Actors and Celebrities Who Died of Cancer

Died January 10, 2016, age 69, of liver cancer

English singer-songwriter and actor who sold over 100 million records worldwide; at age 67 became the oldest person to win a Brit Award; is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; turned down a knighthood in 2003

Starred in the movie "The Man Who Fell to Earth;" also appeared in the movies "The Last Temptation of Christ", "Labyrinth," and "The Prestige," among others

Was a four-time Grammy Award winner; was married to actress and model Iman for nearly 24 years, until his death

Died April 24, 1974, age 78, of prostate cancer

One-half of the comic duo Abbott and Costello

Died September 25, 2005, age 82, of lymphoma

Best known for starring in the TV series "Get Smart"

Died September 17, 1996, age 77, of leukemia

Was the 39th vice-president of the U.S.; he and John Calhoun were the only two U.S. vice-presidents to resign from office

Died September 22, 2006, age 55, of lung cancer

Best known for the movie "Butterflies are Free" for which he won a Golden Globe Award; appeared in more than 130 films and TV shows

Was the son of American actor Eddie Albert and Mexican actress Margo

Died November 25, 1981, age 74, of colon cancer

Best known for starring on the TV series "Chico and The Man"

Died March 23, 2022, age 84; type of cancer not publicly disclosed

Was the first woman in history to serve as U.S. Secretary of State, which she did under President Bill Clinton

Died December 5, 2022, age 71, of colon cancer

Actress best known for starring on the TV show "Cheers!"

Died May 27, 2017, age 69, of liver cancer

Was a musician and singer with The Allman Brothers Band; was married 7 times, including to singer-actress Cher, with whom he had a son

Died November 20, 2006, age 81, of leukemia

Movie and TV director nominated for 7 Academy Awards; directed the movies "M*A*SH", "Gosford Park", "The Long Goodbye", and many others

Died December 6, 1993, age 85, of prostate cancer

Was an actor and comedian who worked on TV and in films; in his later years he was best known for the movie "Cocoon" for which he won an Academy Award

Died January 21, 2022, age 68, of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Was a stand-up comedian and actor best known for the TV show "Baskets" and the cartoon series "Life With Louie;" also hosted the TV game show "Family Feud"

Died January 14, 2016, age 73, of throat cancer

Was the husband and manager of singer Celine Dion

Died December 2, 1986, age 69, of lung cancer

Was an actor, comedian, musician, bandleader, and producer best known for the TV show "I Love Lucy;" was married to the star of the show, actress and comedian Lucille Ball for 21 years

Died April 25, 2009, age 86, of lung cancer

Best known for the classic TV shows "Maude" and "The Golden Girls"

Died August 22, 2011, age 70, of throat cancer

Was a three-time Grammy nominated singer-songwriter who wrote and performed several Motown hits with his wife and writing partner Valerie Simpson

Died December 8, 2019, age 79, of lung cancer

Best known for the TV shows "Benson", "Star Trek: Deep Space 9," and "Boston Legal"

Died October 2, 1998, age 91, of lymphoma

Was a pioneer of country music known as "The Singing Cowboy;" starred in over 90 films and on TV as the host of "The Gene Autry Show"

Died July 20, 2007, age 65, of lung and colon cancer

Was a Christian singer and televangelist best known for appearing on the TV show "The PTL Club" with first husband, Jim Bakker

A biopic, "The Eyes of Tammy Faye" starring Jessica Chastain, was released in 2021

Died December 1, 1987, age 63, of stomach cancer

Was an American novelist, playwright, and civil rights activist

Died January 21, 2019, age 93, of kidney cancer

American singer, actress, and comedian best known for her Broadway performances and for appearing on the TV shows "The Mothers-in-Law," "The Doris Day Show," and "What a Dummy"

Died August 21, 2020, age 68, of pancreatic cancer

Was the drummer for the platinum-selling heavy metal band Quiet Riot

Died June 6, 2005, age 73, of uterine cancer

Best known for her iconic role as Mrs. Robinson in "The Graduate;" was married to director and producer Mel Brooks for 41 years, until her death

Died July 7, 2006, age 60, of pancreatic cancer

Co-founded the rock group Pink Floyd

Died April 26, 1984, age 79, of pancreatic cancer

Was a jazz musician, composer, and bandleader famous for his Big Band sound

Died December 27, 2003, age 69, of pancreatic cancer

Was an English actor who starred in several notable films including "The Fixer," "Women in Love," "Georgy Girl,", and "An Unmarried Woman," among others

Died December 26, 1974, age 80, of pancreatic cancer

Comedy and vaudeville star best known for his TV show "The Jack Benny Program," which ran for 15 years

