So many talented actors have passed away this year. Here are 20 actors who took their final bows in 2019. They will be missed but not forgotten.
Luke Perry
Heartthrob star of “Beverly Hills 90210” and the 1992 film “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” his latest role was that of Archie Andrews’ father on the CW series “Riverdale.” He died of a stroke on March 4 at the age of 52.
Albert Finney
His iconic role as Hercule Poirot in the 1974 movie “Murder on the Orient Express” is just one of many beloved performances. He was nominated for five Oscars, including for “Tom Jones” and “Erin Brokovich.” He is also remembered for his performance as Daddy Warbucks in 1982’s “Annie.” He died at 82 on February 7 from a chest infection.
Carol Channing
Musical superstar of movies from “Hello Dolly” to “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” her toothy smile and trademark lisp make her a favorite of impersonators. She was 97 when she died on January 15 of natural causes.
Peggy Lipton
She played Julie on the ’60s cop show “Mod Squad,” and later had an iconic role on the cult TV series “Twin Peaks.” She was also the wife of famous music producer Quincy Jones, and was the mother of actress Rashida Jones. She died from cancer on May 11 at the age of 72.
Peter Mayhew
This 7’2″ English actor was best known as Chewbacca, the Wookiee from the “Star Wars” films. He appeared in everything from the original trilogy to 2005’s “Revenge of the Sith” and 2015’s “The Force Awakens.” He was very popular with fans and loved to meet people at conventions. He passed away at 74 of a heart attack on April 30.
Rutger Hauer
This Dutch actor with the distinctive face was a cult movie star in the ’80s thanks to films like “Blade Runner,” “Ladyhawke,” and “The Hitcher.” He died on July 19 at the age of 75 of unspecified illness.
Peter Fonda
The son of Henry Fonda and brother to actress Jane Fonda, Peter Fonda’s filmography was shorter but no less impressive. His breakout role in 1969’s “Easy Rider” made him a generational icon. He succumbed to lung cancer on August 16 at the age of 79.
Rip Torn
Not to be confused with Rip Taylor, who also passed away this year, Rip Torn was an Emmy Award-winning actor best known today as Zed, leader of the mysterious “Men In Black.” He passed away on July 9 at the age of 88 of undisclosed illness.
Arte Johnson
This comedian was probably best known for his many characters on the variety show “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In,” and his catch phrase “Verrry interesting” is still a meme today. On July 3, he passed away from complications of cancer. He was 90.
Tim Conway
One of the funniest men on television, his comedy routines with Harvey Korman on “The Carol Burnett Show,” like the famous “Dentist Sketch,” are legendary. His most recent work includes voice acting on “SpongeBob SquarePants.” He died of brain complications on May 14 at the age of 85.
Doris Day
The sunny actress and frequent co-star with Rock Hudson was famous for her roles in movies like “Pillow Talk,” but also for her earworm-catchy song “Que Sera Sera.” She was a multiple award winner and later devoted her life to animal welfare. She died of pneumonia at the age of 97 on May 13.
Peter Tork
Star of the ’60s television series “The Monkees,” Tork was an accomplished musician who was referred to the role by his roommate, Stephen Stills (of Crosby, Stills and Nash). He passed away on February 21 at 77 from cancer complications.
Jan-Michel Vincent
Heartthrob star of the ’80s action series “Airwolf,” he actually got his big break on the children’s television series “The Banana Splits.” He died of a heart attack on February 10 at the age of 73.
Bibi Andersson
This Swedish actress had a long working relationship with iconic director Ingmar Bergman and had roles in most of his films, most notably “The Seventh Seal.” She died from stroke complications on April 14 at the age of 83.
Georgia Engel
A comic actress with a characteristically squeaky voice, she acted on series from “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” to “Everybody Loves Raymond” and lent her voice to many animated projects like the “Open Season” series. She passed away on April 12 at 70 years old from unknown causes.
Valerie Harper
One of TV’s most famous figures in the ’70s, she started as a minor character on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and then spun off into her own successful series “Rhoda.” She died on August 30 at the age of 80 from cancer-related causes.
Brian Tarantina
This former soap opera star found more recent fame on the Amazon original series “The Marvelous Miss Maisel.” He passed away on November 2 of as yet undetermined causes at the age of 60.
John Witherspoon
This actor is best known for playing Willie Jones in the “Friday” movies, passed away on October 29 at the age of 77. His exact cause of death is still to be determined.
Rip Taylor
This high energy prop comedian and actor was a staple of ’70s television, including the game show “The $1.98 Beauty Show.” He also died on October 6; he was 88 years old.
Diahann Carroll
This star of stage and screen passed away on October 4 at the age of 84 from cancer. Her most famous television role was opposite Joan Collins on “Dynasty” but she also made her name on Broadway, earning a Tony award in 1962.