Corey Parker, the adaptable actor known for his recurring role on “Will & Grace” and his breakout appearance in the cult favorite “Friday the 13th: A New Beginning,” has passed away at 60 after a battle with cancer.
Parker died on Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Memphis, Tennessee, according to reports from his family. His aunt, Emily Parker, confirmed his death to TMZ, while his sister Noelle Parker and longtime friend Risa Bramon Garcia posted tributes on Instagram over the weekend.
“I believe he left this world weightless, at peace & surrounded with love,” Noelle Parker wrote in her heartfelt remembrance.
Born on July 8, 1965, in New York City, Parker entered the entertainment world at age four, appearing in commercials before attending Manhattan’s renowned High School of Performing Arts. The son of actress Rochelle “Rocky” Parker and John David Haas, he grew up deeply connected to show business. By 14, he was studying with Actors Studio teachers, and at 20, he became one of the youngest members ever accepted into the iconic institution.
Parker made his on-screen debut in 1983 with a role on the soap opera “As the World Turns.” Two years later, he secured his breakout part as Pete, an ill-fated greaser, in “Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning” (1985). The sequel established him as a rising Hollywood talent and led to more significant opportunities.
His filmography later expanded with roles in Kim Basinger’s “9 1/2 Weeks” (1986), Neil Simon’s “Biloxi Blues” (1988) alongside Matthew Broderick and Christopher Walken, “Big Man on Campus” (1989), “Encino Woman” (1996), and Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Rainmaker” (1997). He also appeared in “White Palace” and the British miniseries “The Lost Language of Cranes” (1991), a performance remembered fondly following his passing.
Television became Parker’s strongest platform throughout the 1990s and 2000s. In 1992, he starred opposite Téa Leoni in Fox’s sitcom “Flying Blind,” playing Neil Barash, a shy college graduate navigating a romance with Leoni’s free-spirited Alicia. The series lasted one season and featured guest roles from Lisa Kudrow, Peter Boyle, Andy Dick, and Noah Emmerich.
Parker’s most recognizable TV role was his five-episode stint on NBC’s hit sitcom “Will & Grace” as Josh, one of Grace’s artistic boyfriends during seasons two and three. The recurring character highlighted Parker’s sharp comedic timing and his chemistry with Debra Messing and the rest of the cast.
His wide-ranging TV credits included roles on “The New Leave It to Beaver,” “Thirtysomething,” “Touched by an Angel,” “Nashville,” and “Love Boat: The Next Wave.” On the “Love Boat” revival, which aired for two seasons on UPN from 1998 to 1999, Parker portrayed Dr. John Morgan, the ship’s physician.
In the later part of his career, Parker moved behind the scenes to become a respected acting coach, sharing his extensive experience with young performers. He began coaching in 2000 and went on to teach at Duke University, Rhodes College, and the University of Memphis. He worked as an acting instructor on CMT’s “Sun Records” in 2017 and on the Disney+ Marvel series “Ms. Marvel” in 2022. Many of his students later earned Tony, SAG, and Emmy Awards.
Casting director Risa Bramon Garcia, who had known Parker for 45 years since their early days at the Ensemble Studio Theater in New York, honored his profound influence as both an artist and mentor. She said Parker had been “a massive part of my creative work, my creative family, for decades,” praising his teaching talent, generosity, and commitment to storytelling.
Parker’s mother, Rocky Parker, was an actress and acting coach who became widely known due to her marriage to Patrick Dempsey. The pair married in August 1987 and divorced in 1994. Rocky died of throat and lung cancer in 2014. Parker’s sister Noelle also pursued acting, and the family’s creative roots shaped his approach to performance and teaching.
A GoFundMe created by Parker’s students revealed the seriousness of his condition. He was diagnosed with advanced stage 4 metastatic cancer after hip replacement surgery in fall 2025, when pathology reports found the disease had spread. In his final update on February 17, 2026, Parker shared that he was preparing for hospice care.
Over his four decades in the industry, Parker earned a reputation not only for his versatility in genres ranging from horror to comedy to drama, but also for his kindness and commitment to helping young actors grow. He once said, “I think actors are the gold mine, the source of authenticity and creativity.” Parker is survived by his wife Angela, his sister Noelle, and his brother David. Friends, colleagues, and former students remembered him for his humor, generosity, and deep love for the craft—an influence that endures through the many performers he mentored.