As the adage goes, the sun sets even in paradise. The lives of artists like Catherine O’Hara and others were defined by their work, which made people all over the world happier and richer. But sadly, their time here with us has come to an end.
As expected, tributes came raining in from every corner of the globe. But the nature of our algorithms sadly meant that some of us may have missed them. So here’s a brief look at some of the stars we’ve lost in 2026.
Catherine O’Hara
Oftentimes, a star is attached to one specific thing. Maybe they made a name for themselves with a string of generation-defining projects in the 1980s. Maybe they had one hit that became timeless. But there are very rare circumstances where a star crosses generations and means different things to different people. Catherine O’Hara was that.
Home Alone had her screaming across airports. Schitt’s Creek had her competing with the best of them, delivering some of the finest line readings in sitcom history. When O’Hara sadly passed away on Jan. 30, 2026, from a pulmonary embolism caused by rectal cancer, tributes poured in from people of all ages, both within and beyond the entertainment industry.
What defined her work was how she consistently mastered the role of a nurturer. On one run-in with the paparazzi, she was asked how she wanted to be remembered. Her answer was simple: “The mother of my children.”
James Van Der Beek
James Van Der Beek is a bona fide TV legend, the kind of name you expect to appear early in the Emmys’ In Memoriam segment. Not only do we have Dawson’s Creek to thank for paving the way for later hits like The Vampire Diaries, Smallville, and even the beloved Ginny & Georgia, but Van Der Beek also had a cult classic under his belt in Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23.
He passed away on Feb. 11 after a long and well-documented battle with colon cancer, which he shared openly on Instagram. Some of the wisdom he left behind on the app will live on, creating a second legacy for Van Der Beek through his words.
Eric Dane
These days, Eric Dane is best known for his role in Euphoria. But it was his co-stars from Grey’s Anatomy who led the first wave of tributes. His work was admired, but it was his character in life that ultimately defined him — a recurring theme among many of the stars lost this year.
Dane was among those who agreed to participate in Netflix’s Famous Last Words series, alongside figures like Jane Goodall. Sometimes, the most potent eulogy comes from the departed themselves.
Robert Duvall
At 95, Robert Duvall was an elder statesman of Hollywood. The Godfather, Apocalypse Now — it’s impossible to list the classics of the art form without encountering his work. It’s just as difficult to name a major director who didn’t, at some point, offer him a role.
Very few people live long enough to receive their flowers. Duvall received several bouquets in his final two decades.
Brad Arnold
Brad Arnold was the lead singer of 3 Doors Down, best remembered for the Grammy-nominated smash hit Kryptonite, which he wrote at just 15 years old during math class. That kind of talent comes around once in a generation. The band went on to enjoy an illustrious career, selling over 30 million albums worldwide.
Arnold battled kidney cancer largely out of the public eye and passed away at the age of 47. But the gift of his music will remain with us for eternity.
Published: Feb 25, 2026 08:18 am