50 Famous Gay Actors Who Have Passed Away

In this heartfelt tribute, we honor 50 famous gay actors who have passed away, celebrating their courage, talent, and lasting impact on the entertainment world. These remarkable individuals broke barriers, inspired change, and brought powerful performances to stage and screen. Their lives and legacies continue to inspire future generations to live authentically and proudly. Join us as we remember their incredible journeys, iconic roles, and the mark they left on both Hollywood and the LGBTQ+ community. Their voices may be gone, but their stories will live on forever. Rock Hudson was an American actor, best known for his suave romantic lead in Pillow Talk opposite Doris Day, he also shone as stoic rancher Bick Benedict in Giant. Passed away on October 2, 1985, at age 59. John Gielgud was an English actor and theatre director, best known for Shakespearean roles like Hamlet. He shone in Arthur, winning an Oscar. Passed away May 21, 2000, at age 96. Leslie Jordan was an American actor and comedian, best known for his Emmy-winning role as Beverley Leslie on Will & Grace, he also shone in American Horror Story and The Help. Passed away October 24, 2022, at 67. Tab Hunter was an American actor and singer, best known for his 1950s heartthrob roles in Damn Yankees and Battle Cry, he also shone in Polyester and with hit song Young Love. Passed away July 8, 2018, at 86. Paul Lynde was an American actor and comedian, best known for Uncle Arthur on Bewitched and center square on Hollywood Squares, he also shone as Harry MacAfee in Bye Bye Birdie. Passed away January 10, 1982, at 55. Robert Reed was an American actor, best known for Mike Brady on The Brady Bunch, he also shone as Kenneth Preston on The Defenders and in miniseries like Roots. Passed away May 12, 1992, at 59. Raymond Burr was a Canadian actor, best known for Perry Mason and Ironside, he also shone as a villain in Rear Window and A Place in the Sun. Passed away September 12, 1993, at 76. Cesar Romero was an American actor, best known for the Joker on Batman, he also shone as Latin lovers in films like Week-End in Havana and as the Cisco Kid. Passed away January 1, 1994, at 86. Richard Chamberlain was an American actor, best known for Dr. Kildare, he also shone in Shogun and The Thorn Birds miniseries. Passed away March 29, 2025, at 90. David Ogden Stiers was an American actor, best known for Major Winchester on MAS*H, he also shone voicing Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast and Ratcliffe in Pocahontas. Passed away March 3, 2018, at 75. Dirk Bogarde was an English actor, best known for The Servant and Death in Venice, he also shone in Doctor in the House and Victim. Passed away May 8, 1999, at 78. James Coco was an American actor, best known for Sancho Panza in Man of La Mancha, he also shone in Murder by Death and Only When I Laugh. Passed away February 25, 1987, at 56. Roddy McDowall was a British-American actor, best known for Cornelius in Planet of the Apes, he also shone as a child in How Green Was My Valley and Lassie Come Home. Passed away October 3, 1998, at 70. Pedro Zamora was a Cuban-American AIDS educator and TV personality, best known for The Real World: San Francisco, he also shone as an activist and lecturer. Passed away November 11, 1994, at 22. Victor Buono was an American actor and comedian, best known for King Tut in Batman, he also shone as Edwin Flagg in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane. Passed away January 1, 1982, at 43. Ian Charleson was a Scottish actor, best known for Eric Liddell in Chariots of Fire, he also shone in Gandhi and stage Hamlet. Passed away January 6, 1990, at 40. George Maharis was a Greek-American actor and singer, best known for Buz Murdock in Route 66, he also shone in Exodus and as a pop singer. Passed away May 24, 2023, at 94.