They made us laugh, and sometimes made us cry. Some were our first celebrity crushes, while others were a favorite TV dad or movie uncle. Some stayed with us a little longer, with a legacy firmly intact. Others were just getting started, often leaving a legacy of controversy and wild speculations. Although there are differences, sadly the one thing they have in common is a shocking death at a time when they were still actively working, and we’ve mourned them as treasured parts of our lives.
So many on this list died way too young, and were caught up in the pressures of skyrocketing careers and the excesses that come with fame and money. River Phoenix and Heath Ledger were each among the most promising young actors of his generation, but each lost it all to drugs. “Speedballs,” commonly a mix of heroin and cocaine, was Phoenix’s fatal choice; this type of combination also proved to be the downfall of John Belushi and Chris Farley.
Belushi and Farley are two of several former cast members of “Saturday Night Live” to die before the age of 60. George Reeves and Christopher Reeve were both “Superman,” but both died under tragic circumstances. Three young stars from the cheerful TV series “Glee” have died young, while four stars from the classic film “Rebel Without a Cause” met horrible ends. All three of the main leads – James Dean, Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo – died young, with Dean involved in a crash while in a “cursed” car, Wood dying under controversial circumstances and Mineo murdered. A fourth actor, Nick Adams, died of a drug overdose at the age of 36. Martial arts star Bruce Lee and his son Brandon both died under unusual circumstances at the height of their careers, 20 years apart, sparking rumors of a family curse and mafia involvement.
Tour our photo gallery of some of the most shocking actor deaths in the history of Hollywood. Some died so very young and unexpectedly that their deaths left a lasting impact on our culture, from Hollywood’s first matinee idol Rudolph Valentino to the long-suffering Rock Hudson to Oscar winners Robin Williams and Philip Seymour Hoffman to the recent death of “Full House” star Bob Saget. Many had projects in the works, and we’ll never know what they might have done had they been with us a little longer; however, each left behind a legacy of film and/or television work that will be enjoyed for generations to come.
Bob Saget (May 17, 1956 – January 9, 2022)
One of America’s favorite TV dads, Saget was the beloved star of “Full House” (1987-1995) and the original host of “America’s Funniest Home Videos” (1989-1997). He was also a successful stand-up comedian, known for raunchy humor that was opposite of his clean-cut image on his sitcom. He was in the midst of a stand-up tour when he was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Orlando, Florida. He had died at the age of 65; it was a month before an autopsy report was released stating that he had died from blunt head trauma from a blow to the back of the head, most likely from a fall, and had died in his sleep from the subsequent injuries. No foul play or drugs were suspected, and Saget was COVID-19 positive, but there were no signs of inflammation. His family went to court to keep any further documents from being released, to protect privacy; a permanent injunction is in place to prevent their release.
Michael K. Williams (November 22, 1966 – September 6, 2021)
Williams skyrocketed to fame as Omar Little in “The Wire” (2002-2008), and went on to receive five Emmy nominations for various projects, most recently in 2021 for his role in the HBO series “Lovecraft Country.” Williams had battled drug addiction for several years, and his nephew found him dead in his apartment at the age of 54. He had overdosed on a combination of fentanyl, heroin, p-fluorofentanyl and cocaine; in February, 2022, four men were arrested in relation to his death. All four men are facing charges of conspiracy for the distribution of fentanyl and heroin, while the man who sold him the deadly combination faces additional manslaughter charges.
Chadwick Boseman (November 29, 1976 – August 28, 2020)
Boseman became a familiar face with his portrayal of Jackie Robinson in “42” in 2013, and later cemented his place in movie history as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in “Black Panther” (2018), going on to appear in two Avengers movies. He was also known for his philanthropic work, most especially with organizations that help children and with cancer charities. Boseman himself was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, but told very few people, and kept working through chemotherapy treatments and surgeries. He died from the disease at the age of 43. “Da 5 Bloods” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” were his last films, with both receiving critical acclaim and earning Boseman several posthumous nominations and awards; at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2021, he received four nominations – the most for any performer in a single ceremony.
