Notable actors who died in 2026 include T.K. Carter, Catherine O'Hara, and Robert Duvall.
Causes of death varied, from cancer and pneumonia to natural causes and a hit-and-run accident.
The entertainment industry mourned the loss of these talented performers across film, TV, and more.
Source:
The entertainment world has said goodbye to a number of beloved actors in 2026, with losses spanning generations of film and television. From Oscar-winning performers and sitcom favorites to stars behind some of pop culture’s most recognizable characters, these actors left behind work that continues to connect with audiences.
The losses have touched nearly every corner of the entertainment industry, from comedy and drama to action movies, prestige television and blockbuster franchises. Here’s a look at some of the notable actors we lost in 2026, the movies and television shows they were best known for, when they died and their reported causes of death.
T.K. Carter
Notable Credits: “The Thing,” “Punky Brewster,” “Runaway Train,” “Space Jam,” “The Corner”
Died: January 8, 2026
Cause of Death: Not publicly disclosed. Carter, 69, was found during a wellness check at his home in Duarte, California.
Cause of Death: Natural causes. The coroner later determined the official cause was atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with other contributing factors including acute pneumonia. Brendon died in his sleep and had a history of heart problems.
Anthony Head
Notable Credits: “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Ted Lasso,” “Merlin,” “Little Britain,” “The Iron Lady”
Died: June 5, 2026, at age 72
Cause of Death: Complications from pneumonia. His daughters said he died peacefully surrounded by his family.
Cause of Death: Bacterial meningitis and a blood infection, with chronic polysubstance use reported as a contributing factor.
Michael Byrne
Notable Credits: “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” “Braveheart,” “Gangs of New York,” “The Sum of All Fears,” “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1”
Died: June 20, 2026, at age 82
Cause of Death: Not publicly disclosed.
Ann Blyth
Notable Credits: “Mildred Pierce,” “The Great Caruso,” “Kismet,” “The Helen Morgan Story,” “Our Very Own”
Died: June 24, 2026, at age 98
Cause of Death: Natural causes. Blyth, one of the surviving stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age, died peacefully.
Louise Lasser
Notable Credits: “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman,” “Bananas,” “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex,” “Requiem for a Dream”
Died: July 6, 2026, at age 87
Cause of Death: Natural causes. Lasser died in Manhattan.
Sam Neill
Notable Credits: “Jurassic Park,” “The Piano,” “The Hunt for Red October,” “Peaky Blinders,” “Jurassic World Dominion”
Died: July 13, 2026, at age 78
Cause of Death: Pneumonia. Neill had previously battled angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of blood cancer.
Cause of Death: An official cause of death has not yet been determined. Emergency dispatch information indicated an apparent overdose before Panettiere went into cardiac arrest, and first responders administered advanced cardiac life support before she was pronounced dead. Authorities have said there were no signs of foul play, and an autopsy is pending.
Kianna Underwood
Notable Credits: “All That,” “Little Bill”
Died: January 16, 2026, at age 33
Cause of Death: Underwood was killed in a hit-and-run in Brooklyn after being struck by two vehicles while crossing an intersection. Both drivers fled the scene.
Judy Pace
Notable Credits: “Cotton Comes to Harlem,” “Brian’s Song,” “Peyton Place,” “The Young Lawyers”
Died: March 11, 2026, at age 83
Cause of Death: Pace died peacefully in her sleep while visiting family in Marina del Rey, California.
Hal Williams
Notable Credits: “Sanford and Son,” “227,” “Private Benjamin,” “The Waltons,” “Moesha”
Died: July 15, 2026, at age 91
Cause of Death: Natural causes. Williams died at his home in Rancho Mirage, California.
