20 Celebrities Who Have Killed People

Snoop Dogg

Before he was the laid-back rap icon making commercials with Martha Stewart and narrating nature documentaries in his signature drawl, Snoop Dogg – aka Calvin Broadus – was fighting for his life in court. Back in 1993, Snoop and his bodyguard were charged with the murder of a man named Philip Woldemariam, a rival gang member who was shot after an altercation in Los Angeles. The case quickly became a media circus, with Snoop’s rising fame and gangsta rap persona turning the trial into tabloid gold. Snoop maintained he was innocent and that the shooting was an act of self-defense by his bodyguard. After a lengthy trial and some serious legal rhyming and reasoning, both men were acquitted in 1996. Snoop walked free, rebranded himself, and went on to become a cultural staple. These days, he’s more likely to kill a verse than a rival. | © Odd Andersen/AFP

James Stewart

Jimmy Stewart: the everyman of golden-age Hollywood, with a voice as shaky as his morals in Vertigo. But long before your grandpa was quoting It’s a Wonderful Life, Stewart was flying bombing raids over Europe during World War II as a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Forces. Yes, the guy who once lassoed the moon in a romantic monologue also dropped actual bombs that likely killed enemy soldiers. War is hell, and Stewart was deep in it, flying more than 20 combat missions and eventually rising to the rank of Brigadier General. While he never pulled the trigger personally, his leadership in combat inevitably contributed to deaths. It’s a morally murky area, but hey, Hollywood doesn’t do nuance in biopics, right? After the war, Stewart kept his experiences largely private, returning to acting like nothing ever happened. Quite the plot twist for George Bailey. | © Twentieth Century Fox

Venus Williams

In 2017, Venus Williams – the tennis titan with a serve that could probably break the sound barrier – was involved in a devastating car accident that led to the death of a 78-year-old man named Jerome Barson. The collision occurred in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and Venus was initially said to be at fault for blocking an intersection. Media outlets served it up fast and furious, painting a tragic picture that felt straight out of a courtroom drama. But after some careful reviewing of surveillance footage and the timeline, police later determined Venus had lawfully entered the intersection and wasn’t to blame. No charges were filed, but the emotional toll lingered. Venus expressed her condolences, but kept a low profile for a while afterwards. Life doesn’t come with line judges, unfortunately. Sometimes, even champions get caught in a bad bounce. | © Magnolia Pictures

Caitlyn Jenner

In February 2015, Caitlyn Jenner (still publicly known as Bruce at the time) was involved in a fatal four-car pileup on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. The crash resulted in the death of 69-year-old Kim Howe, whose vehicle was pushed into oncoming traffic. As if things weren’t already headline-worthy, the whole tragic event was captured by nearby security cameras and unfolded in full view of the paparazzi’s lenses. Public opinion immediately split faster than a reality show alliance – some called for justice, others called it an accident. Investigators ultimately ruled Jenner wasn’t texting, speeding, or intoxicated, and opted not to press criminal charges. Civil suits followed, but the criminal side of the case was closed. Jenner publicly described the incident as a devastating moment that she’ll carry forever. Even for someone used to the spotlight, this was one stage she didn’t want to be on. | © The Velvet Hammer

Alec Baldwin

In 2021, Alec Baldwin found himself at the center of a Hollywood horror story while filming the Western Rust in New Mexico. During rehearsal, Baldwin discharged what was supposed to be a "cold" prop gun – meaning it shouldn't have contained live ammunition – but tragically, it did. The result was the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injury to director Joel Souza. Suddenly, a routine film shoot turned into a national tragedy, sparking an avalanche of questions about safety standards in Hollywood productions. Baldwin insisted he didn’t pull the trigger (a claim that’s still debated), and after a tangled web of investigations and conflicting expert reports, charges were filed, dropped, re-filed, and dropped again. The legal back-and-forth could’ve been a miniseries of its own. The tragedy left a permanent scar on all involved and led to renewed calls for reform in the film industry. Real life, it turns out, can be far more dangerous than fiction. | © Conaco

Ted Kennedy

In the annals of political scandals, few are as shrouded in mystery and intrigue as the Chappaquiddick incident. On the night of July 18, 1969, Senator Ted Kennedy left a party on Chappaquiddick Island, Massachusetts, with Mary Jo Kopechne, a 28-year-old campaign strategist. While navigating the dark, winding roads, Kennedy's Oldsmobile plunged off the unguarded Dike Bridge into Poucha Pond. Kennedy managed to escape the submerged vehicle, but tragically, Kopechne did not. In a move that would baffle both his supporters and critics, Kennedy waited approximately ten hours before reporting the accident to authorities. This delay sparked a media frenzy and led to widespread speculation about his actions that night. He later pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident causing personal injury and received a suspended two-month jail sentence. The incident cast a long shadow over his political career, fueling debates and conspiracy theories that continue to this day. | © Pool/Hulton Archive

