Celebrity Deaths of 2026: Mike McFarland, Brian Duckworth and More Stars We’ve Lost This Year

In June, legendary music executive Clive Davis also died at age 94 following a hospitalization for an upper respiratory infection. Emergency!‘s Randolph Mantooth and Police Academy‘s Peter Van Norden also died in July.

In August, news broke that The Sopranos alum Vincent Pastore, All That star Christy Knowings and former The Challenge winner Tyler Duckworth died. Dolly Parton died on August 25, one day before Tim Curry‘s death.

What Happened

Also in August, influential artist Yayoi Kusama’s website confirmed that she died at age 97 in Tokyo. Morgan and voice actor Peter Cullen also died that month.

• Hollywood mourned the deaths of some of its most legendary stars in 2026.

• Melrose retired as one of ESPN’s color commentators in October 2023 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.

• The statement continued, “We aim to carry on the artist's legacy and deliver hope and strength for the future to people around the world through art."

Key Details

In September, Disney Channel star Carla Jeffery, legendary activist Gloria Steinem and jazz singer Cassandra Wilson died at the respective ages of 33, 92 and 70. Former AEW wrestler Andy “The Butcher” Williams, meanwhile, died on September 5 after collapsing during a.

• The esteemed pop artist was known for creating installations inspired by her own hallucinations — many of which prominently featured polka dots.

• A message on Yayoi Kusama’s website revealed that she “passed away peacefully” in a Tokyo hospital on August 14.

• Morgan, largely known for her appearances on TV specials and game shows like The Gong Show, died of natural causes at age 94 on August 24, her rep confirmed to multiple outlets.

Why It Matters

Country singer Brian Duckworth and voice actor Mike McFarland also died in September. In June, legendary music executive Clive Davis also died at age 94 following a hospitalization for an upper respiratory infection.

• A cause of death has not yet been revealed.

• Peter Cullen, who voiced Optimus Prime in the Transformers franchise, died at his home in Los Angeles on August 26, his agent confirmed to TMZ.

What Reports Say

Coverage of the story so far points to:

• Continued reporting by Us Weekly as more details emerge