Celebrities Who Have Died in 2026: Frederick Wiseman, Robert Duvall and More

Legendary documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman died on February 16, his family and Zipporah Films said in a joint statement. He was 96.

"For nearly six decades, Frederick Wiseman created an unparalleled body of work, a sweeping cinematic record of contemporary social institutions and ordinary human experience primarily in the United States and France," part of the release read.

Wiseman is survived by his two sons and three grandchildren.

Robert Duvall died peacefully on February 15 at the age of 95, according to a statement from his family.

In a Facebook post on February 16, The Godfather actor's wife, Luciana, wrote, "Yesterday we said goodbye to my beloved husband, cherished friend, and one of the greatest actors of our time. Bob passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love and comfort."

She added, "To the world, he was an Academy Award-winning actor, a director, a storyteller. To me, he was simply everything. His passion for his craft was matched only by his deep love for characters, a great meal, and holding court. For each of his many roles, Bob gave everything to his characters and to the truth of the human spirit they represented. In doing so, he leaves something lasting and unforgettable to us all. Thank you for the years of support you showed Bob and for giving us this time and privacy to celebrate the memories he leaves behind."

Bud Cort, a Golden Globe-nominated actor best known for his roles in Brewster McCloud and Harold and Maude, died on February 11. He was 77.

His longtime friend Dorian Hannaway confirmed he passed away in Connecticut after a long illness.

Dawson's Creek star James Van Der Beek died on February 11 at the age of 48, his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, shared on Instagram.

"Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning.He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace," the statement read. "There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity, and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend."

The Varsity Blues actor passed away more than a year after revealing his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis in November 2024.

Less than a year after he revealed his stage four kidney cancer diagnosis, 3 Doors Down lead singer Brad Arnold died at the age of 47.

In an Instagram post on February 7, the rock band said Arnold "passed away peacefully" in his sleep with his "beloved wife Jennifer and his family" by his side.

"The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time and kindly asks that their privacy be respected. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered," the post concluded.

Clarinetist and tenor saxophonist Ken Peplowski was found dead on February 1 during The Jazz Cruise '26, the organization confirmed. He was 66.

The cause of death has yet to be determined, but Lee Mergner, a jazz consultant for Signature Cruise Experiences, said Peplowski had been suffering from multiple myeloma prior to his passing.

"He battled the often fatal disease with a unique combination of courage, fortitude and humor. After all, humor was just one of Ken's many remarkable gifts," part of the statement read.

Catherine O'Hara, best known for her roles in Home Alone, Schitt's Creek and Beetlejuice, died on January 30 at the age of 71, TMZ reported.

O'Hara's agency, CAA, released a statement, saying the Hollywood icon passed away at her home in Los Angeles' Brentwood area following a "brief illness."

Legendary Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani died on January 19, the Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti Foundation confirmed in a statement. He was 93.

"He passed away peacefully in his Roman home, surrounded by the love of his family," the foundation said.

A funeral service was held at the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels and Martyrs on January 23. After the mass, his coffin was transported for burial in a family chapel at the Flaminio Cemetery in Prima Porta.

Nickelodeon alum Kianna Underwood, who appeared in All That and Little Bill, was killed in a hit-and-run incident in Brooklyn on January 16. She was 33.

The former child star was crossing the street on Pitkin Avenue and Mother Gaston Boulevard around 6:50 a.m. local time when she was struck by an SUV. She was hit again by a second vehicle, police said.

"Further investigation by the NYPD Highway District Collision Investigation Squad determined that a black 2021 Ford Explorer SUV, operated by an unidentified individual, was traveling westbound on Pitkin Avenue with a green light signal," a spokesperson for the Deputy Commissioner of Public Information said. "It crossed over the double yellow line and traveled counterflow … and struck a 33-year-old woman who was attempting to cross Pitkin Avenue."

The representative added, "As the pedestrian was lying on the roadway, she was subsequently struck by a black-and-gray sedan operated by an unidentified individual."

