Passages 2026 – Sid Krofft, John Nolan, more stars we lost

Indian actress and singer Asha Bhosle, known for her versatile repertoire and high-energy singing in countless Bollywood movies, died on April 12 at the age of 92. Bhosle had been hospitalized in Mumbai, India, due to a chest infection and exhaustion, her granddaughter, Zanai Bhosle, said.

Over the course of her career, Bhosle was nominated for two Grammy Awards and landed the Dadasaheb Phalke award, India's top arts accolade, and also the Padma Vibhushan, the country's second-highest civilian honor.

John Nolan, the "Dark Knight Rises" actor who was the uncle of director Christopher Nolan, has died. He was 87.

A representative for Christopher Nolan confirmed the news in a statement shared with USA TODAY on April 12.

"My uncle John was the first artist I knew, and he taught me more than anyone about the search for truth in acting and the joys of creative achievement," Christopher Nolan said in the statement. "I miss him terribly, but take great comfort in my memories of John, particularly those of working together."

John Nolan performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company and appeared in films by his nephew Christopher Nolan, including "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight Rises." He also starred on the CBS series "Person of Interest," which was created by nephew Jonathan Nolan.

DJ and rapper Afrika Bambaataa, who played a seminal role in shaping hip-hop, died on April 9 at age 68, Bambaataa's manager, Naf Aroug, confirmed to USA TODAY. TMZ reported that he died from complications of cancer.

The Bronx-native emcee is best known for his 1982 hit "Planet Rock." He also collaborated with many innovative funk artists, from James Brown and John Lydon to George Clinton.

Actress Dee Freeman, who appeared on several hit shows in the '90s, died on April 2 at age 66 following a battle with stage 4 lung cancer, Freeman's representative, Desirae L. Benson, announced in a press release.

Freeman, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps for six years, made her TV debut in 1995 with a guest role on the sports sitcom "Coach." She would go on to appear in series such as "Party of Five," "3rd Rock from the Sun," "Suddenly Susan," "The Young and The Restless" and "Seinfeld." In recent years, she scored roles on "NCIS: Los Angeles," "Reasonable Doubt" and the Tyler Perry series "Sistas."

"Dee had a quiet power that commanded respect without ever needing to demand it," Benson said in a statement. "Her legacy is not just in her work but in how she made people feel — and that will stay with us forever."

Loved ones of the legendary West Coast DJ and EDM producer known as DJ Dan announced his death on Sunday, March 29. The social media statement called the producer – a frequent festival headliner known for producing remixes for A Tribe Called Quest, Lady Gaga and Janet Jackson – "one of the most beloved, genre-defying, and genuinely influential pioneers in the history of American electronic music."

Chip Taylor, the "Angel of the Morning" and "Wild Thing" songwriter whose family members include brother Jon Voight and niece Angelina Jolie, has died. He was 86. The singer – born James Wesley Voight – died Monday, March 23, according to his label, Train Wreck Records.

After British rock band The Troggs recorded his track "Wild Thing," it shot up the Billboard charts, topping the Hot 100 in 1966. In 2019, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for its "lasting qualitative or historical significance." It also played a part in an iconic moment in music history when a kneeling Jimi Hendrix doused his guitar with lighter fluid and set it on fire to close out the Jimi Hendrix Experience's set at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. Merrilee Rush popularized Taylor's song "Angel In The Morning" with her 1968 recording, but it was Juice Newton's version in 1981 that entered the Billboard Hot 100.

He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2016, with his brothers accompanying Taylor at the ceremony.

Valerie Perrine, an Oscar-nominated actress who performed opposite Dustin Hoffman's Lenny Bruce in 1974's "Lenny" and starred in Christopher Reeve's "Superman" films, has died. She was 82.

Perrine "passed away peacefully at her home on March 23, 2026, surrounded by love, exactly as she had wished," according to Stacey Souther, director of the 2019 documentary short "Valerie." Perrine battled Parkinson's disease for 15 years, making her acting career "no longer possible," Souther wrote in a GoFundMe page.

