All of the celebrities highlighted in this article played some pretty iconic roles in television, movies, and music. You’ll be surprised at some of the people on this list…
Lisa Robin Kelly
The very popular That ’70s Show is still playing on TV to this day. Eric Foreman’s wild sister, Laurie, was played by Lisa Robin Kelly. The public was very familiar with Lisa’s troubled personal life and was consistently in the limelight because of it. She ended up passing away in 2013 due to multiple drug intoxication. She was 43.
Ben Woolf
This one is definitely a shocker. Ben has had other roles, but his most famous roles were of Meep in American Horror Story: Freak Show and Thaddeus Montgomery in AHS: Murder House. Many fans don’t know this, but Ben passed away in 2015 after being hit in the head by a side-view mirror of a car.
Rose Siggins
Rose found her claim to fame as Legless Suzi in American Horror Story: Freak Show. Unfortunately, Rose passed away after complications with a kidney stone surgery in 2015.
Sawyer Sweeten
Sawyer Sweeten played the role of Geoffrey Barone in Everybody Loves Raymond alongside his twin brother, Sullivan, and older sister, Madylin. Unfortunately, he took his own life in 2015, just a few weeks shy of his 20th birthday.
Natasha Richardson
Who doesn’t recognize this wonderful face from The Parent Trap? Natasha was also known for the wife of fellow actor Liam Neeson. She sadly passed away from a skiing accident in 2009. She was only 45.
Taylor Negron
Everyone knows this face! Taylor Negron starred in amazing shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Friends, Seinfeld, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. He passed away from cancer in 2015 at the age of 57.
Marcia Wallace
You may remember Marcia better as Edna Krabappel in The Simpsons. She passed away from pneumonia and sepsis in 2013.
James Avery
Uncle Phil in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was naturally a fan favorite. He passed away in 2013 at the age of 68.
Richard Griffiths
Even though the character of Uncle Vernon was not a fan favorite, Harry Potter fans and cast still mourned over the loss of Richard Griffiths. He passed away in 2013.
Sarah Danielle Madison
This starlet was very popular in the mid 2000s. She was a familiar face in 7th Heaven,90210, House, and Jurassic Park III. She passed away in her sleep in 2014.
Harold Ramis
Harold was most notable in his role in Ghostbusters but was also known for Groundhog Day, Animal House, and Caddyshack. He passed away at the age of 69 in 2014.
Carl Switzer
Carl Switzer played the ever-favorite Alfafa in The Little Rascals franchise. Unfortunately, he passed away many years ago in 1959 when he was killed in a physical fight over money. He was 31.
Chris Penn
Chris Penn was famous for his role as Nice Guy Eddie in Reservoir Dogs. When he was 40, he passed away from cardiomyopathy in 2006. He was the brother to fellow actor Sean Penn.
Rob Knox
Harry Potter fans will know this familiar face. Rob Knox played Marcus Belby in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. He was supposed to continue his role as Marcus in the follow-up film but ended up dying in 2008 after a fight. He was 18.
Heather O-Rourke
Most know of the adorable little girl in the cult classic film Poltergeist. The young actress passed away in 1988 when she was just 12-years-old. Her gravesite is a popular attraction on the Haunted Hollywood tour…
Dana Plato
Dana Plato found her fame in playing Kimberly Drummond on the popular sitcom Diff’rent Strokes. After the show was completed, Dana spiraled into substance addiction. She had an interview on The Howard Stern Show in 1999 and received horrific calls from former “fans.” She committed suicide the day after. She was 34.
Judi Barsi
You may not recognize her face, but her voice is still iconic to this day. Judith’s voice is featured in The Land Before Time and All Dogs Go to Heaven. In 1988, Judith was killed by her father. Those two films were released posthumously.
Thuy Trang
Most 90s kids will recognize this face. Thuy was the Yellow Ranger in Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers. She also had other roles before her life was taken in a car accident when she was 27.
Dana Hill
Dana Hill was a popular voice actress and had roles in Rugrats, Goof Troop, and Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures. She also played Audrey Griswold in National Lampoon’s European Vacation. She passed away in 1996 at the age of 32 due to diabetes complications.
Glenn Quinn
Glenn Quinn was a popular character on Roseanne. He passed away in 2002 due to a heroin overdose when he was 32.
Skye McCole Bartusiak
This little girl is most notable for her role as Mel Gibson’s daughter in The Patriot. She had a pretty great acting career, but everything came to a halt when she passed away from an accidental drug overdose at 21.
Jonathan Brandis
After The NeverEnding Story II, Jonathan Brandis was your classic teen idol. After the film, his career never really took off. He ended up committing suicide in 2003 at the age of 27.
David Graf
David Graf was a popular character in Police Academy and West Wing. He passed away in 2001 when he was 50. He was at his brother-in-law’s wedding when he got a heart attack.
Windell Middlebrooks
Windell Middlebrooks is a familiar face to any early 00s kids as a character on Hannah Montana and Suite Life On Deck. He also had a reoccurring role in Scrubs. He, unfortunately, passed away in 2015 at the age of 36 due to a pulmonary embolism.
Nathaniel Marston
Nathaniel was best known in the soap opera world, featuring on shows like As the World Turns and One Life to Live. He got into a horrific car crash in October of 2015 and passed away two weeks later.
Lynne Thigpen
Lynne was a familiar face on children’s shows like Bear in the Big Blue House and Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? Lynne passed away in 2003 due to a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 54.
Trevor Goddard
Trevor Goddard played Krano in the 1995 Mortal Kombat movie. He also had a small part in Gone in 60 Seconds and Pirates of the Caribbean. He passed away from a drug overdose in 2003 when he was 40.
