The former Saturday Night Live writer and comedian, whose older brother is Dan Aykroyd, died in November. He was 66. Peter's death was announced during an episode of SNL that aired Nov. 20, hosted by Simu Liu, with a title card that read, "Peter Aykroyd 1955-2021." No cause of death has been announced. Like his brother, Peter began his career in the Second City comedy troupe, before joining SNL in 1979. He worked on the late-night series as both a writer and a cast member for one year, and earned an Emmy nomination for outstanding writing in a variety or music program during that time. Peter and Dan worked together in the years that followed, on numerous comedies including Coneheads, Spies Like Us and Dragnet. The Aykroyd brothers also co-wrote the 1991 comedy Nothing but Trouble.

The stand-up comic and actor died on Sept. 14, 2021, after a nine-year private battle with cancer. He was 61. The Canadian-born Macdonald began his career as a writer on Roseanne, a job he held from 1992 to 1993. He went on to appear on SNL from 1993 to 1998. He anchored the show's "Weekend Update" segment for three seasons. Following his SNL stint, Macdonald led his own sitcom, The Norm Show, for three years. Throughout his career, Macdonald appeared in films including Billy Madison, Funny People and Grown Ups, and TV series including Sunnyside, Girlboss and The Middle. He is survived by his 28-year-old son, Dylan Macdonald.

The sketch comedy vet died of a heart attack on Jan. 10, 2017. He was 62. Rosato began his TV comedy career in Canada, when he joined the final season of SCTV. He then joined the cast of SNL during the show's famously troubled 1981-82 season, and left after one year. However, Rosato -- who was born in Naples, Italy -- holds the distinction of being the first SNL cast member who was not born in either the US or Canada.

The veteran TV star and voice actor died July 18, 2015. He was 86. Coe was among the original SNL cast, known as the "Not Ready for Prime Time Players," although he was only credited in the first episode of the show. Coe was nominated for an Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film for directing the short The Dove in 1968. He also voiced the character Woodhouse in the acclaimed animated series Archer up until his death.

The five-time Emmy Award-winning actress died on Dec. 31 at her home in Los Angeles. She was 99 years old. The beloved actress had a career that spanned over eight decades and earned her the Guinness World Record for “Longest TV Career for an Entertainer (Female).” She’s best known for her celebrated roles on some of TV’s most iconic and beloved series including The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Password, The Golden Girls, Hot in Cleveland and many more. White was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960, and after decades on TV, the Daytime Emmys honored White with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. 

The former Mickey Mouse Club member died on Christmas morning after she suffered a cardiac arrest. She was 46. Hale's bandmates and All New Mickey Mouse Club alumni Chasen Hampton and Deedee Magno Hall shared the devastating news on their Instagrams.

"It is with the heaviest of broken hearts that we share the sad news of the passing of our beloved sister, Tiffini Talia Hale," their post began. "Early this month, she suffered a cardiac arrest that resulted in her being left in a coma. After many prayers and with her family by her side, our dearest Tiff took her last breath Christmas morning. She is now resting peacefully."

The legendary sportscaster and football coach died on Dec. 28. He was 85. Madden served as the head coach for the Oakland Raiders for 10 seasons, and led the team to a Super Bowl victory in 1977. After retiring, Madden became a CBS color commentator in 1979 and rose to broadcasting legend status over the course of his TV career until he retired from sportscasting in 2009. He also found success as the front man for the wildly popular sports video game franchise, Madden NFL, which launched in 1988. Madden was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006 for his accomplishments as a coach. He is survived by his wife, Virginia, and two his sons, Joseph and Michael.

The critically acclaimed director passed away suddenly on Dec. 26, at his cabin outside of Quebec City, Canada. He was 58. No cause of death was immediately known. “Jean-Marc stood for creativity, authenticity and trying things differently. He was a  true artist and a generous, loving guy," Vallée's producing partner, Nathan Ross, told ET. "Everyone who worked with him couldn’t help but see the talent and vision he possessed. He was a friend, creative partner and an older brother to me. The maestro will sorely be missed but it comforts knowing his beautiful style and impactful work he shared with the world will live on.” Vallée's breakout feature film was C.R.A.Z.Y., which he wrote and directed. Vallée got his start directing music videos and his breakthrough film success came with 2013’s Dallas Buyers Club starring Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto, which won three Oscars and earned him a nomination for film editing. He followed that up the next year with Wild, starring Reese Witherspoon. Vallée also made a name for himself in television, directing the hits series Big Little Lies and Sharp Objects, the former of which earned him an Emmy for both directing and for Outstanding Limited Series. Vallée is survived by his sons, Alex and Émile, and siblings Marie-Josée Vallée, Stéphanie Tousignant and Gérald Vallée.

