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Famous People Who Died & Will Always Be in Our Hearts

Michael Clarke Duncan

Beloved actor Michael Clarke Duncan became an international success with his breakout role as the gentle giant in The Green Mile. Duncan always wanted to act; however, he had to drop out of University when his mother became ill. His large frame helped him land various jobs at Chicago clubs. 

While looking for a job in the acting, Duncan worked as a bodyguard to several prominent personalities like Will Smith. Soon he was cast in Armageddon and became friends with Bruce Willis, who helped him with his breakout role. In September 2012, at the age of 54, Duncan died from a heart attack.

James Lipton – 93 Years

Often regarded as a man with many talents, James Lipton was an actor, writer, lyricist, and dean emeritus of the famous Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University. Lipton was a very famous host of his generation, being a part of multiple talk shows during the 1990’s and early 2000.

James was also an author and released several acclaimed novels such as Inside Inside and Mirrors. He had bladder cancer for a long, long time, and in March 2020, he finally surrendered to the disease.

Phyllis George – 70 Years

Phyllis George was a well-celebrated sportscaster in the ’80s and ’90s. She was a reporter and co-host of the famous show The NFL today in 1975, becoming the first woman in the world ever to hold an on-air position in national televised sports broadcasting. After this, Phyllis also hosted a talk show CBS Morning News.

Phyllis was widely regarded as a television icon for her superb work in this field over the years. In several interviews, she stated, throughout her career, leukemia troubled her, but she never back-up and fought strongly. But finally, in May 2020, she departed this life peacefully.

Michelle Thomas

Michelle Thomas was known for her roles as Theo’s girlfriend, Justine Phillips, on The Cosby Show and as Myra Monkhouse, Steve Urkel’s girlfriend on Family Matters. She was a talented stage actress and amazed everyone with her music group Kool & the Gang and Phynjuar Thomas. For you soaps lovers, Thomas was portraying the role of Callie Rogers on almost 40 episodes of The Young and The Restless.

Her medical leave from the shows included cancer operations and Thanksgiving with her family. In December 1998, at the age of 30, Thomas had passed away from a rare type of stomach cancer.

Verne Troyer – 49 Years

Probably the most loved villain of the ’90s, Verne Troyer, a.k.a Mini-me from Austin Powers is a legendary comedian and actor. Verne worked in some of the blockbuster movies like the Harry Potter Franchise, Men in Black, and Bubble Boy. 

He was born with a rare disease named cartilage-hair hypoplasia, which limited his physical growth to just 2.8 ft tall. But this huge setback was nothing for Troyer as he made his own niche in Hollywood through his talent and hard work. Late in his career, he was suffering from acute depression, and in April 2018, he decided to take his own life. leaving behind a wonderful career.

John Cazale

John Cazale was known for his roles in the Oscar-nominated films, The Godfather, The Conversation, The Godfather Part II, Dog Day Afternoon, and The Deer Hunter.  Being married to his work, Cazale chose to continue acting despite being diagnosed with lung cancer. This was the result of his habit of chain-smoking. 

The archival footage Cazale was seen in Godfather III, twelve years after his death. He died in March 1978, shortly after completing filming his role in The Deer Hunter. His then-wife, Meryl Streep, was by his side throughout his battle with cancer. 

Heather O’Rourke

Heather O’Rourke was an American child actress. She was discovered by director Steven Spielberg when she was five. He cast her as Carol Anne Freeling in the horror film Poltergeist and its two sequels. O’Rourke also had a recurring role on Happy Days. Her older sister, Tammy O’Rourke, was also an actress.

Other than acting, Heather attended Big Bear Elementary School. She was also the president of her class. Due to her success, the family purchased a home in Big Bear Lake, California. She died at the age of 12 of cardiac arrest caused by a misdiagnosed intestinal stenosis in February 1988. 

Jonathan Brandis

Jonathan Brandis was known as one of the pin-up heartthrobs of the 90s, appearing in every teen magazine thanks to his early success in films such as The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter, Ride with the Devil, Stephen King’s horror miniseries IT and the TV series SeaQuest DSV. 

After getting massive success as a teen, the young actor failed to get attention from big producers and acquire significant roles. This led him to a depressed state of mind, and in November 2003, Brandis took his own life by hanging himself. 

Guillaume Depardieu 

The oldest son of French actor Gérard Depardieu, Guillaume Depardieu, was a talented actor in his own rights. The winner of the prestigious César Award shared the screen with his father several times, even though he wasn’t that close to him.

