Did These 90s Stars Pass Away?
- by Sara Lu
- – on
- in Movies and TV
The 1990s can sometimes get a tad overlooked when people start to become nostalgic about days gone by. While the 1950s were filled with Hollywood glamour and the 1980s gave rise to some of the careers of the hottest stars that graced the big screen, the 1990s seem to blend into the background at times. Yet, there were a number of hugely successful television shows that ran throughout the '90s, with characters that are still memorable today.
From Friends to Seinfeld to all of the shows in between, it seems like people did a lot of TV watching during the '90s. While many of these shows still run as repeats on various television networks today, it's actually interesting to think that there are numerous celebrities that are no longer with us. It seems like every year, there are reports about celebrities passing, whether it's from natural causes or some unfortunate circumstance. With so many losses in the entertainment industry, it can be easy to forget which one of the favorites from the 1990s are even still around. Test your knowledge on how well you remember these '90s stars and see if you can recall whether or not they are still with us or if they have already passed.
Is David Hyde Pierce alive or dead?
David Hyde Pierce has had a hugely successful career, with awards and accolades to prove it. He portrayed the character, Niles Crane, in the hit TV series, Frasier. He was nominated for a record-breaking amount of Best Supporting Actor Emmy Awards in the 1990s. Pierce also became a great spokesperson for the LGBTQ community, with many people thinking of him as a pioneer for equality for the gay community during a time when not everyone was willing to do so. Is David Hyde Pierce alive or dead?
Is Michelle Thomas alive or dead?
Michelle Thomas had a number of memorable roles throughout her career. While some remember her as the love interest of Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, many people still think of her as the Myra Monkhouse character from Family Matters in the 1990s. She starred as the love interest for Steve Urkel and people thought that she had amazing talent as a young actress. Many people claimed that she had a bright future in store for her as an actress. Is Michelle Thomas alive or dead?
Is Doris Roberts alive or dead?
Doris Roberts got her start in acting during the golden age of Hollywood and she was seen as a striking beauty in the 1950s. Yet, most people remember her from this hilarious character, Marie Barone, in the hit television sitcom, Everybody Loves Raymond. She was the overbearing mother that blatantly favored Raymond and reminded everyone of their own mother-in-law. While she didn’t always get along with her family members, there was always a lot of love and everything was done in a way that made the audience laugh. Is Doris Roberts alive or dead?
Is Jane Leeves alive or dead?
Jane Leeves has had a number of roles throughout her career but truly made her mark on Hollywood in the '90s. She starred as Daphne Moon in the hit TV series, Frasier, and even had a stint on Seinfeld. While she often found herself on TV comedies, she is thought of as more than just a comedic actress. People loved the way she would play off the comedy stylings of her fellow actors and felt that she played a great character in every role she took. Is Jane Leeves alive or dead?
Is David Strickland alive or dead?
David Strickland had a few roles prior to his stint on Suddenly Susan in the late 1990s but he is best known for his role as the lovable rock music reporter, Todd Stites. Many people likened him to Chris O'Donnell because they had a very similar look. Yet, David seemed to have a difficult time branching out with his own stardom, unlike O’Donnell who seemed to skyrocket into success during the 1990s from his film and television performances. Is David Strickland alive or dead?
Is Lisa Robin Kelly alive or dead?
Lisa Robin Kelly obtained fame as the beautiful older sister in the hit TV sitcom, That '70s Show. The series ran from 1998 to 2006 but Kelly lost her job as the character Laurie on the series. Afterward, she seemed to go into a downward spiral with substance abuse and there was even an arrest for domestic violence. While she seemed to be going through a troubled time in her life that didn’t mean that she wasn’t willing to get help for her issues. Is Lisa Robin Kelly alive or dead?
Is Taylor Negron alive or dead?
Taylor Negron has had parts in a number of hit sitcoms over the years. While some people best remember him from the Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen sitcom, So Little Time, he has had small roles in a number of other sitcoms as well. He left a lasting impression with audiences from shows like Friends and Seinfeld in the '90s. He had a signature look about him that made him ultra-memorable and he also had a great way to enact comedy acting. Is Taylor Negron alive or dead?
Is Ben Savage alive or dead?
