In Memoriam: Remembering the TV stars we lost in 2019
We've said goodbye to comedy legends and heartthrobs.
As we reach the end of the year, we want to take a moment to reflect upon the beloved television stars that passed away in 2019.
This year, we have had to say goodbye to sitcom scene-stealers, sketch-comedy pioneers, silly stuntmen, animal handlers and heartthrobs. Thankfully, their wonderful work lives on.
Here are some of the losses that hit the TV industry in 2019. Visit our remembrances page to read more obituaries.
Valerie Harper, pioneering star of Rhoda and The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Tim Conway, comedy legend of The Carol Burnett Show and McHale's Navy
Diahann Carroll, the groundbreaking star of Julia and Dynasty
Doris Day, legendary singer, movie icon and star of The Doris Day Show
Peter Tork of The Monkees
Carol Channing, the bubbly Broadway star turned TV darling
Peggy Lipton, star of The Mod Squad
René Auberjonois of Benson, Star Trek and Boston Legal
Luke Perry, heartthrob star of Beverly Hills, 90210
Georgia Engel, the adorable Georgette Franklin Baxter of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
David Hedison, captain on Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and ally of James Bond
Katherine Helmond of Soap, Who's the Boss? and Coach
![](https://cdnmetv.metv.com/dxEZS-1561748508-13635-list_items-memoriam_helmond.jpg)
On February 23, Katherine Helmond passed away at the age of 89.
Image: The Everett Collection
Arte Johnson, the sketch comedy master of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Rip Torn, a scene stealer in everything from The Larry Sanders Show to Columbo
Max Wright, who played TV dad Willie Tanner on ALF
Michael J. Pollard, who played both the cousin of Barney Fife and the cousin of Maynard G. Krebs
![](https://cdnmetv.metv.com/kxfv2-1576172146-14063-list_items-rip_michaeljpollard.jpg)
The "Cousin Virgil" actor also inspired the screen name of Michael J. Fox. He was 80 years old. READ MORE
Jan-Michael Vincent of Airwolf and The Banana Splits Adventure Hour
Kaye Ballard of The Mothers-in-Law
Bob Einstein, better known as Super Dave Osborne
John Witherspoon of Barnaby Jones, The Wayans Bros. and more
Shelley Morrison, Sister Sixto of The Flying Nun and Rosario Salazar of Will & Grace
Beverley Owen, the original Marilyn Munster and first Munster ever seen onscreen
Philip McKeon, the child star who played Linda Lavin's son on Alice
Caroll Spinney, the Muppeteer who performed Big Bird for half a century
Karen Pendleton, one of the original Mickey Mouse Club Mouseketeers
Sid Haig, the horror icon who appeared all over classic television
Bill Macy of Maude fame and guest star across MeTV
Jim Fowler, Wild Kingdom host
Carol Lynley, 1950s teen covergirl turned blonde ingénue of the 1960s
Joan Staley, co-star of Don Knotts and classic Batman villain
![](https://cdnmetv.metv.com/MAKX0-1576172685-14067-list_items-rip_joanstaley.jpg)
The former Playboy Playmate appeared on Perry Mason and 77 Sunset Strip before becoming Bob Barker's agent. READ MORE
Denise Nickerson of Dark Shadows and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Barry Coe, who was briefly the fifth Cartwright on 'Bonanza'
Jack Donner of Star Trek and Mission: Impossible
John Clarke of The Twilight Zone and Days of Our Lives
Jerry Fogel of The Mothers-in-Law and The White Shadow
William Wintersole of The Young and the Restless, Star Trek and more
D.C. Fontana, influential writer for Star Trek and the mind behind Vulcan culture
Claude Earl Jones, who twice played a deputy to Andy Griffith
Robert Walker Jr., Charlie from Star Trek's ''Charlie X''
![](https://cdnmetv.metv.com/0haeu-1576173529-14078-list_items-rip_robertjwalker.jpg)
The actor, best known for his turn as a teenager with powers on Star Trek, was 79 years old. READ MORE
SEE MORE: METV SALUTES OUR BELOVED STARS.
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10 Comments
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Also fan of Andy Griffith shows, as I tried before I can say it is an OASIS on tv shows.
Now a days many shows are about killing, plus more killing, drug using/selling . About sex and crime. When we tune in Me TV is like going back to our OWN Mayberry, when we could talk, eat home made meals with our family. When our mom and dad gave us advice, tuck us in, taught us by example, when we could go fishing to a near by pond or brook. All times have both the positive and negative side, of course, but
we had more positive on those "Mayberry" days of our lives.
Keep on to air them....for older people like me that make us go back to memory lane!!!!! Thanks Me Tv........good job !!!!!!
Peggy Lipton? I'd drink her tea cold or hot anytime
Aron Eisenberg, "Nog" on Star Trek, Deep Space Nine. He was 50 when he passed.