Luke Perry (October 11, 1966 – March 4, 2019)
Perry skyrocketed to fame in the 1990s as bad boy Dylan McKay on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” and gained a new generation of fans as Archie’s dad Fred Andrews on “Riverdale” beginning in 2017. He was starring on that series when he suffered at massive ischemic stroke at his home on February 27, 2019. A few days later, he suffered a second stroke and his family chose to remove him from life support, and Perry died at the age of 52. His “Riverdale” character was killed off, with his “90210” love interest Shannen Doherty making an appearance; he is also featured in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” which was released after his death.
Anton Yelchin (March 11, 1989 – June 19, 2016)
As a child, Yelchin appeared in films such as “Along Came a Spider” (2001) and “Terminator Salvation” (2009), and on TV in the series “Huff” from 2004-2006; as an adult, he was a part of the “Star Trek” franchise, appearing in three films as Pavel Chekov. He had finished “Star Trek Beyond” and a few independent films shortly before he was killed in a freak accident. Concerned friends found him pinned between his Jeep Grand Cherokee and a brick pillar gate post outside his home. Apparently, he erroneously thought he had put his vehicle in park when he got out to check his mail; unfortunately, the car rolled down his steep drive and pinned him against the pillar. He died of blunt traumatic asphyxia at the age of 27.
Robin Williams (July 21, 1951 – August 11, 2014)
One of the most beloved comedians of all time, Williams’s improvisational skills are unsurpassed. He created distinct and memorable characters, beginning with the displaced alien in the TV sitcom “Mork & Mindy” (1978-1982). His quick-thinking, energy and ability to do a wide range of accents allowed him to excel in all genres, and earned him Academy Award nominations for Best Actor for “Good Morning, Vietnam” (1987), “Dead Poets Society” (1989) and “The Fisher King” (1991) and a win for Supporting Actor for “Good Will Hunting” (1998); among his six Golden Globe wins was a special one for his vocal work as the Genie in “Aladdin” (1992). When Williams was found dead at the age of 63 from suicide by hanging, the world was stunned. His autopsy revealed that he suffered from Lewy body dementia, a devastating disease that had been misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s disease, and in the months prior to his death, caused him to struggle with depression, anxiety, insomnia and paranoia, and to be haunted by memory loss and delusions.
Philip Seymour Hoffman (July 23, 1967 – February 2, 2014)
Hoffman had one of the most eclectic film and stage careers in the business, appearing in everything from cult favorites like “Boogie Nights” (1997) to blockbusters such as “Twister” (1996) to serious fare such as “Capote,” for which he won a Best Actor Oscar; he also acted in or directed two dozen plays, earning three Tony nominations for Best Actor. He had developed a substance abuse problem in college, but completed rehab shortly after and stayed sober for 23 years. He relapsed in 2013; despite additional treatment, Hoffman died at the age of 46 from acute mixed drug intoxication, which was ruled an accident. At the time of his death, he was appearing in “The Hunger Games” films; he had completed most of his scenes for the final two installments, and they were released in 2014 and 2015.
Paul Walker (September 12, 1973 – November 30, 2013)
Having been a child actor, Walker was in the business for years before he got the role for which he will always be remembered. In 2001, he starred as Brian O’Conner in “The Fast and the Furious,” which launched a successful film franchise that continues to this day. Walker starred in five of those films before his untimely death at the age of 40. Walker was a car enthusiast who had about 30 cars in his collection, some of which he owned with Roger Rodas. The two were heading to an event for one of Walker’s charities, with Rodas driving a Porsche Carrera GT. Rodas was driving between 80 and 93 mph in a 45 mph zone when the car crashed into a concrete lamp post and two trees, causing it to catch on fire. Rodas died of multiple trauma, Walker died of a combination of trauma and burns; both bodies were burned beyond recognition. There was no evidence of alcohol or drugs, mechanical failure, hazardous road conditions or drag racing, and the cause of the crash was listed as speed and the age of the tires. Among his three movies released posthumously was “Furious 7,” which was completed after his death using his brothers as stand-ins.
