From members of history's famous "27 Club" to more recent Hollywood passings, here are the most prominent untimely deaths that rocked the industry...
Judy Garland, 47 Years Old
Judy Garland was famous for her roles in "The Wizard of Oz," "The Judy Garland Show," and her longstanding cabaret career. She was signed with MGM Studios and several of her recordings are now a part of the Grammy Hall of Fame. She suffered from drug and alcohol abuse for most of her life and died from an accidental barbiturate overdose. She is survived by three children, including the famous vocalist Liza Minnelli.
Freddie Mercury, 45 Years Old
Queen frontman Freddie Mercury tragically passed away at the age of 45 due to complications from AIDS. He's best known for his theatrical performance style and falsetto vocals. He was the primary songwriter for the supergroup, and songs like "Don't Stop Me Now," "Bohemian Rhapsody," and "Somebody to Love," are still iconic hits today.
Heath Ledger, 28 Years Old
The Australian actor, whose final role before his death was the legendary Joker from "The Dark Knight," died at the age of 28 due to a drug overdose in Manhattan. Known for films such as "10 Things I Hate About You" and "Brokeback Mountain," the actor was married to Michelle Williams and the couple shared a child, Matilda, at the time of his death. "The Dark Knight" was in the editing phases when he passed, and he never got to see the final product.
Michael Jackson, 50 Years Old
The King of Pop's untimely death was the subject of legal subjection due to the circumstances of his accidental overdose. The doctor treating him at the time was charged with involuntary manslaughter. The musician, though wildly popular, was also surrounded by various sexual abuse scandals and the release of a posthumous documentary, "Leaving Neverland," led to lots of backlash from the musician's estate.
Bruce Lee, 32 Years Old
The martial arts icon died from cerebral edema after he collapsed while recording dialogue for "Enter the Dragon" in Hong Kong. He'd been prone to both seizures and headaches, but the edema was reported as fatal. Known for his longstanding martial arts and film career, his legacy is still relevant today. His wife returned to her home of Seattle, Washington, where she had his body laid to rest. His son, Brandon Lee, also died young, after suffering an injury while on the set of "The Crow."
Elvis Presley, 42 Years Old
The King of Rock and Roll suffered from cardiac arrest when he was 42, which put a permanent halt on his iconic career. The musical legend has remained a source of inspiration within the industry since his death. His influence within the rock and blues genres has granted him the title of best-selling solo artist of all time. At age 36, he won the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He also received a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2018.
John Lennon, 40 Years Old
John Lennon was autographing a copy of "Double Fantasy" for fan Mark David Chapman while on his way to a recording session. Hours later, Chapman tracked down Lennon and shot him at close range. Though he was rushed to the hospital, he was pronounced dead on arrival. His death occurred during the peak of a nonstop, 5-year recording session, and shortly after the release of "Double Fantasy." His legacy has lived on through his wife Yoko Ono and sons Sean and Julian Lennon.
Marilyn Monroe, 36 Years Old
The 1950s "It Girl," Norma Jean Mortenson, was a box office success with her role in 1955's "The Seven Year Itch." Her marriages to Joe DiMaggio, Arthur Miller, and James Dougherty, and her alleged affair with President John F. Kennedy meant there was rarely a moment when she was out of the spotlight. Her death was ruled as a probable suicide because high levels of various drugs were found in her system and she'd locked herself in her bedroom to take them.
Aaliyah, 22 Years Old
R&B icon Aaliyah gained prominence at just 10 years old when she performed alongside Gladys Knight, and by age 12 she'd earned herself a record deal. She worked with Missy Elliott and Timbaland for her second studio album, "One in a Million," and appeared in her first film, "Romeo Must Die," in 2000. Her death was a tragedy to the R&B community. The flight she was on with several other members of her record company exploded on the runway, and no one survived.
Tupac Shakur, 25 Years Old
Tupac was considered one of the most significant and influential rappers of all time. With a career spanning only five years, with his first major release appearing on the scene in 1991, he'd already risen through the ranks of the West Coast rap and hip hop scene. His highest acclaimed album, "Me Against the World," has earned platinum status after platinum status. His death has been widely disputed - he was killed during a drive-by shooting and died six days later. The gunman was never found.
