Car accidents, drug overdoses, and other surprising deaths make up the bulk of the actors and actresses who died today. The actors who died in 2016 are not only going to leave a dark spot on the world of cinema, but they’ll be genuinely missed by their fans. When an actor dies, no matter how old they are, or hard they party, it’s always a shock. And when you read that someone you cherish and admire has passed away, it can be a hard pill to swallow.
Celebrity deaths today are happening at a more rapid procession, either because there are more celebrities or because as we get older, that’s just what happens. Rather than searching the web for what actor died today, keep checking back here where we’ll be updating this list of dead actors with celeb obits (with photos) as 2016 moves along.
To find out which actor died today, look no further than this list of actors and actresses who died in 2016. We’ll be making constant updates about celebrities who just died so you don’t have to look like a maniac that’s constantly looking up “what actress died today” while you’re at work. These recently deceased people will surely be missed by their friends, family, and fans, and this list is a place to remember the famous actors who died in 2016. Check back to make sure you stay up to date on this year’s famous deaths.
Actors and Actresses Who Died in 2016,
Abe Vigoda
January 26, 2016: Ninety-four-year-old Abe Vigoda passed away from old age at his home in New Jersey. The beloved character actor was best known for his role as hitman Sal Tessio in the first and second Godfather films. As Fish in the Barney Miller series, Vigoda also carved out a place for himself on the small screen. The show aired from 1975 to 1982, and landed Vigoda multiple Emmy nominations for Best Supporting Actor, as well as his own spinoff. That show, Fish, ran for two seasons.
In addition to his work in films like Joe Versus the Volcano, Prancer, and Look Who's Talking, and television roles in show like The Rockford Files, The Love Boat, and Family Guy, Vigoda also worked on Broadway. He continued his career well into his old age, even appearing in a Snickers Super Bowl commercial with Betty White in 2010.
More Abe Vigoda obituaries:
Hollywood Reporter, New York Times, TMZ
Alan Rickman
January 13, 2016: Legendary British actor Alan Rickman passed away from cancer at the age of 69. Rickman, known for his beloved bad guys parts in films like Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Die Hard, won over a new generation of fans with his role as Professor Snape in the Harry Potter series. More than just an accomplished actor, Rickman also directed two films, The Winter Guest starring his Love Actually co-star Emma Thompson, and 2015's A Little Chaos with Kate Winslet. Beyond the big screen, Rickman also excelled on stage. He was nominated for a Tony for his work in Les Liaisons Dangereuses and spent many years with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Rickman married his partner of more than 40 years, Rima Horton, in 2012.
More Alan Rickman obituaries:
BBC, The Guardian, Entertainment Weekly
Dan Haggerty
January 15, 2016: Original lumbersexual and star of The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams, Dan Haggerty, passed away from cancer. The 74-year-old was diagnosed with a spinal tumor months earlier when he went into the doctor for back pain. It was then that specialists told him that the end was near. In addition to his iconic role as Grizzly Adams in the '70s, Haggerty also had guest-starring appearances on CHiPs and Charlie's Angels. He was originally an animal trainer before he became an actor.
More Dan Haggerty obituaries:
TMZ, People
David Margulies
January 12, 2016: Broadway star David Margulies passed away at the age of 78. Although he perhaps best known for playing the mayor of New York in Ghostbusters, Margulies was actually an extremely accomplished stage actor. After getting his acting start in the 1950s, Margulies made it to Broadway in 1973's The Iceman Cometh. He went on to appear in a total of 13 Broadway productions, and numerous off-Broadway shows. His film and television work includes appearances in modern classics like Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and The Sopranos.
More David Margulies obituaries:
TheaterMania, CNN
Doris Roberts
April 17, 2016: Actress Doris Roberts died in her sleep of natural causes at her home in Los Angeles. Roberts was 90 years old. During her career, she won five Emmy awards, four of which were for playing Ray Romano's meddling mother on Everybody Loves Raymond. She got her start on Broadway, appearing in The Desk Set, The Last of the Red Hot Lovers and Bad Habits, before moving on to the big and small screen. Beside Raymond, she had memorable roles in shows like Remington Steele and Angie, along with movie appearances in films like Grandma's Boy and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.
More Doris Roberts obituaries:
TMZ, People, USA Today
Garry Shandling
March 24, 2016: Comedian, actor, and writer Garry Shandling died suddenly at 66 years old, reportedly after suffering a massive heart attack. As a stand-up comedian, Shandling achieved widespread popularity thanks to his appearances and guest-hosting stints on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. He created and starred on two hugely influential cable series, Showtime's It's Garry Shandling's Show and HBO's The Larry Sanders Show, which was nominated for 18 Emmy Awards. As a film actor, he won new fans thanks to his role in Iron Man 2 and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. He'll be remembered as a mentor to several generations of comedians.
More Garry Shandling obituaries:Chicago Sun-Times, Washington Times, Hollywood Reporter
George Gaynes
February 16, 2016: Gaynes was a veteran actor who played the foster father on Punky Brewster, the befuddled commandant in the Police Academy films, and was also in the Dustin Hoffman film Tootsie. He was a guest star on a number of other TV series in the 1960s and 70s, and was also a trained baritone singer.
Obituary: Variety
Michael Galeota
January 10, 2016: Former Disney Channel actor Michael Galeota passed away of "natural causes" after reporting stomach pains. He left the hospital a few days before his death, against the advice of his doctor. Galeota had a history of high cholesterol and hypertension. The 31-year-old was best known for his starring role in The Jersey from 1999 to 2004.
More Michael Galeota obituaries:
TMZ, People, E! Online
Patty Duke
March 29, 2016: Oscar-winning actress and former child star Patty Duke died from sepsis from a ruptured intestine. She was 69. Duke rose to fame at just 16, when she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker. She later starred in her own TV show (called The Patty Duke Show), where she played "identical cousins." In 1982, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and spent much of her later years championing programs for people with mental health issues. She was married four times and had three sons, including actor Sean Astin.
More Patty Duke obituaries:
TMZ, NBC News
Tony Burton
February 25, 2016: Tony Burton is best known for his role as Tony "Duke" Evers, the character who trained Rocky and Apollo Creed in the Rocky movies. Burton started his career as a professional fighter in Flint, Michigan in the 1950s. He also snagged parts in The Shining and Stir Crazy. Burton had been in and out of the hospital for a year before his death, although doctors had yet to diagnose his condition. He was 78.
More Tony Burton obituaries:
BBC, Vulture