Hollywood has been rocked by sudden, tragic deaths time after time. From Heath Ledger to River Phoenix to Brittany Murphy, here are the stars we lost far too young...
Chris Farley, 33 Years Old
The "Tommy Boy" actor and SNL figurehead openly struggled with drug abuse, and it put his job in jeopardy multiple times. His manager, Bernie Brillstein, had tried to send him to rehab multiple times to no avail. He died of an accidental drug overdose at 33, and the SNL scene hasn't been the same without him.
Princess Diana, 36 Years Old
Before her death, Diana was married to Prince Charles of Wales and had two children, Princes William, and Harry. She was an innovator in breaking the traditions of the royal family and was historically one of the most selfless and charitable women to ever marry into the monarchy. She died a few years after her divorce in a tragic car accident at 36 years old.
Bernie Mac, 50 Years Old
Bernie Mac, the Chicago-based comedian, broke out onto the scene after starring in "The Original Kings of Comedy" alongside Steve Harvey and Cedric the Entertainer. Though he had a handful of notable film roles, his most acclaimed project was "The Bernie Mac Show." He sadly passed away from a disease called sarcoidosis, which causes tissue inflammation.
Brittany Murphy, 32 Years Old
The "Uptown Girls," "Clueless," and "Riding In Cars With Boys" actress was every scene's It Girl in the 90s. She dated Ashton Kutcher and Simon Monjack for a time and was never seen without her signature honey-blonde hair. Though the media suspected she had a drug addiction, she denied it. She died from pneumonia in 2009, though an overdose was ruled out as her cause of death.
Natasha Richardson, 45 Years Old
The "Parent Trap" star was on a ski vacation with her son at the time of her death. She hit her head while on a run, but seemingly felt fine after she got up. Sadly, she'd suffered from an unchecked brain bleed, and it killed her. She was married to actor Liam Neeson at the time, and he's spoken openly about how difficult it was to cope with her sudden death.
Corey Haim, 38 Years Old
Best known for his role in Stephen King's film adaptation of "Stand By Me" alongside River Phoenix and Corey Feldman, Haim was launched into a childhood stardom that was difficult to come down from. The pressures of fame led to a heavy addiction with drugs and alcohol, and in 2010 he died from pneumonia.
Gary Coleman, 42 Years Old
The "Diff'rent Strokes" actor and media personality stood at 4'8" and totally owned it. Though he'd had a successful career as a child star and later attempted to run for the Governor of California in 2003, he went bankrupt in the later 2000s. He tried to sell his assets online to no avail, and in 2010 died fro a subdural hematoma.
Amy Winehouse, 27 Years Old
The iconic soul singer wasn't around long enough to see the impact of her incredible whirlwind career. The UK songstress, most famous for her "Back to Black" album, popularized the songs "Rehab" and "Valerie" for undoubtedly decades to come. However, she struggled with addiction and died of alcohol poisoning in 2011.
Andy Whitfield, 39 Years Old
The "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" actor initially studied construction at trade school before making the jump into acting and landing a lead role in the STARZ channel series. However, he had to postpone filming the Spartacus prequel series due to a cancer diagnosis. When he was declared "cancer-free," a follow-up scan revealed a relapse less than a year later. In 2011, he died just 18 months after his initial diagnosis.
Adam Yauch, 47 Years Old
Founding member of the Beastie Boys and longtime independent filmmaker and producer Adam Yauch died from parotid cancer in 2012. He was a devout Buddhist and involved in organizing the Tibetan Freedom Concert. The Beastie Boys have paid tribute to him several times over since his passing.
James Gandolfini, 51 Years Old
Gandolfini's performance as patriarch Tony on "The Sopranos" has been hailed as one of the greatest television performances of all time. Since his passing in 2013, his son Michael has joined the Sopranos cast to play a young version of his father's character. It truly does stay in the family.
Ryan Knight, 28 Years Old
The "Real World: New Orleans" star was found unresponsive at a friend's house in 2014. Though there are no suspicions surround his cause of death, no information has been released. It was likely an accidental overdose.
L'Wren Scott, 49 Years Old
Fashion designer and longtime girlfriend of Mick Jagger was best known for styling icons like Madonna and Julia Roberts. She debuted a line of luxury evening wear in 2006, characterized by unconventional femininty and sharp silhouettes. She died of suicide in 2014, and Jagger has openly spoken about how difficult dealing with the trauma was.
