Beverly Hills, 90210’ Actor, Dies at 76 as Friend Shares Final Text

Michael Kearns, ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ Actor, Dies at 76 as Friend Shares Final Text

Michael Kearns, the actor and theater artist whose screen appearances included Beverly Hills, 90210 and Cheers, has died aged 76.

Kearns died on Monday, October 5, 2026, according to his longtime friend, journalist Karen Ocamb. His cause of death has not been publicly disclosed. losangelesblade.com

A Final Message From Hospital

Filmmaker Roland Palencia shared details of his last exchange with Kearns, revealing that the actor sent him a message from hospital on the evening before his death.

“Thank you a million times. They are doing lots of tests. Will likely be here all night,” Kearns wrote, according to the tribute reported by HELLO!.

Palencia said his friend had made repeated emergency-room visits during the previous three months. His remembrance offered a personal glimpse of Kearns’ final days and the friendship they shared. nystatemvp.com

A Career Across Television and Film

Kearns played Hal in several episodes of Beverly Hills, 90210 in 1996. His television credits also included Murder, She Wrote, Knots Landing, Days of Our Lives, The Fall Guy and The Waltons.

Beyond television, he appeared in films including Body Double. His career combined screen work with a longstanding commitment to theater, writing and community projects. nystatemvp.com

An Advocate Who Challenged Stigma

Kearns was among Hollywood’s first openly gay performers. In 1991, he publicly disclosed that he was HIV positive, using his visibility to challenge prejudice and encourage greater understanding.

He also co-founded Artists Confronting AIDS, helping bring the experiences of people affected by the epidemic to the stage. For Kearns, performance provided a way to tell stories that were often overlooked. people.com

A Planned Return to the Stage

His death came just six days before a scheduled appearance at Los Angeles’ Celebration Theatre. The event was intended to explore LGBTQ+ theater history, with Kearns due to perform alongside longtime colleague Joe Gill.

Instead, friends and fellow artists are remembering his contributions as a performer, advocate and father. He is survived by his daughter, Katherine. losangelesblade.com