American Actors You Might Not Know Have Passed Away

Many talented performers have left a lasting impact on the entertainment industry through their memorable roles and unique screen presence. While some actors remain in the headlines long after their departure others may have passed away without significant public recognition. This list pays tribute to several American male actors who contributed greatly to film and television throughout their careers. Their work continues to reach new audiences even though they are no longer with us.

Michael Jeter

Michael Jeter was a prolific character actor known for his versatile roles in film and television. He won an Emmy Award for his performance on the sitcom ‘Evening Shade’ during the early nineties. Fans often remember him for his moving portrayal of Eduard Delacroix in the movie ‘The Green Mile’. He also appeared in major productions such as ‘Jurassic Park III’ and ‘The Fisher King’. His career spanned decades and included significant work on the Broadway stage.

John Spencer

John Spencer was best known for his portrayal of Leo McGarry on the political drama series ‘The West Wing’. He received an Emmy Award for his work on the show and was a staple of the ensemble cast. Beyond television he appeared in films like ‘The Rock’ and ‘Presumed Innocent’. His performance as a dedicated chief of staff remains one of the most respected roles in television history. He passed away in 2005 during the final season of his hit series.

Ron Glass

Ron Glass gained fame for his role as Detective Ron Harris on the classic sitcom ‘Barney Miller’. He later reached a new generation of fans as Shepherd Book on the cult science fiction series ‘Firefly’. His career included guest appearances on numerous popular shows like ‘Friends’ and ‘Rugrats’. He was respected for his smooth delivery and sophisticated presence on screen. The veteran actor continued working in the industry until his death in 2016.

Miguel Ferrer

Miguel Ferrer was a recognizable face in both film and television for over thirty years. He played the role of Albert Rosenfield on the mystery series ‘Twin Peaks’ and starred in the procedural drama ‘Crossing Jordan’. In film he is often remembered for his role as the executive Bob Morton in ‘RoboCop’. He also provided his voice to various animated projects including ‘Mulan’. His final television role was on ‘NCIS Los Angeles’ before he passed away in 2017.

Bill Nunn

Bill Nunn was a character actor who made a significant impact with his role as Radio Raheem in the film ‘Do the Right Thing’. He also appeared as Robbie Robertson in the ‘Spider Man’ trilogy directed by Sam Raimi. His career included roles in movies such as ‘New Jack City’ and ‘Sister Act’. He was known for his physical presence and the gravitas he brought to every character. He continued to work in the industry until his passing in 2016.

James Rebhorn

James Rebhorn appeared in over one hundred films and television shows throughout his long career. He often played authority figures such as doctors or government officials in movies like ‘Independence Day’. On television he had a recurring role as Frank Mathison on the drama ‘Homeland’. He was a highly sought after character actor who worked with many of the top directors in Hollywood. He passed away at the age of sixty five after a long battle with skin cancer.

Taylor Negron

Taylor Negron was a comedian and actor known for his unique comedic timing and dry delivery. He became a cult icon after playing the pizza delivery man in ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’. His television appearances included guest roles on ‘Seinfeld’ and ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’. He was also an accomplished playwright and painter outside of his acting career. He passed away in 2015 following a struggle with cancer.

Michael Clarke Duncan

Michael Clarke Duncan became a major star after his breakout role as John Coffey in ‘The Green Mile’. He received an Academy Award nomination for his powerful performance in the Stephen King adaptation. His other film credits include ‘Armageddon’ and ‘The Whole Nine Yards’. He was known for his massive physical stature and his surprisingly gentle nature on and off screen. He passed away in 2012 at the age of fifty four.

Chris Penn

Chris Penn was a talented actor who appeared in numerous critically acclaimed films. He is perhaps best known for his role as Nice Guy Eddie in the crime thriller ‘Reservoir Dogs’. He also delivered strong performances in ‘Footloose’ and ‘The Funeral’. As the brother of Sean Penn he established his own unique identity in the film industry through gritty and intense characters. He passed away in 2006 at the age of forty.

