Celebrity is fleeting and there are times when our favorite actors, musicians, and other shining stars are extinguished too soon in the height of their careers. Here are some of the famous faces who died all too young.
1. Paul Walker
The sudden death of this charismatic Fast & Furious actor shocked the world. After leaving a charity event in California, Walker got a lift from race car driving friend, Roger Rodas. Both were killed in the fiery crash – for Paul, at just 40 years old while his career was taking off.
2. Cory Monteith
This popular character on the FOX TV show Glee was often in a battle with addiction and depression; an abrupt end to his career at the age of 31.
3. Heath Ledger
It is often said that only the good die young. This rising star passed away at age 28 from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs. Heath died just before the hugely successful movie, The Dark Knight, was released to theaters. In his starring role as the Joker, Heath won a posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
4. Brittany Murphy
Brittany enjoyed fame as the Clueless star. She had a brilliant career ahead of her when she died at a young age from complications of anemia and pneumonia.
5. Jim Morrison
Fans adored and worshipped this popular rock idol and “Doors” singer. It is believed that he died at age 27 from a heart attack, which may have been brought on by a possible drug overdose.
6. Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain and Nirvana made music history as one of the greatest music groups ever. Although his death at age 27 is listed as a suicide, many people have wondered if foul play was involved.
7. John Ritter
John Ritter, who starred opposite Suzanne Somers in his role as Jack Tripper on ‘Three’s Company,’ was taken from us at the age of 54. An aortic dissection was the cause of his sudden death.
8. Whitney Houston
She was one of the greatest singers of all time. In her later years, Whitney struggled with addiction and died at age 48; she drowned in a hotel bathtub from an apparent drug overdose.
9. Bruce Lee
He was taken from us too soon. Bruce Lee’s fame as a martial artist was matched only by his amazing worldwide popularity as a movie star. When he suddenly died at age 32 from a brain swelling, the entire world mourned his death.
10. Brandon Lee
He followed in his father’s footsteps in too many ways. Like his dad, Bruce Lee, Brandon was a rising film star and martial artist. A freak accident while filming the The Crow took his life at age 28.
11. Natasha Richardson
Natasha Richardson was a brilliant British film and Broadway stage actor and the beloved spouse of Liam Neeson. A skiing accident cut her life short at age 45.
12. River Phoenix
This popular rising film star died of heart failure at the young age of 23, while he was outside a West Hollywood nightclub, The Viper Room. It is believed an overdose of drugs and alcohol led to his death.
13. Natalie Wood
It was reported that this beautiful star drowned in a tragic boating accident at age 43. Officially, the cause of her death is listed as “drowning and other undetermined factors.” Recently, however, new information has come to light that has led some people to believe that her death may have involved foul play.
14. Aaliyah
This brilliant R&B singer and rising film star had her life and career cut short at age 22 in a tragic plane crash. Fans around the world mourned her sudden death.
15. Lisa ‘Left-Eye’ Lopes
As a former member of the female R&B group, TLC, Lopes was very popular with fans. She was only 30 years old when her life was taken from us in a tragic car crash.
16. Jim Henson
He was the creator of The Muppets and beloved by millions of children and their parents around the world. Henson’s brilliant career and life was cut short at age 53. His death was caused by toxic shock from a powerful streptococcal infection.
17. John Belushi
John Belushi was a comic genius, who became famous on NBC’s successful Saturday Night Live show. His fame and popularity grew even more after he starred in films like the Blues Brothers and Animal House. Belushi’s tragic death at age 33 was the result of a drug overdose.
18. Princess Diana
Diana, Princess of Wales, was married to Prince Charles, the heir apparent and oldest son of Queen August 31,1997, Diana was fatally injured in a car crash when her limo driver tried to lose the paparazzi that were tailing her car. She was 36 at the time. Her sons are Prince William and Prince Harry.
19. Marvin Gaye
This world-famous Motown singer was fatally shot by his father on April 1, 1984. While his parents were in a heated argument, Marvin tried to intervene on his mother’s behalf. Ironically, the gun that killed him was the same gun Marvin had given to his father to protect their home from intruders. He died at age 44.
20. Amy Winehouse
This amazing singer was truly destined for super stardom until she tragically died of alcohol poisoning at the young age of 27 years. Winehouse had battled with addiction for years. The world of music lost a great talent.
21. Selena Quintanilla Perez
She was one of the hottest and most talented Mexican-American music stars with millions of fans around the world. Sadly, Selena was fatally shot on March 31, 1995, a mere two weeks before she turned 24. The shooter was her fan club President, Yolanda SaldÃvar.
22. John Lennon
Along with Paul, George and Ringo, John Lennon made music history with the Beatles. Tragically, while still only 40 years old, he was fatally shot on December 8, 1980 by Mark David Chapman. Imagine all the songs he could have written if he were still alive today.
