‘Parasite’ actor Lee Sun-kyun found dead in midst of drug probe, police say

South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, known internationally for his role in the Academy Award-winning film “Parasite,” has died while being investigated for illegal drug use, police confirmed Wednesday. He was 48.

Police in the capital Seoul said in a statement they had received a missing person report from Lee’s manager on their hotline. Lee, who received acclaim for his role as Park Dong-ik, the father of the wealthy Park family in “Parasite,” was found in his car on Wednesday morning.

The cause of death is “presumed to be suicide,” police said.

Photos from the scene on Wednesday show personnel in forensic outfits investigating a car cordoned off by police tape.

Police in the city of Incheon confirmed that Lee had been questioned three times since October as part of an investigation into alleged drug use.

Lee had been summoned by police most recently on December 23 and held for 19 hours before he was released the following day.

Throughout the investigation, Lee’s drug tests had all come back negative, Incheon police said, without specifying how many tests he had taken.

Members of the Korea Crime Scene Investigation investigate the car in which Lee was found unconscious in Seoul, December 27, 2023.

Lee had claimed he was tricked into using drugs and subsequently blackmailed by the same individual, police said. Lee filed a lawsuit against the alleged blackmailer, according to police, who added they had received a tip about his alleged drug use before he filed suit.

One man and one woman have been arrested in relation to the drug investigation, police said. On December 26, he had requested police through his lawyers to conduct a polygraph examination of himself and two other people police apprehended.

The police also offered their condolences to the actor’s bereaved family, saying they had tried to prevent media leaks about his drug investigation before its completion – in accordance with South Korean law, which prohibits those involved in a criminal investigation from releasing facts about the suspect before a public indictment is released.

Police in Seoul said Lee’s family did not want an autopsy to be conducted.

A funeral for Lee will be held “quietly” with family members and colleagues in attendance, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported Wednesday, citing his agency, Hodu & U Entertainment.

“Actor Lee Sun-kyun passed away today,” the company said, according to Yonhap. “There is no way to contain the sorrow and devastated feelings.”

“Please refrain from spreading false information based on speculation or assumption,” the company added.

CNN reached out to the agency for comment and did not immediately hear back.

Various media events in South Korea’s entertainment business have been scrapped in the wake of Lee’s sudden death.

The director and cast of South Korea’s hit film, “12:12: The Day,” canceled an event on Thursday where it had intended to meet with fans in celebration of the film surpassing 10 million in ticket sales.

The South Korean network tvN also canceled an event where it would present a new drama on Wednesday afternoon.

Lee starred in the 2019 movie "Parasite," which became the first non-English film to win best picture at the Oscars.

Strict drug laws

​​South Korea has some of the world’s strictest drug laws. The most serious drug-related crimes such as trafficking and deal can be punishable by up to life in prison, police told CNN, and citizens can also be charged for taking drugs abroad.

Drug laws have in the past forced celebrities in South Korea to retreat from stardom, as scandals have led to actors’ contracts being canceled and movie releases being postponed.

Tom Wilkinson, two-time Oscar-nominated actor from films including "Shakespeare in Love," "The Full Monty" and "Michael Clayton," died Saturday, December 30, his publicist confirmed. He was reportedly 75.

South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun was found dead on Wednesday, December 27. Lee is best known internationally for his role in the Academy Award-winning film "Parasite." He was 48.

Comedian Tom Smothers, who with his brother performed as the singing comedy duo the Smothers Brothers, died Tuesday, December 26, according to a family statement shared by the National Comedy Center. He was 86.

Laura Lynch, center, died after being involved in a car crash Friday, December 22, in Hudspeth County, Texas, according to CNN affiliate KDBC, citing a police report. Lynch was a founding member of the band previously known as The Dixie Chicks.

Andre Braugher, the intense actor who won an Emmy for "Homicide: Life on the Street" and demonstrated his range in the comedy series "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," died at age 61 on Monday, December 11, due to a brief illness, his publicist Jennifer Allen told CNN.

Oscar-nominated actor Ryan O'Neal, who starred in movies such as "Love Story" and "Paper Moon," died Friday, December 8, according to his son, Patrick, who posted the news to social media. Ryan O'Neal was reportedly 82.

Famed television producer Norman Lear, whose wildly successful TV sitcoms fused comedy with trenchant social commentary and dominated network ratings in the 1970s, died Tuesday, December 5, his family announced on his website. He was 101. Beginning with "All in the Family" in 1971, Lear's shows tackled fraught topics of racism, feminism and social inequalities that no one had yet dared touch.

