John Lennon, 40, 1940-1980
John Lennon had already experienced Beatlemania but was not prepared for the fandom his solo career would bring forth. His songs like Give Peace a Chance, Instant Karma, and Imagine were being lapped up by the anti-war crowd that had gained momentum in the ’60s and ’70s.
He was at the height of his fame and returning from a hiatus to record a new album when he met a Mark Chapman outside his hotel. He autographed a copy of his previous album, Double Fantasy, before leaving for the recording studio. Upon his return, he passed Chapman, who proceeded to shoot him in the back. He died on the scene at 40.
Robin Williams, 63, 1951-2014
Judging by the movies he made and the roles he played, one never would’ve thought that Robin Williams was having the problems he did. This is the man famous for making films like Hook, Good Morning Vietnam, and Jumanji. He was also one of the most respected stand-up comedians in the industry.
But despite his smiles and the Oscar-nominated performances, he lived a troubled life and was struggling with mental illness for most of it. He also had Diffuse Lewy Body Disease, which was misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s disease. This was believed to have aggravated his depression and led to him committing suicide by hanging.
Diana, Princess of Wales, 36, 1961 -1997
While Princess Diana was one of the most beloved royal family members, she didn’t handle the spotlight very well. While she came from nobility, she was just a kindergarten assistant, with no media cloud constantly over her head. Unfortunately for her, that came with being a royal.
And that’s what she became when she married Prince Charles, and the spotlight stayed on her for the rest of her life even after she and Charles had split. Even right up until the day she died in August 1997. In fact, many believe that it was that spotlight that got her killed in an accident while fleeing the paparazzi.
Freddie Mercury, 45, 1946-1991
Freddie Mercury is regarded as one of the greatest singers of all time and one of the most charismatic performers in the industry. He is renowned for his songwriting, vocals, and musicianship with the band Queen, but he also embarked on a solo career that included the 1992 Olympic Games song, title Barcelona.
But one of his most iconic moments came when he performed at Live Aid in 1985. Here the band put in a stellar performance, and he sang what became known as the note heard around the world. Mercury was one of the first high-profile personalities to contract HIV and died the day after announcing he had it in 1991.
Benjamin Keough, 27, 1992 – 2020
When Benjamin Keough was born, it was like the ultimate excuse for Elvis fans to believe that the King is, in fact, not dead. Keough is Elvis’s only grandchild from his daughter Lisa Marie Presley and singer-songwriter Danny Keough. He was also the spitting image of his grandfather and was often asked for photos.
But he was also a troubled soul, and on the day of his death, it was reported that he had locked himself into a bathroom for his girlfriend Diane Pinto and brother-in-law Ben Smith Petersen. It was in this bathroom that he committed suicide with a shotgun shot to the head; he was 27.
Elizabeth Taylor, 79, 1932-2011
Elizabeth Taylor was both a trendsetter and icon of her era, Thanks to her sultry appeal and bubbly personality. She became a star the minute she starred in her first movie, There’s One Born Every Minute. The American Film Institute even named her the 7th greatest screen legend in 1999.
Taylor was very feisty too and wasn’t fond of the roles her studio, MGM, cast her in. She even started resenting the concept of studios controlling roles actors were cast in. One of those resented roles in a film called Butterfield 8 ended up earning her an Oscar. She died in 2011 and was 15-minutes late for her own funeral.
Erin Moran, 56, 1960-2017
Happy Days was a popular show sitcom in the ’70s that made legends of Henry Winkler and Ron Howard, who played the lead roles of Richie Cunningham, and Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarella. But another person who made a name for herself was Erin Moran, who played Cunningham’s sister.
She even developed a cult following for her roles on the show and got her own spinoff called Joanie Loves Chachi. But it wasn’t as popular as the main show and was quickly canceled. Even Moran said that she shouldn’t have done the spinoff, although she sued CBS for image rights but lost. She passed away of throat cancer in April 2017.
