A Tribute To The Stars: Looking Back To The Glory of Past Hollywood Stars
People who made a huge impact while they are still alive can never be forgotten. Their great works were an inspiration to many artists today and they are still looked up to by the younger ones. Although they’re no longer here, their skills and creativity have left marks in Hollywood’s history. Let’s take a moment to look back on the glory of past Hollywood stars, who dominated the small and big screen with their presence and talent during the first half of the century. Let’s pay tribute to the Hollywood stars who, to their credit, shined through until the early 2000s.
Robert Loggia – Complications from Alzheimer’s Disease
Robert Loggia was a famous actor and director of his time. He gained several film credits and awards in his more than six decades in the industry. Among his greatest works include The Greatest Story Ever Told, Pink Panther, Independence Day, The Sopranos, and Return to Me. Sadly, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease back in 2012. He developed a number of complications and he passed away in December 2015. He was found in his home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles and he was 85 years old when he died.
Steve James – Pancreatic Cancer
Steve James easily became one of the hottest faces of the ’70s and ’80s after appearing in the hit movies American Ninja and Delta Force. Before gaining fame, he was already appearing on screen as a stunt performer. Graduating with a degree in Arts and Film at C.W. Post College, he had all the basics that he needed to start his career. Working his way from being a stunt performer to Hollywood’s hottest star, he learned the tricks and craft of the trade. However, he retired from acting at the age of 41. He passed away shortly because of pancreatic cancer. His fans and friends were all shocked by his passing.
Corey Haim – Pneumonia
Another big name during the old days is Corey Haim. He was also considered one of the hottest male leads back in the ’80s. He has a number of film credits to his name including Lucas, Silver Bullet, Murphy’s Romance, and The Lost Boys. He even became more popular when he starred in the reality show The Two Coreys. Unfortunately, fame had turned him into terrible habits. He was in and out of rehab for several occasions. He got to a point when he was nearly broke. He developed pulmonary edema later on and passed away in March 2010.
Paul Gleason – Pleural Mesothelioma
Paul Gleason was among the A-List Hollywood actors during his time. He had been a part of big projects on film and TV namely All My Children, Trading Places, The Breakfast Club, and Die Hard. Did you know that Gleason was also an incredible golfer? Yes, aside from his acting skills, he was also a seasoned golfer. Everything was going out well for him until he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer affecting the lungs. According to the doctors, he could have gotten his sickness from his father’s various business investments, where he worked during his teen years. He passed away at the age of 67 in May 2006.
Laura Branigan – Brain Aneurysm
Laura Branigan would always be synonymous with her classic song Gloria, which became certified platinum back in the early ’80s. After this, she released another record-breaking cover titled Self Control. These two songs were very popular and well-received by her audience. She passed away in one of her real estate investments in August 2004. Reports say that she lost her life suffering from an undiagnosed ventricular brain aneurysm. She was found sleeping without life in her East Quogue home. She was just 52 at the time. They added that the singer and songwriter complained of headaches a few weeks back before she passed away.
Joe Santos – Heart Attack
Joe Santos was dominating Hollywood with his incredible talent during the ’70s and ’80s. His notable roles were Sgt. Dennis Becker in the popular NBC drama The Rockford Files. Before hitting the small screen, though, Santos was actually a brilliant football player. Another trivia: There came a time when he was almost close to bankruptcy and had to be helped by his old pal Al Pacino. Pacino helped him manage his financial crisis and move him along the right path. His fans were devastated when he suddenly passed away on March 18, 2016. Sourcing his family and close friends, reports say that Santos suffered a heart attack, which led to his untimely death.
Michael Jeter – Epileptic Seizure
Michael Jeter has more than two decades worth of experience acting on film and on stage. He was considered as one of the seasoned actors during the ’90s. His notable performance would be that of Mister Noodle in the world-famous children’s show Sesame Street. Although he had won several awards including a Tony and an Emmy. His last project was a voice credit for the animated film The Polar Express. Jeter passed away in March 2003. He was found lifeless in his Hollywood home. They say that he died out of complications from HIV. His doctors, however, say that he was quite healthy in the last years of his life. He actually died from complications after an epileptic seizure.
John Hurt – Pancreatic Cancer
Sir John Hurt is one of the most famous English actors in the industry. He had an impressive list of film credits to his name and had been nominated countless times for his brilliant acting skills. His first-ever mainstream appearance was unforgettable in A Man for All Seasons back in 1966. He also appeared in 10 Rolling Place, which earned him a BAFTA nomination. Hurt was diagnosed with early-stage pancreatic cancer in 2015. He was responding positively to his treatments that’s why he continued acting after he announced his illness in public. He passed away three days after his 77th birthday back in 2017.
Teena Marie – Natural Causes
Teena Marie had one of the most distinct voices back in her active years. Sometimes called Lady Tee, she transformed the R&B and soul genre with her work that earned her the title Ivory Queen of Soul. She was one of the most talented musicians of her time, being able to play several instruments like the guitar, keyboard, and percussion. While her future looked bright, she had a freak accident back in her hotel room in 2004. A large picture frame fell on her while she was sleeping. Insurance or not, the accident caused her to suffer seizures for the rest of her life. In 2010, she passed away due to natural causes.
Dana Hill – Diabetes
Dana Hill was one of the famous supporting actresses in the 80’s. She became famous when she portrayed Audrey Griswold in the 1985 American comedy National Lampoon’s European Vacation. She wasn’t just a talented actress though. She was also a world-class athlete when she was younger. As talented as she is, she has definitely received offers of scholarships from different schools. This could have saved her from student loans, which would have been a good thing. However, her diagnosis of type 1 diabetes prevented her from pursuing her athletic career further. In 1996, the sickness caught up with her and she passed away due to complications.
James Rebhorn – Melanoma
James Rebhorn had a long-acting credit to his name, appearing in more than 100 movies and television during his active years. He wasn’t just part of these projects though, he portrayed his roles brilliantly. However, he was diagnosed with melanoma in 1992. Melanoma is a type of cancer that affects the pigment cells of your skin. While his healthcare plan supported his treatments to manage and eventually cure his disease, he still succumbed to it in March 2014. He passed away at the age of 65.
David Canary – Natural Causes
David Canary was well-known for his role in the NBC western drama titled Bonanza. He was also part of the classic soap opera All My Children, which helped launch his career further. He is well-remembered as Adam Chandler. This also earned him five Daytime Emmy Awards. Did you know that he was a varsity scholar in his college years? This paid off most of his school expenses and he didn’t need any student loan for his studies. He led an active lifestyle so he did not suffer from any kind of disease. He passed away of natural causes in November 2015.
