Celebrity deaths of 2026: Remembering the stars we’ve lost, from Patrick Stewart to Dolly Parton

The British actor Patrick Stewart, best known for his starring roles in the X-Men and Star Trek franchises, has died at 86.

His death was announced on Thursday in a statement on his social media accounts. It said he died on Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles “in the loving care of his beloved wife Sunny, following a brief and poignant journey” with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.

Ian McKellen, William Shatner and Hugh Jackman were among those to pay tribute to the acting great on social media. McKellen, who shared a decades-long friendship with Stewart, wrote, “He wore his heart on his sleeve, which made him a man to rely on, to admire and in my case, love.”

Other notable deaths in 2026 so far include country music icon Dolly Parton, The Rocky Horror Picture Show star Tim Curry, Heroes actor Hayden Panettiere, Jurassic Park star Sam Neill, Grey’s Anatomy alum Eric Dane and Beetlejuice star Catherine O’Hara.

Yahoo remembers those in the public eye who have died this year.

The guitarist and singer cofounded the Grateful Dead. Weir, who had been diagnosed with cancer, died at 78 as a result of underlying lung issues, a family statement read. 

The actor was best known for her roles in Home Alone, Beetlejuice and Schitt’s Creek. She was 71. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, O’Hara’s cause of death was a pulmonary embolism, with rectal cancer listed as the underlying long-term cause. 

The actor played the title character in the teen drama Dawson’s Creek. His wife Kimberly announced the news of his death following his years-long experience with colorectal cancer. He was 48.

The Oscar-winning actor, who starred as Tom Hagen in The Godfather, died at 95. Duvall’s cause of death was unknown, but his wife confirmed he died “peacefully” at home.

The actor, who starred in Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, died at 53 of complications related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Dane revealed he had the neurodegenerative disease, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in April 2025. It’s rare, with about 5,000 Americans diagnosed each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The actor and martial arts star died nine days after turning 86. Norris got his first big break in Hollywood in 1972, appearing opposite Bruce Lee in The Way of the Dragon. He went on to star in a steady stream of movies, including Breaker! Breaker! and An Eye for an Eye. His cause of death has not been confirmed.

The actor, who played Xander Harris in the fantasy TV hit Buffy the Vampire Slayer, died at 54. According to an autopsy report, Brendon died from heart disease caused by blocked arteries and high blood pressure. He also had pneumonia.

The media mogul, who founded CNN and once owned the Atlanta Braves, died at 87. A cause of death was not announced, but his website said he died “after a long battle with Lewy body dementia.”

The alternative-pop musician and internet personality died at 32. Tree, known for the track “Miss You,” was among six people killed when two helicopters collided over Rio de Janeiro.

The actor, who voiced Lilo in Lilo & Stitch and played Samara in The Ring, died at 35. According to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner, Chase’s primary cause of death was AIDS.

Willis, the lead singer of the Village People and the distinctive voice behind disco classics including “Y.M.C.A.,” “Go West” and “In the Navy,” was 74. According to his widow, Willis died of primary liver cancer with metastasis.

The Welsh singer rose to fame with her 1983 power ballad “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” which spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her family said she died in a hospital “unexpectedly” at 75, “as a result of the illness that she was being treated for.” She was hospitalized in May for emergency intestinal surgery and later placed in an induced coma.

The New Zealand actor was best known for playing Dr. Alan Grant in Jurassic Park. The 1993 hit was a box-office smash and pop-culture phenomenon that won three Oscars. Neill also starred in The Piano and The Hunt for Red October, among other movies. He died at 78 from pneumonia, his agent said.

The actor, who was 18, starred in the 2021 film Godzilla vs. Kong and its 2024 sequel Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. Her father, Joshua Hottle, said that Kaylee died after a serious car crash.

The actor, best known for starring in the TV shows Nashville and Heroes, died at 36. Her film credits included Remember the Titans, Ice Princess and two Scream movies. She died from a fentanyl overdose, according to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.

The musician, who spent 56 years as the drummer for ZZ Top, died at 77. A cause of death was not announced, but his publicist said Beard was receiving hospice care.

The Queen of Country died at 80 from cancer. She was “surrounded by loved ones” while receiving medical care at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, her representatives said.

The longtime character actor and star of The Rocky Horror Picture Show died at his home in Los Angeles at 80. Documents obtained by People from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health indicate Curry died of coronary artery disease.

Actor Carla Jeffery, best known for playing Bree Prattle in Disney’s Zombies franchise, died at 33 on Sept. 1. Jeffery’s management announced her death in an Instagram statement on Sept. 2. No cause of death was given.

The actor and disability rights advocate rose to fame on the hit drama Breaking Bad. His publicist told Reuters that he died by suicide.

Oct. 21: John Anderson

Country Music Hall of Famer John Anderson died at age 71 on Oct. 21. The LA Times reported that the singer died in his sleep at his home in Smithville, Tenn.

British actor Patrick Stewart died at age 86 on Oct. 28. Known to many as Star Trek‘s Capt. Jean-Luc Picard or Professor Charles Xavier from X-Men , he died following “a brief and poignant journey” with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia, a statement on his social media accounts said.

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