Depardieu was married to actress Elise Venture for a period of two years and had a daughter together. He died in October 2008 at the age of 37 from severe viral pneumonia he caught while on set filming his last film, “L’enfance d’Icare”. The actor is said to have reconciled with his father just before he passed away. 

Cory Monteith

The handsome Cory Monteith shined brightly as the lovable Finn Hudson in the hit show Glee, along with his real-life girlfriend and co-star Lea Michele. Monteith had troubled adolescence, which had him enrolled in various programs for troubled teens. He switched sixteen schools before finally dropping out when he was sixteen. 

Monteith’s death was scripted in the show where the cast paid tribute to Finn Hudson. However, due to his clean public image, the reason for his death was kept hidden in the show. In the episode, Mr. Schue urges members of the glee club to remember Hudson with the only way they knew – by singing.

Thuy Trang

Thuy Trang was a Vietnamese-American actress mostly known for her role as the original Yellow Ranger, Trini Kwan in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, a television series. The actress also played Kali in the 1996 film The Crow: City of Angels.  

Trang enrolled at the University of California, Irvine, to pursue civil engineering. However, a film agent observed her during an introductory acting class and offered to represent her. That’s when she switched her focus to acting. Trang appeared in a total of 80 episodes in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. At the age of 27, Trang died in a car accident near San Francisco in September 2001.

Judith Eva Barsi

At the age of five, the Little one, Judith Barsi, was first discovered in a skating rink for a Donald Duck Orange Juice commercial. Gradually she featured in hundreds of commercials and multiple shows and three motion films as well. 

But while Judith was soaring high on her early success and raking in $100,000 a year, her father became more and more reclusive and somewhat abusive. Her family conditions stressed her out to the point of plucking her eyebrows and lashes. Alas, at the age of ten, she and her mother were shot by her father, putting an end to a future star.

Lisa Robin Kelly

The charismatic Lisa Robin Kelly didn’t have a pleasant life. She starred in episodes of various shows like Married… with Children, Silk Stalkings and X-Files, but is best known for the role of Laurie Forman in That ’70s Show.

But soon after she suffered a miscarriage, she gave in to drinking. This habit cost her many roles, including that of Laurie Forman, and she almost disappeared away from the show biz. Lisa also had a few run-ins with the law and underwent unsupervised probations or got released on bails. Finally, at the age of 43, she died in her sleep with accidental intoxication.

Chris Penn

Chris Penn often featured as an antagonist or in comic roles, but not many are aware that he began his acting career at the age of ten in 1979’s Charlie and the Talking Buzzard. Gradually, he gave us many memorable performances in movies like Reservoir Dogs, American Pie, and The Funeral.

Chris also voiced the role of Officer Eddie Pulaski in the GTA: San Andreas video game. However, he was discovered lifeless in his condo at the age of 40. While his autopsy revealed a heart disease as the possible cause, his brother, Sean Penn, blamed it for his obesity.

James Avery

Best known as the Uncle Phil from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, James Avery had an illustrative career with many top movies and shows in his kitty. He was also a US Navy veteran who served in the Vietnam war, a poet and a voice artist. Remember the voice of Shredder in the animated series of Teenage Mutant Ninja? That was him!

However, he left the world at the age of 68, from some health complications after open-heart surgery. His former co-star, Will Smith, also bid him a tearful and heartfelt farewell, saying that every young man needs an Uncle Phil.

Steve Irwin

“The Crocodile Hunter”, Steve Irwin became an international TV personality. Not only did Steve make news for his love for animals, but Steve was also a staunch supporter of saving the environment. The phrase, “He died doing what he loved,” becomes true for Irwin as he died after being stung in the chest by a stingray barb in September 2006 while filming “Ocean’s Deadliest” an underwater documentary.    

Steve left this world with a legacy of love for animals & a son and daughter who have already filled in their father’s shoes with the same grit and passion. There are several parks, zoos & an asteroid to his name. 

John Ritter

John Ritter was famous for his role as Jack Tripper in “Three’s Company,” who shared an apartment with two beautiful women. He also won an Emmy and Golden Globe awards for his role in the show.

He was the son of Tex Ritter, a singing cowboy star. Ritter was married to actress Nancy Morgan, and the couple had three children together before divorcing in 1996. After a year, he married actress Amy Yasbeck with whom he has a son. Ritter had a bright career as an actor and comedian before his death in 2003. He passed away from an aortic dissection while working on the show 8 Simple Rules.

Johnny K. Lewis

Johnny K. Lewis left his home at the age of eighteen to pursue a career in acting. He started with a steady career in supporting roles in both movies and T.V. shows. His most notable roles were as Chili on The O.C. and Half-Sack on Sons of Anarchy. 