Clint Walker – Heart Failure
Clint Walker was one of the actors who rose to fame when anything western-themed, be it in movies or series, was everyone’s favorite–this was back in the ’50s. His well-known role was that of Cheyenne Bodie in Cheyenne, which aired from the mid-’50s until the early ’60s. His first marriage wasn’t successful so he hired lawyers to sort it out. Sadly, his second wife died and he was left widowed. On his third marriage, he left his wife when he passed away in 2018. It was just a few days before his 91st birthday. The reported cause was congestive heart failure.
David Graf – Heart Attack
David Graf credits his role as Sgt. Eugene Tackleberry in the Police Academy film series for launching his career. This film series became popular in the ’80s. There came a point in his life when he almost filed for bankruptcy. Good thing he made his way to the game show The $20,000 Pyramid, which helped him get out of his financial crisis. From then on, his finances were managed well and he became better in the money front. A few days before his birthday, he suffered a heart attack. Graf left his family and fans back in April 2001. He is considered as one of the veteran actors during his prime.
Chris Penn – Heart Disease
Chris Penn used to play the villain and the antagonist in films. He was your typical tough-looking guy. He played this role from the ’80s until the early 2000s. From time to time, he would take on some different roles like the big funny guy that usually supports the lead actor. He also had voice credits, giving life to one of the characters of a popular game. He had given the ruthless cop Eddie Pulaski a voice in the Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Penn was found dead in his Santa Monica condo, succumbing to nonspecific cardiomyopathy. He died in January 2006.
Leonard Nimoy – Smoking-Related Illness
Leonard Nimoy was well-known for his role in the Star Trek franchise as the iconic Mr. Spock. However, he wasn’t just part of the Star Trek film series. He also ventured into directing, writing, photography and singing during his active years. We can say that he was one talented actor, who isn’t afraid to try new things. In fact, he went on to get his masters degree at Antioch College so he could start teaching the young ones. Sadly, he announced he was suffering from a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 2014. This was caused by smoking. A year after, he fell into a coma and eventually passed away due to complications from his medical condition.
Freddie Mercury – Pneumonia
Freddie Mercury had etched his name in music history. He is the famous frontman of the band, Queen. He wasn’t just the frontman, though. He was a genius singer-songwriter, whose music challenged boundaries and genres. His creations broke records in the U.S. and British charts during the ’70s and ’80s. Did you know that he actually studied playing the piano in boarding school in India? Yes, this was before moving to London. Later on, he became friends with many musicians at London’s Earling College of Art. He passed away due to bronchial pneumonia back in November 1991. He was 45 at that time. He received many credits to his name.
Gloria Vanderbilt – Stomach Cancer
Gloria Vanderbilt was born into high society and she was many things to some degree. She used to be an artist, an author, an actress, a fashion designer and not to mention an heiress and socialite. She belonged to the high-esteemed Vanderbilt family of New York. She is one person, who would be very from bankruptcy. She was also the mother of a famous CNN television anchor, Anderson Cooper, who announced she was suffering from stomach cancer. Vanderbilt passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by friends and family. She was 95 years old at that time.
Reg E. Cathey – Lung Cancer
Reg E. Cathey was a veteran actor who became well-known for his role as Norman Wilson in The Wire. His brilliant performance as Freddy Hayes in House of Cards had earned him three consecutive Emmy Award nominations. He has a long list of film and television credits to his name. His passing was reported in February 2018. He died in his home in New York City and reports say that the culprit was lung cancer. He was 59 at that time.
Ron Glass – Respiratory Failure
Ron Glass had a long list of TV and film credits to his name. Perhaps, he may have been famous for his role as Detective Ron Harris in the sitcom Barney Miller. This aired from the ’70s until the early ’80s. He also portrayed another famous role in the name of Shepherd Derrial Book in Firefly, and it’s sequel Serenity. He graduated with a degree in arts, drama, and literature and this definitely helped him in his acting career. Unfortunately, he passed away at the age of 71 due to respiratory failure. To his fans, his legacy will always be remembered.
Nicole DeHuff – Pneumonia
Nicole DeHuff had a few huge projects to her name before she passed away. She earned her degree in drama from Carnegie Mellon University according to Wikipedia. Sadly, she suffered from a misdiagnosis of a medical condition that was otherwise curable. During the later part of her life, she was hospitalized several times because of misidentified pneumonia. She was first diagnosed suffering from mere bronchitis and got some prescription medicines. As it was wrongly diagnosed, her condition did not go well. By the time that it was corrected, it was too late and her condition worsened. It wasn’t sure if her family hired lawyers and pursued charges for what happened.
Nelsan Ellis – Complications
Nelsan Ellis became famous for portraying Lafayette Reynolds in the famous HBO television series True Blood. His performance was critically-acclaimed. He was also a playwright to some degree. He earned a Satellite Award from the International Press Academy and other prestigious awards. Everyone was looking forward to his next big project when suddenly news broke of his passing. It turns out that he had developed complications as he managed his alcohol dependency.
James Avery – Complications from Open Heart Surgery
James Avery became famous for playing one of the fan-favorites in the popular sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in the ’90s. The show definitely launched his career until he became one of the most successful supporting actors in Hollywood. However, he reported having experienced multiple health issues that affected his career. His fans were shocked by his unexpected passing at the age of 68. According to reports, he died because of complications after getting open-heart surgery. He was a highly-esteemed actor, looked up to by his colleagues. His long-time co-star Will Smith credits him for giving him the greatest acting and life lessons in his life.
Michael Nyqvist – Lung Cancer
Michael Nyqvist, known as Rolf Åke Mikael Nyqvist in real life, is one of the most popular actors from Sweden. He pursued a degree in the reputable Malmö Theatre Academy before becoming one of the most notable international artists in the 2000s. His brilliant talent in acting stood out when he appeared on The Guy in the Grave Next Door and the Millennium series. He was also part of the supporting cast of several action films like John Wick and Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. Unfortunately, his tremendous career was cut short by lung cancer. In 2017, he passed away at the age of 56. Sadly, all his treatments to beat the disease did not work out.
John Spencer – Heart Attack
John Spencer was a part of the famous television series The West Wing, playing the role of Leo McGarry the secretary of labor turned vice-president-elect on the show. His brilliant performance of the role earned him a Primetime Emmy. Unfortunately, Spencer passed away a few days before his 59th birthday. Reports say that he suffered suddenly of a catastrophic heart attack, which ultimately led to his death. Since he was a big part of the success of the series The West Wing, his name remained in the credits until the final episode.
Alice Playten – Heart Failure
Alice Playten started to make a name for herself when she performed on Broadway in the late ’50s and early ’60s. While not everyone knew the actress back then, she had a brilliant talent that the industry can depend on during her peak years. Her performance in the Broadway musicals launched her career into the mainstream scene. She may not have had major credits for her roles but she received a number of projects including voice acting roles. All the while battling type 1 diabetes. This just proved her determination to succeed in her craft. However, she suffered from heart failure as a result of complications of her illness.