Laura Bush

Long before she graced the halls of the White House as First Lady, Laura Bush was involved in a tragic accident that would haunt her for years. On the evening of November 6, 1963, just two days after her 17th birthday, Laura Welch (her maiden name) was driving with a friend in Midland, Texas. In a moment that would forever alter lives, she ran a stop sign and collided with another car, killing its driver, 17-year-old Michael Dutton Douglas – a close friend and classmate. The incident left the future First Lady devastated and "wracked by guilt for years," as she later recounted in her memoir. No charges were filed, and Laura Bush rarely spoke publicly about the accident until decades later, when she reflected on how the tragedy profoundly affected her faith and outlook on life. | © A&E Networks

Oliver Stone

Before he became the acclaimed director behind films like "Platoon" and "JFK," Oliver Stone's life took a harrowing turn during his service in the Vietnam War. As an infantryman, Stone was involved in combat situations where split-second decisions meant the difference between life and death. In the chaos of war, he found himself in situations that led to the loss of enemy combatants' lives. These experiences not only earned him a Bronze Star for valor but also deeply influenced his later work, infusing his films with a raw authenticity that could only come from firsthand experience. Stone's time in Vietnam became a crucible that shaped his worldview and storytelling, allowing him to portray the complexities of war and morality on the silver screen. | © Warner Bros.

Matthew Broderick

In 1987, while vacationing in Northern Ireland with his then-girlfriend Jennifer Grey, Matthew Broderick – star of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" – was involved in a car accident that resulted in the deaths of two local women, Anna Gallagher and her mother, Margaret Doherty. Broderick mistakenly drove on the wrong side of the road, leading to a head-on collision. He suffered a fractured leg and ribs, while Grey sustained minor injuries. Broderick was initially charged with causing death by dangerous driving but was later convicted of the lesser charge of careless driving and fined $175. The incident cast a long shadow over his career, serving as a sobering reminder of how quickly life can change. | © Columbia/TriStar Pictures

Brandy Norwood

In December 2006, R&B singer and actress Brandy Norwood was involved in a fatal car accident on Los Angeles' 405 Freeway. Her vehicle struck the back of another car, setting off a chain-reaction crash that led to the death of 38-year-old Awatef Aboudihaj the following day. While Brandy was not charged criminally, the incident led to multiple civil lawsuits from the victim's family, which were eventually settled out of court. The tragedy had a profound impact on Brandy, who faced intense media scrutiny and took a hiatus from her career. She has since spoken about the emotional toll the accident took on her, expressing deep sympathy for the victim's family and acknowledging the incident as a life-altering experience. | © Pink Chair Productions LLC

Duane "Dog" Chapman

Before Duane “Dog” Chapman was growling into walkie-talkies and tossing cuffs on bail-jumping desperados, he had a dark chapter of his own that could’ve been a Dateline episode. Back in 1976, Dog was waiting in a car outside a Texas home while his friend went in to buy weed – a seemingly low-level drug deal. But inside, things turned deadly when the friend shot and killed 69-year-old Jerry Oliver during an argument. Even though Dog never entered the house or pulled a trigger, Texas law at the time didn’t really care about that nuance – he was convicted of first-degree murder as an accomplice and served 18 months in prison. That short stint behind bars changed his entire life. He later said he found purpose while locked up, and decided to become a bounty hunter to help others avoid the same fate. It’s not every day you see someone go from convicted felon to reality TV legend with a mullet and a moral code. Redemption stories don’t get more rugged than this. | © Entertainment By Bonnie and Clyde

Don King

If boxing promoter Don King’s hair stood on end from sheer shock, it might be because his past is enough to jolt anyone. Long before he was hobnobbing with Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson, Don was making a name for himself in Cleveland’s rough gambling circles – and not in a good way. In 1954, King shot a man who tried to rob one of his establishments. That was ruled justifiable homicide, but his second deadly incident in 1966 was anything but. In a brutal confrontation over a $600 debt, King stomped his employee Sam Garrett to death. He was convicted of second-degree murder, but the charge was later reduced to manslaughter, and King served less than four years in prison. Somehow, he bounced back and rose to the top of the boxing world with more sparkle than his diamond pinky rings. He remains one of the sport’s most controversial – and undeniably fascinating – figures. Talk about a comeback you didn’t see coming. | © WBABoxing

Phil Spector

Phil Spector, music mastermind and inventor of the “Wall of Sound,” turned out to have demons that echoed louder than any studio reverb. In 2003, actress Lana Clarkson was found dead from a gunshot wound in the foyer of Spector’s California mansion. The two had met that night and returned to his home after hours. Spector claimed it was an “accidental suicide,” which is about as believable as a guitar solo in a Gregorian chant. After a mistrial in 2007, the case was retried in 2009, and this time the jury wasn’t buying the eccentric genius act – Spector was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 19 years to life. The trial cast a long shadow over his once-storied career, turning his legacy from musical brilliance to tabloid tragedy. His signature wigs and erratic behavior became courtroom curiosities, but nothing could drown out the harsh reality of the crime. From Beatles producer to prison inmate – it was the final, haunting coda to a strange life. | © Columbia Pictures

