The Most Notable LGBTQ+ Actors Who Passed Away (With Cause Of Death)

These performers left a lasting mark on film and television while also shaping LGBTQ+ visibility in entertainment. Below are notable actors whose lives and careers are remembered today, along with the causes of their deaths and a few key roles that help define their legacy.

Rock Hudson

A leading man of classic Hollywood, Rock Hudson starred in films like ‘Giant’ and romantic comedies with Doris Day. He died from AIDS-related complications in 1985. His illness became public shortly before his death, bringing global attention to the AIDS crisis. Hudson’s disclosure helped change how the media covered HIV and how the industry discussed health and privacy.

Anthony Perkins

Best known for playing Norman Bates in ‘Psycho’, Anthony Perkins balanced film, stage, and television work for decades. He died from AIDS-related pneumonia in 1992. Perkins kept his diagnosis private for much of his illness. His passing highlighted how AIDS affected prominent figures in cinema and prompted broader conversations about stigma.

Ian Charleson

Ian Charleson earned acclaim for ‘Chariots of Fire’ and distinguished stage work at the National Theatre. He died from AIDS-related complications in 1990. Charleson asked for his cause of death to be made public, which was rare at the time. His openness helped raise awareness in the British arts community about HIV.

Denholm Elliott

A versatile character actor known for ‘A Room with a View’ and ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’, Denholm Elliott brought depth to every role. He died from AIDS-related tuberculosis in 1992. Elliott had been living with HIV and received care in Spain. His death underscored the range of AIDS-related opportunistic infections that claimed lives before modern therapies.

Liberace

The flamboyant entertainer appeared in film and television while headlining residencies and specials. Liberace died from AIDS-related pneumonia in 1987. His final illness was initially disputed, then confirmed by an autopsy. The case drew massive media attention and influenced how celebrity health disclosures were handled.

Tab Hunter

The former studio heartthrob made a successful comeback with ‘Polyester’ and later produced and wrote about his career. Tab Hunter died of cardiac arrest in 2018, with a blood clot in his leg leading to complications. He lived openly with his partner in later years. His memoir and documentary detailed the pressures of the studio system on LGBTQ+ performers.

Paul Lynde

Famed for ‘Bewitched’ and his quick wit on ‘Hollywood Squares’, Paul Lynde was a television fixture. He died of a heart attack in 1982. Lynde navigated a career in a time when being openly gay in Hollywood was professionally risky. His distinctive comic persona influenced later generations of TV comedians.

Sal Mineo

An Oscar-nominated actor from ‘Rebel Without a Cause’, Sal Mineo worked in film and on stage. He was murdered in 1976, dying from stab wounds near his home in Los Angeles. A man was later convicted for the killing. The loss cut short a career that had recently been revitalized by theater roles.

Ramón Novarro

A silent-era idol and later character actor, Ramón Novarro starred in ‘Ben-Hur’ and other epics. He was murdered in 1968 during a robbery at his home. The case involved two brothers who were convicted for the killing. Novarro’s death became one of Hollywood’s most notorious crimes involving a classic star.

Divine

Harris Glenn Milstead, known as Divine, was John Waters’ iconic star in films like ‘Pink Flamingos’ and ‘Hairspray’. Divine died in 1988 from heart failure due to an enlarged heart. He passed away shortly after filming an episode of a network sitcom he had hoped would broaden his career. Divine’s screen persona helped bring underground camp sensibilities into mainstream pop culture.

Candy Darling

A Warhol superstar and actor in ‘Women in Revolt’, Candy Darling also performed on stage and inspired songs and artworks. She died from lymphoma in 1974. Darling spent her final months in a hospital where she received visits from fellow artists. Her legacy remains central to discussions of trans representation in film.

Alexis Arquette

An actor and performance artist, Alexis Arquette appeared in projects such as ‘Pulp Fiction’ and ‘The Wedding Singer’. She died in 2016 from cardiac arrest, with HIV cited as an underlying factor. Arquette was an outspoken advocate for trans rights in entertainment. Her family later created tributes to her activism and artistry.

