Country music legend Dolly Parton died aged 80 on Tuesday, her family confirmed, after a "brief" cancer battle, "surrounded by loved ones" in Nashville, Tennessee. On the same night, Tim Curry, star of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, died at his home in Los Angeles, also aged 80.
Tributes and a "cursed" year
Their deaths sparked tributes from around the world, with many fans calling 2026 "cursed" due to the high number of celebrity passings. Other notable deaths this year include Heroes actor Hayden Panettiere, Jurassic Park star Sam Neill, Grey's Anatomy alum Eric Dane and Home Alone's Catherine O'Hara.
January to March losses
Bob Weir, co-founder of the Grateful Dead, died on January 10 at 78 from underlying lung issues, according to a family statement. He had previously been diagnosed with cancer. Catherine O'Hara, known for Home Alone, Beetlejuice and Schitt's Creek, died on January 30 at 71; the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office listed a blood clot in the lungs leading to a heart attack as cause of death.
James Van Der Beek, star of Dawson's Creek, died on February 11 at 48 after a years-long battle with colorectal cancer, his wife Kimberley announced. Robert Duvall, Oscar-winning actor from The Godfather, died at 95 on February 15; his wife confirmed he died "peacefully" at home. Eric Dane, of Grey's Anatomy and Euphoria, died on February 19 at 53 from complications of ALS, a disease he revealed in April 2025.
Chuck Norris, actor and martial arts star, died on March 19, nine days after turning 86. His first big break came in 1972 opposite Bruce Lee in The Way of the Dragon. Nicholas Brendon, who played Xander Harris in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, died on March 20 at 54; the autopsy report cited heart disease from blocked arteries and high blood pressure, plus pneumonia.
Mid-year deaths
Ted Turner, founder of CNN and former owner of the Atlanta Braves, died on May 6 at 87; his website said he died "after a long battle with Lewy body dementia." Daveigh Chase, voice of Lilo in Lilo & Stitch and star of The Ring, died on June 16 at 35; the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner listed AIDS as primary cause.
Victor Willis, lead singer of the Village People, died on June 30 at 74 from primary liver cancer with metastasis, according to his widow. Bonnie Tyler, Welsh singer of Total Eclipse of the Heart, died on July 8 at 75 in hospital "unexpectedly," her family said, "as a result of the illness that she was being treated for." Sam Neill, star of Jurassic Park, died on July 13 at 78 from pneumonia, per his agent.
Kaylee Hottle, actor in Godzilla vs. Kong and its sequel, died on July 21 at 18 after a serious car crash, her father Joshua Hottle said. Hayden Panettiere, of Nashville and Heroes, died on August 16 at 36, weeks after releasing a memoir detailing abuse and a custody battle; her cause of death has not been announced.
Late August passings
Dolly Parton died on August 25 at 80 from cancer, "surrounded by loved ones" at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, her representatives said. Tim Curry died the same day at his Los Angeles home at 80; no cause of death was released.