Gene Wilder, 83, 1933-2016
These days everyone recognizes Gene Wilder for the meme of him taken from his famous portrayal of Willy Wonka. The meme is a statement of his iconic performance in the role, which is regarded as the benchmark, despite Johnny Depp giving it a good go.
Yet, it wasn’t for that performance that he received an Oscar nomination for. Instead, he received that for his part in The Producers. Despite his status, he’s only ever won an Emmy. This for a guest appearance in an episode of Will & Grace. Wilder had Alzheimer’s disease and passed away due to complications from it.
James Garner, 86, 1928-2014
James Garner was a respected actor for his roles in shows like The Rockford Files and Maverick. But he developed a reputation as the perfect supporting actor when he starred opposite Steve McQueen in The Great Escape. He had further success with films like Murphy’s Romance with Sally Field and Emily opposite Julie Andrews.
He earned an Oscar nomination for his role in Murphy’s Romance and in the 2000s had notable roles in the iconic romantic film The Notebook and Space Cowboys with Clint Eastwood. In 2008 Garner suffered a stroke that changed his life completely. He eventually passed away of heart failure in 2014.
Tony Burton, 78, 1937-2016
Life is a funny thing. Tony Burton was making a life for himself as a boxer in the late ’50s. But it wasn’t paying the bills, and he got caught up in an armed robbery incident that saw him sent to jail. Thankfully jail wasn’t all bad for him because he discovered acting.
Despite switching his career, he’s still most famous for his role in a boxing film. He played the trainer for Appolo Creed in the Rocky Films, later becoming a trainer for rock in the third and fourth films. Burton had been in and out of the hospital in his later life and succumbed to pneumonia in February 2016.
Sean Connery, 90, 1930–2020
Sean Connery is regarded as the greatest James Bond in the history of the franchise. While Pierce Brosnan may have something to say about that, it’s no doubt that Connery set the benchmark that many after him found difficult to meet. But he was more than a superspy and actually did some award-winning work.
These include an Oscar and Golden Globe for his supporting role in the classic crime drama The Untouchables. He also received a Cecil B. DeMille Award for his contribution to arts and was also knighted for that same reason. At 90-years-old Connery passed away in his sleep while vacationing in the Bahamas.
Jonathan Brandis, 27, 1976 – 2003
In his prime, Jonathan Brandis was like a rockstar in the acting game. He was landing major roles like Bill Denborough in Stephen King’s IT miniseries and Bastian Bucks in Neverending Story II. Yet despite his success in youth, he didn’t have the same success when he was older.
This led to alcohol abuse which just fueled his depression further. He forewarned those around him that he intended to kill himself, but no one took heed. The last straw came when he was edited out of a role he thought was perfect. Then, like at 27, like rockstars before him, he died, hanging himself.
Eddie Van Halen, 65, 1955-2020
Eddie Van Halen is considered a guitar god. Through his mastery of unique and unused techniques and popularizing the brown sound, he revolutionized the use of the electric guitar. He also gave hair metal some much-needed musical credibility, thanks to his musicianship.
But he was also a danger unto himself. He had been drinking and smoking since 12 years old. His ex-wife Valerie Bertinelli left him because he wouldn’t quit smoking, and he also had to undergo several surgeries due to the rigors of Van Halen’s performances. He died of a stroke in October 2020, although he also had battled throat and apparent lung cancer in those years.
John Ritter, 54, 1948–2003
John Ritter was such a good comedian that the legend Don Knotts called him the most remarkable physical comedian. He showed his stuff on the classic sitcom Three’s Company playing the lead Jack Tripper. This, in turn, led to film roles in Problem Child and the ’90s mini-series of Stephen King’s IT.
Ritter was also the patriarch in the sitcom 8 Simple Rules, which also starred a young Kaley Cuoco. While rehearsing for an episode of this sitcom, he was rushed to the hospital due to constant vomiting. He passed away at the hospital of a suspected Aortic Dissection.
