By
David Morgan
Updated on: May 29, 2026 / 7:21 PM EDT
/ CBS News
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Notable Deaths in 2026
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
TL;DRAI
Sonny Rollins (95) and Ted Turner (87) died in May 2026 — jazz legend and CNN founder, two defining figures of 20th-century American culture and media. Turner's 1980 launch of CNN established the 24/7 continuous-content distribution model that underpins every modern streaming and digital news platform strategy.
14,158 words~64 min read