Cory Monteith (May 11, 1982 – July 13, 2013)
Having achieved TV stardom as Finn Hudson on “Glee,” Monteith’s career was just getting started. Unfortunately, offscreen he had battled substance addiction from the time he was 13 years-old; on March 31, 2013, Monteith admitted himself into a rehabilitation center and was released a month later. On July 13, he was found dead by staff in his hotel room in Vancouver. He was only 31 years-old, and died of a lethal combination of heroin and alcohol. It is believed that his attempts to stay off drugs lowered his tolerance for drug use, leading to an accidental overdose. He was the first of three tragic deaths from “Glee;” Mark Salling died from suicide at the age of 35 in 2018, and Naya Rivera died from an accidental drowning in 2020. Her body was found seven years to the day after Monteith’s death.
James Gandolfini (September 18, 1961 – June 19, 2013)
As Tony Soprano, Gandolfini broke new ground on television as an antihero, setting a new precedent many series have followed. He won three Emmys and a Golden Globe for Best Actor for his portrayal of the mob boss on “The Sopranos” (1999-2007). While he and his family were visiting Rome, his son found him in his hotel room unconscious. He died of a heart attack a short time later; he was 51 years-old. He received great reviews for two films released posthumously, “Enough Said” (2013) and “The Drop” (2014).
Corey Haim (December 23, 1971 – March 10, 2010)
As one-half of “The Two Coreys,” Haim became one of the biggest teen idols of the 1980s. He and Corey Feldman starred in seven films, including “The Lost Boys” (1987) and “License to Drive” (1989), becoming the two highest-paid teen stars of their era. The darker side of fame took hold of Haim at a very young age, and he struggled with alcohol and drug abuse most of his life. He spent years in and out of rehab, while his career fell into decline and he went broke; Feldman has made numerous assertions that they were both sexually abused throughout their youth. Haim died at the age of 38 from what was originally suspected to be an accidental overdose; however, his official cause of death was from diffuse alveolar damage and pneumonia. Although his death was from natural causes, several prescription medications were found in his home, and it was found that he had received several prescriptions from seven different doctors in the month before his death; a prescription drug ring was uncovered during the ensuing investigation.
Patrick Swayze (August 18, 1952 – September 14, 2009)
Women fell in love with him in films like “Dirty Dancing” (1987) and “Ghost” (1990), and guys wanted to emulate him from movies like “Road House” (1989). He sang, danced, acted, wrote music and appeared on Broadway, becoming one of the top stars of his generation. In 2007, Swayze started a new venture, starring on the TV series “The Beast.” Shortly after filming the pilot, he started suffering from stomach issues that eventually led to a diagnosis of stage IV pancreatic cancer. Swayze was public with his battle, supporting other cancer patients and continuing work on his series while receiving chemotherapy and taking an experimental cancer drug. Swayze was also a heavy smoker, and acknowledged that the addiction likely contributed to his disease, but continued to smoke while undergoing treatment. He fought for 20 months before passing away at the age of 57, with his family at his side.
Bernie Mac (October 5, 1957 – August 9, 2008)
Mac began his career as a standup comic, and soon found success on TV with his series “The Bernie Mac Show” from 2001-2006, as well as in films like “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” and “Bad Santa” (2003). He is one of “The Original Kings of Comedy” in Spike Lee’s 2000 stand-up comedy film, and endeared himself to audiences as part of the ensemble of “Ocean’s Eleven” (2001) and its sequels. In 2004, Mac had to take a hiatus from his TV series to recover from pneumonia; it was later revealed that he suffered from sarcoidosis, which causes lung issues. On August 1, 2008, Mac was admitted into the hospital, and died a week later from complications of pneumonia at the age of 50.