Bobbi Kristina Brown, 22 Years Old
Daughter of Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown, Bobbi Kristina had a relatively unconventional childhood surrounded by constant press, drugs, and alcohol. She made her media debut in 1994 when her mother brought her on stage to accept an American Music Award. Following Houston's death in 2014, Bobbi Kristina died of pneumonia in 2015.
Angela Raiola, 55 Years Old
The regular "Mob Wives" personality was best known for her vivacious attitude and guttural voice. She was a staple on the show and even got her own spin-off series called "Big Ang" in 2012. She died in 2016 from complications of lung cancer and pneumonia, and her death struck fans suddenly.
Prince, 57 Years Old
"The Artist Formerly Known As" tragically died after undergoing treatment for a drug overdose. In April of 2016, Prince left the hospital against medical advice, attended a concert, stopped by his recording studio, and lived out a very normal week. He went into cardiac arrest following a second overdose in his home, and he was pronounced dead on the scene.
Chyna, 46 Years Old
The WWE champ, Chyna, was known as "The Ninth Wonder of the World," right behind Andre the Giant. The model, wrestler, actress, and bodybuilder really could do it all. She was a multi-talented personality who'd gotten featured in Playboy and other various adult networks and publications. However, she died at the age of 46 after an accidental drug overdose.
Christina Grimmie, 22 Years Old
The Youtube singer-turned-Voice champ took Adam Levine by storm with her powerhouse vocals. She launched her career off with cover songs before eventually writing her own moody songs and nearly winning the reality singing show. She was signed to Island Records following her stint on TV but was tragically shot in a murder-suicide by a crazed fan in 2016.
Anton Yelchin, 27 Years Old
The "Star Trek" and "Like Crazy" star was a multi-talented creative who enjoyed photography and music while he wasn't shooting films. His death was tragic - he was pinned to a brick mailbox by his car after it rolled down a steep driveway. He died by "blunt traumatic asphyxiation," and the entire incident was ruled an accident.
Alexis Arquette, 47 Years Old
The famous sibling of actors David and Patricia Arquette, Alexis also made a name for herself at a young age. She had the intention of fully transitioning from male to female, but ultimately never went through with the procedure. She acted in "Down and Out in Beverly Hills" and "Last Exit to Brooklyn" early in her career. However, she passed away from complications related to HIV in 2016.
Pete Burns, 57 Years Old
Dead or Alive frontman Pete Burns, known for their hit "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)," was best remembered for his androgynous appearance and multiple plastic surgeries. His unique look, unfortunately, led to his bankruptcy, and he even accused fellow pop singer Boy George of appropriating his look. He died in 2016 due to cardiac arrest.
Ricky Harris, 51 Years Old
The "Everybody Hates Chris" guest star died of a heart attack in 2016. He was most recently seen in Ryan Murphy's Real Crime series that profiled O.J. Simpson. He worked with stars like Snoop Dogg and Chris Rock during his time on screen as well. His final film, "Check Point," was released in 2017.
Joey Boots, 49 Years Old
The Howard Stern Show personality Joey Bassolino, though usually referred to as Joey Boots, was found dead in his apartment at the age of 49. His cause of death was likely a heart attack, though the police report didn't release any further details.
Lil Peep, 21 Years Old
The up and coming rapper was skilled at blurring the lines between hip-hop and emo music, and he was taking the industry by storm when he died from an accidental fentanyl overdose. He was launched into relevancy when he released the hit song "Falling Down" with rapper XXXTentacion in 2018.
River Phoenix, 23 Years Old
River Phoenix, brother of actor Joaquin Phoenix, got his start in the hit adolescent blockbuster "Stand By Me." After leaning into more adult roles as he got older, fame took his life by storm. He died of an accidental overdose at the age of 23 outside of Johnny Depp's Viper Room in Hollywood. He is rarely acknowledged publically by his brother, but earlier this year while speaking about his new film, "The Joker," Joaquin thanked River to the press for the first time ever.
Peaches Geldof, 25 Years Old
UK television personality and daughter of musician Bob Geldof, Peaches worked for UK's Elle Girl and produced various network shows. She had two children with Max Drummey and her partner at the time of her death, Thomas Cohen. She lived a "Bohemian lifestyle" with the S.C.U.M. frontman until she died from a heroin overdose in 2014.
