Some Of The World’s Greatest Stars Have Passed Away In 2026
Sadly, the world has lost some of its most beloved celebrities in 2026. Just a few months into the year, we’ve already said “goodbye” to absolute icons such as Kyle Busch, Catherine O’Hara, and Robert Duvall.
Several of these celebrities’ deaths shocked fans. Others, such as Eric Dane and James Van Der Beek, publicly and bravely battled health issues before they passed away.
This list aims to recognize them and the other stars we’ve lost this year…
Join Us In Remembering The Celebrities & Famous Figures We’ve Lost In 2026…
Victoria Jones
Victoria Jones was the daughter of Academy Award-winning actor Tommy Lee Jones. She pursued acting in her younger years, appearing in Men in Black II, The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, and an episode of One Tree Hill.
Sadly, 34-year-old Victoria was found deceased in a San Francisco hotel on New Year’s Day (January 1st).
The Chief Medical Examiner in San Francisco eventually determined that Victoria died due to the “toxic effects of cocaine.” Her manner of death was ruled an accident.
Michael Reagan
Michael Reagan was adopted by Ronald Reagan (the 40th President of the United States) and his first wife, Jane Wyman, shortly after his birth in 1945.
Michael was a public speaker, radio talk show host, and author. He published two books, On the Outside Looking In and Twice Adopted.
On January 6, 2026, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute confirmed that Michael had passed away two days prior at the age of 80.
“The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute mourns the passing of Michael Reagan, the eldest son of President Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman, and a steadfast guardian of his father’s legacy,” the statement read. “Michael Reagan lived a life shaped by conviction, purpose, and an abiding devotion to President Reagan’s ideals.“
Bobby Weir
Sadly, Bobby Weir was another celebrity we lost in 2026. The guitarist, songwriter, and founding member of the Grateful Dead died on January 10. He was 78 years old.
Bobby’s family shared that he passed away due to “underlying lung issues” he developed after beating cancer.
“May we honor him not only in sorrow, but in how bravely we continue with open hearts, steady steps, and the music leading us home. Hang it up and see what tomorrow brings,” his family said.
Scott Adams
Scott Adams was the creator behind the famous comic strip Dilbert. He passed away on January 13 following a battle with prostate cancer.
Scott, who was 68 at the time of his death, left behind a final message for his fans. Then, his ex-wife, Shelly Miles, read the note on his Real Coffee with Scott Adams podcast.
In his letter, Scott wrote:
“Many of my Christian friends have asked me to find Jesus before I go. I am not a believer, but I have to admit, the risk/reward calculation for doing so looks so attractive to me, so here I go: I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, and look forward to spending an eternity with him.“
Catherine O’Hara
The world couldn’t believe it when news broke that legendary actress Catherine O’Hara died on January 30. 71-year-old Catherine was beloved for her roles in Home Alone, Best in Show, and Schitt’s Creek, among other projects.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office listed O’Hara’s cause of death as a pulmonary embolism. Additionally, rectal cancer was listed as an underlying cause.
Many of O’Hara’s former co-stars honored her after her passing. One of the most heartfelt tributes came from Macauley Culkin, who played her son in Home Alone.
“Mama. I thought we had time…I had so much more to say. I love you. I’ll see you later,” Culkin wrote.
Brad Arnold
Brad Arnold was the frontman of the American rock band 3 Doors Down, known for their songs “Kryptonite,” “Here Without You,” and “When I’m Gone.”
In May 2025, Brad announced that he had been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. After bravely battling the disease, he passed away on February 7 at the age of 47.
His bandmates shared their heartbreak in a statement on social media. They remembered Brad as someone full of “kindness, humor, and generosity, [who] touched everyone fortunate enough to know him.”
James Van Der Beek
Unfortunately, actor James Van Der Beek was another celebrity we lost in 2026. The Dawson’s Creek star passed away on February 11 following a public battle with colorectal cancer. He was only 48 years old.
James’ family said, “he met his final days with courage, faith, and grace.”
Many of James’ famous friends and former co-stars honored him after his passing. Alfonso Ribeiro, Katie Holmes, and Derek Hough were among those who shared tributes on social media.
Robert Duvall
Few actors have crafted a career as prolific as Robert Duvall’s. The San Diego native was known for his roles in To Kill a Mockingbird, Apocalypse Now, The Godfather, and Tender Mercies. He won an Academy Award for his performance in the latter film.
Impressively, Robert continued acting until 2022, when he made his last two film appearances in the Netflix movies Hustle and The Pale Blue Eye.
Robert’s many fans experienced immense heartache when news broke that he died on February 15 at the age of 95. His wife, Luciana, said he passed “peacefully at home, surrounded by love and comfort.“
Eric Dane
Actor Eric Dane, known for playing Dr. Mark Sloan (“McSteamy”) on Grey’s Anatomy, died on February 19 at the age of 53.
His family said, “He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received.“
In April 2025, Eric announced he had been diagnosed with ALS, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. However, his death certificate listed “respiratory failure” as his primary cause of death, with ALS named as an underlying cause.
