Death and taxes: it's said that these are the only two certainties in life. And celebrities, even though they're given an elevated status in our media-obsessed culture, can't dodge either one, unfortunately for them. Raising deep, existential questions, celebrity deaths tend to be episodes of national introspection; this has especially been the case as successive generations grow up entirely immersed in celebrity culture. Let's take a look at 33 celebrities, both rich and poor when they died, whose deaths made celebrity news - and in some cases, whose deaths are still talked about.

Sean Connery -Died at 90, Died in good return

He became a star mainly by starring as James Bond in Thunderball and Goldfinger in the ‘60s. By the time the ‘80s came around, Sean Connery’s reputation was preceding him as he continued to play the role until 1983. It was during that era when he won his Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for portraying Jimmy Malone in The Untouchables. Sean has now recently turned 90 and is worth a whopping $350 million. He’s been married to Micheline Roquebrune since 1975. The last film in which he participated in before officially retiring was Sir Billi the Vet in 2012. Sean connery past away on 31/10/2020 at the age of 90.

John Candy - 43 - Heart Attack

One of the most popular comedians and character actors of the 1980s and the '90s, John Candy appeared in a string of high-grossing comedies like Cool Runnings and Uncle Buck. Candy, who was born in Canada but rose to popularity in Chicago's Second City comedy troupe, struggled with obesity for much of his adult life. He died at 43 in 1994 of a presumed heart attack while on vacation, although an official cause was never established given the fact that no autopsy was performed afterward. Sources have indicated that he had $15 million in net worth when he passed.

Johnny Cash - 71 - Diabetes

John R. Cash or more popularly known, just Johnny Cash was a world-renown singer and actor who rose to fame in the 1950s and his songs are still massive hits even for this generation. Cash became a huge star in the following decades, and his musical legacy is monumental, with his records having reached over 90 million in sales. He was 71 years old when he passed away due to diabetes back in 2003. His wife died four months earlier and it's believed that his grief was an aggravating factor towards his deteriorating health.

 

Andy Griffith - 86 - Heart Attack

Andy Griffith was massively known as a multitalented person. He was an actor, comedian, television producer and even a gospel singer Known for his characters with a folksy-friendly personality and his distinctive voice, Griffith was nominated twice for a Tony award. He saw his breakthrough for his television roles, as Andy Taylor in the sitcom The Andy Griffith Show and Ben Matlock in Matlock. Griffith, sadly, died on July 2012, from a heart attack at the age of 86 at his home in Manteo,North Carolina. He was buried in the Griffith family cemetery on the island within a few hours of his death.

Donna Douglas - 82 - Pancreatic Cancer

Donna Douglas was an actress and singer, who saw the breakthrough of her career as Elly May Clampett in the CBS sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies during the ’60s and the ’70s. Following her acting career, Douglas seemed to be quite multitalented and so engaged in various career paths such as real estate agent, gospel singer, and even an author. In addition to her frequent traveling, Douglas also enjoyed gardening as well as communicating with her numerous fans. Douglas died, unfortunately, at the age of 82, in 2015, from pancreatic cancer.

Marilyn Monroe - 36 - Barbiturate Overdose

Born into poverty in Los Angeles as Norma Jean Mortenson, Marilyn Monroe spent some of her early years in an orphanage. She first found success as a model during World War II and moved on to film appearances. Marilyn, who became the first-ever Playboy centerfold in 1953, has had a cultural influence that's proven to far outrank her small net worth of just $370 thousand at the time her death. She overdosed on barbiturates in 1962 at age 36 spreading grief all across the globe as she had been widely popular and loved for her acting skills and sublime looks.

Bernie Mac - 50 - Sarcoidosis

Chicago native Bernie Mac didn't achieve success in comedy until relatively later in life, making a prominent debut in an HBO Def Jam Comedy special at age 32. Mac, whose birth name was Bernard Jeffrey McCullough, steadily built his earnings in the following years, scoring his own self-titled sitcom in 2001 since his skills in stand-up comedy were outstanding. The actor suffered from the chronic tissue disease sarcoidosis, a condition that led to his untimely death at age 50 in August 2008. His last two films, including Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, were released posthumously.

Leslie Nielsen - 84- Pneumonia

Born to European parents in Canada, Leslie Nielsen was a prolific and versatile actor who originally appeared as a leading man in dramatic films throughout the 1950s and the '60s. He broke through as a popular comedian in the '80s with lead roles in Airplane! and in the comedy franchise The Naked Gun. The actor sadly died of complications related to pneumonia at the age of 84, not far from his high-rise property in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The late actor allegedly had a $20-million net worth by the time of his death.

Michael Clarke Duncan - 54 - Heart Attack

While trying to break through in Hollywood, Michael Clarke Duncan spent part of his adulthood making money as a personal security guard for Will Smith and the Notorious B.I.G., among others. However, after B.I.G’s death, Duncan decided he needed to change his career and turned to acting. He was in Armageddon in 1997 and in a career-making role in the Stephen King adaptation The Green Mile in 1999. After a string of comedies and action movies, Duncan died unexpectedly at age 54 of a heart attack.