Kurt Cobain, 27 Years Old
The Nirvana frontman changed the world of grunge rock. He plowed through the Seattle music scene and his influence over the genre remains relevant to this day. The band's critically acclaimed sophomore release, "Nevermind," has been a revered classic album. He was involved in a tumultuous marriage with Courtney Love at the time of his death, and the two have a daughter, Francis Bean Cobain. His death was ruled as a suicide, though there have been several open theories about whether or not that's true.
Whitney Houston, 48 Years Old
Whitney Houston remains one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Her MTV music video for "How Will I Know" was the inspiration for several striving female African American artists. Her iconic voice paired with her always-glamorous appearance made her an instant superstar. Her death was ruled as drowning due to coronary artery disease and cocaine intoxication. She died during the Grammy Award season in 2012, and it was subsequently a major part of the show.
Paul Walker, 40 Years Old
The "Fast and the Furious" star died suddenly during a single-vehicle collision alongside friend and driver Roger Rodas. He was a passenger in Rodas's Porsche, and Walker's father and daughter both filed wrongful death suits against the company. Walker was in the middle of filming "Furious 7," but never finished. His brothers Cody and Caleb filled in for Walker during revisions, and the song "See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth was used as a tribute track for Walker.
John Candy, 43 Years Old
"The Great Outdoors" and "Uncle Buck" wouldn't be what they were without comedic legend John Candy. His most notable performance was in the John Hughes classic, "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles." His death was ruled as a heart attack, though an autopsy was never performed. He had various unfinished projects, including a film adaptation of John Kennedy Toole's novel "A Confederacy of Dunces."
Bob Marley, 36 Years Old
The Jamaican singer/songwriter was a pioneer in the reggae genre. His band Bob Marley and the Wailers released their single, "One Love/People Get Ready" in 1965, and the song skyrocketed to the top 5 worldwide charts. Eventually, the band's sound shifted from a structured reggae sound to a more free-flowing jam style, reflecting Marley's conversion to Rastafarianism. He died from a cancerous Melanoma in 1981 and was posthumously honored with Jamaica's Order of Merit award.
Jimi Hendrix, 27 Years Old
The left-handed guitar virtuoso's rock career skyrocketed seemingly overnight. He had three top 1o hits with his band, the Jimi Hendrix Experience: "Hey Joe," "Purple Haze," and "The Wind Cries Mary." He headlined Woodstock in 1969, and the Isle of Wight Festival in 1970. Later that year, he died from barbiturate-related asphyxia at 27 years old.
James Dean, 24 Years Old
James Dean quickly overtook Hollywood in the 1950s, becoming one of the most coveted actors in the industry. His most acclaimed role was in "Rebel Without a Cause" in 1955. He defined the "loner" character both on and offscreen. He died suddenly in a car accident when he was just 24 years old and was given two posthumous awards, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
Steve Irwin, 44 Years Old
Australia's self-proclaimed Crocodile Hunter died doing what he loved. In 2006, the environmentalist was filming a segment on stingrays when one fatally stung him. Since his death, his wife Terri and children Bindi and Robert have maintained the Australia Zoo as one of the continent's top conservation efforts. They continue to live out his mission and protect wildlife.
The Notorious BIG, 24 Years Old
Rolling Stone has called Notorious the greatest rapper to ever live. He was connected to Tupac Shakur's death because the two rappers were friends-turned-rivals, but six months after Shakur was murdered, Notorious was killed the same way. His second album, "Life After Death," was released just two weeks later, and posthumously gained a number one spot on the Billboard 200. In 2019, he was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for 2020.
Selena Quintanilla, 23 Years Old
Selena was dubbed the most influential Mexican-American entertainer of the late 20th century. She dominated the Billboard 200 in the 90s, and most of her hits were written and released while she was in her very early 20s. After leaving her family band to pursue an intensely successful solo career, she and her guitarist Chris Perez eloped when she was 20 years old. She was murdered by her friend and fan club president, Yolanda Saldivar. Two weeks later, former President George W. Bush declared her birthday, April 16th, as Selena Day in Texas.
Michael Hutchence, 37 Years Old
Michael Hutchence, frontman of the band INXS, certainly suffered from Lead Singer Syndrome. He's been described as "the archetypal rock showman. Overtly sexual, macho cool with flowing locks, and lithe and exuberant stage movements." He had a daughter with English television host Paula Lates, named Heavenly HIraani Tiger Lily. Hutchence's death was ruled a suicide by hanging when he was 37 years old.