Nigel Hawthorne

Known for ‘The Madness of King George’ and ‘Yes, Minister’, Nigel Hawthorne was a distinguished stage and screen actor. He died of a heart attack in 2001. Hawthorne had previously undergone treatment for cancer, which he discussed in interviews. His contributions to British theatre and television continue to be celebrated.

Alan Bates

A leading figure of British cinema and theatre, Alan Bates starred in ‘Women in Love’ and ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’. He died from pancreatic cancer in 2003. Bates continued working through periods of illness. His archives and papers have since been used by scholars studying British stage and film.

George Nader

A film and television actor who later turned to writing, George Nader appeared in ‘Six Bridges to Cross’ and European productions. He died from pneumonia in 2002. Nader spent his later years with his longtime partner and friends from the industry. His papers, including correspondence, have been referenced in studies of midcentury Hollywood.

Dirk Bogarde

Celebrated for ‘Victim’ and ‘Death in Venice’, Dirk Bogarde later became a successful author. He died of a heart attack in 1999. Bogarde had suffered a major stroke several years earlier that affected his mobility. His choice of roles helped push discussions of sexuality in mainstream European cinema.

John Gielgud

One of the great classical actors, Sir John Gielgud appeared in ‘Arthur’ and countless stage productions. He died in 2000 of natural causes at home. Gielgud’s career spanned much of the twentieth century, including acclaimed Shakespearean performances. He was widely honored with major awards for stage and screen.

Quentin Crisp

An actor and writer known for ‘The Naked Civil Servant’ and later appearances in film and television, Quentin Crisp became a cultural commentator. He died from heart failure in 1999 while on a speaking tour. Crisp maintained a busy schedule into his nineties. His memoir and public talks influenced LGBTQ+ discourse in the English-speaking world.

Charles Nelson Reilly

A Tony-winning actor and television personality, Charles Nelson Reilly directed opera and worked extensively on stage. He died from pneumonia in 2007. Reilly taught acting and mentored younger performers. His one-man show and later documentary preserved his stories about theatre and television.

Leslie Cheung

A star of Hong Kong cinema and music, Leslie Cheung earned international acclaim with films such as ‘Farewell My Concubine’ and ‘Happy Together’. He died by suicide in 2003. Cheung’s partner and family organized memorials that draw fans annually. His influence on queer representation in Asian popular culture remains profound.

William Haines

A top silent-era star of ‘Brown of Harvard’ and ‘The Midnight Express’, William Haines later became a renowned interior designer. He lived openly with his partner Jimmie Shields after leaving the studio system. Haines died in 1973 from lung cancer. His career shift is often cited in histories of early Hollywood and queer visibility during the studio era.

Montgomery Clift

Montgomery Clift rose to fame with ‘A Place in the Sun’ and ‘From Here to Eternity’. He was known for intense, modern performances that reshaped screen acting in the 1950s. Clift died in 1966 from a heart attack. His private life and health struggles have been documented alongside his pioneering approach to character work.

James Coco

James Coco earned acclaim on stage and screen with roles in ‘Only When I Laugh’ and ‘Man of La Mancha’. He worked steadily in film and television through the 1970s and 1980s. Coco died in 1987 from a heart attack. His career included award nominations that highlighted his versatility in both drama and comedy.

Richard Deacon

Richard Deacon was a familiar face from ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show’ and ‘Leave It to Beaver’. He also worked in films and voice roles across several decades. Deacon died in 1984 from cardiovascular disease. His character-actor profile made him a steady presence in midcentury American television.

John Inman

John Inman became widely known for playing Mr. Humphries in ‘Are You Being Served?’. He toured internationally with stage productions and continued television work after the series. Inman died in 2007 due to complications from hepatitis A. His performances remain a reference point in British sitcom history.

Dack Rambo

Dack Rambo appeared in prime-time hits including ‘Dallas’ and ‘All My Children’. He disclosed his HIV status during a period when few actors did so publicly. Rambo died in 1994 from AIDS-related complications. His decision to speak about his diagnosis drew attention to health and workplace issues for performers.