Died on her birthday, August 29, 1982, age 67, of breast cancer

Swedish actress and three-time Oscar winner best known for the movies "Casablanca," "Murder on the Orient Express," "Anastasia," and "Gaslight," among others

Mother of actress Isabella Rosselini

Died March 27, 2002, age 93, of colon cancer

Comedian and vaudeville actor best known for hosting "The Texaco Star Theatre" and "The Milton Berle Show"

Died June 12, 2023, age 86, of leukemia

Was an Italian billionaire and former Prime Minister of Italy

Died October 14, 1990, age 72, of mesothelioma (cancer of the lining that covers most of your internal organs)

Was a conductor, composer, and pianist who won 16 Grammy Awards, 7 Emmy Awards, and 2 Tony Awards

Died November 26, 2018, age 77, of lung cancer

Was the first Italian filmmaker to win the Academy Award for Best Director; also won a BAFTA Award, a César Award, and two Golden Globes

Died September 7, 1996, age 54, of breast cancer

Austrian-born actress best known for the movies "Star Trek: Wrath of Khan," "Steel Magnolias," and "Doing Time on Maple Drive"

Mother of actress Samantha Mathis

Died November 21, 1993, age 59, of prostate cancer

Best known for starring in the TV shows "The Incredible Hulk", "The Courtship of Eddie's Father," and "The Magician"

Died August 8, 2013, age 74, of liver and pancreatic cancer

Best known for the movies "Five Easy Pieces," "Day of the Locust," and "Burnt Offerings"

Died December 25, 1979, age 73, of leukemia

Vaudeville actress best known for the movies "The Blue Veil," "Opening Night," and "The Cincinnati Kid"

Died April 1, 2018, age 74, of leukemia

Was a TV producer and writer who created the TV shows "Hill Street Blues", "Doogie Howser, M.D.," "L.A. Law," and "NYPD Blue"

Died January 14, 1957, age 57, of esophageal cancer

Was a theater and movie actor who starred in several classic movies including "Casablanca," "The Maltese Falcon," "The Big Sleep," "The African Queen," "Key Largo," and several others

Was married to actress Lauren Bacall for 12 years, until his death

Died January 15, 1987, age 83, of bladder cancer

Best known for playing the scarecrow in the movie "The Wizard of Oz"

Died August 13, 2017, age 82, of pancreatic cancer

Writer and actor best known for starring in the movies "Blame It on Rio," and "My Favorite Year," and for writing the screenplay "Lovers and Other Strangers," for which he received an Academy Award nomination

Died February 11, 1994, age 64, of colorectal cancer

Best known as Boss Hogg on the 1970's TV show "The Dukes of Hazzard"

Died January 10, 1981, age 63, of esophageal cancer

Best known for the TV shows "Have Gun - Will Travel" and "The Richard Boone Show"

Died May 14, 2017, age 64, of pancreatic cancer

Best known for the TV shows "Agents of Shield," "Nashville,", "24", and the TV movie "Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones" for which he won an Emmy Award

Died August 28, 2020, age 43, of colon cancer

Best known for starring in the Academy Award-winning movie "Black Panther," which grossed over $1.3 billion dollars worldwide

Also starred as baseball legend Jackie Robinson in "42," Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall in "Marshall," and R&B singer James Brown in "Get On Up"

Died October 19, 2010, age 83, of lung cancer

Best known for playing the father on the TV show "Happy Days"

Died December 12, 2006, age 71, of multiple myeloma (blood cell cancer)

Best known for the movies "Young Frankenstein", "Monsters Ball," and "Taxi Driver" and for the TV show "Everybody Loves Raymond"

Died November 9, 2006, age 65, of leukemia

Was an American journalist on the TV news show "60 Minutes;" he won 19 Emmy awards

Died July 1, 2004, age 80, of liver cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, congestive heart failure, and diabetes

Was an iconic acotr and two-time Academy Award winner actor best known for the movies "The Godfather," "On the Waterfront," "A Streetcar Named Desire, " "The Wild one," and "Sayonara," among others

Died December 11, 2023, age 61, of lung cancer

Was an Emmy Award-winning actor best known for the TV shows "Homicude: Life on the Street" and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine;" also for the movies "Glory," "Primal Fear," "Salt," and "The Gambler"

Died March 11, 2022, age 50, of esophageal cancer

Best known for the long-running reality show "Braxton Family Values"

Died March 15, 2014, age 78, of pancreatic cancer

Was a stand-up comedian, actor, director, and award-winning writer; appeared on "The Tonight Show" a record 158 times, more than any other guest

Died November 14, 2014, age 34, of colon and ovarian cancer

Was an entertainment reporter and philanthropist best known as a recurring cast member on the MTV reality television series "The Challenge"

