Obituaries

Betye Saar, influential assemblage artist who 'liberated' Aunt Jemima, dies at 99

Carolina A. Miranda — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 21:30:17 GMT

Assemblage artist Betye Saar, who's known for arming stereotypical images of mammies with deadly weaponry, and has influenced generations of artists, has died.

Former NFL player Jordan Devey, who won Super Bowl with Patriots, dies by suicide at 38

Jasmine Mendez — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 21:55:26 GMT

Former NFL guard Jordan Devey, who won Super Bowl 49 with the New England Patriots, died this week. He was 38.

Clint Reilly, influential California political consultant, dies at 79

Iris Kwok — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:16:54 GMT

Reilly ran successful campaigns for California's most recognizable politicians, including Dianne Feinstein, Barbara Boxer and Nancy Pelosi. He later turned his attention to real estate and local media

Kaylee Hottle, 'Godzilla vs. Kong' actor, dies in car crash at 18

Tracy Brown — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 22:21:56 GMT

Kaylee Hottle, who portrayed Jia in 'Godzilla vs. Kong' and 'Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,' has died in a car crash. She was 18.

John Kirby, beloved celebrity acting coach and Bruce Kirby's son, dies of ALS

Anthony Solorzano — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 20:22:44 GMT

John Kirby, a veteran acting coach whose clients included Jeff Bridges, Jim Caviezel, Cameron Diaz and Hilary Duff, died Wednesday after a three-year battle with ALS. He was 75.

Jennifer Finch, bassist for influential L.A. rock band L7, dead at 59

August Brown — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 05:19:42 GMT

"We are shattered by the loss of our beloved bandmate, sister and friend," L7 said in a statement.

Rudolph Marcus, Caltech chemist who won Nobel Prize, dies at 102

Corinne Purtill, Scott Wilson — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 18:29:30 GMT

He developed formula that upended scientific understanding of how molecules use energy.

Brenda Fricker, Oscar-winning star known for 'My Left Foot' and 'Home Alone 2,' dies at 81

Alexandra Del Rosario — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 17:51:35 GMT

Oscar-winning actor Brenda Fricker, 'Home Alone 2's' Pigeon Lady, died Thursday evening at age 81. She was the first Irish female actor to win an Academy Award.

Kris Jenner's mom, beloved matriarch Mary Jo 'MJ' Shannon, dies at 91

Emily St. Martin — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 23:02:44 GMT

Kris Jenner's mom, the beloved 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians' matriarch Mary Jo 'MJ' Shannon, died Thursday. She was 91.

Hal Williams, 'Sanford and Son' and '227' actor, dies at 91

Tracy Brown — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 22:02:44 GMT

Actor Hal Williams, who portrayed Officer Smitty on 'Sanford and Son' and Lester Jenkins on '227,' has died. He was 91.

Scott Bryce, actor known for 'As the World Turns,' dies at 68

Tracy Brown — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 22:12:51 GMT

Actor Scott Bryce, known as the original Craig Montgomery on soap opera 'As the World Turns,' has died. He was 68.

Tony Fanara, owner of Italian restaurant Palermo and community pillar, dies at 79

Christopher Reynolds — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 17:13:14 GMT

He was known for taking care of people, feeding first responders and city employees amid the Los Angeles riots of 1992, after the Northridge earthquake of 1994 and at the beginning of the pandemic.

Theo Burrell, star of 'Antiques Roadshow' and a cancer research advocate, dies at 39

Emily St. Martin — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 00:27:05 GMT

'Antiques Roadshow' expert Theo Burrell has died at 39, four years after being diagnosed with an incurable, aggressive Grade 4 brain tumor.

Josh Grisetti, Broadway actor also known for 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,' dies at 44

Alexandra Del Rosario — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 20:11:12 GMT

Josh Grisetti, the Broadway actor who charmed audiences with roles in "Something Rotten" and TV's "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," died by suicide. He was 44.

Sam Neill, 'Jurassic Park' actor, dies at 78

Brittany Levine Beckman — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 06:53:08 GMT

Sam Neill, the New Zealand actor known for his roles in 'Jurassic Park,' 'The Piano' and 'Hunt for the Wilderpeople' has died. He was 78.

