The world of entertainment and public service feels a little heavier this morning. Honestly, it’s one of those days where the news cycle just doesn’t let up. When we look at the famous people who died today, January 17, 2026, it isn't just a list of names. It’s a collection of legacies that shaped how we grew up, how we viewed the world, and even how we spent our Sunday afternoons watching sports.
Losing a public figure often feels weirdly personal. You’ve never met them, but they were in your living room via a TV screen for years. Today, that feeling hits home as we process the tragic loss of former child star Kianna Underwood and several other notable figures whose deaths were confirmed or announced in the last 24 hours.
The Heartbreaking Loss of Kianna Underwood
It is basically impossible to talk about the headlines right now without mentioning the tragic end of Kianna Underwood’s story. You likely remember her from the mid-2000s era of Nickelodeon. She was a bright spot on All That during its tenth season and voiced the character Fuchsia Glover on the animated series Little Bill.
The details coming out of Brooklyn are, frankly, gut-wrenching. Underwood was only 33 years old. According to the NYPD and reporting from TMZ, she was killed in a hit-and-run collision early Friday morning. She was reportedly dragged for two blocks near Pitkin Avenue.
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There’s a deeper, more painful layer to this story that’s surfacing now. Former co-stars like Angelique Bates had been sounding the alarm for a while, claiming Kianna was struggling with homelessness in New York City. It’s a stark reminder of the "child star to struggle" pipeline that we see all too often. It’s not just a celebrity death; it’s a systemic failure that people are starting to talk about more openly today.
Sports Icons and the End of an Era
In the world of athletics, the news today includes the passing of figures who defined their respective games. Chet Brooks, the former San Francisco 49ers safety and two-time Super Bowl champion, has passed away at 60 after a battle with cancer. If you followed the 49ers during their late-80s dynasty, Brooks was a staple of that secondary. He wasn't just a player; he was part of a team that defined excellence for an entire generation of football fans.
We also lost Dave Giusti at the age of 86. For Pittsburgh Pirates fans, Giusti is a legend. He was a cornerstone of the 1971 World Series championship team. He was one of those reliable relievers who just went out and did the job before "closers" were the specialized stars they are today.
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Over in the world of rugby, New Zealand is mourning Grant Batty. At 74, the former All Black was known for his incredible speed despite his smaller stature. He proved that you didn't have to be a giant to dominate on the field.
Academic and Cultural Pillars We Lost
Beyond the glitz of TV and the roar of stadiums, today we recognize the passing of individuals who moved the needle in science, politics, and the arts.
- Louis E. Brus (82): A Nobel Prize laureate in Chemistry (2023). He was the man who discovered nanocrystals known as quantum dots. Every time you look at a high-end QLED TV screen, you’re looking at his life’s work.
- Claudette Colvin (86): While most people know Rosa Parks, Colvin was the teenager who refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus nine months before Parks. Her death marks the loss of a living bridge to the Civil Rights Movement.
- Kenny Morris (68): The original drummer for Siouxsie and the Banshees. If you ever went through a goth or post-punk phase, his rhythms were likely the soundtrack to your teenage angst.
Why This List Hits Differently Today
When we track famous people who died today, we often see a mix of "natural causes" and sudden tragedies. Today feels particularly heavy because of the age range. You have a 33-year-old actress and a 42-year-old Russian baseball player, Pavel Akishev, alongside 100-year-old pioneers like Indian politician Bheemanna Khandre.
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It makes you realize that legacy isn't about how long you lived, but what you left behind. Kianna Underwood leaves behind a conversation about how we treat former child stars. Louis Brus leaves behind the technology we use every day. Claudette Colvin leaves behind a more just society.
What to Do With This Information
It’s easy to scroll past these names, but there’s value in stopping for a second. If you’re feeling the weight of these losses, or if you’re a fan of someone mentioned, here are a few ways to honor their memory:
- Support the Causes They Cared About: In light of Kianna Underwood's passing, consider supporting organizations like The Actors Fund or Covenant House, which provide resources for performers and youth facing housing instability.
- Revisit Their Work: Watch an old episode of All That, look at the 1971 World Series highlights, or listen to The Scream by Siouxsie and the Banshees. Keeping their work alive is the best tribute.
- Check in on the Living: Legacy is built while we are here. If these stories remind you of how fleeting time is, use that as a prompt to call a friend or family member you haven't talked to in a while.
The news of those who passed today serves as a mosaic of human achievement and human struggle. While the headlines will change tomorrow, the impact these individuals had on their fields remains.
Next Steps for You
If you want to keep up with the evolving details regarding the investigation into Kianna Underwood's accident or the memorial services for Chet Brooks, you can follow the official NYPD news updates or the San Francisco 49ers' community page. For those interested in the civil rights history Claudette Colvin helped write, visiting the Equal Justice Initiative's digital archives is a powerful way to spend an afternoon.