Celebrities Who Died Too Young: Princess Diana, Aaliyah, More
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When celebrities with a special place in our hearts have their lives unexpectedly cut short, the grief we feel can often take us by surprise. After all, we didn’t know these people personally — but as seen with the national outpouring of grief in the wake of famous figures like Princess Diana, Aaliyah, Kobe Bryant, and so many more, it’s clear just how great of an impact these stars can have on our lives nonetheless.
From murders like those that claimed the lives of John Lennon and Selena Quintanilla to fatal accidents like those that killed James Dean, Paul Walker, or Naya Rivera, these high-profile deaths can be a startling reminder of how precious and uncertain life can be — sometimes to dangerous effect. In a 2018 PLOS One study, researchers found, for example, that there was a 10 percent increase in the U.S. suicide rate in the months following comedian Robin Williams taking his own life. This “celebrity suicide effect” is an unfortunately well-documented trend that sees an uptick in suicides after someone famous dies by suicide, and speaks to just how impactful news of this kind can be.
Clearly, the cause of death in these celebrity tragedies is relevant to the reaction it produces, and a heartbreakingly common cause is accidental drug overdose, which claimed the lives of Cory Monteith, Michael K. Williams, Matthew Perry, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and so many more. In honoring these lost lives, there’s a hope that the renewed awareness of the dangers of addiction may produce a positive effect and help prevent others from losing their lives in the same way — but first and foremost, we simply have to feel the grief of these lives that ended too soon.
These memorable stars have left an indelible impact on pop culture, first in life and now in death. It’s an honor to celebrate their legacies, and we couldn’t forget these celebrities if we tried.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
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Matthew Perry (1969 – 2023)
Matthew Perry was 54 years old when the news of his passing shocked the world. The Friends star died from acute effects of ketamine on Oct. 28, 2023. Perry’s death is currently being investigated.
Sinéad O’Connor (1966 – 2023)
Sinéad O’Connor left her fans saddened in 2023 when news broke of her passing. On July 26, the “Nothing Compares 2 U” singer died of natural causes.
Tupac Shakur (1971 – 1996)
Tupac Shakur’s life was sadly cut short after he was shot four times on September 7, 1996, following a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada. Six days later, on September 13, he died of internal bleeding.
Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes (1971 – 2002)
Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, who was one-third of the girl group TLC, passed away tragically at just 30 years old after a car accident on April 25, 2002. While there were other passengers in the car, Lopes, who was driving without a seatbelt, was the only one to succumb to her injuries.
Angus Cloud (1998 – 2023)
Beloved Euphoria actor Angus Cloud tragically passed away on July 31, 2023, from an accidental overdose. He was only 25.
Christina Grimmie (1994 – 2016)
Back in June 2016, YouTuber and The Voice alum Christina Grimmie was murdered during her show in Orlando, FL. The up-and-coming singer was shot at point-blank range by a man named Kevin James Loibl while she was signing autographs. She was only 22.
Lisa Marie Presley (1968 – 2023)
Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of the late King of Rock and Roll Elvis, passed away suddenly on Jan. 12, 2023, at age 54 from an apparent cardiac arrest.
Charlbi Dean (1990 – 2022)
Charlbi Dean was a model and actress most well known for her work in Spud, Black Lightning, and Triangle of Sadness. Before the latter movie premiere, however, she passed away on Aug 29, 2022, due to bacterial sepsis. She was only 32.
MF Doom (1971 – 2020)
Rapper and producer MF Doom, also known by his real name Daniel Dumile, passed away suddenly in 2020 at the age of 50. While the news broke of his death on Dec 31, 2020, his wife clarified that he actually passed two months before Halloween.
Cheslie Kryst (1991 – 2022)
Daytime Emmy-nominated host and d Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst tragically died by suicide on Jan 30, 2022, at the age of 30. She jumped from a 60-story high-rise apartment, and her death shook the nation.
Cameron Boyce (1999 – 2019)
Beloved Disney star Cameron Boyce suddenly passed away at only 20 years old due to an epileptic seizure. He was most well-known for starring in projects like Jessie, Descendants, and Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer.
Glenn Quinn (1970 – 2002)
Irish actor Glenn Quinn appeared in numerous projects throughout the 1990s, including beloved shows like Rosanne and Angel. He tragically died at the age of 32 from an accidental drug overdose on Dec 3, 2002.
Virgil Abloh (1980 – 2021)
Famed fashion designer and Louis Vuitton artistic director Virgil Abloh suddenly passed away at age 41 on Nov 28, 2021, from a rare cancer he’d battled in private for several years.
Dustin Diamond (1977 – 2021)
Saved By the Bell star Dustin Diamond died at age 44 after a year-long battle with stage 4 lung cancer.