Academy Award-winning special effects pioneer Don Iwerks dies at 96

Corinne Purtill — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 19:23:17 GMT

The Academy Award-winner created special effects used in Disney films and attractions around the world.

Bonnie Tyler, husky-voiced singer of 'Total Eclipse of the Heart,' dies at 75

Alexandra Del Rosario — Thu, 9 Jul 2026 10:15:22 GMT

Bonnie Tyler, the husky-voiced powerhouse vocalist who delivered memorable and dramatic pop-rock songs including 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' in the 1980s, has died.

George J. Cotliar, managing editor of the Los Angeles Times for 19 years, dies at 94

Emily St. Martin — Thu, 9 Jul 2026 02:36:59 GMT

George J. Cotliar, who served as managing editor of the Los Angeles Times for 19 years, died Monday at his home in Newport Beach. He was 94 years old.

Louise Lasser, star of soapy TV satire 'Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman,' dies at 87

Emily St. Martin — Wed, 8 Jul 2026 03:14:15 GMT

Louise Lasser, the star of the soap opera parody "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman," died at her home in Manhattan on Monday. She was 87.

Billy G. Mills, among first Black politicians elected to L.A. City Council, dies

Melissa Gomez — Sun, 5 Jul 2026 14:53:29 GMT

Billy Gene Mills was elected to the Los Angeles City Council in 1963 and served until 1974. He was also the first Black graduate of the UCLA Law School.

LeRoy Irvin, former Rams cornerback who holds NFL punt return record, dies at 68

Chuck Schilken — Thu, 2 Jul 2026 22:42:50 GMT

LeRoy Irvin, Rams cornerback and special teams standout in the 1980s, has died at 68. He holds the Rams record for non-offensive touchdowns.

Appreciation: L.A.'s ultimate monster: The lesson of Veda Pierce

Shelby Grad — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 18:51:55 GMT

Veda Pierce always had her eye on the bigger house, the fancier car, the richer man. It was a drive that would destroy her life and make her one of the greatest L.A. villains of all time.

Ann Blyth, Oscar nominee for 'Mildred Pierce,' dies at 98

Mark Olsen — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 18:48:14 GMT

Appearing as the amoral daughter of Joan Crawford at only age 17, Blyth in her short film career worked with many top stars of Hollywood's classic era.

'All My Children' actor Paul Avery and wife Sheila killed in house fire

Emily St. Martin — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:57:23 GMT

'All My Children' actor Paul Avery and his wife, Sheila, were killed in a house fire. The two succumbed to smoke inhalation after being rescued from the burning New Jersey home.

Trailblazing Alta California chef Joshua Gil dies at 50

Stephanie Breijo — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 22:13:41 GMT

Chef Joshua Gil, who helmed groundbreaking L.A. restaurants, helped reimagine Mexican cuisine in the city and mentored local chefs, died Monday morning.

Clive Davis, mogul who nurtured musicians from Janis Joplin to Whitney Houston, dies at 94

Nardine Saad — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 15:59:55 GMT

Music mogul Clive Davis, the celebrated producer and label executive who signed and nurtured genre-defining musicians such as Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen and Whitney Houston, has died.

Alan Greenspan, longtime head of the Federal Reserve, dies at 100

Thomas S. Mulligan, Don Lee — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 12:02:44 GMT

Alan Greenspan, the former Federal Reserve Board chairman who presided over a long period of economic stability and prosperity, has died at the age of 100.

James Burrows, prolific comedy director behind 'Cheers' and 'Friends,' dies at 85

Nardine Saad — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 19:26:12 GMT

James Burrows, revered sitcom director who made hits out of 'Taxi,' 'Cheers,' 'Friends' and 'Will & Grace,' has died. He was 85.

Daveigh Chase, former child star of 'Lilo & Stitch,' 'Spirited Away' and 'The Ring,' dead at 35

Alexandra Del Rosario — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 17:21:02 GMT

Daveigh Chase, of 'Lilo & Stitch' and 'The Ring' fame, died of complications of bacterial meningitis and a blood infection, her father confirmed.

