In Memoriam: Remembering the TV stars we lost in 2019
We've said goodbye to comedy legends and heartthrobs.
As we reach the end of the year, we want to take a moment to reflect upon the beloved television stars that passed away in 2019.
This year, we have had to say goodbye to sitcom scene-stealers, sketch-comedy pioneers, silly stuntmen, animal handlers and heartthrobs. Thankfully, their wonderful work lives on.
Here are some of the losses that hit the TV industry in 2019. Visit our remembrances page to read more obituaries.
Valerie Harper, pioneering star of Rhoda and The Mary Tyler Moore Show
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The sitcom legend passed away at 80. READ MORE
Image: The Everett Collection
Tim Conway, comedy legend of The Carol Burnett Show and McHale's Navy
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The man who brought us Mr. Tudball and Dorf passed away at 85.
Diahann Carroll, the groundbreaking star of Julia and Dynasty
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The award-winning actress was 84. READ MORE
Doris Day, legendary singer, movie icon and star of The Doris Day Show
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The Hollywood legend and animal activist passed away at the age of 97.
Peter Tork of The Monkees
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On February 21, Peter Tork passed away at the age of 77.
Image: AP Photo / Ray Howard
Carol Channing, the bubbly Broadway star turned TV darling
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The boa-loving actress died at the age of 97.
Image: The Everett Collection
Luke Perry, heartthrob star of Beverly Hills, 90210
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The television actor passed away at 52 after a stroke.
Image: The Everett Collection
Georgia Engel, the adorable Georgette Franklin Baxter of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
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The five-time Emmy nominee was 70 years old.
Image: The Everett Collection
David Hedison, captain on Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and ally of James Bond
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The actor also starred in the horror classic The Fly. He was 92. READ MORE
Katherine Helmond of Soap, Who's the Boss? and Coach
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On February 23, Katherine Helmond passed away at the age of 89.
Image: The Everett Collection
Arte Johnson, the sketch comedy master of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
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The "Ver-r-r-y Interesting" funnyman passed away at 90. READ MORE
Rip Torn, a scene stealer in everything from The Larry Sanders Show to Columbo
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The veteran character actor died at 88. READ MORE
Max Wright, who played TV dad Willie Tanner on ALF
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The '80s sitcom star was 75 years old.
Image: AP Photo / Nick Ut
Michael J. Pollard, who played both the cousin of Barney Fife and the cousin of Maynard G. Krebs
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The "Cousin Virgil" actor also inspired the screen name of Michael J. Fox. He was 80 years old. READ MORE
Jan-Michael Vincent of Airwolf and The Banana Splits Adventure Hour
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The former teen idol of 'Danger Island' was 73 years old.
Image: The Everett Collection
Kaye Ballard of The Mothers-in-Law
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The Sixties sitcom star died at the age of 93.
Image: The Everett Collection
Bob Einstein, better known as Super Dave Osborne
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The older brother of Albert Brooks passed away at 76.
Image: The Everett Collection
John Witherspoon of Barnaby Jones, The Wayans Bros. and more
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The Friday actor passed away at 77. READ MORE
Shelley Morrison, Sister Sixto of The Flying Nun and Rosario Salazar of Will & Grace
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She drew on her Spanish heritage in a career spanning four decades. She was 83. READ MORE
Beverley Owen, the original Marilyn Munster and first Munster ever seen onscreen
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On February 21, the actor passed away at the age of 81.
Image: The Everett Collection
Philip McKeon, the child star who played Linda Lavin's son on Alice
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The older brother of Nancy McKeon was 55. READ MORE
Caroll Spinney, the Muppeteer who performed Big Bird for half a century
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He also played Oscar the Grouch beginning in 1969. READ MORE
Karen Pendleton, one of the original Mickey Mouse Club Mouseketeers
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The youngest of the original Mouseketeers was 73. READ MORE
Sid Haig, the horror icon who appeared all over classic television
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He played a mummy alongside Lucille Ball. READ MORE
Bill Macy of Maude fame and guest star across MeTV
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He made appearances on Matlock, The Love Boat and more. READ MORE
Jim Fowler, Wild Kingdom host
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The 'Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom' star was 89.
Image: The Everett Collection
Carol Lynley, 1950s teen covergirl turned blonde ingénue of the 1960s
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The Golden Globe winner went from Playboy to The Poseidon Adventure. READ MORE
Joan Staley, co-star of Don Knotts and classic Batman villain
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The former Playboy Playmate appeared on Perry Mason and 77 Sunset Strip before becoming Bob Barker's agent. READ MORE
Denise Nickerson of Dark Shadows and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
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The '70s child star also appeared on The Electric Company and The Brady Bunch. READ MORE
Barry Coe, who was briefly the fifth Cartwright on 'Bonanza'
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The Follow the Sun and Peyton Place actor died at 84. READ MORE
Jack Donner of Star Trek and Mission: Impossible
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He taught Craig T. Nelson and Don Johnson in his acting school, too. READ MORE
William Wintersole of The Young and the Restless, Star Trek and more
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The television actor was 88. READ MORE
D.C. Fontana, influential writer for Star Trek and the mind behind Vulcan culture
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The hall of fame screenwriter was 80 years old. READ MORE
Claude Earl Jones, who twice played a deputy to Andy Griffith
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Jones was in two of Griffith's Abel Marsh pilots in the 1970s. READ MORE
Robert Walker Jr., Charlie from Star Trek's ''Charlie X''
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The actor, best known for his turn as a teenager with powers on Star Trek, was 79 years old. READ MORE
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10 Comments
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Also fan of Andy Griffith shows, as I tried before I can say it is an OASIS on tv shows.
Now a days many shows are about killing, plus more killing, drug using/selling . About sex and crime. When we tune in Me TV is like going back to our OWN Mayberry, when we could talk, eat home made meals with our family. When our mom and dad gave us advice, tuck us in, taught us by example, when we could go fishing to a near by pond or brook. All times have both the positive and negative side, of course, but
we had more positive on those "Mayberry" days of our lives.
Keep on to air them....for older people like me that make us go back to memory lane!!!!! Thanks Me Tv........good job !!!!!!
Peggy Lipton? I'd drink her tea cold or hot anytime
Aron Eisenberg, "Nog" on Star Trek, Deep Space Nine. He was 50 when he passed.