It’s not always easy to keep up with all the celebrity news these days, so it's understandable if some updates get overlooked. Sadly, there's a few beloved actors and actresses we never even knew we had lost until now.
Bob Saget
Most famously known for his iconic role as Danny Tanner on the hit sitcom Full House, Bob Saget was considered a true comedic legend before his sudden passing. The comedian was on tour at the time of his death. He died at 65 years old after being found in a hotel room in Florida.
News of Saget's death completely broke the American people who grew up with Danny Tanner on their home television screens night after night after night. In honor of his life, a special tribute was filmed at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles, with guests such as John Stamos and Chris Rock in attendance.
Pop Smoke
Another rapper gone too soon, Pop Smoke. The Welcome to the Party singer rose to fame in 2019 and was just at the beginning of his career before he was tragically murdered during a home invasion in February of 2020. Police were able to arrest the five men behind the rapper's death.
Just a few weeks after his death, 50 Cent announced that he would take the reigns on the rapper's album he was recording before he had passed away. The posthumous album, Meet the Woo was released a few months after his death, with the album's original artwork created by the one and only Virgil Abloh.
Aaron Carter
The lyrics to I Want Candy will be forever and permanently engrained in all of our memories. Aaron Carter was everyone's childhood crush following that episode of Lizzie McGuire (IYKYK), and things were never the same. Carter went on to become a total popstar but had a few health issues along the way.
Carter was diagnosed with both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder after appearing on The Doctors in 2019. The former pop star tragically passed away in November 2022 at only 34 years old, leaving behind his famous popstar brother Nick Carter, amongst other siblings, and one-year-old son, Prince.
tWitch
Stephen "tWitch" Boss was one of those people who could just do it all. A dancer, actor, choreographer, producer, and everything in between, Boss was most recognized for his ongoing role as the famed DJ on The Ellen DeGeneres Show for nearly ten years.
In December 2022, news broke he had ended his life at 40. His wife, Allison Holker Boss, confirmed the news, saying, "Stephen lit up every room he stepped into. He valued family, friends, and community above all else, and leading with love and light was everything to him. He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father."
Takeoff
Most famously recognized for being a member of the hip-hop group Migos, alongside Offset and his uncle Quavo, Takeoff was a true legend in the music industry and will forever be missed. The young rapper was only 28 at the time of his death after being tragically shot one night in Houston.
Following his death, fellow artists and thousands of fans joined together to honor the artist in a Celebration of Life in Atlanta. Celebrities such as Justin Bieber, Drake, Cardi B, and more paid tribute to his legacy through a series of performances and personal anecdotes as they both celebrated his life and grieved his loss.
Robbie Coltrane
The death of Robbie Coltrane hit the Harry Potter community hard. Coltrane gained global recognition for his iconic role as Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter series, where he quickly gained a cult following for his legendary role in three of the films.
However, one of his worthy roles? Coltrane was appointed an OBE in the 2006 New Year Honours by Queen Elizabeth II herself for his dedicated services to the arts! Unfortunately, the late actor suffered from osteoarthritis and passed away at 72 due to multiple organ failures, among other causes.
Lisa Marie Presley
The daughter of Elvis and Priscilla Presley, Lisa Marie Presley, was rushed to hospital after possible cardiac arrest and unfortunately passed away shortly after. Presley was the only child of the iconic King of Rock & Roll and followed in her father's footsteps after finding a career in music and songwriting.
Besides releasing her own music, Presley also released music with her father using music he had recorded before he passed away. A public memorial service was held in her honor at her father's Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tennessee, where she too would be buried.
Kirstie Alley
The Emmy-winning actress was considered a true Hollywood icon before she tragically passed away. Most famously known for her role as Rebecca Howe on the long-time-running sitcom Cheers, Alley took home multiple awards for her iconic role as bar manager on the popular show.
According to her children, Alley's cancer was "only recently discovered" before she passed. However, she was praised for her "zest and passion for life, her children, grandchildren, and her many animals, not to mention her eternal joy of creating." Alley truly had a comedic talent that will forever be remembered.
Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John will forever be our Sandy! With her ability to dance, sing, and act, she was the ultimate triple threat. Her stand-out role being, Sandy from Grease, truly pivoted her career into one that is most memorable and remarkable. She's the one we want!
After years of being in the biz, Newton-John was recognized as one of the best-selling artists of all time, from her hit duets with John Travolta to her solo songs, I Honestly Love You and Physical. However, she was constantly battling breast cancer and eventually passed away at age 73.
Leslie Jordan
Jordan was best known for his roles on American Horror Story, Call Me Kat, Will & Grace, and other iconic series. The hilarious comedian even recently became famous with the Gen-Z crowd through his rise to social media after posting hilarious and relatable Instagram content.
"People knew me from my characters, but I'm amazed that people discovered me as me. They loved me," he said. "And they came back," he recalled regarding his social media presence. However, at 67 years old, the actor died due to "sudden cardiac dysfunction" that caused a car wreck.
Richard Griffiths
For fanatics of the Harry Potter franchise, the first actor on our list is easily recognizable! Richard Griffiths played Harry’s uncle Vernon Dursley, one of the most unlikeable (but well-acted) characters.
Griffith’s work went far further than Harry Potter, however, as he also had a successful stage career, even winning a Tony award for his talents. "Any room he walked into was made twice as funny… just by his presence," Daniel Radcliffe once said. Griffiths passed away in 2013, at 65 years old.
James Avery
Back in the mid-1990s, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was one of the most beloved sitcoms in the world. James Avery, who played Uncle Phil, was named one of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" by TV Guide. His passing was tragic and unexpected for his fans and loved ones.
Avery passed away in 2013 after his open-heart surgery. He was 68 years old at the time. "Some of my greatest lessons in acting, living, and being a respectable human being came through James Avery," his former co-star Will Smith said. We're not crying...
Lisa Robin Kelly
Lisa Robin Kelly was perhaps best known for her role as the beautiful blonde Laurie Forman, sister of Eric Forman in the raucous comedy That '70s Show. She had also carved out a career acting in productions like Poltergeist: The Legacy and Married with Children.
Tragically, her successes in the film and tv industry hid her troubles off-set. Over the years, she struggled with addiction, and it was her substance abuse issues that lost her the job on That 70’s Show. At 43 years old she was found unconscious in a related incident in 2013, and her passing was announced shortly after.
Gary Coleman
"What'chu talkin' bout, Willis?" was a recognizable phrase for those who grew up in the 70s and 80s, and so was the voice and face of the character who said it. Arnold Jackson was the main character of Diff'rent Strokes, played for almost a decade by the iconic actor Gary Coleman.
Over the years Coleman went on to make a name for himself in Hollywood, starring in projects like The Kid with the Broken Halo. But in 2010 his career came to an end when the icon passed away at 42-years old, after an accidental fall down a flight of stairs in his Utah home.
Carl Switzer
In the early days of Hollywood, serials like Reg'lar Fellers and Our Gang were some of the most popular hits in the US. Carl Switzer was best known for his roles in both, and it seemed like it was only upward from there. But as is often the case with child stars, his opportunities in the industry seemed to wane as he grew older.
Over the years he chipped away at it, getting roles on smaller films, but never quite recaptured his former glory. At 31 years old he was working as a dog breeder and hunter and was caught up in an altercation while searching for a missing dog in 1959. He passed away during the incident.
Thuy Trang
Thuy Trang was the definition of a Hollywood underdog who “made it.” She came to America from South Vietnam in 1975, during the height of the Vietnam war. She and her family became refugees, but despite their struggles, Trang had her own goals and ambitions.
After going through auditions as a teen, she got her first big break in the 1993 production of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. After two seasons on the show and several other roles, she was making her way up in the industry. Sadly her trajectory would be cut short in 2001 when the 27-year old lost her life in a car accident.