Holly Lewis–Unknown Causes
Holly Lewis was one of the talented actresses Hollywood has seen. While she didn’t have any major film or TV credits to her name, she became one of the most successful endorsers of many brands. She studied arts at Arizona University and made her way into the entertainment industry afterward. Aside from her endorsement projects and a few appearances on screen, she also became part of several plays and even produced a number of films. In fact, she did the 2004 film, Oscar. Sadly, she was found dead in her home in Murdock, Nebraska in June 2012. While not many details were released regarding her death, everyone assumed it was of natural causes or sudden illness.
Marcia Wallace – Breast Cancer
Marcia Wallace led a colorful life and lived an inspiration to everyone. She was the epitome of determination, who found success in hard work and dedication to her craft. She was near bankruptcy at one point in her life. She only had over a hundred dollars in her bank account when she finished college. This did not hold her back from pursuing her dream, though. She found herself on The Merv Griffin Show and that was the breakthrough that she needed. The rest they say is history. Towards the latter part of her life, she suffered all sorts of severe medical conditions including pneumonia and sepsis. Sadly, she was diagnosed with cancer, which eventually took her life. She was 70 at that time, about to celebrate her birthday a week before she passed away. She remains an inspiration to many struggling artists in the industry.
Sunny Johnson – Burst Blood Vessel in Brain
Sunny Johnson only had a short stint in Hollywood but her stay was well-remembered. This was because of her brilliant performance as the figure skater Jeanie in the 1983 film Flashdance. However, this was also her last movie credit before she passed away. Just a year after the film was released, reports say that Johnson was found unresponsive inside her home. While she was rushed to the hospital hoping to make it in time, she passed away because of a brain hemorrhage. Her death was announced to the public in June 1984.
Brittany Murphy – Pneumonia and Anemia
Britanny Murphy easily became one of Hollywood’s hottest stars back in the ’90s and 2000s. She was initially an aspiring singer during this time but found success in film. She made a lot of investments to realize her dream of wanting to become a star. It seemed her efforts paid off. After moving from Atlanta to LA, she received an offer to be a part of a big project. This big project was the film Clueless back in 1995. After portraying Tai Fraiser, the audience was looking forward to seeing her on the big screen again. However, her career was cut short when she was found unconscious in her bathroom. According to autopsy reports, the cause of her death was pneumonia, which had complications of anemia.
Richard Griffiths – Complications from Heart Surgery
Richard Griffiths was a multi-award winning Hollywood actor back in his days. He was one of Hollywood’s greatest, receiving tons of acting credits for his different performances. In fact, he earned the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor, Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play, and a nomination for BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a leading role. He was also honored by Teesside University, recognizing his huge impact on British movies and television. His fans were devastated to learn of his passing because of complications following his heart surgery. His peers can’t help but honor his works and share heartwarming anecdotes about how Griffiths touched their lives.
Romi Koch – Unknown Cause
Romi Koch had a mysterious existence in Hollywood. She became popular for taking the lead role in the movie Dead Doll back in 2004. For unknown reasons, she suddenly stepped back from the limelight without much trace. Many speculations surfaced but the most popular one was that she was involved in a car accident back in August 2005 that took her life. Meanwhile, others say that it was simply a scheme of some degree to allow her to escape the limelight. No one can confirm why she disappeared from the entertainment industry and she remains a mystery to everyone up to this day.
Justin Pierce – Suicide
Justin Pierce had a good list of film and movie credits to his name. He was well-known for portraying Casper in the 1995 film Kids. He also did a good performance as Roach in Next Friday. He appeared in several episodes of Malcolm in the Middle. If he was not acting, he was seen riding on his skateboard. While the future looked bright for this young boy, he experienced a rough time while growing up. This may have played a huge part in why he ended his life. His parents were processing their divorce too. This may have pushed him to indulge in unhealthy activities instead of focusing on his studies. He passed away in July 2000.
Andrew Koenig – Suicide
Andrew Koenig was another suicide case in Hollywood. He was a force to reckon with during his peak years in the film industry. He was well known for his role as Richard “Boner” Stabone in Growing Pains. He was a talented actor, director, and writer. Aside from this, he was a known human rights advocate. In fact, he braved the refugee camps located at the outskirts of Thailand, helping out and giving support in 2007. To some degree, he still found time to contribute good deeds to society. However, his good works and stellar career weren’t enough to keep him happy it seems. He hanged himself in Vancouver’s Stanley Park in 2010. He was only 41 years old at the time.
Deanna Lund – Pancreatic Cancer
If you loved the classic movies, then you would easily recognize Deanna Lund. She has one of the prettiest faces back in the ’60s. She was much in demand as a supporting actress because of her incredible looks and brilliant acting skills. Did you know that she ended the pursuit of her degree in college and married her high school sweetheart? Yes, she dropped out of school and got married instead. She then made her way into Hollywood to create a name for herself. She passed away in June 2018 due to pancreatic cancer. Her fans were saddened by her passing. She passed away at the age of 81.
J.T. Walsh – Heart Attack
James Thomas Patrick Walsh or otherwise known as J.T. Walsh in Hollywood had a long list of film credits to his name. He mostly played the bad guy or antagonist in several films at the peak of his career. He was even playfully dubbed by Playboy Magazine as everybody’s favorite scumbag. Sadly, he passed away in February 1998. He was just 54 at that time. His friends and colleagues, including Jack Nicholson, honored him with kind words and acknowledged the contributions he made. Later on, Nicholson dedicated his Academy Award for As Good as It Gets to J.T. Walsh.
Richard Attenborough – Heart Failure
Richard Attenborough was considered an icon in the British film and television industry. This was for his great work during World War II. He was part of the RAF Film Productions that captured Royal Air Force raids on film. While doing this across Europe, he suffered permanent ear damage in one of his flight exercises. We only hope a comprehensive medical insurance had covered his expenses at the time. His health further declined when he retired from the film industry. He had been in and out of the hospital several times due to heart problems. In fact, he had a pacemaker in 2008. He passed away at the age of 90 in August 2014.
Len Lesser – Cancer-Related Pneumonia
Leonard King Lesser otherwise known as Len Lesser was one of the most seasoned actors in Hollywood during his time. His brilliant acting was notable on stage and on screen. Perhaps, he would always be remembered as Uncle Leo in Seinfeld. He also appeared regularly in another sitcom called Everybody Loves Raymond, where he portrayed the character of Garvin. Sadly, the industry was remorseful for his passing in February 2011. According to reports, Lesser suffered from cancer-related pneumonia. He was 88 when he died. His list of acting credits was remarkable.