Leonard Frey

Leonard Frey is remembered for ‘The Boys in the Band’ and for playing Motel in ‘Fiddler on the Roof’. He worked in film, television, and theatre, earning award nominations for stage performances. Frey died in 1988 from AIDS-related complications. His roles continue to be discussed in the context of changing queer representation.

Robert La Tourneaux

Robert La Tourneaux originated the Cowboy role in ‘The Boys in the Band’ on stage and screen. He continued acting in film and television through the 1970s. La Tourneaux died in 1986 from AIDS-related complications. His career is frequently cited in discussions about the trajectories of actors from that landmark production.

Keith Prentice

Keith Prentice appeared in ‘The Boys in the Band’ and on the gothic soap ‘Dark Shadows’. He later helped found a regional theatre company and directed stage productions. Prentice died in 1992 from AIDS-related complications. His work linked New York theatre with emerging regional stages in the Midwest.

Jeremy Brett

Jeremy Brett became definitive to many viewers as Sherlock Holmes in ‘The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes’. He also had film roles and significant stage credits with major companies. Brett died in 1995 from heart failure. His Holmes portrayal remains a benchmark for adaptations of Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories.

Graham Chapman

Graham Chapman was a core member of Monty Python, appearing in ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’ and ‘Monty Python’s Life of Brian’. He authored books and performed on stage in addition to television work. Chapman died in 1989 from throat cancer. His colleagues have continued to reference his contributions in documentaries and retrospectives.

Antony Sher

Antony Sher was a leading actor with the Royal Shakespeare Company and appeared in films such as ‘Shakespeare in Love’. He wrote books about his process and collaborations in theatre. Sher died in 2021 from cancer. His stage performances, including major Shakespearean roles, are studied in acting programs and archives.

Marlene Dietrich

Marlene Dietrich’s screen legacy includes ‘The Blue Angel’ and ‘Witness for the Prosecution’. She also performed extensively as a live entertainer during and after World War II. Dietrich died in 1992 from kidney failure. Her image and film work continue to feature in museum exhibitions and retrospectives.

Tallulah Bankhead

Tallulah Bankhead starred in ‘Lifeboat’ and maintained a long stage career with acclaimed dramatic roles. She was known for radio appearances and later television guest spots. Bankhead died in 1968 from pneumonia. Her archives and biographies document a prolific life in American and British entertainment.

Jean Marais

Jean Marais made enduring films with Jean Cocteau, including ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘Orpheus’. He balanced cinema with a substantial stage career in France. Marais died in 1998 following heart disease complications. His collaborations remain central to studies of postwar French film and theatre.

Anne Heche

Anne Heche worked across film and television in projects like ‘Donnie Brasco’ and ‘Six Days Seven Nights’. She also wrote and directed, adding to a varied career on stage and screen. Heche died in 2022 from inhalation injury and burns following a car crash. Posthumous reports detailed the medical findings and organ donation that followed.

Peter Allen

Peter Allen performed on stage and on television, with his life later dramatized in ‘The Boy from Oz’. He toured internationally and composed songs recorded by major artists. Allen died in 1992 from AIDS-related complications. His story remains part of modern musical theatre history and popular music biographies.

Victor Buono

Victor Buono appeared in ‘What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?’ and played King Tut on television’s ‘Batman’. He combined film roles with television work and stand-up. Buono died in 1982 from a heart attack. His filmography shows a steady run of character roles across genres in the 1960s and 1970s.

Leslie Jordan

Leslie Jordan became widely recognized for ‘Will & Grace’ and later for ‘Call Me Kat’. He appeared in numerous series and stage productions over several decades. Jordan died in 2022 from sudden cardiac dysfunction, which led to a car crash in Los Angeles. Tributes emphasized his television work and contributions to comedy.

Michael Jeter

Michael Jeter won major awards for stage and television and acted in films such as ‘The Green Mile’. He was open about being HIV-positive while maintaining a steady career. Jeter died in 2003 after an epileptic seizure. His roles in ‘Evening Shade’ and family-oriented movies introduced his work to broad audiences.

Share your thoughts on which performances by these actors meant the most to you in the comments.