Appreciation: Architect Lorcan O'Herlihy rethought urban housing and changed Los Angeles for the better

Sam Lubell — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:31:57 GMT

Architect Lorcan O'Herlihy died Sunday at the age of 66. The LOHA founder changed L.A. for the better — rethinking, among other things, dense urban housing and its relationship to the city.

'Love Island USA' executive producer James Barker dies after 'medical emergency' during filming

Alexandra Del Rosario — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 18:16:59 GMT

The team behind 'Love Island USA' is mourning the loss of executive producer James Barker, who died during filming. He died last week after suffering an 'unexpected medical emergency.' He was 40.

Oliver Tree, musician and Santa Cruz native, dies in helicopter crash

Tony Briscoe, August Brown — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 21:47:04 GMT

The genre-defying singer-songwriter and Santa Cruz native was one of six killed when two helicopters collided Sunday morning in Brazil.

Gene Shalit, beloved and bushy film critic on the 'Today' show, dies at 100

Emily St. Martin — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 02:15:45 GMT

Gene Shalit, the funnyman film critic who captured the hearts of "Today" show viewers across four decades of work, has died. He was 100.

David Hockney, whose art celebrated sun-drenched Los Angeles, dead at 88

Jessica Gelt, Barbara Isenberg — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 12:34:47 GMT

David Hockney, the innovative British artist who celebrated Los Angeles' sun-drenched life and landscapes in colorful, wildly popular paintings, has died.

Bill Cody, the voice of WSM Radio and the Grand Ole Opry, dies at 67

Emily St. Martin — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 05:22:03 GMT

Nashville and beyond is mourning the loss of WSM Radio and Grand Ole Opry host Bill Cody, who died at 67 on Tuesday. In May, his daughter shared that the country music icon had suffered critical organ failure and needed a transplant.

Stacey King, longtime Chicago Bulls announcer and three-time NBA champion, dies at 59

Chuck Schilken — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 16:54:01 GMT

Stacey King, a three-time NBA champion and beloved TV broadcaster with the Chicago Bulls, has died, the team announced Sunday. He was 59. No cause of death has been disclosed.

Anthony Head, British star of 'Ted Lasso,' 'Merlin' and 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer,' dies at 72

Alexandra Del Rosario — Fri, 5 Jun 2026 17:20:17 GMT

British actor Anthony Head, whose decades-long acting career includes roles in 'Ted Lasso' and 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer,' has died. The actor's family announced his death on Friday. He was 72.

Peabo Bryson, R&B singer known for Disney classics, dies at 75

Emily St. Martin — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 23:21:52 GMT

R&B singer Peabo Bryson dies Tuesday in Marietta, Ga., after suffering a stroke over the weekend, according to his familiy.

Owain Rhys Davies, actor who appeared in 'The OA' and 'Twin Peaks: The Return,' dies at 44

Alexandra Del Rosario — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 17:29:08 GMT

Actor Owain Rhys Davies, best known for his appearances in TV series 'The OA' and 'Twin Peaks: The Return,' died suddenly, his family announced Sunday. He was 44.

Marcia Lucas, Oscar-winning film editor of 'Star Wars,' dies at 80

Emily St. Martin — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 06:06:31 GMT

Marcia Lucas, the Oscar-winning film editor of 'Star Wars,' died Wednesday in Rancho Mirage, Calif. She was 80.

Ronald LaPread, Commodores' co-founder and bassist, dies at 75

Katie Simons — Mon, 1 Jun 2026 20:28:21 GMT

Ronald LaPread, bassist on Commodores songs like 'Easy,' 'Three Times a Lady' and 'Brick House,' has died. He was 75.

Reality star Matt Brown of 'Alaskan Bush People' is found dead, family confirms

Samantha Masunaga — Sun, 31 May 2026 22:14:41 GMT

Matt Brown, who starred on the reality series 'Alaskan Bush People,' is found dead in the Okanogan River in Washington state.

