Chad Gilbert, a founding member of the pop-punk band New Found Glory, has died at age 45 following a years-long battle with cancer.

Chad Gilbert, the guitarist and founding member of the pop-punk band New Found Glory, passed away on the morning of September 20. A statement confirmed he died peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by his wife, Lisa Cimorelli, and his mother. Gilbert had been undergoing treatment for cancer for several years prior to his death.

Musical Career and Legacy

Gilbert helped form New Found Glory in 1997 in Coral Springs, Florida, alongside bandmates Jordan Pundik, Ian Grushka, and Cyrus Bolooki. Over nearly three decades, he contributed to the band's songwriting and guitar work across more than a dozen albums, including their 1999 debut, 'Nothing Gold Can Stay,' and their 2026 release, 'Listen Up!'. Beyond New Found Glory, he also performed with the bands Shai Hulud and the side project International Superheroes of Hardcore.

Health Challenges

Gilbert’s health struggles included a 2021 diagnosis of a rare tumor called a pheochromocytoma, which originated on his adrenal gland and spread to his liver. Following surgery to remove the tumor, his gallbladder, and half of his liver, he announced in early 2022 that he was cancer-free. However, he later faced further health complications, revealing in early 2026 that he had been diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma and had discovered three brain tumors.