Actors You Might Not Know Are Dead
Some celebrity deaths don’t dominate headlines, yet these actors left meaningful bodies of work that still show up on our screens. From beloved teen idols to steady character actors and breakout TV faces, their careers touched everything from hit sitcoms to acclaimed dramas and cult films. Here are fifteen male actors whose passing you might have missed, along with the roles many people still recognize today.
Lee Thompson Young
Lee Thompson Young rose to fame as the lead in ‘The Famous Jett Jackson’ and later played Detective Barry Frost on ‘Rizzoli & Isles’. He began acting as a child and quickly became a familiar face on family television. Young also appeared in films and guest roles on shows like ‘Scrubs’ and ‘Smallville’. He died in 2013 at age 29.
Brad Renfro
Brad Renfro was discovered at 10 and made a striking debut in ‘The Client’. He followed with roles in ‘Apt Pupil’, ‘Sleepers’, and ‘Ghost World’. Renfro worked steadily through his teens and early twenties in both studio and independent projects. He died in 2008 at age 25.
Jonathan Brandis
Jonathan Brandis became a teen star with roles in ‘seaQuest DSV’ and the television adaptation of ‘It’. He acted in films such as ‘Ladybugs’ and ‘Sidekicks’ and did voice work as well. Brandis started modeling and acting as a child before moving into leading TV roles. He died in 2003 at age 27.
Anton Yelchin
Anton Yelchin earned wide recognition as Pavel Chekov in ‘Star Trek’. His filmography also includes ‘Like Crazy’, ‘Green Room’, and ‘Alpha Dog’. Yelchin worked across genres and was known for switching between major franchises and indie productions. He died in 2016 at age 27 after a tragic accident.
Cameron Boyce
Cameron Boyce became widely known through Disney projects like ‘Jessie’ and ‘Descendants’. He also appeared in films including ‘Grown Ups’ and ‘Grown Ups 2’. Boyce was active in philanthropy and used his platform to support charitable causes. He died in 2019 at age 20 due to complications from epilepsy.
Dustin Diamond
Dustin Diamond played Samuel “Screech” Powers on ‘Saved by the Bell’ across multiple iterations of the show. His career included stand-up comedy, reality television appearances, and independent films. Diamond also appeared behind the camera with efforts in directing and writing. He died in 2021 at age 44 from cancer.
Treat Williams
Treat Williams starred in the family drama ‘Everwood’ and earned early attention with ‘Hair’. His career spanned stage, film, and television, including guest arcs and TV movies. Williams worked consistently for decades and authored children’s books as well. He died in 2023 at age 71 following a motorcycle accident.
Tom Sizemore
Tom Sizemore built a reputation with intense supporting roles in ‘Saving Private Ryan’, ‘Heat’, and ‘Natural Born Killers’. He also appeared in television series such as ‘Hawaii Five-0’ and ‘Twin Peaks’. Sizemore voiced characters in video games and took on producing projects late in his career. He died in 2023 at age 61 after a brain aneurysm.
Paul Sorvino
Paul Sorvino is remembered for ‘Goodfellas’ and a long run on ‘Law & Order’. He worked in theater, television, and film, often portraying authority figures and complex characters. Sorvino was also a trained opera singer and a sculptor. He died in 2022 at age 83.
Ray Stevenson
Ray Stevenson broke out on television with ‘Rome’ and later appeared in ‘Thor’ and ‘RRR’. He worked in action, drama, and historical projects across film and TV. Stevenson also did voice roles in animated series and games. He died in 2023 at age 58.
Richard Moll
Richard Moll became famous as bailiff Bull Shannon on ‘Night Court’. He had an extensive voice-acting career, including ‘Batman: The Animated Series’ and other superhero shows. Moll continued to appear in genre films and television throughout the years. He died in 2023 at age 80.
Michael Clarke Duncan
Michael Clarke Duncan received an Academy Award nomination for ‘The Green Mile’. His film credits include ‘Armageddon’, ‘The Whole Nine Yards’, and ‘Sin City’. Duncan also worked extensively in voice roles for animation and games. He died in 2012 at age 54 following a heart attack.