Perrine's role as Honey Bruce earned her a best actress nomination at the 1975 Oscars, and she cinched the best actress award at the Cannes Film Festival, as well as a BAFTA honor for most promising newcomer.She was perhaps best known for acting alongside the late Gene Hackman, who played Superman's nemesis Lex Luthor in 1978's "Superman" and its 1980 sequel, portraying his girlfriend and assistant Miss Eve Teschmacher.

Nicholas Brendon, the actor beloved by fans as Xander Harris on seven seasons of TV’s "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," died March 20. His family said in a statement that star, 54, died in his sleep of natural causes.
“We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son,” the family wrote on Brendon’s official Facebook page, asking for privacy “as we grieve his loss and celebrate the life of a man who lived with intensity, imagination and heart."
The actor was nominated for several Saturn Awards during his “Buffy” run and also appeared as FBI technical analyst Kevin Lynch on “Criminal Minds.”
After “Buffy,” Brendon had numerous health difficulties and struggled with substance abuse. He was in treatment to manage his diagnosis and “he was optimistic about the future,” his family wrote.

Chuck Norris, the action icon whose martial arts skills became his springboard to a Hollywood career, died March 19 at 86, his family confirmed on Instagram. No cause of death was given. To the world, he was “a symbol of strength,” the statement read. “To us, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the heart of our family."
Norris, a martial arts teacher and karate champion, was cast by Bruce Lee as the villain Colt in Lee's 1972 film "The Way of the Dragon." From there, he starred in a lengthy run of box office hits, including “Missing in Action,” “Code of Silence” and “The Delta Force,” and became a huge TV star in nine seasons of “Walker, Texas Ranger” (1993 to 2001).On his birthday – nine days before his death – he posted video of himself sparring. “I don’t age,” he wrote. “I level up.”

Kiki Shepard, the longtime co-host of "Showtime at the Apollo," died March 16 at age 74, her representative confirmed to TMZ and Variety. No cause of death was given.Shepard co-hosted the long-running show filmed at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem from 1987 to 2002. Known as the "Apollo Queen of Fashion," the actress and Broadway dancer flaunted her style onstage alongside hosts including Steve Harvey and Sinbad. On TV, she appeared on shows like "Baywatch," "Sirens" and "Thunder in Paradise." In 2006, Shepard launched the KIS Foundation, a nonprofit aimed at raising awareness for sickle cell, and said she carried the gene for the disease.

Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell, who spent three decades in the hard rock band, died at 64, his family shared March 14 on social media accounts for his band Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons. His family said he died peacefully after "a complex major operation."Campbell joined Motörhead in 1984 and went on to be the longest-serving member other than founder Lemmy Kilmister. He recorded 16 albums with Motörhead, including “Orgasmatron,” and the group disbanded after Kilmister’s death in 2015.“You could not be around him without a chuckle or twenty, because quite simply, Phil loved life and lived it with great joy," his band Bastard Sons posted. "The world has just lost an enormous beam of light, and we are devastated."

Rapper and longtime radio host Lord Sear has died, SiriusXM confirmed on March 11. He was 52.
"He was more than a voice on the radio — he was a force, a friend, and family to so many of us," the caption of a tribute post on Sears' Instagram page reads. "Lord Sear's legacy in hip hop runs deep."

Sear established a legacy for himself, tracing back to his involvement with the group Kurious in the 1990s and with the underground hip-hop radio show, "The Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show."

Tommy DeCarlo, a singer who made the leap from fan to touring lead vocalist for the rock band Boston, has died. He was 60.

"It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our dad, Tommy DeCarlo, on Monday, March 9th, 2026. After being diagnosed with brain cancer last September, he fought with incredible strength and courage right up until the very end," a message shared on his social media accounts — signed by Annie, Talia and Tommy DeCarlo Jr. — read.

Boston founder Tom Scholz paid homage to his bandmate in a statement shared with USA TODAY, which read, "This morning Tommy lost his fight with cancer. Everyone who has heard Tommy sing on stage, or on BOSTON albums, knows what a gifted artist he was, but few know how hard he worked to fill that role of BOSTON's lead vocalist, and to turn himself into a top-tier live performer – or more importantly, what a dedicated father he was to his children."

Scholz noted DeCarlo "appeared out of nowhere to rescue BOSTON in 2007" after singer Brad Delp's death.