In September 2006, 28-year-old Lewis was found dead in his landlady’s home. His landlady, Catherine Davis, was also found dead. After his death, Lewis’s family admitted to his history of untreated head trauma, leading to a psychological disorder with sudden spurts of violence.

Leslie Carter

Leslie Carter was an American pop singer. She was best known as Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter and Aaron Carter’s sister. Leslie started pursuing a career in music, much like her siblings. Her single, Like Wow! appeared on the Shrek soundtrack, but she passed away before releasing her full album. 

Leslie got married to Mike Ashton in 2008 and moved to Toronto. The couple welcomed their daughter Alyssa Jane Ashton in 2011. When her daughter was just ten months old, Leslie was found dead at her brother, Robert Carter’s home. Before she died, she complained of feeling ill after falling in the shower. 

Anton Yelchin

The Russian American actor, Anton Yelchin was a rising star who went too soon. Anton received the first big push in his career through the miniseries Taken, by Steven Spielberg. He also went on to essay the role of Pavel Chekov in three Star Trek movies. 

However, his presumably prosperous career came to an abrupt end when he was found unconscious between his Jeep Grand Cherokee and a brick pillar after failing to reach his rehearsal and later declared dead. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the manufacturers of this model, we’re aware of such malfunctioning, and this freak accident could have been avoided if they had recalled the vehicles a bit earlier. 

Lee Thompson Young

Lee Thompson Young was known for his leading teenage role in the Disney Channel T.V. series The Famous Jett Jackson and Rizzoli & Isles police. Young also enjoyed writing and wrote the screenplay for a short film.

In August 2013, when Young didn’t show up for filming an episode of Rizzoli & Isles, the police were called to check on him. However, they found him dead in his apartment. His manager later confirmed that he had taken his own life. Young was treated for bipolar disorder and had been suffering from depression before his death. To remove the stigma around mental illness, his family launched the Lee Thompson Young Foundation.

Corey Haim

The 80s teen star, Corey Haim, was mostly known for his role in the cult classic The Lost Boys. Corey grew up a very shy boy, and to overcome this, his mother enrolled him in drama classes. However, he did not show much interest in this field and was interested in ice hockey and comic books. 

While accompanying his sister to her auditions, Haim was noticed and offered roles as a child actor. However, throughout his career, Haim faced several difficulties from his teen stardom persona. In March 2010, Haim died of pulmonary edema and was also suffering from an enlarged heart, water in the lungs, and other pneumonia complications. 

Rob Knox

Rob Knox, an English actor, began his acting career at the age of 11 and starred in many TV shows. He also portrayed the role of Marcus Belby in the movie Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, though it was released posthumously. However, he was also signed for the next movie of the Harry Potter franchise.

It was in 2008, outside a Metro Bar in Sidcup, when he was fatally stabbed while trying to save his brother from two armed men. This incident caused a national uproar, and the assailant was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment. But another talent was lost at a ripe age of 18. 

Skye McCole Bartusiak

Skye McCole Bartusiak was a child actress and child model. She is notably remembered as Mel Gibson’s daughter in The Patriot. She has appeared in movies like Don’t Say a Word, Boogeyman, and Kill Your Darlings. 

Skye started her acting career at the age of seven. With over thirty-five films and television roles, the actress died at the age of 21 from overconsumption of epilepsy medication. She was found sitting up in her bed by her boyfriend. Skye’s mother began CPR on her before the paramedics arrived. They have said to work for 45 minutes to resuscitate her. 

Joanie Laurer (Chyna)

Pro-Wrestler Chyna was one of the biggest female stars ever to step foot in a wrestling ring. Making her name in WWE and then WWF, she later made her way to Japan and TNA and has been a force for almost sixteen years. Outside of wrestling, Chyna appeared in Playboy magazine twice, as well as numerous television shows and films. 

In April 2016, Laurer was found dead at her home by her manager Anthony Anzaldo. Anzaldo speculated something fishy as Laurer did not post anything on her social media outlets for days. Her brain was later donated to science to study the effects of chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Brittany Murphy

Actress Brittany Murphy had over 60 acting roles in her 23 years career, but her breakthrough role as Tai Frasier in the 90s teen cult movie Clueless became the most memorable one. Murphy also gave her voice to the animated television series King of the Hill as Luanne Platter for 12 years. 

In December 2009, Brittany collapsed in her bathroom following acute pneumonia and anemia. While the emergency services tried to resuscitate her, she breathed her last in the hospital. It was later reported that toxic mold in her house could also be a contributing factor to her health condition.