Heath Ledger (April 4, 1979 – January 22, 2008)
His film catalogue is sadly small, but his impact on his generation was huge. He was only 28 years-old when he died, but was considered among the best of his peers, with audiences and critics adoring him in a variety of roles from romantic lead in “10 Things I Hate About You” (1999) to the socially conscious “Brokeback Mountain” (2005) to the manic Joker in “The Dark Knight” (2008). However, he was also known for his intensity and energy when taking on a new character, and suffered from insomnia – at times only sleeping two hours a night – leading him to self-medicate. His housekeeper and massage therapist found him unconscious in his bed; EMTs were unable to revive him and he was pronounced dead at the scene. It was determined that he died from an accidental overdose of a combination of multiple prescription medications. He won a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for his role as the Joker, becoming only the second performer to win an acting Oscar posthumuously.
Christopher Reeve (September 25, 1952 – October 10, 2004)
There’s been many an actor to portray him, but for many people, Reeve is THE Superman, starring as the superhero in the 1978 film, as well as three sequels over the next decade. Offscreen, he enjoyed riding horses, and began to participate in equestrian events. On May 27, 1995, his horse refused a jump, causing Reeve to fall forward and land head first. The resulting spinal injuries left him paralyzed from the neck down. Following months of hospitalization and rehabilitation, during which he admitted to thoughts of suicide, Reeve learned to live with his paralysis. Over the next ten years, he acted, directed and produced numerous projects, wrote books and advocated for rights for disabled people. Reeve had suffered from asthma and allergies since his childhood, and had severe reactions to drugs following his accident; he also overcame several infections that could have been fatal. In October 2004, he was receiving antibiotic treatment for an infection that was causing sepsis, went into cardiac arrest and fell into a coma. He died shortly after at the age of 52; no autopsy was done, as his widow Dana and his doctor believed that it was a reaction to a drug that caused his death. Dana stood by him throughout his illness, and headed his foundation following his death. Sadly, she was diagnosed with lung cancer and died at the age of 44 on March 6, 2006. His three children now all serve on the board of the foundation.
John Ritter (September 17, 1948 – September 11, 2003)
Ritter grew up in the business, as the son of legendary country singer and actor Tex Ritter, and reached icon status himself for his Emmy-winning work as Jack Tripper on “Three’s Company” (1976-1984). During his 30 year career, he accumulated 140 TV and movie credits, ranging from the reverend in “The Waltons” (1972-1976) to the creepy robotic Ted in an episode of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997) to the voice of everybody’s favorite red dog “Clifford.” On the morning of his death, he was rehearsing for his sitcom “8 Simple Rules. . . for Dating My Teenage Daughter,” which was in its second season, when he became ill and complained of chest pain. He was rushed to the hospital and treated for a heart attack; however, as his condition worsened, it was discovered that he had a previously undetected aortic dissection. He was taken into surgery, but died just six days short of his 55th birthday. His widow Amy Yasbeck has fought to bring awareness to this deadly condition; in 2010, the “Ritter Rules” were created to educate the public about the risk factors for and the identification markers of those at risk for aortic dissections.
Phil Hartman (September 24, 1948 – May 28, 1998)
Hartman initially found comedy success alongside Paul Reubens, as the two co-created the character Pee-wee Herman in the 1970s, but he became a household name as part of “Saturday Night Live” from 1986-1994, winning an Emmy for writing in 1989. He became famous for his impersonations that included Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan and Frank Sinatra, as well as original characters such as the Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer. From 1991 until his death, he voiced various characters in 52 episodes of “The Simpsons,” and became part of the ensemble of the sitcom “NewsRadio” in 1995. In 1987, Hartman married Brynn Omdahl, and they had two children; however, the marriage was unhappy and sometimes volatile, as Brynn was jealous of her husband’s success and struggled with substance abuse. After an argument, Brynn fatally shot Phil three times as he lay in bed, and then confessed to friends what she had done. As police arrived, she barricaded herself in the bathroom and shot herself. It was discovered that she was taking Zoloft, and had recently been drinking and using cocaine. The couple left behind two young children, who were raised by family.
Chris Farley (February 15, 1964 – December 18, 1997)
Farley gained famed as one of the “bad boys” of “Saturday Night Live” in the early 1990s, popularizing such characters as motivational speaker Matt Foley and Chicago sports fan Todd O’Connor. Throughout his short career, he also struggled with substance abuse and obesity, but had begun a fruitful big screen career, with roles in box office hits like “Tommy Boy” (1995) and “Beverly Hills Ninja” (1997). He was in the midst of providing the voice for “Shrek” when he was found dead from an overdose of cocaine and morphine. Besides “Shrek,” he had several other projects in the works; like his idol John Belushi, he died much too young at the age of 33.
John Candy (October 31, 1950 – March 4, 1994)
One of the most beloved comedians of his generation, Candy is widely remembered for his collaborations with writer and director John Hughes, in such hits as “Planes, Trains & Automobiles” (1987), “The Great Outdoors” (1988) and “Uncle Buck” (1989). Candy struggled with his weight throughout his life, often trying new diets and exercise programs; his own father had died of heart disease at age 35. However, he smoked heavily, drink and had a history of drug abuse. He was almost done filming his final film, “Wagons East” (1994) when he died of a heart attack in his sleep at the age of 43.
River Phoenix (August 23, 1970 – October 31, 1993)
Phoenix was a gifted actor and musician, leaving his mark on cinema with memorable performances in “Stand by Me” (1986), “My Own Private Idaho” (1991) and “Running on Empty” (1988), for which he became one of the youngest nominees ever for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. At the time of his death, he was the hottest young actor in Hollywood, but had fallen into drug and alcohol abuse early on. He was with his girlfriend Samantha Mathis, brother Joaquin and sister Rain at the Hollywood nightclub The Viper Room when he began to get sick. He collapsed outside the club, and went into convulsions. Efforts by his entourage and paramedics to save him were unsuccessful, and he died a short time later at the hospital at the age of 23 from acute drug intoxication.
Rock Hudson (November 17, 1925 – October 2, 1985)
He was one of the biggest movie stars of the 1950s and 1960s, appealing as a romantic lead in both dramas, such as “Giant” (1956), and comedies, most notably alongside Doris Day in hits like “Pillow Talk” (1959). Although his homosexuality was well-known in the Hollywood community, it was a well-guarded secret from the public to protect his career. Hudson was diagnosed with HIV in June, 1984, but kept this secret as it was in the earliest years of the AIDS crisis and there were negative stigmas associated with the disease. Hudson tried early experimental treatments, but his condition worsened, and he died in his sleep from AIDS-related complications, just a few weeks before his 60th birthday. Following the revelation of his diagnosis, there was controversy around a kissing scene with Linda Evans in the TV drama “Dynasty,” as she was unaware that he had AIDS. In the years following his death, education, donations and government funding for AIDS increased immensely, and sparked discussions about homosexuality.
John Belushi (January 24, 1949 – March 5, 1982)
One of the original cast members of “Saturday Night Live,” Belushi is ranked by many as the greatest comedian to come from that long-running show. Over his four-year tenure, he created some of its most memorable characters and impersonations, most famously the Blues Brothers alongside friend and collaborator Dan Aykroyd. In 1978, he launched what looked to be a promising film career with “National Lampoon’s Animal House,” and followed that with six more films over the next three years, including “The Blues Brothers” (1980). Like many of his colleagues, Belushi indulged in drug use, which began to interfere with his work. He died of an accidental overdose from a combination of cocaine and heroin. Rock groupie and drug supplier Cathy Smith later admitted to the “National Enquirer” that she gave Belushi the fatal dose, and later served 15 months for involuntary manslaughter.