Edie Sedgwick, 28 Years Old
Vogue's Girl of the Year in 1965 was the muse for artist Andy Warhol and starred in several of his short films through the 60s. She dealt with various eating disorders through her adolescence, and both of her older brothers died within 18 months of each other, leading to an estranged relationship with her parents. She died of an accidental overdose at 28 after struggling with addiction.
Cliff Burton, 24 Years Old
The founding Metallica member was heavily featured in the band's first three albums on the rhythm section. Rolling Stone has dubbed him as the best bass player of all time. Burton received posthumous writing credits for the song "To Live Is To Die" from the band's fourth album. He died in a bus accident while Metallica was touring through Sweden.
Mac Miller, 26 Years Old
The Pittsburgh-based rapper broke into the scene at just 19 years old with his debut album, "Blue Slide Park." He was in a high profile relationship with singer Ariana Grande off and on until the time of his death. His album, "Swimming," premiered only a handful of weeks before his death. His family posthumously released the companion album, "Circles," in January 2020.
Mitch Hedberg, 37 Years Old
Hedberg, best known for his deadpan sense of humor and works like "Strategic Grill Locations," propelled him into comedic relevancy. His fans were often too excited to let him finish his jokes before they beat him to the punchline. He was a drug user and that was a relevant theme among his material. He died of an accidental heroin overdose in 2005.
Brian Jones, 27 Years Old
This founding member of The Rolling Stones even gave the band their name but was soon forced out of the group by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger due to creative differences. Though Jones and Richards developed The Stones' signature back-and-forth guitar style, Jones still didn't stand a chance at keeping his place in the lineup. Jones died at 27 years old after he was found dead in his swimming pool a month after he left the band.
Sid Vicious, 21 Years Old
The Sex Pistols frontman was a notorious troublemaker, constantly mixed up in drugs, alcohol, and violence. After the release of the band's hit album, "Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols," Vicious met his manager Nancy Spungen, with whom he entered into a toxic romantic relationship that eventually ended in her death. When Vicious died of an overdose in 1979, he wanted his ashes spread over her grave.
Keith Moon, 32 Years Old
The Who drummer Keith Moon is heralded as one of the best in the business, and his title still stands decades after his death. The Who took a long time to recover after he passed. He was notoriously difficult to work with, trashed hotel rooms, and was violent onstage. He was taking medication to ease alcohol withdrawal symptoms at the time of his death, and he overdosed on Heminevrin in 1978.
Stevie Ray Vaughan, 35 Years Old
The Cobras frontman is regarded as the best guitar player of all time. He won six Grammy Awards and ten Austin Music Awards before his death in a tragic helicoptr crash in 1990. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2014.
Buddy Holly, 22 Years Old
One of rock's most central figures of the 1950s was signed to Decca Records after he played opening sets for Elvis Presley and Bill Haley & His Comets. He wrote hits like "Tha'll Be The Day" and "Peggy Sue." He was married in 1958, and one year later he was killed in a freak plane accident. His influence has long inspired artists like Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and Eric Clapton.
Cory Monteith, 31 Years Old
The "Glee" star was sent to rehab towards the end of the show's final seasons due to a heroin addiction. He died of an accidental overdose in 2013. He was dating costar Lea Michele at the time, and following his death, Ryan Murphy organized a tribute episode that tied both Monteith and his character's deaths together.
Marvin Gaye, 44 Years Old
The R&B singer was a staple in the scene thanks to his songs like "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" and "Ain't That Peculiar." His roots in the LA Motown scene translated to earn him the universal title of "Prince of Soul." One day before his 45th birthday, he intervened in a fight with his parents that led to his father shooting him at point-blank, killing him instantly.
John Belushi, 33 Years Old
The SNL castmember and iconic Blues Brother John Belushi struggled with drug addiction during most of his career and was a breakout star in the 1970s. He was set to star in "Ghostbusters" alongside Dan Aykroyd, but died of a drug overdose before filming began.
Anna Nicole Smith, 39 Years Old
The former Playboy, Guess, and H&M model had a highly publicized marriage to an 88-year-old billionaire, J. Howard Marshall. She battled several legal cases, one of which revolved around the sudden death of her son an another regarding custody issues with her newborn daughter. She died of a prescription drug overdose in 2007.
