Remembering ‘Dallas’ Star Roseanna Christiansen & More Stars We’ve Lost in 2022
It’s a new year and already 2022 is making way for some fond farewells as we say goodbye to some of TV’s biggest stars. And though they may be gone, audiences can still enjoy their work on television and in some cases on film. Here, we’re celebrating and remembering them for years to come.
Scroll down to see which television stars have left us so far this year.
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Roseanna Christiansen
1951-2022
Cause of Death: Undetermined
Best Known For: Christiansen was best known for playing Teresa, the maid, on Dallas for nine seasons. She also played a maid on The Jeffersons in three episodes (pictured above with Marla Gibbs). Her other TV credits include guest spots on Matlock, CBS Summer Playhouse, and A Year in the Life and the TV movies Temporary Insanity and This Is Kate Bennett….
Tony Dow
1945-2022
Cause of Death: Cancer
Best Known For: The actor was best known for playing Wally Cleaver in the beloved ’50s and ’60s television series Leave It to Beaver. He also starred in the ’60s series Never Too Young as well as Mr. Novak, Lassie, and The New Leave It to Beaver. His other TV credits include roles on Emergency!, Mod Squad, Knight Rider, Quincy M.E., The Love Boat, Murder, She Wrote, Diagnosis Murder, and Suspense.
Jak Knight
1993-2022
Cause of Death: Undetermined
Best Known For: Up-and-coming stand-up comedian Jak Knight has died. A cause of death wasn’t cited in his family’s statement announcing his passing. Knight is best known for his roles in Peacock’s Bust Down, HBO’s Pause with Sam Jay, and Netflix’s Big Mouth on which he voiced the character DeVon. Along with performing, Knight wrote for several shows including the aforementioned series and Black-ish, Immoral Compass, and Lucas Bros Moving Co.
Mark Shields
Shields was a longtime pundit providing witty analysis of American politics across TV and print/digital news. He was a staple of PBS NewsHour and co-hosted CNN‘s Capital Gang, which ended in 2005, and he made appearances on shows like Meet the Press.
Shields became a Washington Post columnist in 1979 and started with PBS on The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour during the 1988 presidential election. He gave sharp political insight through six presidential administrations, as well as commentary on countless policy debates from Washington. He retired in 2020.
Shields died of kidney failure at his home in Chevy Chase, Maryland, on Saturday, June 18, NewsHour spokesman Nick Massella told NPR. NewsHour anchor Judy Woodruff reacted to Shields’ death on Twitter.
“I am heartbroken to share this..the @NewsHour’s beloved long-time Friday night analyst Mark Shields, who for decades wowed us with his encyclopedic knowledge of American politics, his sense of humor and mainly his big heart, has passed away at 85, with his wife Anne at his side,” she wrote.
Shields is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Anne Shields.
Tyler Sanders
2004-2022
Cause of death: Unknown
Best Known for: The 18-year-old star played Leo in Amazon Prime Video‘s Just Add Magic in 2019, which led to his leading role in the 2020 spinoff, Just Add Magic: Mystery City. He most recently guest starred as Brian in Season 3 Episode 14 of 9-1-1: Lone Star. The episode, “Impulse Control,” aired April 18 on FOX.
Prior to that, Sanders guest starred as Logan Hawke in The Rookie on ABC in 2018 and played Young Jake Otto in Fear the Walking Dead on AMC in 2017. He was also part of the NBC pilot What About Barb? with Leah Remini and Ben Lawson.
Sanders died on Thursday, June 16 in his Los Angeles home, Deadline reports. His agent, Pedro Tapia, confirmed the news, noting that his death is under investigation.
“Tyler was a talented actor with a bright future,” Tapia said. “He comes from a wonderful family, and we ask that you respect their privacy at this time.”
John Aylward
1946-2022
Cause of death: Declining Health
Best Known for: This TV veteran was best known for playing Dr. Donald Anspaugh on ER. His other notable credits include The West Wing, Alias, The Practice, Family Law, The Fugitive, and Brothers & Sisters. Aylward’s most recent work includes roles in Briarpatch, Yellowstone, and Nobodies.
Fred Ward
1942-2022
Cause of death: Unknown
Best Known for: The actor was best known for starring in films like Tremors, Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins, Short Cuts, and The Right Stuff. On TV, he was most recently seen in True Detective and played Denny Duquette, Sr. on Grey’s Anatomy. Ward started acting in the 1970s after serving three years in the U.S. Air Force.
