Actor Corey Parker, known for 'Will & Grace', dies at 60

Parker had recurring roles on the sitcom and starred in 'Flying Blind' in the 1990s.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Corey Parker, an actor known for his roles on the sitcoms 'Will & Grace' and 'Flying Blind', has died at the age of 60 in Memphis, Tennessee after a battle with cancer. Parker gained recognition in the 1980s with roles in films like 'Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning', 'Biloxi Blues', and '9 1/2 Weeks'.

Why it matters

Corey Parker was a prolific character actor who appeared in several popular TV shows and films in the 1980s and 1990s. His death at a relatively young age is a loss for the entertainment industry and his fans.

The details

Parker appeared in five episodes of 'Will & Grace' as Josh, the boyfriend of the character Grace Adler played by Debra Messing. In 1992, he starred in the sitcom 'Flying Blind' as a recent college graduate who develops a relationship with a free-spirited woman portrayed by Téa Leoni. The show ran for one season. Later in his career, Parker shifted to acting coaching and worked on projects like the Disney+ series 'Ms. Marvel' in 2022 and the show 'Sun Records' in 2017.

  • Parker died on Thursday, March 7, 2026 in Memphis, Tennessee.
  • He was 60 years old at the time of his death.

The players

Corey Parker

An actor known for his roles on the sitcoms 'Will & Grace' and 'Flying Blind'.

Rocky Parker

Parker's mother, who was also an actress and director. She married actor Patrick Dempsey, who was 26 years her junior, after they worked together on a film. She died in 2014.

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What they’re saying

“Parker died after a battle with cancer, his aunt Emily Parker told TMZ. The type of cancer was not disclosed.”

— Emily Parker, Aunt of Corey Parker (TMZ)

The takeaway

Corey Parker's passing is a reminder of the impact that character actors can have on popular culture, even if they don't achieve the same level of fame as leading actors. His work on shows like 'Will & Grace' and 'Flying Blind' left a lasting impression on audiences and his death at a relatively young age is a loss for the entertainment industry.