Glenn Quinn

Glenn Quinn was an actor who gained popularity for his role as Mark Healey on the sitcom ‘Roseanne’. He later starred as Allen Francis Doyle on the supernatural series ‘Angel’. His charm and acting ability made him a fan favorite during the late nineties. He appeared in films such as ‘Dr. Giggles’ and ‘Shout’ early in his career. He passed away in 2002 at the young age of thirty two.

Robert Loggia

Robert Loggia had a career that spanned six decades in both film and television. He earned an Academy Award nomination for his role in the thriller ‘Jagged Edge’. Fans remember him for the famous giant piano scene in the movie ‘Big’. He also appeared in classic films such as ‘Scarface’ and ‘Independence Day’. He passed away in 2015 leaving behind a vast body of work.

Powers Boothe

Powers Boothe was known for playing authoritative and often menacing characters. He won an Emmy Award for his role in the television movie ‘Guyana Tragedy The Story of Jim Jones’. His film credits include memorable turns in ‘Tombstone’ and ‘Sin City’. He also had significant television roles on ‘Deadwood’ and ‘Agents of SHIELD’. He passed away in 2017 at the age of sixty eight.

Reg E. Cathey

Reg E. Cathey was a respected stage and screen actor known for his distinctive deep voice. He won an Emmy Award for his portrayal of Freddy Hayes on the political drama ‘House of Cards’. Many viewers also recognize him for his role as Norman Wilson on the series ‘The Wire’. He appeared in numerous films including ‘Seven’ and ‘Fantastic Four’. He passed away in 2018 after a battle with cancer.

Fred Willard

Fred Willard was a master of improvisational comedy and character acting. He was a frequent collaborator with director Christopher Guest in mockumentary films like ‘Best in Show’. On television he had memorable recurring roles on ‘Modern Family’ and ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’. He received multiple Emmy nominations throughout his long and successful career. He passed away in 2020 at the age of eighty six.

Willie Garson

Willie Garson was a beloved character actor best known for playing Stanford Blatch on ‘Sex and the City’. He also starred as Mozzie on the police procedural series ‘White Collar’. His career included over seventy five film credits and hundreds of television appearances. He was admired by colleagues for his kindness and his talent for both comedy and drama. He passed away in 2021 while filming the revival series ‘And Just Like That’.

Leslie Jordan

Leslie Jordan was a comedic actor known for his diminutive stature and vibrant personality. He won an Emmy Award for his guest role as Beverly Leslie on the sitcom ‘Will and Grace’. He also appeared in several seasons of ‘American Horror Story’ and the sitcom ‘Call Me Kat’. During the pandemic he became a social media sensation for his humorous videos. He passed away in 2022 following a car accident.

Lance Reddick

Lance Reddick was known for his commanding presence and professional demeanor in every role. He starred as Cedric Daniels on ‘The Wire’ and as Phillip Broyles on the science fiction series ‘Fringe’. Film audiences recognize him as Charon from the ‘John Wick’ movie franchise. He also provided his voice and likeness to several major video game titles. He passed away suddenly in 2023 at the age of sixty.

Andre Braugher

Andre Braugher was a highly acclaimed actor known for his powerful performances in dramatic roles. He won two Emmy Awards including one for his portrayal of Frank Pembleton on ‘Homicide Life on the Street’. He later showed his comedic range as Captain Raymond Holt on the sitcom ‘Brooklyn Nine Nine’. His career included significant work in films like ‘Glory’ and ‘The Mist’. He passed away in 2023 after a brief illness.

Richard Belzer

Richard Belzer was a comedian and actor who became famous for playing Detective John Munch. He portrayed this character on ‘Homicide Life on the Street’ before moving to ‘Law and Order Special Victims Unit’. He played the same character across ten different television series over the course of twenty years. Before his acting career he was a successful stand up comedian and a regular on the New York scene. He passed away in 2023 at his home in France.