John Wayne - 72 - Cancer

The quintessential "tough guy" of 20th-century cinema, John Wayne was born in Iowa and had a prominent college football career at USC before an injury ended his athletic prospects. His injury led him to the perfect career for him though! Starting with Stagecoach, Wayne appeared in over 80 Westerns and more than 142 movies in total. John Wayne (who was also known by the nickname Duke), spent his later years in a deluxe house in Newport Beach, California. He died of cancer at age 72 in 1979, with a net worth of $50 million, according to sources.

Pete Postlethwaite - 64 - Pancreatic Cancer

Pete Postlethwaite, whose stern features helped him convey intensity in movies like Amistad and The Usual Suspects, almost became a Catholic priest. However, he left the seminary for an acting career, first appearing on television in his native England. Although Steven Spielberg once called him the "world's best actor," Postlethwaite left behind an inheritance of just $280K for his family when he died of pancreatic cancer at age 64. Despite what many of his fans may think because he used to take upon roles of Irish protagonists, Pete was not of Irish descent!

Carroll O'Connor - 76 - Diabetes

Carroll O’Connor is someone whose legacy continues to live through a variety of work as a director, producer, and actor. O’Connor was mostly focused on television series as he made appearances and starred in shows such as Mad About You, Kelly’s Heroes, Heat of the Night, and All in the Family. When it came to his private life, the actor was happily married to Nancy Fields O'Connor since 1951 until his death in 2001. Talking about the ultimate love story. Up until today, he is still considered as one of the Greatest stars of his era.

Eli Wallach - 98 - Natural Causes

Eli Wallach entered history as one of the most amazing artists in Hollywood, earning a status of a true movie star and one of the best character actors ever born. There was no part Wallach couldn’t play and we’ll mention just some of them in his rich acting portfolio. The actor starred in blockbusters The Misfits, How the West Was Won, The Magnificent Seven, and The Ghost Writer. We bet you remember all of his magnificent appearances! In 2014, Wallach passed away at the age of 98 due to natural causes.

Ingrid Bergman - 67 - Breast Cancer

An international star best remembered in the U.S. for her parts in Casablanca as Ilsa Lund and Alfred Hitchcock's Notorious as Alicia Huberman, Ingrid Bergman was born and raised in Sweden. Bergman, who found herself at the center of a scandal after becoming pregnant by director Roberto Rossellini while married to another man, nevertheless sustained an acting career until the late '70s. She died at age 67 of breast cancer. Her legacy lives on in daughter Isabella Rossellini, who is also an actor. Bergman had a net worth of $20 million.

Karen Carpenter - 32 - Congestive Heart Failure

You probably grew up listening to songs like Close to You and I Need to Be in Love of Karen Carpenter. Karen was the other half of the duo The Carpenters together with her brother Richard. Karen was a singer and a great drummer. Over the years, her voice has been praised by people and fellow musicians. However, unknown to many, she was suffering from an eating disorder, little known at her time, from the mid-'70s until her death in 1983.  Karen died of heart failure at 32, which resulted from her years of starving herself.

Patrick Swayze - 57 - Pancreatic Cancer

Patrick Swayze made audiences swoon as a hunky dance instructor in 1987's Dirty Dancing, but he was also a dancer in real life, having studied ballet in New York in the 1970s. After breaking through, he stole scenes in Ghost, Point Break, and even as a drag queen in the comedy To Wong Foo. He used to be a total heartthrob and there was no woman that could resist him back in his heyday. Sadly, despite undergoing surgery to remove his cancer in 2008 and various chemotherapy treatments, Swayze died at the age of 57 years old.

Diana Rigg – 82 – Cancer

Diana Rigg might have recently passed away, but she will forever be remembered. After all, as an actress, she has delivered unforgettable performances both on-stage and for the camera. She was diagnosed with cancer in March 2020, and passed away just months later, in September at the age of 82. She’s been in anything from a James Bond film of the ‘60s to the Game of Thrones series. She left behind a $10-million fortune and a legacy for other young actresses to follow. Diana is now survived by her daughter, Rachael Stirling, who, as it just so happens, is also an actress.

Sharon Tate - 26 - Murdered

Sharon Tate's acting career was just getting started when she was murdered at age 26 in 1969. The actress, who had appeared in the campy hit Valley of the Dolls, was married to director Roman Polanski and was entertaining friends at their deluxe house in Los Angeles when followers of cult leader Charles Manson broke in. Manson's so-called "family" stabbed the pregnant Tate to death, along with four others. Reportedly, she had a net worth of $1 million.

Peter Boyle - 71 - Myeloma

Although later audiences remember him as Ray Romano's dad on Evereyone Loves Raymond, Peter Boyle had a thriving movie career before moving on to TV. Boyle found success in both comedy and drama, including the Mel Brooks hit, Young Frankenstein. He died of complications from myeloma at age 71. After his death, a charity was established in his name which has raised over $1 million for myeloma research.

