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UK Celebrity Deaths 2026

Though these famous figures have died, their legacies live on and continue to inspire and delight us. Join us as we remember celebrities who died in 2026.

Give to support the Texas flood relief effort

Legacy's hearts go out to the families suffering unspeakable losses in Texas Hill Country this week, where more than 120 people died in tragic flash floods during the Fourth of July weekend.

George Foreman (1949–2025), heavyweight boxing champion

George Foreman was the two-time heavyweight boxing champion and Olympic gold medalist who later parlayed his fame into a successful entrepreneurial career.

Wings Hauser (1947–2025), Vice Squad actor

Wings Hauser was a character actor whose many roles spanned decades and included parts in “Vice Squad,” “Beverly Hills 90210,” “Roseanne,” and many other productions.

Eddie Jordan (1948–2025), Formula One team owner

Eddie Jordan was a businessman who founded Jordan Grand Prix, which helped launch seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher’s career, and a television commentator for the BBC.

Derrick Gaffney (1955–2025), New York Jets wide receiver

Derrick Gaffney was a wide receiver for the New York Jets in the 1970s and ‘80s.

Carole D’Andrea (1937–2025), West Side Story actress 

Carole D’Andrea was an actress who originated the role of Velma in “West Side Story” on Broadway, then also played her in the 1961 film adaptation.

Lenny Schultz (1933–2025), stand-up comedian

Lenny Schultz was a stand-up comedian whose frenetic physical comedy influenced later comedians like , , and Carrot Top.

Jesse Colin Young (1941–2025), Youngbloods frontman

Jesse Colin Young was the founder and frontman of the band the Youngbloods, best known for their enduring classic about peace, “Get Together,” originally written by Chet Powers.0

Ron Nessen (1934–2025), press secretary for Gerald Ford

Ron Nessen was a journalist best known for serving as press secretary for President Gerald Ford in the years immediately following the Watergate scandal, when American trust in government institutions was at a low point.

Nita Lowey (1937–2025), former U.S. representative from New York

Nita Lowey represented New York as a Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1989 to 2021.

Slick Watts (1951–2025), beloved Seattle SuperSonics player

Slick Watts was a fan-favorite basketball player of the 1970s best known for his tenure with the Seattle SuperSonics, his skills on the court, and his distinctive headbands.

Larry Buendorf (1937–2025), agent who saved President Ford

Larry Buendorf was a Secret Service agent who wrestled a gun away from a would-be assassin intent on killing . 

Doug Kiker (2025), American Idol contestant

Doug Kiker was a contestant on season 18 of “American Idol,” remembered for performing with Rascal Flatts in the season finale.

John Feinstein (1955–2025), sportswriter and commentator

John Feinstein was a sportswriter and commentator best known for his long tenure as a Washington Post columnist, as well as the author of such books as “A Season on the Brink,” which chronicles a year of the of Indiana University's men's basketball team and its volatile coach, .

Raíºl Grijalva (1948–2025), U.S. representative from Arizona

Raíºl Grijalva was a Democrat who represented Arizona in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2003 until his death.

Alan Simpson (1931–2024), longtime U.S. senator from Wyoming 

Alan Simpson was a longtime Republican politician from Wyoming best known for his tenure in the U.S. Senate, which included a decade as Senate whip.

Oliver Miller (1970–2025), nine-year NBA veteran

Oliver Miller was a University of Arkansas star and Southwest Conference Player of the Year who went on to a nine-year career in the NBA.

Bob Rivers (1956–2025), radio DJ and parody songwriter

Bob Rivers was a noted radio DJ in Seattle and other cities, known more widely for musical parodies that included his 1988 “Twisted Christmas” album.

Junior Bridgeman (1953–2025), Milwaukee Bucks co-owner

Junior Bridgeman was a former NBA player who went on to become a successful entrepreneur, owner of Ebony and Jet magazines, and co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Cocoa Tea (1959–2025), reggae icon

Cocoa Tea was an iconic reggae singer-songwriter best known for his smooth voice and his acclaimed record and single, “Riker’s Island.” 

Alysha Burney (2000–2025), social media star

Alysha Burney was a star of YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, where millions of followers watched her comedy videos.

Melody Beattie (1948–2025), Codependent No More author

Melody Beattie was an author best known for her self-help books, including “Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself,” which sold more than seven million copies.

Craig Wolfley (1958–2025), Steelers player and broadcaster

Craig Wolfley was a 12-year NFL veteran who spent most of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, then became a broadcaster for the team.

Simon Fisher-Becker (1961–2025), Doctor Who actor

Simon Fisher-Becker was an English character actor known for his roles in “Doctor Who” and “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” 

Gene Winfield (1927–2025), custom car designer for movies and TV

Gene Winfield was an icon of the custom car community whose designs were seen in such movies and TV shows as “Blade Runner,” “Star Trek,” and “Bewitched.”