"Country Joe" McDonald, who became a Woodstock festival legend and fronted the band Country Joe and the Fish, has died at age 84.

The singer, born Joseph Allen McDonald, died March 7, in Berkeley, California, from complications from Parkinson's disease, according to a statement from the band that was shared on Facebook.

McDonald served as the lead singer and co-founder of the 1960s psychedelic folk-rock group Country Joe and the Fish, and he wrote the group's most enduring songs, including the protest song against U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, titled "I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-to-Die Rag." That track became a battle cry and was immortalized, along with an infamous f-word cheer during his 1969 Woodstock performance.

Jennifer Runyon Corman, an actress known for roles in "Charles in Charge" and "A Very Brady Christmas," died March 6. She was 65. Her representative, Scott Ray, confirmed her death after "a long and arduous journey that ended with her surrounded by her family," in a statement to USA TODAY.

Runyon Corman played opposite Scott Baio as Charles' girlfriend, Gwendolyn Pierce, on "Charles in Charge."

Corey Parker, known for appearing in "Will & Grace" before going on to become an acting coach, died on March 5 following a battle with cancer. He was 60.

Parker's representative, Chris Ahuja, confirmed his death to People magazine on March 7, calling the "Friday the 13th" actor a "deeply supportive soul to so many people in the acting community." According to a 2025 GoFundMe set up for the actor, Parker was previously diagnosed with advanced Stage 4 metastatic cancer following a hip replacement surgery.

Carrie Anne Fleming, the actress who played Karen Singer on "Supernatural" and Candy on "iZombie," died Feb. 26 at 51, her rep confirmed to US Weekly. Her "Supernatural" costar Jim Beaver, who portrayed her husband Bobby Singer on the show, told Variety that Fleming died from breast cancer complications.

Her agency, Integral Artists, remembered Fleming as a "force of nature."

Her career began in the '90s with several uncredited roles. By the 2000s, she secured guest-starring roles in various TV shows, including "Smallville," "The L Word," "Masters of Horror," "The 4400" and the CW hit dark fantasy "Supernatural." In 2015, Fleming began starring in another CW series, the supernatural crime dramedy "iZombie," making several recurring minor appearances from Seasons 2-5.

Oliver "Power" Grant, a founding member of the hip-hop group the Wu-Tang Clan, died at 52. The Staten Island-based hip-hop collective confirmed his death in a Feb. 25 X post. "Rest in Power, Power," the group wrote alongside a video showing interview clips of the foundational member.

Born in Jamaica in the early 70s, Grant grew up in the Park Hill Projects in Staten Island with what would later become the Wu-Tang Clan. He was a childhood friend of Wu-Tang co-founder RZA's older brother Divine, and became a key part of the group's inception and successful run. Though Grant didn't perform in the group, he played a critical role in driving success not only in the music genre but also in transcending the culture into the world of fashion.

Katherine Hartley Short, Martin Short's eldest daughter, was found dead at her home on Feb. 23. She was 42.
The following day, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office confirmed the licensed clinical social worker's manner of death was determined to be suicide.

Hartley Short was a licensed clinical social worker operating a private practice in Los Angeles and specialized in adoption, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, grief and loss, suicidality, and relationship difficulties. Her mother, Short's late wife Nancy Dolman, died in August 2010 following a battle with ovarian cancer.

Neil Sedaka, the legendary singer-songwriter behind tracks like "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" and "Oh! Carol," has died at 86, his representative Victoria Varela confirmed on Feb. 27.
"Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka," the family said in a statement to USA TODAY.

The Brooklyn, New York, native grew up to become a beloved pop and rock musician with over 700 songwriting credits, including long-lasting, recognizable hits, such as "Laughter in the Rain" and “Calendar Girl."

Robert Cosby Jr., the 23-year-old son of "Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" cast member Mary Cosby, died Feb. 23, a Salt Lake City Police Department public information officer confirmed to USA TODAY.

"Our beloved son Robert Jr. has been called home to the Lord," Mary Cosby told USA TODAY in a statement Wednesday. "Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in God's promise and in knowing he is finally at peace. We are grateful for your prayers and trust in the Lord to carry us through this time of sorrow."

