Actor Corey Parker, Known for ‘Will & Grace’ and ‘Friday the 13th: A New Beginning,’ Passes Away at 60
Corey Parker, an actor renowned for his roles in Will & Grace and Friday the 13th: A New Beginning, has passed away at the age of 60. His death occurred on Thursday in Memphis, Tennessee, following a battle with cancer, although further details regarding his diagnosis remain undisclosed, as reported by TMZ.
In a heartfelt statement, Parker’s sister, Noelle, expressed her grief, stating, “I believe he left this world weightless, at peace & surrounded with love.” She recalled their journey as artists in New York, emphasizing his impact on her life and creative work. “You were a massive part of my creative work, my creative family, for decades,” she reflected. “We navigated the work together, all of us, always coming back to the truth and the potential of storytelling, of the actor’s endless power. You kept us all honest and brave about art.”
Noelle further celebrated her brother’s “incredible talent, unparalleled passion, and joy” in both his work and family life. “All our lives are so much richer for knowing you, and you carry on in each of us,” she stated, adding, “Goodbye but not farewell, dear friend. Live and love to the fullest, fellow travelers. Sending light and love to Corey’s family and all those who knew and were touched by his genius.”
Born on July 8, 1965, in New York City, Corey Parker was the son of actress Rochelle “Rocky” Parker and John David Haas. He began his acting career in television commercials at the age of four and later attended New York’s High School of Performing Arts.
Parker made his onscreen debut in a 1983 episode of As the World Turns and quickly became a familiar face on television, with appearances in shows such as The New Leave It to Beaver, Thirtysomething, Flying Blind, Touched by an Angel, Love Boat: The Next Wave, Nashville, and Will & Grace, where he portrayed Grace’s boyfriend, Josh.
In film, Parker is perhaps best known for his role as Pete in the 1985 slasher sequel, Friday the 13th: A New Beginning. His film credits also include 9 1/2 Weeks (1986), Biloxi Blues (1988), Big Man on Campus (1989), Encino Woman (1996), and The Rainmaker (1997).
In addition to his acting, Parker was a dedicated instructor, contributing to shows such as CMT’s Sun Records (2017) and the Disney+ MCU series Ms. Marvel (2022).
