All the celebrities we’ve lost this year

Gloria Steinem has died aged 92, passing away peacefully at her New York home surrounded by loved ones. The pioneering journalist and feminist activist helped reshape the women’s rights movement, co-founding Ms. magazine and the National Women’s Political Caucus.

Gloria continued campaigning for equality well into her 90s, spending her final years writing and hosting “Talking Circles” at her New York home.

Perhaps best-known as Dr Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), Tim Curry passed away on 25 August 2026 at the age of 80.

He went on to steal the spotlight as the terrifying Pennywise in It, the concierge in Home Alone 2 and Blackbeard in Treasure Island. After suffering a stroke in 2012, Tim mostly retreated from acting but appeared in some specials.

The world was stunned when global icon Dolly Parton died on 25 August at the age of 80. Her seven-decade career spanned singing, songwrighting, acting, and business. She became known as the Queen of Country and was beloved not only for her work, but her philanthropy through her Imagination Library.

World-renowned Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama died in a hospital in Tokyo on 14 August 2026.She was 97 years old. As a child, Yayoi Kusama experienced vivid hallucinations, family trauma, and the hardships of World War II, which profoundly shaped her life and art.

Actress Hayden Panettiere was just 36 years old when her representative confirmed her passing in a statement to ABC US.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” they said. “She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen.”

Hayden was beloved for her roles in Scream, Heroes and Nashville. Just months prior in May, Hayden released a memor, This is Me: A Reckoning.

Her cause of death was not revealed.

Johnny Young, musician and host of Young Talent Time, died at the age of 79 in August 2026. At the 66th TV WEEK Logie Awards, Dannii Minogue paid tribute to him for kickstarting her career and so many honours and thanked his children for sharing their father with Australia.

Brenda Fricker made history as the first Irish actress to win an Academy Award for the highly acclaimed My Left Foot. Brenda started her career in journalism for The Irish Times before switching to acting. She continued acting well into her 70s and appeared in iconic films including Home Alone 2, A Time to Kill and Albert Nobbs.

The New Zealand actor turned grapegrower and winemaker died after beating a rare cancer on 13 July 2026 at 78 years old. The world-renowned actor was originally born in Northern Ireland in 1947 and starred in iconic roles including Alan Grant in Jurassic Park, and locally on The Twelve, for which he received a posthumous TV WEEK Logie Award in 2026.

After undergoing surgery and being placed in an induced coma, Bonnie Tyler died on 8 July. The ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ singer’s song found newfound fame in recent years thanks to a TikTok challenge.

“I have never gone out of fashion,” Bonnie once remarked of her enduring popularity. “And do you know why? Because I never sought it. When you don’t seek it, it’s always with you.”

Broadcaster and former senator Derryn Hinch passed away after a brief illness aged 82 in July 2026.

The broadcaster, journalist, author and politician was also an agony aunt for a brief stint at The Weekly in the 90s.

Many have shared tributes for the brilliant journalist, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who shared his condolences.

“Derryn Hinch lived a life rich in colour and free from fear,” he said.

“As an interviewer, investigator and presenter, he was much more than ‘the Human Headline’; he had a sense of the deeper story and the courage to cover it, come what may. He held to those same instincts as a senator and he fought illness with that same bravery.”

British actor Anthony Head, famous for his roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Ted Lasso, passed away at the age of 72 on June 1, 2026.

Anthony died peacefully on June 5 from complications of pneumonia, surrounded by his family, his daughters, actors Emily and Daisy Head, confirmed.

Born in London in 1954, he enjoyed a career spanning stage, television and film. He first became a household name in the UK as one half of the famous Gold Blend coffee advertising couple in the 1980s and ’90s, before finding international fame as librarian and mentor Rupert Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

He later appeared in Little Britain, Merlin, Doctor Who and The Iron Lady, and won a new generation of fans as former football club owner Rupert Mannion in Ted Lasso.

Anthony was also an accomplished stage performer and singer, appearing in West End productions including Chess and The Rocky Horror Show.

His death prompted an outpouring of tributes from his former co-stars. Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played Buffy, described herself as “the lucky one” for having known him, while Ted Lasso star Brett Goldstein remembered Head as “infinitely charming and kind”.

On 21 April, 2026, radio broadcaster, musician, television personality and author, James Valentine, who played in some of the great bands of the ‘80s, including the Models, Absent Friends and Jo Jo Zep, died at home, aged 64.

“What I started to think,” he said at that gathering of friends and family, which was on Valentine’s Day, of course, “when I first had to think about this, was, ‘How do I live these next days? What is a good death?’

“I started to think about how death was often a time of bitterness, of anger, of regret, of resentment, of shaking your fist at the universe or at God. And I thought, ‘I don’t want that. I don’t want my last days to be that.’ I want my last days to be full of joy and happiness and laughter and jokes and humour – all the things I’ve loved through life.”

Tony Award-nominated actor Mary Beth Hurt passed away, aged 79 following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s.

Her daughter, Molly Schrader revealed the news on Instagram on March 30.

“Yesterday morning we lost my mum, Mary Beth, to Alzheimer’s after a decade-long battle with the disease,” she wrote. “She was an actress, a wife, a sister, a mother, an aunt, a friend, and she took on all those roles with grace and a kind ferocity. Although we’re grieving there is some comfort in knowing she is no longer suffering and is reunited with her sisters in peace.”