Ward died on May 8 at the age of 79, his publicist, Ron Hofmann, confirmed on May 12. The actor spent the last years of his life honing his skills as a painter, which his rep called his second-favorite artform, per CNN. Ward is survived by his wife of 27 years, Marie-France Ward, and his son, Django Ward.
Naomi Judd
1946-2022
Cause of death: Self-inflicted gunshot wound
Best Known for: The country singer was the matriarch of the Judd family and half of the duo The Judds (who won five Grammys). The duo was to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee, on May 1. Her daughters, Wynonna and Ashley, posted the following statement on Instagram: “Today we sisters experienced a tragedy. We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness. We are shattered. We are navigating profound grief and know that as we loved her, she was loved by her public. We are in unknown territory.” In addition to her music, Naomi Judd has appeared in TV movies, like Hallmark’s Window Wonderland, as well as guest spots on shows like Frasier, Maybe It’s Me, Touched by an Angel, and 3rd Rock from the Sun.
Liz Sheridan
1929-2022
Cause of death: Natural Causes
Best Known for: Liz Sheridan was best known for playing Jerry’s mom, Helen, on the classic sitcom Seinfeld. She also played Raquel Ochmonek in the series ALF. Her other television credits include Life with Louie, Murder, She Wrote, Family Ties, Hill Street Blues, The A-Team, and One Day at a Time among others.
Kathryn Hays
1933-2022
Cause of death: Unknown
Best Known for: Hays was best known for playing Kim in the CBS soap opera As the World Turns from 1972-2010. She also gave a memorable performance as Gem in the 1968 Star Trek episode “The Empath.” Her career started in the 1960s, with early credits including Hawaiian Eye, Dr. Kildare, Route 66, Bonanza, and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. More recently, she appeared in episodes of Law & Order: SVU and One Life to Live.
Hays’ longtime ATWT co-star, Don Hastings, who played Kim’s husband, Bob Hughes, said in a statement (via TVLine): “Our relationship as Bob and Kim was as close as Kathryn and my relationship, except we were not married. We were more like brother and sister and we were great friends. Our biggest squabble was that she always wanted to rehearse and I wanted to take a nap. This is a huge loss to all who knew her.” Hays died on March 25 in Fairfield, Connecticut at the age of 87.
Taylor Hawkins
1972-2022
Cause of death: Unknown
Best Known for: Best known as the drummer of the Foo Fighters, Taylor Hawkins died unexpectedly on March 25, while on tour. The musician’s band mates put out a joint statement on their social media page, writing, “The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins. His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever.” While Hawkins didn’t make any scripted TV appearances, he performed with his band on several fan favorites ranging from Saturday Night Live to late night talk shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Late Late Show with James Corden.
Conrad Janis
1928-2022
Cause of death: Unknown
Best Known for: The actor was best known for his role as Fred McConnell in ABC’s Mork & Mindy in which he starred alongside Robin Williams and Pam Dawber. The actor’s other notable TV credits included roles on Murder, She Wrote, Frasier, The Golden Girls, Suspense, Quark, The Love Boat, Baywatch, Highway to Heaven, and much more. He was also known for his role in the feature film, The Cable Guy, with Jim Carrey and Matthew Broderick.
Farrah Forke
1968-2022
Cause of death: Cancer
Best Known for: The actress was known for playing helicopter pilot Alex Lambert on Wings. In addition to the NBC comedy, her TV credits included Party of Five, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Dweebs, and Mr. Rhodes. She also voiced characters in Justice League Unlimited and Batman Beyond.
Ralph Ahn
1926-2022
Cause of death: Unknown
Best Known for: The actor was best known for playing Tran in seven episodes of the Fox comedy New Girl. His other TV credits included episodes of Gilmore Girls, The Shield, ER, Walker, Texas Ranger, and The Golden Girls.
Ned Eisenberg
1957-2022
Cause of death: Cancer
Best Known for: The actor was best known for playing Roger Kressler on Law & Order: SVU and also recently recurred on Mare of Easttown. His other TV credits include The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Blacklist, Little Voice, and Law & Order (during its original run).
Sally Kellerman
1937-2022
Cause of death: Complications of dementia
Best Known for: The Oscar-nominated actress was best known for playing Maj. Margaret ‘Hot Lips’ O’Houlihan in the 1970 film M*A*S*H. Her TV credits included Decker, Maron, The Young and the Restless, and Diagnosis Murder.