Bruce Lee - 32 - Allergic Reaction

Bruce Lee helped popularize kung fu in the United States, thanks to movies like Enter the Dragon and Fist of Fury. The Hong Kong native trained in martial arts from age 16 and studied drama in the United States. His breakthrough role in The Big Boss eventually helped him buy an expansive piece of real estate in the affluent Kowloon Tong district. Lee died suddenly of an adverse reaction to painkillers at age 32.

Rita Hayworth - 68 - Alzheimer's Disease

A popular actress and pin-up girl of the 1940s and '50s, Rita Hayworth gained a reputation as a femme fetale in an otherwise conservative era. She had her breakthrough with the film noir drama, Gilda. A natural redhead, Hayworth was briefly married to Prince Aly Khan, the son of Islamic leader Aga Khan III, whose family net worth has been estimated at between $800 million and $3 billion. After a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease, she died at age 68 in 1987.

Richard Griffiths - 65 - Surgery Complications

Harry Potter fans would no doubt recognize Richard Griffiths as the hero's miserable Uncle Vernon Dursley, but the character actor played dozens of roles in movies like Gandhi and Gorky Park in his career that spanned over three decades. Griffiths died following complications from heart surgery at age 65. His fortune was estimated at $5 million at the time of his death.

David Carradine - 72 - Strangulation

Born in Hollywood, David Carradine was the son of actor John Carradine. David had his greatest success with the martial arts-themed series Kung Fu, playing a half-Chinese monk. His last major role was as the villain title character in Kill Bill and Kill Bill 2. Carradine died of what may have been an accidental hanging at age 72. In 2010, court documents estimated the actor's fortune at only $40K at the time of his death.

Virginia Rappe - 26 - Ruptured Bladder

A silent film actress of the 1920s, Virginia Rappe is better known for her sensational death than her acting career. Rappe died suddenly of a ruptured bladder at 26 after attending a party thrown by popular comedian Fatty Arbuckle. A friend of Rappe's accused Arbuckle of indecently assaulting her and causing the injury; Arbuckle's defenders suggested that Rappe's condition was the result of an abortion. Fatty Arbuckle stood three trials for her manslaughter and was acquitted in 1922.

Thelma Todd - 29 - Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Like Virginia Rappe, Thelma Todd made big headlines for her lurid death. Todd, a comedic actress who had starred with big names like Charlie Chaplin and the Marx Brothers, died in her own car, parked in the garage of an acquaintance, as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning. She was only 29. Although the circumstances were suspicious and several murder theories have circulated, Todd's death was eventually deemed an accident.

Natalie Wood - 43 - Drowned(?)

Russian-American beauty Natalie Wood was a child actress whose big break came with the holiday classic Miracle on 34th Street. Wood's fame (and bank account) grew with hits like West Side Story and Splendor in the Grass. She died at age 43 while on a boat with her husband Robert Wagner and actor Christopher Walken. She was said to have drowned and sustained several bruises. However, the circumstances surrounding her death have remained mysterious.

Lana Clarkson - 40 - Murdered

Actress Lana Clarkson had her first starring role in Fast Times at Ridgemont High and later appeared in a string of fantasy and exploitation movies; her career and earnings slowed down in the 1990s, however. In 2003, Clarkson died at age 40 after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head at the home of record producer Phil Spector. Spector was found guilty for her murder in 2009 and was sentenced to 19 years in prison.

Elvis Presley - 42 - Heart Attack

One of the world's first pop stars, Elvis Presley came from humble beginnings. A recording contract in 1954 led to a thriving movie career. Although his fame declined as his audience aged in the 1960s, Elvis made a comeback in 1968 and held regular shows in Las Vegas in the '70s. Elvis died at 42 from long-term drug abuse complications. His estate was valued at $10 million at the time of his death.

James Dean - 24 - Car Accident

Handsome and brooding James Dean studied drama at the UCLA before catching his big break in East of Eden. His most famous role was as iconoclastic teenager Jim Stark in Rebel Without a Cause. Dean was filming the movie Giant in 1955 when he was immediately killed in a car accident due to speeding. Ironically, the plot of Rebel Without a Cause comes to a climax in a fatal daredevil car-race scene. Dean was 24 when he died, and reportedly, he had a net worth estimated at $20 million.

Judy Garland - 47 - Barbiturate Overdose

Judy Garland made her debut as the lead in one of the most celebrated movies in history, The Wizard of Oz. Garland, who was originally from Minnesota, went on to sing and act in big-budget spectaculars like Meet Me in St. Louis. Sadly, Garland developed an addiction to drugs and reportedly had been prescribed amphetamines and barbiturates by MGM Studio to keep up with a busy production schedule. She died of a barbiturate overdose in 1969 at age 47.

Carole Lombard - 33 - Plane Crash

Early on in her career, Carole Lombard made $150 per week (or about $2.2K in 2018 terms), starring in comedies produced by the studio Pathé. Lombard boosted her earnings as she moved on to higher-profile movies like It Happened One Night alongside her future husband, Clark Gable. The actress was killed in a plane crash in 1942 while returning to Los Angeles from a war bond rally; she was 33.

