Catherine O’Hara, Emmy-winning actress, dies at 71

The year 2026 saw the passing of many well‑known figures across film, television, music, fashion and activism. This roundup recalls the lives and careers of notable stars we lost this year, listed alphabetically and presented with confirmed details reported at the time of their deaths.

Notable losses in 2026

Among those who died were Catherine O’Hara, James Van Der Beek, Eric Dane, Robert Duvall, Neil Sedaka and the Rev. Jesse Jackson. The notices below summarise confirmed ages, dates and career highlights, and include statements or social posts published by family, representatives or official accounts where available.

Obituaries (A–Z)

Scott Adams, 68 — died January 13

Scott Adams created the long‑running comic strip “Dilbert,” which at its peak was syndicated in more than 2,000 newspapers and inspired an animated series in 1999. Adams died on January 13 following metastatic prostate cancer.

Brad Arnold, 47 — died February 7

Brad Arnold was the lead singer of the rock group 3 Doors Down, known for hits including “Kryptonite,” “Loser,” “Here Without You” and “When I’m Gone.” Arnold died on Feb. 7 after a battle with cancer.

Robert Carradine, 71 — died February 23

Robert Carradine, a member of the Carradine acting family, appeared in television and film roles ranging from the 1970s series “Kung Fu” to the “Revenge of the Nerds” films and the “Lizzie McGuire” series. Carradine’s family issued a statement acknowledging his nearly two‑decade struggle 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,” they said. Carradine died by suicide on February 23.

If you or someone you know is experiencing depression or has had thoughts of harming themself or taking their own life, get help. In the US, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Help is also available through the Crisis Text Line— text “HOME” to 741741. The International Association for Suicide Prevention offers resources for those outside the US.

Bud Cort, 77 — died February 11

Bud Cort was best known for his lead role in Hal Ashby’s 1971 cult classic “Harold and Maude.” He also appeared in films such as Robert Altman’s “M*A*S*H*” and later roles in Michael Mann’s “Heat” and Wes Anderson’s “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.” Cort died on Feb. 11 following a long illness.

Eric Dane, 53 — died February 19

Eric Dane rose to wider attention with his role as Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloan on “Grey’s Anatomy” and later appeared on HBO’s “Euphoria.” In April 2025 he had disclosed a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Dane died on February 19 after battling the disease. His publicist said, “He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world.”

Robert Duvall, 95 — died February 15

Robert Duvall’s career included landmark films such as “The Godfather” and “The Godfather Part II,” “Apocalypse Now,” “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “Tender Mercies” (for which he won an Academy Award) and many others. Duvall died on his ranch in Virginia on February 15; no cause was given. His passing was noted on his official Facebook page: facebook.com/RobertDuvallOfficial.

Valentino Garavani, 93 — died January 19

Valentino Garavani was the Italian designer behind the Valentino fashion house, founded in Rome in 1960 and known for its signature “Valentino Red.” Garavani retired from designing in 2008. He died on January 19; no cause was given.

Rev. Jesse Jackson, 84 — died February 17

The Rev. Jesse Jackson was a prominent civil‑rights leader and minister who worked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., organized protests in the 1960s and later pursued two presidential campaigns, placing third in the 1984 Democratic primary and second in 1988. Jackson had been treated in November 2025 for complications from progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). He died on February 17.

Catherine O’Hara, 71 — died January 30

Catherine O’Hara was an award‑winning actress and comedian, known for her work on the Canadian sketch series “SCTV” and starring roles in films such as “Beetlejuice” and “Home Alone,” as well as frequent collaborations with Eugene Levy in Christopher Guest films and the Emmy‑winning series “Schitt’s Creek.” Her representation confirmed her death to Business Insider on January 30. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed in a death certificate viewed by People that O’Hara died of a pulmonary embolism, with rectal cancer listed as an underlying cause.

Tom Noonan, 74 — died February 14

Tom Noonan was known for playing memorable villains in films including “Manhunter,” “RoboCop 2” and “Last Action Hero,” and for writing and directing the drama “What Happened Was,” which won the grand prize at the 1994 Sundance Film Festival. Noonan died on February 14; no cause was given.

Neil Sedaka, 86 — died February 27

Neil Sedaka wrote and recorded many pop hits across the 1960s and 1970s, including “Laughter in the Rain,” “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” and “Bad Blood,” and co‑wrote “Love Will Keep Us Together.” Sedaka died on February 27; no cause was given.

Kiki Shepard, 74 — died March 16

Kiki Shepard was a long‑time co‑host of “Showtime at the Apollo,” where she was known as the “Apollo Queen of Fashion” during her 15‑year tenure from 1987 to 2002. Shepard died on March 16 after suffering a heart attack.

Béla Tarr, 70 — died January 6

Hungarian filmmaker Béla Tarr was a leading figure in arthouse cinema, known for slow‑cinema works such as “Family Nest,” “Sátántangó” and “The Turin Horse.” He died on January 6 following a long and serious illness.

James Van Der Beek, 48 — died February 11

James Van Der Beek became a household name as the lead of the teen drama “Dawson’s Creek” and appeared in films including “Varsity Blues” and in recurring television roles thereafter. He had previously disclosed a diagnosis of stage 3 colon cancer. Van Der Beek died on Feb. 11.

Bob Weir, 78 — died January 10

Bob Weir was a founding member of the Grateful Dead and contributed vocals and songwriting to songs such as “Sugar Magnolia,” “Playing in the Band” and “Truckin’.” Weir had disclosed a cancer diagnosis in the summer of 2025. His death was shared on his Instagram account: instagram.com.

Frederick Wiseman, 96 — died February 16

Documentarian Frederick Wiseman made nearly 50 feature‑length non‑fiction films exploring institutions and everyday life in America. Wiseman died on February 16; no cause was given.