Chester Bennington, 41 Years Old
The Linkin Park singer suffered from depression for several years, and his music was very open about his struggle. He's been credited as one of the greatest rock and metal vocalists of his generation. He's often cited as having turned "nu-metal universal." His death was a suicide by hanging. He sang in The Stone Temple Pilots but quit that gig in 2015 to focus solely on Linkin Park. Remaining band member Mike Shinoda released a statement in 2018 that LP would be taking a brief hiatus to regroup.
Janis Joplin, 27 Years Old
Though she was only active for eight years in the 1960s, Janis took the music industry by storm. She revived the psychedelic movement, jammed with the Grateful Dead, and was best friends with Bob Dylan. Janis was the one to know if you needed a friend in the scene. Though she was a powerhouse of a lyricist and performer, she suffered from drug abuse and died of an accidental heroin overdose.
Phillip Seymour Hoffman, 46 Years Old
Best known for his distinctly evil and eccentric characters, such as Truman Capote in Capote, a Scientologist in the Master, and his final role as Plutarch Heavensbee in The Hunger Games series, Hoffman 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 due to an accidental overdose.
Jim Morrison, 27 Years Old
The Doors frontman Jim Morrison was an absolute icon in the 60s. He co-wrote hits like "Light My Fire," "Break on Through," "Moonlight Drive," and "Hello, I Love You." He was described as the embodiment of the hippie counter-culture. He struggled with alcohol dependency, which affected his performances. He died suddenly, and there was no autopsy performed, so his cause of death is still unknown, though it was most likely an overdose.
Chris Farley, 33 Years Old
SNL funny guy Chris Farley was a staple to the show's cast during its golden years. His most iconic film roles were in "Tommy Boy," "Coneheads," and "Black Sheep." He died of a drug overdose at 33 years old, and struggled with addiction openly, and was frequently threatened with permanent termination from SNL regarding his behavior. His manager, Bernie Brillstein, had repeatedly sent Farley to rehab with no avail.
Anna Nicole Smith, 39 Years Old
The former 1993 Playmate of the Year modeled for H&M, Guess, Heatherette, and Lane Bryant. She had a highly publicized second marriage to an 88-year-old billionaire, J. Howard Marshall. People suspected she'd married him for his money, which she denied. She died in 2007 as a result of a prescription drug overdose. She'd been battling a press barrage regarding the sudden death of her son, Daniel, and a custody battle over her newborn daughter.
John Belushi, 33 Years Old
The actor, famous for his time on SNL with Chevy Chase and Michael O'Donoghue, was a breakout star in the world of comedy in the 70s. His best-known roles were in "The Blues Brothers," "National Lampoon's Animals House," and "1941." He was set to star in "Ghostbusters" alongside Dan Aykroyd, but he died due to a drug overdose before the filming began.
Marvin Gaye, 44 Years Old
Famous R&B singer Marvin Gaye, known for hits like "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" and "Ain't That Peculiar," was a prominent figure within the Motown and soul communities of LA. He was a session performer in the 60s before breaking out as a solo artist and earning himself nicknames like "Prince of Motown" and "Prince of Soul." One day before his 45th birthday, Gaye intervened in a fight with his parents, and during a physical altercation, his father shot him at point-blank, killing him on sight.
Cory Monteith, 31 Years Old
"Glee" star Cory Monteith died suddenly from an accidental heroin overdose in 2013. He was dating costar Lea Michele at the time, and following his death, creator Ryan Murphy said there would be a tribute episode that correlated with his character Finn's death. He was written out of the final two episodes of Glee's fourth season in order to attend rehab due to a push from Paramount studios.
Buddy Holly, 22 Years Old
Buddy Holly, one of the most central figures of 1950s rock and roll, was signed to Decca Records following opening gigs with Elvis Presley and Bill Haley & His Comets. He was responsible for hits like "That'll Be The Day" and "Peggy Sue." He was married in 1958, and a year later, at the age of 22, he died in a freak plane crash. His music has been a long withstanding influence on artists like Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and Eric Clapton.
