Obituaries

Rosalind Ashford, original Martha and the Vandellas singer, dies at 83

Emily St. Martin — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 03:07:09 GMT

Rosalind Ashford, the soprano behind Motown hits including "Dancing in the Street" and "Heat Wave," has died. She was 83.

LeRoy Chatfield, lifelong public servant who championed marginalized communities, dies at 92

Priscella Vega — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:58:47 GMT

LeRoy Chatfield weaved seamlessly through movements, acting as a key player in the United Farm Workers union, serving in Gov. Jerry Brown's administration, and helping secure safe spaces for Sacramento's homeless community.

Peter Max, pop artist known for his colorful psychedelic style, dies at 88

Tracy Brown — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 22:12:19 GMT

Peter Max, the pop artist and hippie icon who helped define the colorful psychedelic style of the 1960s, has died. He was 88.

Brian Wolfe, a former Servite standout who pitched for the Blue Jays, dies at 45

Chuck Schilken — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:29:41 GMT

Former Servite High pitching standout Brian Wolfe, who appeared in 72 games over three seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, has died at 45, his wife said Tuesday on Facebook.

Byron Sher, an uncomfortable politician who left an indelible mark on California's environment, dies at 98

Dan Morain — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 20:15:00 GMT

Byron Sher, a Stanford law professor-turned California legislator who wrote some of the state's most far-reaching environmental laws, died Saturday. He was 98.

Charles Manson's 'right-hand man,' Bruce Davis, dies in prison at 83

Richard Winton, James Queally — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 17:41:34 GMT

Although he was not involved in Manson's most infamous murders — including the slayings of Sharon Tate and four others — Davis was convicted in two other killings. He was found suitable for parole eight times, but his release was blocked repeatedly by California governors.

Lucien Smith, multidisciplinary artist and art world fixture of the 2010s, dies at 37

Emily St. Martin — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 06:38:29 GMT

Multidisciplinary artist Lucien Smith, celebrated for his iconic 'Rain Paintings' and 'Pie Paintings,' has died at 37.

Longtime film academy chief executive Bruce Davis dies at 83

Glenn Whipp — Wed, 9 Sep 2026 17:30:35 GMT

Bruce Davis was Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences CEO from 1989 to 2011, leading it through a sizable expansion of staff and setting up its film archive at the Pickford Center.

Wrestling legend 'Superstar' Bill Dundee dies at 82

Jasmine Mendez — Mon, 7 Sep 2026 00:08:17 GMT

Memphis wrestling legend "Superstar" Bill Dundee, known for his 50-year career and rivalry with Jerry Lawler, has died at 82.

Maurice 'Mo' Jourdane, California lawyer who fought for farmworkers, dies at 83

Grace Toohey — Sun, 6 Sep 2026 15:53:38 GMT

The California attorney championed farmworkers and fought to outlaw the short-handled hoe, or "el cortito;" he died Saturday after a battle with cancer.

George Joseph, pioneering Mercury General founder, dies at 104

Laurence Darmiento — Fri, 4 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

George Joseph, a Harvard math major who founded Mercury General and became a fierce opponent of Proposition 103, which regulates California's insurance industry, has died at the age of 104.

Wendell Berry, celebrated author and fierce defender of agrarian life, dies at 92

Emily St. Martin — Fri, 4 Sep 2026 03:30:45 GMT

Wendell Berry, the Kentucky farmer, poet and author whose writings inspired the sustainable-agriculture movement, died Monday at 92.

Gloria Steinem, charismatic feminist and co-founder of Ms. Magazine, dies at 92

Steve Chawkins, Sonja Sharp — Thu, 3 Sep 2026 11:26:18 GMT

Gloria Steinem, who urged women to pursue self-affirmation, political power and equality both in the workplace and at home, has died.

Disney star Carla Jeffery, who played Bree in 'Zombies' franchise, dies at 33

Emily St. Martin — Thu, 3 Sep 2026 02:47:40 GMT

Carla Jeffery, who played Bree in Disney's 'Zombies,' has died. She launched her acting career at 12 and appeared in shows including "iCarly," "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Good Luck Charlie."

'Rocky Horror' icon Tim Curry's cause of death revealed

Alexandra Del Rosario — Wed, 2 Sep 2026 20:42:05 GMT

The official cause of death for Tim Curry, the beloved actor known for roles in 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' and 'It,' has been revealed. He died last week at 80.

Peter Cullen, actor who voiced Optimus Prime and Eeyore, dies at 85

Tracy Brown — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 21:34:09 GMT

Peter Cullen, the actor known for voicing Optimus Prime in 'Transformers' and Eeyore in 'Winnie the Pooh,' has died at age 85.

Samuel Monroe Jr., actor best known for 'Menace II Society' and 'The Players Club,' dies at 52

Alexandra Del Rosario, Emily St. Martin — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 19:56:11 GMT

Actor Samuel Monroe Jr., who appeared in films 'Menace II Society' and 'The Players Club,' has died more than a year after contracting a meningitis infection. He was 52.