Chadwick Boseman, 43, 1976–2020
Everything was going great for Chadwick Boseman. He was riding high on the wave of popularity The Black Panther role was giving him. Boseman had already made waves in biographical roles playing James Brown and baseball legend Jackie Robinson among others. He was doing alright, only not so much.
The truth is that he had been living with cancer for years, having been diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016. He worked on it despite his condition and receiving treatment for it. But by 2020, cancer had moved on to stage IV, and Boseman eventually succumbed in August 2020.
Aretha Franklin, 76, 1942-2018
When Aretha Franklin died, it was the end of an era. Dubbed the undisputed Queen Of Soul, Franklin churned out a list of hits that is about as long as those high notes she was famous for belting out. Some of these include Chain of Fools, I say A Little Prayer, Respect, and You Make Me Feel.
But she also suffered during her life, and she succumbed to the pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, a type of rare Pancreatic Cancer. Tributes poured in from the likes of Jennifer Hudson to Bill Clinton. She didn’t leave a will, but the legacy she left behind will be immortalized in a film starring Hudson.
Lucille Ball, 77, 1911-1989
Lucille Ball, also known as Lucy, is a renowned actress and sketch actress best known for her TV segment called The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour. During the hour, she was the star of various sitcoms themed around her character, such as I Love Lucy, The Lucy Show, and Life WIth Lucy.
Besides TV, she was also a passionate stage actress and producer, even working on Broadway shows. She used her skills to start a TV production studio called Desilu Productions, which was responsible for Mission Impossible and Star Trek. One day she woke up with a sore back and ended up passing away due to an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Doris Day, 97, 1922-2019
Doris Day was one hell of a woman in life. Gaining fame as a 17-year-old big band singer. She achieved commercial success with a son called Sentimental Journey and My Dreams Are Getting Better All the Time, both of which went to number one on the charts.
Day moved on to film and became the drawcard actress of the ’50s and ’60s with roles in films like Calamity Jane and The Man Who Knew Too Much. She also rode the fate train and was affiliated with Charles Manson, narrowly escaping death during his 1969 killing of Sharon Tate. Day eventually died after contracting pneumonia in 2019.
Jan Crouch, 77, 1939–2016
As one of the founding members of the Trinity Broadcast Network (TBN), Jan Crouch was never far from controversy. She was married to fellow evangelist Paul Crouch, and together they made the network into an international Christian content giant, broadcasting to several countries around the world.
But trouble was never far away, with Crouch’s own granddaughter bringing allegations of embezzlement against her. Paul, meanwhile, was also being investigated for fraud. Crouch was also accused of having an affair and of funding her lavish lifestyle with network funds. She eventually died of a stroke in 2016.
Cass Elliot, 32, 1941–1974
Known affectionately as Mama Cass, Cass Elliot earned her nickname as one of the big voices in the iconic folk-rock group The Mamas & Papas. Together with the band, she was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for songs like California Dreamin’, Monday, Monday, and Dedicated To The One I Love.
Elliot also had a successful solo career, but allegations of drug use marred her life. She wasn’t in the best of health and even collapsed before a scheduled appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. She died in July 1974 in her sleep. The cause of death was heart failure.
Steve Jobs, 56, 1955-2011
Steve Jobs was one of the most innovative minds in the tech industry and changed the way the world distributes music with iTunes. He also changed the role mobile phones had in people’s lives with the innovative iPhone and brought creativity into the office with his hand in the innovative iMac computer system.
But his contribution goes beyond just technology. He was also a co-founder of Pixar animation studio, which is responsible for the first-ever fully computer-generated movie, Toy Story. He died in October 2011 due to a respiratory complication stemming from a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. But he will always be remembered every time a new iPhone is released.