The South African cleric and anti-apartheid activist died at the Oasis Frail Care Centre in Cape Town, South Africa, on Dec. 26. He was 90. "Tutu was a living embodiment of faith in action, speaking boldly against racism, injustice, corruption, and oppression, not just in apartheid South Africa but wherever in the world he saw wrongdoing, especially when it impacted the most vulnerable and voiceless in society," a statement from the Desmond & Leah Legacy Foundation shared, in confirming the news of his passing. "While Tutu was first and always an Anglican priest who made no secret of his deep dependence on the inner life of disciplined prayer, his faith burst the confines of denomination and religion, joyfully embracing all who shared his passion for justice and love. People of all faiths and no faith together christened him fondly as simply ‘The Arch.'" Tutu spent six decades actively pushing for the end of apartheid in his native of South Africa. Shortly after the end of apartheid in 1990, the then President, Nelson Mandela appointed Tutu as the chair of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Throughout his life he was honored with many prestigious accolades. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama and one of his highest honors came when he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. Tutu is survived by his wife Nomalizo Leah Tutu, siblings Trevor Thamsanqa Tutu, Naomi Nontombi Tutu, Theresa Thandeka Tutu, Mpho Tutu van Furth and their families.

The groundbreaking American writer and journalist died at her home in Manhattan on Dec. 23, after a battle with Parkinson's disease. She was 87. Didion began her career in the '60s, when she won a Vogue magazine essay contest. The University of California, Berkeley graduate went on to publish five novels and six screenplays. She won the National Book Award for Nonfiction in 2005 and was a finalist for both the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Biography/Autobiography for her book, The Year of Magical Thinking. Didion was also known for covering the Hollywood lifestyle, as well as her political writing. She was the subject of a 2017 Netflix documentary, Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold, about her life and work. Most recently, she published Let Me Tell You What I Mean, a collection of 12 essays she wrote between 1968 and 2000.

The British actor, who was best known for his parts in James Bond's For Your Eyes Only (1981) and Lawrence of Arabia (1962), died on Dec. 11. He was 92 years old. The Times reported that a he died after a "short illness bravely borne" and that at his request, there will be no funeral. Aside from his film work, Hedley was featured in multiple British television shows, including The World of Tim Frazer, The Saint, Gideon's Way, Softly, Softly, Dixon of Dock Green, The Buccaneers and Who Pays the Ferryman? to name a few.

 

The British actress, who was best known for starring in the 1968 musical film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang with Dick Van Dyke, died on Dec. 19. She was 91 years old. Her nephew, Toby Howes, confirmed her death, tweeting, "I can also confirm the passing of my beloved Aunty Sally Ann Howes who died peacefully in her sleep yesterday. My brother & I thought Sally Ann might hold on until the Christmas screening of 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' as this would have greatly appealed to her mischievous side." Aside from her numerous film and TV credits, Howes had an impressive career in theater, starring in My Fair Lady and landing a part in Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music at the New York City Opera in 1990. Her career spanned over six decades.

 

The rapper, best known for tracks like "Talk to Me" and "Risky," died on Dec. 18, after being stabbed backstage at the Once Upon a Time in L.A. concert, where he was set to perform. He was 28. Scott Jawson, a publicist for Drakeo, confirmed the tragic news to ET on Dec. 19. According to the L.A. Fire Department, paramedics responded to reports of stabbing at the stadium in Exposition Park around 8:40 p.m. The man, later identified as the L.A. based rapper, was transported to the hospital where he was reported to be in critical condition. Drakeo, whose real name is Darrell Caldwell, later died from his injuries, according to law enforcement sources. His death was met with an outpouring of tributes and condolences from other artists include Drake, Saweetie, Snoop Dogg and many others.

The famed entertainment manager and producer died at his home in Brentwood, California, on Dec. 14. He was 85. Throughout his long career, Kragen was a personal manager and close friend to some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Kenny Rogers, Lionel Richie, Olivia Newton-John, Burt Reynolds, The Bee Gees, Trisha Yearwood, The Smothers Brothers and many others. Kragen also worked as a producer on many film and TV projects including the legendary Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, as well as Kenny Rogers' Gambler films. Kragen was also a devoted humanitarian with ambitious aspirations for helping the world through entertainment. He was responsible for organizing and securing talent for the iconic We Are the World album in 1985, and for organizing the famous Hands Across America charity fundraising event in 1986. For his efforts, Kragen was awarded the United Nation’s Peace Medal, becoming one of only a select few private individuals to be awarded the prestigious honor.