Robert Carradine
Actor Robert Carradine was born into the famous Carradine family of actors. He found his claim to fame through roles in The Long Riders, Lizzie McGuire, Revenge of the Nerds, and The Cowboys.
71-year-old Robert died by suicide on February 23. His brother, Keith, said he struggled for years with Bipolar Disorder.
“We are bereft at the loss of this beautiful soul and want to acknowledge Bobby’s valiant struggle against his nearly two-decade battle with Bipolar Disorder,” Keith said. “We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness.“
Robert’s Lizzie McGuire co-stars, Hilary Duff, Jake Thomas, and Hallie Todd, all shared tributes to him on social media.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal ideations or struggling with your mental health, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 9-8-8 via call or text, or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
Katherine Short
42-year-old Katherine Short was the daughter of comedian and actor Martin Short. She lived a mostly private life and worked at a nonprofit organization combating the stigma surrounding mental health struggles. However, Katherine occasionally stepped into the spotlight to accompany her father at events.
Katherine died by suicide on February 23. Martin released a statement about her passing the following day (February 24), writing:
“There are no words for the depth of this loss. Our family is devastated, and we ask for privacy as we grieve this unimaginable heartbreak. Katherine was the light of our lives full of warmth, kindness, and a joy that touched everyone she met.”
Todd Meadows
Todd Meadows, a deckhand on the popular Discovery Channel show Deadliest Catch, died during filming on February 25. He was 25 years old.
A few days later, the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that Todd fell overboard around 170 miles north of Dutch Harbor in Alaska. The crew of the Aleutian Lady recovered Todd from the water approximately 10 minutes after he fell overboard, but couldn’t save his life.
Captain Rick Shelford remembered Todd in an emotional tribute, writing:
“He worked hard, loved deeply, and brought joy to those around him. Right now, our hearts are broken in a way that words can’t fully express. We ask that you lift Todd’s children and family in prayer and keep them in your thoughts as they face the days ahead without him.”
A GoFundMe has been established to help support Todd’s three young sons and cover his funeral expenses.
Chase Pistone
Chase Pistone was a former NASCAR driver who competed in the Xfinity, Truck, and ARCA Series. He followed in the footsteps of his legendary grandfather, “Tiger” Tom Pistone, who was a two-time NASCAR Cup Series race winner.
After leaving NASCAR, Chase devoted himself to mentoring younger racers through his company, Chase Pistone Inc.
Sadly, Chase passed away on March 2. His cause of death has not been shared, but his brothers, Nick and Tom, asked Legends Nation to share information about the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline when they reported on his death. Those in need of help can contact the lifeline by either calling or texting 9-8-8.
“I’m broken hearted and don’t know if I’ll ever get over this,” Nicke wrote in tribute to his brother. “I miss you Chase already and I hope you are you are in a better place. I love you and I miss you so much already!!!!!!!“
A GoFundMe has been established to help Chase’s sons, Carter and Cameron, following his death.
Lou Holtz
Legendary football coach Lou Holtz died on March 4 at the age of 89. He passed away a little over a month after his family shared he was “facing a health challenge.”
Lou coached for several college teams throughout his prolific career. But his tenure at Notre Dame is what he’s most known for, as he coached their football team from 1986 to 1996, leading them to a National Championship win in 1988.
Notre Dame confirmed the news of their former coach’s passing, writing, “Holtz is remembered for his enduring values of faith, family, service, and an unwavering belief in the potential of others.”
Jennifer Runyon
Jennifer Runyon, an actress known for her roles in A Very Brady Christmas, Charles in Charge, and Ghostbusters, died on March 6 following a brief battle with cancer. She was 65 years old.
Following her death, her daughter, actress Bayley Corman, honored her in a touching tribute, writing, “All of the best parts of me came from you. I would give anything for one more day together.”
Chuck Norris
News broke on March 19 that martial artist and actor Chuck Norris suffered a medical emergency in Hawaii. The Walker, Texas Ranger star had just celebrated his 86th birthday the week prior, on March 10.
Sadly, Chuck’s family confirmed on March 20 that he passed away on March 19.
“It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning,” the family shared in a statement. While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace. To the world, he was a martial artist, actor, and a symbol of strength. To us, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the heart of our family.“
Mariclare Costello
Actress Mariclare Costello was perhaps best-known for her role in The Waltons. She played teacher Rosemary Hunter on the series from 1972 to 1977.
Mariclare’s real life imitated art when she became a teacher herself, or rather, a professor. She taught acting at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.
Mariclare died on April 17 at the age of 90. Judy Norton, who played Mary Ellen Walton, remembered her in an affectionate tribute, writing:
“Such devastating news to hear of the passing of our beloved Mariclare Costello, who graced our lives and screens for decades. We were blessed with her presence as Miss Rosemary Hunter Fordwick for 5 seasons on The Waltons.“
Patrick Muldoon
Soap opera star Patrick Muldoon passed away unexpectedly on April 19. The Days of Our Lives and Melrose Place star was 57.
20 days after his passing, it was confirmed that Patrick died of a heart attack. The day after his death, his sister said, “Today we woke up and realized yesterday was not just a bad dream. Thank you for the outpouring [of support]. We are in shock.”
