Every Major LGBTQ+ Actor Who Died in the Last 10 Years

Over the last decade the screen world lost a number of groundbreaking LGBTQ+ actors whose work shaped film, television, and theater. From beloved sitcom staples to fearless stage legends and barrier-breaking trans icons, each left a clear mark through memorable roles and visible lives. Below is a concise memorial to their careers, with key roles, life details, and the circumstances of their passing to help celebrate what they gave audiences everywhere.

Leslie Jordan

Leslie Jordan was an Emmy-winning actor best known for scene-stealing turns on ‘Will & Grace’ and appearances across ‘American Horror Story’ and ‘Call Me Kat’. He died in Los Angeles on October 24, 2022 at age 67 after sudden cardiac dysfunction while driving, according to the coroner. Jordan was openly gay and became a joyful online presence during the pandemic. His stage work in ‘Sordid Lives’ and decades of television guest roles made him a cherished figure in comedy.

Kevin Conroy

Kevin Conroy was the defining voice of Batman in ‘Batman: The Animated Series’ and many follow-ups, and he also worked extensively on stage. He died on November 10, 2022 at age 66 after a short battle with cancer. Conroy was openly gay and wrote the acclaimed autobiographical story “Finding Batman” about his life and career. His voice acting, theater credits, and convention appearances made him a singular ambassador for the character and for LGBTQ+ visibility in fandom.

Anne Heche

Anne Heche was a film and television actor who spoke openly about being bisexual and whose credits ranged from ‘Six Days Seven Nights’ to ‘Donnie Brasco’ and ‘Another World’. She died in Los Angeles on August 11, 2022 at age 53 from injuries sustained in a car crash six days earlier. Heche worked steadily in television and independent film and also wrote a memoir. Her public relationships and advocacy helped broaden conversations around bisexuality in Hollywood.

Alexis Arquette

Alexis Arquette was a transgender actress and artist who appeared in films like ‘Pulp Fiction’ and ‘The Wedding Singer’ and on reality television. She died in Los Angeles on September 11, 2016 at age 47, with the family noting cardiac arrest related to complications of HIV. Arquette came from a well-known acting family and spoke openly about her transition and activism. Her career spanned independent film, music videos, and documentary projects that chronicled her life.

Antony Sher

Sir Antony Sher was a South African-born British actor celebrated for powerhouse Shakespeare performances with the Royal Shakespeare Company and notable screen roles. He died on December 2, 2021 at age 72 from cancer. Sher was openly gay and married director Gregory Doran, who served as RSC artistic director. His portrayals of Richard III, Macbeth, and other roles set modern benchmarks in classical theater.

Jim Nabors

Jim Nabors was the beloved star of ‘Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.’ and a noted baritone who regularly sang at major events. He died in Honolulu on November 30, 2017 at age 87. Nabors was openly gay and married longtime partner Stan Cadwallader in 2013 after marriage equality came to Hawaii. He balanced television, stage concerts, and recordings over a long career.

Tab Hunter

Tab Hunter was a former studio heartthrob who later spoke candidly about being gay in Hollywood and enjoyed a career resurgence. He died on July 8, 2018 at age 86 after cardiac arrest related to complications of a blood clot. Hunter starred in ‘Damn Yankees’ and later produced the documentary ‘Tab Hunter Confidential’ based on his memoir. His story became a landmark account of queerness in the studio era.

Paul O’Grady

Paul O’Grady was a British television star and comedian known for his drag persona Lily Savage and for hosting popular talk and entertainment shows. He died on March 28, 2023 at age 67. O’Grady was openly gay and married André Portasio, and he also worked on stage including a recent run in ‘Annie’. His long-running animal welfare series and charity work made him a national favorite.

John Sessions

John Sessions was a Scottish-born actor and comedian known for ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’, richly researched character work, and frequent panel shows. He died in London on November 2, 2020 at age 67. Sessions was gay and spoke publicly about being outed by the press in the nineties. His film and television appearances included ‘Stella Street’ and roles in prestige dramas and comedies.

Peter Wyngarde

Peter Wyngarde was a British screen icon famed for playing Jason King in ‘Department S’ and ‘Jason King’ and for a flamboyant public image. He died in London on January 15, 2018 after a long illness, aged about 90. Wyngarde discussed fluid sexuality later in life and was widely regarded as bisexual. His career stretched from stage to cult television, with a devoted fan following.

Gorden Kaye

Gorden Kaye headlined the long-running British sitcom ‘Allo ‘Allo!’ as café owner René Artois. He died in Knaresborough on January 23, 2017 at age 75. Kaye was gay and had previously discussed his private life in interviews and an autobiography. His television legacy includes a central role in one of the BBC’s most exported comedies.

Isabel Torres

Isabel Torres was a Spanish transgender actress and media personality best known for portraying Cristina “La Veneno” Ortiz in the series ‘Veneno’. She died on February 11, 2022 at age 52 following a battle with cancer. Torres was a longtime activist who made regional history with legal gender recognition and public advocacy. Her performance in ‘Veneno’ brought international attention to a pivotal trans story.

Cristina ‘La Veneno’

Cristina Ortiz Rodríguez, known as La Veneno, was a Spanish trans icon who rose to fame as a television personality and actress. She died in Madrid on November 9, 2016 at age 52 after sustaining a severe head injury, with authorities determining her death followed an accidental fall. La Veneno became a symbol of trans visibility in Spain and inspired later dramatizations of her life. Her memoir and numerous TV appearances documented an often turbulent path to fame.

Paul Reubens

Paul Reubens was the actor and creator behind Pee-wee Herman, spanning films, television, and stage shows. He died on July 30, 2023 at age 70 after a private cancer illness. In a posthumous documentary released in early 2025 he disclosed that he was gay and reflected on why he kept that part of his life out of public view. His work as Pee-wee shaped generations of children’s entertainment and cult comedy.

Chi Chi DeVayne

Chi Chi DeVayne, born Zavion Davenport, was a ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ standout who extended into acting and live performance. She died on August 20, 2020 at age 34 after complications related to scleroderma and pneumonia. DeVayne was gay and became widely admired for high-energy stagecraft and resilience. Her appearances on the show and touring career left a lasting imprint on queer performance culture.

Roland Curram

Roland Curram was a British actor known for ‘Darling’ and for one of the earliest openly gay characters in a UK soap, playing Freddie Martin in ‘Eldorado’. He died in 2025 at age 92. Curram later entered civil partnerships and wrote a memoir detailing his personal life and career. His film, television, and stage work spanned decades and reflected shifting attitudes toward LGBTQ+ stories.

If there is someone you feel should be included here, share their name and why they mattered to you in the comments so we can honor them too.