Denny Laine, co-founder of bands Wings and The Moody Blues and longtime collaborator of Paul McCartney, died on December 5, according to Laine's wife, Elizabeth Hines. He was 79.

Sandra Day O'Connor, who blazed trails as the first woman to sit on the Supreme Court, died at the age of 93, the court announced on December 1.

Shane MacGowan, the lead singer of Irish band The Pogues, died at the age of 65, his wife announced on November 30. MacGowan and The Pogues are widely known for the 1988 Christmas hit "Fairytale of New York."

Elliott Erwitt, the photojournalist and filmmaker who wryly documented the minutiae of American life for over six decades, died November 29 at the age of 95.

Henry Kissinger, a former US secretary of state and national security adviser who escaped Nazi Germany in his youth to become one of the most influential and controversial foreign policy figures in American history, died at the age of 100 on November 29.

Mary Cleave, the NASA astronaut who in 1989 became the first woman to fly on a space shuttle mission after the Challenger disaster, died at the age of 76, the space agency announced on November 29.

Frances Sternhagen, a veteran screen performer known for her work in films like "Misery" and as Bunny in the HBO series "Sex and the City," died at the age of 93, a representative for Sternhagen told CNN on November 29.

Marty Krofft, co-producer of iconic children's television shows including "H.R. Pufnstuf" and "Land of the Lost," died of kidney failure on November 25, his representative announced. He was 86.

Rosalynn Carter, who as first lady worked tirelessly on behalf of mental health reform and professionalized the role of the president's spouse, died November 19 at the age of 96, according to the Carter Center.

Dex Carvey, the son of comedian Dana Carvey, died of a drug overdose, his parents announced in a joint statement posted on his father's social media on November 16. Dex was 32.

San Diego Padres owner and chairman Peter Seidler died on November 14, the team said. He was 63.

Astronaut Frank Borman, who commanded the first mission to orbit the moon, died on November 7, NASA announced. He was 95.

Evan Ellingson, a former child actor known for roles in "My Sister's Keeper" and "CSI Miami," died on November 5, according to online records from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. He was 35. A cause of death wasn't immediately released.

Bob Knight, one of college basketball's winningest coaches but also one of the sport's most polarizing figures, died at the age of 83, his family announced on November 1.

Matthew Perry, the beloved actor who starred as Chandler Bing on "Friends," died in an apparent drowning accident at his Los Angeles home on October 28, according to the Los Angeles Times, citing law enforcement sources. He was 54.

Herbert "Bertie" Bowman, the longest-serving African American congressional staffer in history, died on October 25, according to a spokesperson for the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Bowman worked on Capitol Hill for more than 60 years. He was 92.

Richard Roundtree, the stage and screen actor best known for his performance as a tough-talking private eye in 1971's "Shaft," died on October 24, according to multiple reports. He was 81.

Bobby Charlton, the Manchester United great who played a starring role in England's 1966 World Cup victory, died at the age of 86, the Premier League club said on October 21.

Suzanne Somers, the actress who lit up the small screen on "Three's Company" and became one of TV's most iconic fitness pitchwomen, died on October 15, according to a statement provided to CNN from her longtime publicist R. Couri Hay. Somers was 76.

Piper Laurie, the celebrated actress known for her chilling portrayal of the overbearingly religious mother in "Carrie" and for playing Paul Newman's down-in-the-dumps girlfriend in "The Hustler," died on October 14, her manager said. Laurie was 91.

Rudolph Isley, one of the founding members of the R&B group The Isley Brothers, died on October 11, his family and a representative for The Isley Brothers announced. He was 84.

Hughes "Uncle Redd" Van Ellis, one of the last three known survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, died on October 9, according a family statement. He was 102.

Burt Young, a former boxer who found fame playing tough guys in Hollywood, died on October 8, his daughter Anne Morea Steingieser told the New York Times. Young was best known for his role as Rocky Balboa's brother-in-law Paulie in the "Rocky" movie franchise. He was 83.

Michael Chiarello, a prominent chef known for appearing on "Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello" and "Top Chef," died October 7 at the age of 61.

Dick Butkus, the hard-hitting Hall of Fame linebacker who starred for his hometown Chicago Bears before his outgoing personality earned him popularity in television and film acting, died at the age of 80, the team announced on October 5.

Longtime Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield died October 1 at the age of 57, the team announced. Wakefield won two World Series championships with the Red Sox, in 2004 and 2007, and he won 200 games in his career.

Calgary Flames assistant general manager Chris Snow died on September 30 following a battle with ALS, his wife, Kelsie, announced. He was 42 years old.

Dianne Feinstein, whose three decades in the Senate made her the longest-serving female US senator in history, died on September 28 following months of declining health. She was 90.

