Notable Deaths in 2026

A look back at the esteemed personalities who’ve left us this year, who’d touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.

A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity. A look back at the esteemed personalities who left us this year, who touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity. By CBSNews.com senior producer David Morgan. The Associated Press contributed to this gallery. Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Duncan Sheik (Nov. 18, 1969-Sept. 17, 2026) earned two Tony Awards for the 2006 Broadway musical "Spring Awakening." Working with playwright Steven Sater, Sheik challenged the conventional notions of musical theater by mixing a story set in 19th century Germany with contemporary pop-rock, as its young characters defy a repressive society. The show, which starred Lea Michele, Jonathan Groff and John Gallagher Jr., offered a frank portrayal of abortion, incest and suicide.

Sater, who met Sheik while both were practicing Buddhists, was collaborating on Sheik's 2001 album, "Phantom Moon," when he mentioned he was working on a new production. Neither had done a musical before. "With the exception of our director, we are all kind of Broadway outsiders," Sheik told The Associated Press in 2007. "We wanted to shake things up a bit. And we just set out to make this really cool piece of theater." The show went on to win eight Tonys, including best musical, and a Grammy for its cast