Corey Parker Cause of Death: Will & Grace Actor Dies at 60
Corey Parker, the veteran actor best known for his roles on Will & Grace and Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning, died Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was 60 years old.
Corey Parker Cause of Death — Stage 4 Prostate Cancer
Parker's own website had revealed in 2024 that he had been diagnosed with incurable stage 4 prostate cancer, with metastases in his bones. His aunt Emily Parker confirmed his death to TMZ, though the family did not publicly disclose further details about the final stages of his illness.
His sister Noelle released a statement saying: "I believe he left this world weightless, at peace and surrounded with love."
Who Was Corey Parker?
Parker's career began when he was just four years old and touched nearly every corner of the entertainment industry across four decades — film, television, theater, and ultimately the training rooms where he shaped the next generation of performers.
He got his start in the mid-1980s, notably winning the role of Pete in Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning, then appeared alongside Kim Basinger in 9½ Weeks. In 1992, Parker landed a starring role in the sitcom Flying Blind alongside Téa Leoni, with Lisa Kudrow, Peter Boyle, Andy Dick, and Noah Emmerich all appearing on the show during its one-season run.
He was also known for appearing in Biloxi Blues, directed by Mike Nichols, and had a recurring role as Josh — one of Grace's boyfriends — across five episodes of Will & Grace. His other notable credits included Nashville, Touched by an Angel, Love Boat: The Next Wave, and Blue Skies.
His Legacy as an Acting Coach
Later in his career, Parker turned to coaching, helping actors refine their craft on shows such as Sun Records and Ms. Marvel, leaving a lasting impact behind the camera.
Casting director Risa Bramon Garcia shared a tribute on Instagram, writing: "We celebrate your incredible talent, your unparalleled passion and joy in the work and in your family, your huge gift for and devotion to teaching, your generosity, your love."
Family Ties
Parker was born July 8, 1965 in New York City, the son of actress Rochelle "Rocky" Parker, who was married to Patrick Dempsey in the late 1980s and early 1990s despite their 26-year age difference. Rocky passed away in 2014. He is survived by his sister Noelle Parker and brother David Parker.