Wendie Jo Sperber
This Back to the Future star passed away from breast cancer in 2005. Her last role was voicing a character on American Dad! and the show ended up renaming the character that she voiced to Wendie Jo.
Dave Legeno
Dave played a Fenrir Greyback in the last three Harry Potter movies. He sadly passed away in 2014 after hiking in Death Valley.
Misty Upham
Misty Upham had wonderful roles in Frozen River and August: Osage County. Unfortunately, her successful acting career was cut short when she disappeared in October 2014. Her body was found a week and a half later, seemingly from an accident. Many believe it was foul play…
Adam Yauch
Adam Yauch was a founding member of the Beastie Boys. He was diagnosed of cancer in 2009 and passed away in 2012.
Greg Giraldo
Greg was a stand-up comedian known for his roasts. He passed away in 2010 due to an accidental prescription drug overdose. He was 44.
Michael Jeter
Michael was a popular and well-recognized face from The Green Mile, Jurassic Park III, and Waterworld. He passed away from a seizure in 2003.
Randy Savage
The Macho Man tragically passed away in 2011 after a heart attack. He won 20 wrestling championships in his career and even had a roll in the 2002 rendition of Spider-Man.
Gregory Hines
Gregory was a pretty successful tap dancer but made it to the big screens with parts in Will & Grace and The Muppets Take Manhattan. He passed away in 2003 due to cancer.
John Spencer
Leo McGarry was killed off in The West Wing for a reason, John Spencer, the actor who played him, passed away in real life. John died of a heart attack at the age of 58.
James Rebhorn
James Rebhorn was one of the biggest actors in his time, with over 100 appearances on stage and screen. He was most popular in Homeland and Independence Day. He passed away in 2014 at the age of 65 from melanoma.
Gary Coleman
The sitcom world mourned when Diff’rent Strokes star Gary Coleman passed away in 2010. Although his adult life was riddled with scandals and financial problems, people will always remember him for his adorable role in the ’80s favorite.
Aaliyah
Aaliyah was only 22 when she died in a plane crash in 2001. She and her crew were filming a music video in the Bahamas.
Chris Farley
Chris Farley was a famed comedian. He passed away from a drug overdose in 1997 at the age of 33.
Lisa “Left-Eye” Lopes
The R&B world came to a halt when Lisa Lopes died in a car accident. TLC was insanely popular at the time. She was only 30.
Chyna
On April 20th, 2016, famed wrestler and bodybuilder Chyna died of an accidental overdose.
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee’s death was an extreme shock to the world. He was only 32 when he suffered from cerebral edema while on set.
Brandon Lee
Bruce Lee’s son, Brandon, ended up dying by getting accidentally shot while on set for The Crow. He died in 1993 at the age of 28.
Selena
Selena’s death truly shocked the world. She was murdered by friend Yolanda SaldÃvar on March 31st, 1995. Selena was 23.
John Belushi
Famed actor John Belushi died in 1982. His trainer found him dead in a hotel. He was only 33.
Philip Seymour Hoffman
The actor was found dead after overdosing on drugs. He passed away in 2014 at the age of 46.
Natalie Cole
The daughter of Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole was just as successful in music. She passed away on December 31st, 2015, due to congestive heart failure.
River Phoenix
The brother of Joquin Phoenix, River Phoenix was also a wonderful actor. River collapsed outside of The Viper Room due to mixing too many drugs. He was only 23.
Tupac
Everyone remembers Tupac (and if you don’t, shame.) Tupac Shakur died after being shot in 1996. He was 25.
Amy Winehouse
It’s no secret that Amy Winehouse struggled with alcohol and drugs. She ended up dying of alcohol poisoning in 2011 at the age of 27.
Marvin Gaye
The famed singer died in 1984 after his father shot him. He was 44.
Brittany Murphy
The world lost Brittany Murphy much too soon. She died in 2009 due to pneumonia, although many people believe her death is much more mysterious than just an illness…
Matthew Garber
Most known as his role in Mary Poppins, Matthew Garber died in a bizarre way. He suffered from hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis in 1977. He was only 21.
Heath Ledger
The acting world was shocked to learn that Heath Ledger passed away in 2008 due to an accidental drug overdose. He was largely popular in the Fast & Furious movies.
Michelle Thomas
Family Matters star Michelle Thomas was an actress and comedian. She died in 1998 due to cancer at the young age of 30.
Jim Henson
The Muppets master died from Streptococcus pneumoniae, which causes bacterial pneumonia. He was 53.
Natalie Wood
Natalie Wood’s death is another suspicious one. She drowned in 1981 at the age of 43. There have been conflicting witness statements.
Glenn Frey
Glenn Frey of The Eagles passed away in 2016 due to complications of arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and pneumonia.
Kurt Cobain
Nirvana singer Kurt Cobain was found dead in an apparent suicide back in 1994. He was only 27. There have been tons of controversy around his death, especially since many believe his wife, Courtney, did it.
Marilyn Monroe
Hollywood starlet was found dead of an overdose in 1962. She was only 32. Even to this day, she inspires people everywhere.
Biggie
The Notorious B.I.G. was murdered in 1997 after a driveby shooting. To this day, no one knows how he died.
David Bowie
Superstar David Bowie died of cancer in 2016. He was only 69 years old but left an incredible legacy behind him.
Alan Rickman
Most kids of the 00s and 10s know Alan Rickman for his role as Severus Snape in Harry Potter. He died in 2016 from pancreatic cancer.
Corey Haim
Corey Haim was a successful child star but eventually fell to the ground because of it. He died in 2010 from his addictions.