Jean Harlow - 26 - Kidney Failure

Jean Harlow was one of the most popular actresses of the 1930s and the phrase "blonde bombshell" was originally coined to describe her. No doubt there! She sadly died at only 26 as a result of kidney failure. Coincidentally, Harlow's mansion, a spectacular piece of real estate in Benedict Canyon, later belonged to Jay Sebring, who was killed alongside Sharon Tate in 1968.

Montgomery Clift - 45 - Coronary Artery Disease

Montgomery Clift began his acting career on stage in New York before making a Hollywood debut in 1948's Red River. In the years that followed, Clift received three Best Actor Oscar nominations between 1948 and 1953 and a fourth in 1961. Clift's later life was marked by substance abuse, eventually leading to his death at his townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Clift was 45 years old.

Dorothy Dandridge - 42 - Accidental Overdose

Dorothy Dandridge broke boundaries as the first black actress to be nominated for a Best Actress Oscar in 1954. Dandridge performed as a singer in several New York City clubs in the 1930s. After achieving mainstream success, she lived in a 4,400-square foot mansion in the Hollywood Hills. Dorothy Dandridge died of what was deemed an accidental overdose of antidepressants at age 42.

Rudolph Valentino - 31 - Peritonitis

Silent film legend Rudolph Valentino immigrated from Italy to New York at just 18. Bankrupt and homeless, he performed several odd jobs before moving to Los Angeles and acting in musical productions. Valentino later proved to be box office gold, finding almost overnight success with 1921's The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, the highest-grossing silent film ever. He died of peritonitis in 1926 at age 31.

Carmen Miranda - 46 - Heart Attack

Carmen Miranda was born in Brazil, where she became famous as a radio star. Miranda parlayed this stardom into a movie career, appearing in several Hollywood musicals in the 1940s. Miranda died of a sudden heart attack at age 46 having her numerous fans saddened. Her legacy includes introducing samba music and fashion trends like her signature "tutti-frutti hats" to the United States.

Sal Mineo - 37 - Murdered

An amateur bodybuilder and artist's model, Italian-American Sal Mineo started out as a stage and musical actor in New York. His big break came when he co-starred with James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause. His Mediterranean looks (coupled with Hollywood's racism) led Mineo to be cast as a variety of different races, including a Mexican boy in Giant and a Native American in Tonka. Mineo died at 37 after being stabbed in an alley behind his West Hollywood apartment.

Katharine Hepburn - 96 - Cardiac Arrest

American film star Katharine Hepburn was recognized for more than her talent in acting. She was known for her fierce and spirited personality and her strong independence. Hepburn enjoyed over 60 years of Hollywood stardom in a range of genres. She was even named the greatest female star of Classic Hollywood Cinema by the American Film Institute in 1999. Her final on-screen appearance was at the age 87, in 1994, and she was in retirement until her death due to a heart attack in June 2003. She was 96.

James Stewart - 89 - Pulmonary Embolism

Military officer James Stewart shifted his career into acting and became one of the most honored stars in the entertainment industry and in film history. His distinctive drawl and laid-back attitude benefited him for 'American middle-class struggling men' type of roles. Several of his movies gained a place in history as classics. In 1997, he was suspected to have heart problems but found thrombosis in his right leg, which escalated to pulmonary embolism a week later. He died at 89, on July 2 of that year. His final words were "I'm going to be with Gloria now."

Bette Davis - 81 - Breast Cancer

It was breast cancer that claimed the life of actress Bette Davis. She was a talented woman, having acted in TV, film, and theater. She was an actress who was willing to portray the sardonic and unsympathetic characters, across a wide range of genres. She found her greatest success in romantic dramas. In 1989, she collapsed at the American Cinema Awards. Her health rapidly dwindled right after her visit to Spain, to the point where she couldn't return to America. She died at age 81, on October 6, 1989, in France.

Humphrey Bogart - 57 - Esophageal Cancer

American stage and screen actor, Humphrey Bogart, was a big name in the '40s, for his film noir movies like Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, and The Big Sleep. He earned the status of 'cultural icon.' Bogart developed cancer of the esophagus, possibly through bad habits of smoking and drinking. He avoided the doctor until January 1956, after which, a cancer diagnosis was confirmed. In March of the said year, he underwent surgery but it was too late, even for cancer treatment. He weighed 80 pounds and fell into a coma, dying in bed on January 14, 1957. He was 57.

Cary Grant - 82 - Intracerebral Hemorrhage

In the '30s, Cary Grant began his journey in Hollywood as an English-American actor. His transatlantic accent and his debonair-like persona were greatly appreciated, as was his light-heartedness and sense of comic timing. In 1942, he became a citizen of America. It was on November 29, 1986, as he was preparing a performance at the Adler Theatre in Iowa, when he was overcome by illness. He did feel upset when he entered the theater, but nobody expected what happened hours later - he died of a intracerebral hemorrhage.  Everyone was shocked - probably even his life insurance provider. 