Bill Paxton

With over 100 films and television credits to his name, Bill Paxton was one of the most renowned actors and directors of his time. He has starred in various blockbusters, including The Terminator, Commando, Weird Science, Aliens, Near Dark, Predator, Edge of Tomorrow, and Nightcrawler. 

Paxton has married twice. His second marriage was with Louise Newbury, with whom the actor-director had two children. In February 2017, Paxton died at the age of 61 from a stroke as a result of complications from his heart and aorta surgery. Two months after his death, his final film was released.

Miguel Ferrer

The Oscar-nominated and Academy award-winning actor and voice artist, Miguel Ferrer, is known for bringing a stern charm to his characters. His role as NCIS Assistant Director Owen Granger in NCIS: Los Angeles and holds, a chief medical examiner in Crossing Jordan, were no exceptions. 

His first breakthrough role was in the 1987 movie RoboCop, and he had over 100 TV & Film credits to his name. Besides, not many are aware that he was also George Clooney’s cousin, apart from many more relatives in the show biz. Ferrer died from throat cancer in January 2017, at the age of 61. 

Gene Wilder

A true Renaissance Man, Gene Wilder was an actor, screenwriter, director, producer, singer-songwriter, and author. Many knew him as the original Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory film (and as an internet meme star). His last guest appearance was in Will and Grace that won him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor.  The Bonnie and Clyde actor died at the age of 83 in August 2016, at home from complications of Alzheimer’s.

Besides, going through chemotherapy for cancer also deteriorated Wilder’s health. The actor left behind his then-wife Gilda Radner and daughter Katharine Wilder.

Alexis Arquette

Actress and cabaret performer Alexis Arquette was well known for her transgender activism and a stunning acting career twenty-six years. Apart from that, she was also well-known because of her famous siblings – Rosanna, Richmond, Patricia, and David Arquette. 

Born as Robert Arquette, Alexis underwent gender transition in her late 30s and was a supporter of transgender people. Alexis contracted HIV in 1987 and suffered from ill-health throughout the rest of her life. She was placed in a coma and died on 11 September 2016 from a cardiac arrest caused by medical complications of HIV when she was only forty-seven years old.

Florence Henderson

Florence Henderson is best remembered for her starring role as the perfect mom, Carol Brady, on the sitcom The Brady Bunch. Henderson was an actress and singer with a career that spanned nearly six decades. She was taught to sing by her mother when she was just two years old. By the time she was twelve, she was singing at a local grocery store. She also appeared in various movies and hosted a variety of shows. 

Her television appearance also includes Dancing with the Stars in 2010. The actor and singer hosted her own talk shows. Florence died on Thanksgiving Day at the age of 82 from heart failure. 

Peter Vaughan

Peter Vaughan was a British actor known for many supporting roles in British film, TV and stage productions. Apart from acting in the movies, he also worked on the stage. His most recent role was as Maester Aemon Targaryen on Games of Thrones. Vaughan was married twice and lived with his second wife, Lillias Walker, up until his death in West Sussex.

After completing his school, Vaughan joined theatre and learned the basics of acting before serving for the Second World War. Vaughan was partially blind and died in December 2016 at the age of 93 of natural causes.

Zsa Zsa Gabor

Zsa Zsa Gabor was a Hungarian-American actress, TV personality,  and socialite. She is mostly notably known for her role in the 50s version of Moulin Rouge and Lovely to Look at. The glamorous beauty was crowned Miss Hungary in 1936. She also released an autobiography in 1960, talking about her personal life. 

Outside her acting career, Gabor was known for her extravagant Hollywood lifestyle and for her many marriages. In total, Gabor had nine husbands and many messy divorces. She also lost a fortune investing in third-party accounting firms. Gabor died at the age of 99 of cardiac arrest.

Ron Glass

Ronald Earle Glass, better known as Ron Glass, was an American actor. He was famous for his role as Detective Ron Harris in the television sitcom Barney Miller. Besides, he has also worked in the science-fiction series Firefly and its sequel Serenity as Shepherd Derrial Book. His television appearances include episodes of Sanford and Son, Hawaii Five-O, and The Bob Newhart Show.

Glass was a double major in drama and literature and an alumnus of the University of Evansville. He landed in acting due to his teacher’s encouragement. Glass died of respiratory failure in November 2016, at the age of 71.

