Famous Celebrities Who Died Too Soon
Famous People Who Died Too Soon -
This year marks the 15th anniversary of the death of world-famous
fashion designer Gianni Versace, who was gunned down at age 50 on July
15, 1997. See our list of other well-known people who died too soon.
Rodney King
Rodney King was the victim of a brutal police beating in Los Angeles
that sparked the LA riots in 1992. King, 47, was found dead at his home
on June 17, 2012. rodney king autopsy deferred, rodney king found dead
in swimming pool, rodney king plea can we all get along,
Adam Yauch
Adam Yauch, also known as MCA, and his group Beastie Boys are considered
pioneers in hip hop music. At age 47, Yauch passed away on May 4, 2012
– shortly after the group was given a major honor. adam yauch cause of
death cancer,
Junior Seau
A longtime linebacker for the San Diego Chargers, Seau is remembered by
many as a sports icon. The 43-year-old was found dead on May 2, 2012.
junior seau dead shooting himself in the chest, junior seau home
burglarized, junior seau restaurant shut down,
Whitney Houston
Internationally known for her phenomenal voice, Whitney Houston was
often referred to as one of the best female pop singers of all time. She
died at age 48 on Feb.11, 2012, whitney houston death, whitney houston
cause of death Cocaine overdose · Coronary heart disease · Drowning,
bobby kristina brown cast on tyler perry show,
Heavy D
Heavy D was a popular rapper in the '90s who was just starting to make a
slow comeback. He died on Nov. 8, 2011, at the age of 44 – one month
after performing in a tribute concert for another fallen singer. heavy d
cause of death pulmonary embolism,
Amy Winehouse
Blue-eyed soul hits such as "Rehab" and "Back to Black" propelled this
troubled British songstress to international fame. She died at age 27 on
July 23, 2011. amy winehouse cause of death Alcohol intoxication, Amy
Winehouse coroner resigned, Amy Winehouse + 2012 Grammy + "Body and
Soul",
Nate Dogg
Nate Dogg was widely recognized as the singer in several huge rap hits.
He's the cousin of rapper Snoop Dogg, with whom he also performed. Nate
Dogg was 41 when he died in Long Beach, Calif., on March 15, 2011.
nate dogg cause of death Myocardial infarction, nathaniel dwayne hale,
Corey Haim
Corey Haim became a Hollywood teen idol in the '80s after starring in
movies like "Silver Bullet" and "License to Drive." He also became good
friends and made several movies with another '80s heartthrob. Haim died
at age 38 on March 10, 2010. corey haim cause of death Drug overdose ·
Pneumonia,
Brittany Murphy
Actress Brittany Murphy is probably best known for her roles in the
films "Clueless," "8 Mile," and "Don't Say a Word." She was 32 years old
when she collapsed and died on December 20, 2009. brittany murphy
cause of death Cardiac arrest · Pneumonia, simon monjack found dead,
brittany murphy something wicked,
Steve McNair
Star NFL quarterback Steve McNair was believed to have been sleeping
when he died on July 4, 2009 at age 36. steve mcnair cause of death
Gunshot injury, steve mcnair restaurant,
Michael Jackson
Fans all over the world mourned after music icon Michael Jackson, also
known as the "King of Pop", died on June 25, 2009. The 50-year-old
passed away weeks before kicking off his "This Is It" tour in London.