Lauren Chapin, the actress best known for playing the youngest child on the classic sitcom "Father Knows Best," died on Feb. 24 following a yearslong battle with cancer, Chapin's son Matthew Chapin confirmed in a Facebook post. She was 80.

Chapin, who left acting in her teens, appeared in nearly every episode of the family comedy's six-year run, winning five junior Emmys during her stint.

"Revenge of the Nerds" and "Lizzie McGuire" actor Robert Carradine died Monday, Feb. 23, by suicide after living for two decades with bipolar disorder, his brother Keith Carradine confirmed to Deadline. He was 71. "In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon [of] light to everyone around him," the family said in a statement.

Carradine starred as Bob Younger in "The Long Riders" alongside his actor brothers Keith and David, as Private Zab in "The Big Red One," and dorky underdog Lewis Skolnick in his breakout role, 1984's "Revenge of the Nerds," as well as its three sequels. Two decades later, he would go on to play Sam McGuire, dad to Hilary Duff in Disney Channel's "Lizzie McGuire."

"Grey's Anatomy" and "Euphoria" star Eric Dane died 10 months after he revealed his ALS diagnosis. He was 53.

Dane's representative, Melissa Bank, confirmed the news in a statement to USA TODAY on Thursday, Feb. 19. "He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world," the statement read. "Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight."

Dane was best known for playing the charismatic and flirtatious Dr. Mark Sloan – aka "McSteamy" – on "Grey's Anatomy" from 2006 to 2012. He continued working in Hollywood after he went public with his diagnosis, playing a firefighter with ALS on NBC's "Brilliant Minds," and reprised his role of Cal Jacobs on HBO's "Euphoria" in the upcoming third season, due April 12, 2026.

Tom Noonan, the character actor known for roles in "Heat," "Manhunter" and "The Monster Squad," has died at 74, according to a social media post from Fred Dekker, Noonan's "Monster Squad" director.

Noonan became accustomed to playing antagonists on camera after his breakout role in "Manhunter," which was based on Thomas Harris' "Red Dragon," the first of his Hannibal Lecter novels. Noonan also played the main villain, Cain, in 1990's "Robocop 2" and the Ripper in 1993's "Last Action Hero."

Off-screen, Noonan was also a playwright and director who adapted his stage production, "What Happened Was…," into a 1994 indie film costarring Karen Sillas, which received acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival that year.

Frederick Wiseman, the prolific documentary filmmaker behind the controversial 1967 film "Titicut Follies" and 2017's "Ex Libris," has died. He was 96.

The director "passed away peacefully at his home" in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the morning of Feb. 16, a representative for his film distribution company Zipporah Films confirmed to USA TODAY.

Wiseman was well into his 30s when he started his filmmaking career, which kicked off with his directorial debut "Titicut Follies" and continued into his 90s. Wiseman's most recent project was 2023's "Menus-Plaisirs – Les Troisgros."

Robert Duvall, the Academy Award-winning actor known for his roles in Hollywood classics such as "The Godfather" and "Apocalypse Now," has died at 95.
Duvall died "peacefully" at home on Feb. 15 in Middleburg, Virginia, a representative for the actor confirmed. He was with his wife, Luciana Duvall.
During a seven-decade stage, TV and screen acting career, Duvall disappeared into a stunning range of strong-willed characters, leading to seven Oscar nominations and a best actor win for his role as a down-and-out country singer in 1983's "Tender Mercies."

Drummer Timothy Very, who performed with the Atlanta indie rock band Manchester Orchestra since 2011, has died, his bandmates shared on social media Feb. 14.

"The entire Manchester Orchestra family has been devastated by the sudden passing of our brother, Timothy Very. The most beloved human being any of us were lucky enough to know in this life. We’ve all been dreading sharing this news as we are all still in absolute disbelief," the band's post read.

"The only thing that Tim loved more than creating music was being with his family. You’d be pressed to find a more joyful dad. We love you Tim, thank you for loving us. You are a force of positivity that will be a constant presence in the rest of our days.

James Van Der Beek, the actor known best for embodying those formative, angsty teenage years in "Dawson's Creek" and "Varsity Blues," died on Feb. 11 at age 48 following a battle with colorectal cancer.