Died April 11, 2007, age 84, of stomach cancer

Eloquent actor best known for starring in the movies "The Liberation of L.B.Jones," and "The Cowboys" and for the TV shows "Soap," "Falcon Crest," and "A Different World"

Died October 10, 1985, age 65, of lung cancer

Best known for his roles in the movies "The King and I" for which he won an Oscar; "The Ten Commandments", "Anastasia," and "The Magnificent Seven"

Died September 1, 2023, age 76, of skin cancer

Was a billionaire singer-songwriter best known for the songs "Margaritaville," "Come Monday," and "Cheeseburger in Paradise;" he sold over 20 million albums

Died September 13, 2009, age 83, of leukemia and non-Hodgkins lymphoma

Was an actor best known for starring in the TV series "Naked City" and "12 O'Clock High;" also starred in the films "Valley of the Dolls" and "The Thomas Crown Affair"

Died September 12, 1993, age 76, of kidney and liver cancer

Starred in the TV shows "Perry Mason" and "Ironsides"; was the murderous neighbor Jimmy Stewart spies on in the classic movie "Rear Window"

Died April 20, 1993, age 81, of lung cancer

Was a Mexican actor, comedian, and writer; best known for the movie "Around the World in 80 Days" for which he won a Golden Globe Award

Was a pioneer of Latin American cinema; when he died, his funeral was a national event that lasted for three days

Died March 21, 1994, age 81, of lung cancer

Starred on the soap opera "Days of Our Lives" for nearly 30 years

Died November 25, 1991, age 41, of heart and lung cancer and a brain hemorrhage

Was the drummer for the rock band Kiss

Died October 4, 2019, age 84, of breast cancer

Oscar-nominated actress who was the first Black woman to star in her own TV show, "Julia", which aired from 1968-1971

Also starred in several TV shows including "White Collar," "Dynasty," "The Colby's;" appeared in several movies including "Porgy and Bess," "Paris Blues," and "Claudine" among others

Died April 10, 2010, age 70, of endometrial cancer

Best known for the TV show "Designing Women"

Died February 9, 2019, age 59, of lung cancer

Best known for the TV show "House of Cards" for which he won an Emmy award

Died March 12, 1978, age 42, of lung cancer

Best known for the movies "The Godfather" and "Dog Day Afternoon"

Died August 26, 1930, age 47, of lung cancer

Was known for his roles in the silent horror films "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" and "The Phantom of the Opera;" his ability to transform himself using makeup techniques he developed earned him the nickname "The Man of a Thousand Faces"

Was the father of actor Lon Chaney, Jr.

Died September 27, 1991, age 66, of pancreatic cancer

Was the daughter of Nobel Prize-winning playwright Eugene O'Neill; married actor Charlie Chaplin at age 18; he was 54. They remained married for 34 years until his death in 1977

She and Chaplin had 8 children together, including actress Geraldine Chaplin

Died June 26, 2019, age 51, of lung cancer

Was an American bounty hunter and reality show star; was married to bounty hunter Duane "Dog" Chapman

Died October 4, 1989, age 48, of tonsil and spinal cancer

Was an actor and comedian best known as a member of the comedy group Monty Python

Died July 22, 2011, age 87, of colon cancer

Was the first "Bond Girl," appearing on TV in "Casino Royale"

Died November 5, 2010, age 66, of leukemia

Best known for the movies "Starting Over," "An Unmarried Woman," and "Bridesmaids"

Died February 27, 2013, age 78, of bone cancer

Was an American pianist who won the inaugural International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1958 which propelled him to international stardom

He played for every US president from Harry Truman to Barack Obama, as well as other heads of state and members of royalty

Died December 22, 2014, age 70, of lung cancer

Was an English singer best known for the songs "Up Where We Belong" with Jennifer Warnes;" "You Are So Beautiful," and "Unchain My Heart"

Died February 15, 1965, age 45, of lung cancer

Was an American singer and jazz pianist and the first Black man to host an American TV series; was the father of singer/actress Natalie Cole

Died September 19, 2015, age 77, of breast cancer

Novelist whose books sold over 500 million copies; sister of actress Joan Collins

Died July 17, 1967, age 40, of liver cancer

Was a jazz saxaphone player and composer who is one of the most influential artists in the history of jazz. Was awarded a special Pulitzer prize after his death

Died November 10, 1992, age 71, of lung cancer

Best known for playing the title role in the TV show "The Rifleman"

Died January 26, 2017, age 91, of leukemia

Best known for starring in the TV show "Mannix" and the movies "The Ten Commandments" and "Stagecoach"

Died November 22, 1983, age 58, of urethral cancer

Best known for his role as Sgt. Phil Esterhaus on the TV show "Hill Street Blues," for which he won two Emmy awards