Stevie Ray Vaughan, 35 Years Old
Stevie Ray Vaughan is commonly referred to as the greatest guitar player of all time. He worked with the Cobras and Double Trouble during his career for two decades. He won six Grammy Awards and ten Austin Music Awards before his death in a helicopter crash in 1990. He was inducted posthumously into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2014.
Keith Moon, 32 Years Old
The Who were never the same after drummer Keith Moon died. He has been named the second-greatest drummer in history by a Rolling Stone poll. He joined The Who before they released their first single, and his telltale drumming style was full of fills and tom-tom emphasis. He was one of the first rock drummers to use double bass drums as well. In 1978, he overdosed on Heminevrin, a drug he'd been taking to cope with alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Sid Vicious, 21 Years Old
The Sex Pistols singer and notorious bad boy Sid Vicious was only 21 years old when he died. After the release of the breakout hit "Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols," he met his manager Nancy Spungen, with whom he entered into a rocky relationship. After an altercation that led to her death, Vicious was arrested under suspicion, released and sent to rehab, and ultimately died of a heroin overdose in 1979. His legacy stands as "The Prince of Punk," and The Sex Pistols haven't been the same without him in their lineup.
Brian Jones, 27 Years Old
A founding member of The Rolling Stones, Jones and Keith Richards developed a style of duo-guitar playing that became the band's staple sound within the rhythm section. Though Jones founded and named the band, Richards and Mick Jagger began to take over the project creatively, considering they were a more successful songwriting pair than Jones. Eventually, his role diminished and he was asked to leave. Mick Taylor took Jones' place, and a month later, Jones was found dead in his swimming pool at 27 years old.
Mitch Hedberg, 37 Years Old
Stand-up comedian Mitch Hedberg, known for his deadpan sense of humor, had a cult following of fans between the mid-1980s and early 2000s. His most notable works are "Strategic Grill Locations," "Mitch All together," and "Do You Believe in Gosh?" His fans were often too excited to let him finish jokes during his live sets that they'd shout out the punchlines before he could get to them. He struggled with drug use, which was a common theme in his sets - "I used to do drugs. I still do, but I used to, too," was a common line. He died of a heroin overdoes in 2005.
Mac Miller, 26 Years Old
The up and coming rapper from Pittsburgh was in an on-and-off, high profile relationship around the time of his death in 2018. He released his first studio album at 19 years old, "Blue Slide Park." His latest release, "Swimming," was released only a handful of weeks before his death of an accidental heroin overdose. His family plans to posthumously release his album "Circles," a companion to 2018's "Swimming."
Cliff Burton, 24 Years Old
Rolling Stone recognizes the former Metallica member as the best bass player of all time. Burton performed with Metallica for the band's first three studio albums. "Kill 'Em All," "Ride the Lightning," and "Master of Puppets." He received a posthumous writing credit for the song "To Live Is To Die" from the band's fourth album. Burton died in a bus accident while Metallica was touring in Sweden.
John Coltrane, 40 Years Old
American jazz performer John Coltrane was an innovator within the blues and jazz communities. He played among the likes of Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk. He was the bandleader for at least fifty recording sessions, and his time was highly coveted. He married pianist Alice Coltrane, and all three of their children are musicians. At the age of 40, he died from a long battle with liver cancer which stemmed from hepatitis following a stint of heavy heroin use. Many people in the music community were unaware of his illness.
Edie Sedgwick, 28 Years Old
Vogue's Girl of the Year in 1965 was best known as being Andy Warhol's muse. She starred in several of his short films in the 1960s. She struggled with an eating disorder during her teenage years, had a toxic relationship with her parents, and both of her older brothers died within 18 months of each other. She struggled with alcohol and drug abuse and died of an accidental overdose.
Peaches Geldof, 25 Years Old
British news personality Peaches Geldof, daughter of musician Bob Geldof, worked for the UK edition of Elle Girl magazine and produced her own TV shows through UK networks. She had two children with Max Drummey and Thomas Cohen. She lived a "Bohemian lifestyle" with Cohen, the frontman of the punk band S.C.U.M. She struggled with drug abuse and died of a heroin overdose in 2014.