Paul Newman - 83 - Lung Cancer

Paul Newman was so many things at once - he was a voice actor, TV actor, producer, director, IndyCar owner, race-car driver, philanthropist, activist, and entrepreneur. He was nominated for several awards and won an Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Cannes Film Festival Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, and an Emmy Award, to name a few! In June 2008, his diagnosis of lung cancer was confirmed and he was getting his cancer treatment at Sloan-Kettering Hospital of New York. Sadly, he succumbed to his illness on September 26, 2008, at age 83.

Henry Fonda - 77 - Cardiovascular Disease

He was an American actor whose career spanned across five decades. Henry Fonda first made a name for himself with his performance on Broadway. His Hollywood debut was in 1935 and it was after his performance in The Grapes of Wrath that his career really gained momentum. In his Los Angeles home, on August 12, 1982, Fonda died surrounded by his immediate family. His wife, daughter, and son were at his side, fortunately. Though he also suffered from prostate cancer, his heart problems led to his demise at the age of 77.

Heath Ledger - 28 - Cardiac Arrest

The heartbreaking news of Heath Ledger's death was a lot to bear for his fans. He had just made a sensational performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight and his role as a psychopath was something short of believable.; in fact, he won an Oscar for his portrayal of a villain. He had aspirations to be a film director and he also produced and directed music videos. On January 22, 2008, his housekeeper found him in bed, unconscious. Almost an hour later, after failed attempts to revive him, he was pronounced dead at 28, from a suspected heart attack.

Philip Seymour Hoffman - 46 - Combined Drug Intoxication

The typical role for the actor Philip Seymour Hoffman was that of a lowlife, an eccentric, a bully or a misfit. From the early '90s until his death, at age 46 in 2014, Hoffman acted in supporting and character roles in a number of movies. Friends of the actor confirmed that his use of drugs was kept under control, but Hoffman was found by David Bar Katz, a friend of his. He was found dead on the bathroom floor in his apartment in Manhattan on February 2, 2014. 

Jack Lemmon - 76 - Colon Cancer

Jack Lemmon was an Academy Award nominee eight times during his acting career, consisting of over 60 movies. He won two Academy Awards. He was a talented actor, and his nominations speak of his superb on-screen performances. He was a familiar face in several comedies and dramas, like The Apartment, Irma La Douce, Days of Wine and Roses, The Odd Couple, and  Some Like It Hot. On June 27, 2001, Lemmon lost his two-year-long fight against metastatic bladder cancer.

Elizabeth Taylor - 79 - Congestive Heart Failure

Elizabeth Taylor's career kicked off when she began as a child actress in the '40s, and in the '50s, from when she became a popular classical Hollywood cinema star. By the '60s, she was enjoying a fruitful career and maintained her fame for the rest of her long life. However, health problems were a regular struggle for Taylor for the greater part of her lifetime. At birth, she was diagnosed with scoliosis. She broke her back during filming in 1944, and in the last twenty years of her life, her health significantly deteriorated. She died in L.A. in 2011.

Bob Hope - 100 - Pneumonia

Leslie Townes Hope was better known in his professional life as Bob Hope. The stand-up comedian, actor, singer, vaudevillian, athlete, author, and dancer was certainly talented! He enjoyed a fruitful career spanning almost eight decades. Hope starred in over 70 short films, having a leading role in 54 of them. He was a host of the Academy Awards nineteen times and authored 14 books. His signature tune was Thanks For the Memory. On July 27, 2003, he died of pneumonia at an amazing age of 100.

Lucille Ball - 77 - Aortic Dissection

Lucille Ball was best known as the star in a range of self-produced sitcoms - The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, I Love Lucy, The Lucy Show, Life With Lucy, and Here's Lucy. While at her home on April 18, 1989, Lucille Ball suffered chest pains. An ambulance rushed her to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and there she was diagnosed with dissecting aortic aneurysm. She underwent extensive heart surgery and her recovery was swift. However, she died on April 26 from an indirectly-related aortic rupture in her stomach area. She was 77 years old.

Wayne Rogers - 82 - Complications From Pneumonia

Wayne Rogers began his acting career at the end of the ‘50s and he counted so many amazing roles in his portfolio, including the ones in Cool Hand Luke, The F.B.I., and The Invaders. However, the role that brought Rogers huge recognition was the one of Captain “Trapper” John McIntyre in the TV series, M*A*S*H. Sadly, the actor didn’t get the chance to show more of his potentials as he died in 2015 of the pneumonia-related complications.

Erin Moran - 56 - Throat Cancer

Erin Moran was considered one of the most beautiful and talented actresses in Hollywood as she began her career at the age of only five. From then on, it was all success for Moran. She rose to prominence portraying the character of Joanie Cunningham in the TV show Happy Days and she reprised the role in its spin-off, Joanie Loves Chachi. It was obvious the actress didn’t need plastic surgery to sustain her youthful glow and stayed one of the most beautiful entertainers until her death in 2017!

