Michael Kearns: key obituary facts
Is Michael Kearns dead? Yes. Michael Kearns died on October 5, 2026, at age 76.
Cause of death: Michael Kearns's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Michael Kearns known for?
He was an American journalist.
More about Michael Kearns
Born: 1 January 1950.
Place of birth: St. Louis.
Gender: male.
Occupation: journalist, actor.
Nationality: United States.
Education: DePaul University.
Also known as: Micahel Kearns.
Occupations: Actor, writer, director, teacher, producer.
Years active: Early 1970s-present.
Michael Kearns, an American actor and activist, died October 5, 2026, aged 76.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, he studied at the Goodman School of Drama in Chicago, graduating in 1972, then moved to Los Angeles.
His screen work included appearances in Body Double, Cheers and The Waltons, while his career also encompassed writing, directing, teaching, producing and extensive theater work. Kearns was among the first openly gay actors and, after announcing his HIV-positive status on Entertainment Tonight in 1991, became the first openly HIV-positive actor in Hollywood. He maintained a mainstream film and television career alongside theater, where activism was a recurring part of his work. For more than 25 years, he was active in Los Angeles’ artistic and political communities. In 1984, he co-founded Artists Confronting AIDS, and he served as a commissioner of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Kearns also wrote for magazines and newspapers and authored five books about theater; two were nominated for Lambda Literary Awards. His work connected a long-running presence on screen and stage with public engagement around AIDS and LGBTQ issues.