Harold Ramis
Ghostbusters star Harold Ramis originally got his start in Hollywood as a writer and editor, after spending most of his college years writing mockup screenplays he hoped to pitch in Hollywood. He later gained attention as a newspaper columnist and later an editor for Playboy.
But it was his career as an actor that pushed him in the spotlight, particularly his roles in Ghostbusters, Stripes, and Year One. He was iconic enough that after his passing in 2014, former President Barack Obama said "When we watched his movies... we rooted for the underdog [and] through it all, we never lost our faith in happy endings."
Michael Clarke Duncan
In his early years, Michael Clarke Duncan worked as a manual laborer and personal bodyguard. It was the latter job that led him to Hollywood, where he worked for A-list actors like Will Smith and Jamie Foxx before he finally considered auditioning himself.
It wasn’t long before the unlikely star made a name for himself, starring in big films such as A Night at the Roxbury and the film he is most famous for (which also earned him an Oscar nomination) The Green Mile. In 2012 Clarke Duncan tragically lost his life to a heart attack, aged 54 years old.
Marcia Wallace
Unlike most actors on this list, one probably wouldn’t recognize Marcia Wallace if they passed her on the street. That’s because she was best known as a voice actor - particularly as the voice of Edna Krabappel on The Simpsons, for which she won an Emmy in 1992.
After Marcia’s passing she was publicly commended by the executive producer of The Simpsons Al Jean, who said “You fall in love with these people when you see them as characters on [TV], but when you met Marcia, you loved her even more.” She passed from sepsis and pneumonia at 70-years old.
Dana Plato
Another cast member of the family-favorite sitcom Diff'rent Strokes, Dana Plato made a name for herself early on, gaining fans from her very first appearance in 1978. And Plato was such a fan favorite in fact, that she was also given a role in The Facts of Life, a spinoff of Diff'rent Strokes!
But after the huge success of Diff'rent Strokes, the actress found it difficult to cope with the years that came after, even as she continued to appear on our screens. As she grew older she battled with substance abuse and mental health issues, ultimately leading to her passing at just 34 years old.
Heather O'Rourke
If you remember Steven Spielberg’s paranormal thriller Poltergeist, then you’ll definitely remember Heather O’Rourke. Heather was the star of Poltergeist, her first major production at only 7 years old when Spielberg personally chose her for the main role in 1982.
It was an unprecedented level of success for such a young child, but Heather took it in her stride and only gained further success and popularity, appearing in multiple productions over the following 5 years. But in one of the most heartbreaking incidents in Hollywood history, Heather lost her life at only 12 years old.
Matthew Perry
The world lost an icon on October 28, 2023. Matthew Perry was found dead after a tragic drowning incident at his Pacific Palisades residence. Many of us remember Perry best as Chandler Bing from the much-loved '90s sitcom Friends, which ran from 1994 to 2004.
About a year prior to his passing, Perry bravely shared his struggles with addiction in his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir, shining a light on a near-fatal moment in 2019 linked to substance abuse. His passing left Hollywood stars and millions of fans mourning his loss.
Taylor Negron
Taylor Negron stole the screen in a number of iconic roles, including must-watch TV shows like Seinfeld, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Even four decades later many viewers still remember a single scene he appeared in from Fast Times at Ridgemont High!
Unbeknownst to many, Negron also spent years battling liver cancer, which made it difficult for him to maintain the same consistency in his career. In 2015 he succumbed to the terrible illness, passing away at 57-years old, and shocking many who were unaware of his struggles.
Glenn Quinn
Irish actor Glenn Quinn also stole the show after arriving in America, snagging roles in landmark series like Roseanne, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Angel. Though some of these roles were wildly different, all of them allowed Quinn’s natural talent and charm to shine through.
But of the three of them, he most enjoyed working on the set of Angel. As a proud Irishman, it pleased him to no end that he finally got to act in an American production using his real accent. Sadly, Quinn passed away due to an overdose in 2002. He was only 32 years old.