Ben Savage made a name for himself outside of his brother's fame when he starred as Cory Matthews in the '90s hit TV series, Boy Meets World. He definitely had some big shoes to fill since his brother, Fred Savage, had already become a huge star in the eyes of young girls everywhere. This coming of age show was a huge favorite from 1993 to 2000, with everyone rooting for love between Cory and Topanga. Is Ben Savage alive or dead?
Is David Schwimmer alive or dead?
While many people tend to get focused on Courteney Cox and Jennifer Aniston when it comes to the '90s sitcom, Friends, there were a number of other cast members that really helped to bring the storyline together. David Schwimmer played the role of Ross Geller and became everyone's favorite annoying older brother. While he did have some success after the conclusion of the Friends series, people still seem to remember him as Ross Geller. Is David Schwimmer alive or dead?
Is Wayne Knight alive or dead?
Wayne Knight is best known for playing the role of Newman on the hit TV series, Seinfeld. The series ran from 1989 to 1998 and Newman was actually a big part of the appeal of the series. While everyone seemed to love Jerry Seinfeld, Newman was the one person that didn't see his appeal. People loved to see their banter back and forth on the series and he became a favorite in his own way. Is Wayne Knight alive or dead?
Is Debra Jo Rupp alive or dead?
Debra Jo Rupp has been extremely lucky throughout her acting career since she's had roles in a number of truly successful sitcoms. While some people know her as Kitty Forman, the mother on That '70s Show, others know her as Phoebe's brother's wife on Friends. She had a signature look, smile, and voice. Yet, she was able to make her character completely believable in every role she took. While she wasn’t exactly seen as the main character in either of these shows, she was definitely remembered. Is Debra Jo Rupp alive or dead?
Is Matthew Perry alive or dead?
While Courteney Cox and Jennifer Aniston get their fare share of publicity for being breakout stars from the '90s sitcom, Friends, Matthew Perry had quite some time where he was also in the limelight. He starred in a number of films on the big screen, including Fools Rush In opposite Salma Hayek. Yet, Perry did have to deal with some substance abuse issues throughout the '90s. He was quite open about his issues after the conclusion of the Friends’ series and even pointed out some of the episodes where he was drunk during the filming. Is Matthew Perry alive or dead?
Is Jonathan Taylor Thomas alive or dead?
While Home Improvement was hugely popular with TV audiences during its run from 1991 to 1999, the show seemed to get overlooked by every awards' show every year. Tim Allen's character was definitely memorable but it was Jonathan Taylor Thomas that became the major heartthrob as the character, Randy Taylor. Little girls would put posters of Thomas up on their walls and he was a major reason to buy the Teen Beat magazine. Is Jonathan Taylor Thomas alive or dead?
Is Fran Drescher alive or dead?
While not everyone was a huge fan of the ridiculous storyline within The Nanny in the '90s sitcom, there was something truly likable in Fran Drescher. Her over-the-top personality was truly comical as the nanny, Fran Fine, and people really wanted her to find love. While there were those that criticized her character for being a bit unbelievable, that didn’t stop her from obtaining an amazing amount of continued success after the conclusion of the series. Is Fran Drescher alive or dead?
Is Maggie Wheeler alive or dead?
Maggie Wheeler had a hugely successful career in the 1990s, with roles on a number of hit sitcoms. While some people remember her as the woman that almost had George Costanza's baby on Seinfeld, other people remember her as Linda on Everybody Loves Raymond but a huge amount of people remember her signature laugh as Janice on Friends. From her annoying laugh to her infamous “Oh. My. God.” line, Maggie Wheeler definitely made her mark on TV audiences. Is Maggie Wheeler alive or dead?
Is Peter Boyle alive or dead?
Peter Boyle is an actor that had a huge amount of success during his early years but he is probably best known for the role of Ray Barone's father in the hit TV sitcom, Everybody Loves Raymond. The series ran from 1996 to 2005 and Boyle's character, Frank, had an immense amount of appeal with his signature catchphrase, "Holy crap!" While he wasn’t the most warm and fuzzy father figure on television, he still gave some amazing moments of hilarity. Is Peter Boyle alive or dead?
Is Megan Mullally alive or dead?