Billy Miller
Billy Miller was a three-time Daytime Emmy winner for his work on ‘The Young and the Restless’. He also starred on ‘General Hospital’ and had recurring roles on primetime series like ‘Suits’. Miller appeared in films and made guest appearances across multiple network shows. He died in 2023 at age 43.
Angus Cloud
Angus Cloud gained prominence as Fezco on ‘Euphoria’. He started in the industry with minimal prior acting experience and quickly became a fan favorite. Cloud also appeared in music videos and independent projects outside the series. He died in 2023 at age 25.
Sawyer Sweeten
Sawyer Sweeten played Geoffrey Barone on ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ alongside his twin brother. He started the role as a child and appeared throughout the sitcom’s entire run. After the show he stepped away from acting and lived a private life. He died in 2015 at age 19.
Jackson Odell
Jackson Odell was known for recurring appearances on ‘The Goldbergs’ and early roles on ‘Modern Family’ and ‘iCarly’. He also wrote songs for the film ‘Forever My Girl’. Odell began as a child actor and moved between television and music. He died in 2018 at age 20.
Ben Woolf
Ben Woolf appeared in multiple seasons of ‘American Horror Story’, including memorable roles in ‘Murder House’ and ‘Freak Show’. He worked in theater and taught preschool in Los Angeles in addition to acting. Woolf’s distinctive presence made him a standout in genre projects. He died in 2015 at age 34.
Justin Pierce
Justin Pierce made his film debut in ‘Kids’ and later appeared in ‘Next Friday’ and independent features. He worked as a model and skateboarder before moving into acting. Pierce’s roles often came through New York’s downtown arts scene. He died in 2000 at age 25.
Sam Lloyd
Sam Lloyd played lawyer Ted Buckland on ‘Scrubs’ and guest starred on shows like ‘Desperate Housewives’ and ‘Seinfeld’. He performed with the a cappella group The Blanks, which also appeared on ‘Scrubs’. Lloyd acted in films and television for decades. He died in 2020 at age 56.
Taylor Negron
Taylor Negron worked steadily as a character actor in films such as ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’ and ‘The Last Boy Scout’. He guest starred on television series including ‘Friends’ and ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’. Negron was also a stand up comedian and playwright. He died in 2015 at age 57.
Johnny Lewis
Johnny Lewis portrayed Half-Sack Epps on ‘Sons of Anarchy’. He also appeared on ‘The O.C.’ and in films like ‘AVPR: Aliens vs Predator Requiem’. Lewis started acting as a teenager and worked across television and features. He died in 2012 at age 28.
Nelsan Ellis
Nelsan Ellis was widely recognized for playing Lafayette Reynolds on ‘True Blood’. He appeared in films including ‘Get on Up’ and ‘The Butler’. Ellis trained at Juilliard and earned awards for his television work. He died in 2017 at age 39.
Andy Whitfield
Andy Whitfield led the series ‘Spartacus’ in its first season. He previously worked as an engineer and model before turning to acting in Australia. Whitfield also appeared in independent films and television commercials. He died in 2011 at age 39.
Michael Nyqvist
Michael Nyqvist originated Mikael Blomkvist on screen in the Swedish ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ trilogy. He crossed into Hollywood with roles in ‘Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol’ and ‘John Wick’. Nyqvist trained at Malmö Theatre Academy and worked extensively on stage. He died in 2017 at age 56.
Miguel Ferrer
Miguel Ferrer was known for ‘RoboCop’, ‘Traffic’, and television roles on ‘NCIS Los Angeles’ and ‘Twin Peaks’. He came from a family of entertainers and started as a drummer before acting. Ferrer voiced many animated projects and video games. He died in 2017 at age 61.
Powers Boothe
Powers Boothe earned attention for ‘Southern Comfort’ and later appeared in ‘Deadwood’, ’24’, and ‘Sin City’. He often portrayed tough or commanding figures across film and television. Boothe’s career included stage work and narration as well. He died in 2017 at age 68.