Nicole Brown Simpson, 35, 1959-1994
Nicole Brown was a German model who gained fame after her murder sparked one of the most intriguing court trials in modern history. It most definitely created one of the most iconic live footage broadcasts on American TV, with the low-speed car chase involving her ex-husband O.J Simpson and police making networks break their feed from the NBA finals.
O.J was the prime suspect, although he was eventually acquitted on charges based on unsubstantiated evidence. He was, however, found liable for the wrongful death of Brown and her friend Ron Goldman and had to pay $33.5 million in damages.
Naya Rivera, 33, 1987 – 2020
Naya Rivera has one of the most bizarre deaths in this story. She had gained traction in the acting world thanks to her role in Glee. Rivera played Santana Lopez, a gay cheerleader. She also earned a glut of awards for being in the show, including an ALMA Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, and two Grammy’s.
One day Rivera decided to hire a boat to go out on lake Piru in California with her son. What came back was just her son in a life jacket. According to her son, they went swimming when the lake got a bit rough, she could save him, but she couldn’t save herself.
Regis Philbin, 88, 1931–2020
Regis Philbin is an icon of the American TV industry. He is famous for being the main host of the morning show Live! with hosting partners that have ranged from Kathy Lee Gifford to Kelly Ripa. He was also responsible for making new shows like Who Wants To Be A Millionaire in America and America’s Got Talent.
Philbin has won Daytime Emmy’s for Outstanding Talkshow Host and Outstanding Gameshow Host. But age and his health caught up with him, and he struggled with a heart problem, even going for angioplasty in 1993 and a triple bypass in 2007. He passed away in July 2020; the cause of death was a heart attack.
Gary Coleman, 42, 1968-2010
Gary Coleman is one of the most iconic child stars of modern TV history. He rose to fame in the sitcom Diff’rent Strokes as Arnold Jackson, the smartmouthed youngest child. His wit and his catchphrase “Whatchu tawkin’ ’bout Willis” made him a household name and also brought him further accolades and opportunities.
These include a Best Young Actor at the Young Artist Awards and his own animated series called Gary Coleman Show. But eventually, he grew up and got typecast as a child or little person. Coleman passed away in 2010 after hitting his head after falling down the stairs.
Jerry Orbach, 69, 1935-2004
Jerry Orbach died a legend and was one of the last leading men on the Broadway Musical scenes. His claim is backed up by a resume of Broadway and Off-Broadway plays that include roles like Gallo in The Fantasticks and a part in the first-ever rendition of Chicago playing Bill Flynn.
Orbach was also popular in films, notably as Baby’s father in Dirty Dancing. He also has a notable role in Law and Order as Lenny Briscoe, although two years into his run on the show, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Orbach continued working on the show while battling the disease, but he eventually lost the fight in 2004.
Lisa Robin Kelly, 43, 1970-2013
While she had small parts in Silk Stalkings and Married… With Children, Lisa Robin Kelly is best known for her role in the classic sitcom That 70’s Show. She played Laurie FOreman, the older sister of the main protagonist Eric Foreman and the one-time love interest of Ashton Kutcher’s Michael Kelso.
But her issues ran deep, and she abruptly left That ’70s Show, admitting that it was a drinking problem and not the show she was escaping. Between her alcohol abuse and mounting legal issues, she finally decided to take action and check into rehab. But alas, she passed away while at the facility due to multiple drug exposure.
Phil Hartman, 49, 1948-1998
Well, here is a true story about a woman scorned. Phil Hartman was married to his third wife, Brynn Omdahl, who struggled with Phil’s hectic work schedule and her own drug addiction. As a result of this, she snuffed out a promising comedy career when she shot.
Hartman had already made waves by having a hand in the creation of Pee-Wee Herman with fellow creator Paul Reubens. He also had a hand in a screenplay for the film Pee-Wee Herman’s Big Adventure and also became popular on the iconic Saturday Night Live. Hartman was voicing several Simpsons characters at the time of his death.