Sky McCole Bartusiak
In her first role in 1999 in the Stephen King adaptation Storm of the Century, child actor Skye McCole Bartusiak made quite an impression on the public. So it was no surprise that she was chosen to co-star in The Patriot just one year later, alongside A-lister Mel Gibson.
It seemed like it could hardly get any better for the young actress, especially when she was cast as world-famous bombshell Marilyn Monroe in the film Blonde. Her last film appearance on screen would be in the 2012 film Sick Boy, when she was 21, before she passed away from an accidental overdose that same year.
Jonathan Brandis
From an early age, Jonathan Brandis had promising prospects as a future Hollywood star. At only two years old, he was modeling in front of the camera, and over the years he nabbed multiple credits working on commercials. He got his first big break playing Kevin Buchanan on One Life to Live.
It was not long after that he was cast in the role he would forever be remembered for - as Bastian Bux in The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter. Unfortunately, Brandis’ later career was marred by mental health issues, and he eventually succumbed in 2003, at 27-years old.
David Graf
David Graf was one of the few actors on this list who didn’t find fame and success until later in life, a good example of how fickle the movie industry could be. Graf spent the 70s and 80s climbing the acting ladder in Hollywood, unable to gain much traction.
He managed to snag guest roles on TV classics like M*A*S*H and The Dukes of Hazzard before finally making it to the big screen in the 1984 comedy film Police Academy. However, we lost this talented actor just as he was hitting his stride. He passed from cardiac arrest at the age of 50 back in 2001.
Windell Middlebrooks
Zoomer audiences probably know him for his role on the Disney series The Suite Life on Deck, but older ones probably recognize him most from the Miller Hill Life beer commercials. He also made quite an impression on viewers with his performances in Body of Proof and Ace in the Hole.
This was largely due to his striking talent as a comedic performer, with an uncanny ability to make audiences and cast members laugh themselves silly. Though of course, it was tears being shed when he lost his life to a blood clot in 2015, at 36-years old.
Wendie Jo Sperber
Like many children who grew up in Los Angeles, young Wendie Jo Sperber developed an early interest in being on the screen. She got her first big opportunity with the 1978 film Corvette Summer, and things were only looking up from there for the aspiring young actress.
No doubt her biggest role was in the blockbuster franchise Back to the Future where she played Linda McFly, Marty McFly’s sister. She also starred alongside Tom Hanks in the film Bosom Buddies. Sadly Sperber dealt with breast cancer for some years before passing away in 2005.
Natasha Richardson
There is no denying the skill and talent of this next actress, who made a name for herself both on-screen and in the theatre. Whether for her role in A Streetcar Named Desire or The Parent Trap, Natasha Richardson seemed to be on the way to becoming a household name.
With such an impressive resume behind her, and a growing list of recognizable titles, Richardson was on top of the world. No one could have expected the tragic skiing accident in Mont Tremblant, Canada, that took her life in 2009. It was a great loss for both the film and theatre worlds.
Michael Jeter
Sometimes life doesn’t go quite the way one expects, and Michael Jeter was clear proof of that. In his earlier life, the actor started studying medicine, before pivoting to an acting degree instead. In 1999 he landed a part in the most memorable film of his career, The Green Mile.
From then on Jeter gained unprecedented recognition in the industry, and even won an Emmy and Tony award for his fantastic stage and screen work. He was expected to enjoy a long and industrious career, but it was cut tragically short by a seizure in 2003.
John Spencer
If you ever watched the hit NBC political drama, West Wing, you’ll remember John Spencer. He shot to fame after nabbing the role of Leo McGarry, the White House Chief of Staff in 2002. His performance was so great that he won the Emmy for best Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series that first year.
Of course, it should be no surprise that Spencer had been working as an actor decades before scoring the game-changing West Wing role. In fact, his first role was on The Patty Duke Show in 1963. Spencer passed away at age 58 after a cardiac arrest in 2005. But his memory is timeless.