Actor Michael Gambon, who played Dumbledore in six of the eight "Harry Potter" films, died after a "bout of pneumonia," a statement issued on behalf of his family said on September 28, according to the PA Media news agency. Gambon was known for his extensive catalog of work across TV, film and radio including "The Life Aquatic," "Gosford Park" and "Angels in America." He was 82.

Baltimore Orioles legend Brooks Robinson, a third baseman who won 16 consecutive Gold Glove awards and is considered by many to be the greatest fielder at that position ever, died at the age of 86, the Orioles announced on September 26.

Actor David McCallum, known for his role as chief medical examiner Donald "Ducky" Mallard on the long-running CBS procedural "NCIS," died on September 25. He was 90.

Renowned Colombian artist Fernando Botero, one of the most successful painters and sculptors of the 20th century, died at the age of 91, his daughter Lina Botero confirmed on September 15. Botero was celebrated for his iconic style featuring rotund figures used to convey political critique and satire.

Former NFL wide receiver Mike Williams died September 12 after he was taken off life support at a Tampa, Florida, hospital following a construction accident, his agent Hadley Engelhard told CNN. Williams was 36.

Charlie Robison, a country music artist known for his song "I Want You Bad," died on September 10, according to a statement from his wife shared on Facebook. He was 59. A family representative told the Associated Press that Robison died at a hospital in San Antonio after suffering cardiac arrest.

Mangosuthu Buthelezi, a veteran apartheid-era South African politician and a Zulu prince, died on September 9. He was 95.

Steve Harwell, the former lead singer of the rock group Smash Mouth, died on September 4, his manager told CNN. He was 56. No cause of death was shared, but Harwell had been receiving hospice care.

Jimmy Buffett, the tropical troubadour whose folksy tunes celebrated his laid-back lifestyle, inspired legions of devoted fans and spawned a lucrative business empire, died on September 1, according to a statement on his social media. He was 76.

Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a longtime fixture of Democratic politics with turns as Energy Secretary and United Nations ambassador under the Clinton administration, died on September 1, the Richardson Center for Global Engagement said in a statement. He was 75.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt, widely regarded as the architect who helped build the Dallas Cowboys into one of the most successful and popular sports franchises of all time, died on August 31, according to the Cowboys. Brandt was 91.

Jack Sonni, former guitarist for British rock band Dire Straits, died at the age of 68, the group announced on social media on August 31.

Bob Barker, the "Price Is Right" host whose silky-smooth command, impish sense of humor and advocacy for animal welfare issues made him a beloved fixture on television for more than 35 years, died at the age of 99, his representative Roger Neal confirmed on August 26.

Bray Wyatt, a professional wrestler and former World Wrestling Entertainment champion, died on August 24, the company announced. He was 36 years old. WWE did not immediately release the location or cause of death but said it was unexpected. Wyatt, whose real name was Windham Rotunda, was the son of WWE Hall of Fame wrestler Mike Rotunda.

John Warnock, co-founder of Adobe, died at age 82, the software company announced on August 20. Warnock's achievements included the prestigious National Medal of Technology and Innovation.

Ron Cephas Jones, who won two Emmy awards for his acting on the hit television drama "This Is Us," died at the age of 66, according to his manager, Dan Spilo, on August 19.

James Buckley, a former conservative US senator and a Reagan-appointed federal judge, died at the age of 100, the Conservative Party of New York State confirmed to CNN on August 18. Buckley drew national attention when he secured victory in New York in 1970, becoming the state's first third-party senator. He served one term, during which he called for a constitutional amendment to ban abortion with limited exceptions and urged then-President Richard Nixon to resign following the Watergate scandal.

Former NFL running back Alex Collins, who played with the Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens, died in a motorcycle accident on August 13, according to the Broward County Sheriff's Office. He was 28.

Robbie Robertson, a celebrated songwriter, singer, guitarist and film composer, died on August 9, according to an announcement sent from his publicity agency to CNN. He was 80. Robertson co-founded The Band and was a five-time Grammy nominee.

Musician Sixto Rodriguez, the subject of the Oscar-winning documentary "'Searching for Sugar Man," died on August 8, according to an announcement on his official website. He was 81. Originally a somewhat obscure figure of the 1970s Detroit folk music scene, Rodriguez had no idea that his music was incredibly popular in South Africa, where he was "as famous as the Beatles or the Rolling Stones," CNN's Nadia Bilchik said in 2013 just ahead of the Oscars ceremony.

DJ Casper, a Chicago native responsible for the popular song "Cha Cha Slide," died after a battle with cancer, his wife told CNN affiliate ABC7 Chicago on August 7. He was reportedly 58.

