2 Fox News Staffers Die Over Christmas Weekend

Fox News anchor-reporter Matt Napolitano and the company's longtime Chicago director of operations Adam Petlin both passed away just before Christmas, the network and family announced.

By Brett Malec Dec 28, 2023 9:43 PMTags
Watch: In Memoriam: Fallen Stars of 2023

Fox News has lost two of its family members. 

Anchor-reporter Matt Napolitano and the network's longtime Chicago director of operations Adam Petlin both passed away just before Christmas.

Napolitano's husband Ricky Whitcomb confirmed the media personality, 33, died on Dec. 23.

"With a heavy heart I have to share that my husband @MattNapolitano passed away yesterday morning," Whitcomb wrote Dec. 24 on X (formerly known at Twitter). "He loved his job and he loved bringing the news to your radios and televisions."

Whitcomb added that Napolitano "had an auto immune disease that he was diagnosed with almost 20 years ago and died as the result of an infection." 

Following the tragic news, Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott praised Napolitano's contributions to the network, according to a statement obtained by USA Today.

"Matt did everything from anchoring to writing and producing for our audio platforms," Scott shared, "and loved being able to work in the journalism field that he trained for his entire life."

photos
Celebrity Deaths: 2023's Fallen Stars

Petlin, 58, who worked for Fox for nearly three decades and was one of their first hires in 1996, also passed away Dec. 23 following a long illness, the network announced.

"He was an integral part of the field and production team and a gifted still and television photographer," Scott wrote in a statement released to the company. "Adam was also highly regarded by numerous correspondents and anchors that were fortunate enough to have been on location with him on nearly every major news story of the last 27 years."

Ricky Whitcomb/X

Petlin is survived by his wife, Lauren, his 18-year-old daughter, Ava, and his 14-year-old son, Luca

See more famous faces the world sadly lost in 2023 below.

Buddy Duress

The actor—known for his collaborations with the Safdie brothers on films such as Good Time and Heaven Knows Whatdied in November at the age of 38. 

Ana Ofelia Murguía

The actress, who voiced the role of Mama Coco in the beloved animated film Coco, passed away at the age of 90, Mexico’s National Institute of Fine Arts and National Theater Company announced Dec. 31.

Tom Wilkinson

The Full Monty actor, a two-time Oscar nominee, died Dec. 30 at age 75.

Neel Nanda

The stand-up comedian, who appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! during his career, passed away at the age of 32, his rep confirmed to Deadline Dec. 24.

Bobbie Jean Carter

The sister of singers Nick Carter and the late Aaron Carter died at age 41, their mom Jane Carter announced Dec. 23.

Laura Lynch

One of the founding members of the Dixie Chicks (now called The Chicks), pictured in the middle, died at age 65 in a car crash in Texas on Dec. 22.

James McCaffrey

The voice actor, known for his work in the Max Payne video game series, died on Dec. 17 following a battle with cancer. He was 65. 

Eddie Driscoll 

Eddie Driscoll (L) who had minor roles in Mad Men, Sex and the City and Entourage, died on Dec. 15 in Los Angeles. He was 60. 

Kenny DeForest

The stand-up comedian and writer died on Dec. 13 after a bike accident. He was 37.

Pedro Henrique

The Brazilian gospel singer died after collapsing onstage during a performance Dec. 13. He was 30.

Andre Braugher

The Brooklyn Nine-Nine actor died Dec. 11 at age 61 after a brief illness, his rep confirmed.

Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell

The eldest daughter of June "Mama June" Shannon and the sister of Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson died Dec. 9 at age 29 after a cancer battle.

Ryan O'Neal

The Love Story actor died peacefully on Dec. 8, his son Patrick shared on Instagram. "My father Ryan O’Neal has always been my hero," he wrote. "I looked up to him and he was always bigger than life."

Keisha Nash

The death of the actress and producer, who was married to Forest Whitaker for 22 years before their 2018 divorce, was confirmed by her daugher True Whitaker on Dec. 7. 

"Goodbye mommy. I love you 4ever and beyond," the 25-year-old wrote on her Instagram Story. "The most beautiful woman in the world... thank you for teaching me every single thing I know. I'll see you in my dreams and I'll feel you in my heart."

Benjamin Zephaniah

The Peaky Blinders actor and poet died at the age of 65 on Dec 7. after being diagnosed with a brain tumor eight weeks prior, a message shared to his Instagram account read.

"Through an amazing career including a huge a body of poems, literature, music, television and radio, Benjamin leaves us with a joyful and fantastic legacy," the post read. "Thank you for the love you have shown Professor Benjamin Zephaniah." 

Andrea Fay Friedman

The breakthrough actress known for her role in Life Goes On, died at 53 on Dec. 3 from complications due to Alzheimer's.

Norman Lear

Norman Lear, the legendary screenwriter and producer who created classic sitcoms including All in the Family, Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons, and Good Times, died at 101 on Dec. 5, his family confirmed.

Rosalynn Carter

The former First Lady and wife of President Jimmy Carter died Nov. 19. She was 96.

Suzanne Shepherd

The Sopranos actress died Nov. 17 at age 89.

Devon Wylie

The former NFL player died at age 35, his family wrote on social media Nov. 13.

Kevin Turen

Kevin Turen, a producer whose work in television included HBO's Euphoria and The Idol, died at the age of 44.

D.J. Hayden

The athlete, a first-round pick of the Oakland Raiders who spent nine seasons in the NFL, was killed in a car crash Nov. 11 in Houston. He was 33.

Matt Ulrich

The former NFL player, who was an offensive guard for the Indianapolis Colts for two seasons, including when they won the 2007 Super Bowl, died at age 41, team owner Jim Irsay tweeted Nov. 8

Taraja Ramsess

The stuntman, who worked on films including Black Panther and Avengers: Endgame, died after being involved in a car crash that also claimed the lives of three of his kids.

Adam Johnson 

The 29-year-old ice hockey player for British professional club Nottingham Panthers died after a "freak accident" during an Oct. 28 game, his team confirmed.

Matthew Perry

The Friends alum died Oct. 28. He was 54.

Richard Roundtree

The Shaft star died Oct. 24 following a battle with pancreatic cancer, his manager Patrick McMinn of McMinn Management and Artists & Representatives Agency confirmed to NBC News. He was 81 years old.

Tasha Butts

The head coach of Georgetown University's women's basketball team died after a two-year battle with breast cancer, the school announced Oct. 23.

Burt Young

The actor, who played Paulie in the Rocky movies, died Oct. 8 in Los Angeles, his daughter Anne Morea Steingieser confirmed to The New York Times. He was 83 years old.

"To my Dear Friend, BURT YOUNG," Sylvester Stallone wrote in an Instagram tribute Oct. 18 alongside a throwback photo of the costars, "you were an incredible man's and artist, I and the World will miss you very much...RIP." 

Michael Chiarello

The Food Network star and celebrity chef died at a Napa, Calif. hospital days after he was admitted for an acute allergic reaction that had led to anaphylactic shock, his company, Gruppo Chiarello, said in an Oct. 7 statement.

photos
View More Photos From Celebrity Deaths: 2023's Fallen Stars
Peacock is live now! Check out NBCU's streaming service here.