Laura Prepon, the 46-year-old actress recognized for playing Donna Pinciotti in “That ’70s Show,” revealed on Aug. 5, 2026, that her brother Brad Prepon had passed away on July 15 from a heart condition that had not been detected. He was 48 years old.
The family held services for Brad during the weekend of August 1. In announcing his passing, the actress urged her social media followers to listen to their bodies and not hesitate to consult doctors when something seems amiss.
From ‘That ’70s Show’ to ‘Orange Is the New Black’
Prepon became famous portraying the red-haired Donna on “That ’70s Show,” a series that aired between 1998 and 2006. She returned to the character in “That ’90s Show,” the sequel series. Later in her career, she earned fresh recognition playing Alex Vause, the raven-haired former associate of a drug cartel, in “Orange Is the New Black.”
Recent years have brought significant personal challenges for the actress. Following her 2024 separation from her husband, actor Ben Foster, Prepon alleged he engaged in habitual drunkenness and subjected her to cruel treatment. Foster countered that cohabitation had become unsafe and improper. The pair have two children together.
The actress has also been forthright about overcoming an eating disorder. Her memoir, “You and I, As Mothers,” revealed that her mother had instructed her in bulimic behaviors, creating a childhood trauma that persisted long past her recovery. She has described receiving an enormous response from readers confronting similar battles with food and family dynamics after sharing her story, saying that making a difference for even a single person justified the vulnerability.
A Sister’s Message
In the tribute posted alongside photographs documenting decades of their relationship, Prepon paired mourning with an urgent health message stemming from how her brother died. Because his fatal condition had gone undiagnosed, she framed her public statement as a cautionary appeal to others: recognize warning signs and seek immediate evaluation.
“He passed away suddenly from an unknown heart condition — it was a devastating shock,” Prepon wrote. She described Brad as impossible to replace and said she would carry him with her always. The actress expressed gratitude for how deeply he had affected everyone fortunate enough to know him and called his death the loss of something rare and precious. She encouraged her followers to embrace their loved ones tightly.
His obituary confirmed Brad Prepon died July 15. In her public statement, the actress reflected on the emptiness his absence creates for those who knew him and those who did not.
Who Brad Prepon Was
Brad Prepon relocated to California in 2002 and maintained strong bonds with Laura and their three other sisters in the years afterward. His obituary portrayed a man characterized by intellectual curiosity and a hunger for learning, with particular devotion to world history and World War II specifically.
The remembrance depicted a constantly active intellect—analytical, exacting and compelled to comprehend construction and mechanics. Wellness and physical conditioning were among his central concerns, as was spending time with those he cared about. According to his obituary, he valued holiday celebrations, visits with his sisters and the excitement of evenings out, and his unique character left lasting impressions on people.
His family concluded the tribute by stressing that he would be remembered for the traits that made him unlike anyone else. The obituary called him an inimitable force who affected many lives and whose absence would be profoundly felt. In addition to his enthusiasm for world history and tennis, those closest to Brad highlighted his affection and his vitality at any gathering.
The recent death of her brother represents another profound loss for the actress, who has increasingly employed her public voice to address painful topics without reservation. In sharing news of Brad’s passing, she returned to that approach, converting private sorrow into counsel she hoped might prevent another family from experiencing the same abrupt devastation.