The year in review: Influential people who have died in 2026

The year in review: Influential people who have died in 2026 By: Bernard Mcghee, The Associated Press Posted: 1:32 PM CDT Friday, Sep. 4, 2026 Advertisement Advertise with us Share Print Email Country music icon Dolly Parton was the rare celebrity whose popularity transcended generations and politics. Writing hundreds of songs including classics “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You,” she was one of music’s most beloved personalities when she died last month. In addition to her musical success, she was also known for her philanthropy and business ventures that included the Dollywood theme park. August also saw the death of actor Hayden Panettiere, a onetime child star who found fame on the TV shows “Heroes” and “Nashville.” FILE - Dolly Parton performs on NBC's "Today" show in New York on May 13, 2014. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File) Other noteworthy people who died in August include former Chinese premier Zhu Rongji, actor Tim Curry, ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard, Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, Canadian TV news anchor Lloyd Robertson and Norwegian King Harald V. Here is a roll call of some influential figures who have died this year (the cause of death is cited, if available): ___ JANUARY ___ Diane Crump, 77. In 1969, she became the first woman to ride professionally in a horse race and a year later became the first female jockey in the Kentucky Derby. Jan. 1. Ahn Sung-ki, 74. He was one of South Korean cinema’s biggest stars whose prolific 60-year career and positive, gentle public image earned him the nickname “The Nation’s Actor.” Jan. 5. Aldrich Ames, 84. The CIA turncoat who betrayed Western intelligence assets to the Soviet Union and Russia in one of the most damaging intelligence breaches in U.S. history died in prison. Jan. 5. Béla Tarr, 70. The celebrated Hungarian filmmaker directed such works as “Sátántangó” and “The Turin Horse” and was the recipient of numerous awards for his long and often darkly comic films. Jan. 6. Glenn Hall, 94. Nicknamed “Mr. Goalie,” he was a Hockey Hall of Famer whose ironman streak of 502 starts as a goalkeeper remains an NHL record. Jan. 7. Bob Weir, 78. The guitarist and singer was an essential member of the Grateful Dead who helped found the sound of the San Francisco counterculture of the 1960s and kept it alive through decades of endless tours and marathon jams. Jan. 10. John Forté, 50. The Grammy-nominated musician was known for his work with the Fugees and the Refugee Camp…