In Memoriam: TV Stars Who Died in 2018
June Whitfield
1925-2018
Cause of death: TBD
Famous for: Her role on the sitcom Absolutely Fabulous. She was also made a Dame and OBE.
Donald Moffat
1930-2018
Cause of death: Complications from a stroke
Famous for: Rem in the CBS science-fiction series Logan’s Run and Dr. Marcus Polk in the ABC soap opera One Life to Live
Philip Bosco
1930-2018
Cause of death: Unknown
Famous for: Recurring roles in the ‘Law & Order’ franchise, ‘Damages,’ and his roles in films like ‘It Takes Two,’ ‘Working Girl’ and ‘First Wives Club’
Ken Berry
1933-2018
Cause of death: Unknown
Famous for: His portrayal of Capt. Wilton Parmenter on the ’60s comedy series F Troop
Stephen Hillenburg
1961-2018
Cause of death: ALS
Famous for: Creator, director, writer and producer of the animated TV series SpongeBob SquarePants
Roy Clark
1933-2018
Cause of death: Complications from pneumonia.
Famous for: A country music artist and the host of Hee Haw
Stan Lee
1922-2018
Cause of death: TBA
Famous for: Writing, editing, and publisher of iconic Marvel Comics characters such as iconic characters as Spider-Man, X-Men, Thor, Iron Man, Black Panther and The Fantastic Four.
Beverly McClellan
1969-2018
Cause of death: Cancer
Famous for: McClellan was the third runner-up on the first season of The Voice. She was a part of Christina Aguilera’s team.
Scott Wilson
1942-2018
Cause of death: Complications from leukemia
Famous for: His role as Hershel Greene on The Walking Dead
Frank Parker
1939-2018
Cause of death: Complications of Parkinson’s disease and dementia
Famous for: Playing Grandpa Shawn Brady on Days of Our Lives
Paul John Vasquez
1970-2018
Cause of death: Apparent heart attack
Famous for: Roles on Sons of Anarchy, How I Met Your Mother, and ER
Peter Donat
1928-2018
Cause of death: Complications from diabetes
Famous for: He played played Agent Mulder’s father on The X-Files
Bill Daily
1927-2018
Cause of death: N/A
Famous for: Playing wacky, affable sidekicks/neighbors in TV classics like I Dream of Jeannie and The Bob Newhart Show.
Burt Reynolds
1936-2018
Cause of death: Heart attack
Famous for: His work in movies such as Smokey and the Bandit and Boogie Nights and TV shows like Gunsmoke and Evening Shade.
Susan Brown
1932-2018
Cause of death: N/A
Famous for: Playing Dr. Gail Adamson Baldwin on General Hospital
Vanessa Marquez
1968-2018
Cause of death: Shot by police
Famous for: Her role as Nurse Wendy Goldman on ER
Robin Leach
1941-2018
Cause of death: Stroke
Famous for: Hosting the docuseries Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
Barbara Harris
1935-2018
Cause of death: Lung cancer
Famous for: Roles on Naked and Channing. She also won a Tony award for The Apple Tree, starred in the original Freaky Friday movie, and was a Second City alum.
Charlotte Rae
1926-2018
Cause of death: Undisclosed
Famous for: The role of Edna Garrett in The Facts of Life
Jessica Vogel
1984-2018
Cause of death: Complications from colitis
Famous for: Competed on Season 12 of Hell’s Kitchen
Josip Peruzovic aka Nikolai Volkoff
1948-2018
Cause of death: Heart condition
Famous for: Former WWE star
Nicholas ‘Duffy’ Fudge
1990-2018
Cause of death: Not released yet
Famous for: Role on Nat Geo’s Wicked Tuna which premiered in 2012
Annabelle Neilson
1969-2018
Cause of death: Not confirmed
Famous for: Model, socialite and star of the Bravo reality show Ladies of London. Also was muse for fashion designer Alexander McQueen.
Tab Hunter
1931-2018
Cause of death: Blood clot that caused cardiac arrest
Famous for: Roles on The Love Boat, Hawaii Five-0, and his own talk show called the The Tab Hunter Show on NBC.
Matt Cappotelli
1979-2018
Cause of death: Brain cancer
Famous for: Former WWE wrestler and co-winner of WWE ‘Tough Enough III’
Deanna Lund
1937-2018
Cause of death: Pancreatic cancer
Famous for: Starring in the 1960s ABC series Land of the Giants
Carlos Lopez Jr.
1983-2018
Cause of death: Apparent suicide
Famous for: Reality series Operation Repo
Richard Harrison (far right)
1941-2018
Cause of death: Parkinson’s Disease
Famous for: “The Old Man” on History’s Pawn Stars.
Neal E. Boyd
1976-2018
Cause of death: Organ failure
Famous for: Winning Season 3 of America’s Got Talent
Jackson Odell
1997-2018
Cause of death: Unknown
Famous for: A recurring role as popular student Ari Caldwell on ‘The Goldbergs,’ as well as small roles in ‘Modern Family’ and ‘iCarly.’
