Actors Who Died in 2023

Actors Who Died in 2023 (Complete & Verified List)

The year 2023 saw the passing of many influential actors who shaped film, television, and stage across decades. From legendary Hollywood performers to rising television stars, these artists left a lasting impact on global entertainment.

Some deaths came after long careers and health struggles, while others were sudden tragedies that shocked fans worldwide. Their performances — whether dramatic, comedic, or heroic — continue to resonate through classic films, television series, and streaming platforms.

Below is a verified chronological list of actors who died in 2023, including their nationality, age, and the roles that made them widely recognized.

Quick Summary: Notable Actors Who Died in 2023

Among the most widely recognized actors who passed away in 2023 were:

  • Alan Arkin – Academy Award-winning actor known for Little Miss Sunshine
  • Matthew Perry – beloved for playing Chandler Bing in Friends
  • Michael Gambon – known worldwide as Professor Dumbledore in Harry Potter
  • Lance Reddick – star of The Wire and John Wick
  • Andre Braugher – acclaimed actor in Brooklyn Nine-Nine
  • Angus Cloud – breakout star of HBO’s Euphoria
  • Ryan O’Neal – Oscar-nominated star of Love Story

These actors represent a wide spectrum of television, film, and stage talent whose work influenced generations of audiences.

Complete List of Actors Who Died in 2023

NameNationalityDate of DeathAgeKnown For
Adam RichAmericanJan 7, 202354Eight Is Enough
Julian SandsBritishJan 13, 202365A Room with a View
Cody LongoAmericanFeb 8, 202334Hollywood Heights
Jansen PanettiereAmericanFeb 19, 202328The Perfect Game
Richard BelzerAmericanFeb 19, 202378Law & Order: SVU
Tom SizemoreAmericanMar 3, 202361Saving Private Ryan
Lance ReddickAmericanMar 17, 202360The Wire
Barry HumphriesAustralianApr 22, 202389Dame Edna
Harry BelafonteAmericanApr 25, 202396Carmen Jones
Andy SmartBritishMay 16, 202363Comedy Store Players
Lew PalterAmericanMay 21, 202394Titanic
Ray StevensonBritishMay 21, 202358Rome, Thor
Treat WilliamsAmericanJun 12, 202371Hair, Everwood
Alan ArkinAmericanJun 29, 202389Little Miss Sunshine
Paul ReubensAmericanJul 30, 202370Pee-wee Herman
Angus CloudAmericanJul 31, 202325Euphoria
Ron Cephas JonesAmericanAug 19, 202366This Is Us
Bob BarkerAmericanAug 26, 202399The Price Is Right
David McCallumScottishSep 25, 202390NCIS
Michael GambonIrish-BritishSep 27, 202382Harry Potter
Richard RoundtreeAmericanOct 24, 202381Shaft
Matthew PerryAmerican-CanadianOct 28, 202354Friends
Evan EllingsonAmericanNov 5, 202335CSI: Miami
Norman LearAmericanDec 5, 2023101All in the Family
Ryan O’NealAmericanDec 8, 202382Love Story
Andre BraugherAmericanDec 11, 202361Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Actors Who Died in January 2023

Adam Rich

Adam Rich
  • Born: October 12, 1968
  • Died: January 7, 2023
  • Nationality: American
  • Known for: Nicholas Bradford in Eight Is Enough
  • Cause of death: Accidental fentanyl overdose

Adam Rich was a well-known television actor who rose to fame as Nicholas Bradford on the family drama Eight Is Enough (1977–1981). His distinctive pageboy haircut and warm on-screen personality made him a beloved child star of the late 1970s.

Despite facing personal struggles later in life, Rich remained remembered for his iconic role in one of television’s most popular family series. His passing in January 2023 saddened fans who grew up watching his performances.

Julian Sands

Julian Sands
  • Born: January 4, 1958
  • Died: June 24, 2023 (reported missing January 13, 2023)
  • Nationality: British
  • Known for: A Room with a View, Warlock, Leaving Las Vegas
  • Cause of death: Undetermined (remains discovered after hiking disappearance)

Julian Sands was a respected British actor recognized for his performances in both independent cinema and major Hollywood productions. He gained international recognition for his role as George Emerson in the acclaimed film A Room with a View (1985).

Sands built a versatile career with roles in films such as Warlock, Arachnophobia, and Leaving Las Vegas, as well as television appearances in series like 24 and Smallville. His disappearance during a hiking trip in California in early 2023 shocked the entertainment industry.

