corey parker has died at 60 after a battle with cancer, his aunt said. The actor passed away on Thursday in Memphis, Tennessee, and the specific type of cancer has not been made clear. The news marks the loss of a familiar face to TV audiences, especially viewers who remember his recurring role on “Will & Grace. ”
What happened in Memphis on Thursday (ET)
Emily Parker, identified as the actor’s aunt, said corey parker died Thursday in Memphis, Tennessee, following a cancer battle. No further medical details were provided, and the cancer type remains unclear.
At this time, no additional official institutional statement is included in the available information. What is confirmed, from the family account provided, is the place, the day of the week, and that cancer was the underlying illness.
Corey Parker’s screen career: from horror to sitcom visibility
Corey Parker’s work stretched across film and television, with credits spanning well-known titles over multiple decades. He began working in the film industry in the mid-1980s and is noted for landing the role of Pete in “Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning. ” He later appeared in the Kim Basinger romantic drama “9 1/2 Weeks” in a smaller part.
In 1992, he secured a starring role in the sitcom “Flying Blind, ” playing Neil Barash—described as an awkward college graduate who starts dating Téa Leoni’s character, Alicia. The series ran one season, with Lisa Kudrow, Peter Boyle, Andy Dick, and Noah Emmerich appearing during its run.
For many fans, his most recognizable TV work came through “Will & Grace, ” where he had a recurring role as Josh, one of Grace’s boyfriends, appearing in five episodes. Additional credits listed in the available record include “Biloxi Blues, ” “White Palace, ” “Love Boat: The Next Wave, ” “Nashville, ” and “Blue Skies. ”
Immediate reactions and verified statements
Emily Parker, Corey Parker’s aunt, confirmed the death and said it followed a cancer battle, with the actor dying Thursday in Memphis, Tennessee. No other on-the-record statements from public officials, medical institutions, or entertainment industry organizations are included in the provided information.
Separately, an interview published July 9, 2025, is described as featuring Parker reflecting on his devotion to acting and his enjoyment of riding dirt bikes. In that interview, he is quoted as saying, “I only had one other interest. When we lived upstate in New York I had a dirt bike, a motorcycle, and I rode that thing everywhere, ” and later, “I was 100% in on acting, ” describing how for “years, for decades and decades” he devoted most of his time to his art.
Quick context: a long working life on screen and behind the scenes
In later years, Corey Parker transitioned into acting coaching, providing advice on the shows “Sun Records” and “Ms. Marvel. ” The available information also describes him as coming from a creative family, noting that his mother, Rocky, and his sister, Noelle, were both actors.
What’s next
In the coming days, any additional confirmed details—such as formal statements from institutions involved with his later coaching work, or further family guidance on memorial plans—may clarify what has not yet been specified publicly. For now, the central confirmed facts remain: corey parker died Thursday in Memphis, Tennessee, after a cancer battle, leaving behind a screen legacy that includes “Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning, ” “Flying Blind, ” and a recurring turn on “Will & Grace. ”
