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Hollywood lost many celebrities in 2026, including The Grateful Dead cofounder Bob Weir, ‘The Thing’ actor T.K. Carter and others who made a lasting impact.
Hollywood mourned the deaths of some of its most legendary stars in 2026. The year started off with the sad news that Broadway performer and influencer Bret Hanna-Shuford died at age 46 after being diagnosed with T-Cell Lymphoma. His husband, Stephen Hanna-Shuford, confirmed on January 3 that the Beauty and the Beast actor “left this world peacefully with love, surrounded by his family.” On January 8, 2026, PBS TV chef Elle Simone Scott — who broke barriers as the first Black woman to join cooking show America's Test Kitchen — died at age 49 following a long battle with ovarian cancer. News broke on January 10 that T.K. Carter, a veteran actor known for appearing in The Thing and Punky Brewster, was found dead at age 69 in Duarte, California. That same day, Grateful Dead cofounder Bob Weir’s death at age 78 was confirmed when he succumbed to “lung issues” after being diagnosed with cancer in July 2025. Hours later, Colombian singer Yeison Jiménez died in a plane crash at age 34. Scroll down to remember all the stars who died in 2026:
Colombian singer Yeison Jiménez died in a January 10 plane crash. “With heavy hearts and indescribable grief, Yeison Jiménez's organization and team deeply regret to announce his passing,” an Instagram statement translated from Spanish read. “Today, we not only say goodbye 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 a source of hope for thousands.” Jiménez is survived by his wife and three children.
The Broadway performer and influencer’s husband, Stephen Hanna-Shuford, announced on January 3 that Bret Hanna-Shuford “left this world peacefully.” The star of Broadway’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Little Mermaid was diagnosed with T-Cell Lymphoma in 2025. (According to the Lymphoma Research Foundation, T-Cell Lymphoma is a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that can develop in lymphoid tissues.) Bret is survived by Stephen and their 3-year-old son, Maverick. “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,” Stephen wrote via Instagram. “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.”
PBS show America's Test Kitchen confirmed on January 8 that chef and TV host Elle Simone Scott died at age 49 following a lengthy battle with ovarian cancer. Scott made history as the first Black female host on America's Test Kitchen when she joined the show in 2016. “At America’s Test Kitchen, Elle helped open doors that had long been closed—becoming one of the first Black women audiences saw in the test kitchen, and doing so with grace, authority, and joy,” America's Test Kitchen confirmed via Instagram. “She didn’t just test recipes; she changed what representation looked like in food media.” The show’s statement concluded, “Her voice mattered. Her work mattered. She mattered. Elle faced ovarian cancer with courage and honesty, using her platform to educate, advocate, and uplift even while fighting for her life. That kind of strength leaves a mark.”
The Associated Press reported on January 10 that The Thing actor T.K. Carter was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead by authorities in Duarte, California. Police said no foul play was suspected but no further details were initially offered. Carter memorably played elementary school teacher Michael Fulton on classic ‘80s sitcom Punky Brewster, and also appeared on hit shows like Family Matters, A Different World and How to Get Away with Murder. As a voice actor, he worked on The Transformers, Space Jam and Jem and The Holograms. “I met T. K. Carter when I was about 11 or 12 years old, shortly after I first came to California,” Diff'rent Strokes actor Shavar Ross wrote via X. “Through my dad, I spent time on the set of Doctor Detroit, where T. K. was working alongside Dan Aykroyd. As a young kid, I looked up to T. K. because seeing an African American actor starring in a major film meant a lot to me. I always felt he was headed for stardom.” He continued, “Over the years, T. K. and I became good friends, and we hung out together sometimes. I want to send my heartfelt condolences to his family, his friends, and everyone who loved and admired his work. He will always be remembered and respected.”
The Grateful Dead cofounder’s death at age 78 was announced via his Instagram account on January 10. Bob Weir was diagnosed with cancer in July 2025, though his family said he actually “succumbed to underlying lung issues.” The singer-songwriter and guitarist cowrote some of The Grateful Dead’s most iconic songs, including “Truckin’,” “Sugar Magnolia” and “One More Saturday Night.” As a member of The Dead, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. “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,” a statement via his Instagram read. They added, “His loving family, Natascha, Monet, and Chloe, request privacy during this difficult time and offer their gratitude for the outpouring of love, support, and remembrance. May we honor him not only in sorrow, but in how bravely we continue with open hearts, steady steps, and the music leading us home. Hang it up and see what tomorrow brings.”