Barney Martin – Bladder Cancer
Barney Martin was one of the few actors in Hollywood, who may not have a long list of acting credits to his name but did a brilliant job in the projects he had worked in. He was well-known for his iconic role as Morty Seinfeld in the popular sitcom Seinfeld. Did you know what he was into when not acting on screen? He was actually one of the New York City Police Department’s excellent detectives. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with bladder cancer and he passed away at the age of 82. His fans and peers were grieved by his sudden passing.
Alexis Arquette – Cardiac Arrest
Alexis Arquette is considered an icon in the LGBT community. Arquette’s fame started when she was still very young. At the age of 12, she already appeared in a music video and she then went on to be a part of the 1986 film Down and Out in Beverly Hills. When she reached the peak of her career, she decided to go under the knife for a gender reassignment surgery. The process of her transformation was publicized by her camp. The exposure actually landed her more projects. While well covered by medical insurance, this wasn’t enough to save her from a cardiac arrest which was a complication brought by HIV.
Farrah Fawcett – Cancer
Farrah Fawcett was considered one of the prettiest female leads in Hollywood during her time. She rose to international fame after appearing in an iconic red swimsuit poster. Later on, this became one of the bestselling pin-up posters in history. She was also part of the first season of the hit TV series Charlie’s Angels, portraying Jill Munroe. Her brilliant performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination. Sadly, she passed away in 2009 due to cancer. In the same year, NBC was able to capture her battle with the disease. She actually produced this documentary titled Farrah’s Story. She earned her fourth Emmy nomination to this. With her great success, we assume that she must have left a lot of investments to her family.
Pat Morita – Kidney Failure
Pat Morita will always be remembered as Mr. Miyagi in the famous film series The Karate Kid. This was his most notable role by far. He rose to international fame after appearing in this film. In fact, he received several credits from major award-giving bodies for his brilliant performance. He went on to play various roles in other films during his stint in Hollywood. His other noteworthy performances were Arnold Takahashi in Happy Days and the voice of Emperor of China in the 1995 animated film Mulan. Sadly, he passed away due to kidney failure. He made a huge impact and is still remembered up to this day.
Bill Nunn – Leukemia
Bill Nunn had a long-standing career in Hollywood, appearing in more than 70 different shows and films. His most notable roles were that of Radio Raheem in Do the Right Thing and Robbie Robertson in The Spiderman trilogy. However, he suffered from leukemia and this caught up with him in September 2016. While he lived a healthy lifestyle, with good medical insurance coverage, he did not win the battle against this cancer. Up to this day, it remains a mystery how he acquired the disease knowing that he led a healthy lifestyle.
Wendie Jo Sperber – Breast Cancer
One of the famous stars who fell ill and passed away due to breast cancer was Wendie Jo Sperber. She was only 47 years old when she passed away. However, she did not just give up without a good fight. She was considered as one of the toughest warriors against breast cancer. In fact, she was an active member of a number of cancer prevention and support groups. While fighting the dreadful disease, she was also busy adding film credits to her name. Some of the films she had appeared in include I Wanna Hold Your Hand and Back to the Future, where she portrayed Marty McFly’s sister.
Gina Mastrogiacomo – Myocarditis
Gina Mastrogiacomo had a short stint in the film industry but it was one that won’t easily be forgotten. She passed away due to a rare inflammation of the heart muscle technically known as Myocarditis. This is a result of severe bacterial infection of a vital organ. She was just 39 years old when she passed away. This was very unfortunate as her career was looking promising when she fell ill. She had remarkable film credits during her time, which includes the film Alien Terror. She even got to work with the renowned filmmaker Martin Scorsese in the film Goodfellas. Afterward, she appeared in a number of TV series until she fell ill and passed away.
Jean Stapleton – Natural Causes
Jean Stapleton had more or less six decades of acting experience to her name. She was a seasoned actress, who started her career in 1941 and ended it in 2001. During this time, she had gained many prestigious awards and recognitions. By far, her most well-known role was being the beloved Edith Bunker in the classic CBS sitcom All in the Family. With six decades worth in the industry, we are sure that she’s been able to set aside insurance and retirement plans. However, she passed away in 2013 because of natural causes, just two years after she retired. She passed away at the age of 90 years old.
Malcolm Mclaren – Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Malcolm Robert Andrew McLaren in real life was one of the most well-known personalities in the entertainment industry. He is famous for his radical thinking, often coming up with ideas well ahead of the times. He had a talent for recognizing people with good talent, turning them into investments with great returns. In fact, he managed the famous New York Dolls and Sex Pistols back in the days. He was also a known icon, who transformed the punk movement and its fashion. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma back in October 2009. This is a form of cancer that affects the abdominal lining. Barely two years after, he passed away.
Jonathan Brandis – Suicide
Jonathan Brandis kicked off his career at a young age, starting as a model in a number of brand commercials. Subsequently, he ventured into doing television and movie roles. His first major appearance was in ABC’s sitcom One Life to Live. Afterward, he appeared in the 1990 film The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter, which cemented his role as a teen idol in the ’90s. He also appeared in the sci-fi series SeaQuest DSV. It looked like he had a good future in the industry but for some reason, his career started to dwindle. This had a negative impact on him and he later developed signs of depression. To some degree, his declining career had a huge impact on his decision to take his own life.
Andy Hallett – Congestive Heart Failure
Andy Hallett became famous after starring in the fantasy TV series Angel, which was a huge hit back in the early 2000s. Hallet was not just good at acting, he was also good at singing! In fact, he performed two of the series’ soundtrack from their 2005 album Angel: Live Fast, Die Never. Sadly, a few months after filming the final part of Angel, he suffered greatly from a seemingly harmless dental infection. The infection quickly escalated, affecting his heart. His case was possible cardiomyopathy. While he was well covered with medical insurance, his heart was greatly damaged due to the infection. He passed away from congestive heart failure in March 2009.
Guillaume Depardieu – Pneumonia
Guillaume Depardieu was born from a family of great talents. He was a French actor with a long line of movie credits and recognition. His first acting role was in Pas si méchant que ça back in the ’70s. While he took long breaks in between projects, he seemed to come back performing better than before. In fact, when he made his return afterward, he appeared in Tous les matins du monde, which earned him a nomination for a César Award for Most Promising Actor. However, he later developed bad habits, which greatly affected his health. He suffered from viral pneumonia and passed away in October 2008 at the age of 37 due to complications
Avicii – Suicide
Known as Tim Bergling in real life, Avicii was one of the rising stars in the global music scene in the current decade. He transformed mixed music and started to create his own niche. His most popular works would be Levels and Wake Me Up, which topped the charts and were critically praised in the music world. In fact, his works had earned him a number of recognitions and awards. His only investments were his time and talent. However, he had to back out of the limelight because of multiple health issues. He shocked everyone when he decided to take his own life after suffering from depression.