michael jackson cause of death Cardiac arrest · Homicide · Propofol,
michael jackson tiger dies, conrad murray guilty involuntary
manslaughter,
Heath Ledger
This foreign-born star of a controversial hit film left behind a young
daughter when he died on Jan. 22, 2008, at age 28. heath ledger cause of
death Drug overdose, heath ledger doctor under investigation, heath
ledger wins best supporting actor dark knight,
Sean Taylor
The NFL safety from Miami died in his hometown on Nov. 27, 2007, at age
24. sean taylor cause of death, Sean Taylor + Washington Redskins Ring
of Fame,
Anna Nicole Smith
Former Playboy playmate Anna Nicole Smith died at age 39 on Feb. 8,
2007, nearly five months after her son Daniel's sudden passing at age
20. anna nicole smith cause of death Drug overdose, howard k stern
conviction dismissed,
Pat Tillman
Tillman was an NFL defensive back who enlisted in the U.S. Army after
September 11 and served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He was 27 when he
died on April 22, 2004. pat tillman cause of death Firearm · Friendly
fire · Gunshot, Pat Tillman initial death cover-up,
Jam Master Jay
Known as the DJ for the iconic rap group Run-D.M.C., Jam Master Jay was
37 when he died on October 30, 2002. jam master jay cause of death
Firearm · Murder,
Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes
One-third of a chart-topping '90s R&B group, Lopes rapped through
such hits as "No Scrubs" and "Waterfalls". She died at age 30 on April
25, 2002. Lisa Lopes + car accident,
Aaliyah
The 22-year-old R&B singer and actress released a self-titled album a
month before she died on Aug. 25, 2001. aaliyah cause of death Air
disaster, Luis Morales III pilot + autopsy + cocaine, Aaliyah + plane
exceeded weight limit, damon dash aaliyah,
Derrick Thomas
Thomas was a linebacker in the NFL known for his signature move. He died
at age 33 on Feb. 8, 2000. derrick thomas cause of death Pulmonary
embolism, Derrick Thomas Pro Football Hall of Fame,
John F. Kennedy Jr.
JFK Jr., the son of the late President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline
Kennedy, was 38 when died on July 16, 1999 along with his wife, Carolyn
Bessette-Kennedy, 33, and her sister. john f kennedy jr cause of death
Air disaster, jfk jr assistant plane carolyn,
Chris Farley
"Saturday Night Live" funnyman Chris Farley was known for his style of
physical comedy. He was found dead on Dec. 18, 1997 at age 33. Eight
years later, he received this posthumous honor. chris farley cause of
death Drug overdose · Heroin overdose · Morphine · accidental
opiate/cocaine intoxication and coronary atherosclerosis
Princess Diana
The glamorous princess became a style icon while married to Great
Britain's heir to the throne. Her life was cut short on Aug. 31, 1997,
when she was 36. princess diana cause of death Traffic collision,
boyfriend Dodi Fayed + driver Henri Paul, Diana killed by driver's gross
negligence,
The Notorious B.I.G.
The Brooklyn-based rapper, hailed as one of the genre’s greats, died at
age 24 on March 9, 1997. notorious big cause of death Firearm · Gunshot
· Murder, The Notorious B.I.G. unsolved murder, Voletta Wallace +
wrongful death lawsuit + LAPD,
Tupac Shakur
This 25-year-old rapper turned actor spent his last day — Sept. 13, 1996
— attending a major sporting event. tupac shakur cause of death
Firearm · Gunshot · Murder · Respiratory failure, tupac hologram
coachella, Orlando Anderson + Tupac Shakur,
Krissy Taylor
She was the little sister of a supermodel whose own star was on the rise
when she died at age 17 on July 2, 1995. krissy taylor cause of death
Asthma · Cardiovascular disease · Heart failure, The C.A.R.E.
Foundation + Krissy Taylor
Selena
Grammy-winning singer Selena was often referred to as "The Queen of
Tejano Music" or the Mexican equivalent of an American pop singer. She
was 23 years old when she died on March 31, 1995 selena cause of death
Firearm · Homicide · Murder,
Kurt Cobain
The grunge rock front man, best known for the '90s anthem "Smells Like
Teen Spirit," died at age 27 on April 5, 1994, leaving behind a singer
spouse and a young daughter. kurt cobain cause of death Firearm ·
Gunshot · Suicide,
River Phoenix
Phoenix, fondly remembered for his role in an '80s film favorite, died
at age 23 before he was to perform a Halloween gig with a rock-star
friend at a Hollywood venue in 1993. river phoenix cause of death Heart
failure · Heroin overdose,
Jean-Michel Basquiat
This Brooklyn artist — backed by a well-connected friend — shook up New
York’s elite art world throughout the '80s, until his death at age 27
on Aug. 12, 1988. Jean-Michel Basquiat cause of death Drug overdose ·
Heroin overdose, Jean-Michel Basquiat + invisible ink signature,