The bestselling horror author died due to complications from a stroke on Dec. 11. She was 80. Rice's son, Christopher, confirmed the sad news in a post shared to Facebook. Rice was best known for her book series The Vampire Chronicles whose first installment, the 1976 novel Interview With the Vampire, was turned into the 1994 hit film of the same name, starring Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Kirsten Dunst. In June, AMC announced that the film was getting the TV treatment and is going to be turned into a TV series for its streaming service, AMC+. The upcoming Interview With the Vampire series, which will consist of an eight-episode first season, is set to premiere in 2022. Rice went on to pen several more volumes in The Vampire Chronicles, including the 13th and last book of the series, Blood Communion: A Tale of Prince Lestat, which was released in 2018. Rice is also known for the books The Feast of All Saints -- which was adapted into a 2001 Showtime miniseries -- and Cry to Heaven, plus three erotic novels.

The longtime singer/guitarist of The Monkees died on Dec. 10. He was 78. The Monkees -- comprised of Nesmith, Davy Jones, Peter Tork and Micky Dolenz -- formed in 1965 specifically for a TV audience. Their formation was a counter to The Beatles' popular musical comedies, A Hard Day's Night and Help! The Monkees would eventually hit the air in 1966 on NBC, and it was an instant success. The show lasted only two seasons but, in that short time, it earned critical acclaim after scoring an Emmy in 1967 for Outstanding Comedy Series. The Monkees' TV success laid the groundwork to their ultimate stardom on the radio. The Monkees would later split in 1971. The group reunited in 2012 after Jones died. The band had previously reunited, but not with Nesmith in the fold. Tork died in 2019. The band was forced to postpone the last four dates of their 2018 tour after Nesmith underwent quadruple bypass heart surgery. Nesmith's final show was on Nov. 14. Nesmith and Dolenz, now the lone surviving member, appeared together at the Greek Theatre in L.A. They were slated to perform on a cruise in early 2022, which was supposed to mark their true and final performance together. Nesmith, who served two years in the Air Force, is survived by his three sons and a daughter.

The former Senate majority leader and former Republican presidential candidate died in his sleep on the morning of Dec. 5. He was 98. Dole had been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in February. "It is with heavy hearts we announce that Senator Robert Joseph Dole died early this morning in his sleep. At his death, at age 98, he had served the United States of America faithfully for 79 years," the Elizabeth Dole Foundation announced on Twitter. When Dole became the Republican presidential nominee in 1996, it was the high point of more than a half-century in the national spotlight as a congressman, senator, vice-presidential candidate, two runs for the presidency, national chair of the Republican Party and longtime leader of Senate Republicans. Dole was the last of the presidential candidates who served in World War II, and in the '96 campaign he offered himself as a link to the so-called Greatest Generation and another, better time. Dole received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1997 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2018 for his lifelong dedication to public service.

The celebrated film and TV producer died on Dec. 4 after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 67. The widow of the late iconic producer Dino De Laurentiis, Martha was a major producing force throughout her own career, with credits including Unforgettable, Breakdown, U-571, The Last Legion, Hannibal, Red Dragon, Hannibal Rising and the Hannibal TV series. Her most recent credit comes as an executive producer on the forthcoming remark of Stephen King's Firestarter, which is currently in post-production.

The artistic director for Louis Vuitton and Off-White founder died after a private two-year battle with cancer on Nov. 28. He was 41. Abloh's family revealed that the designer was battling a "rare, aggressive" form of cancer, cardiac angiosarcoma. The family noted that Abloh chose to keep his diagnosis private while he continued his work in the world of fashion. Abloh founded the street wear label, Off-White, and served as Kanye West’s longtime creative director before becoming Louis Vuitton's first Black artistic director in 2018, and one of the few Black designers at the helm of the French design house.