Jean Stapleton - 90 - Natural Causes

Jean Stapleton lived her life to the fullest until the moment she died of natural causes at the age of 90, in 2013. The actress was best known for her role as Archie Bunker in the TV show, All in the Family.  Her other notable roles include the ones in Lux Video Theater, Naked City, Starlight Theatre, My Three Sons, and The Muppet Show. Jean Stapleton was also a proud parent of two children.

Sherman Hemsley - 74 - Lung Cancer

Sherman Hemsley was one of those actors who had no problem playing any character needed. He became known to the wider audience and gained international fame with his role as George Jefferson in the TV shows The Jeffersons and All in the Family. The actor continued boosting his earnings with parts in the TV series Dinosaurs and Amen. Sadly, his career came to an abrupt end in 2012 when Hemsley died of lung cancer.

Isabel Sanford - 86 - Natural Causes

When Isabel Sanford died, it sure came as a huge shock to many of her fans. Although the actress underwent a carotid artery surgery, no one suspected her health was all that bad as she made an incredible progress afterward. However, one year later, in 2004, it was announced Isabel Sanford died at the age of 86 and with no further explanation, it was announced that she died of natural causes.

Roxie Roker - 66 - Breast Cancer

Roxie Roker was an American actress and proud mother of one of the most notable names in the music industry, Lenny Kravitz. Considering that he shared DNA with such a talented woman, no wonder Kravitz made it big in Hollywood. Roxie Roker was best known for her role as Helen Willis on the sitcom The Jeffersons, where she stayed a part of the cast from 1975 until 1985. Battling cancer for some time, the actress passed away in 1995 at the age of only 66.

Mary Tyler Moore - 80 - Pneumonia

Mary Tyler Moore was an actress most recognized for her work in television series The Dick Van Dyke Show in the ‘60s and The Mary Tyler Moore Show in the ‘70s.  She had also made many movie appearances and Moore best enjoyed her bit as Beth in Ordinary People. The actress was known for her charity work and animal rights causes until her death in 2017, where she had multiple health issues resulting in a cardiopulmonary arrest complicated by pneumonia.

Michael Landon - 54 - Cancer

Michael Landon was best known for his astounding and lengthy roles in Bonanza, Little House on the Prairie, and Highway to Heaven. He worked in television through most of his adult life and had a total of 22 appearances on TV Guide cover during his career. Unfortunately, Landon hadn’t had the chance to see his legacy at work as he died of pancreatic cancer back in 1991, but we’ve seen him honored posthumously in both Television Hall of Fame and Western Performers Hall of Fame.

James Arness - 88 - Natural Causes

James Arness reached international fame as a television cowboy but he was best remembered as Marshal Matt Dillon, a role he had played on Gunsmoke for 20 years from 1955 to 1975, as well as spinoff TV movies in the ‘90s. Arness got several Emmy nominations for his work and finally announced retirement fromTV in 1994. He had enjoyed a long life in his home in Los Angeles before dying of natural causes in 2011.

Amanda Blake - 60 - HIV/AIDS

Another Gunsmoke star, Amanda Blake had enjoyed her role of Kitty Russell in the CBS series for 19 years as well as the TV movie Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge. Blake had numerous other roles in both the big and the small screens but sadly, she didn’t get to see the ‘90s spinoff movies as she passed away in 1989 from what was first thought to be cancer; later, it was reported by her doctors that the cause of death was AIDS complications.

Bob Crane - 49 - Murdered

Bob Crane was probably better remembered for his role of Col. Hogan in Hogan's Heroes but the famous actor had a variety of careers going for him, including those of a drummer, disc jockey, and radio host. Bizarrely, Crane was bludgeoned and murdered with an unknown object in his apartment back in 1978, where the district attorney failed to get enough evidence for the prosecution of his manager John Henry Carpenter, who was the prime suspect.

Werner Klemperer - 80 - Cancer

A talented actor that he was, Werner Klemperer was best known to the U.S. audiences as Col. Wilhelm Klink in Hogan's Heroes, which saw his comedic rise despite his love for drama and the stage. Klemperer had enjoyed a variety of roles, and he even did voice-acting in the popular animated series The Simpsons – which also came to be his last acting credit as he died of cancer in 2000, at the age of 80.

John Banner - 63 - Bleeding

Hogan's Heroes brought TV immortality to John Banner too, as he played the part of Sergeant Hans Schultz from 1965 to 1971. Banner had seen a rise to stardom and took part in several more shows in the years that came, before his sudden death in 1973 due to an abdominal hemorrhage. Sadly, he did not get the chance to extend his portfolio but Banner will always be remembered for his catchphrase “I saw nothing. NO-THI-NG!"

Florence Henderson - 82 - Congestive Heart Failure

Florence Henderson would be most remembered for her role in The Brady Bunch franchise during the late ‘60s and ‘70s but she had a great career even later in her life – where she got 16 credits to her name from 2010 to 2016. She died of congestive heart failure in November 2016, which saw many of her fans and colleagues overcome with sadness. Henderson was widely known as a generous person and even helped raise millions for various charity causes.