Alan O’Neill
1971-2018
Cause of death: Unknown
Famous for: His role in ‘Sons of Anarchy’ as Hugh.
Anthony Bourdain
1956-2018
Cause of death: Apparent suicide
Famous for: His travel food shows Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations (2005-2012) and Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown (2013-2018).
Robert Mandan
1932-2018
Cause of death: A long illness
Famous for: Playing Chester Tate on Soap from 1977-1981.
Blake Painter
1980-2018
Cause of death: Unknown
Famous for: Captain on Seasons 2 and 3 of Deadliest Catch
Clint Walker
1927-2018
Cause of death: Congestive heart failure
Famous for: Starring as cowboy Cheyenne Bodie in the ABC/WB series Cheyenne from 1955 to 1963.
Joseph Campanella
1924-2018
Cause of death: Unknown
Famous for: 1967-75 CBS cop drama Mannix and soaps such as Days of Our Lives and The Bold and the Beautiful. He also had roles on The Practice and Dallas.
Margot Kidder
1948-2018
Cause of death: Unknown
Famous for: Starring opposite Christopher Reeve as Lois Lane in 1978’s Superman and guest star roles on Brothers & Sisters and Smallville.
Pamela Gidley
1965-2018
Cause of death: Unknown
Famous for: Her role as Teresa Banks in the Twin Peaks’ prequel, Fire Walk With Me.
Verne Troyer
1969-2018
Cause of death: Unknown
Famous for: Playing Mini-Me in the Austin Powers movie franchise, but also TV gigs on Boston Public, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Celebrity Big Brother, and more.
Harry Anderson
1952-2018
Cause of death: Unknown
Famous for: His Emmy-nominated role as Judge Harry T on ‘Night Court’ and con man/magician Harry “The Hat” Gitties on ‘Cheers.’
R. Lee Ermey
1944-2018
Cause of death: Complications of pneumonia
Famous for: His role as a drill sergeant in Full Metal Jacket. His TV guest roles include SVU, Spongebob Squarepants, HouseThe X-Files .
Tim O’Connor
1927-2018
Cause of death: Unknown
Famous for: Peyton Place, All in the Family, Star Trek: The Next Generation
Chuck McCann
1934-2018
Cause of death: Congestive heart failure
Famous for: Comedian, voiceover performer and TV host. Had his own show The Chuck McCann Show which premiered in 1963.
Brian Lancaster
1975-2018
Cause of death: Unknown
Famous for: Was on Season 7 of MTV’s reality series Road Rules
Steven Bochco
1943-2018
Cause of death: Leukemia
Famous for: Multiple Emmy-winner and co-creator/producer of
Debbie Lee Carrington
1959-2018
Cause of death: Unknown
Famous for: Known for her roles on Total Recall and Star Wars.
DuShon Monique Brown
1968-2018
Cause of death: Unknown
Famous for: Nurse Katie Welch on Fox’s Prison Break and Connie on NBC’s Chicago Fire
Nanette Fabray
1920-2018
Cause of death: Natural causes
Famous for: Emmy and Tony-award winner. Known as the TV mom on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and One Day at a Time. Also played opposite Sid Caesar on Caesar’s Hour.
Billy Graham
1918-2018
Cause of death: In his last years, Graham dealt with prostate cancer, hydrocephalus (a buildup of fluid in the brain) and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Famous for: Counseled a dozen U.S. Presidents and he preached around the world, reaching up to 215 million people in 185 different countries.
Marty Allen
1922-2018
Cause of death: Complications from pneumonia
Famous for: His stand-up and regular appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson and The Merv Griffin Show. He was nicknamed ‘The Darling of Daytime TV’ for his game show appearance and made-for-TV movie roles.
Reg E. Cathey
1958-2018
Cause of death: Lung cancer
Famous for: His roles on The Wire and House of Cards, for which he won an Emmy.
Mickey Jones
1941-2018
Cause of death: Unknown long illness
Famous for: Pete Bilker on Home Improvement, Rodney “Hot Rod” Dunham on Justified
John Mahoney
1940-2018
Cause of death: Brain disease, lung cancer and seizures
Famous for: Playing fathers on Frasier and Say Anything
Jerry Van Dyke
1931-2018
Cause of death: Heart failure
Famous for: Roles on The Dick Van Dyke Show and Coach
Olivia Cole
1942-2018
Cause of death: Heart attack
Famous for: Her role on Roots
Bobby Zarin
1946-2018
Cause of death: Cancer
Famous for: His role on The Real Housewives of New York City
Simon Shelton
1966-2018
Cause of death: Hyperthermia
Famous for: His role on Teletubbies
Joel Taylor
1980-2018
Cause of death: Overdose
Famous for: His role on Storm Chasers
Mark Salling
1982-2018
Cause of death: Asphyxia by hanging
Famous for: His role on Glee
We’re not far into 2018, but we’ve already lost a number of our most beloved TV stars.
Though their lives have ended, their legacies certainly have not. Audiences can still enjoy their TV projects, so a little part of them will be forever remembered and appreciated.
Click through the gallery above for all of the small-screen celebs who have left us so far this year.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “help” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
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