Kelly Preston, 57, 1962 – 2020
Another death that caught the world off guard was that of Kelly Preston in July 2020. This is because John Travolta and the family decided to keep her health issues a secret for as long as possible. But the star of For The Love Of The Game and Mischief was terminally ill.
She was on intensive treatment at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas and also sought treatment at other venues. In 2020 her husband John Travolta and their daughter Ella Bleu Travolta announced her death via an Instagram post.
Joe Diffie, 61, 1958–2020
Joe Diffie was a highly rated country singer best known for his number one hits like Third Rock from the Sun, Pickup Man, and If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets). Diffie also released another 12 top 10 charting single on seven-country albums and a Christmas album.
But 2020 was a strange year for the world and one that proved to be Diffie’s final one. It didn’t seem that way when he released Joe, Joe, Joe Diffie, a vinyl album in 2019. But alas, he contracted the coronavirus, and it proved too much for him to handle. He died in March 2020.
Mac Miller, 26, 1992–2018
Despite his young age at death, Mac Miller was a veteran of the hip-hop movement. He worked the Pittsburgh scene since he was 15 years old and signed his first record deal, at just 18, with Rostrum Records. His first album is renowned as the first independent album to chart on Billboard since 1995.
Miller became a prolific and hard worker, who wrote and produced his own material, and other artists too. But he developed some dangerous coping mechanisms, including drug use. These were even mentioned in his songs, and he eventually passed away in 2018 from an overdose. His last album, Circles, was realized in 2020 posthumously.
John Wayne, 72, 1907–1979
Before Clint Eastwood and his Man With No Name, John Wayne was the Toughest man in the West. He was lauded for his thought guy persona and DIY mannerisms on set, starring in classic Westerns like 1969’s True Grit, The Big Trail, and The Longest Day with Dean Martin.
Ironically, Wayne’s last role cams in a film called The Shootist. In there, he played a gunfighter who is battling cancer. Later he himself would develop stomach cancer. He made his last public appearance at the 1979 Oscar ceremony, the same year he died. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom after his death.
Don Shula – 90, 1930–2020
Don Shula was a football player, But he was a better football coach. Shula was such a great coach that he accumulated the most wins as a coach in NFL History. Most of these wins came during his most successful spell at the Miami Dolphins, where he a perfect season in 1973 and also won his two Super Bowls.
He amassed a total of 347 wins, winning the NFL championship in 1968 with the Baltimore Colts. His exploits saw him named Sportsperson Of The Year in 1993, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame. Shula passed away at the age of 90 on 4th May 2020.
Michael Jackson, 50, 1958 -2009
Even after his death, Michael Jackson has remained the most iconic figure in pop music history. From hit songs to revolutionizing stage performances. The Guinness Book Of World Records recognizes him as the most successful entertainer in history, and his album, Thriller, is still the best selling of all time with 66 million sales.
But his excessive lifestyle and many legal battles left him in financial difficulty. It reached a point where he had to sell his Neverland ranch theme park and get back on the performance trail. But three weeks before his comeback tour, Jackson passed away in his L.A. Mansion due to a toxic concoction of antidepressants.
Tom Petty – 66, 1950-2017
Tom Petty was a popular musician who is notable for his time as he vocalist Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. He had major success with songs like Don’t Do Me Like That, Don’t Come Around Here No More, and The Waiting.
This resulted in album sales of 80 million worldwide and a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, into which he was inducted in 2002. Shortly before his death, the Heartbreakers had finished their 40th-anniversary tour. It was also just a few days before his 67th birthday that he died in October 2017, when he suffered a heart attack resulting from mixed drug toxicity.
Fred Willard, 86, 1933-2020
Fred Willard was a much-loved comedian famous for his work on mockumentaries such as This Is Spinal Tap, Waiting for Guffman, Mascots, and For Your Consideration. He also gained fame for his part in The Anchorman series of films and had a list of TV appearances that include Modern Family, Fernwood 2 Night, and Everybody Loves Raymond.