When Megan Mullally starred as the infamous Karen Walker in the hit '90s sitcom, Will & Grace, people thought of her as the true breakout star of the show. People loved her chemistry with Jack McFarland and there was an outcry for a spin-off series. People would definitely want to see a show about Jack and Karen’s relationship outside of Will and Grace, even if it was just to see more of Karen and her maid. Is Megan Mullally alive or dead?
Is Debbie Reynolds alive or dead?
While the premise of Will & Grace really did focus on the friendship between Will Truman and Grace Adler, the side characters were definitely a huge part of the show. Everyone seemed to have their own favorites but Grace's mother, Bobbi, was always a treat to see. Bobbi Adler was played by the iconic actress and singer, Debbie Reynolds, and people just couldn’t seem to get enough of that dynamic between her and Grace. Is Debbie Reynolds alive or dead?
Is Suzanne Somers alive or dead?
While many people know Suzanne Somers as the Chrissy Snow character from the TV sitcom, Three's Company, she was able to revamp her persona since those troubling times in the late '70s and early '80s. During the 1990s, Somers starred in the hit sitcom, Step by Step, and made a name for herself as a published author. While Somers went on to become a bit of a health guru during later years, people still seem to think of her through her acting roles rather than her books and health statements. Is Suzanne Somers alive or dead?
Is Rider Strong alive or dead?
While the main premise of the '90s TV series, Boy Meets World, revolved around the love story of Topanga and Cory, little girls were still fawning over Cory's friend, Shawn Hunter. Rider Strong became a major heartthrob on all the Teen Beat and Bop magazines during the 1990s. Yet, he didn’t completely drop out of the limelight after the conclusion of the Boy Meets World series and he even starred on the big screen in a horror flick with a moderate amount of success. Is Rider Strong alive or dead?
Is Patrick Duffy alive or dead?
There aren't many actors that can boast having such a successful TV career like Patrick Duffy. It seems like every time he was cast onto a television series, his character became iconic in the eyes of viewers. In the '90s, he played the role of Frank Lambert, in the series, Step by Step, which ran from 1991 to 1998. People loved seeing him as the silver-haired fox and he seemed like one of those actors that just seemed to get better with each year. Is Patrick Duffy alive or dead?
Is Merlin Santana alive or dead?
Although Merlin Santana had a number of roles as a child actor, he obtained true fame through his hilarious portrayal of Romeo Santana on The Steve Harvey Show. The series ran from 1996 to 2002 and many people felt that it really showed how he had a career as a comedic actor and future heartthrob. There were a number of episodes that showed Santana flaunting his muscles and winning smile and it wasn’t unheard of for girls to have posters of his likeness up on their walls. Is Merlin Santana alive or dead?
Is John Ritter alive or dead?
While John Ritter is probably best known for his portrayal of Jack Tripper in the Three's Company sitcom, he was introduced to a whole new audience in the 1990s. He was on the hit CBS series, Hearts Afire from 1992 to 1995 and also portrayed the character, Paul Hennessy, on the sitcom, 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter. There are a handful of actors that have the amount of likability like Ritter and people still think of him in certain scenes and laugh. Is John Ritter alive or dead?
Is Tim Daly alive or dead?
Wings was a TV series that had a hugely successful run from 1990 to 1997. People couldn't get enough of the dynamic between two brothers trying to run an airline, with each of them having completely different personalities. Fans fell in love with Tim Daly as the responsible brother and he later found work on the hit TV series, The Sopranos. While his Sopranos character definitely had some memorable moments, people still seem to remember him from the ‘90s hit, Wings. Is Tim Daly alive or dead?
Is Jenna von Oy alive or dead?
When people think about Blossom, they often remember Joey Lawrence as the heartthrob and the young Mayim Bialik as the main star. Yet, Blossom's best friend was also a huge favorite with fans. Everyone needs that one best friend that really embraces all of your eccentricities and that was Six, played by Jenna von Oy. She was the perfect counterpart to Bialik's Blossom and everyone always wanted to see if they could duplicate her over-the-top quirks that made Blossom love her even more. Is Jenna von Oy alive or dead?
Is Danny Masterson alive or dead?