"He met his final days with courage, faith and grace," read a post on the actor's official Instagram page. "There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come."

Catherine O'Hara, the legendary actress known for "Home Alone," "Best in Show" and "Schitt's Creek," died on Jan. 30 at the age of 71, O'Hara's manager confirmed to People magazine. A cause of death was not given.

A veteran in the entertainment industry, O'Hara has been one of the most lauded and respected actors of her generation, winner of two career Emmy awards, a Golden Globe and two Actor Awards (formerly Screen Actors Guild Awards). She was nominated for two Emmys at the 2025 ceremony. 

LaMonte McLemore, the founder of pop-soul group The 5th Dimension, has died. He was 90.

McLemore died Feb. 3 at his home in Las Vegas while surrounded by his wife of 30 years and family, his agency, 2911 Media, confirmed to USA TODAY on Feb. 5. LaMonte died from natural causes following a stroke suffered several years ago, his reps said.

As one of five vocalists for the aptly named 5th Dimension, McLemore was instrumental in the rise of psychedelic pop in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The group, known for its genre-blending and mass appeal, was known for hits like "Up, Up and Away" and "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In." The group won the coveted record of the year Grammy award twice, first in 1968 then in 1970, and they nabbed a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1991.

Grady Demond Wilson, best known for his role on the beloved 1970s sitcom "Sanford and Son," has died at 79.

"The family of Demond Wilson is deeply saddened by his passing. At this time, they ask for privacy as they grieve," publicist Mark Goldman said in a Jan. 31 statement to USA TODAY.

His breakout role came in 1972 when he starred as one of two titular characters on the hit NBC sitcom "Sanford and Son." He played Lamont Sanford, the son of junk dealer Fred G. Sanford, played by co-star Redd Foxx. The comedy series was an American adaptation of the British sitcom "Steptoe and Son," and ran for six seasons before concluding in 1977. It ranked as NBC's highest‑rated series and the second most‑watched show on television during Season 2.

In 1974, Wilson married model Cicely Johnston, with whom he shared six children.

Chuck Negron, founding member of "One" and "Til the World Ends" rockers Three Dog Night, has died. He was 83.The singer died Feb. 2 at his home in Los Angeles' Studio City neighborhood from heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complications, publicist Zach Farnum confirmed to USA TODAY.

Singers Danny Hutton and Cory Wells invited the New York City native to found Three Dog Night in 1967, going on to lead a successful run through the early '70s. Their 21 Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit singles include "Til the World Ends" and "Joy to the World." But the band is perhaps best known for their covers, popularizing Leo Sayer's "The Show Must Go On," Eric Burdon's "Mama Told Me," "Easy to Be Hard" from the musical "Hair" and Harry Nilsson's "One."

Negron embarked on a solo career, releasing the albums "Am I Still in Your Heart?," "Long Road Back" and the Christmas record "Joy to the World."

Rafael Pineda, known to countless viewers as the familiar face of Univision 1, has died. He was 88.

Univision 41 announced the news with a story on its website, confirming Pineda died Jan. 25, in Florida.

Pineda anchored WXTV, or Univision 1, in New York for more than 40 years from 1972 to 2013, when he retired. When he left the network, he was the longest-serving news anchor in the New York market and a pioneering Spanish-language voice.

Kim Vō, the celebrity hair colorist behind the blond tresses of stars such as Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Pamela Anderson and Goldie Hawn, has died.

Vō died following a seven-year battle with colorectal cancer that saw him "exceeding all medical expectations," his husband, Adeel Vo-Khan, wrote in a Jan. 24 social media post.
Aside from working with celebrity clients, Vō also appeared on shows like Bravo's "Shear Genius" and the 2022 Paramount+ show "Blowing LA," which featured his flagship salon in West Hollywood, California.

Rob Hirst, the Australian rock drummer best known for cofounding the band Midnight Oil, has died at age 70 following a battle with pancreatic cancer, Hirst's bandmates revealed on social media on Jan. 20. Hirst had been diagnosed in 2023.

The musician released 13 studio albums with Midnight Oil from 1978-2022, including 1987's platinum-selling "Diesel and Dust." He was also a member of the bands Ghostwriters and Backsliders.

