Throughout the entertainment industry’s history, many celebrities have passed away, leaving behind legacies that continue to inspire and influence people today. However, some stars who have contributed significantly to the industry may not have received as much attention or recognition upon their passing. Here are a few stars you probably didn’t know had passed away.
Lisa Robin Kelly
Lisa Robin Kelly was best known for her role as Laurie Forman in the TV series “That ’70s Show. Kelly began her acting career in the late 1990s and appeared in several TV shows and movies before landing her breakout role in “That ’70s Show” in 1998. She played the older sister of the main character Eric Forman and appeared in several seasons of the show. Unfortunately, Kelly struggled with addiction which eventually led to her departure from “That ’70s Show” in 2003, and her acting career never fully recovered. Kelly passed away at 43 in a rehab facility in California.
Jonathan Brandis
Brandis began his acting career at a young age. You probably know him as the child actor from The NeverEnding Story II, Seaquest DSV, and the 1990’s Horror Movie It. However, Brandis struggled with depression and reportedly had difficulty transitioning from child actor to adult actor. He continued to act in more minor roles but never regained the level of success he had in the 1990s. On November 12, 2003, at the age of 27, Brandis took his own life, shocking fans and colleagues who remembered him as a talented actor with a promising career ahead of him.
Nicole DeHuff
Nicole DeHuff was best known for her breakout role as Teri Polo’s sister in “Meet the Parents” in 2000. Who’d forget about the bride who had to endure all the mess before her big day? Sadly, DeHuff’s life was cut short when she passed away at 30 on February 16, 2005, in Los Angeles, California. The cause of death was determined to be pneumonia and acute bronchitis, which her doctor had misdiagnosed.
Chaney Kley
You’d probably know Kley as the lead role in the horror movie “Darkness Falls 2003.” He also appeared in Legally Blonde 2001 and The Sheild 2005-2008. However, Kley’s life was cut short when he passed away at age 34 on July 24, 2007, in Los Angeles, California. The cause of death was said to be a blood clot that had traveled to his heart.
Anne Heche
Anne Heche is an American actress who rose to fame in the 1990s through roles in TV shows like “Another World” and films like “Donnie Brasco.” Heche also gained attention for her high-profile relationship with comedian Ellen DeGeneres. Her acting talent was undeniable, earning her critical acclaim and accolades, but her life took a tumultuous turn with struggles related to mental health and substance abuse. Despite her triumphs in Hollywood, her battles sometimes overshadowed her career. Anne Heche’s journey was tragically cut short in a car crash when her vehicle struck a house. She passed away on August 5, 2022, leaving a complex legacy encompassing her accomplishments and challenges.
Bill Paxton
Bill Paxton gained fame in the 1980s for his roles in films such as “The Terminator” and “Aliens.” Paxton continued to act in various movies and TV shows throughout his career, earning critical acclaim for his performances. Paxton passed away at 61 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He had suffered complications from surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm. Paxton’s legacy continues to live on through his work in the entertainment industry.
James Michael Tyler
Everyone knows James Michael Tyler from his breakout role in “Friends” as the beloved manager of Central Perk Coffeehouse, Gunther, where the main characters frequently met. Tyler continued to appear in the show throughout its ten seasons. Apart from his acting career, Tyler is also an advocate for prostate cancer awareness. In 2018, he was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer and had since been speaking out about the importance of early detection and treatment. On October 24, 2021, at 59, he sadly passed away at his Los Angeles, California, home from the disease’s complications.
Skye McCole Bartusiak
Skye McCole Bartusiak was well known for her roles in “The Patriot” and “Don’t Say a Word,” as well as TV shows such as “24” and “Lost.” Bartusiak began her acting career as a child and quickly gained fame for her role in “The Patriot” in 2000, playing the daughter of Mel Gibson’s character.
Tragically, her life was cut short when she passed away at 21 on July 19, 2014, in her apartment in Houston, Texas. The cause of death was determined to be a drug overdose, which was ruled accidental.
Bob Saget
Saget is a comedian, actor, and television host best known for his role as Danny Tanner on the TV sitcom “Full House” and its sequel “Fuller House.” On January 9, Saget was discovered dead in his hotel room at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, located south of Orlando, Florida. His autopsy revealed that the cause of death was blunt head trauma from an accidental blow to the back of his head. He had died in his sleep. He was 65 years old, and his death remains a shock to this day to colleagues and fans worldwide.
Chester Bennington
Chester Bennington was a singer-songwriter best known as the lead vocalist of the famous rock band Linkin Park. Bennington had a difficult childhood marked by abuse and trauma, but it all turned around when he joined the band Xero, which would later become Linkin Park. Sadly, on July 20, 2017, Bennington took his own life at 41 in his home in Palos Verdes Estates, California.
Thuy Trang
Thuy Trang, born on December 14, 1973, in Saigon, South Vietnam, was a Vietnamese-American actress celebrated for her role as Trini Kwan, the original Yellow Ranger in the 1990s hit TV series “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.” Trang’s portrayal of the Yellow Ranger made her a beloved figure among fans, but her promising career was tragically cut short on September 3, 2001, when she died in a car accident at 27. Her untimely passing left a lasting impact on both her fans and the entertainment industry, as she is remembered as a trailblazer for diversity in children’s television, leaving behind a cherished legacy through her work on the series.
