbeth (1948) and founded the California Artists Radio Theatre, producing hundreds of audio dramas across a career spanning over eight decades.

16 – Hayden Panettiere (36): Actress & Singer – Golden Globe-nominated performer who achieved international stardom as invulnerable cheerleader Claire Bennet in Heroes and country music star Juliette Barnes in Nashville, alongside prominent roles in the Scream franchise and Remember the Titans.

17 – Frank Lee Beard (77): Musician – Rock and Roll Hall of Fame drummer for the legendary blues-rock band ZZ Top for over 50 years, whose driving rhythm section powered global hits like “La Grange”, “Gimme All Your Lovin'”, and “Sharp Dressed Man”.

19 – Michael Wright (70): Actor – Acclaimed actor best known for his intense performances as Eddie King Jr. in The Five Heartbeats (1991), Raynathan Skuggs in Sugar Hill (1994), and Omar White on HBO’s Oz, who won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor for Robert Altman’s Streamers (1983).

21 – Roger McKenzie (75): Comic Book Writer – Influential comic book writer best known for his run on Marvel’s Daredevil, where he introduced reporter Ben Urich and spearheaded the gritty, darker tone that defined the character, as well as his acclaimed work on Captain America and Ghost Rider.

22 – Shelley Fabares (82): Beloved Actress & Singer – Rose to fame as teen star Mary Stone on The Donna Reed Show before scoring a Billboard #1 hit with “Johnny Angel” in 1962. She starred alongside Elvis Presley in three 1960s feature films and later enjoyed a major television comeback as Christine Armstrong on Coach (1989–1997), earning two Emmy nominations. Married to actor Mike Farrell for over 40 years.

24 – Mary Margaret Morgan (95): Actress – Golden Age film and television performer who appeared in classic 1950s cinema and television series, recognized for her character work and roles across studio-system productions and early American broadcasting.

25 – Dolly Parton (80): Country Icon – Acclaimed singer-songwriter behind timeless hits like “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You,” who composed over 3,000 songs and earned 11 Grammys. Beloved for her sharp wit and flamboyant image, she built a massive entertainment empire with Dollywood and became a global philanthropic force, donating over 150 million books through her Imagination Library and funding critical medical research.

25 – Tim Curry (80): Actor & Musician – Iconic English performer whose legendary roles include Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Pennywise the Dancing Clown in the 1990 miniseries It, Darkness in Legend, and Wadsworth in Clue, alongside an acclaimed career in theater and voice acting.

28 – Peter Cullen (85): Voice Actor – Iconic Canadian voice artist whose legendary, resonant baritone gave life to Optimus Prime in the Transformers franchise starting in 1984, alongside classic roles including Eeyore in Disney’s Winnie the Pooh and various animated characters across five decades.

31 – Victor Brooke Miller (86): Screenwriter & Author – Daytime Emmy Award-winning writer best known for creating the original screenplay for Friday the 13th (1980), establishing the foundational lore of the iconic horror franchise, alongside extensive writing credits for television series and young adult novels.

September

4 – Jerry Oates (70): Wrestler – Veteran professional wrestler who headlined regional NWA territories alongside his brother Gory Oates throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

5 – Andy Williams (48): Musician & Athlete – Co-founding rhythm guitarist for the heavy metalcore band Every Time I Die who successfully transitioned into professional wrestling as “The Butcher.”

6 – Nina Shipman (87): Actress – Television and film actress prominent during Hollywood’s Golden Age, appearing across dozens of classic Westerns and dramas throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

9 – Mike McFarland (56): Voice Actor – Acclaimed voice actor and director best known for voicing Master Roshi in Dragon Ball Z and Jean Kirstein in Attack on Titan.

9 – Barry Melrose (69): Broadcaster & Hockey Coach – Longtime staple of ESPN’s NHL coverage as a leading analyst following his career as an NHL player and head coach.

13 – Cheetah Chrome (71): Musician – Influential punk rock guitarist for the pioneering protopunk band Rocket from the Tombs and high-energy Cleveland group Dead Boys. His raw sound helped define early American punk.

14 – Bob Mackie (87): Costume Designer – Emmy-winning designer famous for his glamorous, showstopping outfits created for cultural icons like Cher, Dolly Parton, Tina Turner, and Elton John.

14 – Peter Max (88): Artist – World-renowned pop artist celebrated for his vibrant, psychedelic color palettes and iconic graphic art defining 1960s pop culture.

15 – Annie Dillard (81): Author – Master of meditative prose who won the 1975 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction at age 28 for Pilgrim at Tinker Creek.

15 – Gerrit Graham (77): Actor – Cult actor known for starring roles in Brian De Palma’s Phantom of the Paradise and Used Cars, as well as voicing characters on The Critic.

15 – Rosalind Ashford (83): Singer – Rock and Roll Hall of Fame vocalist and founding member of the iconic Motown girl group Martha and the Vandellas.

15 – Ronnie Dove (91): Singer – Pop and country vocalist who scored a string of major Billboard hits during the 1960s, including “Right or Wrong” and “One Kiss for Old Times’ Sake”.

17 – Duncan Sheik (56): Composer & Singer-Songwriter – Rose to fame with his 1996 hit “Barely Breathing” before winning two Tony Awards for composing the hit Broadway musical Spring Awakening.

20 – Chad Gilbert (45): Musician – Primary songwriter and guitarist for influential pop-punk band New Found Glory, as well as a prominent record producer for major rock acts.

23 – Bob Pettit (93): Athlete – Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame power forward, two-time NBA MVP, 11-time All-NBA selection, and 1958 NBA champion with the St. Louis Hawks.

24 – Marina Vlady (88): Actress – Acclaimed French film star who won Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival for The Conjugal Bed and starred in Jean-Luc Godard’s Two or Three Things I Know About Her.

27 – Dennis Haskins (75): Actor – Iconic television figure best known for his long-running role as principal Mr. Richard Belding on the hit sitcom Saved by the Bell.

28 – Gordon Johncock (90): Driver – Legendary American auto racer who won the Indianapolis 500 twice (1973, 1982) and claimed the 1976 USAC National Championship.