Tom Sizemore

Tom Sizemore was a prominent actor in major Hollywood productions during the nineties. He delivered memorable performances in war films such as ‘Saving Private Ryan’ and ‘Black Hawk Down’. He also appeared in crime dramas including ‘Heat’ and ‘Natural Born Killers’. His intense acting style made him a favorite choice for gritty and complex characters. He passed away in 2023 following a brain aneurysm.

Paul Reubens

Paul Reubens was the creator and star of the iconic character Pee wee Herman. He starred in the film ‘Pee wee’s Big Adventure’ and the long running television show ‘Pee wee’s Playhouse’. Beyond his famous character he appeared in films like ‘Mystery Men’ and ‘Blow’. He was also a talented voice actor who worked on numerous animated series. He passed away in 2023 after privately dealing with cancer for several years.

Ray Liotta

Ray Liotta was best known for his legendary performance as Henry Hill in the crime classic ‘Goodfellas’. He also starred in the beloved baseball film ‘Field of Dreams’ as Shoeless Joe Jackson. His career spanned decades and included roles in ‘Cop Land’ and the television series ‘Shades of Blue’. He was known for his intense blue eyes and his ability to play both heroes and villains. He passed away in his sleep in 2022 while filming a movie in the Dominican Republic.

William Hurt

William Hurt was a leading man and character actor who won an Academy Award for ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’. He received three consecutive Oscar nominations in the mid eighties for his work in films like ‘Broadcast News’. In his later years he joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as General Thaddeus Ross. He was respected for his intellectual approach to acting and his quiet intensity on screen. He passed away in 2022 at the age of seventy two.

Ned Beatty

Ned Beatty was once described as the hardest working man in Hollywood due to his extensive filmography. He earned an Academy Award nomination for his brief but powerful monologue in the film ‘Network’. Many audiences remember him for his roles in ‘Deliverance’ and ‘Superman’. He also provided the voice for the villainous bear Lotso in ‘Toy Story 3’. He passed away in 2021 at the age of eighty three.

Yaphet Kotto

Yaphet Kotto was a versatile actor known for his roles in major films and television series. He played the villain Mr. Big in the James Bond movie ‘Live and Let Die’. He also starred as Parker in the science fiction horror classic ‘Alien’. For seven seasons he played Lieutenant Al Giardello on the police drama ‘Homicide Life on the Street’. He passed away in 2021 leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking roles.

Robert Guillaume

Robert Guillaume was a pioneer in television who is best known for his role as Benson DuBois. He played this character on the sitcom ‘Soap’ and later on his own spin off series titled ‘Benson’. He won two Emmy Awards for his work on these programs throughout the late seventies and eighties. He also provided the voice of Rafiki in the animated classic ‘The Lion King’. He passed away in 2017 at the age of eighty nine.

Frank Vincent

Frank Vincent was a character actor who frequently collaborated with director Martin Scorsese. He appeared in legendary films such as ‘Raging Bull’ and ‘Casino’. On television he is widely recognized for his role as Phil Leotardo on the drama ‘The Sopranos’. He often played tough guys and mobsters throughout his long career in Hollywood. He passed away in 2017 following complications from heart surgery.

Harry Anderson

Harry Anderson was an actor and magician who starred in the popular sitcom ‘Night Court’. He played the quirky Judge Harry Stone for nine seasons on the long running show. He also starred in the television miniseries adaptation of the Stephen King novel ‘It’. Outside of acting he was a talented close up magician and frequently performed on variety shows. He passed away in 2018 at the age of sixty five.

Verne Troyer

Verne Troyer was a recognizable actor who rose to fame as Mini Me in the ‘Austin Powers’ film series. He also appeared in the first ‘Harry Potter’ film as the goblin Griphook. His career included various television guest spots and reality show appearances. He was one of the shortest men in the world and used his unique stature to build a career in Hollywood. He passed away in 2018 at the age of forty nine.