John Gavin – Pneumonia
Fans of classic films would probably recognize John Gavin, who appeared in a number of famous films during the ’60s. Known as Juan Vincent Apablasa Jr. in real life, Gavin was part of the cast of Spartacus and took a lead role in Psycho. He wasn’t just into acting though. He was reported to make huge investments in the oil and communication industry. Later on, he passed away in his Beverly Hills home in February 2018. According to reports, the cause of death was complications resulting from his pneumonia.
Marty Allen – Pneumonia
Yet another victim of pneumonia was Marty Allen. Known as Morton David Alpern in real life, Allen was considered as one of the best comedians of all time. He started working in various scenes. You would find him performing in nightclubs and TV before finally landing roles in films. He wasn’t just a famous comedian though. He also had a kind heart, often visiting military hospitals to cheer up the sick and the troops. Reportedly, he was also a philanthropist, who worked alongside a number of health associations and insurance companies to promote good health. Sadly, Allen passed away due to complications brought by pneumonia at the age of 95.
Daryle Singletary – Blood Clot
Daryle Singletary was an iconic country singer during his time. He was known to put his heart and soul to his work. His talent and effort paid off after a number of his albums turned successful. He has a long list of song credits to his name and some of them had topped the music charts. Later on, he was found dead in his home in Tennessee after spending two decades in the music industry. His fans were shocked to learn of his demise. According to the investigation, a probable blood clot caused by his medical issue might have caused his death.
Jon Paul Steuer – Suicide
Jon Paul Steuer started to appear on the screen at a very young age. His childhood was mostly spent modeling just like many child actors. This paved the way for him to join several aspiring artists of Hollywood. Afterward, he portrayed Alexander Rozhenko in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Later on, he appeared in Grace Under Fire. Fans of 90s films would probably recognize him as Johnny “Viper” Vennaro of the Little Giants. After a few years more spending time in Hollywood, he decided to start an investment. He put up a restaurant in Portland, Oregon. Things were going well for Steuer but news of his suicide broke the television in January 2018.
Daniel Pilon – Cancer
Daniel Pilon was well-known for his role in Dallas as Renaldo “Waldo” Marchetta. He was a Canadian actor, who appeared in a number of soap operas such as Guiding Light, Ryan’s Hope, and Days of Our Lives. He appeared in his first film titled Le Viol d’une jeune fille doucel His property suffered a great deal of damage after the 1994 Northridge earthquake. He experienced huge losses that he was forced to file for bankruptcy. That same year, he separated his wife. He seemed to have experienced a series of unfortunate events at this point. Unfortunately, his battle against cancer was lost in June 2018. He was 77 years old when he died.
Robert Sorrells – Natural Causes
Robert Sorrells was an American actor, who appeared in a number of mainstream film projects back in the ’60s. He was also part of the military comedy series Ensign O’Toole. He died in prison due to natural causes back in August 2019. He was about to turn 89 when he passed away. He seemed to have a considerable list of film credits to his name. Some of the other movies he’s appeared in include All Fall down, Mosby’s Marauders, The Ride to Hangman’s Tree, and The Last Challenge.
Lynne Thigpen – Cerebral Hemorrhage
Lynne Thigpen was a seasoned actress on the silver screen back in her days. She pursued her career in acting after she finished her degree in college. She was a brilliant talent, leaving behind a spectacular mark in Hollywood after her death. She earned a number of nominations and awards during her peak years. In fact, she received a total of six Daytime Emmy Award nominations during her career. She also received a Tony in the 1997 film An American Daughter. Sadly, she passed away due to cerebral hemorrhage back in March 2003. Her colleagues and fans were shocked by her sudden passing.
Gary Owens – Complications Due to Diabetes
Gary Owens’s greatest investment was perhaps his voice. He worked as an announcer for Antenna TV. However, his most famous appearance perhaps would be on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, which featured Owens as the on-screen announcer. He also voiced the main character, Space Ghost on the TV series with the same name. Unfortunately, he suffered greatly from type 1 diabetes and passed away at the age of 80. He had been fighting the disease since he was just eight years old.
Ben Woolf – Stroke
Ben Woolf became famous after appearing in a number of horror TV series such as the American Horror Story. While he didn’t have a long list of film credits, he made lasting impressions in the ones he did, especially in the American Horror Story. Did you know that he graduated in a college that allowed him to teach preschoolers while he didn’t have any project? However, his health suffered greatly after he was caught in a traffic accident. He eventually passed away due to a stroke in February 2015 after sustaining a severe head injury.
Daniel Von Bargen – Undisclosed
Daniel von Bargen became popular for his role as Mr. Kruger in the hit sitcom Seinfeld. After this, he portrayed another popular role Commandant Edwin Spangler in the famous series Malcolm in the Middle back in 2000. He had hired divorce lawyers against his then-wife, Margo Skinner, just before the show ended. After this, a series of unfortunate events seemed to have taken place in his life. In 2012, he attempted to shoot himself just to find out that he had diabetes. While details of his death were not disclosed, some are saying that he suffered complications due to his health condition.
Sam Simon – Cancer
Sam Simon is one of the famous creators of perhaps the most popular animated tv shows, The Simpsons. He was among the geniuses, Matt Groening and James L. Brooks, who created the hit animated sitcom. He easily got a degree at Stanford University because of his great talent and genius mind. He was about to drop out of college at one point as he was not initially focused on his academics. Sadly, he was diagnosed with terminal colorectal cancer, which spread out to his other vital organs such as his liver and kidneys. He passed away due to several complications in March 2015.
Bill Paxton – Stroke
Bill Paxton was a famous actor and director back in the ’80s and ’90s. He was considered as one of the hottest actors at that time, having appeared in hit movies such as The Terminator and Streets of Fire. His determination towards his work earned the respect of his peers. His efforts paid off after landing a minor role in the movie Weird Science and Twister. Later on, he ventured into directing short films including Barnes & Barnes: Fish Heads music video. He already suffered a degree of health issues while he was young. In fact, he had a damaged heart valve, which caused him to suffer rheumatic fever back in the days. Paxton passed away due to a stroke at the age of 61. This was after he had open-heart surgery.
Roddy Piper – Cardiopulmonary Arrest
Known as Roderick George Toombs in real life, Roddy Piper was a professional wrestler, who used to compete in the World Wrestling Federation or WWE. He used to appear in World Championship Wrestling too. He was given the nickname “Piper” because of his signature kilt and bagpipe entrance music. He may have been covered with comprehensive medical insurance since his work involved a lot of health risks. Sadly, he was found not responding in his house located in California. Reports say that he passed away due to cardiopulmonary arrest caused by hypertension. Just a few minutes after his death, news broke out already about his passing.