Eva Gabor - 76 - Pneumonia

Hungarian-born actress Eva Gabor rose to fame with her role in Green Acres but went on to enjoy roles in Disney’s The Aristocats and The Rescuers. She had experienced the high life and had been widely recognized as a socialite up until her death in 1995 when she died of pneumonia complications. Interestingly, Gabor had beautiful wedding ceremonies five times in her life but none of the marriages lasted very long!

Anthony Perkins - 60 - Pneumonia

Psycho star Anthony Perkins gained immense popularity, thanks to his 'business' friendship with the legendary film director Alfred Hitchcock who hired the actor to play the main character in the Psycho films. Although rumored to have been gay and had relationships with men, he married actress Berry Berenson and stayed with her until his death in 1992; no filing for divorce had ever happened and neither did he ever admit openly that he loved men.

Janet Leigh - 77 -  Vasculitis

Janet Leigh was an actress whose career started rising right after World War II and thanks to her many talents, Leigh earned instant success, She appeared in movies like The Naked Spur, Living it Up, Angles in the Outfield, and Psycho - which earned the actress her first Academy Award nomination. Janet Leigh continued acting and never started with her retirement planning until the moment she died. She was the proud mother of actresses Kelly Curtis and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Tony Curtis - 85 - Cardiac Arrest

Appearing in over 100 films in his 50-year-long career, Tony Curtis was a household name in the United States until his death in 2010. The actor filed for a divorce from four different women in his life but when he met Jill Vandenberg, he knew she was the one and the couple stayed married until he passed away. With his first wife Janet Leigh, Curtis welcomed his two daughters into the world, actresses Kelly Curtis and James Lee Curtis.

Anne Bancroft - 73 - Uterine Cancer

Anne Bancroft received many accolades and rewards during her lifetime for her contributions to the world of film and television, including an Academy Award, Tony Award, and Golden Globe Award. Some of her most prominent roles include the ones in Agnes of God, 84 Charing Cross Road, The Turning Point, and The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone. With her gorgeous brown hair and charming smile, Bancroft was considered one of the most beautiful actresses in Hollywood during her prime.

Charmian Carr - 73 - Dementia

Charmian Carr started boosting her checking account as a part of the entertainment world during the ‘60s and she gained fame as Liesl Von Trapp, the eldest child in the film The Sound of Music, released in 1965. Woefully, as the actress grew old, she started battling dementia which eventually led to her death at the age of 73 in 2016. Charmian Carr is survived by her two daughters and two grandchildren.

Heather Menzies - 68 - Brain Cancer

Another celebrity who rose to stardom with her part as Louisa von Trapp in The Sound of Music film was Heather Menzies. Later on, the actress joined the cast of the TV show Logan’s Run where she stayed until the series had ended. Menzies didn’t get the chance to show off her many talents as she died at the age of 68 in 2017, just one month after she was diagnosed with brain cancer.

Omar Sharif - 83 - Heart Attack

Egyptian-born actor Omar Sharif was one of the most respected actors in his home country, where he began his career during the ‘50s. However, not long after, Sharif expanded his career internationally, gaining fame in the United States with his performances in the movies Funny Girl, Doctor Zhivago, and Lawrence of Arabia. After suffering his first heart attack in 1994, it seemed that the actor was getting better but eleven years later, he suffered another one and died at the age of 83.

Peter O'Toole - 81 - Natural Causes

With his breathtaking blue eyes and charming smile, Peter O’Toole was considered a true Hollywood heartthrob and ultimate male symbol, with millions of female fans all around the world. The actor counted many great parts during his career, including the ones in My Favorite Year, Venus, Goodbye Mr. Chips, and Lawrence of Arabia. Privately, he was married to Siân Phillips until 1979 and was in a long and committed relationship with Karen Brown from 1982 to 1988. O’Toole died of natural causes at the age of 81.

Rex Harrison - 82 - Pancreatic Cancer

Multi-awarded actor Rex Harrison had served his county during World War II before he began his very successful career, appearing in numerous movies over the years such as My Fair Lady, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, and Cleopatra. The actor had been diagnosed with cancer and although he apparently received proper cancer treatment, nothing could save Harrison and he died in his home in 1990, at the age of 82.

John Gavin - 86 - Pneumonia

Although he already had a very successful acting career, John Gavin decided to enter politics and in the period from 1981 until 1986, he was the United States Ambassador to Mexico. Aside from earning money as an actor, John Gavin also served his country in the Korean War. He was best known for his performances in the films Thoroughly Modern Millie, Imitation of Life and Psycho, among many others. Gavin died of pneumonia in February 2018.

Terry Melcher - 62 - Melanoma

The record producer, Terry Melcher, had been an amazing influence on the world of music and his legacy continues to live through his work. During his lifetime, Melcher worked with some of the most notable names in Hollywood but also with some of the most infamous ones as well. He was known for his encounter with Charles Manson, who wanted to have dealings with Melcher records. After a long battle with melanoma, the record producer died at the age of 62. Terry was the son of singer-actress Doris Day.