Robert Forster

Robert Forster experienced a major career resurgence after being cast in ‘Jackie Brown’ by Quentin Tarantino. He received an Academy Award nomination for his performance as Max Cherry in the film. He went on to appear in successful series like ‘Breaking Bad’ and the revival of ‘Twin Peaks’. His early career featured roles in classics like ‘Medium Cool’ and ‘The Black Hole’. He passed away in 2019 on the same day his final film role was released.

Brian Dennehy

Brian Dennehy was a powerful presence on both the stage and the screen. He became a household name after playing Sheriff Will Teasle in ‘First Blood’ opposite Sylvester Stallone. He won two Tony Awards for his work on Broadway and an Emmy for his role in ‘Death of a Salesman’. His film credits include ‘Cocoon’ and ‘Tommy Boy’. He passed away in 2020 at the age of eighty one.

Jerry Stiller

Jerry Stiller was a legendary comedian who enjoyed a long career alongside his wife Anne Meara. He reached a new level of fame later in life as Frank Costanza on the sitcom ‘Seinfeld’. He followed this success with a long run as Arthur Spooner on ‘The King of Queens’. He was the father of actor Ben Stiller and appeared with him in several films like ‘Zoolander’. He passed away in 2020 at the age of ninety two.

Rip Torn

Rip Torn was a highly respected actor known for his volatile and charismatic performances. He won an Emmy Award for his role as Artie on ‘The Larry Sanders Show’. Film fans remember him as Chief Zed in the ‘Men in Black’ franchise. He had a career that spanned seven decades and included an Academy Award nomination for ‘Cross Creek’. He passed away in 2019 at the age of eighty eight.

Luke Perry

Luke Perry became a teen idol in the nineties for his role as Dylan McKay on ‘Beverly Hills 90210’. He successfully transitioned to more mature roles and starred in the series ‘Riverdale’. His film credits include ‘The Fifth Element’ and ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. He was widely admired by his colleagues for his kindness and mentorship to younger actors. He passed away in 2019 after suffering a massive stroke.

John Mahoney

John Mahoney was an actor who found fame later in life after a career in editing. He is best known for playing Martin Crane the father of Frasier and Niles on the sitcom ‘Frasier’. Before his television success he was a prominent stage actor in Chicago and appeared in films like ‘Say Anything’. He received multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for his work on television. He passed away in 2018 at the age of seventy seven.

David Ogden Stiers

David Ogden Stiers was an actor and conductor known for his sophisticated screen presence. He rose to fame as Major Charles Emerson Winchester III on the series ‘MASH’. He was also a prolific voice actor who voiced Cogsworth in the Disney film ‘Beauty and the Beast’. His television work included roles on ‘The Dead Zone’ and guest appearances on ‘Star Trek The Next Generation’. He passed away in 2018 following a battle with bladder cancer.

Robert Vaughn

Robert Vaughn was a prolific actor who became an international star in the sixties. He played Napoleon Solo on the popular spy series ‘The Man from UNCLE’. His film career included a notable role in ‘The Magnificent Seven’ and an Oscar nomination for ‘The Young Philadelphians’. In his later years he appeared on the British series ‘Hustle’ and the soap opera ‘Coronation Street’. He passed away in 2016 at the age of eighty three.

Garry Shandling

Garry Shandling was a comedian and actor who revolutionized television comedy. He created and starred in ‘It is Garry Shandling’s Show’ and ‘The Larry Sanders Show’. He was known for his self deprecating humor and his influence on the mockumentary genre. He also appeared in films like ‘Iron Man 2’ and provided voices for animated movies. He passed away suddenly in 2016 at the age of sixty six.

Abe Vigoda

Abe Vigoda was a character actor who became famous for his role as Salvatore Tessio in ‘The Godfather’. He later starred as Detective Phil Fish on the sitcom ‘Barney Miller’ and its spin off ‘Fish’. His distinctive face and deadpan delivery made him a favorite in both dramas and comedies. He was the subject of many false death reports over the years which he often joked about. He passed away in 2016 at the age of ninety four.

