Remembering 2026’s Stars

A quiet year brought the loss of many well‑known figures. In music, guitarist Phil Campbell left a legacy with Motörhead and later his family band. He passed peacefully after a tough battle in intensive care, aged 64. The pop scene felt the absence of Neil Sedaka, a songwriter who helped shape hits like “Calendar Girl. ” His career spanned five Grammy nominations and a Hall of Fame induction. He died at 86. Television fans mourned Eric Dane, whose roles in “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Euphoria” made him a household name. He faced ALS publicly before his death at 53. The civil‑rights arena remembered Rev. Jesse Jackson, a former mentor of Dr. King who ran for president twice and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He died at 84. Film lovers lost Robert Duvall, whose performances in classics such as “To Kill a Mockingbird” earned him an Oscar and two Emmys. He was 95. The drama community said goodbye to James Van der Beek, best known for “Dawson’s Creek. ” He also appeared on reality shows and died at 48. Sports history noted Sonny Jurgensen’s passing, a record‑setting quarterback who later entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was 91.Comedy fans remembered Catherine O’Hara, whose work on “Schitt’s Creek” earned her an Emmy and a Golden Globe. She was 71. In reggae, drummer Lowell “Sly” Dunbar died at 73; his partnership with Robbie Shakespeare produced countless hits and Grammy wins. The charity world lost Shirley Raines, a social‑media activist who helped the homeless in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. She was 58. Fashion mourned Valentino Garavani, whose eponymous label dressed royalty and celebrities for decades. He was 93. Civil‑rights history marked the death of Claudette Colvin, a young activist whose bus protest predated Rosa Parks. She was 86. The comic strip community felt the loss of Scott Adams, creator of “Dilbert, ” whose work satirized office life worldwide. He was 68. Music circles remembered Bob Weir, a founding member of the Grateful Dead, who also pursued solo projects. He was 78. Hockey history noted Glenn Hall’s passing; his record of consecutive games still stands in the NHL. He was 94. And intelligence history recorded Aldrich Ames’s death, a former CIA officer who betrayed the U. S. for the Soviet Union. He was 84.