William Friedkin, director of iconic 1970s films such as "The French Connection" and "The Exorcist," died at the age of 87, his wife told The Hollywood Reporter on August 7. Friedkin won the Oscar for best director for "The French Connection" in 1972.

Mark Margolis, a veteran actor known for his performance as Hector Salamanca on "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul," died on August 3, his son Morgan Margolis told the Hollywood Reporter. He was 83.

Clifton Oliver, a stage actor who starred in "The Lion King" on Broadway and a number of other productions, died on August 2, according to social media posts from family and friends. He was 47. Oliver died following an undisclosed illness, according to a Facebook post by his sister, Roxy Hall.

Angus Cloud, an actor best known for his role in the TV drama "Euphoria," died at the age of 25, according to a statement from his family on July 31. A cause of death was not immediately announced.

Paul Reubens, who found fame as the quirky man-child character Pee-wee Herman, died on July 30, according to an announcement on his verified social media. He was 70. Reubens had been fighting cancer for years, according to the announcement.

Randy Meisner, who was a co-founding member of legendary rock band The Eagles and served as a bassist and vocalist, died on July 26, according to an announcement on the band's official site. He was 77.

Singer Sinéad O'Connor died at the age of 56, according to RTE, Ireland's public broadcaster, on July 26. No cause of death was immediately available. O'Connor's first album, "The Lion and the Cobra," was released to critical acclaim in 1987, but it was O'Connor's sophomore album, "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got," which broke her through as a well-known artist. Her rendition of the Prince song "Nothing Compares 2 U" shot to No. 1 in 1990 and was nominated for multiple Grammys.

Legendary crooner Tony Bennett, best known for singing "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," died July 21 at the age of 96, according to his longtime publicist, Sylvia Weiner. Bennett won 19 Grammy Awards over a career spanning eight decades.

British singer and actress Jane Birkin died at the age of 76 on July 16, CNN affiliate BFMTV reported, citing its sources. She was the inspiration for the famous Birkin bag by French luxury house Hermes.

Milan Kundera, the Czech writer who became one of the 20th century's most influential novelists but spent much of his life in seclusion, died in Paris on July 11, according to the Moravian Library in Brno. He was 94. Kundera, the author of "The Unbearable Lightness of Being," was known for his witty, tragicomic tales, which were often intertwined with deep philosophical debates and satirical portrayals of life under communist oppression.

Hawaiian pro surfer Mikala Jones died at the age of 44 following an accident while surfing in Indonesia's Mentawai Islands on July 9. Jones was known throughout the surfing world for his mesmerizing videos captured while riding inside of breaking waves, offering a unique first person perspective into the art of tube-riding.

Popular Hong Kong-born singer CoCo Lee died July 5, her sisters announced in a social media post. Lee's sisters Carol and Nancy said she had been suffering from depression for "a few years" and attempted to take her own life a couple of days earlier. She was hospitalized but could not be revived from a coma. Multiple media outlets reported that she was 48 years old.

George Tickner, a founding member of the rock group Journey who left the band in the mid-1970s to pursue a career in medicine, died at the age of 76, his former bandmate Neal Schon said on Facebook on July 4. Tickner was a rhythm guitarist in Journey, which he joined after previously playing in the psych-rock band Frumious Bandersnatch with future Journey bandmate Ross Valory.

Alan Arkin, the Oscar-winning star of "Little Miss Sunshine," died at the age of 89, his family announced on June 30. He also earned Oscar nominations for his performances in "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" and "Argo."

Christine King Farris, the eldest sister of the late Martin Luther King Jr., died June 29, according to a Twitter post by her niece, the Rev. Bernice King. Farris, 95, was a founding board member and longtime volunteer of the King Center. She was also one of the longest-serving tenured professors at Spelman College, teaching at the all-women's institution for more than five decades.

John B. Goodenough, the Nobel Prize-winning engineer whose contributions to developing lithium-ion batteries revolutionized portable technology, died June 26, according to the University of Texas at Austin. He was 100.

The remains of missing actor Julian Sands were discovered on California's Mt. Baldy on June 24. Sands, known for his performances in films such "A Room with a View,' "Ocean's Thirteen" and "The Killing Fields" as well as television shows "24" and "Smallville," disappeared in January while hiking near Los Angeles. He was 65.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker and Super Bowl XL champion Clark Haggans died at the age of 46, according to his former college, Colorado State University, on June 21. The cause of death was still being investigated, but "no foul play is evident," the coroner's office said in a statement.

