It’s been a year of heavy losses in Hollywood, after fans said goodbye to numerous beloved names in film, television and music. Dolly Parton’s death on Aug. 25 caused an outpouring of grief across the country for the beloved singer, actress and philanthropist. Film and TV fans were devastated by the loss of Robert Duvall, one of cinema’s towering actors who starred in “The Godfather” and “Lonesome Dove.” Action movie icon and TV star Chuck Norris died in March.
In music, Deadheads everywhere were saddened by the loss of singer, songwriter and guitarist Bob Weir, coming just two years after the loss of Phil Lesh. Glen Hansard, Dave Mason and Peabo Bryson were among other notable musicians who died this year. Singer-songwriter-guitarist Bob Weir, a cornerstone of the Grateful Dead and the San Francisco psychedelic band’s many latter-day offshoots for more than half a century, died Jan. 10 after a long battle with cancer and lung issues.
Catherine O’Hara, the two-time Emmy-winning actor who starred in “Home Alone” and “Best in Show” and had an impressive late-career renaissance in “Schitt’s Creek,” died Jan. 30 after a short illness. Demond Wilson, who co-starred with Redd Foxx on popular 1970s sitcom “Sanford and Son,” died Jan. 30 in Palm Springs. Bud Cort, who personified the role of Harold in the 1971 Hal Ashby classic “Harold and Maude,” died Feb. 11 in Connecticut after a long illness.
James Van Der Beek, the actor known for playing Dawson Leery on “Dawson’s Creek” and for numerous other TV and film roles, died Feb. 11. Robert Duvall, who won an Oscar for “Tender Mercies” and was nominated for his roles in films including “The Godfather,” “Apocalypse Now,” and “The Great Santini,” died Feb. 15. Frederick Wiseman, the prolific documentarian behind films like “Titicut Follies,” “At Berkeley,” “National Gallery” and “Ex Libris,” died Feb. 16.
Tom Noonan, an actor and director whose imposing presence made him one of Hollywood’s most memorable screen villains, died on Feb. 14. Eric Dane, best known for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan (aka “McSteamy”) on “Grey’s Anatomy” and as complicated father Cal Jacobs on “Euphoria,” died Feb. 19, his family confirmed.
Chuck Norris, the martial arts champion who became an iconic action star and led the hit series “Walker, Texas Ranger,” died March 19. Nicholas Brendon, who played Xander Harris on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and Kevin Lynch on “Criminal Minds,” died in his sleep on March 20, according to a statement from his family. Valerie Perrine, who was Oscar nominated for best actress for her performance in Bob Fosse’s 1974 Lenny Bruce biopic “Lenny” and appeared prominently in Richard Donner’s “Superman” films as Lex Luthor’s girlfriend Miss Teschmacher, died March 23 in Beverly Hills.
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