His most successful period was in the ’70s when he found success with Fernwood 2 Night and its spinoffs Forever Fernwood and America 2-Night. But time eventually caught up to him, and in May 2020, he passed away of cardiac arrest caused by natural causes at the age of 86.
Stevie Ryan, 33, 1984-2017
Stevie Ryan was a popular comedian renowned for her YouTube videos and eventually landing a show on VH1 called Stevie TV. This was a sketch TV show that focused on famous phenomena, incidents, and personalities in various ways. But the show only lasted two seasons, though.
In the meantime, she still kept herself busy with various projects as well as recording and editing her YouTube videos. She committed suicide in July 2017 by hanging. She was found dead in her home. It’s unclear what led to the suicide, but reports suggest that she had been on antidepressants.
Jerry Stiller, 92, 1927-2020
Jerry Stiller is not just renowned for being Ben Stiller’s father. He is also remembered as Anne Meara’s husband. Together they created the comedy duo Stiller and Meara, and they became famous thanks appearances on several shows, including The Ed Sullivan Show. They also had a five minuted radio sketch show called Take Five with Stiller and Meara.
Once son Ben got into the family business, he also starred in several films opposite. He also had memorable TV roles on shows like Seinfeld and The King Of Queens. He passed away of natural causes in May 2020. he was a month shy of his 93 birthday.
Thuy Trang, 27, 1973-2001
If you’re a ’90s kid, then you may not recognize Thuy Trang. At least not until we say she was the yellow ranger Trini Kwan in the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. She was well known on set for down plenty of her own out-of-suit stunts. This was, of course, because the actors never did the in-suit fighting.
Trang left the show due to contractual disputes along with several other cast members. She eventually landed toled in films like Spy had, and the sequel in The Crow Franchise called The Crow: City Of Angels. Unfortunately, she died of internal injuries in 2001 after getting into a motor vehicle accident.
Elvis Presley, 42, 1935 -1977
Elvis Presley’s star rose when he performed a rendition of Hound Dog on the Ed Sullivan Show. Ditching his guitar, his raspy vocals and provocative dance moves put him on a whole new level, and while parents weren’t impressed, young boys and girls all over went crazy.
This set him on course to become an icon and earned him his nickname, The King Of Rock n Roll. Sadly his rigorous workload took a toll on him, and as a result, he was put on prescription drugs for his mental state. On August 16, 1977, Elvis was found dead in his bathroom through alleged cardiac arrest.
Colby Cave – 25, 1994-2020
Colby Cave had the world at his feet and a promising career ahead of him. The fresh-faced NHL player had carved already carved out an impressive legacy with the Boston Bruins and the Edmonton Oilers. Between the two teams, he had amassed 67 appearances, scoring four and assisting five.
Unfortunately, he developed a non-cancerous brain tumor called a colloid cyst. In April 2020, he complained of headaches and was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery. He passed away on April 11, with his death announced by both his wife and his team.
Don Knotts, 81, 1924–2006
Don Knotts is famous for playing Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife in the iconic The Andy Griffith Show. The character is renowned for becoming more than a supporting character and changed the way sitcoms were run. Instead of being the sideshow for the comedy, the character became the comedic lead.
If his exploits as Fife didn’t prove his worth as an actor, then his time on Threes company did. It there that Knotts saved the day when Susan Somers left the show. With her gone, Knotts incorporated a lot of her dialogue into his own role, including punchlines. He passed away due to lung cancer.
John Witherspoon, 77, 1942–2019
John Witherspoon gained fame for various fathering roles: As Willie Jones in the Friday series and as John “Pops” Williams in the popular ’90s series The Wayan’s brothers. His quirky acting style and comic timing, and delivery made him a popular figure on these shows, with him developing a cult following in the process.