Mary’s husband, director Paul Schrader later confirmed the news to the Hollywood Reporter. The Oscar-nominated writer revealed his beloved wife died at an assisted living facility in Jersey City.

Mary Beth Hurt was best known for her roles in Interiors alongside Diane Keaton, The Age of Innocence, and Bringing Out the Dead.

On March 6, beloved actress Jennifer Runyon Corman passed away following a brief battle with cancer. She was 65-years-old. Her friend Erin Murphy confirmed the news on Instagram.

“So sad to share that my friend Jennifer Runyon Corman has passed away after a brief battle with cancer. 💔 Some people you just know you’ll be friends with before you even meet. She was a special lady. I’ll miss you Jenn. My thoughts are with your family and beautiful children,” Betwitched actress, Erin wrote.

Jennifer was best known for her role in Ghostbusters, To All a Goodnight and A Very Brady Christmas.

More than two years after being diagnosed with colon cancer, MAFS expert Mel Schilling sadly passed away, aged just 54. Her husband, Gareth, confirmed the news in an Instagram post on the evening of March 24, 2026.

During a “routine scan” in February 2024, the doctors discovered small nodules in her lungs, revealing “the cancer had metatasised.”

“My oncology team hyave now told me there is nothing further they can do,” Mel wrote on Instagram. “My light is starting to fade – and quickly. But I am still here, still fighting, and surrounded by the most incredible love… I honestly don’t know how long I have left, but I do know I will fight to my last breath and will be surrounded by the love and support of my people.”

On 20 March 2026, Nicholas Brendan, best known for his role in cult ’90s series Buffy The Vampire Slayer, has passed away aged just 54. The news was confirmed by the actor on his Instagram account .

“We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed in his sleep of natural causes,” his family said their statement, accompanied by a group photograph.

Praising him for art and “enthusiastic talent”, the gallery included photos of Nicholas’ acting as well as a few painting.

“Most people know Nicky for his work as an actor and for the characters he brought to life over the years,” the statement continued.

“In recent years Nicky has found his passion in painting and art. Nicky loved to share his enthusiastic talent with his family, friends and fans.”

They went on to describe him as “passionate, sensitive, and endlessly driven to create. Those who truly knew him understood that his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was.”

“‘Our family asks for privacy during this time as we grieve his loss and celebrate the life of a man who lived with intensity, imagination and heart,” the statement concluded. 

“Thank you to everyone who has shown love and support.”

Born in Los Angeles, Nicholas had been acting since the early ’90s but shot to fame in the 1997 series Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Helmed by Sarah Michelle Gellar and launching to fame a slew of its cast incuding Alyson Hannigan and David Boreanaz, Nicholas appeared in all but one of its 144 episodes.

After Buffy ended in 2003, Nicholas opened up about suffering from addiction issues and mental illness, announcing at a 2004 fan convention that he was entering rehab for alcoholism. His battles would continue, with recovery checkered with arrests as the years progressed.

He continued acting and – in addition to movie work – went on to have recurring roles in popular procedural Criminal Minds as well as in sitcom Kitchen Confidential, based on Anthony Bourdain’s memoir of the same name and starring Bradley Cooper.

In 2022, Nicholas revealed he had suffered a heart attack and was subsequently diagnosed with a congenital heart defect.

It is not known what, if any, illness he was suffering from before his passing. However in a later statement to Hollywood Reporter, his family added: “While it’s no secret that Nicholas had struggles in the past, he was on medications and treatment to manage his diagnosis and he was optimistic about the future at the time of his passing.”

Nicholas’ death follows that of his Buffy co-star Michelle Trachtenberg last year.

Famed actor, Robert Carradine has passed away aged 71 on February 23. The American actor was best known for his roles in Revenge of the Nerds and Lizzie McGuire.

In a statement from his family, shared to Deadline, they confirmed Robert sadly passed away from suicide following a two decade struggle with bipolar disorder.

“It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away. In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon on light to everyone around him,” the statement read.

“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. We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness. At this time we ask for the privacy to grieve this unfathomable loss. With gratitude for your understanding and compassion.”

Martin Short’s daughter, Katherine, passed away in late February, aged 42. Her family confirmed the news in a heartbreaking statement, initially shared with People.

“It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short. The Short family is devastated by this loss and asks for privacy at this time. Katherine was beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world.”

According to People, the LA Fire Department responded to a call from a home in Hollywood. The LA Police Department confirmed to People the call was regarding a possible suicide. However, this is not confirmed or denied.

Katherine was adopted by Martin and his late wife, Nancy. The couple share two other children via adoption, Oliver Patrick and Henry Hayter.

It was later confirmed that her death was a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Eric Dane died on 19 February 2026 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Eric had been open about his condition, and became a powerful advocate for those with ALS.

Seven-time Oscar nominee and star of The Godfather, Robert Duvall died on 16 February 2026 at 95 years of age. To commemorate his extraordinary contriubtion to the arts, we published a retrospective on his career.

Best known for the titular role of Dawson in Sawson’s Creek, James Van Der Beeksadly died at just 48 years of age from colorectal cancer on 11 February. James and his wife were very candid about his diagnosis and treatment. They shared how they spoke with their children about his condition with honesty and love.

Sad news came early in 2026, with the passing of Catherine O’Hara at the age of 71 on 20 January. The star of Home Alone and Schitt’s Creek died from a “brief illness”.

To honour her passsing, the family held a private celebration of life.