Actor Corey Parker Dies at 60 After Cancer Battle

Corey Parker, the actor known for his roles in the sitcom Will & Grace and the horror film Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning, died on Thursday in Memphis, Tennessee. He was 60 years old and had been battling cancer, though the specific type was not disclosed.

Parker's death was confirmed by family members, who described his passing as peaceful. His sister, Noelle Parker, shared a heartfelt statement, saying he "left this world weightless, at peace and surrounded with love." The news emerged amid tributes from colleagues and fans, highlighting his enduring influence in the entertainment industry.

Born on July 8, 1965, in New York City to actress Rochelle "Rocky" Parker and John David Haas, Corey Parker grew up in a creative family. His mother had credits in films such as Can't Buy Me Love and later married actor Patrick Dempsey in 1987. Parker began performing at age 4 in television commercials and attended New York's High School of Performing Arts. He made his onscreen debut in a 1983 episode of the soap opera As the World Turns, quickly establishing himself as a versatile presence in film and television.

Parker's breakthrough came in the mid-1980s with the role of Pete, a...