Jim Morrison, 27 Years Old
The Doors frontman Jim Morrisonn was the embodiment of hippie culture in the 60s. He co-wrote Doors hits like "Light My Fire," "Break on Through," and "Moonlight Drive." He struggled with alcohol dependency, which heavily affected his performances. He died suddenly, and there was no autopsy performed.
Phillip Seymour Hoffman, 46 Years Old
Best known for his eccentric and often-evil roles, Hoffman was featured in hit films like "Doubt," "Capote," and "The Hunger Games." He was a widely admired American actor. He struggled with drug and alcohol abuse and relapsed in 2013 after years of sobriety. He died in 2014 from an accidental overdose.
Janis Joplin, 27 Years Old
This iconic free spirit dropped out of school to pursue music and live the ultimate Bohemian lifestyle among other iconic musicians. She was best friends with Bob Dylan, which says it all. Though she was incredibly talented, she was also a tortured soul who struggled with a heroin addiction. She died at the age of 27 from an accidental overdose.
Chester Bennington, 41 Years Old
The Linkin Park singer openly struggled with depression and anxiety, and those were heavy themes in most of his music. He's been credited as one of the greatest rock and metal vocalists of his generation. His death was a suicide by hanging, and remaining band member Mike Shinoda announced that LP would be taking a hiatus in order to grieve.
Michael Hutchence, 37 Years Old
The INXS frontman suffered from Lead Singer Syndrome for sure. He's been described as "the archetypal rock showman. Overtly sexual, macho cool with flowing locks, and lithe and exuberant stage movements." He has one child, a daughter named Heavenly Hiranni Tiger Lily. His death was ruled a suicide by hanging at 37 years old.
Selena Quintanilla, 23 Years Old
The most influential Mexican-American entertainer of the late 20th century was shot by her very own fan club president. After Selena left her family band to pursue a wildly successful solo career, she took the Latin music community by storm. She married her guitarist, Chris Perez, and one year later, she was tragically murdered. Jennifer Lopez played the iconic songstress in a biopic that was released in the 1990s.
The Notorious BIG, 24 Years Old
Rolling Stone hails Notorious as the greatest rapper to ever live. He was linked to rapper Tupac Shakur's death because they were friends-turned-enemies, though Notorious was killed six months after Tupac in the same drive-by scenario. His second album, "Life After Death," was released two weeks after his murder, and rose to No. 1 on Billboard's Top 200. He is to be inducted into the Rock and roll Hall of Fame in 2020.
Steve Irwin, 44 Years Old
The famous Crocodile Hunter was killed by a stingray while filming a new documentary series in 2006. The environmentalist's family still lives out his legacy by running the Australia Zoo in his honor and taking countless measures to protect Australia's wildlife. His wife Terri and children Robert and Bindi Sue Irwin are household names.
James Dean, 24 Years Old
Hollywood's self-proclaimed "loner" overtook the scene in the 1950s, becoming one of the most coveted actros in the industry. His most acclaimed role was in "Rebel Without a Cause," which embodied his persona both on and offscreen. He died suddenly in a car accident at 24 years old.
Jimi Hendrix, 27 Years Old
The highlight of Woodstock 69, lefty Jimi Hendrix had three top 10 hits with his band, The Jimi Hendrix Experience: "Hey Joe," "Purple Haze," and "The Wind Cries Mary." Shortly after his time at Woodstock, he overdosed from accidental barbiturate-related asphyxia at 27 years old.
Bob Marley, 36 Years Old
The Jamaican singer/songwriter was one of the driving forces behind the reggae genre. Bob Marley and the Wailers released their single "One Love/People Get Ready" in 1965, and the song skyrocketed to the top 5 on worldwide charts. He transitioned from reggae into a more free-flowing playing style when he found Rastafarianism. He died from a cancerous melanoma at the age of 36.
John Candy, 43 Years Old
"The Great Outdoors" and "Uncle Buck" would be nothing if John Candy hadn't been in the starring roles. His most notable performance was in John Hughes' "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles." His death was ruled as a heart attack, though there was never an autopsy performed. He left some roles unfinished, and was in the process of filming an adaptation of "A Confederacy of Dunces."
Paul Walker, 40 Years Old
"Fast and Furious" heartthrob Paul Walker died tragically in a racecar accident alongside driver Roger Rodas. Walker's father and daughter both filed wrongful death suits against Porsche and won. He was in the middle of filming "Furious 7," and his brothers Cody and Caleb had to fill in for his scenes so the film could be completed. The song "See You Again" by Charlie Puth and Wiz Khalifa was used as a tribute to Walker.