Corey Haim
Corey Haim became a teen icon with ‘The Lost Boys’ and worked frequently with Corey Feldman in films like ‘License to Drive’. He appeared on television shows and reality projects later in his career. Haim started acting as a child in Canada before moving to the United States. He died in 2010 at age 38.
Stephen Furst
Stephen Furst broke through as Flounder in ‘Animal House’ and later became known to sci-fi fans as Vir Cotto on ‘Babylon 5’. He directed television movies and episodes while continuing to act in guest roles. Furst was active in diabetes awareness and wrote about managing the disease. He died in 2017 at age 62.
Jay Thomas
Jay Thomas won two Emmys for playing talk show host Jerry Gold on ‘Murphy Brown’. He also recurred as Eddie LeBec on ‘Cheers’ and appeared in films and holiday specials. Thomas hosted radio programs for years and returned to guest TV work regularly. He died in 2017 at age 69.
James Avery
James Avery is remembered for portraying Philip Banks on ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’. He voiced characters in animation including ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ and ‘Iron Man’. Avery worked in theater and taught acting workshops while maintaining steady television roles. He died in 2013 at age 68.
Chris Penn
Chris Penn appeared in ‘Reservoir Dogs’, ‘Footloose’, and ‘True Romance’ across a varied film career. He took on both lead and character parts in independent and studio projects. Penn also worked in television movies and voice roles. He died in 2006 at age 40.
River Phoenix
River Phoenix earned acclaim for ‘Stand by Me’ and received an Academy Award nomination for ‘Running on Empty’. He balanced studio releases with smaller independent productions. Phoenix also performed music with his band and supported environmental causes. He died in 1993 at age 23.
David Strickland
David Strickland played Todd Stites on ‘Suddenly Susan’. He made guest appearances on several network comedies and dramas. Strickland also acted in feature films and television movies early in his career. He died in 1999 at age 29.
Andrew Koenig
Andrew Koenig was known for playing Richard “Boner” Stabone on ‘Growing Pains’. He later moved behind the camera with editing and video work. Koenig also appeared in independent projects and fan film productions. He died in 2010 at age 41.
Alan Thicke
Alan Thicke starred as Jason Seaver on ‘Growing Pains’ and appeared in many guest roles afterward. He wrote theme songs for popular series and hosted talk and game shows. Thicke continued acting in sitcoms and films while touring with live shows. He died in 2016 at age 69.
Richard Griffiths
Richard Griffiths portrayed Vernon Dursley in the ‘Harry Potter’ films and earned awards for stage work. He acted in television dramas and comedies across a long career. Griffiths was celebrated for roles in ‘The History Boys’ on stage and screen. He died in 2013 at age 65.
Richard Harris
Richard Harris brought Dumbledore to the screen in the first two ‘Harry Potter’ films and led epics like ‘Camelot’. His credits include ‘This Sporting Life’ and ‘Unforgiven’. Harris also recorded music and returned to theater throughout his life. He died in 2002 at age 72.
Lance Reddick
Lance Reddick became widely known as Cedric Daniels on ‘The Wire’ and later starred in ‘Fringe’. He played Charon in the ‘John Wick’ series and voiced roles in games and animation. Reddick appeared in numerous television dramas and streaming projects. He died in 2023 at age 60.
Trevor Moore
Trevor Moore co-created ‘The Whitest Kids U’ Know’ and starred in its sketch series. He produced and directed digital and television projects while touring with comedy shows. Moore released comedy albums and specials during his career. He died in 2021 at age 41.
Kevin Conroy
Kevin Conroy defined Batman for generations through ‘Batman The Animated Series’ and many games and films. He performed in theater and live action television as well. Conroy also wrote about his life and career in essays and convention appearances. He died in 2022 at age 66.
Mark Margolis
Mark Margolis became a familiar face through roles in ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Better Call Saul’. His film work with directors like Darren Aronofsky included ‘Pi’ and ‘Requiem for a Dream’. Margolis appeared in dozens of television series and stage productions. He died in 2023 at age 83.
Share the names you think belong on this list in the comments and tell us which roles first made you take notice.