John F. Kennedy Jr. (1960 – 1999) & Carolyn Bessette Kennedy (1966 – 1999)
Socialites John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy were on their way to a wedding in Martha’s Vineyard when tragedy struck. The two of them, along with Carolyn’s sister Lauren, died on July 16, 1999, in a plane crash. John was 38, Carolyn was 33, and Lauren was 34.
Anton Yelchin (1989 – 2016)
Star Trek star Anton Yelchin’s life was tragically cut short after a freak accident in June 2016. Yelchin passed away at 27 years old when was found pinned between his Jeep Grand Cherokee and a brick post outside his house.
Takeoff (1984 – 2022)
Migos member Takeoff, also known by his real name Kirshnik Khari Ball, was murdered on Nov 1 in a fatal shooting in Texas. He was only 28 years old.
Anne Heche (1969 – 2022)
Actress Anne Heche died at age 53 after a series of hit-and-run car accidents that left her in a coma with critical injuries. A preliminary blood analysis revealed Heche had cocaine and fentanyl in her system, but she ultimately died from an anoxic brain injury she sustained in the final car crash.
Chadwick Boseman (1976 – 2020)
Beloved Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman tragically passed away in 2020 from colon cancer, which he had been battling privately since 2016. He was 43 years old.
Jim Morrison (1943 – 1971)
Jim Morrison, frontman of legendary rock band The Doors, was found dead in a Paris apartment bathtub at age 27. His official cause of death is heart failure, although eyewitnesses claim it was the result of an accidental heroin overdose. Because French law doesn’t require an autopsy, Morrison never underwent the procedure.
Avicii (1989 – 2018)
Swedish DJ and music producer Avicii passed away at 28 years old in 2018. He retired from touring after several years of struggling with his mental health, and died by suicide.
Jimi Hendrix (1942 – 1970)
Iconic guitarist and rock musician Jimi Hendrix passed away in 1970 at 27 years old. An autopsy confirmed his cause of death to be asphyxia, as Hendrix had choked on his vomit while intoxicated from barbituates. His girlfriend at the time later revealed he had taken 9 of her Vesparax sleeping tablets, which was 18 times the recommended dosage.
Taylor Hawkins (1972 – 2022)
Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins was found dead in a Colombian hotel room at age 50 in 2022. Medics were called to the room due to Hawkins reporting chest pain, and a later urine toxicology test revealed the rockstar had 10 substances in his system at the time of his death, including opioids, benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants, and THC.
Anna Nicole Smith (1967 – 2007)
Model, actress, and television personality Anna Nicole Smith died in 2007 from an accidental drug overdose. She was 40 years old.
Sharon Tate (1943 – 1969)
Actress Sharon Tate was brutally killed by the Manson family at age 26. She was 8 months pregnant at the time of her death, making the atrocious murder even more horrific.
Brittany Murphy (1977 – 2009)
Brittany Murphy’s life was cut sadly short when she died of pneumonia in December 2009, first collapsing in her home before being transferred to Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. The actress was 32 years old when she passed away; her husband Simon Monjack died in May of the following year.
Aaliyah (1979 – 2001)
Groundbreaking R&B singer Aaliyah was just 22 years old when an airplane she was on in the Bahamas crashed and killed all nine passengers. Her impact on the music industry have been fiercely celebrated in the years since her 2001 death.
Princess Diana (1961 – 1997)
Princess Diana’s 1997 death is almost as storied as the royal’s life: At age 36, she was with her boyfriend Dodi Fayed, bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones, and driver Henri Paul driving through Paris and trying to get away from the paparazzi when the car crashed, killing all but Rees-Jones. Fayed and Paul were pronounced dead at the scene, while Diana was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead a few hours later.
She was survived by her two sons, Prince William, who was then 15 years old, and Prince Harry, who was 12.
Selena Quintanilla (1971 – 1995)
Rising Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla was just 23 years old when she was fatally shot at a Days Inn in Texas by Yolanda Saldívar, the president of Selena’s fan club. Prior to the attack, Saldívar was confronted over embezzling thousands of dollars. Saldívar was later sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 30 years, meaning she will becom eligible for parole on March 30, 2025.
Luke Perry (1966 – 2019)
In 2019, beloved Beverly Hills, 90210 star Luke Perry unexpectedly died of a stroke at age 52. He was survived by his two kids, Jack and Sophie Perry.
Naya Rivera (1987 – 2020)
In July 2020, Glee star Naya Rivera went on a boat ride at Lake Piru in Los Angeles with young son Josey Hollis Dorsey, whom she shared with ex-husband Ryan Dorsey. Josey was later found alone in the boat and Rivera’s body was later recovered. Her cause of death was determined as an accidental drowning incident.
Paul Walker (1973 – 2013)
Fast and Furious star Paul Walker was just 40 years old when a 2013 car accident claimed his life and that of the driver, his friend Roger Rodas. He is survived by daughter Meadow Walker, who filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Porsche after his passing.
