Gone far too soon, these eight actors left their mark on film and television.

8 TV stars who died tragically young

Gone far too soon, these eight actors left their mark on film and television.

By Chris Snellgrove

July 8, 2026 3:31 p.m. ET

Leave a Comment

Heather O’Rourke; Cameron Boyce; Jonathan Brandis.

Some bright stars burn out far too soon.

The film and music industries have a long history of losing extraordinary talents at a young age, from movie icons James Dean and Jayne Mansfield to rock legends Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison.

Television has suffered similar losses, with rising actors and beloved child stars — including 12-year-old Heather O’Rourke and *Descendants* star Cameron Boyce — dying far too young.

Below, ** looks back at how these beloved performers died and the legacies they left behind.

Cameron Boyce

Cameron Boyce in ‘Runt’.

Cameron Boyce was more than just a beloved up-and-comer; he was already a Disney Channel icon. He cemented his Disney credentials as part of the main cast of the teen sitcom *Jessie* before reaching an even wider audience with *Descendants* (2015), which launched one of Disney’s biggest modern franchises.

His performance as Carlos de Vil — Cruella de Vil’s son — suggested he had a lifetime of major roles ahead of him. He reprised the character in two sequels and, shortly before his death, landed a role on HBO’s *Mrs. Fletcher* alongside Kathryn Hahn.

His life was tragically cut short in 2019 when he died in his sleep at just 20 years old. According to his family, Boyce had epilepsy and died after suffering a seizure caused by an ongoing medical condition.

In the years since, his loved ones have worked to honor his legacy through the The Cameron Boyce Foundation, which raises awareness of epilepsy, funds research toward a cure, and supports young people in the arts and social causes.

“The world is now undoubtedly without one of its brightest lights,” his family said in a statement shortly after his death, “but his spirit will live on through the kindness and compassion of all who knew and loved him.”

Jonathan Brandis

Jonathan Brandis on ‘seaQuest DSV’.

Aaron Rappoport/NBC/Getty

Jonathan Brandis seemed destined for great things as an actor. Many fans first discovered him in *Ladybugs* (1992) or in the lead role of *The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter* (1990).

Sci-fi lovers, meanwhile, knew him as Lucas Wolenczak on *seaQuest DSV*, which ran for three seasons in the mid-‘90s. And Stephen King fans may always remember him as a young Bill Denbrough — tragic Georgie’s older brother — in the original *It* miniseries.

The Connecticut native also made memorable guest appearances on *Full House, The Wonder Years, *and* Blossom.*

At just 27 years old, Brandis died by suicide in November 2003. He was found in his apartment one evening and was pronounced dead the following day.

Fellow actor Jaleel White later speculated that Brandis had been deeply disappointed after their pilot, *111 Gramercy Park*, wasn’t picked up, believing the role could have transformed his career.

“I imagine that Jonathan felt he needed that pilot to feed his soul,” White wrote in *Growing Up Urkel*. “It seemed to me that Jonathan, much like myself, had come to another career crossroads and [the show] would have offered him an honest chance at leading-man status.”

His father, Greg Brandis, however, didn’t believe that was the cause. “He was probably bipolar,” he told PEOPLE. “[His death] wasn’t due to the entertainment industry. I look back now, and in his 20s, he showed signs of manic depression. I hope that anyone suffering can go get help.”

Austin Majors

Austin Majors at Chevy Rocks The Future at the Buena Vista Lot at Walt Disney Studios on Feb. 19, 2008, in Burbank, Calif.

Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

Austin Majors became a child star thanks to his role on *NYPD Blue*, one of television’s most acclaimed police procedurals. He had a substantial role as Theo Sipowicz, the son of Dennis Franz’s gruff lead detective, Andy Sipowicz.

In February 2023, Majors was found dead at a homeless housing facility in Los Angeles. The actor, who also appeared on hit series like *NCIS* and *How I Met Your Mother*, was just 27 years old. His death was initially shrouded in mystery. It wasn’t until six months later that the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed the cause as an accidental fentanyl overdose.

Few people were as shaken by the news as Franz, who played the young actor’s onscreen father in 48 episodes over six seasons. Offering his condolences, he reflected on their time together on set.

“Austin was always such a joy to have on the set; he brought smiles and happiness to everyone,” Franz told EW. “Every day that Austin worked, I would greet him with a special song, ‘It’s Austin Majors Day,’ sung to the tune of ‘Howdy Doody Time.’ I will always remember him fondly. My love and condolences to his family.”

Heather O’Rourke

Heather O’Rourke in ‘Poltergeist’.

Although she died young, Heather O’Rourke had already secured a permanent place in pop culture.

She is, of course, best known for her iconic role as Carol Anne Freeling, the little girl who is pulled into a supernatural realm in *Poltergeist* (1982). After being discovered by Steven Spielberg, she delivered one of the most chilling lines in movie history at just 5 years old: “They’re here!”

Beyond that horror classic, O’Rourke also built an impressive résumé on television. She had a recurring role during the 10th season of *Happy Days* and also appeared on *Webster*, *CHiPs*, *Our House*, and *The New Leave It to Beaver*.

In 1987, the young actress began experiencing health problems that persisted for months before culminating in her death at age 12 in February 1988. The official cause was septic shock caused by congenital stenosis of the intestine.

