Catherine O’Hara, James Van Der Beek, Robert Duvall, Eric Dane and James Tolkan are among the entertainment legends the industry lost this year.
Eric Dane, Robert Duvall, Chuck Norris, James Tolkan, Catherine O’Hara and James Van Der Beek
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The entertainment industry is already mourning the loss of several Hollywood legends this year, including actors, singers, performers, creatives and executives.
The Hollywood Reporter is highlighting some of the most well-known figures who have died in 2026, from Catherine O’Hara and James Van Der Beek to Robert Duvall, Eric Dane and James Tolkan.
Below are more of this year’s most notable deaths within Hollywood, and check out THR‘s obituaries page for other 2026 industry deaths, as well as last year’s entertainment deaths here.
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Valentino
Image Credit: Gianni GIANSANTI/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images May 11, 1932 – Jan. 19, 2026
Valentino, the legendary Italian fashion designer who seamlessly blended opulence and high style to create clothes that delighted generations of high-profile women, died Jan. 19 at his Rome residence, his foundation announced. He was 93. Read his obituary. -
Catherine O’Hara
Image Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images March 4, 1954 – Jan. 30, 2026
Catherine O’Hara, a gifted comedic actress and two-time Emmy winner known for her roles in Home Alone, Schitt’s Creek and The Studio, died Jan. 30 at her home in Los Angeles after a brief illness, her reps at CAA confirmed. She was 71. Read her full obituary here. -
James Van Der Beek
Image Credit: Rich Fury/Getty Images March 8, 1977 – Feb. 11, 2026
James Van Der Beek, the charismatic actor who starred as the sensitive and insecure Dawson Leery on The WB teen melodrama Dawson’s Creek, lost his battle with colorectal cancer on Feb. 11. He was 48. Full obituary here. -
Robert Duvall
Image Credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images Jan. 5, 1931 – Feb. 15, 2026
Robert Duvall, the steely-eyed actor whose performances in the first two Godfather films, Apocalypse Now, The Great Santini, Lonesome Dove and The Apostle made him one of the finest actors of any generation, died on Feb. 15. He was 95. Read his full obituary. -
Eric Dane
Image Credit: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images Nov. 9, 1972 – Feb. 19, 2026
Eric Dane, the hunky actor who found fame and the nickname “McSteamy” for his eight-year run as the plastic surgeon Mark Sloan on the ABC drama Grey’s Anatomy, lost his battle with ALS. He was 53. 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 school teacher who jumped fist- and feetfirst into stardom with 1980s action movies like Missing in Action and the long-running CBS drama Walker, Texas Ranger, died on March 19. He was 86. Read his obituary. -
Nicholas Brendon
Image Credit: Online USA April 12, 1971 – March 20, 2026
Nicholas Brendon, the actor best known for playing lovable underdog Xander Harris on all seven seasons of the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, died on March 20. He was 54. Full obituary. -
James Tolkan
Image Credit: Barry Brecheisen/Getty Images June 20, 1931 – March 26, 2026
James Tolkan, the character actor who expressed a disdain for “slackers” in the Back to the Future trilogy and portrayed Tom Cruise’s no-nonsense commanding officer in Top Gun, died on March 26. He was 94. Read his full obituary here.