Both drivers, who remain unidentified, fled the scene. Meanwhile, Underwood was pronounced dead at the scene.

John Forté, a Grammy-nominated recording artist, was found dead in his home in Chilmark, Mass., on January 12 at the age of 50, police confirmed.

In a statement, Chilmark Police Chief Sean Slavin said there were no signs of foul play or "readily apparent cause of death." The medical examiner is investigating the case.

Bob Weir, a founding member of the Grateful Dead, died on January 10. He was 78.

"It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Bobby Weir. He transitioned peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, after courageously beating cancer as only Bobby could. Unfortunately, he succumbed to underlying lung issues," a post on his Instagram page revealed.

Veteran actor T.K. Carter died on January 9 at the age of 69, his representatives confirmed to multiple news outlets.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, officers responded to a call regarding an unresponsive male — who was later identified as The Thing actor — in Duarte, Calif. A cause of death was not disclosed, though authorities said no foul play was suspected.

On January 10, Colombian singer-songwriter Yeison Jiménez was killed alongside five other people in a plane crash in the area between the towns of Paipa and Duitama. He was 34.

"With heavy hearts and a pain impossible to describe, the organization and team of Yeison Jiménez deeply regret to inform you of his passing," his team shared in a statement, which was translated from Spanish, on Instagram. "Today we say goodbye not only to an artist; we say goodbye to a son, a brother, a friend, a human being full of dreams and courage, who transformed his story into hope for thousands of people."

The post added, "Yeison embodied perseverance, discipline, and love for his community. His voice and his example were born from hard work, and that is why they will forever mark the lives of those who followed and loved him."

Patrick Swayze's younger brother Sean Swayze died of an upper gastrointestinal bleed on December 15, multiple news outlets confirmed on January 7.

According to his death certificate, viewed by People, Sean's health issue was caused by "severe metabolic acidosis, esophageal varices, and alcoholic liver cirrhosis."

"Sean was the youngest boy, and second youngest child in the Swayze family," Patrick and Sean's brother Don Swayze said in a statement. "He was one of five kids. Sean was an amazing athlete, an ex-United States Marine, a husband, and a father of three. He was a teamster in the film industry, and he worked closely with our older brother, Patrick, throughout their careers."

He added, "Sean had been dealing with liver issues for about the past five years, and after he lost his wife about two years ago, his health began to deteriorate. He was my last remaining family member, and his death leaves a huge hole in my heart. He will be missed by all who knew him."

Bodybuilder Jayne Trcka, who played Miss Mann in Scary Movie, died on December 12, her son revealed in a TMZ article published on January 5. The San Diego Medical Examiner confirmed her death to TMZ and The New York Post.

Trcka was 62.

South Korean veteran actor Ahn Sung Ki died at Soonchunhyang University Hospital on January 5, days after collapsing at home while choking on food on December 30, 2025. He was 74.

The legendary star had been battling blood cancer for years prior to his passing, according to The Associated Press.

Broadway Husbands' Bret Hanna-Shuford died in the early hours of January 3, less than five months after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). He was 46.

His husband, Stephen Hanna-Shuford, confirmed his death on social media, writing, "It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that early this morning we said goodbye to the most amazing man, husband and Papa in the universe. Bret Hanna-Shuford left this world peacefully with love surrounded by his family. Our hearts are broken, but we will continue to make him proud of us."

Victoria Jones, the daughter of actor Tommy Lee Jones, was found dead at the Fairmont San Francisco on New Year's Day. She was 34.

"We appreciate all of the kind words, thoughts, and prayers," the family said in a statement. "Please respect our privacy during this difficult time. Thank you."

Hotel staff reportedly attempted to perform CPR, but responders pronounced Victoria dead upon arrival at the scene. While a cause of death was not disclosed, a dispatch audio indicated the incident was deemed a "code 3 for the overdose, color change."