Bob Crane (July 13, 1928 – June 29, 1978)
A well-liked Los Angeles radio host in the 1950s, Crane eventually segued into acting, landing the lead role in the WWII POW camp sitcom “Hogan’s Heroes,” a hit show which lasted from 1965-1971. Offscreen, he had three children from a previous marriage and two children from a current marriage to his “Hogan’s” costar. However, his personal life wasn’t as clean-cut as it appeared. During “Hogan’s” run, he befriended John Henry Carpenter, an electronics salesman who helped celebrities set up video equipment. Crane enjoyed extracurricular sexual escapades, and he and Carpenter videotaped their encounters – which Crane was known to show off. In June 1978, Crane had planned to break ties with Carpenter and was also planning to divorce his wife. He was performing dinner theater in Scottsdale, AZ, when he was found bludgeoned to death by an unknown weapon, with an electrical cord tied around his neck. Investigators believed the weapon to be a camera tripod, but couldn’t prove it; there was no sign of forced entry. Crane’s son later said that all of his dad’s sexual encounters were consensual, and the women knew they were recorded, but some stated otherwise. Although it was largely believed that Carpenter committed the crime, lack of DNA evidence at the time stalled the investigation. It was reopened in 1990, and Carpenter was eventually tried but acquitted; he denied any involvement in Crane’s death until his own death in 1998. Crane’s son from his first marriage has also intimated that Crane’s second wife might have been involved, as they were in the midst of a divorce and she was his sole heir in his will; she died in 2007. Crane died just two weeks shy of his 50th birthday; his murder remains officially unsolved.
Freddie Prinze (June 22, 1954 – January 29, 1977)
Prinze quickly rose to the top as a standup comedian, often appearing on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” When he was only 20 years-old, he landed the lead in the sitcom “Chico and the Man,” which became a hit show, and signed a five-year contract with NBC worth $6 million shortly before his death. However, the gifted comedian struggled with depression, and he turned to drugs for help. His young marriage was falling apart, and his mercurial rise to fame took its toll. On January 28, he called several of his loved ones to tell them goodbye, and shot himself in the head in front of his business manager; despite a team of doctors fighting to save him, he died the following day. He had left a suicide note, and his death was ruled as such. However, his family fought to have his death ruled accidental, claiming that he had been taking drugs and was known to play with guns, and later filed malpractice suits against his psychiatrist and doctor for overprescribing Quaaludes, which was settled out of court, as well as his insurance company. The jury in the latter case ruled the death accidental due to his over-medication.
Sal Mineo (January 10, 1939 – February 12, 1976)
Mineo became one of the youngest Best Supporting Actor Academy Award nominees for his role as the tragic Plato in “Rebel Without a Cause” (1955), and earned a second nomination and a Golden Globe win for his supporting role in “Exodus” five years later. At the time of his death, he was rehearsing for the play “P.S. Your Cat Is Dead,” and was returning to his apartment for the evening when he was brutally stabbed to death. Mineo was one of the first celebrities to openly admit he was bisexual, and it was initially thought this might have played a role in his death. However, it was later proved that Lionel Ray Williams had killed Mineo during a mugging attempt; he had no idea who the actor was. Williams was sentenced to 57 for Mineo’s murder and ten other robberies, and was paroled after serving 12 years.
Bruce Lee (November 27, 1940 – July 20, 1973)
The most influential martial artist of all time, Lee’s impact on pop culture and cinema cannot be denied. He created Jeet Kune Do, and became an instructor and friend to many celebrities, while also changing the way Asians were presented onscreen, becoming an international action star in films like “Fist of Fury” and “The Way of the Dragon,” both from 1972. On May 10, 1973, Lee was rushed to the hospital complaining of headaches and having seizures; he was diagnosed with cerebral edema and doctors were able to reduce the swelling. He seemed to recover, other than an occasional headache, which he suffered from the day of his death. A friend gave him the painkiller Equagesic, which contains aspirin and meprobamate. The friend was later unable to waken Lee from a nap, and he was declared dead at the age of 32 a short time later. He had an allergic reaction to the meprobamate, which had caused his brain to swell. Twenty years later, his only son Brandon died tragically from a freak accident at the age of 28 while filming “The Crow” (1994). A prop gun was mishandled, and Brandon was fatally shot to death; rumors about Mafia involvement and a “Lee family” curse have swirled in the years since the father and son deaths. They lay in rest side by side.