Two-time Oscar-winning actor and former UK politician Glenda Jackson died at the age of 87 on June 15. She won her first Academy Award for Best Actress for her role opposite Oliver Reed in the 1969 period drama "Women in Love." Her second came soon after for the 1973 romantic comedy "A Touch of Class."

Cormac McCarthy, long considered one of America's greatest writers for his violent and bleak depictions of the United States and its borderlands in novels like "Blood Meridian," "The Road" and "All the Pretty Horses," died on June 13, according to his Penguin Random House publisher Alfred A. Knopf. McCarthy was 89.

American ski jumper Patrick Gasienica, who competed in the Olympics in 2022, died in a motorcycle crash on June 12, USA Nordic announced. He was 24.

Treat Williams, a veteran actor who starred in the TV dramas "Blue Bloods" and "Everwood," died June 12 as a result of a motorcycle accident, his longtime agent told CNN. He was 71.

Professional wrestler and World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Famer The Iron Sheik died June 7, according to an announcement on his Twitter page. He was 81 years old.

Françoise Gilot, a tireless artist who defied simple categorization — and efforts to define her merely as a footnote in the story of her former lover Pablo Picasso — died on June 6. She was 101.

Brazilian singer Astrud Gilberto, who in her 20s recorded "The Girl from Ipanema" and became an international star, died at the reported age of 83, according to social media posts from her granddaughter and on behalf of her son on June 6.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Jim Hines, second from left, died June 3 at the age of 76, according to World Athletics. In 1968, Hines became the first man to run the 100 meters in under 10 seconds.

Tina Turner, the dynamic rock and soul singer who rose from humble beginnings and overcame a notoriously abusive marriage to become one of the most popular female artists of all time, died at age 83, her family announced on May 24.

Ray Stevenson, a British actor who appeared in "RRR," the "Thor" films and the upcoming "Ahsoka" series, died on May 21, his publicist Nicki Fioravante confirmed to CNN. Stevenson was 58. No additional information about his cause of his death was immediately available.

British author Martin Amis, best known for the 1984 novel "Money" and 1989's "London Fields," died at the age of 73, his publisher Penguin Books UK announced on May 20.

Jim Brown, the transcendent athlete-actor-activist who ran roughshod over the NFL and its record books in the 1950s and 1960s and won multiple MVP awards before retiring abruptly at age 30 to focus on the civil rights movement and a career in Hollywood, died at the age of 87, his former team and his widow said on May 19.

Andy Rourke, bassist of the iconic British rock band The Smiths, died May 19 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 59. Rourke joined The Smiths in 1982 and played with the band until it split up in 1987.

Doyle Brunson, one of the most influential poker players of all time, died May 14 at the age of 89, according to a family statement shared by his agent Brian Balsbaugh. Brunson won 10 World Series of Poker tournaments during his legendary career.

Jacklyn Zeman, who starred on the soap opera "General Hospital" for more than four decades, died on May 10, the show's executive producer, Frank Valentini, announced. She was 70.

Vida Blue, former American League MVP and three-time World Series champion with the Oakland Athletics, died May 6 at the age of 73, the Major League Baseball team announced. Blue pitched 17 seasons with the Athletics, San Francisco Giants and the Kansas City Royals. He finished with a 209-161 record, a 3.27 ERA and 2,175 strikeouts.

Gordon Lightfoot, the Canadian singer-songwriter whose hits included "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" and "Sundown," died May 1 at the age of 84, his spokesperson said. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described the folk icon as "one of our greatest singer-songwriters" in a tweet expressing his condolences.

Jerry Springer, the former Cincinnati mayor and longtime TV host whose tabloid talk show was known for outrageous arguments, thrown chairs and physical confrontations between sparring couples and homewreckers, died on April 27, his manager said. Springer was 79.

Harry Belafonte, the dashing singer, actor and activist who became an indispensable supporter of the civil rights movement, died April 25 at the age of 96.

Former "Dancing With the Stars" judge Len Goodman died April 22 at the age of 78. The English dance expert, who featured in the ballroom competition from 2005 until last year, died following a battle with bone cancer, his manager confirmed.

Australian comedian Barry Humphries, best known for his drag character Dame Edna Everage, died on April 22, according to a statement from his family. He was 89.

British fashion designer Mary Quant, credited with turning the miniskirt into a worldwide phenomenon, died at the age of 93 on April 18.

Award-winning and record-breaking cartoonist Al Jaffee, best known for his work with revered satirical publication Mad Magazine, died at the age of 102 on April 10, his granddaughter Fani Thomson told the New York Times. Jaffee holds the Guinness World Record for the longest career as a comic artist, beginning with his first publication in Joker Comics in 1942. He retired from Mad in 2020.

