Skip to main content
Catherine O’Hara, James Van Der Beek, Robert Duvall, Eric Dane and James Tolkan are among the entertainment legends the industry has lost this year.
The entertainment industry is already mourning the loss of many Hollywood legends this year, including actors, singers, performers, creatives and executives.
Hollywood Reporter Highlights some of the most famous figures who died in 2026, from Catherine O’Hara and James Van Der Beek to Robert Duvall, Eric Dane, and James Tolkan.
Here are more of this year’s most notable deaths within Hollywood, check them out THRObituary page for other industry deaths for 2026, as well as entertainment deaths from last year here.
Valentino
Image credit: Gianni Giansanti/Gamma-Ravo/Getty Images May 11, 1932 – January 19, 2026
Valentino, the legendary Italian fashion designer who seamlessly blended opulence and high style to create clothes that delighted generations of distinguished women, died on January 19 at his residence in Rome, his foundation announced. He was 93 years old. Read his obituary.Catherine O’Hara
Image credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images March 4, 1954 – January 30, 2026
Catherine O’Hara is a talented comedic actress and two-time Emmy Award winner, best known for her roles in… Alone at home, Schitt’s Creek and studiodied on January 30 at her home in Los Angeles after a brief illness, her representatives at CAA confirmed. She was 71 years old. Read her full obituary here.James Van Der Beek
Image source: Rich Fiore/Getty Images March 8, 1977 – February 11, 2026
James Van Der Beek, the charismatic actor who played the sensitive and insecure Dawson Leery in The WB’s teen melodrama. Dawson Creeklost his battle with colorectal cancer on February 11. He was 48 years old. Full obituary here.Robert Duvall
Image credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images January 5, 1931 – February 15, 2026
Robert Duvall, the steely-eyed actor who performed in the first two godfather films, Apocalypse now, Great Santini, Lonely dove and The Messenger Making him one of the greatest actors of every generation, he died on February 15 at the age of 95. Read his full obituary.Eric Dane
Image credit: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images November 9, 1972 – February 19, 2026
Eric Dane, the brilliant actor who found fame and the nickname “McSteamy” for eight years as plastic surgeon Mark Sloan on the ABC drama Gray’s AnatomyHe lost his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He was 53 years old. Full obituary here.Chuck Norris
Image credit: Orion/Courtesy Everett Collection March 10, 1940 – March 19, 2026
Chuck Norris, the martial arts champion and karate master who catapulted himself to stardom through 1980s action films such as Missing in action and the long-running CBS drama Walker, Texas RangerHe died on March 19 at the age of 86. Read his obituary.Nicholas Brendon
Image credit: USA Online April 12, 1971 – March 20, 2026
Nicholas Brendon, the actor best known for playing the lovable underdog Xander Harris in all seven seasons of the TV series. Buffy the Vampire SlayerHe died on March 20 at the age of 54. Complete obituary.James Tolkan
Image credit: Barry Brechesne/Getty Images June 20, 1931 – March 26, 2026
James Tolkan, the character actor, expressed his disdain for the “slackers” in the film Back to the future trilogy and portrayed Tom Cruise’s no-nonsense commanding officer Top GunHe died on March 26 at the age of 94. Read his full obituary here.
THR Newsletters
Sign up to get THR news straight to your inbox every day
Subscribe subscription