Glen Campbell - 81 - Alzheimer's Disease

Singer and TV host Glen Campbell started singing during the ‘50s, eventually becoming one of the most iconic musicians in Hollywood history. As it was hard dealing with all the fame and attention, Campbell began battling alcohol and drug addiction during the ‘70s, but thanks to his wife Sarah Barg, he somehow managed to put the addiction under control. The musician was a proud father of eight children. In 2017, he died after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Bill Monroe - 84 - Stroke

Bill Monroe was the musician best known as the creator of the music style called "bluegrass." Monroe rose to stardom during the ‘30s and until his death, the singer never stopped performing nor did he consider making his retirement official. After over sixty years spent in the music industry, Monroe died in 1996 at the age of 84 after suffering a stroke. The singer was happily married to Della Streeter until his death.

River Phoenix - 23 - Drug Overdose

River Phoenix was one of the most promising young actors of the 1980s. Following a hectic and abusive upbringing in the Christian cult Children of God, Phoenix was recruited by a talent agent who spotted him busking for change in L.A. He went on to receive a Best Actor Oscar nomination for My Own Private Idaho at 21. Sadly, Phoenix, who suffered from heroin and alcohol addiction as an adult, overdosed on Halloween night in 1993 at only 23 years old. Reportedly, he had a net worth of $5 million.

Robin Williams - 63 - Suicide

The famous Robin Williams was first a stand-up comedian in Los Angeles and in San Francisco in the '70s. He landed a role as 'Mork' in Mork & Mindy, a TV sci-fi sitcom. He developed his feature film performances and was recognized for his excellent improvisational skills on set. He continued stand-up comedy too and many family movies became hits, thanks to his excellent acting. On August 11, 2014, he ended his life by hanging himself in his California home. His wife revealed that he was suffering from a brain disease called Lewy Body Dementia which could've triggered his suicide.

Audrey Hepburn – 63 - Appendiceal cancer

Audrey's life story is truly remarkable after her parents divorced she moved to Holland and witnessed the Nazis' cruelty there. She was Jewish and saw her uncle get shot by the Nazis and her family's property seized. She performed ballet secretly in order to raise money for the resistance. She was malnourished and that led to anemia. The war ended but her illness made it difficult for her to dance so she became an actress. After a few small roles she starred in the movie Roman Holiday and won an Oscar for it. She also won an Emmy, a Tony and a Grammy in her career. She became a fashion icon after her performance in Breakfast at Tiffany's. When she was 60 she retired from acting and became a U.N ambassador and a humanitarian. She died of cancer aged 63.

Chris Penn - 40 - Cardiomyopathy

Sean Penn's lesser-known brother, Chris, was a character actor known for appearing in rough-around-the-edges roles. Penn, who danced alongside Kevin Bacon in Footloose and starred with his brother in At Close Range, made a transition to comedies later in his career. He experienced significant weight gain in later years and died at just 40 in 2005. When asked about his brother’s untimely death, Sean Penn stated that he believes it was the weight gain that led him to his demise. Chris was rather talented and we dare say that Hollywood lost one of his stars too early.

Marlon Brando - 80 - Respiratory Failure

Marlon Brando has been called the greatest actor of his generation. He shot to fame with the release of the gritty drama On the Waterfront in 1954 and later on appeared in controversial, avant-garde movies like Last Tango in Paris, for which he was granted a nomination for an Oscar. Brando, who fathered 11 children, spent much of his later years away from Hollywood on the private Tahitian island property he purchased in 1967 as he was infatuated with Tahitian people and their lifestyle. He died at age 80 in 2004, reportedly leaving behind an estate worth $3 million.

Bob Denver - 70 - Pneumonia

Bob Denver was an American comedic actor. He is known for having portrayed Gilligan on the television series Gilligan's Island and the beatnik Maynard G. Krebs on the 1959–1963 sitcom The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. Denver's first feature film appearance was in the service farce, A Private's Affair (1959), with Sal Mineo. Credited as "Robert Denver", he had a small role in the Jimmy Stewart film, Take Her, She's Mine (1963), playing a beatnik poet working at a coffee shop. Denver also appeared in the beach film For Those Who Think Young (1964) with Tina Louise prior to the development of Gilligan's Island. Denver died September 2, 2005 from pneumonia, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He had been receiving cancer treatment and had undergone heart bypass surgery earlier that year.

Alex Trebek - 80 - Cancer

Thanks to Alex Trebek, most Gen-X, and Gen-Y folks can relate to the terms ‘Double Jeopardy’ and ‘Final Jeopardy’! He was the host who kept us entertained with his charming demeanor and witty one-liners for the better part of five decades. In fact, Trebek’s popularity was such that even re-runs of old episodes garnered a rave response!

Unfortunately, the celebrated anchor lost his prolonged battle to cancer in late 2020, just a few days after taping the show’s final episodes. History will always remember him for all the energy Trebek brought to our TV sets!