"Will & Grace" Actor Dies - Corey Parker, Will & Grace star and acting mentor, dies at 60 after cancer battle
Corey Parker, best known for his role as Josh in the hit TV series Will & Grace, has died at the age of 60. The actor passed away on March 5, 2026, in Memphis, Tennessee, following a long battle with cancer. His career advice spanned decades, from child acting to mentoring award-winning performers later in life.
Parker began acting at just five years old and later trained at the prestigious Actors Studio at 14. He rose to fame playing Josh in Will & Grace, a role that brought him wider recognition.
In his later years, Parker worked as an acting coach from 2000 onward. Many of his students went on to win major awards, including Tonys, Emmys, and SAG honours.
In 2025, he was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic adenocarcinoma, a cancer affecting glandular cells in internal organs. By November of that year, the disease had spread to 90% of his bones. In early 2026, Parker revealed that the cancer had left him barely able to speak or write. His final GoFundMe update, posted on February 17, 2026, detailed the toll of radiation therapy on his deteriorating health.
Parker's death marks the end of a career advice career that stretched from early childhood to influential coaching. His contributions to television and theatre, along with his work as a mentor, leave behind a lasting impact. The actor's battle with cancer lasted over a year before his passing in Memphis.