John Huston

John Huston, director of noir classics like The Maltese Falcon and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, lived a life that was basically a Hemingway novel in motion: full of talent, risk, and dark turns. One of those turns came in 1933 when Huston was involved in a fatal car accident that claimed the life of dancer and actress Tosca Roulien. Huston, then in his twenties, struck her with his car while driving in Los Angeles. The death was ruled accidental, and no charges were ever filed – but the tragedy left an indelible mark on him. He later spoke about how it shaped his understanding of mortality and guilt, themes that would haunt many of his films. Huston continued on to build a monumental career, winning Academy Awards and directing legends, but those who knew him said he was never quite the same after that night. Sometimes, life writes a script that even a master director can’t control. | © Winter Gold Productions

Rebecca Gayheart

Rebecca Gayheart was once Hollywood’s “It Girl” of the late ’90s – commercial darling, TV star, and destined for movie stardom. But in June 2001, her life took a tragic detour when she struck and killed nine-year-old Jorge Cruz Jr. while driving in Los Angeles. The child had run into the road from behind stopped cars, but Gayheart was reportedly speeding and talking on her phone at the time. No drugs or alcohol were involved, and she was visibly devastated at the scene. She later pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter and received probation, community service, and a license suspension. Emotionally, however, the price was much steeper. Gayheart withdrew from the spotlight for years and has occasionally spoken about how the accident changed her forever. It’s a chilling reminder of how a single moment can alter multiple lives – something no camera or script can ever prepare you for. | © Screen Gems

Johnny Lewis

Johnny Lewis, once a rising star known for his role as Kip "Half-Sack" Epps on Sons of Anarchy, experienced a tragic downfall that reads like a Hollywood noir. On September 26, 2012, Lewis was found dead in the driveway of his Los Feliz residence in Los Angeles, having apparently fallen from the roof. Inside the home, authorities discovered the lifeless body of his 81-year-old landlady, Catherine Davis, who had been beaten to death. The scene was as grim as any crime drama, with evidence suggesting Lewis had attacked Davis before his fatal fall. Toxicology reports later revealed that Lewis had no drugs or alcohol in his system at the time, contradicting initial speculations of substance-induced violence. This tragic sequence of events highlighted the often unseen struggles with mental health that can lurk behind the curtain of fame. | © Linson Entertainment

Charles S. Dutton

Before Charles S. Dutton graced the stage and screen with his commanding presence, he lived a life that could have been penned by a playwright. At 17, Dutton was involved in a street fight that led to the death of a man, resulting in a conviction for manslaughter and a seven-year prison sentence. While incarcerated, Dutton discovered a passion for acting, sparked by a disciplinary stint in solitary confinement where he was allowed to take one book – and he chose an anthology of plays. This newfound love for theater became his lifeline, leading him to earn a college degree and later attend the Yale School of Drama upon his release. Dutton's journey from inmate to esteemed actor and director is a testament to the transformative power of art and personal redemption. | © CBS Broadcasting

Felicia Pearson

Felicia "Snoop" Pearson's life mirrors the gritty narratives of The Wire, the very show that catapulted her to fame. Born in Baltimore to drug-addicted parents and raised in foster care, Pearson was convicted of second-degree murder at the age of 14 for shooting a girl during a dispute. She served six years in prison, during which she earned her GED and resolved to change her path. Her break came when The Wire star Michael K. Williams discovered her in a nightclub and introduced her to the show's creators, leading to her casting as a character not far removed from her own experiences. Pearson's life underscores the blurred lines between art and reality and serves as a powerful narrative of second chances. | © Barry Brecheisen/Invision/AP

Phill Lewis

Phill Lewis, best known for his role as Mr. Moseby on Disney's The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, has a past that starkly contrasts his comedic persona. In 1991, Lewis was involved in a car accident in Maryland that resulted in the death of Isabel Duarte, a resident of Portugal. Lewis was found to have been driving under the influence, with a blood alcohol level three times the legal limit. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to five years in prison, serving one year, followed by probation and community service, which included performing for prison inmates – a poignant twist of fate. This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of impaired driving and the complexities that can lie behind the laughter. | © Disney Channel

Ryan Grantham

Ryan Grantham, a Canadian actor known for his roles in Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Riverdale, became the center of a real-life tragedy that eclipsed any on-screen drama. In March 2020, Grantham fatally shot his 64-year-old mother, Barbara Waite, in their British Columbia home while she played the piano. The case took a darker turn when it was revealed that Grantham had also contemplated acts of violence on a larger scale, including plans to harm Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. In September 2022, Grantham was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 14 years, following his guilty plea to second-degree murder. This shocking case underscores the unpredictable and often hidden struggles with mental health that can lead to unimaginable actions. | © Buffalo Gal Pictures