Gregory Hines
Gregory Hines first grabbed the attention of filmgoers in 1981, when he was cast by comedy auteur filmmaker Mel Brooks in the film History of the World, Part I. He continued this trajectory by appearing in films like White Night’s and Waiting to Exhale.
Over time Hines hit the absolute Hollywood jackpot when he was given his own titular show - the Gregory Hines show. He also had another regular role as Doucette on the hit show Will and Grace, which was cut short when he was 51-years old, and lost his battle with liver cancer.
Leonard Nimoy
When we think of Leonard Nimoy it’s hard to think of anything but his role as Spock in Star Trek, literally one of the most famous characters in TV history! But Nimoy lived far beyond his sci-fi character, both as an actor and a person, though even he embraced Spock’s legacy.
Nimoy was known as a multi-talented artist, with a slew of passions outside of acting. Many people don’t know that he was also a published poet with several anthologies under his belt, as well as, trying his hand as a filmmaker. To the shock and horror of fans across the globe, he passed away in 2015 after slipping into a coma.
Chris Penn
You may not know it, but Sean Penn certainly wasn’t the only acting talent in his family. His younger brother Chris was also an established actor, who rose to screen prominence in 1992 after nabbing a role in the classic Quentin Tarantino flick Reservoir Dogs.
He went on to appear in comedy flicks like Starsky & Hutch and Corky Romano and immortalized his voice in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. It was a shock to many when, at only 40-years old, Penn passed away in 2006 owing to a terrible heart disease.
Ben Woolf
Ben Woolf had a knack for drawing your eye, something you’ll remember well if you saw him in the hit horror show American Horror Story. Woolf starred in two seasons of the show Murder House and Freakshow, as Meep and Infantata. He also worked on various other thrilling projects.
The actor was well-loved and respected, particularly within the horror and thriller genre. So much so, that he even received a Russian Horror Film Award in 2015, to recognize his contributions to the genre. Just two weeks later he passed away from a stroke, after a significant traffic accident in Los Angeles.
Sawyer Sweeten
There’s a reason Sawyer Sweeten’s surname had the word “sweet” in it! This young actor starred alongside his real-life identical twin, as the son of the titular character in the comedy show Everybody Loves Raymond. Though he was only a year old when he was cast as Geoffrey Barone, he certainly came into his own as a child actor.
But a promising career in TV was cut tragically short, when Sweeten passed away at just 19-years old, after struggling with mental health issues. "[He was] a funny and exceptionally bright young man," his onscreen mother Patricia Heaton stated after his passing.
Brittany Murphy
Few actors encompassed the world of cinema in the late-90s and early 2000s, as well as, Brittany Murphy. Her first (and perhaps most iconic) role was in the genre-making film Clueless in 1995, and only two years later she show-cased even more of her talent in the 1997 film A View from the Bridge.
Five years later she gained further popularity by starring alongside rapper Eminem in the much-anticipated biopic 8 Mile. Despite her successes, she found it difficult to gain further traction in serious roles. Some contest that she never had the chance to show her true potential before she passed from a heart attack in 2009.
Dana Hill
Like some of the other performers on this list, Dana Hill began working in Hollywood as a child. One of her biggest and most memorable roles was in the National Lampoon franchise, where she played Chevy Chase’s daughter. She also appeared in films like Shoot the Moon and Cross Creek during the 80s and 90s.
But throughout her acting career, Dana was harboring an unexpected issue - she had been diagnosed with Type I diabetes as a child, which incapacitated her considerably over the years. At only 32 years old she lost her life to the condition, which caused a stroke in 1996.
Michelle Thomas
Michelle Thomas was lucky enough to be born into a family of entertainers, with both parents being musicians and actors respectively. It made for a relatively smooth transition into Hollywood, where she got her first major gigs as a cast member on The Cosby Show and Family Matters.
Michelle was a famously healthy and active person, which may be why it came as such a shock when the actress was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 1997. It wasn’t long before the illness overcame her, and she passed away with her family by her side at just 30 years of age.