Lucy Gordon
Lucy Gordon began her career as a model in the late 1990s before transitioning to acting. She is known for her roles in movies such as “Spider-Man 3” and “Serendipity” and appeared in several TV shows and films throughout the 2000s, earning critical acclaim for her performances in both English and French language films. On May 20, 2009, Gordon took her own life at the age of 28 in her apartment in Paris, France.
Gaspard Ulliel
The French heartthrob achieved success in the film industry, appearing in films such as Hannibal Rising, A Very Long Engagement, and It’s Only the End of the World. Ulliel also had a successful career as a model, working with brands such as Chanel and Dior. Sadly Ulliel passed away on 19 January, one day after a skiing accident at the La Rosière resort in Savoie, France, when he collided with another skier. He was only 37.
DMX
DMX, whose real name was Earl Simmons, was a highly influential rapper and actor known for his raw and powerful performances. Tragically, on April 9, 2021, DMX passed away at 50. He suffered a heart attack, reportedly triggered by a drug overdose. His untimely death deeply saddened fans and the music industry as they mourned the loss of a talented artist who left an indelible mark on the rap world. DMX’s legacy continues to live on through his music, which remains a testament to his raw talent, resilience, and unapologetic approach to self-expression.
Mac Miller
Mac Miller was a talented American rapper, actor, and producer. He emerged in the music scene with his mixtapes and gained widespread recognition for his introspective lyrics, unique flow, and genre-blending sound. Throughout his career, Miller was open about his struggles with substance abuse and mental health, addressing them in his music with honesty and vulnerability. He became an advocate for mental health awareness and encouraged open conversations about personal struggles.
On September 7, 2018, at 26, Mac Miller tragically passed away due to an accidental drug overdose. His untimely death shocked the music community and devastated his fans, who mourned the loss of a talented artist with immense potential.
Tom Petty
Tom Petty was an iconic American singer-songwriter and musician who achieved great success as the frontman of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Sadly, on October 2, 2017, Tom Petty passed away at age 66. He suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Malibu, California, and could not be revived. Petty’s untimely death sent shockwaves through the music world, leaving fans and fellow musicians mourning the loss of a true rock legend.
Corey Haim
Haim began his acting career as a child in the 1980s and quickly gained fame for his boyish good looks and talent. He starred in several hit movies throughout the decade but struggled with drug addiction and personal issues as he got older. On March 10, 2010, Haim passed away at age 38 in Burbank, California. The cause of death was determined to be pneumonia, with contributing factors including an enlarged heart and drug intoxication.
Natasha Richardson
Natasha Richardson was best known for her roles in movies such as “The Parent Trap,” “Maid in Manhattan,” and “Asylum.” She came from a prominent acting family and began her acting career in the 1980s. She appeared in several successful films and stage productions throughout her career, earning critical acclaim for her performances. Unfortunately, Richardson passed away at age 45 after suffering a traumatic brain injury while skiing in Quebec, Canada, several days earlier.
Andy Whitfield
The Handsome Welch actor appeared in several TV shows and movies before landing his breakout role as Spartacus in the TV series “Spartacus: Blood and Sand.”
However, during the filming of the show’s second season, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Despite undergoing treatment, Whitfield sadly passed away on September 11, 2011, at 39, in Sydney, Australia. His death shocked his fans and colleagues, who remembered him as a talented actor and a kind-hearted person. Whitfield’s battle with cancer was documented in the 2015 film “Be Here Now,” released posthumously.
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Philip Seymour Hoffman was an American actor, director, and producer widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation. Hoffman began his acting career in the theater, earning critical acclaim for his performances in various plays. He later transitioned to film, gaining fame for his roles in movies such as “Capote,” “The Master,” and “Doubt.”
Hoffman was known for his intense and immersive acting style, earning numerous accolades and awards throughout his career. Sadly, on February 2, 2014, Hoffman passed away at 46 in New York City, USA, due to a drug overdose. His death was a shock to the entertainment industry and his fans. Hoffman’s legacy continues to live on through his powerful performances in film and theater.
Brad Renfro
Brad Renfro began his acting career at the age of 10 when he was discovered by a casting director in his hometown. He quickly gained recognition for his talent and starred in several successful films throughout the 1990s, including such as “The Client,” “Sleepers,” and “Apt Pupil.
However, Renfro struggled with substance abuse and legal issues in his adult life. He was arrested multiple times and entered into rehab several times as well. Renfro Tragically died by accidental overdose at the age of 25 in Los Angeles, California, USA. His death shocked his fans and colleagues, who remembered him as a talented actor with a promising career cut short by addiction and personal struggles.
Luke Perry
Perry began his acting career in the late 1980s and gained fame in the early 1990s for his role in “Beverly Hills, 90210.” He appeared in several successful films and TV shows throughout his career, including “Riverdale” and “The Fifth Element.”
On February 27, 2019, Perry passed away at 52 from a massive stroke after being hospitalized. Perry’s legacy continues to live on through his work and impact on the entertainment industry.
Lisa Loring
You probably know Lisa Loring for her role as Wednesday Addams in the original TV series The Addams Family from 1964 to 1966. Loring began her acting career at three, appearing in several commercials and TV shows. However, her role as Wednesday Addams remains a beloved classic to this day. Sadly Loring passed away after a stroke caused by smoking and hypertension and died on January 28, 2023, at age 64.
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