Celebrities Who Died During an Ongoing Olympic Games - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

James28 · 02-13-2026, 10:56 PM

There have been several instances of well-known celebrities who died during an ongoing Olympic Games.

Julius Carry (star of The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.) died on August 19, 2008, during the Beijing Summer Olympics (which took place from August 8 to 24, 2008.

John McLaughlin (host of The McLaughlin Group, a political talk show) died on August 16, 2016, during the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro (which took place from August 5 to 21, 2016).

Don Knotts and Dennis Weaver both died on February 24, 2006, during the Winter Olympics in Torino (Turin) (which took place from February 10 to 26, 2006).

Anyone else? (The death must be between the day of a Games's opening ceremony to the day of a Games's closing ceremony.)

TJ · 02-14-2026, 01:26 PM

Peter Benchley
Died: February 11, 2006
During: 2006 Winter Olympics
Writer best known for Jaws.

Curt Gowdy
Died: February 20, 2006
During: 2006 Winter Olympics
Hall‑of‑Fame sportscaster known for MLB, NFL and Olympic broadcasts.

Darren McGavin
Died: February 25, 2006
During: 2006 Winter Olympics
Veteran character actor from Kolchak: The Night Stalker and A Christmas Story.

Bernie Mac
Died: August 9, 2008
During: 2008 Summer Olympics
Actor and stand-up comedian from The Bernie Mac Show.

Isaac Hayes
Died: August 10, 2008
During: 2008 Summer Olympics
Grammy‑winning singer, songwriter, composer, and actor.

Andrew Koenig
Died: c. February 16, 2010
During: 2010 Winter Olympics
Actor known for his role as Richard "Boner" Stabone in Growing Pains. He was found deceased in Vancouver during the Winter Olympics.

Jack Riley
Died: August 19, 2016
During: 2016 Summer Olympics
Actor from The Bob Newhart Show.

Markie Post
Died: August 7, 2021
During: 2021 Summer Olympics
Actress from The Fall Guy and Night Court.

James Van Der Beek
Died: February 11, 2026
During: 2026 Winter Olympics (February 6 to 22)
Actor best known for Dawson's Creek and various film/TV roles.

Dude111 · 02-14-2026, 02:22 PM

Those are all very sad Todd

James28 · 07-17-2026, 11:46 PM

Richard Mulligan, star of Soap and Empty Nest, died suring the Summer Olympics in Sydney on September 26, 2000.

02-13-2026, 10:56 PM	#1
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,992	Celebrities Who Died During an Ongoing Olympic Games There have been several instances of well-known celebrities who died during an ongoing Olympic Games. Julius Carry (star of The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.) died on August 19, 2008, during the Beijing Summer Olympics (which took place from August 8 to 24, 2008. John McLaughlin (host of The McLaughlin Group, a political talk show) died on August 16, 2016, during the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro (which took place from August 5 to 21, 2016). Don Knotts and Dennis Weaver both died on February 24, 2006, during the Winter Olympics in Torino (Turin) (which took place from February 10 to 26, 2006). Anyone else? (The death must be between the day of a Games's opening ceremony to the day of a Games's closing ceremony.)
	__________________ "When the run of a network TV show has ended, some go out with a bang, some with a whimper, but all are...Future Endeavored." "Stay Safe"? More like "Stay Sad". #2020Hurts

02-14-2026, 01:26 PM	#2
TJ Site Owner Administrator Forum Star Join Date: Feb 03, 2000 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 10,726	Peter Benchley Died: February 11, 2006 During: 2006 Winter Olympics Writer best known for Jaws. Curt Gowdy Died: February 20, 2006 During: 2006 Winter Olympics Hall‑of‑Fame sportscaster known for MLB, NFL and Olympic broadcasts. Darren McGavin Died: February 25, 2006 During: 2006 Winter Olympics Veteran character actor from Kolchak: The Night Stalker and A Christmas Story. Bernie Mac Died: August 9, 2008 During: 2008 Summer Olympics Actor and stand-up comedian from The Bernie Mac Show. Isaac Hayes Died: August 10, 2008 During: 2008 Summer Olympics Grammy‑winning singer, songwriter, composer, and actor. Andrew Koenig Died: c. February 16, 2010 During: 2010 Winter Olympics Actor known for his role as Richard "Boner" Stabone in Growing Pains. He was found deceased in Vancouver during the Winter Olympics. Jack Riley Died: August 19, 2016 During: 2016 Summer Olympics Actor from The Bob Newhart Show. Markie Post Died: August 7, 2021 During: 2021 Summer Olympics Actress from The Fall Guy and Night Court. James Van Der Beek Died: February 11, 2026 During: 2026 Winter Olympics (February 6 to 22) Actor best known for Dawson's Creek and various film/TV roles.

02-14-2026, 02:22 PM	#3
Dude111 Forum Legend Join Date: Nov 05, 2013 Posts: 36,768	Those are all very sad Todd

07-17-2026, 11:46 PM	#4
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,992	Richard Mulligan, star of Soap and Empty Nest, died suring the Summer Olympics in Sydney on September 26, 2000.