
25 Legendary Celebrities You Didn't Know Passed Away

25. Heather O’Rourke
Heather O'Rourke captured hearts as Carol Anne in Poltergeist, a role that made her a memorable young star. Her life was tragically cut short at 12 during an operation in San Diego, as a severe bowel obstruction led to septic shock. | © MGM

24. Lisa Robin Kelly
Lisa Robin Kelly was best known for her role as Laurie Forman on That '70s Show, where she charmed audiences with her memorable presence. Sadly, personal struggles overshadowed her talent, and she passed away in 2013 from multiple drug intoxication. | © Fox

23. Judith Barsi
Judith Barsi was a promising young actress known for her roles in films like Jaws: The Revenge and for voicing Ducky in The Land Before Time. Tragically, at age 10, she and her mother were killed in 1988, cutting short her bright future. | © Universal Pictures

22. Richard Griffiths
Richard Griffiths, known for the role of Vernon Dursley in Harry Potter films, captured the character's cruel humor with remarkable depth and charm. He was also acclaimed for his stage and film work, and he passed away in 2013 at age 65 due to complications from heart surgery. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

21. Cameron Boyce
Cameron Boyce, known for his role in Grown Ups, passed away in July 2019 at just 20 years old. He died in his sleep from a seizure linked to a medical condition, leaving behind a bright legacy of kindness and compassion. | © Columbia Pictures

20. Andy Hallett
Andy Hallett charmed audiences as one of the beloved characters on Angel, quickly becoming a fan favorite. He tragically passed away at 33 in 2009 from congestive heart failure after a five-year battle with heart disease. | © 20th Century Studios

19. Naya Rivera
Naya Rivera, the former Glee star, tragically lost her life in July 2020 after a boating incident on Lake Piru. Declared missing that day, her body was later recovered following an extensive search effort. | © 20th Television

18. Dana Plato
Dana Plato rose to fame as Kimberly Drummond on Diff'rent Strokes after debuting on The Six Million Dollar Man. Her promising career was cut short by addiction and legal troubles, and she tragically died from an overdose. | © ABC

17. Dominique Dunne
Dominique Dunne, who played Dana Freeling in Poltergeist, quickly made her mark with early roles in shows like Chips, Fame, and The Quest. Tragically, her rising career was cut short at 22 when she was killed by her ex-boyfriend, leaving a lasting impact on Hollywood. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

16. Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick Boseman brought King T’Challa to life in Black Panther and starred in powerful films like Marshall and Da 5 Bloods. He passed away at 43 in August 2020 after secretly battling colon cancer for four years, leaving a lasting legacy of strength and inspiration. | © Marvel Studios

15. Glenn Quinn
Glenn Quinn was an Irish-born actor best known for his role as Doyle on Angel and for his work on Roseanne. His promising career was tragically cut short at 32 due to a heroin overdose. | © 20th Television

14. Michael Clarke Duncan
Michael Clarke Duncan won hearts with his powerful performance in The Green Mile, earning an Academy Award nomination for his breakout role. He also shone in films like Armageddon and Daredevil, but sadly passed away in 2012 from a heart attack. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

13. Thuy Trang
Thuy Trang captured hearts as the original Yellow Ranger on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers before moving on to roles in films like Spy Hard. Her rising career was tragically cut short when she died in a road accident in September 2001 at age 27. | © Fox

12. Willie Garson
Willie Garson was a beloved actor best known for his role on Sex and the City and his work on And Just Like That. His unexpected death in September 2021 at age 57, after battling pancreatic cancer, left a deep void in Hollywood and among his fans. | © HBO

11. Kirstie Alley
Kirstie Alley, an Emmy-winning actress known for her iconic on-screen roles, passed away in December 2022 after a brief battle with cancer at age 71. Her family remembered her as a fierce, loving mother and grandmother, celebrating her joyful spirit and adventurous heart. | © Alchemy

10. Brad Renfro
Brad Renfro was a beloved child star who shined in films like The Client and Sleepers, where he even played a young Brad Pitt. His promising career was tragically cut short in 2008 at age 25 due to acute heroin & morphine intoxication. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

9. Angus Cloud
Angus Cloud, known for his standout role on Euphoria, passed away in July 2023 at just 25 years old. His loss, coming one week after he buried his father, reminds us of the deep struggles he faced with mental health and the love he shared with those around him. | © HBO

8. Matthew Perry
Matthew Perry, best known for his iconic role on Friends, passed away in October 2023 at age 54 after an apparent drowning. Law enforcement found him in a jacuzzi while responding to a call about someone suffering from cardiac arrest. | © NBC

7. Michelle Trachtenberg
Michelle Trachtenberg was a celebrated actress known for her captivating screen performances and versatile roles. In February 2025, she was tragically found dead in her New York City apartment at age 39, with police noting that no cause of death was immediately apparent. | © Lifetime

6. Richard Bonehill
Richard Bonehill may not have been a familiar face, but his work in cult classics like Star Wars, Highlander, and Doctor Who made him a favorite among genre fans. Best remembered as Nien Nunb, he left a memorable mark on the screen until his passing in 2015 at 67. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

5. Rowdy Roddy Piper
Rowdy Roddy Piper became famous as a wrestler before starring in cult classics like They Live. His energetic performances on screen and in the ring made him unforgettable, and he passed away in his sleep in 2015 after a pulmonary embolism triggered a heart attack. | © Universal Pictures

4. Gary Coleman
Gary Coleman charmed audiences as the adorable kid on Diff'rent Strokes. Despite his early success, his career was slowed by congenital kidney disease and the need for frequent dialysis and transplants, and he tragically died at 42 in 2010 after a fall. | © NBC

3. Dana Hill
Dana Hill was a rising star who shone in TV shows, commercials, and as a voice in beloved cartoons, with her standout role as Audrey Griswold in National Lampoon's European Vacation. Her life was tragically cut short at 32 in 1996 due to complications from type I diabetes. | © MGM

2. Sage Stallone
Sage Stallone, son of Sylvester Stallone, made a memorable debut as Rocky Jr. in Rocky V. He later built a quiet career away from big blockbusters, and his sudden death at 36 in 2012 from a heart attack shocked many of the fans. | © United Artists

1. Taylor Negron
Taylor Negron was a memorable That Guy actor known for his brief but standout roles in films like Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Better Off Dead. He also charmed TV audiences on Seinfeld and Friends and was a gifted writer and painter, passing away at 57 in 2015 from liver cancer. | © Warner Bros. Television
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