Howard Hesseman
1940-2022
Cause of death: Complications from colon surgery
Best Known for: Hesseman was best known for playing DJ Johnny Fever on WKRP in Cincinnati, from 1978-1982. He reprised the role in The New WKRP in Cincinnati. He was also known for playing Charlie Moore in Head of the Class (1986-1990). His other TV credits include guest spots on Fresh Off the Boat, Chicago Med, CSI, ER and Psych.
Gaspard Ulliel
1984-2022
Cause of death: Injuries sustained during a skiing accident
Best Known for: The French actor died just weeks before his debut in Marvel’s Disney+ series Moon Knight. His other TV credits include Twice Upon a Time. Ulliel was better known for his film work which included roles in titles ranging from Hannibal Rising and Paris je t’aime to A Very Long Engagement.
Jordan Cashmyer
1995-2022
Cause of death: Unknown
Best Known for: Jordan Cashymer was featured in MTV’s docuseries 16 and Pregnant. Her episode, which aired in 2014, chronicled the weeks leading up to the birth of her daughter, Evie, with then-boyfriend Derek Taylor. The Marylander’s parents shared the news of her death on Facebook.
Ralph Emery
1933-2022
Cause of death: Natural Causes
Best Known for: The country music broadcaster and announcer was best known for Nashville Now, Dolly, and Pop! Goes the Country. Among Emery’s scripted credits was a role in the 1982 television film Country Gold. Emery died of natural causes surrounded by his family in Nashville where he was inducted into the Country Musical Hall of Fame in 2007.
Bob Saget
1956-2022
Cause of death: Accidental head traum
Best Known for: Bob Saget was known for making people laugh, particularly in his role as single father Danny Tanner in Full House and later in Fuller House. The actor and comedian also originated the hosting role on ABC’s America’s Funniest Home Videos. He also had a memorable recurring guest role on HBO’s Entourage, playing a version of himself. Among one of Saget’s most recent TV appearances was on Fox’s The Masked Singer as the competitor Squiggly Monster.
Sidney Poitier
1927-2022
Cause of death: Unknown
Best Known for: Best known as being the first Black man to win the Oscar for Best Actor, Poitier was also a trailblazing activist. Along with his Oscar-winning role in Lilies of the Field, Poitier is also known for TV roles in The Last Brickmaker in America, The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn, David and Lisa, Free of Eden, Mandela and de Klerk, To Sir, With Love II, Children of the Dust, Separate But Equal, and many more.
Peter Bogdanovich
1939-2022
Cause of death: Natural Causes
Best Known for: The Oscar-nominated director was best known for his work behind the camera on films like Paper Moon, The Last Picture Show, What’s Up, Doc?, and Targets. Bogdanovich had a prominent role on HBO’s The Sopranos as Dr. Melfi’s (Lorraine Bracco) therapist, Dr. Elliot Kupferberg, a show for which he also directed the 2004 episode “Sentimental Education.” The actor appeared in other shows including Out of Order, Get Shorty, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. He also had one episode stints in 8 Simple Rules, Moonlighting, and How I Met Your Mother among many others.
Joan Copeland
1922-2022
Cause of death: Natural Causes
Best Known for: The Broadway star and Soap veteran was best known on television for her roles in How to Survive Marriage, Search for Tomorrow, and Law & Order. She had small roles in One Life to Live, As the World Turns, All in the Family, Chicago Hope, Loving, and more. She was also known for being the sister of American Playwright Arthur Miller.
Robert Bruce
1959-2022
Cause of death: Unknown
Best Known for: Robert Bruce was best known for his role on AMC’s series Comic Book Men. The docuseries followed collectors as they had their prized items appraised by experts like Bruce who worked at Kevin Smith’s store Jay & Silent Bob’s Stash in Red Bank, New Jersey.
Dwayne Hickman
1934-2022
Cause of death: Complications related to Parkinson’s disease
Best Known for: The actor, producer, and television director played the titular character in The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, a sitcom that aired from 1959 to 1963, as well as TV movies in 1977 and 1988. His other TV roles included The Lone Ranger, The Bob Cummings Show, Murder, She Wrote, and Clueless. He also directed episodes of Charles in Charge, Designing Women, Sister, Sister, and more.
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