Jean Stapleton
One of the arguably best-known characters in the world of 70s sitcoms was Edith Bunker, wife of the curmudgeonly Archie Bunker in the show All in the Family. Jean Stapleton was lauded for her performance as the witty woman, and even won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her performance.
It was her role in All in the Family that would eventually place her in the American Theatre Hall of Fame. The character was such a staple that she even went on to star in Archie Bunker's Place, and when she passed away in 2013, she was mourned by Americans across the country.
John Cazale
John Cazale was the perfect example of how much someone can do in a relatively short span of time. The incredibly talented actor only appeared in five films in his career, most notably The Godfather Part I and II. What’s even more amazing is that every single film gained an Oscar nod!
Despite these incredible successes (which occurred over only 7 years), Cazale was struck down by a case of severe lung cancer at 42 years old. So impressive was his career and screen presence, that a documentary was filmed about his impact on Hollywood, titled I Knew It Was You.
Cory Monteith
When Glee first premiered, Cory Monteith was one of the first performers in the award-winning show to grab the audience's attention. His down-to-earth charm and natural ability as a singer, dancer, and actor should have indicated that he had a bright future ahead of him.
Sadly, Monteith struggled with substance dependency issues for much of his adult life, and he was eventually found unconscious in a hotel room in 2013. He passed away in that room in Vancouver Canada at just 31 years of age. His death was memorialized in a tribute episode of Glee, where a funeral was held for his character.
Lupe Ontiveros
Back in the 1970s, it seemed that actress Lupe Ontiveros was everywhere in the entertainment industry. She was born in El Paso, Texas, and went on to act and perform for more than four decades. She was best known for films like Charlie's Angels and The World's Greatest Lover in her early career.
In her later career, she caught international attention for her roles in Selena and Desperate Housewives, even garnering an Emmy nomination for the latter. After dealing with a case of liver cancer for some years, Ontiveros passed away in 2012 at 69 years old.
Judith Barsi
As a five-year-old Judith Barsi was picked out from film auditions for having extraordinary talent and potential. She spent four years establishing herself as both an on-screen and voice actor in Hollywood and worked most famously on The Land Before Time and All Dogs Go to Heaven.
There was no doubt that Judith had a promising career ahead of her, if only we could have seen more of it. On July 25th, 1988, Judith and her mother were found deceased in their family home, as a result of her unstable father József. She lost her life at only 10 years old, and many people in the industry were devastated by her passing.
Naya Rivera
A fellow co-star of Cory Monteith’s, Naya Rivera also got her first big break in Glee after years of auditioning in Hollywood. Rivera has a large following, so her passing came as a sickening shock to fans. She was only 33, just two years older than her former co-star Monteith.
After venturing to a lake in California with her young son, Rivera tragically drowned not long after arriving. Despite the mass search that ensued, she was announced deceased. Many of her former Glee colleagues took to the internet to remember her, with Heather Morris sharing that she was the most "consistent and loving friend."
Elizabeth Peña
Born in New Jersey in 1959, Elizabeth Peña got her first on-screen role in 1976 and went on to spend most of her career acting on film. She racked up an incredibly impressive resume over the years, acting in shows like Modern Family and NCIS, and films such as The Incredibles and Rush Hour.
Considered an “It Girl” of her time, and one of the more talented actresses that continued working past the 70s, many people around the country were devastated when Peña passed away in 2014. She was 55-years old at the time, and her passing was attributed to cirrhosis of the liver.
Willie Garson
After more than three decades working as an entertainer, the passing of Willie Garson deeply affected many in the industry. Over the course of his career, he starred in over 300 episodes of tv and 75 films, so it’s safe to say he touched the lives of many at one point or another.
In recent years he is likely best known for his role on Sex and the City, and tragically, he passed away as the newest film installment in the series was being filmed. The show's star, Sarah Jessica Parker, took to Instagram to commemorate him, saying, "Your absence is a crater that I will fill with the blessing of these memories."