Michael Lerner, a veteran character actor who received an Oscar nomination for his performance in the 1991 film "Barton Fink," died April 8 at the age of 81.

Paul Cattermole, from the British pop group S Club 7, died at the age of 46, weeks after the pop group announced a major reunion tour. "We are truly devastated by the passing of our brother Paul," Cattermole's bandmates said in a Twitter post on April 7. The cause of death was not immediately known, but Dorset Police "confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances," according to a statement from his family and the band.

Leon Levine, who built Family Dollar into a discount retail giant catering to America's lower-income and middle-class shoppers, died April 5 at the age of 85. After he retired from Family Dollar, Levine became one the largest philanthropists in the South, donating hundreds of millions of dollars to universities, hospitals and Jewish organizations.

Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, who wrote the haunting score to "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence" and won an Oscar for 1987's "The Last Emperor," died March 28 at the age of 71. He had been treated for cancer in recent years.

Yang Bing-yi, who set up the Taiwanese restaurant chain Din Tai Fung, died at the age of 96, the company said in a statement on March 25. The restaurant expanded into a franchise, with outlets in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea and Singapore.

Actor, comedian and producer Xavier López Rodríguez, better known as "Chabelo," died on March 25, his family announced on his official Twitter account. He was 88. "Chabelo" was on Mexican television for more than seven decades. He starred in some 30 films and worked on countless TV shows.

Intel co-founder Gordon Moore, a pioneer in the semiconductor industry whose "Moore's Law" predicted a steady rise in computing power for decades, died March 24 at the age of 94, the company announced.

Darcelle XV, the Guinness World Record holder for oldest drag queen performer, died March 23 at the age of 92.

Willis Reed, who helped the New York Knicks win two NBA titles in the 1970s, died at the age of 80, the National Basketball Retired Players Association said on March 21.

Lance Reddick, an actor whose captivating presence often landed him in roles that required intensity and gravitas, died at the age of 60 on March 17. According to his representative, Mia Hansen, Reddick passed away suddenly in the morning "from natural causes." One of his most well-known roles was playing Cedric Daniels on "The Wire."

Bobby Caldwell, the soulful singer and songwriter behind R&B hits such as "What You Won't Do For Love" and "Open Your Eyes," died on March 14, according to his wife, Mary Caldwell. He was 71.

Former US Rep. Patricia Schroeder, a longtime Democratic congresswoman from Colorado who championed women's rights, died at the age of 82 on March 13. The cause was complications from a stroke, said her daughter, Jamie Cornish.

Joe Pepitone, a three-time All-Star who played for the New York Yankees between 1962 and 1969, died at the age of 82, according to an announcement from the team on March 13.

Dick Fosbury, a legendary high jumper who won Olympic gold and revolutionized the event with his "Fosbury flop" technique, died of lymphoma on March 12, according to his publicist Ray Schulte. Fosbury was 76.

South African rapper Costa Titch died suddenly, his family said in a March 12 Instagram post, hours after performing at a music festival. The musician, whose real name is Constantinos Tsobanoglou, was 28.

Longtime Minnesota Vikings coach Bud Grant died March 11 at the age of 95, the team said in a statement. Grant coached the Vikings for 18 seasons, from 1967 through 1983 and again in 1985. The team went to four Super Bowls while he was coach.

Masatoshi Ito, the Japanese billionaire who turned 7-Eleven convenience stores into a global empire, died at age 98 on March 10.

Renowned architect Eugene Kohn died March 9 at the age of 92. Kohn was a co-founder of the architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox, whose best-known projects include New York City's One Vanderbilt and the Shanghai World Financial Center.

Robert Blake, an Emmy-winning actor who starred in the crime series "Baretta," died on March 9, according to his daughter, Delinah Blake Hurwitz. He was 89. In 2001, Blake's second wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, was found murdered in the San Fernando Valley. In 2005, he was acquitted of murder charges relating to the case. He later lost a civil suit brought forth by Bakley's children.

Peterson Zah, who led the Navajo Nation as chairman and its first president, died on March 7. He was 85.

Guitarist Gary Rossington, the last surviving founding member of Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, died on March 5. He was 71.

Tom Sizemore, an actor known for his roles in "Saving Private Ryan" and "Natural Born Killers," died on March 3. He was 61. The actor was hospitalized after suffering a brain aneurysm in mid-February.

Rafael Viñoly, the Uruguayan-born architect who designed 20 Fenchurch Street in London — aka "The Walkie-Talkie" — died on March 2, his firm said. He was 78.

Wayne Shorter, a Grammy-winning saxophonist and composer who helped shape the sound of contemporary jazz, died March 2, according to his publicist. He was 89.

