Corey Parker's aunt, Emily Parker, confirmed his death. The actor had been battling an advanced stage four metastatic cancer. He underwent a hip replacement last year after his diagnosis. In his final update to fans a few weeks ago, Parker shared details about his deteriorating condition. 'The radiation that was intended to reduce the pain from the cancer in my arm and in my hips did help to reduce the pain in those areas but also impacted my esophagus, my ability to speak and my overall orientation,' Parker said. He added, 'It's hard to text and I struggle to formulate speech,' revealing that preparations for hospice care had begun. Corey Parker died on Thursday, March 5, at his home in Memphis, Tennessee, though the exact cause of his death has not been disclosed.
Parker rose to fame in the 80s, starring in Flying Blind, a cult classic sitcom that ran for one season. The show reportedly featured other soon-to-be stars like Lisa Kudrow. In Flying Blind, Parker played the awkward nerd who meets chaotic Alicia, portrayed by Téa Leoni, and the pair begin dating with all the usual 90s hijinks ensuing. He was also known for appearing in the Friday the 13th franchise. Parker had a recurring role as Josh, one of Grace's boyfriends in Will & Grace. In his later life, he worked as an acting coach, including on the Marvel Universe TV show Ms Marvel and Sun Records.
Corey Parker came from an acting family. His sister Noelle appeared in Sisters and went on to become a producer behind the scenes. His mother was Rocky Parker, a film actress who died in 2014 and married Patrick Dempsey in the 90s. Before his death, Parker's family had set up a GoFundMe fundraiser to pay for his medical bills, as he had become ineligible for SAG insurance. Details on why he became ineligible for SAG insurance have not been provided. The diagnosis turned Parker's family's world upside down, according to the fundraiser. The GoFundMe aimed to raise $65,000, and it has reached over $59,000. Parker thanked fans for their generosity and all of the love and care. In February, he revealed that the health insurance monthly premium was $1,485, which they were struggling to pay. His family expressed their affection, saying, 'We love this man, this artist, this teacher. There is no one like him.' Information about Corey Parker's funeral or memorial arrangements has not been released.