John Gavin
John Gavin had a near-unbelievable resume, acting in classic films like Spartacus, Psycho, and Imitations of Life in the 50s and 60s. With some of the most iconic titles of the 20th century under his belt, it’s no wonder that his career was the envy of many actors of his time.
It also allowed him to take on the position of president for the Screen Actors Guild, and at one point he was even made a US Ambassador to Mexico! It’s no surprise that his passing in 2018 struck a chord with many people. He was 86-years old at the time.
William Smith
Another actor who spent many years toiling away in the film industry was William Smith, who started his career on film at just eight years old. From a young age, he had a knack for performance, and it is a matter of record that he loved doing his job more than the accolades he received for it.
Some of his best-known roles were in films like Red Dawn and Any Which Way You Can, and with a reported 480 separate acting credits, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that he would be remembered for a long time to come. He passed away in 2021, at 88 years old.
Lois De Banzie
Lois De Banzie was no doubt a powerhouse talent, earning accolades and acclaim in TV, film, and on Broadway! She had a distinguished career, and her stage performance in Morning's at Seven was even nominated for a Tony Award! She also took home a Drama Desk Award for the same role.
When it came to the big screen, audiences knew her best for her roles in Annie and Tootsie, as well as, an unexpected turn in the 1990 horror film Arachnophobia. Her career slowed as she got older and she eventually chose to retire. She passed away in 2021, at 90 years old.
Edith González
At just six years old Edith González appeared on the screen, acting in a telenovela in her hometown of Mexico City. Over the years she skyrocketed to fame in Mexico acting in films like Los ricos también lloran, eventually becoming one of the most beloved actresses in the country.
And of course, she didn’t stick to telenovelas - she was cast in many films and even went on to do multiple stage performances before her stunning career was cut tragically short by ovarian cancer. Though she spent years living successfully with the disease, she eventually passed away in 2016, when she was 54.
Raymundo Capetillo
Speaking of Mexico City, it certainly had its fair share of brilliant performers! Raymundo Capetillo started his acting career in the 1960s, and soon became a regular face on Mexican telenovelas. Like his contemporary Edith González, he also branched out into stage and film.
In 2020, Capetillo became one of the many victims that lost their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. In July 2020 he was hospitalized after he contracted the virus and began experiencing significant breathing complications. He passed away not long after, at 72 years old.
Abel Fernandez
Best known for his fantastic turn playing Agent Bill Youngfellow in ABC’s The Untouchables. He lived an interesting life, spending his early days as a paratrooper in the US Army AND a professional heavyweight boxer, before segueing into acting in the early 1950s. How’s that for a change of heart!
But after two sudden career changes, he finally found the one that stuck and continued acting on screen until the early 2000s. Some of his last film roles were in the 1990s, in the films Quicksilver and Buster's Bedroom. At 85 years old he was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed away in 2016.
Louisa Moritz
Louisa Mortiz got her start a little later than most actresses, being cast in commercials at 30 years old after moving to the US from Havana, Cuba. Her first film role was four years later, and from that point on she was cast in a slew of films and tv shows such as One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Love, American Style.
To the surprise of many, Louisa was very different from the bubbly, airheaded blondes she often played onscreen. She studied law later in her career and was admitted to the California Bar, and also produced tv shows. She was "full of life [and] talent," according to her friend Edward Lozzi, and passed away in 2019, aged 82.
Miguel Ferrer
Santa Monica-born Miguel Ferrer was a force to be reckoned with, nailing every part he was in. Over the three decades that he spent acting in film and tv in Hollywood, Ferrer made quite a name for himself in movies like RoboCop and Blank Check and even lent his voice to animated projects like Mulan.
One of his last projects would prove to be one of his biggest, as he acted in Iron Man 3 shortly before he was diagnosed with throat cancer. He tragically passed away in 2017, when he was 61 years old. His passing caused shockwaves through the industry, and many people moved to pay tribute to the late actor.