Meadowlark Lemon – Undisclosed
Before Michael Jordan, there was Meadowlark Lemon. He was a former basketball player, who also happens to be a Christian minister in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was considered one of the world’s greatest basketball players. His skills shone when he played for the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team. His investment with the team, which lasted for more than two decades, earned the admiration of many great basketball players. Wilt Chamberlain was quoted saying that Lemon was the best basketball player of all time. Even Michael Jordan seemed to agree, adding that he was a real national treasure. News broke of Lemon’s passing in December 2015. He was 83 when he passed away. His friends had nothing but the best of things to say to him when they bid him farewell.
Thuy Trang – Car Accident
Thuy Trang was a Vietnamese actress who rose to international fame after portraying Yellow Ranger in the sensational teen series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. The series had a huge fan base during its time. Trang portrayed one of the rangers named Trini Kwan. Did you know that she actually wanted to finish a degree in engineering before she pursued acting? Yes, she planned on finishing civil engineering but had a change of heart and focused on acting instead. Which was a good move considering she was doing well until she had a tragic accident. She was driving along Interstate 5 between San Francisco and Los Angeles when this happened. Although she had a short stint, she will be remembered by many teenagers from that time.
Natalie Cole – Heart Failure
Natalie Cole was one talented woman. She was an excellent actress, singer, and songwriter. With her caliber, she was considered as one of the legends in the music industry during her time. Cole actually started back in the ’70s. She released a number of hit singles then. This is not surprising considering she’s the daughter of the Jazz legend Nat King Cole. She was among the highest-earning artists during her time. We bet she had a financial advisor helping her handle her huge fortune. Sadly, her life was cut short when she passed away on New Year’s Eve. She died due to congestive heart failure at the age of 65.
Michael Galeota – Cardiovascular Disease and Hypertension
Michael Galeota easily became a heartthrob after appearing in The Baby-Sitters Club back in the ’90s. Shortly after, he became part of the cast of Women & Men 2: In Love, There Are No Rules. He was among the rising young actors at that time and his career was going pretty well in the years after. His appearance on the comedy series The Jersey as Nick Lighter also helped launch his career further. For some reason, his career turned downwards and he slowly backed off from the limelight. News broke that he was rushed to the hospital due to severe abdominal pains. Covered with medical insurance, his doctors had prescribed a set of treatments, which he refused. In January 2016, he passed away in his own home due to cardiovascular disease and hypertension.
Joe Alaskey – Cancer
Joe Alaskey succeeded the legendary voice talent Mel Blanc, who was famous for giving life to iconic cartoon characters such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Sylvester the Cat, Tweety Bird, Elmer Fudd, Yosemite Sam, Foghorn Leghorn and many more! Alaskey did not just take over the voicing of these characters, he also had other TV show and film credits to his name. Not only that, but he also lent his voice in a number of video games! He was considered one of the best voice actors of all time. Sadly, he passed away in February 2016 from cancer.
Larry Drake – Cardiac Arrest Due to Rare a Blood Cancer
Larry Drake was one of the most iconic actors of all time and his passing brought dark and gloomy clouds to members of the industry. He is well-known as Benny Stulwicz in L.A. Law, which followed the day-to-day life of a famous lawyer based in LA. He received credits for his performance for the role, earning him a pair of Primetime Emmy Awards. He passed away in March 2016 and he was 66 years old at that time. He is remembered as one of the best actors, voice artists, and comedians Hollywood has seen. According to reports, he died due to a rare form of blood cancer. Add to that his hypertension and excess body weight, it was a real struggle to beat the disease.
Gary Coleman – Accident
Gary Coleman was a former child star who made a name for himself after his memorable role as Arnold Jackson in the famous TV sitcom, Diff’rent Strokes. He easily became a fan favorite after saying the catchphrase “What’chu talkin’ bout, Willis?!” To some degree, this role launched his career landing him with other different film and TV projects. He also appeared in Kid with the Broken Halo. Sadly, he passed away in 2010. The brilliant actor died after falling down a flight of stairs at his home. He was just 42 years old at that time of the accident.
Carl Switzer – Accident
Carl Switzer will always be remembered as our favorite freckle-faced Little Rascal, Alfalfa. The Hollywood actor became a fan favorite after playing the Darling-loving role. He cemented his status even further when he appeared on Reg’lar Fellers and Our Gang. Unfortunately, the success he had during his childhood years did not continue when he reached adulthood. At this point, he mostly appeared in B-level movies before deciding to focus on TV projects. Good thing, he put up investment outside of Hollywood. When he’s not acting, you would see him around hunting dogs. He was breeding and training these dogs, even led hunting expeditions. However, there was a misunderstanding about a hunting dog, which cost him his life. He passed away due to a gunshot.
Harold Ramis – Autoimmune Complications
Harold Ramis was the original Ghostbusters co-writer, who started honing his skills in writing when he was getting his degree in college. At that time, he was writing for plays. He then started freelance writing for the Chicago Daily News, which led him to become a joke editor and reviewer for Playboy Magazine. This launched his career even further, opening big opportunities such as co-writing Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters II, and Stripes. Ramis’ last movie was Year One, which was released in 2009. He acted, wrote, and produced this film. He passed away at the age of 69 in 2014. He had complications from his autoimmune ailment, which led to his passing.
Michael Clarke Duncan – Heart Attack
Michael Clarke Duncan was a brilliant actor, who received a nomination from the Academy Awards for his outstanding performance in The Green Mile. Before he received this credit though, he was actually digging ditches to earn money. Later on, he worked as a bodyguard for big-shot Hollywood celebrities such as Jamie Foxx, The Notorious B.I.G, and Will Smith. At this point, he decided to switch careers and give his hand at commercial acting. Similar to what he had done in real life, his roles were mainly bouncers in movies like A Night at the Roxbury and Bulworth. However, he got his big break by playing as John Coffey in the 1999 fantasy crime drama. The actor suffered a heart attack and died at the age of 54.
Dana Plato – Suicide
Dana Plato became a popular name back in 1978 after portraying the character Kimberly Drummond on the famous NBC sitcom, Diff’rent Strokes. The series easily became a huge hit at that time. In fact, it aired for a total eight seasons and led to another hit spin-off series, The Facts of Life. Both series were very successful. However, when Diff’rent Strokes ended, Plato found herself struggling, feeling lost to some degree. Later on, she developed bad habits and in 1999, she took her own life at the age of 34. However, the image etched in the minds of her fans will always be the sweet and charismatic young lady.