Whitney Houston, 48 Years Old
The "How Will I Know" singer is one of the best-selling music artists of all time. She served as an inspiration for other young African American performers, and her iconic falsetto voice paired with her always-glamourous appearance made her quite the role model. Her death was ruled as drowning due to coronary artery disease and cocaine intoxication. She was honored at the Grammy Awards in 2012, just a few weeks after her death.
Kurt Cobain, 27 Years Old
The Nirvana frontman changed the world of grunge rock, though he wanted to take none of the credit for it. A Seattle native, Washington's music scene thanks him for making it what it is today. The band's critically acclaimed sophomore album "Nevermind" has been heralded as a classic. His death was ruled a suicide via gunshot wound, but there are many conspiracy theories that claim he was actually murdered.
Tupac Shakur, 25 Years Old
Tupac is still considered to be one of the most significant and influential rappers of all time. Though he was only active for five years, he'd already risen through the ranks of the West Coast rap scene. His highest acclaimed album, "Me Against the World," has earned several platinum statuses. He was killed in a drive-by shooting, and the murderer was never found.
Aaliyah, 22 Years Old
R&B icon was only 22 when she died in a plane crash. She was just 10 when she performed alongside Gladys Knight, and by 12 she'd earned a record deal. She worked with artists like Missy Elliot and Timbaland and R. Kelly while she was at her prime. She was illegally married to Kelly because she was sixteen at the time, and eventually disputed the marriage. Her death was a tragedy for the entire industry.
Marilyn Monroe, 36 Years Old
Norma Jean Mortenson was everyone's It Girl in the 1950s. She was everywhere. A high profile model and actress, she appeared in "The Seven Year Itch" in 1955, and married baseball player Joe DiMaggio. She also had an affair with President John F. Kennedy, so she was rarely out of the spotlight. Her death was ruled as a probable suicide because she had various drugs in her system when she was found.
John Lennon, 40 Years Old
Notable Beatles member John Lennon was autographing a copy of his latest solo release, "Double Fantasy," for Mark David Chapman when he was later tracked down by Chapman and shot at close range. He was pronounced dead on arrival when he got to the hospital. His death occurred during the peak of his nonstop 5-year recording stint, shortly after "Double Fantasy"'s release.
Elvis Presley, 42 Years Old
The King died of a heart attack at 42, just as his career was on a steady downturn. Though his legacy is timeless, his early work doesn't compare to the music he released later in life. He's remained a staple figure in the rock and roll industry since he passed, and at 36 he won the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Bruce Lee, 32 Years Old
Martial arts icon Bruce Lee died from cerebral edema after he collapsed during a voice-over recording session for "Enter the Dragon" in Hong Kong. He'd suffered from seizures and headaches before, but the edema was reportedly fatal and caught too late. His son Brandon Lee also died on a film set while working on "The Crow" in the 90s.
Michael Jackson, 50 Years Old
The King of Pop's death was ruled as manslaughter when his doctor prescribed him the improper dosage of medication. He was posthumously charged with several counts of sexual abuse and was slandered in a documentary entitled "Leaving Neverland." His estate has fervently disputed the film. His musical legacy continues to thrive, despite this.
Heath Ledger, 28 Years Old
The Australian actor died while his final role as the Joker in "The Dark Knight" was in the editing stages. He suffered an accidental drug overdose at 28 years old. He was married to actress Michelle Williams at the time, and they had an infant daughter Matilda. He was also famous for his roles in "Brokeback Mountain" and "10 Things I Hate About You."
Judy Garland, 47 Years Old
Most famous for her role as Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz," Garland went on to have a very successful performance career. She hosted "The Judy Garland Show" and was signed with MGM Studios. Several of her recordings are now housed in the Grammy Hall of Fame. She struggled with drug and alcohol abuse and died from an accidental barbiturate overdose.
Freddie Mercury, 45 Years Old
Queen frontman Freddie Mercury tragically passed due to complications from AIDS when he was 45 years old. He was relatively private about his illness, and is best known for his theatrical stage presence and falsetto vocal styling. He wrote hits like "Killer Queen," "Don't Stop Me Now," and "Bohemian Rhapsody." The biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody" features actor Rami Malek in Mercury's shoes.