Died July 15, 1991, age 57, of a brain tumor

Was an American actor, singer, and game show host who appeared on several TV shows including "Love, American Style," "The Snoop Sisters," "Fantasy Island," "The Love Boat," and many others

Hosted the TV game show "Super Password" and "Tattletales" for which he won an Emmy Award

Died May 13, 1961, age 60, of prostate cancer

Three-time Oscar winner who starred in "High Noon," "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town," "Pride of the Yankees," "Sergeant York," and many more

Died January 16, 1993, age 59, of lung cancer

Best known for the TV shows "Route 66," "The Doctors," and "The Road West"

Died February 9, 2021, age 79, of what was described as "a rare form of cancer"

Was a jazz pianist and bandleader who won 23 Grammy Awards

Died May 10, 1977, age 71, of pancreatic cancer and a heart attack

She had refused all medical treatment for her cancer due to her religious beliefs

Was an Academy Award-winning actress best known for the movies "Mildred Pierce," "Daisy Kenyon," "Flamingo Road," "Mommie Dearest," and "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?"

Died January 17, 2003, age 76, of pancreatic cancer

Best known for the TV shows "Our Miss Brooks," "The Real McCoys," and "Judging Amy," as well as the "Rambo" movies

Died November 4, 2008, age 66, of throat cancer

Prolific author, screenwriter, producer, and director who wrote "Jurassic Park", "The Andromeda Strain," "The Great Train Robbery," and "Twister," among others

Died June 15, 2003, age 91, of prostate cancer

Tony Award-winning actor best known for the Broadway play "Hamlet," and the movies "Cocoon," "Marvin's Room," and "The Seventh Cross," for which he received an Academy Award nomination

Was married to actress Jessica Tandy for 52 years, with whom he appeared in several film, stage, and TV roles; was the father of actress Tandy Cronyn

Died August 18, 2020, age 72; type of cancer not publicly disclosed

Best known for starring in the Oscar-winning movie "Chariots of Fire"

Died November 22, 1986, age 76, of lung cancer

Was an actor and musician best known for the movies "The Shining," "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," "Hello, Dolly!," and "The Great White Hope"

Died July 16, 2003, age 77, of brain cancer

Cuban singer known as "The Queen of Salsa Music;" won three Grammy Awards and four Latin Grammy Awards

Also appeared in the films "The Mambo Kings," and "The Perez Family"

Died August 11, 1994, age 81, of prostate cancer

English actor who appeared in over 100 films, as well as several theater productions and TV roles

Best known for starring in classic horror films including "Dracula," "The Curse of Frankenstein," "The Abominable Snowman," "The Mummy," "The Hound of the Baskervilles," and many others; also starred in the original "Star Wars" movie

Frequently co-starred with actor Christopher Lee, who was a close friend

Died March 21, 1974, age 29, of lymphoma

Was a transgender actress and protege of artist and film director Andy Warhol

Died October 6, 1989, age 81, of breast cancer

Best known for the movies "All About Eve," "Now, Voyager," "Dark Victory," "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane," and many others

Won 2 Academy Awards, and was nominated an additional 9 times

Died April 26, 1981, age 71, of multiple myeloma (blood cell cancer)

Best known as the patriarch on the TV show "Dallas"

Died May 16, 1990, age 64, of laryngeal cancer

Multi-talented singer, dancer, actor, and comedian who began in vaudeville as a member of The Will Mastin Trio

Starred on Broadway in "Mr. Wonderful" and "Golden Boy," and in the Rat Pack film "Oceans 11;" also had his own TV variety show, and a Billboard Hot 100 hit, "The Candy Man"

Died June 12, 2012, age 79, of esophageal cancer

Best known as the original host of the TV game show "Family Feud" and the TV show "Hogan's Heroes"

Died November 11, 2021, age 85, of mesothelioma (cancer of the tissue that lines the lungs, stomach, heart and other organs)

Former President of South Africa who dismantled apartheid; joint winner of the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize with Nelson Mandela

Died October 20, 2014, age 82; type of cancer not publicly disclosed

Was an internationally known fashion designer and couturier with a net worth of over $200 million dollars

Died January 21, 2021, age 79, of pancreatic cancer

French actress and director; ex-wife of French actor Alain Delon

Died May 4, 2009, age 75, of prostate cancer

Actor, comedian, and chef who appeared in several films and TV shows; father of actors Peter, Michael, and David DeLuise

Died April 26, 2017, age 73, of esophageal cancer

Academy Award-winning film director, producer, and screen writer best known for the movies "Silence of the Lambs," "Philadelphia," and "Married to the Mob"