He eventually graduated from father to grandfather when he started doing voice roles in the hit animated series The Boondocks as Robert Jebediah “Granddad” Freeman. He started as a model and got his first TV break in the show Barnaby Jones. Wither died at the age of 77 due to a heart attack.
Robert Conrad – 84, 1935-2020
We all know about the 1999 film Wild Wild West. But did you know that there was a series about it in the ’60s, and Robert Conrad was in the leading role? In fact, the comedian and actor had roles in many TV series include Baa Baa Black Sheep as Pappy Boyington.
Other series he starred in includes The Duke, and he also captained the NBC team on the game show called Battle of the Network Stars. He was also a reckless man and once got into an accident that left him badly injured and charged with DUI. He died of heart failure in February 2020.
Jimi Hendrix, 27, 1942–1970
Jimi Hendrix started playing guitar at 15 years old. He was not only obsessed with the instrument, but with music in general, and in one interview said that he sees colors when he plays notes on the guitar. Despite his genius, he had to move to Britain to gain respect.
It was after gaining traction in the U.K. that his popularity shot through the roof. He sold out shows and headlined festivals, including the iconic Woodstock ’69, where he played the star-spangled banner. Hendrix was found dead by his partner on September 17, 1970. Apparently, he had aspirated on his own vomit and died of asphyxia.
Mary Tyler Moore, 80, 1936-2017
Mary Tyler Moore starred in what is renowned as one of the best-written sitcoms in history, the eponymous Mary Tyler Moore Show. But before she had her own show, she cut her teeth on another iconic show, The Dick Van Dyk Show. This simply moved her on to better things.
She even moved into films where she put in an Oscar-nominated performance in the movie called Ordinary People. Her health bad since she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1969. But she really started deteriorating in the 2000s where she had heart and kidney problems, among other things. She passed away after contracting pneumonia on January 25, 2017.
Natalie Wood, 43, 1938-1981
Natalie gained instant fame when she put in an Oscar-nominated performance opposite James Dean in the film Rebel Without A Cause. She later landed roles in 1961’s The West Side Story and 1962’s Gypsy before putting in another Oscar-nominated performance in Splendor in the Grass.
All of the nominations were earning her a reputation, and she landed a role in a film called Brainstorm opposite Christopher Walken. It was during a holiday break in shooting this film that Wood joined her co-star on a yacht off Santa Catalina Island coast, where she drowned. Her death is still being investigated and is listed as drowning and other undetermined factors.
Bruce Lee, 32, 1940-1973
Bruce Lee revolutionized not only martial arts but also martial arts films with his unique technique and choreography methods. He also gave Chuck Norris his big break and created one of the most iconic fight scenes in film history in the film The Way Of The Dragon.
He also created his own martial arts technique called Jeet Kune Do and made the iconic martial arts film Enter The Dragon. Sadly, he never got to see the film since he died the year it was released in 1973. He passed away due to swelling on his brain, allegedly brought on by an allergic reaction to tranquilizers he had taken.
Keith Flint, 49, 1969-2019
Keith Flint is best known as a founding member of the popular electronic punk The Prodigy. He and his band were influential in the music scene by popularizing the big beat genre of music. They are also hailed as one of the most successful electronic acts of all time.
Flint also had his own band named flint and owned a pretty successful motorcycle team that had one a few Isle Of Mann TT rounds. He had suffered from depression but was also trying to keep fit through running, boxing and Jiu-Jitsu. He passed away in March 2019 by hanging, although not enough evidence was found to call it a suicide.
Rip Torn, 88, 1931-2019
Rip Torn was as quirky as his name suggests and took on some quirky roles in his career. This includes playing agent Zed in Men In Black and Patches O’Houlihan in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. He also played a Russian spy in the film Red with Bruce Willis.
His quirk also won him an Emmy Award for his role in The Larry Sanders Show. But he also took on serious roles, one of which, in Cross Creek, earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. But as age took its toll, so his mind also went, and eventually, he had Alzheimer’s, which ultimately caused his death.