John Hurt

In over 50 years of an illustrative career, John Hurt had earned three BAFTAs, two Oscars, and multiple nominations for his roles. His notable movies include The Wild and the Willing, A Man for All Seasons, Midnight Express, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

In 2015, John made it public that he was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer stage one and will probably recover. However, the same year, it made a remission, and he gradually started dropping several projects due to health reasons. John surely had a celebrated life, and he lost his life to pancreatic cancer, only three days after his 77th birthday. 

Alan Thicke

Alan Thicke was a Canadian actor and TV show host. Mostly remembered as Jason Seaver, the beloved father, and psychiatrist on the TV show Growing Pains. He also hosted several Canadian game shows, including First Impressions and Pictionary. In 2013, Thicke was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame for his remarkable career. 

In real life, he was the father of actor Brennan Thicke and singer Robin Thicke. In December 2016, Thicke collapsed while playing hockey with his son Chris and died of a ruptured aorta at the age of 69. He was married to Tanya Callau in 2015 at the time of his death. 

Marcia Wallace

Marcia Wallace was an actress and comedian who was known for her tall frame, red hair, and distinctive laugh. She had a career spanning five decades on T.V., film, and stage. Wallace is best known for her role as Carol Kester in The Bob Newhart Show. This role was specially created for her since she was a frequent guest on The Merv Griffin Show. 

In 1985, Wallace was diagnosed with breast cancer. Right after that, she became a cancer activist and continued to spread awareness amongst people throughout her life. Wallace passed away from pneumonia and sepsis in October 2013, a week before her 71st birthday.

Michael Clarke Duncan

Beloved actor Michael Clarke Duncan became an international success with his breakout role as the gentle giant in The Green Mile. Duncan always wanted to act; however, he had to drop out of University when his mother became ill. His large frame helped him land various jobs at Chicago clubs. 

While looking for a job in the acting, Duncan worked as a bodyguard to several prominent personalities like Will Smith. Soon he was cast in Armageddon and became friends with Bruce Willis, who helped him with his breakout role. In September 2012, at the age of 54, Duncan died from a heart attack.

John Spencer

John Spencer was known for many of his film & TV roles, though most noteworthy was his Emmy winning role of the White House Chief of Staff Leo McGarry on The West Wing and A.D.A. for which he also received the Primetime Emmy Award, apart from Tommy Mullaney on L.A. Law. 

He remained active all through the years, and even his last episodes of West Wing were in the post-production stage when he expired. Spencer died in December 2005, following a heart attack, only four days before his 59th birthday. 

Glenn Quinn

The Irish actor Glenn Quinn was known for his roles of Mark Healy in Roseanne and Doyle in Buffy the Vampire Slayer spin-off show Angel. He was the son of Murty Quinn, a leading musician, and singer. He emigrated from Ireland with his mother and sisters to the United States while he was still a teenager. The family later settled in L.A., California. 

Quinn never got married and had no children. Months before his death, Quinn was struggling with homelessness, and compensating for his loneliness, he took an unsafe road, which ultimately led to his death. The actor was just 32 years old when he died. 

Sunny Johnson

Sunny Sue Johnson is best known as the figure-skating beauty, Jeanie Szaboin, in the hottest movie of the 80’s – Flashdance. But apart from this romantic American drama flick, Sunny also featured in Charlie’s Angels, Dr. Heckyl and Mr. Hype, and The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia, among other shows and movies. 

However, she had a short-lived career as she passed away at 30 in June 1984. Johnson was found unconscious in her boyfriend, Archie Hahn’s home, and later doctors discovered that she had a ruptured aneurysm in her brain, and was put off life support the next day. 

Harold Ramis

Harold Ramis co-wrote and acted in the cult films Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II as Eagon Spengler and as Russell Ziskey in Stripes. He also directed films such as Caddyshack, National Lampoon’s Vacation, and Analyze This. Ramis won a Bafta along with Danny Rubin for the screenplay of Groundhog Day.

He is considered one of the greatest comedic filmmakers in American history. Ramis passed away at the age of 69 in February 2014 from vasculitis, an autoimmune disease. This was a four-year health battle of not even being able to walk. He left behind four children from his two marriages and a relationship. 

Richard Griffiths

Remember the muggle Uncle Vernon of Harry Potter? Or Henry Crabbe in Pie in the Sky? These roles were wonderfully played by the British actor Richard Griffiths. Through his various supporting and lead roles in films, TV, and theater, he earned multiple awards, including Tony and Theater World Awards.  

However, he came from the era of radio and the classical stage, and had already earned the reputation of being a Shakespearean clown and was great with dialects. While he was still active at work, Richard died of some complications following heart surgery in March 2013 at the age of 65. 

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