Grizz Chapman, '30 Rock' actor who received kidney transplant from a fan, dies at 52

Emily St. Martin — Thu, 28 May 2026 03:06:02 GMT

Grizz Chapman, known for portraying the mild-mannered bodyguard of Tracy Morgan on the NBC megahit '30 Rock,' has died at 52. The actor battled kidney disease for years.

John McClain, co-executor of Michael Jackson estate, dies at 71

Mikael Wood — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:47:07 GMT

The musician and executive also worked with Janet Jackson, Dr. Dre and Lionel Richie.

Pierre Deny, French actor who played a luxury-brand exec in 'Emily in Paris,' dies at 69

Christie D'Zurilla — Wed, 27 May 2026 18:00:08 GMT

Pierre Deny, a French actor who starred as luxury brand executive Louis de Léon on Netflix's 'Emily in Paris' in addition to many other roles, died Monday of ALS at 69.

Sonny Rollins, pioneering jazz saxophonist, dies at 95

Nardine Saad, Don Heckman — Tue, 26 May 2026 02:50:23 GMT

Rollins was one of the last iconic figures of the golden age of post-World War II jazz.

Rob Base, rapper known for 'It Takes Two,' dies at 59

Katie Simons — Fri, 22 May 2026 23:10:02 GMT

Rob Base, rapper known for his collaborations with DJ E-Z Rock, dies at 59 after a battle with cancer.

Ryan Porter, beloved L.A. jazz trombonist and Kendrick Lamar collaborator, dies at 46

August Brown — Fri, 22 May 2026 17:40:26 GMT

Ryan Porter was a central figure in the L.A. jazz scene, performing with Kendrick Lamar and Kamasi Washington, and co-founding the West Coast Get Down.

Kyle Busch, two-time NASCAR Cup winner and 'a giant of the sport,' dies at 41

Chuck Schilken — Thu, 21 May 2026 22:21:30 GMT

Kyle Busch has died. The two-time NASCAR Cup champion, remembered as a 'giant of the sport,' had been hospitalized with what his family described as a 'severe illness.'

Tom Kane, 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars' and 'Powerpuff Girls' voice actor, dies at 64

Tracy Brown — Tue, 19 May 2026 19:31:52 GMT

Tom Kane, a prolific voice actor known for his roles as the narrator on 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars' and Professor Utonium on 'The Powerpuff Girls,' has died.

Filmmaker Brian Lindstrom, known for underdog documentaries, dies at 65

Emily St. Martin — Sat, 16 May 2026 04:00:19 GMT

Brian Lindstrom, the husband of "Wild" author Cheryl Strayed who was known for his underdog documentaries that inspired social change, has died. Just weeks ago, Strayed shared that Lindstrom was diagnosed with a rare neurological disease.

Claudine Longet, the French starlet who fatally shot Olympic skier Spider Sabich, dies at 84

Emily St. Martin — Fri, 15 May 2026 02:59:23 GMT

Claudine Longet has died. The French-born chanteuse and ex-wife of 'Moon River' crooner Andy Williams fatally shot her Olympian boyfriend, skier Vladimir 'Spider' Sabich.

Clarence Carter, blues and soul singer known for hits 'Strokin'' and 'Patches,' dies at 90

Alexandra Del Rosario — Thu, 14 May 2026 20:00:10 GMT

Clarence Carter, the Grammy-nominated blues and soul singer known for the raunchy hit 'Strokin',' which was featured in Eddie Murphy's "The Nutty Professor," has died. He was 90.

Donald Gibb, 'Revenge of the Nerds' and 'Bloodsport' actor, dies at 71

Christie D'Zurilla — Wed, 13 May 2026 17:54:00 GMT

Donald Gibb, an actor known for the 'Bloodsport' and 'Revengue of the Nerds' franchises from the 1980s, has reportedly died at home in Texas. He was 71.

Barry Blaustein, comedy writer known for 'Saturday Night Live' and 'Coming to America,' dies at 71

Emily St. Martin — Wed, 13 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Barry Blaustein, a longtime collaborator with Eddie Murphy and former 'Saturday Night Live' writer who penned 'Coming to America' and 'Nutty Professor,' has died. He was 71.