23. James Dean
Actor James Dean was your classic Hollywood “bad boy.” During his brief film career, which lasted only 5 years, before a car accident took his life at a mere 24 years of age, Dean managed to star in such blockbuster films as East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause, and Giant.
24. Jonathan Brandis
This talented young actor seemed destined for Hollywood stardom, yet fate threw him a curve and his career didn’t take off as many had expected. This may have lead to his depression and eventual suicide at age 27.
25. Corey Haim
Corey Haim was a rising young star when his career was abruptly cut short by a deadly bout with pneumonia at age 38. Many people believed an addiction to painkillers may have played a role in his death as well.
26. Tupac Shakur Tupac was already a famous rapper when he was fatally shot in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas on September 7, 1996. Six days later he was dead at age 25. To this day, his name and his legend carry on.
27. Christopher ‘Biggie’ Wallace
Known as Biggie, the Bad Boy Records rapper was also shot and killed in a drive-by shooting on March 9, 1997. He was just 24 years old when he died.
28. Michael Clarke Duncan
Most audiences will remember Michael Clarke Duncan for his Oscar-nominated role as John Coffey in The Green Mile. Starring opposite Tom Hanks, Duncan held his own with a performance that any actor could be proud of. He died of a heart attack on July 2012 at 54 years of age.
29. Philip Seymour Hoffman
This Academy Award winner was a brilliant actor. He was destined for greatness. Sadly, he died of a drug overdose at 46 years of age.
30. James Gandolfini
The Sopranos TV show made Gandolfini famous. His acting was dead on! This Emmy winner’s career was on a path to greatness when he died at 51 of a sudden heart attack while on vacation with his family in Italy.
31. Michael Jackson
His music career will never be matched. Michael Jackson was one of this century’s greatest entertainers. Tragically, Jackson was only 50 when he died from complications with prescribed drugs. A controversy continues to surround his death.
32. Marilyn Monroe
She redefined the classic blonde bombshell. There will never be another actress like her. And like so many other stars, Marilyn died of a drug overdose. She was only 36 when she died in 1962.
33. Chris Farley
Like John Belushi before him, comedian Chris Farley got his start on Saturday Night Live with his hugely popular SNL characters and as Tommy Callahan in the film Tommy Boy. Like so many other stars, he died of a drug overdose. He was only 33.
34. Matthew Garber
Known for his role as Michael Banks in “Mary Poppins,” Garber passed away at the age of 21 in 1977 from Hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis, caused from contracting hepatitis in India the previous year.
35. Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer
The curse of the original Little Rascals cast runs deep, and the precocious Alfalfa was no stranger to untimely death. At 31, following an argument of $50, he was shot and killed.
1. Paul Walker
The sudden death of this charismatic Fast & Furious actor shocked the world. After leaving a charity event in California, Walker got a lift from race car driving friend, Roger Rodas. Both were killed in the fiery crash – for Paul, at just 40 years old while his career was taking off.
2. Cory Monteith
This popular character on the FOX TV show Glee was often in a battle with addiction and depression; an abrupt end to his career at the age of 31.
3. Heath Ledger
It is often said that only the good die young. This rising star passed away at age 28 from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs. Heath died just before the hugely successful movie, The Dark Knight, was released to theaters. In his starring role as the Joker, Heath won a posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
4. Brittany Murphy
Brittany enjoyed fame as the Clueless star. She had a brilliant career ahead of her when she died at a young age from complications of anemia and pneumonia.
5. Jim Morrison
Fans adored and worshipped this popular rock idol and “Doors” singer. It is believed that he died at age 27 from a heart attack, which may have been brought on by a possible drug overdose.
6. Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain and Nirvana made music history as one of the greatest music groups ever. Although his death at age 27 is listed as a suicide, many people have wondered if foul play was involved.
7. John Ritter
John Ritter, who starred opposite Suzanne Somers in his role as Jack Tripper on ‘Three’s Company,’ was taken from us at the age of 54. An aortic dissection was the cause of his sudden death.
8. Whitney Houston
She was one of the greatest singers of all time. In her later years, Whitney struggled with addiction and died at age 48; she drowned in a hotel bathtub from an apparent drug overdose.
9. Bruce Lee
He was taken from us too soon. Bruce Lee’s fame as a martial artist was matched only by his amazing worldwide popularity as a movie star. When he suddenly died at age 32 from a brain swelling, the entire world mourned his death.
10. Brandon Lee
He followed in his father’s footsteps in too many ways. Like his dad, Bruce Lee, Brandon was a rising film star and martial artist. A freak accident while filming the The Crow took his life at age 28.
11. Natasha Richardson
Natasha Richardson was a brilliant British film and Broadway stage actor and the beloved spouse of Liam Neeson. A skiing accident cut her life short at age 45.
12. River Phoenix
This popular rising film star died of heart failure at the young age of 23, while he was outside a West Hollywood nightclub, The Viper Room. It is believed an overdose of drugs and alcohol led to his death.