The Broadway legend behind shows like Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd, Company and more died on Nov. 26. He was 91. Sondheim's lawyer and friend, F. Richard Pappas, announced the death to the New York Times, noting that Sondheim died early in the morning at his home in Roxbury, Connecticut. One of the most lauded and central figures in 20th century American theater, Sondheim, who was born in New York City in 1930, was the composer and lyricist best known for Broadway hits A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1962), Company (1970), Follies (1971), A Little Night Music (1973), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1979), Sunday in the Park with George (1984), and Into the Woods (1987). He also wrote the lyrics for West Side Story (1957) and Gypsy (1959). Sondheim was awarded nine Tony Awards (including a Lifetime Achievement Tony in 2008), an Academy Award, eight GRAMMY Awards, a Pulitzer Prize, a Laurence Olivier Award, and a 2015 Presidential Medal of Freedom. He is survived by his husband, Jeffrey Romley, and a half brother, Walter Sondheim.

The actor, who was best known for his role of Howard Epps on Bones, died on Nov. 13. He was 41. "We are truly devastated at the loss of our beloved Heath Freeman. A brilliant human being with an intense and soulful spirit, he leaves us with an indelible imprint in our hearts," Freeman's team told ET in a statement. "His life was filled with deep loyalty, affection, and generosity towards his family and friends, and an extraordinary zest for life." Freeman's first acting credit came in 2001 on ER. Throughout his career, he appeared on shows including NCIS, Without a Trace and Raising the Bar. Freeman was most recently seen in the film The Outlaw Johnny Black, which was released on Nov. 3. He was next set to appear in Devil's Fruit and Terror on the Prairie.

The drummer and co-founder of The Moody Blues died at age 80, the band's frontman, Justin Hayward, confirmed on Nov. 11. 

Bassist John Lodge also paid homage to Edge on the band's Facebook page, and praised his spoken word talents. "To me he was the White Eagle of the North with his beautiful poetry," he said. "His friendship, his love of life and his 'unique' style of drumming that was the engine room of the Moody Blues. ...I will miss you Graeme."

The groundbreaking political commentator and comedian died on Oct. 26, at his home in Mill Valley, California. He was 94. Sahl is widely regarded as one of the originators of modern stand-up comedy, and influenced many generations of comedy icons with his politically charged social commentary that took aim at government and authority figures. Sahl also broke ground when it came to live events and recordings. He was the first stand-up to record a comedy album, the first comedian to ever win a GRAMMY, and was the first comic to ever appear on the cover of Time magazine.

The actor, best known for his role on Friends, died on Oct 24. He was 59. The actor died peacefully at his home in Los Angeles after a battle with stage 4 prostate cancer, his rep confirmed in a statement to ET. "Michael loved live music, cheering on his Clemson Tigers, and would often find himself in fun and unplanned adventures. If you met him once you made a friend for life," the statement shared. Tyler is best known for his role as Gunther on Friends, a manager at Central Perk coffee shop where the show's titular friends spend most of their time when not in their apartments. He appeared in 150 episodes of the beloved sitcom. Tyler was first diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018, and went on the Today show this past June to open up about his diagnosis and to encourage others to get tested as early and regularly as possible. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Carno.

The actor, best known for his role on the HBO prison drama Oz, died on Oct. 10, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Granville's first acting role came playing Detective Jeff Westby on the police procedural Homicide: Life of the Street. He was later cast in his most famous role, playing Zahir Arif on Oz from 1997 to 2003. His final screen role came in 2011 in the indie drama Magic City Memoirs. After appearing to first publicly announce his cancer diagnosis in December, several of his famous friends and former TV co-stars launched a GoFundMe Page in February to help support him financially through his cancer battle. Several friends, including Dean Winters, Kirk Acevedo, and Oz showrunner Tom Fontana, took to Instagram to pay tribute to him after his death.

 

The actor and comedian's rep confirmed the news of his death to ET on Sept. 20 "with great sadness." Johnson was 55. "He has left with us amazing memories of his laughter, dynamic acting skills, but most of all his enormous personality and heart of gold," Johnson's rep said in part in a statement to ET. "We will be in constant prayer for his entire family including his wife Lexis, 3 children, brother Edward 'Peanut' Smith, sister Sheila, and lifetime manager and friend Mike D." Johnson's first film came in 1990, when he landed the role of E.Z.E. in House Party. Perhaps his best-known project, the role of Ezal in Friday, followed three years later. Throughout his career, Johnson appeared on TV shows including Martin and The Jamie Foxx Show, as well as in movies including Panther and How to Be a Player. Prior to his death, he had completed filming on a TV movie, The Way Men Think, and was next set to appear in two films, I Want It All and Caught Up In.