Actors Who Died in February 2023

Cody Longo

Cody Longo
  • Born: March 4, 1988
  • Died: February 8, 2023
  • Nationality: American
  • Known for: Eddie Duran in Hollywood Heights
  • Cause of death: Suspected alcohol poisoning

Cody Longo was an American actor and musician known for his work in television dramas. He gained recognition for playing Eddie Duran in the series Hollywood Heights and also appeared in shows such as Days of Our Lives.

In addition to acting, Longo pursued music and released several singles during his career. His sudden death at age 34 was widely reported and mourned by colleagues and fans.

Jansen Panettiere

Jansen Panettiere
  • Born: September 25, 1994
  • Died: February 19, 2023
  • Nationality: American
  • Known for: The Perfect Game, The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry
  • Cause of death: Cardiomegaly with aortic valve complications

Jansen Panettiere was an American actor and voice performer known for roles in family and independent films. He appeared in movies such as The Perfect Game and The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry and also contributed voice acting work in animated productions.

Panettiere began acting at a young age and occasionally appeared alongside his sister, actress Hayden Panettiere. His death at the age of 28 was attributed to heart-related complications.

Richard Belzer

Richard Belzer
  • Born: August 4, 1944
  • Died: February 19, 2023
  • Nationality: American
  • Known for: Detective John Munch in Law & Order: SVU
  • Cause of death: Complications from cancer

Richard Belzer was a comedian, actor, and author best known for portraying Detective John Munch, one of the longest-running characters in television history. He played the role across multiple series, including Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Belzer originally began his career in stand-up comedy before transitioning into television and film. His portrayal of Munch became a cultural touchstone in crime television.

Actors Who Died in March 2023

Tom Sizemore

Tom Sizemore
  • Born: November 29, 1961
  • Died: March 3, 2023
  • Nationality: American
  • Known for: Saving Private Ryan, Heat, Black Hawk Down
  • Cause of death: Brain aneurysm complications

Tom Sizemore was an American actor known for intense performances in crime and war films. His career included notable roles in Saving Private Ryan, Heat, and Black Hawk Down.

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Sizemore became known for portraying tough and complex characters. Despite personal struggles, his filmography remains influential in action and war cinema.

Lance Reddick

Lance Reddick
  • Born: June 7, 1962
  • Died: March 17, 2023
  • Nationality: American
  • Known for: The Wire, John Wick, Fringe
  • Cause of death: Heart disease

Lance Reddick was widely respected for his commanding presence in television and film. He gained acclaim for portraying Cedric Daniels in the HBO crime drama The Wire and later appeared in series such as Fringe and Bosch.

Reddick also played Charon in the John Wick film franchise and voiced characters in video games including Destiny and Horizon Zero Dawn. His sudden death prompted tributes across the entertainment industry.

Actors Who Died in April 2023

Barry Humphries

Barry Humphries
  • Born: February 17, 1934
  • Died: April 22, 2023
  • Nationality: Australian
  • Known for: Dame Edna Everage character
  • Cause of death: Complications following hip surgery

Barry Humphries was an acclaimed Australian comedian, actor, and writer best known for his flamboyant alter ego Dame Edna Everage. The character became an international comedy icon through stage shows, television appearances, and films.

Humphries’ career spanned more than six decades, during which he also created memorable satirical characters such as Sir Les Patterson. His contributions to comedy, theatre, and satire made him one of Australia’s most influential entertainers.

Harry Belafonte

Harry Belafonte
  • Born: March 1, 1927
  • Died: April 25, 2023
  • Nationality: American
  • Known for: Carmen Jones, Island in the Sun
  • Cause of death: Congestive heart failure

Harry Belafonte was an influential American singer, actor, and civil rights activist. Though widely known for popularizing calypso music with songs like “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song),” he also built a respected acting career.

Belafonte appeared in films such as Carmen Jones and Island in the Sun, becoming one of the first Black Hollywood leading men. Beyond entertainment, he played a major role in the U.S. civil rights movement alongside Martin Luther King Jr.

Actors Who Died in May 2023

Andy Smart

Andy Smart
  • Born: June 16, 1959
  • Died: May 16, 2023
  • Nationality: British
  • Known for: Comedy Store Players improvisational comedy
  • Cause of death: Not publicly disclosed

Andy Smart was a respected British comedian and improvisational performer known for his work with the Comedy Store Players in London. His energetic stage presence and quick improvisational wit made him a standout performer in the UK comedy scene.

Smart also appeared in television programs and comedy events, becoming a familiar figure in British live comedy for decades. His death in May 2023 was widely mourned by fellow comedians and audiences.

