A compilation of prominent figures from various fields who passed away in 2026, including actors Robert Duvall, Eric Dane, James Van Der Beek, Robert Carradine, Corey Parker, and Tom Noonan; and musician Willie Colón. The report provides brief information about their careers and causes of death where available.
In 2026, several notable public figures died, drawing attention across the entertainment, sports, political, and cultural spheres. The individuals included actors, musicians, athletes, artists, politicians, and religious leaders whose work and public roles made them widely known.
Below is a list of prominent figures who died in 2026:March 5: Corey Parker, a veteran actor known for his roles in "Friday the 13th Part V" and the sitcom "Flying Blind," died at 60 after a battle with cancer, according to TMZ.Feb. 24: Robert Carradine, the actor best known for his roles in the 1984 film "Revenge of the Nerds" and the Disney Channel series "Lizzie McGuire" has died. He was 71. His family released a statement on the entertainer's death and asked for privacy. Feb. 21: Willie Colón, the iconic salsa musician and key figure in the Nuyorican salsa movement, died Saturday at the age of 75, his family announced in a statement shared on his Facebook page. A cause of death was not given. Feb. 19: Eric Dane, the actor who was best known for his roles in "Grey's Anatomy" and "Euphoria," died due to Lou Gehrig's disease. He was diagnosed less than a year before his death. Feb. 16: Long-time, Oscar-winning actor Robert Duvall died at 95. His career spanned more than seven decades, with iconic roles in "Tender Mercies" and "The Godfather."Feb. 14: Tom Noonan, an actor, writer and director recognized for his performances in "Manhunter," "The Monster Squad" and "Heat," died at 74. Noonan died on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, according to Fred Dekker, director of the 1987 film "The Monster Squad," in which Noonan played Frankenstein’s monster. Feb. 11: Beloved TV star James Van Der Beek died following a battle with colorectal cancer. He was 48 years old. The actor, known for starring in the popular television series "Dawson’s Creek," died, his reps and family confirmed. No cause of death was given.RELATED: Colorectal cancer: Symptoms and what causes itFeb. 7: Terrance Gore, an MLB veteran known for his base-running speed, died at 34. His cause of death wasn't immediately released, but the Dodgers expressed sorrow over his "sudden" passing. Gore played for several MLB teams throughout the span of his 8-year career. Feb. 7: Brad Arnold, founding member and lead singer of 3 Doors Down, died at age 47 following a battle with kidney cancer.Feb. 3: Chuck Negron, a founding member of Three Dog Night whose lead vocals powered numerous hits including "Joy to the World," died at his home in Los Angeles. He was 83 years old. Jan. 31: Demond Wilson, the stage actor turned TV star who played Lamont Sanford on "Sanford and Son," died at his home in Palm Springs, California, following complications from cancer.Jan. 30: Catherine O'Hara, the beloved actor and comedian known for her starring roles in "Beetlejuice," "Home Alone," "Schitt’s Creek" and more, died at 71 following a brief illness.RELATED: Catherine O'Hara's death prompts shock, grief across social mediaJan. 17: Roger Allers, the filmmaker and animator best known for co-directing the 1994 Disney classic "The Lion King," and writing the Tony Award-winning Broadway adaption of the movie, died. RELATED: 'The Lion King' co-director Roger Allers dead at 76Jan. 13: Cartoonist Scott Adams has died following a battle with prostate cancer at the age of 68. Adams revealed that he was suffering from prostate cancer – the same cancer that former President Joe Biden announced that he was diagnosed with.RELATED: 'Dilbert' creator Scott Adams dies after prostate cancer battleJan. 10, 2026: Colombian music star Yeison Jiménez, 34, died following a plane crash in Colombia.RELATED: Yeison Jiménez, Colombian music star, dies at 34 in plane crashAccording to TMZ, Jiménez was one of Colombia’s most successful artists, known for blending Mexican ranchera music with Colombian influences.Jan. 10, 2026: Grateful Dead founding member Bob Weir died, according to a family statement posted to his official Instagram account. He was 78.RELATED: Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir dead at 78Weir was famously the "little brother" of the Grateful Dead, as the guitarist and vocalist joined the band in 1965 at just 17 years old. He'd spend the next 30 years playing on endless tours with the Grateful Dead alongside fellow singer and guitarist Jerry Garcia, who died in 1995.Jan. 9, 2026: Thomas Kent "T.K." Carter, a veteran actor known for roles in the horror film "The Thing" and TV’s "Punky Brewster," died.RELATED: Actor T.K. Carter, known for 'The Thing' and 'Punky Brewster,' dies at 69He began his career in stand-up comedy, and had been acting for years before a breakthrough role as Nauls the cook in John Carpenter's 1982 horror classic, "The Thing." Other big-screen roles include "Runaway Train" in 1985, "Ski Patrol" in 1990 and "Space Jam" in 1996.Jan. 8, 2026: Music Composer Guy Moon – the man behind "The Fairly OddParents" theme song – died in a car crash.RELATED: 'Fairly OddParents' composer Guy Moon dies in car crash in Los AngelesMoon's family posted on the composer's public Facebook page that Guy Moon had died on Thursday, January 8.Jan. 3, 2026: Sidney Kibrick, one of the original cast members of the 1930s film shorts "Our Gang/Little Rascals," died. He was 97 years old. RELATED: Sidney Kibrick, the last original 'Our Gang' actor, dies at 97Kibrick was cast as Woim and appeared in dozens of "Our Gang/Little Rascals" shorts throughout the 1930s. The "Our Gang" shorts would later be titled "The Little Rascals" after it was sold to MGM for syndication in the 1950s.The SourceThis story was reported from Los Angeles. Previous FOX Local reporting contributed.
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