The Saturday Night Live alum died on Sept. 14, his manager confirmed to ET. Macdonald's death came after a nine-year, private battle with cancer, his management firm, Brillstein Entertainment, told Deadline. Lori Jo Hoekstra, Macdonald's longtime producing partner and friend, was with the comedian when he died, and told the outlet that, though Macdonald had been battling cancer for nearly a decade, he was determined to keep his health struggles private, and away from his family, friends and fans. "He was most proud of his comedy," Hoekstra said. "He never wanted the diagnosis to affect the way the audience or any of his loved ones saw him. Norm was a pure comic. He once wrote that 'a joke should catch someone by surprise, it should never pander.' He certainly never pandered. Norm will be missed terribly." 



The Canadian-born Macdonald began his career as a writer on Roseanne, a job he held from 1992 to 1993. He went on to appear on SNL from 1993 to 1998. He anchored the show's "Weekend Update" segment for three seasons. Following his SNL stint, Macdonald led his own sitcom, The Norm Show, for three years. Throughout his career, Macdonald appeared in films including Billy Madison, Funny People and Grown Ups, and on TV series like Sunnyside, Girlboss and The Middle. He is survived by his 28-year-old son, Dylan Macdonald.

The celebrated actor, best known for his roles on The Wire and Boardwalk Empire, died on Sept. 6. He was 54. Williams' rep confirmed the tragic news in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, sharing, "It is with deep sorrow that the family announces the passing of Emmy nominated actor Michael Kenneth Williams. They ask for your privacy while grieving this unsurmountable loss." Williams was found dead in the living room of his Brooklyn apartment by his nephew. Drug paraphernalia was also found in Williams' apartment, and the NYPD told the Associated Press that his death is being investigated as a possible drug overdose. The five-time Emmy-nominated actor is currently nominated for a 2021 Emmy Award for Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for playing Montrose Freeman on HBO's Lovecraft Country. Williams became famous for his role as Omar Little on the cult-classic TV series The Wire, and as Chalky White on Boardwalk Empire. Additional acting credits include When They See Us, Hap and Leonard, The Night Of, Community, CSI, Law & Order, Walk This Way, Ghostbusters and Triple 9, among many others.

The Girls Aloud singer died after a battle with breast cancer, her mom shared on her Instagram on Sept. 5. She was 39. "It’s with deep heartbreak that today I’m sharing the news that my beautiful daughter Sarah has sadly passed away," Harding's mom, Marie, wrote in part. "Many of you will know of Sarah’s battle with cancer and that she fought so strongly from her diagnosis until her last day. She slipped away peacefully this morning." 

Harding rose to fame as part of Girls Aloud, winning Popstars: The Rivals in 2002 alongside Cheryl Cole, Nicola Roberts, Nadine Coyle and Kimberley Walsh. She first revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer in August 2020, sharing in her memoir, Hear Me Out, that she thought the strap of her guitar had "probably irritated an area around my breast." The Celebrity Big Brother alum ended up undergoing chemotherapy and a mastectomy. 

The legendary Today show weatherman has died. He was 87. Al Roker confirmed Scott's death on Sept. 4 by paying tribute to his former Today colleague on his Instagram. Roker shared a slideshow filled with photos of him and his "second dad." "We lost a beloved member of our @todayshow family this morning. Willard Scott passed peacefully at the age of 87 surrounded by family, including his daughters Sally and Mary and his lovely wife, Paris," Roker wrote. "He was truly my second dad and am where I am today because of his generous spirit. Willard was a man of his times, the ultimate broadcaster. There will never be anyone quite like him."

Scott began his career in broadcast in the 1950s after graduating from American University in Washington. In 1955 he hosted "Joy Boys" radio on the NBC station WRC until it ended in 1974. In the '60s he also hosted children's TV shows, playing a range of characters including Bozo the Clown, as well as was the first person to play Ronald McDonald. Scott then joined Today in 1980 and was best known for wishing happy birthday to viewers turning 100. He delighted fans by doing forecasts on the road and dressing up for special events. The beloved TV personality passed his weatherman duties over to Roker in the '90s. In 1985, President Ronald Reagan awarded Scott a Private Sector Award for Public Service. After a 35-year career on Today and 65 years with NBC, Scott announced his retirement in December 2015.

The beloved Bollywood actor died after suffering from a heart attack in Mumbai, the BBC reported. He was 40. While his doctor clarified to the BBC that his exact cause of death was not yet known, the doctor confirmed that Shukla was already dead from the heart attack by the time he was transported to the hospital on Sept. 2. Shukla starred in a number of hit TV shows and Bollywood films, making his television debut with Babul Ka Aangann Chootey Na in 2008. In 2014, he stepped onto the Bollywood scene with Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania. He also dabbled in the world of reality television, winning the 13th season of the popular Indian reality TV show Bigg Boss, a Big Brother spinoff, in 2019 and Khataron ke Khiladi, India's version of Fear Factor. He later hosted a few of his own shows, including Savdhaan India and India's Got Talent.