George Kennedy

George Kennedy was a veteran actor who appeared in more than two hundred film and television roles. He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in ‘Cool Hand Luke’. He was a fixture in disaster movies of the seventies such as the ‘Airport’ franchise. Comedy fans remember him for his role as Captain Ed Hocken in ‘The Naked Gun’ series. He passed away in 2016 at the age of ninety one.

Alex Rocco

Alex Rocco was a character actor best known for his role as Moe Greene in ‘The Godfather’. He won an Emmy Award for his work on the sitcom ‘The Teddy Z’ during the late eighties. His career included roles in films like ‘The Friend of Eddie Coyle’ and ‘That Thing You Do’. He also voiced the character Roger Meyers Jr. on the animated series ‘The Simpsons’. He passed away in 2015 at the age of seventy nine.

Dick Van Patten

Dick Van Patten was a versatile performer who began his career as a child actor on Broadway. He became a household name as the patriarch Tom Bradford on the series ‘Eight is Enough’. He appeared in several films directed by Mel Brooks including ‘High Anxiety’ and ‘Spaceballs’. Beyond acting he was known for his love of animals and his successful pet food company. He passed away in 2015 at the age of eighty six.

James Avery

James Avery was a classically trained actor known for his deep and resonant voice. He is best remembered as Philip Banks the uncle on the sitcom ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel Air’. He also provided the voice for the villainous Shredder in the original ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ animated series. His television career spanned several decades and included roles on ‘The Closer’ and ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. He passed away in 2013 due to complications from heart surgery.

Clark Middleton

Clark Middleton was a character actor known for his distinct appearance and talent. He had a recurring role as Glen on the series ‘The Blacklist’ and appeared in the revival of ‘Twin Peaks’. His film work included roles in ‘Sin City’ and ‘Birdman’. He was an advocate for people with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis which he lived with since childhood. He passed away in 2020 after contracting West Nile Virus.

Dustin Diamond

Dustin Diamond was a child star who gained fame for playing Samuel Screech Powers on ‘Saved by the Bell’. He played the character for over a decade across various iterations of the show. After his time as a teen idol he appeared on numerous reality television programs and worked as a stand up comedian. He was the only member of the original main cast who did not appear in the recent series revival. He passed away in 2021 shortly after being diagnosed with cancer.

Michael Kenneth Williams

Michael K. Williams was a highly acclaimed actor known for his intense and soulful performances. He rose to fame playing Omar Little on the HBO series ‘The Wire’. He received multiple Emmy nominations for his work on ‘Boardwalk Empire’ and ‘Lovecraft Country’. His film career included roles in ‘Twelve Years a Slave’ and ‘The Road’. He passed away in 2021 at the age of fifty four.

James Gandolfini

James Gandolfini became a television legend for his portrayal of Tony Soprano on ‘The Sopranos’. He won three Emmy Awards for his complex performance as the conflicted mob boss. Outside of the series he starred in films like ‘Get Shorty’ and ‘Enough Said’. He was widely respected for his dedication to his craft and his generosity toward his fellow actors. He passed away suddenly in 2013 while on vacation in Italy.

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Philip Seymour Hoffman was considered one of the greatest actors of his generation. He won an Academy Award for his portrayal of the title character in the film ‘Capote’. His versatile career included roles in ‘Boogie Nights’ and ‘The Hunger Games’ series. He was equally successful on the stage and received multiple Tony Award nominations. He passed away in 2014 at the age of forty six.

Bernie Mac

Bernie Mac was a popular stand up comedian and actor who starred in ‘The Bernie Mac Show’. He became a major film star with roles in ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ and ‘Charlie’s Angels Full Throttle’. He was one of the founding members of the Kings of Comedy tour which solidified his status as a comedic icon. His work often focused on his personal experiences and family life with a unique style of delivery. He passed away in 2008 at the age of fifty.

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