George Reeves (January 5, 1914 – June 16, 1959)
He was one of Scarlett’s suitors at the beginning of “Gone with the Wind,” but it was in tights and a cape that he became a pop culture icon. Reeves was the superhero in the popular 1950’s TV series “Adventures of Superman,” and enjoyed being a role model for his young audience, careful to refrain publicly from any negative behavior that might tarnish that image. On the evening of his death, he and his fiancée Leonore Lemmon were hosting a party; Reeves reportedly went to bed early. He died of a gunshot wound to the head shortly after, with the cause officially given as suicide, following claims that Reeves was despondent over his career after “Superman.” However, his death remains one of Hollywood’s biggest mysteries. Three bullets were found in his bedroom, with the fatal one found in the ceiling, but guests claimed they only heard one gunshot. His prints weren’t on the gun, and there was no residue on his hands. Reeves had previously had a longterm affair with the wife of studio executive Eddie Mannix, who supposedly had Mafia ties, and some believe he had Reeves killed. However, this was reportedly an open affair that Mannix didn’t have a problem with, as he indulged in his own extramarital activities. Reeves’s relationship with Lemmon was volatile, and her account of what happened that evening varied. Despite the controversy, his death officially remained a suicide, but most of those close to him believe something else happened.
Tyrone Power (May 5, 1914 – November 15, 1958)
Power was a leading matinee idol during the 1940s and 1950s, mainly as the heroic male lead in swashbucklers like “The Mark of Zorro” (1940), “Blood and Sand” (1941) and “The Black Swan” (1942). Power was in the midst of shooting a dueling scene with his friend and costar George Sanders for the film “Solomon and Sheba” when he suffered a massive heart attack, and died at the age of 44. In 1931, Power’s father had also died of a heart attack, in his 17-year-old son’s arms, at the age of 62. An experienced pilot, Power had enlisted in the Marines during WWII, and remained in the reserves until his death, and was buried with full military honors.
James Dean (February 8, 1931 – September 30, 1955)
No other performer has had quite the impact on film with so few starring roles – only 3 – as James Dean, and is the only actor to receive two posthumous acting nominations, for “East of Eden” (1955) and “Giant” (1956). But it’s his image in “Rebel Without a Cause” that made him a pop culture icon, clad in a red jacket and blue jeans, the personification of teenage rebellion. The “rebel” also loved fast cars, and began racing professionally. Dean and his mechanic were headed to an event in his Porsche 550 Spyder when he collided with another vehicle attempting to make a left turn. His small car was totaled, and Dean suffered massive injuries, including a broken neck, and was dead on arrival at the hospital. His passenger and the driver of the other vehicle survived; Dean became a legend, and the car in which he died as grown in legend as well, with stories of a curse involving the remaining pieces of the vehicle growing over the years.
Rudolph Valentino (May 6, 1895 – August 23, 1926)
He was among the first Hollywood sex symbols, Italian born but promoted as the “Latin Lover,” and often starring as an Arab sheik (it was 1920s Hollywood . . .). Almost 100 years after his death, people still know the name even if they’re unsure of the origin; during his time he was the romantic lead in some of the most commercially successful films of the silent era, including “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” and “The Sheik” (both 1921). He lived up to his “Great Lover” image offscreen, with a couple of volatile marriages and numerous romantic relationships. On August 15, 1926, Valentino collapsed in Manhattan, and had surgery for appendicitis; a week later, he died from infections from what turned out to be perforated ulcers. This condition is now known as “Valentino’s syndrome.” Valentino was only 31 years-old, and at the height of his popularity, shortly before the release of “The Son of the Sheik.” His death sent shockwaves across the country, with suicides of fans reported. Around 100,000 mourners lined up outside the Manhattan funeral home where he was displayed, with riots from fans resulting in over 100 officers being sent to restore order, and the funeral home hiring four actors to impersonate the Fascist Blackshirt honor guard, supposedly sent by Benito Mussolini. His supposed fiancee, actress Polo Negri, dramatically collapsed over his coffin, and for years following his death, the mysterious “woman in black” brought a single red rose to his crypt.