Valentino Garavani, Italian fashion designer to the stars, died at 93.

A post shared Jan. 19 on Instagram by his foundation and his own @realmrvalentino account reads, “Our founder, Valentino Garavani, passed away today at his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones.” His cause of death was not given.

The founder of the eponymous brand Valentino retired from designing in 2008 after a storied career in fashion that included dressing notable figures, such as Jackie Kennedy, Princess Diana, Joan Collins, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Penelope Cruz and Sharon Stone. He also introduced a signature shade of crimson, with a hit of orange, known as “Valentino Red.”

Kianna Underwood, a child actor who appeared on Nickelodeon's "All That" and "Little Bill," died after a hit-and-run in New York City sometime in mid-January, multiple news organizations reported. She was 33.

Underwood was struck by a black SUV while crossing an intersection in Brooklyn's Brownsville neighborhood on Jan. 16, NBC News and The Associated Press reported, citing the New York Police Department. While lying on the street, she was hit by a black and gray sedan, according to the news outlets."The operators of the vehicles did not remain on scene," authorities told NBC News. Underwood was pronounced dead at the scene, the outlet reported.

This photo of Underwood is from July 21, 2004.

Roger Allers, the Oscar-nominated animated filmmaker who co-directed Disney's 1994 blockbuster hit "The Lion King," died on Jan. 17, the company's CEO announced. He was 76.

Allers died following "a short illness," a Walt Disney Animation Studios spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter and Animation Magazine. USA TODAY reached out to the studio and his family for additional information.

Disney CEO Bob Iger spoke about Allers' death in a Jan. 18 social media post, calling the director a "creative visionary whose many contributions to Disney will live on for generations to come."

Scott Adams, the cartoonist who created the long-running "Dilbert" comic strip, has died at 68 after a battle with prostate cancer. Adams shared his cancer diagnosis in May 2025. In 2023, numerous newspapers dropped his comic strip after he made racist comments saying that white people should "get the hell away from Black people."

Adams' ex-wife, Shelly Miles, announced his death during a Jan. 13 livestream. She also read a message from Adams, which he authored at the start of the year. "I had an amazing life," Adams wrote in his New Year's Day letter. "I gave it everything I had. If I got any benefits from my work, I'm asking that you pay it forward as best as you can. That's the legacy I want: be useful. And please know, I loved you all to the very end."

Bob Weir, a founding member of the Grateful Dead, died on Jan. 10 at age 78. Weir's death was announced in a post on Instagram, which said the cause was "underlying lung issues."

"For over sixty years, Bobby took to the road. A guitarist, vocalist, storyteller, and founding member of the Grateful Dead. Bobby will forever be a guiding force whose unique artistry reshaped American music," the post said. "His work did more than fill rooms with music; it was warm sunlight that filled the soul, building a community, a language, and a feeling of family that generations of fans carry with them."

Actor T.K. Carter died on Jan. 9 at age 69, representatives confirmed to USA TODAY.

Born Thomas Kent Carter, the actor was known for his roles in films like "The Thing" and TV shows like "Punky Brewster." "T.K. Carter was a consummate professional and a genuine soul whose talent transcended genres," his publicist, Tony Freeman, said. "He brought laughter, truth, and humanity to every role he touched. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of artists and fans alike."

Grammy-nominated country songwriter Jim McBride, known for cowriting over a dozen Alan Jackson records, including "Chattahoochee," has died. He was 78.Jackson confirmed McBride's death in an Instagram tribute on Jan. 8.

"Jim and I wrote some of my favorite songs together and I don't know if my career would have ended up quite the same without his help," Jackson wrote, "inspiration, and encouragement in my early years. Thank you Jim, rest in peace." The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer is also credited with helping write Conway Twitty's "A Bridge That Just Won't Burn," among other songs.

Hungarian director Béla Tarr, best known for dark dramas such as "Damnation," "Satantango" and "The Turin Horse," died on Jan. 6 following a "long and serious illness," the European Film Academy announced in a tribute to the late filmmaker.

2011's "The Turin Horse," Tarr's final feature film, won best foreign language film at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, as well as the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival.