Notable Deaths in August 2026

Kay Granger

First Republican woman elected to Congress from Texas

Robby Albarado

Jockey — rode Curlin to the 2007 Preakness Stakes; 4th-most wins in Churchill Downs history

Cardiac complications following heart surgery

Don Nelson

Second-winningest coach in NBA history — Warriors, Mavericks, Bucks

Tommy John

MLB pitcher who gave his name to the most common surgery in baseball

Bladder cancer

Reggie Bannister

Actor — the Phantasm horror franchise (1979–2016)

Lewy body dementia and Parkinson's disease

Ben Jones

Actor — Cooter Davenport in The Dukes of Hazzard; Georgia Congressman

Heart attack

Tyler Duckworth

Reality TV personality — The Real World: Key West, two-time The Challenge winner

Hayden Panettiere

Actress — Heroes, Nashville, Remember the Titans

Accidental overdose (combined drug toxicity)

Ruby Andrews

Chicago soul singer — "Casanova (Your Playing Days Are Over)"