Lew Palter

Lew Palter
  • Born: November 3, 1928
  • Died: May 21, 2023
  • Nationality: American
  • Known for: Isidor Straus in Titanic
  • Cause of death: Lung cancer

Lew Palter was an American actor and acting teacher known for portraying Isidor Straus in the blockbuster film Titanic (1997). His performance in the film’s emotional farewell scene became one of its most memorable moments.

Palter had a long career in television and theatre, appearing in series such as Columbo, The A-Team, and Charlie’s Angels. He also spent decades teaching acting at the California Institute of the Arts.

Ray Stevenson

Ray Stevenson
  • Born: May 25, 1964
  • Died: May 21, 2023
  • Nationality: British
  • Known for: Rome, Thor, RRR
  • Cause of death: Not publicly disclosed

Ray Stevenson was a versatile British actor known for powerful performances in historical dramas and action films. He gained international recognition for playing Titus Pullo in the HBO series Rome.

Stevenson also appeared in major productions including Marvel’s Thor films, King Arthur, and the Indian epic RRR. His sudden death during filming in Italy shocked fans and colleagues across the global film industry.

Actors Who Died in June 2023

Treat Williams

Treat Williams
  • Born: December 1, 1951
  • Died: June 12, 2023
  • Nationality: American
  • Known for: Hair, Everwood
  • Cause of death: Motorcycle accident injuries

Treat Williams was an American actor with a career spanning film, television, and stage. He rose to fame with the musical film Hair (1979) and later appeared in movies such as Prince of the City and Once Upon a Time in America.

Williams also became widely known to television audiences for his role in the drama series Everwood. His sudden death in a motorcycle accident in Vermont led to tributes from across the entertainment community.

Alan Arkin

Alan Arkin
  • Born: March 26, 1934
  • Died: June 29, 2023
  • Nationality: American
  • Known for: Little Miss Sunshine, Argo
  • Cause of death: Natural causes

Alan Arkin was an Academy Award-winning actor celebrated for his work across film, television, and theatre. He won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Little Miss Sunshine (2006).

Arkin’s career spanned more than seven decades, with notable roles in The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming, Argo, and the Netflix series The Kominsky Method. He was widely respected for his versatility and understated comedic talent.

Actors Who Died in July 2023

Paul Reubens

Paul Reubens
  • Born: August 27, 1952
  • Died: July 30, 2023
  • Nationality: American
  • Known for: Pee-wee Herman
  • Cause of death: Cancer

Paul Reubens was an American actor, comedian, and writer best known for creating the eccentric character Pee-wee Herman. The character gained national fame through Pee-wee’s Playhouse and the film Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.

Reubens’ imaginative style helped shape children’s television in the 1980s and influenced generations of comedians. His death after a private battle with cancer marked the end of an era for fans of the iconic character.

Angus Cloud

Angus Cloud
  • Born: July 10, 1998
  • Died: July 31, 2023
  • Nationality: American
  • Known for: Fezco in Euphoria
  • Cause of death: Accidental drug overdose

Angus Cloud was a rising American actor who gained widespread recognition for playing Fezco in the HBO series Euphoria. Despite having little acting experience before the role, his natural performance quickly earned him a strong fan following.

Cloud also appeared in films and music videos during his brief career. His sudden death at the age of 25 shocked fans and colleagues in the entertainment industry.

Actors Who Died in August 2023

Ron Cephas Jones

Ron Cephas Jones
  • Born: January 8, 1957
  • Died: August 19, 2023
  • Nationality: American
  • Known for: This Is Us
  • Cause of death: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complications

Ron Cephas Jones was an award-winning actor known for portraying William Hill in the television drama This Is Us. His performance earned him two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Guest Actor.

Jones had a long career in theatre, television, and film, appearing in productions such as Mr. Robot and Luke Cage. His work was praised for its emotional depth and authenticity.

Bob Barker

Bob Barker
  • Born: December 12, 1923
  • Died: August 26, 2023
  • Nationality: American
  • Known for: Host of The Price Is Right
  • Cause of death: Alzheimer’s disease complications

Bob Barker was a legendary American television host and media personality. He hosted the game show The Price Is Right from 1972 to 2007, making it the longest-running game show in North American television history.

Barker also hosted Truth or Consequences and became widely known for advocating animal rights. His decades-long television career made him one of the most recognizable personalities in American broadcasting.

Actors Who Died in September 2023

David McCallum

David McCallum
  • Born: September 19, 1933
  • Died: September 25, 2023
  • Nationality: Scottish
  • Known for: NCIS, The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
  • Cause of death: Natural causes

David McCallum was a Scottish actor and musician who gained fame in the 1960s as secret agent Illya Kuryakin in The Man from U.N.C.L.E.. The role made him a major television star of the era.