French soccer legend Just Fontaine, who still holds the record for the most goals scored by a player at a single World Cup, died March 1 at the age of 89. Fontaine scored 13 goals in six matches at the 1958 World Cup.

Jerry Richardson, the founder and former owner of the NFL's Carolina Panthers, died at the age of 86 on March 1, the team announced.

Lorenzo "Lo" Jelks, Atlanta's first Black television news reporter, died at the age of 83, CNN affiliate WSB reported on February 25. Jelks joined WSB-TV in 1967 and stayed for nearly a decade, according to the Atlanta Press Club.

Richard Belzer, the comedian and actor best known for playing Detective John Munch across a number of NBC crime dramas over more than two decades, died on February 19, according to his longtime manager. He was 78.

Actress Stella Stevens, who appeared in a string of movies in the 1960s and '70s such as "The Nutty Professor" and "The Poseidon Adventure," died February 17, according to her son. She was 84.

Tim McCarver, a longtime Major League Baseball broadcaster who won two World Series titles during his 21-year playing career, died at the age of 81, the National Baseball Hall of Fame announced on February 16.

Raquel Welch, an actress who became an international sex symbol in the 1960s, died on February 15, according to a statement provided by her manager, Steve Sauer. She was 82.

David Jude Jolicoeur, center, better known as Trugoy the Dove from the iconic rap trio De La Soul, died February 12 at the age of 54. A cause of death was not provided.

Austin Majors, a former child actor best known for his role as Theo Sipowicz on "NYPD Blue," died on February 11, according to the Los Angeles Medical Examiner's office. He was 27. The cause of death was under investigation.

Burt Bacharach, the acclaimed composer and songwriter behind dozens of mellow pop hits from the 1950s to the 1980s, including "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head," "(They Long to Be) Close to You" and the theme from the movie "Arthur," died at the age of 94, a family member of Bacharach confirmed to CNN on February 9.

World-famous fashion designer Paco Rabanne died at the age of 88 on February 3. The Spanish designer, born Francisco Rabaneda Cuervo, founded his eponymous fashion house in 1966 and courted both praise and controversy for his creations.

Bobby Beathard, NFL executive and Pro Football Hall of Famer, died January 30 at the age of 86. Beathard helped to build teams that won four Super Bowls, including the 1972 Miami Dolphins team that finished undefeated.

Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull died January 30 at the age of 84, the Chicago Blackhawks announced. "The Golden Jet" was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in 2017.

Actress Annie Wersching died of cancer on January 29, her publicist, Craig Schneider, told CNN. She was 45. Wersching was best known for playing FBI agent Renee Walker in the series "24." She also provided the voice for Tess in "The Last of Us" video game.

Lisa Loring, best known as the first actress to play Wednesday Addams in the original "The Addams Family" sitcom, died January 28 at the age of 64.

Tom Verlaine, founding member of seminal New York punk band Television, died on January 28 "after a brief illness," according to a news release from Jesse Paris Smith, the daughter of Verlaine's former partner Patti Smith. He was 73.

Former Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Jessie Lemonier died on January 26, according to a statement from the Lions. He was 25. The Lions did not provide details on the cause of death.

Cindy Williams, the dynamic actress known best for playing the bubbly Shirley Feeney on the beloved sitcom "Laverne & Shirley," died January 25 at the age of 75.

Lance Kerwin, an actor best known for his role in "James at 15" and the TV miniseries "Salem's Lot" as well as other notable series throughout the '70s, died at the age of 62, his talent agent John Boitano told CNN on January 25.

Balkrishna Doshi, one of the Indian subcontinent's most celebrated architects, died January 24 at the age of 95. He was India's first — and to date, only — winner of the Pritzker Prize, the profession's equivalent to the Nobel Prize.

Mexican comedian Leopoldo Roberto Garcia Pelaez Benitez, who performed as "Polo Polo," died on January 23, his family announced. He was 78. Benitez was known for his adult-themed jokes and Spanish language puns, which were showcased in dozens of albums the comedian recorded throughout the 2000s.

Sal Bando, a four-time Major League Baseball All-Star, died January 20 after a long battle with cancer. He was 78. From 1972 to 1974, Bando won three consecutive World Series titles as captain of the Oakland Athletics.

David Crosby, a folk and rock music pioneer and one of the founding members of The Byrds as well as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, died at the age of 81, his family announced on January 19.

Anton Walkes, a defender for Major League Soccer team Charlotte FC, died at the age of 25, the team announced in a statement on January 19. Walkes died from injuries suffered in a boating accident, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said in a statement. He previously played for Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth and Atlanta United.

