Celebrity Deaths 2021 In Memoriam
Willie Garson
Willie Garson, the prolific actor best known from Sex and the City and White Collar, passed away on Sept. 21. He died following a battle with pancreatic cancer, his manager told Deadline. He was 57.
Garson totalled nearly 200 screen roles in an acting career that dated back to the 1980s. But his signature role came on Sex and the City as "Stanford Blatch," the friend of "Carrie." Other notable TV roles included "Mozzie" on White Collar and "Gerard Hirsch" on Hawaii Five-0.
In addition, Garson had parts in countless memorable films, such as There's Something About Mary and Groundhog Day, and he guest starred on series including everything from Friends to Twin Peaks, CSI, and Two and a Half Men.
The brave actor worked into his final year and is due to appear posthumously in the upcoming Sex and the City revival, And Just Like That... Garson is survived by his son Nathen, whom he adopted in 2007. In tribute, his son wrote: "Rest In Peace and I'm so glad you got to share all your adventures with me and were able to accomplish so much. I'm so proud of you."
Al Harrington
Al Harrington, the actor best known for his work in the two Hawaii Five-O television series, passed away on Sept. 21. His family told Honolulu's Star Advertiser that he died after suffering a stroke the week earlier. He was 85.
On the original Hawaii Five-O, Harrington was a main cast member from seasons 5 to 7, during which he played the Hawaiian detective "Ben Kokua." In a nice tribute, he later played the shop owner "Mamo Kahike" in 10 episodes of the Hawaii Five-0 revival series that ended in 2020.
On top of his work on Hawaii Five-O, Harrington had a recurring role on The Jeffersons in 1980, and he appeared on other popular shows like Magnum, P.I. and Scrubs. He also had a small part as a news anchor in Forrest Gump.
He was born Tausau Ta'a in American Samoa in 1935 and later changed his surname to Harrington in honour of his stepfather. In addition to acting, Harrington was a teacher, businessman, showroom entertainer, and recording artist. He's survived by his wife Rosa (pictured with him here), four children, and several grandchildren.