That '70s Show ran from 1998 to 2006 and was actually received quite well by television audiences. Many of the main characters went on to star in films on the big screen. Yet, there were some characters that didn't get quite as much success as Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis. While all of the characters indulged in some marijuana usage throughout the show, it was Danny Masterson’s character that was shown as the true stoner. Is Danny Masterson alive or dead?
Is Paul Reiser alive or dead?
Paul Reiser is a comedian, actor, and writer. He is probably best known for playing the role of Paul Buchman in the hit TV series, Mad About You. The series was a huge hit from 1992 to 1999 and many people thought of it as depicting their dream marriage. There was an extreme amount of chemistry between Paul and the other main character, Jamie, played by Helen Hunt. Many people see this romantic sitcom as something truly special. Is Paul Reiser alive or dead?
Is James Avery alive or dead?
While everyone thinks of Will Smith when referencing The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, there were a lot of other memorable characters from that series. It ran for an impressive six years from 1990 to 1996 and it was seen as more than just a comedy sitcom. There were some truly moving moments throughout the show, with many of them containing the father figure, Phillip Banks, played by James Avery. While the show was meant to be a comedy, it really had some touching moments that showed Avery as an amazing surrogate father. Is James Avery alive or dead?
Is Kim Coles alive or dead?
Kim Coles has been in a number of television shows over the years and is known for being an actress, writer, playwright, and a television personality. She is probably best known for acting alongside Queen Latifah and Kim Fields in the hit series, Living Single. The entire cast was filled with some hugely famous faces and the success of the series helped to catapult many of the cast members into superstardom. This includes Kim Coles since it helped lead to further success. Is Kim Coles alive or dead?
Is Kristen Johnston alive or dead?
In 1996, 3rd Rock from the Sun, first premiered and it garnered a huge fan base. People loved the story of a group of aliens living on Earth inside the bodies of human beings. While each of them had their own charm, people truly loved Kristen Johnston as Sally Solomon. She was the only female alien and she created huge laughs over the complexities of being in a human’s body, especially a buxom blonde human. Is Kristen Johnston alive or dead?
Is Mark Curry alive or dead?
Hangin' with Mr. Cooper ran from 1992 to 1997 and offered a great and wholesome sitcom for more than just African American audiences. People loved seeing Raven-Symone in the role of Nicole Lee but the real star was Mr. Cooper himself, played by Mark Curry. There was something quite wholesome about his character that made him seem like the perfect friend and mentor, which was extremely important to see in a show with an all African American cast. Is Mark Curry alive or dead?
Is Lecy Goranson alive or dead?
Lecy Goranson was the first of two actresses that played the role of Becky Conner on the hit television series, Roseanne. While the show may not have been fully appreciated while it ran in the 1990s, it has since become thought of as a true representation of the middle class. The popularity of the show has caused many to hope for a reboot, with people hoping to see what the cast is doing now and what the characters have been up to after all of these years. Is Lecy Goranson alive or dead?
Is Michael Fishman alive or dead?
Michael Fishman was just a little kid when he starred as D.J. Conner, the youngest of the Conner brood, on the hit television series, Roseanne. Fans got to see him grow up as the series ran from 1988 to 1997. While he wasn't exactly the most memorable character, he did have a signature look that made people think of him when people started talking about the Roseanne reboot. People are highly anticipating this reboot to see what they will say has been up with the original characters. Is Michael Fishman alive or dead?
Is Tommy Ford alive or dead?
Tommy Ford played the role of Tommy Strawn on the hit TV sitcom, Martin. The series ran from 1992 to 1997 and he was a great steadfast character for the show. With so many over-the-top characters, Tommy was a great way to keep the series balanced. Many people often think about Martin Lawrence when they think of the show, Martin, but that doesn’t mean that some of the smaller characters weren’t a huge addition to the series. Is Tommy Ford alive or dead?
Is Lamont Bentley alive or dead?
Lamont Bentley started his acting career with a huge amount of promise. Most people know him best for his role on the 1990s hit series, Moesha, where he starred opposite Brandy. He obtained further success in the '90s spin-off, The Parkers, with many people commenting on his acting skills and his stellar look. In fact, he started to garner a reputation for being a bit of a heartthrob, with many young girls putting up posters with his face on it. Is Lamont Bentley alive or dead?