Celebrity Deaths - Summer of 2026 Quiz

Answer: "Islands In The Stream"

Dolly Parton was a country music legend who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. "Islands in the Stream" was a Billboard Hot 100 smash in 1983 and was released as a duet with Kenny Rogers. "Jolene" came out in 1973 and "I Will Always Love You" from 1974 were both solo hits for Dolly Parton. "Here You Come Again" crossed over to the pop charts and was a solo hit for Dolly in 1977.

Answer: Gloria Steinem

Gloria Steinem worked for "Show Magazine" in 1963. She went undercover and applied to be a Playboy Bunny for an expose' called "A Bunny's Tale" and called attention to the tough working conditions and low pay of the Bunnies. Steinem went on to become a highly recognized leader for feminist rights and was the publisher of "Ms." magazine in 1973. Steinem also co-founded the groundbreaking National Women's Political Caucus to support women running for public office in the early 1970s.

She passed away at the age of 92.

Answer: Jesus in "The Last Temptation of Christ".

Tim Curry passed away at the age of 80 from coronary artery disease. The role of Jesus Christ in "The Last Temptation of Christ" was played by Willem Dafoe. Curry is best known for his role as Dr. Frank-n-Furter in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show", an eccentric scientist from Transsexual, Transylvania.

He first played the role in London theater before reprising the role for the 1975 film. Tim Curry played the lead role as the evil clown, Pennywise, in the television mini-series "It", which was based on the book by Steven King.

In "Clue", Curry played the butler named Wadsworth in the motion picture adapted from the popular board game.

Answer: Shelley Fabares

All of the actresses listed acted opposite of Elvis Presley in a motion picture, but the only actress to star with Elvis three times was Shelley Fabares. Those films included "Girl Happy" (1965), "Spinout" (1966), and "Clambake" (1967).

Her given name was Michele Ann Marie Fabares, and she passed away from pneumonia at the age of 82 in 2026. Fabares was also a very popular actress on television. Those roles including the 1960s where she was in the cast of "The Donna Reed Show". She starred as Francine Webster on "One Day At A Time" in the 1970s, and in the 1980s, she played Christine Armstong on "Coach".

Answer: "Remember The Titans"

Hayden Panettiere died at the young age of 36 in South Carolina on August 16, 2026. She was a child actor who appeared in many commercials before landing the role at the age of ten playing Sheryl Yoast, the daughter of the Titans football team assistant coach, Bill Yoast.

The 2000 film co-starred Denzel Washington, and Hayden was a fireball actress who passionately loved her favorite team. Panettiere also appeared in many films and television series, including "Bring It On" and "Nashville".

Answer: "The Sopranos"

Spoiler alert - except for any who watched HBO's mafia series, "The Sopranos"! You'll never forget the season two finale when Sal was discovered to be an FBI informant and was killed by his partners, Tony Soprano, Silvio Dante, and Paulie on a boat at sea.

The story of the New Jersey mafia boss and his family was an HBO favorite from 1999 to 2007. The name Big Pussy was actually chosen as a nod to real life mafia members, John and Anthony Russo. They were cat burglars (hence the reference) who were collectively known as Big Pussy and Little Pussy. Vincent Pastore passed away at the age of 80 in the summer of 2026.

Answer: "We Don't Need Another Hero"

"We Don't Need Another Hero" was recorded by Tina Turner for the movie soundtrack, "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome" in 1985. Bonnie Tyler was a Welsh singer best known for her signature song, "Total Eclipse Of The Heart" in 1983. "It's A Heartache" was Bonnie's first international smash when it was released in 1977 and reached number three on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. "Holding Out For A Hero" was a huge single and part of the soundtrack for "Footloose".

Her birth name was Gaynor Sullivan, and she passed away at the age of 75.

Answer: George Michael

George Michael wasn't discovered by Clive Davis but started his duo group, Wham!, with Andrew Ridgely in the U.K. in 1981. Clive Davis, who passed away at the age of 94 in Manhattan, did sign the other three acts to his recording labels. Clive was one of the most recognized "golden ears for talent", and was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 in the non-performer category.

Clive signed Bruce Springsteen to Columbia Records at the age of just 22 years old. Manilow was encouraged by Clive to change the lyrics to "Brandy" to "Mandy", Barry's first number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 on his second album with Arista Records. Whitney was discovered by Clive at the age of 19 and she was signed to Arista for her debut album.

Answer: "Falling Slowly"

"Falling Slowly" was a soulful folk love song recorded by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova for the 2007 musical motion picture "Once". Their chemistry was undeniable and the song resonated with moviegoers. Like his role in "Once", Hansard was an Irish singer who been as a street busker in Dublin. Glen later fronted the bands, the Frames and The Swell Season.

He passed away at the age of 56.

Answer: "On Golden Pond"

Mark Rydell directed films including "The Rose" and "For The Boys", each starring Bette Midler, and "The Cowboys" with John Wayne. But his crowning achievement was his Oscar nominated work in "On Golden Pond" with Henry and Jane Fonda and Katherine Hepburn in 1981.

The film touched heartstrings with family relationships mending and the fragility of life as we get older. Rydell passed away in Woodland Hills, California, on August 13, 2026.