The world's oldest known person, French nun Sister André, died at the age of 118 on January 17. Sister André, born as Lucile Randon on February 11, 1904, lived near the French city of Toulon. She dedicated most of her life to religious service, according to a statement released by Guinness in April 2022.

Italian screen legend Gina Lollobrigida died at the age of 95, news agency ANSA reported on January 16, citing members of her family. Together with Sophia Loren, Lollobrigida came to symbolize Italian actresses in the 1950s and 1960s.

Veteran actor Al Brown, who became famous for his role in the hit TV show "The Wire," died on January 13. He was 83. Brown made his name playing police commander Stanislaus "Stan" Valchek in the show about the Baltimore drugs trade.

Robbie Knievel, who followed in the daredevil footsteps of his father Evel Knievel, died on January 13. He was 60. According to his brother Kelly, Robbie had advanced pancreatic cancer and "knew he was sick for probably six months."

Singer Lisa Marie Presley, the only daughter of the late Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley, died on January 12, hours after being hospitalized following an apparent cardiac arrest, her mother said. She was 54.

Robbie Bachman, the drummer of Canadian rock band Bachman-Turner Overdrive, died at the age of 69, his brother and bandmate Randy Bachman announced via Twitter on January 12.

Carole Cook, a veteran actress beloved for her work on stage and screen, died on January 11. She was 98.

Jeff Beck, the rock guitarist often regarded among the greatest of all-time, died at the age of 78, according to a statement posted to his official social media accounts on January 11. Beck rose to fame in the '60s when he replaced Eric Clapton in the Yardbirds. He left a year later to start his own group The Jeff Beck Group, featuring Rod Stewart and Ron Wood.

Tatjana Patitz, who rose to fashion fame in the '90s as an animal-loving supermodel with a piercing gaze, died from breast cancer on January 11, her agent confirmed to CNN. Patitz was 56.

Actress Melinda Dillon, a two-time Oscar nominee best known for the movies "A Christmas Story" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," died January 9, according to a cremation service in Long Beach, California. She was 83.

Lynette Hardaway, a prominent conservative social media personality and member of the duo Diamond & Silk, died at the age 51, a post on the pair's Facebook account announced on January 9.

Bernard Kalb, the long-time journalist and founding anchor of CNN's "Reliable Sources" program, died on January 8, his family said. He was 100.

Adam Rich, an actor who rose to fame as a child playing the youngest Bradford family member, Nicholas, on the TV drama "Eight Is Enough," died January 7, according to a report by TMZ, citing his family. He was 54.

Italian football legend Gianluca Vialli died on January 6 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Vialli, 58, played for Italian clubs Sampdoria and Juventus, where he won the 1996 Champions League before playing for the English Premier League team Chelsea. He also played 59 times for the Italian national team.

Walter Cunningham, a retired NASA astronaut who piloted the first crewed flight in the space agency's famed Apollo program, died on January 3. He was 90.

Professional rally driver and YouTube star Ken Block died in a snowmobile accident on January 2. He was 55. Before embarking on his rally driving career, Block co-founded sportswear company DC Shoes in 1994, which went on to become one of the most recognizable skateboarding apparel brands in the world.

Fred White, a drummer for classic '70s superband Earth, Wind & Fire, died January 1 at the age of 67. With the band, White won six Grammys and was nominated a total of 13 times. In 2000, Earth, Wind & Fire was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Art McNally, the "father of instant replay" and the first game official inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, died January 1 at the age of 97.

People we've lost in 2023

Prev Next

In October 2022, South Korea’s justice ministry announced it would establish a government-wide cooperation system in response to increased drug use in the country. Earlier this year, President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged to “mobilize all capabilities of the entire government to achieve victory” in his war on drugs.

Lee, whose career spanned more than two decades and made him a household name domestically, shot to international fame after his performance in “Parasite,” which became the first non-English film and first South Korean film to win best picture at the Academy Awards in 2020.

He also won praise for his roles in the 2007 television series “Behind the White Tower,” the 2010 series “Pasta,” and the sci-fi thriller series “Dr. Brain,” for which he was nominated for an International Emmy Award.

His last film, the horror movie “Sleep” – in which he played a husband whose sleepwalking becomes increasingly grotesque – premiered this summer. It was warmly received by critics and praised by “Parasite” director Bong Joon-ho.

Lee leaves behind his wife, the renowned Korean actress Jeon Hye-jin, and their two sons.

How to get help: Help is available if you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health matters. In the US: Call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Globally: The International Association for Suicide Prevention and Befrienders Worldwide have contact information for crisis centers around the world.

This is a developing story and has been updated.