Constantine, known for his role as Gus in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, has died. He was 94. The beloved actor died on August 31 of natural causes, Constantine's agent confirmed the news to multiple outlets. The Nia Vardalos-written romantic comedy -- which is the highest-grossing rom-com of all time -- was released in 2002, with Constantine making audiences laugh and smile as the Portokalos patriarch. He reprised his role as the Windex-toting father in the sequel, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, as well as the short-lived CBS series, My Big Fat Greek Life. With over 180 credits to his name, Constantine began his acting career in New York stages in the mid-1950s. He starred as Seymour Kaufman in Room 22 from 1969 until 1974. The role earned him a Best Supporting Actor Emmy win in 1970.

The beloved, seven-time Emmy-winning actor, best known for his role on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, died surrounded by family at his home in Tarzana, California, on Aug. 29. He was 91. Asner was a former president of the Screen Actors Guild who enjoyed a career of more than 60 years. Asner made his TV debut in the 1957 Emmy-winning TV series Studio One in Hollywood in 1957. From there, he went on to make his Broadway debut in the 1960 production of Face of a Hero alongside Jack Lemmon. His early acting credits including appearing on The Outer Limits, The Alfred Hitchock Hour, The Eleventh Hour, The Fugitive, Gunsmoke, and The Untouchables, before he scored the coveted multi-Emmy winning role as Lou Grant on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, which debuted in 1970. After seven seasons and 29 Primetime Emmys, The Mary Tyler Moore show came to an end in 1977. The series produced the spin-offs, Phyllis, starring Cloris Leachman, Rhoda, starring Valerie Harper, and Lou Grant, starring Asner. His acting career continued into the final years of his life, with iconic roles in TV shows and films, including Elf, Up, The Practice, Cobra Kai, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, and American Dad! among his hundreds of acting credits.

The child star known for his role in Our Idiot Brother was been found dead after being reported missing from Millersville University. He was 19. Millersville University President Daniel A. Wubah confirmed Mindler's death in a statement released on Aug. 28, saying, "It is with a grieving heart that I let you know of the death of 19-year-old Matthew Mindler from Hellertown, Pennsylvania, a first-year student at Millersville University. Our thoughts of comfort and peace are with his friends and family during this difficult time. A search had been underway for Matthew since Thursday, after he was reported missing." Mindler's first acting credit was in a 2009 episode of As the World Turns. He also had a role in Bereavement, appeared on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Chad: An American Boy and the short film Frequency. He played Emily Mortimer and Steve Coogan's son in the 2011 comedy-drama Our Idiot Brother. His last acting credit was in 2016.

The celebrated Rolling Stones drummer died on Aug. 24, in a hospital in London, England, surrounded by his family. He was 80. "It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Charlie Watts," a statement from his spokesperson read. "Charlie was a cherished husband, father and grandfather and also as a member of The Rolling Stones one of the greatest drummers of his generation." Watts had been a member of the Rolling Stones since 1963, when he joined Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Brian Jones. He had dealt with health issues in the past. He battled throat cancer in 2004, and the cancer had gone into remission. On Aug. 5, he dropped out of the resumption of the Rolling Stones' No Filter Tour due to rehabilitation from an unspecified surgery and was replaced by Steve Jordan. He is survived by his wife, Shirley, daughter Seraphina and his granddaughter, Charlotte.

 

The former NHL player died on Aug. 23. He was 31. The cause of death has not yet been made public. According to ESPN, Hayes is survived by his wife, Kristen, and two sons. Hayes was selected in the second round with the 60th pick in the 2008 NHL Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Massachusetts native tallied 109 points (54 goals and 55 assists) in his NHL career, which included time with the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers and New Jersey Devils. His best season came with the Panthers in 2014-15, when he scored 19 goals in 72 games. Hayes last played hockey during the 2018-19 season for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, which are the AHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Before reaching the NHL, Hayes was a standout at Boston College. In the 2009-10 season as a sophomore, he scored 13 goals, recorded 22 assists and helped the team win a national championship. That Boston College team won the Frozen Four Final against Wisconsin.