River Phoenix, 23 Years Old
River Phoenix, a prominent child star known for his roles in "Stand By Me," "Running on Empty," and "My Own Private Idaho," was in the process of filming "Dark Blood" at the time of his death in 1993. He was only 23 years old when he collapsed outside of The Viper Room, a nightclub in LA owned by Johnny Depp. His brother, actor Joaquin Phoenix, is notoriously private about his brother, but addressed him publically for the first time in 2019 when he spoke about his latest film, "The Joker," and praised him in his speech.
Lil Peep, 21 Years Old
Lil Peep, a rapper who was skilled at blurring lines between hip-hop and emo music, died at the age of 21 due to an accidental fentanyl overdose. He got his start on SoundCloud in 2014 and worked with high profile artists like XXXTentacion on the hit song "Falling Down" in 2018. He cited drug use as a way to cope with depression and anxiety, and his death was ruled an accident.
Joey Boots, 49 Years Old
The Howard Stern Show personality Joseph Bassolino, also known as "Joey Boots," was found dead in his apartment at the age of 49. It's likely that his cause of death was a heart attack, as police have released his official statement as "death by natural causes."
Ricky Harris, 51 Years Old
The "Everybody Hates Chris" guest star died of a heart attack in 2016. He was known for other works such as "Poetic Justice," "Murder Was the Case," and the 2001 film "Bones." He worked with stars like Snoop Dogg, Chris Rock, and Ryan Murphy. His final film role, "Check Point," was released in 2017.
Pete Burns, 57 Years Old
Pete Burns, Dead or Alive's frontman, was best known for the single "You Spine Me Round (Like a Record)" as well as his androgynous appearance. His unique look was credited to many cosmetic surgeries that led to his bankruptcy. He even accused fellow singer Boy George of appropriating his image, which is refuted. He died in 2016 due to cardiac arrest. He was praised on the UK show "Strictly Come Dancing" and the hosts sent condolences to his family.
Alexis Arquette, 47 Years Old
Sibling of famous actors David and Patricia Arquette, Alexis transitioned from male to female early in life. he acted in "Down and Out in Beverly Hills," "Last Exit to Brooklyn," and "Sometimes They Come Back...Again." She has more than 40 films under her belt but sadly passed away from complications related to HIV in 2016.
Anton Yelchin, 27 Years Old
The "Like Crazy," "Green Room," and "Star Trek" actor was tragically killed in a freak accident. His car rolled backward down a steep driveway and pinned him against a brick pillar mailbox. His cause of death was "blunt traumatic asphyxia," and there was no obvious suspicion involved. He was a fan of playing the guitar, which brought him fulfillment outside of acting, and in 2018, a posthumous photography exhibit of his work was put on display in New York's De Buck Gallery.
Christina Grimmie, 22 Years Old
After gaining popularity on Youtube with videos of herself singing cover songs, she released an EP in 2011 that launched her towards Adam Levine's team on "The Voice." Levine announced at the end of the show that, regardless if she won the season or not, he would sign her to his label. She was instead signed to Island Records for a short time in 2014. In 2016, she was killed in a murder-suicide when an obsessed fan attended one of her concerts in Florida and shot her and then himself at point-blank.
Chyna, 46 Years Old
Chyna was a popular WWE wrestler, model, actress, and bodybuilder. She was labeled as the "Ninth Wonder of the World," right after Andre the Giant. She was also considered a sex symbol and posed for Playboy and various other adult film networks and publications. At the age of 46, she was found dead in her home due to an accidental overdose of prescription drugs. In 2019, she was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Prince, 57 Years Old
"The Artist Formerly Known as Prince," best known for the hit song "Purple Rain," died of an accidental fentanyl overdose after being prescribed the drug for an illness. The week before his death, he was in the hospital recovering from an alleged overdose but left against medical advice. He then went to his recording studio at Paisley Park and a concert with Lizz Wright. The next week, he'd overdosed again. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
Angela Raiola, 55 Years Old
The "Mob Wives" star was a staple on the show for nearly the entirety of its run on VH1. She then had a spin-off series called "Big Ang" in 2012, and "Miami Monkey" in 2013. She died in 2016 from complications of lung cancer and pneumonia. She was best known for her expressive personality and over-exaggerated appearance. She also struggled with drug abuse off and on and had been arrested with several charges of cocaine possession and sales.
