Hollywood mourned the deaths of some of its most legendary stars in 2026.
The year started off with the sad news that Broadway performer and influencer Bret Hanna-Shuford died at age 46.
On January 8, PBS TV chef Elle Simone Scott died at age 49.
News broke on January 10 that T.K. Carter had died at age 69. That same day, Grateful Dead cofounder Bob Weir’s death at age 78 was confirmed, as well as the death of Colombian singer Yeison Jiménez.
On January 11, famed composer Guy Moon died at age 63. Days later, Grammy-nominated musician John Forté was found dead at age 50. Later that month, All That alum Kianna Underwood died at age 33, while Midnight Oil cofounder and drummer Rob Hirst died at age 70 and Two Ways With Erica Mena contestant Jardyn “Pee Wee” Walker was fatally shot at 23. Later that month, celebrity hairstylist Kim Vo died from cancer.
Scroll down to remember all the stars who died in 2026:
Kim Vo
Celebrity hairstylist and Blowing LA star Kim Vo’s death from cancer was announced by his husband Adeel Vo-Khan on January 24.
“My beloved husband, best friend, partner in life & business, Kim Vō, has taken his final breath,” Adeel confirmed via Instagram. “Diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2018, he fought valiantly, winning many battles along the way and exceeding all medical expectations under the care of Dr. Lawrence Piro and his incredible team at Angeles Clinic and Cedars-Sinai. Ultimately, God decided it was time for our angel on earth to return home.”
Kim was recognized as a “true icon in the hair & beauty industry” by Adeel for his work with top brands like L’Oréal and Schwarzkopf. He owned his own Kim Vo Salon in West Hollywood and judged the Bravo reality series Shear Genius alongside model Camila Alves and fellow celebrity stylist Jonathan Antin.
“He was beloved not only by his family and friends, but by the global hair community and millions of viewers who came to know him for both his artistry and his warmth. Kim had a rare ability to make everyone feel seen, welcomed, and at home,” Adeel wrote. “His guiding philosophy of ‘approachable luxury’ was central to everything he did. Beauty and glamour without pretense, barriers, or exclusion.”
Jardyn Walker
Two Ways With Erica Mena contestant Jardyn “Pee Wee” Walker was found dead in a Missouri alley in January after being fatally shot. He was 23. Best known for vying for the heart of Erica Mena in the Zeus Network dating show in 2025, Walker was working as a delivery driver when he was reported missing by his sister on January 20 after he failed to meet up with her for a prearranged ride, authorities discovered Walker’s whereabouts and later charged a suspect with first degree murder, among other charges.
Rob Hirst
Midnight Oil cofounder and drummer Rob Hirst died at age 70 on January 20 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
“After fighting heroically for almost three years, Rob is now free of pain – ‘a glimmer of tiny light in the wilderness,'” the band confirmed via a statement on social media. “He died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. The family asks that anyone wanting to honor Rob donate to Pankind, Pancreatic Cancer Australia or Support Act.”
In a follow-up statement, the band said, “We are shattered and grieving the loss of our brother Rob. For now there are no words but there will always be songs. Love Always from Jim, Martin & Pete.”
Kianna Underwood
Kianna Underwood died at age 33 following a hit and run accident on January 16, per multiple outlets. Kianna’s father Anthony Underwood confirmed the news while sharing an article about the accident via Facebook.
John Forte
Grammy-nominated musician John Forté, best known as a contributor on The Fugees’ The Score and Wyclef Jean’s The Carnival, died at the age of 50. According to Chilmark, Massachusetts, authorities, he was found dead inside his home on January 12 with no signs of foul play or “readily apparent cause of death,” per reporting by the Associated Press.
He is survived by his wife, Lara Fuller, and two children.
Guy Moon
Guy Moon, an Emmy-nominated Nickelodeon composer known for his work on The Fairly OddParents and Danny Phantom, died after suffering “traumatic injuries” during a car crash in Los Angeles. He was 63.