Phillip Seymour Hoffman (1967 – 2014)
Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead in 2014 in his New York City apartment when he was 46 years old. His death was ruled an accidental drug overdose; he was found with a syringe in one arm and heroin in his hotel room. He was survived by partner Mimi O’Donnell, and their three kids Cooper, Tallulah, and Willa Hoffman.
Elvis Presley (1935 – 1977)
In 1977, musician Elvis Presley was found on the ground of his Memphis mansion Graceland by girlfriend Ginger Alden. He was pronounced dead at age 42 later that day with the cause of death ruled as cardiac arrest, and his longtime drug abuse considered a contributing factor. Elvis was survived by daughter Lisa Marie Presley.
Mac Miller (1992 – 2018)
Rapper Mac Miller was found in his Los Angeles apartment by his assistant in September 2018. The 26-year-old musician’s death was ruled to be an accidental overdose with fentanyl, cocaine, and alcohol found in his system. Miller had previously opened up about his long history with addiction.
Bobbi Kristina Brown (1993 – 2015)
Young Bobby Kristina Brown was found unconscious in the bathtub in 2015 in her Georgia home, three years after her mother Whitney Houston’s death under similar circumstances. She was transferred to the hospital and placed into an induced coma, but passed away six months later at just 22 years old.
Whitney Houston (1963 – 2012)
Legendary singer Whitney Houston was found dead at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles at just 48 years old in 2012. Her death was ruled an accidental drowning in the bathtub, though heart disease and cocaine use were listed as contributing factors. She was briefly survived by her daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown.
John Belushi (1949 – 1982)
Animal House star John Belushi died of an accidental overdose on heroin and cocaine at age 33. He was found dead by trainer Bill Wallace at Los Angeles hotel Chateau Marmont in 1982, and Cathy Smith eventually pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter for being the one to inject Belushi with the dose that killed him.
Corey Haim (1971 – 2010)
While child star Corey Haim was open about his struggle with substance abuse throughout his life all the way up to his death at age 38, his passing in 2010 was ultimately ruled to be due to pneumonia.
Michael K. Williams (1966 – 2021)
In September 2021, The Wire star Michael K. Williams died of an accidental overdose with a combination of heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, and p-fluoro-fentanyl found in his system. The actor had spoken out about his struggles with addiction before he passed away, survived by his son Elijah Anderson.
Cory Monteith (1982 – 2013)
Glee star Cory Monteith was vocal about his lifelong struggles with substance abuse before checking into a rehab facility in early 2013. Sadly, he was found dead of an accidental overdose at age 31 later that same year.
Heath Ledger (1979 – 2008)
Actor Heath Ledger was just 28 years old when he accidentally overdosed in his SoHo apartment in 2008. Ledger was survived by his daughter Matilda, whom he shared with ex Michelle Williams.
James Dean (1931 – 1955)
James Dean died in a fatal car crash at age 24 when the Porsche he was driving collided with another car at a California intersection. His 1955 crash occurred after the release of East of Eden but before his other two films, Giant and Rebel Without a Cause, had been seen by the public.
Janis Joplin (1943 – 1970)
Singer Janis Joplin was found dead in her Los Angeles hotel room at age 27 after years of struggling with substance abuse. Her death was ruled an accidental heroin overdose.
River Phoenix (1970 – 1993)
Stand By Me star River Phoenix died at just 23 years old in a 1993 drug overdose outside of Hollywood’s Viper Room nightclub. In 2020, surviving brother Joaquin Phoenix named his son River in his late brother’s honor.
Prince (1958 – 2016)
In 2016, Prince was found unresponsive at age 57 in his Minnesota home. His death was later ruled to be the result of accidental fentanyl exposure when the singer took what he believed to be Vicodin.
Kurt Cobain (1967 – 1994)
In 1994, Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain killed himself with a shotgun in his Seattle home. He was later found to have had a high volume of heroin in his system. He left a suicide note nearby and was survived by wife Courtney Love and daughter Frances Bean Cobain.
Kobe Bryant (1978 – 2020)
Kobe Bryant, 13-year-old daughter Gianna Bryant, and seven other passengers’ lives were claimed in a January 2020 helicopter crash that left no survivors. 41-year-old Bryant was survived by his wife Vanessa Bryant and his three other daughters Natalia, Bianka, and Capri Bryant.
Amy Winehouse (1983 – 2011)
Amy Winehouse also joined the unfortunate list of celebrities who passed at just 27 years old when she died on July 23, 2011. Winehouse, who had been open about her struggles with drug addiction, passed due to “alcohol toxicity” At the time of her passing, Winehouse’s blood alcohol level was more than five times over the legal limit.
John Lennon (1940 – 1980)
Legendary Beatles member John Lennon had his life taken from him on December 8, 1980, when he was shot by his fan Mark David Chapman while leaving The Dakota in New York City. He was survived by his wife Yoko Ono and his sons Julian and Sean.