Heather O’Rourke – Cardiac Arrest
Heather O’Rourke experienced success at a very young age. She was discovered by the famous director Steven Spielberg during a visit to MGM’s studios. He chose O’Rourke to take the lead role in the 1982 horror film Poltergeist. She is easily remembered today for her role as the daughter with eerie premonitions. She played the character of Carol Anne Freeling in all three Poltergeist films. She also appeared in 12 TV series, which she received credits for. She won a Webster Award and was nominated for six Young Artist Awards. She had a long list of accomplishments to her name but sadly, she passed away at the young age of 12. The lovely child star died in 1988 due to septic shock and cardiac arrest.
Taylor Negron – Liver Cancer
Taylor Negron was an actor and comedian famous for his roles on TV series like Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and That’s So Raven. He was also famous for his unforgettable pizza delivery scene in Fast Times at Ridgemont High! Did you know that Negron was also an accomplished writer and painter? Yes, when he’s not acting, you’ll either see him with a brush or pen on his hand. Sadly, he was diagnosed with cancer of the liver in 2008. For seven years, he kept battling the disease hoping his treatments and insurance would save him from it. He eventually passed away in his Los Angeles home in 2015. He was just 57 when he passed away. He will always be remembered for his funny and comedic voice.
Windell Middlebrooks – Blood Clot
Windell Middlebrooks is easily remembered for his Miller High Life beer ads. He was also famous for his role in The Suite Life on Deck, which was the sequel to The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. He played the character of the cruise ship’s security guard, Kirby Morris. Middlebrooks also received major acting credits in Ace in the Hole and Body of Proof. Fans also remember him for his appearances on Hannah Montana, My Name is Earl and Scrubs. Sadly, Middlebrooks passed away in 2015 due to a blood clot. He was just 36 years old. His passing away became trending on Twitter at that time.
Natasha Richardson – Accident
Natasha Richardson was a brilliant actress coming from the Redgrave acting dynasty. She started acting in theater and lat,er on, became one of the most seasoned actresses of all time. She succeeded in acting in both plays and musicals, such as in Anna Christie and A Streetcar Named Desire. However, she rose to fame when she appeared in a mainstream film back in 1998. She played the character of Elizabeth James in The Parent Trap, which was, to the film’s credit, a big hit when it was released. This shift to light-hearted roles will always be remembered by her fans. Sadly, she passed away from head injuries due to a ski accident back in 2009. She was just 45 at that time.
Gregory Hines – Liver Cancer
Gregory Hines was a talented actor and dancer, who made his debut film in the 1981 comedy film History of the World, Part I. This movie was written, directed, and produced by the iconic Mel Brooks. His natural charm and brilliant performance in this film were critically acclaimed. To some degree, this launched his career to greater heights, landing him in roles like The Cotton Club, White Nights, and Waiting to Exhale. Later on, he had his own show The Gregory Hines Show. He also portrayed Ben Doucette in Will and Grace. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2003 due to liver cancer. He was just 57 at that time.
Sawyer Sweeten – Suicide
Everybody Loves Raymond was such a huge hit back in the ’90s and the actors had an immense fan base at that time and that includes Sawyer Sweeten. Fans of the hit sitcom would surely remember Geoffrey Barone, who was played by the child actor. He was known for his sweet smile and adorable charisma. However, Sweeten committed suicide in April 2015 at the age of 19. His sudden passing shocked fans of the sitcom and his colleagues showered him with credits and sweet anecdotes.
Michelle Thomas – Stomach Cancer
Michelle Thomas was born into the entertainment industry from talented parents. Her father was a musician while her mother was a stage actress. She became popular for portraying the character of Justine Phillips in NBC’s The Cosby Show. She was also well-known for playing Myra Monkhouse in Family Matters. She relatively led a healthy lifestyle, following a vegan diet with no alcohol or nicotine. Ironically, she was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 1997. We hope she had comprehensive medical insurance at that time since she had to undergo two surgeries. She eventually passed away a year later in 1998. She was just 30 years old at the time of her passing.
John Cazale – Lung Cancer
John Cazale was a hardworking actor, who received credits for five different films within a span of six years. If this wasn’t enough, all his five movies received nominations from the Academy Award for Best Picture. These movies were The Godfather, The Conversation, The Godfather Part II, Dog Day Afternoon, and The Deer Hunter. Cazale consistently received recognition for his outstanding performances throughout his career. However, he was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1977. Just a year after, he lost the battle against the dreaded disease.
Sarah Danielle Madison – Natural Causes
Sarah Danielle Madison was a familiar face back in the ’90s. She landed major roles in big hit films such as Jurassic Park III. Afterward, she played the character of Dr. Sarah Glass in the popular CW drama, 7th Heaven. Her character was a daughter of a rabbi, who fell in love with the son of a Christian pastor. She then went on to portray Colleen Sarkoissian in 90210! According to reports she initially wanted to finish a degree in medicine and proceed to become a doctor. However, she ended up on the set of the popular 1997 film, My Best Friend’s Wedding. She passed away of natural causes in a cabin in Wisconsin in September 2014. She was 40 years old when she passed away.
Skye McCole Bartusiak – Seizure
Skye McCole Bartusiak was famous for portraying Mel Gibson’s daughter in the hit movie The Patriot. Bartusiak was introduced to Hollywood at a very young age and was said to have a promising future. Her first movie credit was in The Cider House Rules back in 1999. She already acted alongside big stars like Michael Douglas and Brittany Murphy in Don’t Say a Word in 2001. Not only that, but she also appeared in the film Kill Your Darlings with Alexander Skarsgard in 2006. Sadly, she suffered from epileptic seizures before she passed away. However, the reports led to accidental drug overdose as the cause of her death in 2014.
Sage Stallone – Heart Attack
While Rocky V was Sylvester Stallone’s least-loved film, this is where his very own son Sage Stallone made his major appearance. The film narrates how a heavyweight champion is breaking apart after losing his ability to box. Add to that, he wasn’t in the best of terms with his son. To help narrate the story, Sylvester brought in Sage who was 14 years old at that time. He played the part of Robert “Rocky Jr.” Balboa. His performance on this dad’s film made an impact to some degree for he continued to take on minor projects. However, he passed away at a young age of 36 due to a heart attack. He died in July 2012.
Richard Bonehill – Natural Causes
Richard Bonehill may not be a familiar face to many but his characters are very well known even up to this day. Star War fans would easily recognize the characters he had played throughout his career, specifically in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. He did fill in a number of different background roles at first, including being a stormtrooper and rebel alliance soldier. However, he managed to land a big acting credit in the franchise, playing as Nien Nunb. He was the co-pilot of Lando Calrissian in the Return of the Jedi. Sadly, he suddenly passed away in February 2015 at the age of 67. It wasn’t disclosed what the cause was but his death was ultimately ruled as having been from natural causes.