L'Wren Scott, 49 Years Old
The iconic stylist got her start working with Madonna and Julia Roberts. She launched her first collection of evening wear in 2006, characterized by unconventional femininity and well-defined silhouettes. She branded the term "L'Wrenisms," which were go-to style tips. She had a relationship with Mick Jagger from 2001 until her death by suicide in 2014.
Ryan Knight, 28 Years Old
The "Real World: New Orleans" cast member Ryan Knight, died in 2014 at 28 years old. He was found unresponsibe at a friend's house in Kenosha, Wisconsin. A cause of death was never released.
Bobbi Kristina Brown, 22 Years Old
The daughter of Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown, Bobbi Kristina lived through a difficult childhood due to her parents' drug abuse, constant paparazzi, and struggles with domestic violence. In 1994, she made her media debut when her mother brought her on stage to accept an American Music Award. She appeared on her father's reality show, "Being Bobby Brown," but her mother gained full custody of their daughter when they divorced. Following Houston's death in 2014, Bobbi was diagnosed with pneumonia and died in 2015.
James Gandolfini, 51 Years Old
Gandolfini's performance as Tony Soprano has been dubbed the greatest performance in television history. His other notable films include "True Romance," "Crimson Tide," and "The Last Castle." He has two children, and his son Michael Gandolfini took on a role in "The Sopranos" to continue Tony's legacy. Gandolfini died in 2013 of a heart attack while on vacation in Rome.
Adam Yauch, 47 Years Old
Beastie Boys founding member Adam Yauch died from parotid cancer in 2012 and was active within the music industry from 1979 up until his death. He also founded Oscilloscope Laboratories, an independent film company based in New York. He was also a Buddhist and helped organize the Tibetan Freedom Concert.
Andy Whitfield, 39 Years Old
Welsh actor Andy Whitfield was best known for his role in the Starz series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand." He studied construction in trade school and then went on to try acting. He received a cancer diagnosis in 2011, and delayed filming on the Starz prequel, "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena." He was declared cancer-free in June 2011, but a routine check revealed a relapse two months later. He died in 2011, 18 months after the diagnosis.
Amy Winehouse, 27 Years Old
Powerhouse soul singer Amy Winehouse changed the music industry. Her album "Back to Black," which she debuted in 2006 was the UK's bestselling album of the century following her death. She struggled with addiction, which is referenced in her song "Rehab," and she died of alcohol poisoning in 2011. Her legacy has continued to live on, with countless covers of "Valerie" and her other standout songs.
Gary Coleman, 42 Years Old
Though Coleman had a successful childhood acting career on "Diff'rent Strokes," he struggled financially later in life. He stood at 4'8", and ran for the Governor of California in the 2003 recall election. After he went bankrupt, he attempted to sell his assets in an online auction that he titled, "Save Me!" In 2010, he died from a subdural hematoma.
Corey Haim, 38 Years Old
The "Lost Boys" star, who acted alongside River Phoenix and Corey Feldman, became a household name thanks to the Stephen King film. Though he had a successful early life, the pressures of fame led to addictions with drugs and alcohol. In 2010, he died from pneumonia.
Natasha Richardson, 45 Years Old
The British actress, who was married to Liam Neeson from 1994 until her death in 2009, starred in "The Parent Trap," Maid in Manhattan," and "The White Countess." She was a household name in the early 2000s thanks to these films. She died in a freak ski accident in Quebec after she hit her head on a fall and suffered from an unchecked hematoma.
Brittany Murphy, 32 Years Old
Murphy was a 90s It Girl thanks to her roles in "Clueless," "Girl, Interrupted," "Uptown Girls," and "Riding in Cars with Boys." She dated various high-profile celebrities, from Ashton Kutcher to Simon Monjack. There was media speculation that she had a possible cocaine addiction when she appeared to lose a lot of weight, but she disputed the rumor. She died from pneumonia with secondary factors of multiple drug intoxication in 2009.
Bernie Mac, 50 Years Old
The Chicago-based comedian and actor was popular among the stand-up community after he starred in the film "The Original Kings of Comedy" alongside Steve Harvey and Cedric the Entertainer. His most notable film role was in the "Ocean's Eleven remake and the title character in "Mr. 3000." He suffered from a disease called sarcoidosis, which causes tissue inflammation. It eventually led to a fatal heart attack.