Jennifer Harmon, 'One Life to Live' and Broadway actor, dies at 82

Tracy Brown — Tue, 12 May 2026 20:55:32 GMT

Jennifer Harmon, soap opera star and Daytime Emmy nominee for 'One Life to Live' who also appeared on Broadway, has died at 82.

Rex Reed, contrarian film critic who perfected the skewering celebrity interview, dies at 87

Christie D'Zurilla — Tue, 12 May 2026 20:15:16 GMT

Rex Reed, who never held back in celebrity interviews and movie reviews, died Tuesday in Manhattan at age 87. He often lamented the lack of quality coming from Hollywood.

Brandon Clarke, Memphis Grizzlies forward and former first-round pick, dies at age 29

Chuck Schilken — Tue, 12 May 2026 19:03:00 GMT

Brandon Clarke, a Memphis Grizzlies forward and a former first-round draft pick, has died at age 29. No cause of death has been disclosed.

Man who died on Mt. Wilson identified as film and TV composer Mark Smythe, 53

Christie D'Zurilla — Mon, 11 May 2026 23:41:33 GMT

Composer Mark Smythe has been identified as the man who died Saturday on Mt. Wilson after a cardiac emergency. His family and peers poured out their hearts in his memory.

René Cárdenas, broadcasting pioneer who was Dodgers' first Spanish-language announcer, dies

Ed Guzman — Mon, 11 May 2026 20:49:45 GMT

René Cárdenas, the first radio announcer to broadcast major league baseball games in Spanish to a domestic audience while with the Dodgers, has died.

Kyle Loftis, street racing media pioneer who founded 1320Video, dies at 43

Chuck Schilken — Thu, 7 May 2026 18:37:33 GMT

Kyle Loftis, who started filming street racing with a point-and-shoot camera and went on to become a pioneer in car culture media with 1320Video, has died at 43.

Ted Turner, CNN creator who revolutionized the media industry, dies at 87

Matt Pearce, Meg James — Wed, 6 May 2026 14:32:06 GMT

Ted Turner, the media mogul who created CNN and revolutionized cable television, has died.

Larry Vein, a voice for hope in the Palisades fire recovery, dies at 61

Noah Haggerty — Tue, 5 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

In the wake of the January 2025 firestorm, Vein's energetic optimism and informational dispatches helped buoy the spirits of a traumatized community.

Former Santana vocalist Alex Ligertwood dies at 79

Carlos De Loera — Sun, 3 May 2026 23:32:43 GMT

Former Santana vocalist Alex Ligertwood died at age 79. His wife and agent confirmed his death in a social media post on Saturday evening.

Roger Sweet, the toymaker behind 'He-Man,' dies at 91

Cerys Davies — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 19:37:21 GMT

Toymaker Roger Sweet died Tuesday. As one of Mattel's longtime designers, Sweet is credited with developing He-Man, which became an emblem of childhood entertainment in the 1980s.

David Allan Coe, controversial 'outlaw country' pioneer, dies at 86

Julius Miller — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:50:08 GMT

David Allan Coe, a prominent figure in the 'outlaw country' music movement who wrote 'Take This Job and Shove It," has died. He was 86.

'Columbo' star Peter Falk's daughter Jackie dies at 60

Christie D'Zurilla — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 22:21:14 GMT

Jacqueline 'Jackie' Falk, the older of 'Columbo' star Peter Falk's two daughters, died Monday by suicide. The family's story is a complicated one.

Josh Mauro, Stanford defensive end who spent most of his NFL career with Arizona, dies at 35

Chuck Schilken — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 20:13:35 GMT

Josh Mauro, a former NFL defensive end for the Cardinals, Giants and Raiders, has died at age 35. No cause of death has been given.

John Seymour, Anaheim mayor and U.S. senator, dies at 88

Gustavo Arellano — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Republican John Seymour, a former Anaheim mayor and state and U.S. senator, died April 18 at his home in Carlsbad. He was 88.