Will & Grace Star Corey Parker Passes Away at Age 60 Following Cancer Diagnosis
Corey Parker, the actor celebrated for his appearances on the beloved sitcom Will & Grace and other television series, has died at the age of 60. His passing was confirmed by his aunt, Emily Parker, to TMZ, revealing that he died on Thursday, 5 March 2026, in Memphis, Tennessee, after a courageous fight against cancer.
Details of Parker's Cancer Battle and Fundraising Efforts
According to a GoFundMe page established to support Parker's family, he had been diagnosed with advanced Stage 4 metastatic cancer. The cancer was reportedly discovered following hip replacement surgery. In updates shared on the fundraising platform, Parker disclosed that while his body initially responded to medication, the disease progressively spread.
By November 2025, he revealed that 90 per cent of his bones were affected by adenocarcinoma, a common and often aggressive form of cancer originating in the glands lining organs, as noted by the Cleveland Clinic. In a subsequent update on 17 February, Parker confirmed the cancer was terminal, stating it had worn down his body to the extent that he could "no longer function properly" and had lost the ability to write and type.
Parker expressed profound gratitude to his supporters, saying, "I cannot thank you enough for all the love and care. Your donations have made such a huge difference in our life and have allowed me to rest a little easier knowing that our needs are being met even while I can no longer have income."
Career Highlights and Legacy as an Acting Coach
Born and raised in New York City, Parker trained with teachers from the prestigious Actors Studio during his teenage years. His career began with an uncredited role on the daytime show As the World Turns. Throughout the 1980s, he secured bit parts in series such as The New Leave It to Beaver and CBS Summer Playhouse, and appeared in the film Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning.
Parker's breakthrough came with a role as Doctor John Morgan on Love Boat: The Next Wave, followed by a recurring part on Will & Grace as Josh, the timid boyfriend of Grace Adler, played by Debra Messing. His later credits included a 2014 episode of the ABC musical drama Nashville and the 2017 miniseries Sun Records.
Beyond his on-screen work, Parker made a significant impact as an acting coach. The GoFundMe page highlighted that his students have gone on to win prestigious awards, including Tonys, SAG Awards, and Emmys. His students praised him, writing, "Corey has a unique gift – he reminds us that we are enough. That we are worthy. Through his guidance and training, countless actors have not only grown in their craft, but have also rediscovered their confidence, power, and self-worth. For years, Corey has been our cheerleader, mentor, and inspiration, shaping our careers and changing our lives in ways we could never have imagined."
Corey Parker's death marks the loss of a talented performer and a dedicated mentor whose influence extended far beyond the television screen, leaving a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry.