The actor, who was best known for roles on Dynasty and All My Children, died on Aug. 23, ET confirmed. He was 76. Nader died at his home in Northern California from an untreatable form of cancer, with his wife, Jodi Lister, and his rescue dog, Storm, by his side. Lister confirmed Nader's death in a statement to Michael Fairman TV, saying, "With heavy heart, I’m sharing the news of the passing of my beloved, Michael. We had 18 wonderful years together with the many dogs we fostered and adopted." Nader's career began in the 1960s, with roles in movies including Beach Party and How to Stuff a Wild Bikini. He went on to appear on TV shows including Gidget, As the World Turns and Magnum, P.I. He next landed a recurring role on Bare Essence, which was followed by lengthy stints on Dynasty and All My Children, and most recently appeared on Prospect Park's online revival of All My Children in 2013. Nader is survived by Lister, and his daughter, Lindsay Nader.

The musician, the last surviving member of the Everly Brothers, died at his home in Nashville on Aug. 21, according to multiple reports. He was 84. "Don lived by what he felt in his heart," Everly's family said in a statement to ET. "Don expressed his appreciation for the ability to live his dreams ... living in love with his soulmate and wife, Adela, and sharing the music that made him an Everly Brother. Don always expressed how grateful he was for his fans. Everly and his younger brother Phil, who died in 2014 at age 74, were rock n' roll pioneers. Their harmonies and country roots set them apart, and in 1986, they were one of the first artists to be inaugurated in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, alongside Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis. Everly is survived by his mother, Margaret; his wife, Adela; his son, Edan; and his daughters Venetia, Stacy and Erin. 

The "I Love" singer died at his Franklin, Tennessee, home on Friday, Aug. 20, his son Dean Hall confirmed the news on social media.

"With great sadness, my father, Tom T. Hall, died this morning at his home in Franklin, Tennessee. Our family asks for privacy during this difficult time," Dean wrote in Twitter.

Dubbed "The Storyteller" by Country Music Hall of Fame member Tex Ritter for "writing songs distinguished by their narrative quality, their rich detail and their keen insight into the beauty of everyday life," per Country Music Association, who also confirmed his death.

The martial arts legend and star of Kill Bill has died. He was 82. The actor and martial artist died in mid-August from complications from COVID-19, ET confirmed. Chiba's career in film and television began in the 1960s and spanned five decades. Chiba has appeared in countless Japanese films and several popular American movies, such as Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill: Volume 1 in which he played Hattori Hanzo, a retired swordsman and owner of a sushi restaurant who crafts a blade for Uma Thurman’s character. He also had roles in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, The Bullet Train and more. In many of his projects, he showcased his expert martial arts skills, and even went on to choreograph fight scenes later in his career. Born Sadaho Maeda in Fukuoka, Japan, on Jan. 22, 1939, Chiba  began learning martial arts while at Nippon Sport Science University in 1957 and earned a first-degree black belt. In 1984, he received a fourth-degree black belt. He also held black belts in ninjutsu, shorinji kempo, judo, kendo and goju-ryu karate.

The screen star of Hollywood's Golden Age died in Burbank, California, on Aug. 7, surrounded by her loved ones. She was 95. Withers' film career began in the early 1930s, with her first big break coming in 1934's Bright Eyes, when she was just 8 years old, starring opposite Shirley Temple. The following year -- after signing a seven-year contract with Fox Films -- Withers landed her first starring role in Ginger, and appeared in three to five movies every year as part of her contract throughout the rest of the decade. She retired early at the age of 21, in 1947, and later returned to acting in 1956, when she appeared in Giant, opposite James Dean. Following Giant, Withers returned to acting regularly, landing many roles in movies and on TV. One of her most enduring parts came when she was cast as Josephine the Plumber in a popular series of Comet Cleaner commercials in 1960, the same year she received her own star on the Walk of Fame. She is survived by four children from her two marriages.

The celebrated comic, and co-founder of the Whitest Kids U Know sketch group, died following an accident at his home on Aug. 6. He was 41. In 1999, Moore started Whitest Kids U Know with Zach Cregger and Sam Brown at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Timmy Williams and Darren Trumeter later joined the group. From 2007 to 2011, the TV program of the same name ran for five seasons on IFC, and the group is still active, posting regularly on Twitch and YouTube. Moore is survived by his wife, Aimee Carlson, and his son, August.