Yeison Jimenez
Colombian singer Yeison Jiménez died in a January 10 plane crash.
“With heavy hearts and indescribable grief, Yeison Jiménez’s organization and team deeply regret to announce his passing,” an Instagram statement translated from Spanish read. “Today, we not only say goodbye to an artist, we say goodbye to a son, a brother, a friend, a human being full of dreams and courage, who transformed his story into a source of hope for thousands.”
Jiménez is survived by his wife and three children.
Bret Hanna-Shuford
The Broadway performer and influencer’s husband, Stephen Hanna-Shuford, announced on January 3 that Bret Hanna-Shuford “left this world peacefully.” The star of Broadway’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Little Mermaid was diagnosed with T-Cell Lymphoma in 2025. (According to the Lymphoma Research Foundation, T-Cell Lymphoma is a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that can develop in lymphoid tissues.)
Bret is survived by Stephen and their 3-year-old son, Maverick.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that early this morning, we said goodbye to the most amazing man, husband and Papa in the universe,” Stephen wrote via Instagram. “Bret Hanna-Shuford left this world peacefully with love surrounded by his family. Our hearts are broken but we will continue to make him proud of us.”
Elle Simone Scott
PBS show America’s Test Kitchen confirmed on January 8 that chef and TV host Elle Simone Scott died at age 49 following a lengthy battle with ovarian cancer. Scott made history as the first Black female host on America’s Test Kitchen when she joined the show in 2016.
“At America’s Test Kitchen, Elle helped open doors that had long been closed—becoming one of the first Black women audiences saw in the test kitchen, and doing so with grace, authority, and joy,” America’s Test Kitchen confirmed via Instagram. “She didn’t just test recipes; she changed what representation looked like in food media.”
The show’s statement concluded, “Her voice mattered. Her work mattered. She mattered. Elle faced ovarian cancer with courage and honesty, using her platform to educate, advocate, and uplift even while fighting for her life. That kind of strength leaves a mark.”
T.K. Carter
The Associated Press reported on January 10 that The Thing actor T.K. Carter was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead by authorities in Duarte, California. Police said no foul play was suspected but no further details were initially offered.
Carter memorably played elementary school teacher Michael Fulton on classic ‘80s sitcom Punky Brewster, and also appeared on hit shows like Family Matters, A Different World and How to Get Away with Murder. As a voice actor, he worked on The Transformers, Space Jam and Jem and The Holograms.
“I met T. K. Carter when I was about 11 or 12 years old, shortly after I first came to California,” Diff’rent Strokes actor Shavar Ross wrote via X. “Through my dad, I spent time on the set of Doctor Detroit, where T. K. was working alongside Dan Aykroyd. As a young kid, I looked up to T. K. because seeing an African American actor starring in a major film meant a lot to me. I always felt he was headed for stardom.”
He continued, “Over the years, T. K. and I became good friends, and we hung out together sometimes. I want to send my heartfelt condolences to his family, his friends, and everyone who loved and admired his work. He will always be remembered and respected.”
Bob Weir
The Grateful Dead cofounder’s death at age 78 was announced via his Instagram account on January 10.
Bob Weir was diagnosed with cancer in July 2025, though his family said he actually “succumbed to underlying lung issues.”
The singer-songwriter and guitarist cowrote some of The Grateful Dead’s most iconic songs, including “Truckin’,” “Sugar Magnolia” and “One More Saturday Night.” As a member of The Dead, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Bobby Weir. He transitioned peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, after courageously beating cancer as only Bobby could,” a statement via his Instagram read.
They added, “His loving family, Natascha, Monet, and Chloe, request privacy during this difficult time and offer their gratitude for the outpouring of love, support, and remembrance. May we honor him not only in sorrow, but in how bravely we continue with open hearts, steady steps, and the music leading us home. Hang it up and see what tomorrow brings.”
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