Later in his career, McCallum became widely known to modern audiences as Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on the long-running CBS series NCIS. His career in film and television lasted more than six decades.

Michael Gambon

Michael Gambon
  • Born: October 19, 1940
  • Died: September 27, 2023
  • Nationality: Irish-British
  • Known for: Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter
  • Cause of death: Pneumonia

Sir Michael Gambon was an acclaimed stage and film actor best known internationally for portraying Professor Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter film series.

Over his long career, Gambon also starred in productions such as The Singing Detective, Gosford Park, and The King’s Speech. His powerful stage performances earned him several prestigious theatre awards.

Actors Who Died in October 2023

Richard Roundtree

Richard Roundtree
  • Born: July 9, 1942
  • Died: October 24, 2023
  • Nationality: American
  • Known for: Shaft
  • Cause of death: Pancreatic cancer

Richard Roundtree was a pioneering American actor who became a cultural icon for his role as detective John Shaft in the 1971 film Shaft. The role made him a leading figure in the blaxploitation film movement.

Roundtree later appeared in numerous films and television series over a career spanning more than five decades.

Matthew Perry

Matthew Perry
  • Born: August 19, 1969
  • Died: October 28, 2023
  • Nationality: American-Canadian
  • Known for: Chandler Bing in Friends
  • Cause of death: Acute effects of ketamine

Matthew Perry was a beloved television actor best known for portraying Chandler Bing in the hit sitcom Friends. His sarcastic humor and emotional performances made the character one of television’s most memorable roles.

Perry later appeared in films and series while also becoming an advocate for addiction recovery.

Actors Who Died in November 2023

Evan Ellingson

Evan Ellingson
  • Born: July 1, 1988
  • Died: November 5, 2023
  • Nationality: American
  • Known for: CSI: Miami, My Sister’s Keeper
  • Cause of death: Accidental fentanyl overdose

Evan Ellingson was an American actor known for television roles including Kyle Harmon in CSI: Miami. He also appeared in the film My Sister’s Keeper.

Ellingson began acting at a young age and worked in both television and film during the early 2000s. His death at age 35 highlighted ongoing concerns about opioid addiction.

Actors Who Died in December 2023

Norman Lear

Norman Lear
  • Born: July 27, 1922
  • Died: December 5, 2023
  • Nationality: American
  • Known for: Creator of All in the Family
  • Cause of death: Cardiac arrest

Norman Lear was a legendary television writer and producer who transformed American sitcoms. He created groundbreaking shows including All in the Family, The Jeffersons, and Maude.

Lear’s work introduced social and political themes into mainstream television comedy and influenced decades of television storytelling.

Ryan O’Neal

Ryan O’Neal
  • Born: April 20, 1941
  • Died: December 8, 2023
  • Nationality: American
  • Known for: Love Story, Barry Lyndon
  • Cause of death: Congestive heart failure

Ryan O’Neal was a major Hollywood star known for his Oscar-nominated role in Love Story. He also appeared in films such as What’s Up, Doc? and Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon.

O’Neal remained active in film and television for decades, maintaining a lasting presence in Hollywood.

Andre Braugher

Andre Braugher
  • Born: July 1, 1962
  • Died: December 11, 2023
  • Nationality: American
  • Known for: Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Homicide: Life on the Street
  • Cause of death: Lung cancer

Andre Braugher was a critically acclaimed actor known for his commanding performances in television dramas and comedies. He won multiple Emmy Awards for his role as Detective Frank Pembleton in Homicide: Life on the Street.

Later, he gained a new generation of fans as Captain Raymond Holt in the comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

Why 2023 Was a Significant Year of Loss in Film & Television

The actors who died in 2023 represented a wide range of entertainment eras:

  • Golden-age Hollywood veterans
  • Emmy-winning television performers
  • Rising streaming-era stars
  • Stage legends and voice actors

Many careers spanned 40–70 years, shaping multiple generations of film and television storytelling.

Editorial Note

This list includes actors whose deaths were confirmed in 2023 through publicly reported sources. Ages, nationalities, and causes of death are included where available from reliable records. The list focuses primarily on performers widely recognized for work in film, television, or theater.

Final Reflection

The actors who died in 2023 leave behind performances that continue to entertain and inspire audiences worldwide. Through unforgettable characters and powerful storytelling, they shaped the cultural landscape of film and television.

Though these artists are gone, their work remains preserved in cinema, television archives, and digital platforms — ensuring their legacy will continue to influence future generations of actors and filmmakers.

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