O’Rourke was ultimately one of four actors associated with the *Poltergeist* franchise to die either during production or after the films’ release. Her death helped fuel the persistent rumor that the series was “cursed” — a notion amplified by the films’ own burial-ground mythology.

That speculation frustrated O’Rourke’s family, as well as Zelda Rubinstein, who played the franchise’s iconic psychic, Tangina Barrons.

“I owe it to Heather to present her case as most honestly and lovingly as I can,” Rubinstein said. “I love this child very much, and I am still very grieved at her passing. I think that it’s pretty much a courtesy, to put to an end this superstitious crap.”

Chance Perdomo

Chance Perdomo on ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’.

Chance Perdomo is one of several actors on this list who died just as his career seemed poised to reach the next level. He had already gained a legion of fans as Ambrose Spellman on *Chilling Adventures of Sabrina*, stealing scene after scene with his sardonic wit.

He later landed one of the lead roles on *Gen V*, the hit spinoff of *The Boys*. His name frequently surfaced in fan casting discussions thanks to a résumé that suggested he was on the verge of becoming a leading man.

In 2024, however, the rising star died in a motorcycle accident at age 27. No one else was involved in the crash.

As production on *Gen V* resumed, the producers decided not to recast his character, instead rewriting the season to honor Perdomo’s memory and his contributions to the series.

“His passion for the arts and insatiable appetite for life was felt by all who knew him,” his family and representative said in a statement. “His warmth will carry on in those whom he loved dearest.”

Sawyer Sweeten

Sawyer Sweeten with Ray Romano on ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’.

Sawyer Sweeten amassed a small army of fans as one of the youngest stars of the generation-defining sitcom *Everybody Loves Raymond*. He began his acting career as an infant, playing Geoffrey, one of Ray and Debra Barone’s twin sons. His real-life twin brother, Sullivan Sweeten, played Geoffrey’s twin, Michael. The role lasted all nine seasons, ending around the brothers’ 10th birthday.

After the sitcom wrapped, Sawyer stepped away from acting and largely lived out of the public eye. As his mother later told PEOPLE, he lived a relatively ordinary life: “He was a normal young man who loved his Harley-Davidson, video games, his pets, and especially his family.”

In 2015, at just 19 years old, Sawyer died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound while visiting family in Texas.

“Sawyer was more than just a brother,” his older sister, Madylin, told PEOPLE in 2015. “He was a strong and selfless friend. When confiding in one another, Sawyer always had the kindest words of encouragement. He will live on in my head and those shared moments forever.”

The tragedy sent shockwaves not only through his biological family but also through his TV family. The *Everybody Loves Raymond* cast honored him during the show’s 2025 reunion special. “We miss him,” Ray Romano said. “He... was just this bright energy, light.”

Meanwhile, Madylin said her brother’s death became a wake-up call for the family, inspiring them to advocate for suicide prevention. “We’re very passionate in our family about suicide prevention. It is the second-leading cause of death between the ages of 18 to 25. But 90 percent of people who seek treatment are cured.”

Thuy Trang on ‘Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers’.

For television fans of a certain age, Thuy Trang’s sudden death was one of the earliest celebrity tragedies to hit home. As one of the stars of the seminal *Mighty Morphin Power Rangers*, she always seemed unstoppable. Fans knew her as Trini Kwan, the original Yellow Ranger.

The young actress followed her *Power Rangers* success with a move to the big screen, playing an assassin in *The Crow: City of Angels* (1996).

Just a few years later, she died at 27 after suffering injuries in a car crash during a road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

Years later, Trang’s surviving *Power Rangers* castmates reflected on her death. One of the most poignant memories came from David Yost, who played the Blue Ranger.

“I was so shocked,” Yost told EW in 2018. “I remember calling Thuy’s voicemail a few times after I found out just to hear her voice and leave her a message saying I’ll miss her… I’ll always remember her great laugh and infectious smile.”

Logan Williams

Logan Williams on ‘Supernatural’.

Logan Williams’ career was only just getting started. Like many young actors before him, he made an impression on The CW — most notably on *The Flash*, the nine-season hit that helped make Grant Gustin’s Barry Allen one of television’s most popular superheroes.

Williams, however, portrayed the younger version of Barry Allen, appearing in flashbacks throughout the series’ first two seasons. He also appeared in an episode of The CW’s long-running fan favorite *Supernatural*.

The Canadian actor also landed a recurring role on the drama series *When Calls the Heart*, which aired on Hallmark Channel in the United States.

Williams died at 16 years old after an accidental fentanyl overdose in 2020, just one week shy of his 17th birthday.

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our ******EW Dispatch newsletter******.***

Making matters even more difficult for his family, the tragedy unfolded during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I am not able to hug my parents, who lost their only grandchild,” his mother, Marlyse Williams, said. “It’s hard.”

Gustin paid tribute to his young costar on social media, writing, “I was so impressed by not only Logan’s talent but his professionalism on set. Please keep Logan and his family in your thoughts and prayers during what has been a strange and trying time for us all.”

- Celebrities & Creators

- Celebrity Death Tributes

Original Article on Source

Source: “EW Celebrity”