13. Natalie Wood
It was reported that this beautiful star drowned in a tragic boating accident at age 43. Officially, the cause of her death is listed as “drowning and other undetermined factors.” Recently, however, new information has come to light that has led some people to believe that her death may have involved foul play.
14. Aaliyah
This brilliant R&B singer and rising film star had her life and career cut short at age 22 in a tragic plane crash. Fans around the world mourned her sudden death.
15. Lisa ‘Left-Eye’ Lopes
As a former member of the female R&B group, TLC, Lopes was very popular with fans. She was only 30 years old when her life was taken from us in a tragic car crash.
16. Jim Henson
He was the creator of The Muppets and beloved by millions of children and their parents around the world. Henson’s brilliant career and life was cut short at age 53. His death was caused by toxic shock from a powerful streptococcal infection.
17. John Belushi
John Belushi was a comic genius, who became famous on NBC’s successful Saturday Night Live show. His fame and popularity grew even more after he starred in films like the Blues Brothers and Animal House. Belushi’s tragic death at age 33 was the result of a drug overdose.
18. Princess Diana
Diana, Princess of Wales, was married to Prince Charles, the heir apparent and oldest son of Queen August 31,1997, Diana was fatally injured in a car crash when her limo driver tried to lose the paparazzi that were tailing her car. She was 36 at the time. Her sons are Prince William and Prince Harry.
19. Marvin Gaye
This world-famous Motown singer was fatally shot by his father on April 1, 1984. While his parents were in a heated argument, Marvin tried to intervene on his mother’s behalf. Ironically, the gun that killed him was the same gun Marvin had given to his father to protect their home from intruders. He died at age 44.
20. Amy Winehouse
This amazing singer was truly destined for super stardom until she tragically died of alcohol poisoning at the young age of 27 years. Winehouse had battled with addiction for years. The world of music lost a great talent.
21. Selena Quintanilla Perez
She was one of the hottest and most talented Mexican-American music stars with millions of fans around the world. Sadly, Selena was fatally shot on March 31, 1995, a mere two weeks before she turned 24. The shooter was her fan club President, Yolanda SaldÃvar.
22. John Lennon
Along with Paul, George and Ringo, John Lennon made music history with the Beatles. Tragically, while still only 40 years old, he was fatally shot on December 8, 1980 by Mark David Chapman. Imagine all the songs he could have written if he were still alive today.
23. James Dean
Actor James Dean was your classic Hollywood “bad boy.” During his brief film career, which lasted only 5 years, before a car accident took his life at a mere 24 years of age, Dean managed to star in such blockbuster films as East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause, and Giant.
24. Jonathan Brandis
This talented young actor seemed destined for Hollywood stardom, yet fate threw him a curve and his career didn’t take off as many had expected. This may have lead to his depression and eventual suicide at age 27.
25. Corey Haim
Corey Haim was a rising young star when his career was abruptly cut short by a deadly bout with pneumonia at age 38. Many people believed an addiction to painkillers may have played a role in his death as well.
26. Tupac Shakur Tupac was already a famous rapper when he was fatally shot in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas on September 7, 1996. Six days later he was dead at age 25. To this day, his name and his legend carry on.
27. Christopher ‘Biggie’ Wallace
Known as Biggie, the Bad Boy Records rapper was also shot and killed in a drive-by shooting on March 9, 1997. He was just 24 years old when he died.
28. Michael Clarke Duncan
Most audiences will remember Michael Clarke Duncan for his Oscar-nominated role as John Coffey in The Green Mile. Starring opposite Tom Hanks, Duncan held his own with a performance that any actor could be proud of. He died of a heart attack on July 2012 at 54 years of age.
29. Philip Seymour Hoffman
This Academy Award winner was a brilliant actor. He was destined for greatness. Sadly, he died of a drug overdose at 46 years of age.
30. James Gandolfini
The Sopranos TV show made Gandolfini famous. His acting was dead on! This Emmy winner’s career was on a path to greatness when he died at 51 of a sudden heart attack while on vacation with his family in Italy.
31. Michael Jackson
His music career will never be matched. Michael Jackson was one of this century’s greatest entertainers. Tragically, Jackson was only 50 when he died from complications with prescribed drugs. A controversy continues to surround his death.
32. Marilyn Monroe
She redefined the classic blonde bombshell. There will never be another actress like her. And like so many other stars, Marilyn died of a drug overdose. She was only 36 when she died in 1962.
33. Chris Farley
Like John Belushi before him, comedian Chris Farley got his start on Saturday Night Live with his hugely popular SNL characters and as Tommy Callahan in the film Tommy Boy. Like so many other stars, he died of a drug overdose. He was only 33.
34. Matthew Garber
Known for his role as Michael Banks in “Mary Poppins,” Garber passed away at the age of 21 in 1977 from Hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis, caused from contracting hepatitis in India the previous year.
35. Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer
The curse of the original Little Rascals cast runs deep, and the precocious Alfalfa was no stranger to untimely death. At 31, following an argument of $50, he was shot and killed.