Tim Curry, the versatile star turned pop culture icon with 'Rocky Horror Picture Show,' dies at 80

Alexandra Del Rosario — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 16:17:52 GMT

Tim Curry, the beloved and versatile star who famously commanded attention as the seductive mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the cult classic musical 'Rocky Horror Picture Show,' has died. He was 80.

Dolly Parton, country music legend who became a national treasure, dies at 80

RJ Smith — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 18:05:38 GMT

Dolly Parton, a national treasure whose country music career married grit and wit, faith and sex appeal, virtuosity and plastic surgery, has died.

Michael Wright, actor known for 'The Five Heartbeats,' 'Sugarhill' and 'Oz,' dies at 70

Emily St. Martin — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 03:25:12 GMT

Michael Wright, an actor who trained with Lee Strasberg and starred in cult classic films "The Five Heartbeats" and "Sugarhill," as well as the groundbreaking prestige prison drama "Oz," has died.

Bunny Levine, 'Gilmore Girls' and 'La La Land' actor, dies at 97

Andrea Flores — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 01:08:33 GMT

With more than 100 credits to her name, Bunny Levine considered herself one of "the most energetic and agile" older actors around.

Shelley Fabares, 'Donna Reed Show' and 'One Day at a Time' star, dies at 82

Jasmine Mendez — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 21:07:27 GMT

Actor Shelley Fabares, known for "The Donna Reed Show," "One Day at a Time," "Coach" and her hit song "Johnny Angel," has died at 82.

David Cannom, pioneering L.A. cardiologist, dies at 86

Mark Olsen — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT

A pioneer in the use of implantable defibrillators, Cannom spent more than 30 years as director of cardiology at the Hospital of the Good Samaritan.

Bill Rasmussen, who founded ESPN as the first 24/7 all-sports network, dies at 93

Cerys Davies, Stephen Battaglio — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:51:10 GMT

Bill Rasmussen, the founder of ESPN who revolutionized sports media, has died. He was 93 and suffered from Parkinson's disease.

ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard dies at 77 after health issues, band cancels upcoming shows

Alexandra Del Rosario, Mikael Wood — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 20:21:25 GMT

ZZ Top is mourning the loss of longtime drummer Frank Beard, who died after suffering health issues. The band has called off multiple upcoming shows in wake of his death.

Hayden Panettiere, star of 'Heroes,' 'Nashville,' dies at 36 in South Carolina

Terry Castleman, Hailey Branson-Potts — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 03:46:28 GMT

Actor Hayden Panettiere, who starred in TV dramas and movies, died Sunday, according to her family. She was 36.

Tommy John, Dodgers pitcher and medical pioneer, dies at 83

Michael Kupper — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 17:45:42 GMT

Tommy John, who ruptured a ligament in his left elbow in 1974, agreed to a radical surgery that revived his career and changed baseball. He pitched for 26 years.

Christy Knowings, star on Nickelodeon's iconic sketch show 'All That,' dies at 46

Emily St. Martin — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 02:34:37 GMT

Christy Knowings, an actor best known for her work on Nickelodeon's comedy sketch show "All That," has died at 46 after suffering a severe asthma attack.

Reggie Bannister, star of 'Phantasm' cult film franchise, dies at 80

Alexandra Del Rosario — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 18:01:34 GMT

Actor Reggie Bannister, known for starring in the 'Phantasm' horror film franchise, died Sunday at age 80, his wife announced. 'He's no longer in pain,' she wrote.

Ben Jones, 'Dukes of Hazzard' actor who later served in Congress, dies at 84

Tracy Brown — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:16:40 GMT

Ben Jones, the actor who played Cooter Davenport on "The Dukes of Hazzard" then represented Georgia for two terms in Congress, has died at age 84.

Dory Funk Jr., WWE Hall of Famer and member of iconic wrestling family, dies at 85

Chuck Schilken — Wed, 5 Aug 2026 00:15:34 GMT

Dory Funk Jr., pioneering WWE Hall of Famer and member of wrestling's famed Funk family, has died at 85 in Florida hospice care, his wife confirmed Tuesday.

Allan Nascimento, Brazilian UFC fighter known as 'Puro Osso,' dies at 34

Chuck Schilken — Tue, 4 Aug 2026 16:47:47 GMT

Brazilian UFC flyweight Allan Nascimento, nicknamed "Puro Osso," has died at 34 after an apparent heart attack in his sleep, UFC said on Monday.

Vincent Pastore, mobster actor in 'The Sopranos' and 'Goodfellas,' dies at 80

Yvonne Villarreal, Samantha Masunaga — Sat, 1 Aug 2026 23:11:24 GMT

Vincent Pastore, best known for playing gangster informant Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero on HBO's "The Sopranos," has died.

Former Chargers star Billy Ray Smith Jr. dies at 64. His family blames CTE

Steve Henson — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:05:42 GMT

Billy Ray Smith Jr. played his entire NFL career with the San Diego Chargers before becoming a beloved broadcaster and philanthropist in his adopted city.

Glen Hansard, Irish singer-songwriter known for 'Once' Oscar win, dies at 56

Janine Schaults, Mikael Wood — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 12:09:37 GMT

Glen Hansard, a singer-songwriter who starred in the film "Once" and was the leader of band the Frames, has died after a motorcycle crash in Ireland.

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.