Athol Fugard (1932–2024), famed South African playwright 

Athol Fugard was a famed South African playwright whose widely celebrated work probed the ugliness of apartheid and its aftermath.

Art Schallock (1924–2025), oldest living ex-MLBer

Art Schallock was a pitcher for the New York Yankees who, from 2022 until his death, was the oldest living ex-Major League Baseball player.

D'Wayne Wiggins (1961–2025), co-founder of Tony! Toni! Toné!

D'Wayne Wiggins was a singer and producer best known as the co-founder of R&B hitmakers Tony! Toni! Toné!, who repeatedly hit the charts in the 1980s and ‘90s with songs like “Feels Good,” “It Never Rains (In Southern California),” “Anniversary,” and “If I Had No Loot.”

Brian James (1955–2025), founding guitarist for the Damned

Brian James was the founding guitarist and a songwriter for the Damned, who went on to co-found the Lords of the New Church.

Pamela Bach (1963–2025), Baywatch actress

Pamela Bach was an actress best known for her recurring roles on “Baywatch” and “Sirens” in the 1990s, and as the ex-wife of “Baywatch” co-star David Hasselhoff.

Roy Ayers (1940–2025), influential musician and composer

Roy Ayers was a musician and composer whose work on the vibraphone helped push the boundaries of jazz, soul, and funk through works like his 1976 classic, “Everybody Loves the Sunshine.” 

Sylvester Turner (1954–2025), freshman congressman from Texas

Sylvester Turner was the mayor of Houston from 2016 to 2024, then briefly served in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

George Lowe (1957–2025), Space Ghost Coast to Coast star

George Lowe was an actor best known for providing the voice of Space Ghost on the Cartoon Network series “Space Ghost Coast to Coast.”

Lincoln Díaz-Balart (1954–2025), former U.S. congressman from Florida

Lincoln Díaz-Balart represented southern Florida as a Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1993 to 2011.

James Houghton (1948–2024), Knots Landing star

James Houghton was an actor and screenwriter known for his onscreen work on “Knots Landing” and “The Colbys,” as well as his writing for “The Young and the Restless.” 

Joseph Wambaugh (1937–2025), author who explored police work 

Joseph Wambaugh was an award-winning writer and author whose work explored the harsh realities of police and detective work, both as fiction (“The Glitter Dome,” “The New Centurions”) and in non-fiction (“The Onion Field,” “The Blooding”).

Joey Molland (1947–2025), last surviving member of Badfinger

Joey Molland was an English guitarist and songwriter with Badfinger, who carried on the band for years after its other core members died.

Hazel N. Dukes (1932–2025), longtime civil rights activist

Hazel N. Dukes was a longtime New York-based civil rights activist who once served as president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. 

David Johansen (1950–2025), New York Dolls frontman

David Johansen was the frontman for the glammy proto-punk band the New York Dolls, who ended up being one of the most influential of the era, and also had a solo career under the name Buster Poindexter. 

Boris Spassky (1937–2025), Russian chess grandmaster 

Boris Spassky was a Russian chess grandmaster and world champion who famously lost to Bobby Fischer in the so-called “Match of the Century” in 1972.

Gene Hackman (1930–2025), Oscar-winning star of The French Connection

Gene Hackman was an Oscar-winning actor and novelist who starred in films including “The French Connection,” “Mississippi Burning,” and “Unforgiven.”

Dr. Alvin F. Poussaint (1934–2025), psychiatrist who explored racism

Dr. Alvin F. Poussaint was a psychiatrist whose work studying the impact of racism on Black populations filled books and fueled debates about culture and politics. 

Roberto Orci (1973–2025), Star Trek reboot screenwriter

Roberto Orci was a screenwriter and producer who worked on 2009’s “Star Trek” and its sequels, the “Transformers” film series, and other movies.

Robert John (1946–2025), Sad Eyes singer

Robert John was a singer and songwriter best known for his 1979 hit, “Sad Eyes,” and his version of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” from 1971.

Clint Hill (1932–2025), Secret Service agent at JFK assassination 

Clint Hill was a Secret Service agent under five presidents, best known for jumping onto the presidential car to protect the first lady after President John F. Kennedy was fatally shot in 1963.

Lawrence J. Dolan (1931–2025), Cleveland Guardians owner

Lawrence J. Dolan was an attorney best known as the longtime owner of the Cleveland Guardians baseball team, formerly known as the Cleveland Indians.

Al Trautwig (1956–2025), longtime sports broadcaster 

Al Trautwig was a longtime sports broadcaster whose work ranged from baseball and basketball to the Olympics, hockey, tennis, and auto racing.

John Lawlor (1941–2025), The Facts of Life actor

John Lawlor was a character actor best known for his sitcom roles in “Phyllis” and “The Facts of Life.”