The celebrated TV star died on Aug. 7, after battling cancer for almost four years. She was 70. Post started her acting career in the late '70s with more than 75 credits to her name. She is best known for her recurring role as Terri Michaels in the series The Fall Guy, and for her role as Christine Sullivan on the series Night Court. She played Mary's mom in the hit 1998 comedy There's Something About Mary alongside Cameron Diaz and had a recurring role on Chicago P.D. as Barbara "Bunny" Fletcher. Post is survived by her husband, Michael A. Ross, daughters, Kate Armstrong Ross and Daisy Schoenborn, and her 5-month-old granddaughter.

The veteran soap opera star died on July 29, at his home in Idaho, while filming a scene for his upcoming movie, Treasure Valley. He was 60. Pickett's rep, Marc Chancer, confirmed the news to ET on Sunday, sharing, "Jay was shooting a film that he wrote and was producing and collapsed on set and couldn’t be revived. I’m totally in shock and devastated. He was not only a client, but he was also a close personal friend. Possibly one of the nicest humans it’s ever been my privilege to know." 

Pickett began his screen acting career in the late 1980s, with small roles on numerous TV shows and movies. He entered the world of soap operas in 1991, with a recurring role on Days of Our Lives that lasted one year. Pickett joined the cast of Port Charles as Frank Scanlon in its premiere in 1997, and stayed on the show for 762 episodes until its cancellation in 2003. He then joined the cast of General Hospital in 2006 as Det. David Harper, where he appeared until 2008. He is survived by his wife of nearly 35 years, Elena, as well as their three children.

Mike Howe, the lead singer for the heavy metal band Metal Church, died on July 26. He was 55. The band's official Facebook page made the announcement, revealing that the "true legend of heavy metal music" passed away at his home in California, on Monday morning. "It is with our deepest regrets that we must announce the passing of our brother, our friend and true legend of heavy metal music. Mike Howe passed away this morning at his home in California," the announcement read. "We are devastated and at a loss for words. Please respect our privacy and the Howe family’s privacy during this most difficult time." Led by Kurdt Vanderhoof, Metal Church was formed in 1980 and has been considered a major influence in the world of  thrash metal. The band has released 12 studio albums and counted over 20 members, past and present. Howe first joined the band in 1988, replacing then-singer David Wayne. Howe stepped away from the band in 1996, effectively breaking up the group. He later rejoined the band in 2015, and they went on to put out two new full-length albums and a slew of new tracks, B-sides and covers.

The legendary guitarist, best known for playing in the glam metal group Cinderella, died on July 14. He was 58. Bandmates Tom Keifer, Eric Brittingham and Fred Coury paid tribute to LaBar in a statement, sharing, "Heavy hearts cannot begin to describe the feeling of losing our brother Jeff. The bond between us over decades of creating music and touring the world is something that we as a band uniquely shared. Those memories with Jeff will be forever alive in our hearts. It’s unimaginable that one of our band brothers has left us... Jeff’s memory and music will be with us forever." LaBar joined Cinderella in 1985 (replacing original guitarist Michael Schermick), and played with the band until they went on hiatus in 1995. He later returned to tour with the group -- best known for hits like "Nobody’s Fool" and "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)" -- for multiple reunions over the next two decades. LaBar released his debut solo album, One for the Road, in 2014. A cause of death has yet to be released. LaBar is survived by his wife, Debinique, and his son, Sebastian.

The WWE Hall of Famer, known by the stage name Mr. Wonderful, died on July 12. He was 71. His son, Travis Orndorff, shared the news on Instagram, writing, "It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr. . He is better known as “Mr. #1derful” Paul Orndorff. Most of you will remember him for his physique. Many will remember his intensity. But if I could only get you to understand and see his heart. He will always be Pop, Paw Paw, and Daddy at home. And as much as many of you hated him as a wrestler, he absolutely loved you for it. He was an amazing father that showed me more love than I ever deserved. I love you Daddy." Orndorff began his wrestling career in the 1970s, and went on to sign with the WWF in 1983, where he was eventually managed by Roddy Piper and given the "Mr. Wonderful" nickname. Orndorff was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.

The veteran TV actor died on July 11, due to cardiac arrest and a battle with cancer. He was 75. Robinson's career lasted over 50 years with roles both on television and on stage. His first film role came in Jack Nicholson's 1971 directorial debut, Drive, He Said. The same year, Robinson was cast in his first TV role, with a part on Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law. His most iconic role came in 1984, playing the court clerk Mac Robinson in the second season of the iconic sitcom Night Court. It was a part he played for 180 episodes, throughout the show's 9 season run. Robinson is survived by his wife, Dolorita, and his children -- Luca, Charlie, Christian, and Byron -- as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.