6 Beloved HGTV Stars Who've Tragically Passed Away
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Since its founding in 1994, HGTV has become the ultimate channel for all things home renovation. Where else can you tune in for programs about real estate or interior design at any hour? We rest our case. During the past 21 years and counting, millions of viewers have watched countless home transformations, learned a few handy tips to incorporate into their spaces, and, of course, met the professional renovators and personalities that grace the screens.
Over the years, these designers and contractors have become more than people we sometimes watch from week to week: They've been celebrities in their own right. As HGTV super fans, we love to keep up with our favorite stars, whether it's breaking down the sweet secrets between Ben and Erin Napier's long-lasting relationship or where we can shop Christina Hall's exact living room furniture.
But while we love to look at HGTV for some of life's brighter moments, there are several alums who are sadly no longer with us. Whether they died years ago or recently passed away, we want to make sure their legacy is always remembered. Today, we're taking some time to honor the HGTV stars who have left us too soon—and highlight the mark they left on the network. From the resident Queen of Crafts to a voice House Hunter fans would recognize anywhere, the stars below truly shaped HGTV into what it is today.
Read more about all things HGTV:
Chris Madden
Chris Madden wasn't just an HGTV star. For many, she was interior design royalty. Not only did Madden publish a handful of books highlighting her beautiful projects and bright ideas, but she also worked with A-list clients like Toni Morrison, Katie Couric, and, yes, Oprah. The designer eventually took her expertise to the small screen with Interiors by Design, a pioneering HGTV show that reportedly ran for eight seasons.
In 2022, after living with a blood vessel disorder called hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, Madden died after taking a fatal fall in her Florida home.
Carol Duvall
Carol Duvall was dubbed the "Queen of Crafts." After a long-time career in television—she was a news anchor and coproducer on a local network in Detroit—Duvall hosted her eponymous HGTV show in 1994. During her program's 13-season run, Duvall shared her insider tips on rubber stamping, jewelry making, and even scrapbooking. Sadly, Duvall passed away in 2023 at 97 years old.
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Eduardo Xol
With a lifelong love for gardens and plants, Eduardo Xol joined the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition family in 2005 as the show's resident landscaping expert. Xol stayed on the show for seven seasons, whipping up jaw-dropping transformations long before a family stepped inside their homes. Sadly, Xol's life was cut short in 2024 when he died after being stabbed multiple times in Palm Springs.
Suzanne Whang
Though Suzanne Whang may not be a pro renovator, avid HGTV fans would recognize her voice anywhere. That's right, she was the original narrator for House Hunters from its premiere in 1999 until 2017. When she wasn't walking us through a family's real-estate woes, she was also an actress and comedian. Sadly, Whang was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 and eventually passed away from the disease in 2019. She is survived by her spouse Jay Nickerson, whom she married in 2013 after years of being friends.
Chris Hyndman
Before HGTV became rife with renovating couples, there was Chris Hyndman and Steven Sabados. Not only did the duo launch their own design firm, aptly named the Sabados Group, but they also starred in two HGTV shows: Design Rivals and So Chic with Steven and Chris. Later, the dynamic duo launched their eponymous lifestyle show on Canada's CBC network.
Hyndman's life was unfortunately cut short after he suffered a fatal fall in 2015. Some reports claim he fell to his death while sleepwalking.
Gail O'Neill
Gail O'Neill wore various hats during her 61 years. Though she started her career as a fashion model, she eventually moved from the runway to demo day by hosting HGTV shows like Mission: Organization and Public Places, Private Spaces. By the early aughts, she was arguably one of the network's most famous faces. Later in life, she became a journalist and worked with a handful of nonprofit organizations to promote social change. O'Neill sadly passed away in 2023, and her cause of death is unknown.
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