Alan Osmond
Alan Osmond, the eldest member of the famous Osmonds singing group, passed away on April 20 at the age of 76. Alan’s younger brother, Merrill, and a family spokesperson were among the first to share the news.
Although Alan’s exact cause of death was not reported, he had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1987. Sadly, this led to his retirement from performing.
After Alan’s death, his siblings Merrill, Donny, and Marie all shared tributes. In his final moments, Alan spoke about reuniting with their brother, Wayne, who died in 2025.
Darrell Sheets
Storage Wars star Darrell Sheets, who earned the nickname “The Gambler,” was found deceased on April 22.
The Lake Havasu City Police Department reported that 67-year-old Darrell appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head. On May 5, the Mohave County Medical Examiner’s Office in Arizona confirmed that Darrell died by suicide.
Nedra Talley Ross
Nedra Talley Ross, the last living co-founder of The Ronettes, passed away on April 26. She was 80 years old.
Nedra’s team shared the heartbreaking news of her death on her official social media pages. They said:
“As a founding member of The Ronettes, along with her beloved cousins Ronnie and Estelle, Nedra’s voice, style and spirit helped define a sound that would change music. Her contribution to the group’s story and their defining influence will live forever. Rest peacefully dear Nedra. Thanks for the magic.”
Nedra’s cousins, Ronnie (Bennett) Spector and Estelle Bennett, died in 2022 and 2009, respectively.
David Allan Coe
Country music “outlaw” David Allan Coe was known for his songs “The Ride,” “You Never Even Called Me by My Name,” and “Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile.” Additionally, he was the first artist to record “Tennessee Whiskey,” which was later covered by George Jones in 1983 and Chris Stapleton in 2015.
The country music community was shocked when news broke that David Allan Coe passed away on April 29 at the age of 86. The singer’s representative confirmed with Country Rebel that he died after spending some time in the intensive care unit.
Tom Kane
Voice actor Tom Kane landed several notable roles throughout his career. He famously voiced Yoda in multiple Star Wars video games and series, including Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Additionally, he provided the voice of the lovable Professor Utonium on Cartoon Network’s The Powerpuff Girls.
As The Hollywood Reporter details, Tom suffered a stroke in 2020 that left him unable to speak or write. Sadly, he passed away on May 18 due to stroke complications. He was 64 years old.
His talent agency, Galactic Productions, shared the following tribute:
“Tom brought wisdom, strength, humor, and heart to every role he touched. His voice became part of our lives, our memories, and the stories we carry with us. But beyond the incredible career was an extraordinary man. Tom was a devoted husband and father who, alongside his wife, built a loving family of nine children — three biological and six welcomed through adoption and fostering. That compassion and generosity defined who he was just as much as his remarkable talent did. Though his voice may now be silent, the characters, stories, and love he gave to the world will live on forever.“
Kyle Busch
On May 21, Kyle Busch’s family announced he’d been hospitalized with “a severe illness.” A few hours passed before the heartbreaking news hit the NASCAR community…Kyle Busch had died at the age of 41.
Two days later, Kyle’s family revealed that he had passed away after developing pneumonia that progressed into sepsis. His cause of death was explained in further detail on his death certificate.
According to PEOPLE, who obtained a copy of the death certificate, Kyle had a sinus infection, which developed into bilateral, bacterial pneumonia “of an undetermined etiology.” The document shows he battled pneumonia for “days to weeks” before he passed away.
The pneumonia progressed into sepsis, which caused disseminated intravascular coagulation. Individuals who suffer from this condition develop small blood clots that block blood flow to the organs. This caused Kyle to go into hemorrhagic shock before he passed away.
Kyle is survived by his wife, Samantha, and their two children, Brexton and Lennix.
Matt Brown
Matt Brown, one of the stars of Discovery’s reality TV show Alaskan Bush People, was found deceased in Washington’s Okanogan River on May 30. The tragic news of Matt’s death came after he had disappeared, and his family expressed concern about his well-being. Some outlets list Matt’s age as 42, while others say he was 43.
It was later determined that Matt died by suicide.
Rick Treadway
Former IndyCar driver Rick Treadway was killed in a motorcycle accident on May 30. He was only 56 years old.
Rick started the Indy 500 in 2001, which he viewed as a career “highlight.” He raced nearly a dozen times during the 2001 and 2022 seasons for Treadway-Hubbard Racing and Treadway Racing, which were owned by his father, Fred Treadway.
Arie Luyendyk, one of Rick’s former teammates, honored him in a moving tribute, writing, “Rick was a fun, crazy, humble, wild and brave personality.“
Ronald LaPread
Ronald LaPread, a co-founding member of the legendary funk and soul group The Commodores, died suddenly on May 30. He was 75 years old.
Ronald was remembered by his former bandmates, including Lionel Richie, who said, “Pread, You will be missed my dear brother. What a ride!“
Ronald’s survivors include his wife, Farideh, and his three children: Mark, Ronald Jr., and Soraya. Our prayers are with them and the families of the other celebrities we’ve lost in 2026…