Earl Hindman – Lung Cancer
Earl Hindman may not have a long list of film credits to his name but he had consistent appearances in film throughout his career. He appeared in movies like C.H.U.D., Silverado, and The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. He was part of the cast of the long-running ABC daytime drama Ryan’s Hope. He played the part of Bob Reid, a role that he appeared in for more than 450 episodes. However, it was his next supporting role, which earned him far greater fame. Most of his fans would remember him as Wilson, a neighbor of Tim “The Toolman” Taylor in the successful series Home Improvement. He was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed away in December 2003 at the age of 61.
Bernie Mac – Pneumonia Complications
Bernie Mac was a popular comedian and considered as the greatest one in Hollywood.
He was one of The Original Kings of Comedy next to Cedric the Entertainer, D. L. Hughley, and Steve Harvey. Mac launched his career as a successful comedian starting from stand-up comedy routines inspired by Richard Pryor as he did with many comedians. Mac was able to build his style from this. His investment paid off when he started receiving major roles in hit movies like Friday, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, Ocean’s Eleven, Transformers, and many more. He passed away from Sarcoidosis, which greatly damaged his lungs. He eventually died from pneumonia complications in August 2008.
Richard Harris – Hodgkin’s Disease
Richard Harris was one of the veteran actors of Hollywood. He graced the stage and screen with his brilliant acting skills. Throughout his career, he had an impressive list of film credits, recognitions and honors. When you thought he couldn’t get more popular, he starred in the Harry Potter film franchise. He is well-known today as the beloved headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the first two movie installments of the franchise – The Sorcerer’s Stone and The Chamber of Secrets. However, he wasn’t able to continue anything further when he passed away on October 25 at the age of 72.
Terry Jones – Dementia
Terry Jones is popularly known for his iconic British comedy film and TV series, Monty Python. He passed away in January 2020 as announced by his family in a statement. He died after battling a rare form of dementia. He revolutionized the TV industry with his work in Monty Python’s Flying Circus, which aired from 69 until 74. He continued to set trends when he worked on releasing the film series of Monty Python. The 1975 Monty Python and the Holy Grail remains as one of the funniest movies of all time. He received credits for these contributions in film and TV.
Stan Kirsch – Suicide
Stan Kirsch was an American actor, who is well-known for playing Richie Ryan in the Highlander spin-off series. He also had a memorable appearance on the iconic TV series, FRIENDS. He also appeared in other popular sitcoms such as General Hospital, Riders in the Sky, and True Colors in the early ’90s. Sadly, he committed suicide in January of 2020 at the age of 51. According to reports, his wife Kristyn Green found him after he died. Kirsch used his experience as an investment to, later on, become an acting coach.
Norma Michaels – Natural Causes
Norma Michaels was famous for playing Josephine alongside Jerry Stiller in the CBS sitcom King of Queens. She made her debut role in the mid-’50s in the series The George Gobel Show. She used to appear sporadically in the series King of Queens during her career. Later on, she appeared in more TV series like Malcolm in the Middle, Ally McBeal, Gilmore Girls, Everybody Loves Raymond, Modern Family, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. She also had major credits in feature films like Wedding Crashers, You Don’t Mess with the Zohan, and Easy A. Sadly she died in January 2020. According to reports, she passed away peacefully at her Palm Springs home at the age of 95.
William Bogert – Unknown Cause
William Bogert became famous for his regular role as Brandon Brindle in the sci-fi sitcom Small Wonder back in the ’80s. He rose to fame for appearing in a 1964 political ad called Confessions of a Republican. Afterward, he landed movie roles, some of which include WarGames, Dog Day Afternoon, and A Perfect Murder. He passed away in one of his real estate investments in New York last January of 2020. He was 83 when he passed away. The official cause of death hasn’t been disclosed.
Marsha Kramer – Unknown
Marsha Kramer was a TV and theater actress famous for her role as Ed O’Neill’s long time assistant Margaret on Modern Family. She appeared in 14 episodes over the last seven years. She was considered a long-time friend by Director Jeff Greenberg, who worked with her on the ABC sitcom. In fact, it was he who confirmed her death in a statement. Before this, she made a huge name for herself after portraying Wendy in the 1979 Broadway revival of Peter Pan. She also appeared in other productions like Stepping Out, The Secret Garden, and Showboat, among many others. With so many years in the industry, we believe she had a financial advisor handling her funds before she passed away.
John Karlen – Congestive Heart Failure
John Karlen became famous for playing Willie Loomis in the soap opera Dark Shadows. He also played Tyne Daly’s husband in the classic sitcom Cagney & Lacey. Before that, he made his acting debut in 1960 on the stage of a Broadway production titled Sweet Bird of Youth.
John passed away in January 2020 in hospice care in Burbank, California. According to reports, he had suffered a degree of health issues in the past decade. A spokesperson from the family later confirmed the cause of death as congestive heart failure. He was 86 at the time of his passing.
Jack Kehoe – Stroke
Jack Kehoe was a brilliant actor with an impressive list of film credits, including Oscar-winning movies. Did you know that he actually served in the army straight out of high school? After his service, he started acting on stage. He did a phenomenal performance in the late Eugene O’Neill play A Moon for the Misbegotten. This brought him more opportunities in Hollywood. He had worked alongside big stars during his time including Al Pacino in Serpico, Paul Newman, and Robert Redford in The Sting. Kehoe passed away in January 2020 due to complications brought by his stroke. He suffered from a stroke in 2015. He was 85 when he passed away.
Kirk Douglas – Natural Causes
Kirk Douglas is, to his credit, considered one of Hollywood’s best legends. He was the patriarch of the Douglas dynasty. He passed away in February 2020 at the age of 103. It was his son, actor Michael Douglas, who confirmed his death via Instagram. Known as Issur Danielovitch in real life, he started his acting career on Broadway in 1941. However, this was interrupted because of World War II. Later on, he turned on stage and eventually started appearing on the big screen. His famous film by far was Stanley Kubrick’s Spartacus in the 1960s. He is survived by his wife and three sons.
Kevin Conway – Heart Attack
Kevin Conway became popular for his explosive performances on stage and on screen. Just like many actors in his days, he joined the Navy right after high school and did not finish a degree in college. When returned from his service, he started working from the bottom and persevered until he made his way up the company ladder. However, this is when he thought of changing direction. He enrolled in acting classes and the rest, they say, is history. Conway passed away in February 2020 due to a heart attack. He was 77 at that time.
Lynn Cohen – Unknown
Lynn Cohen has a long list of movie and TV show credits to her name. By far, her most popular role would be the funny and frank housekeeper Magda in Sex and the City. She passed away in February 2020. She actually made her debut appearance in a mystery drama Without a Trace in 1983. However, she started getting recognition in the ’90s after appearing in several TV series and movies. The cause of her death wasn’t disclosed although we assume it is of natural causes. Actors she had worked with took to social media to honor her.