Movie stars have become a huge part of our lives, especially when we get attached to a certain character they portray on the big screen. Nonetheless, just like all of us, they grow old and may suffer from various kinds of health issues.
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While many succumb to sickness at an elderly age, some pass away unexpectedly during their youth, as a result of vices or suicides. Still, their legacies live on in the hearts of their fans. Let's take a look at some actors and actresses, who are sadly, no longer with us.
Hector "Macho" Camacho, 2012 | Gunshot
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It's hard to forget the face of, Héctor "Macho" Camacho; he stood out because of the signature hairstyle he wore. He started to compete professionally in the boxing scene during the 1980s, however, he was also known for his appearance in the reality show, Mira Quien Baila.
Camacho's life came to end after he was shot outside of a bar in November of 2012. Despite being able to get help, he succumbed to his injuries and became clinically brain dead. Three days later, his mother decided to have him removed from life support. He died at age 50.
Kirby Puckett, 2006 | Cerebral Hemorrhage
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Kirby Puckett was a Major League Baseball star who spent twelve years playing for the Minnesota Twins. He is celebrated for having the highest number of total bases, hits, and runs. When his baseball career concluded his batting average was an astounding .318.
In 2006, after an emergency surgery failure, Puckett passed away at the age of 45 due to an unexpected hemorrhagic stroke. The autopsy reports later ruled the cause of his death to be cerebral hemorrhage that was caused by hypertension. He died 8 days before his 46th birthday.
Craig Sager, 2016 | Acute Myeloid Leukemia
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Craig Sager was a popular sports reporter who spent many years working for CNN, TNT, and TBS. He was often seen as a sideline reporter in different NBA games. In 2014, he was absent from the NBA Playoffs after discovering that he had acute myeloid leukemia.
Despite having two bone marrow transplants and entering into remission, the condition returned and he was overcome by his sickness in 2016. A year after his death, he was awarded the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Curt Gowdy Media Award during the NBA All-Star game.
Reggie Lewis, 1993 | Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
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Reggie Lewis was a popular basketball player, drafted into the NBA in 1987. He bid his farewell too soon at just 27 years of age in 1993. He was in the midst of an off-season practice session when he faced sudden cardiac arrest.
It was later discovered that he had been battling complications months before. The cause of his death was hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a heart defect. However, allegedly, cocaine use was identified as a contributing factor as well. Lewis was a member of the Boston Celtics for six years and was a one-time NBA All-Star.
Windell Middlebrooks, 2015 | Pulmonary Embolism
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We're sure many of you remember the actor, Windell Middlebrooks for appearing in The Suite Life on Deck, but we bet you were unaware, up until now that he had passed away. Brooks was found lifeless in his home in March of 2015 and was pronounced dead on arrival at the emergency room.
The cause of his death was later revealed to be a fatal pulmonary embolism. A blood clot reportedly blocked at least one of his lungs' arteries. Middlebrooks was only 36 years old. His final acting role was in the movie Road Hard.
Patrick Swayze, 2009 | Pancreatic Cancer
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Patrick Swayze was one of the most popular heartthrobs in Hollywood right through the 1980s and onward. His roles in movies like Dirty Dancing, Ghost, and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar increased his popularity tremendously. He is also known for his smooth vocals on the hit song, She's Like the Wind.
He discovered he had stage IV pancreatic cancer in 2008 and despite undergoing surgery, he succumbed to the ailment in September 2009. His remains were later scattered over the ranch he owned in Mexico. Swayze's last two projects at the time of his death were, the drama series, The Beast and the movie, Powder Blue.
Paul Gleason, 2006 | Pleural Mesothelioma
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Paul Gleason was best known for his roles in movies such as; Die Hard and The Breakfast Club, and his roles in the television series, All My Children and One West Waikiki. Throughout his career, he guest-starred in several hit TV shows, such as; Drake & Josh, Boy Meets World, and George Lopez.
He passed away in 2006, at age 67, from pleural mesothelioma which is linked to asbestos, a toxic, natural mineral. It is believed the asbestos exposure began when he worked on building sites with his father as a teenager. Gleason's last movie role was in 2011's The Passing.
Glenn Quinn, 2002 | Heroin Overdose
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Irish actor, Glenn Quinn, was well-known in the '90s thanks to his role as Mark Healy in the popular sitcom, Roseanne. You may also remember him for starring as Doyle in Angel, a spin-off series of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Although he experienced tremendous success, he had his share of struggles.
Quinn's life came to an end in 2002 after he overdosed on heroin. It was revealed that he had issues with substance abuse and was enduring homelessness months before his death. His vices reportedly began when his parents' marriage crumbled. His final on-screen appearance was in the movie, R.S.V.P.
Chris Penn, 2006 | Heart Disease
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Chris Penn was once the go-to guy for tough or villainous movie roles. Some of the most memorable performances he had in his career were in movies like Footloose, Rush Hour, and The Wild Life. He also lent his voice to the iconic Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas video game.
Penn sadly passed away in 2006 at 40 years old; the cause of his death was heart disease. They later found codeine and morphine in his system after performing an autopsy. The last project he worked on in his career was the movie Aftermath.
David Graf, 2001 | Coronary Thrombosis
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During the '80s, actor David Graf was known for playing Sgt. Eugene Tackleberry in the Police Academy film series. You may also recall seeing him in noteworthy shows like Quantum Leap, The A-Team, and M*A*S*H. He continued to make appearances in several TV series before passing away suddenly in 2001, from coronary thrombosis.
At the time of his passing, he was attending a marriage ceremony and was set to turn 51 years old in just over a week. He maintained a consistent acting career up until the final year of his life. His final film roles were in The Cactus Kid and Rules of Engagement.
Andrew Koenig, 2010 | Suicide
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Andrew Koenig was best known as one of the Growing Pains' cast members. He starred in the popular series for four seasons and also voiced the character, Ambush in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. In addition, Koenig worked behind the camera as a writer, editor, and director.
Koenig, although a passionate humanitarian, suffered from depression. In 2010, two years after a protest in California, he took his own life, at the age of 41. He was found hanging from a tree at the Stanley Park in Vancouver. His final on-screen appearance was in DaZe: Vol. Too - NonSeNse.
Carrie Fisher, 2016 | Sudden Heart Failure
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Carrie Fisher was a beloved Hollywood actress. She was renown for her iconic role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars franchise. She also had memorable guest appearances in shows like Catastrophe and 30 Rock which earned her award nominations for her outstanding performances.
Fisher's fans were devastated in 2016 after it was announced that she passed away due to sudden heart failure. Despite being admitted into the intensive care unit at a hospital, she took her final breath four days later at age 60. Her mother, actress Debbie Reynolds, passed on the following day.
J. T. Walsh, 1998 | Myocardial Infarction
Hollywood actor, J.T. Walsh was in-demand throughout the course of the '80s and '90s. Some of his most notable roles were in the films; Nixon, A Few Good Men, and Good Morning, Vietnam. After leading an acting career of 15 years, in 1998, at age 54, he died from an MI; myocardial infarction.
The movies; Pleasantville, The Negotiator, and Hidden Agenda were released after his death. When actor Jack Nicholson won an Academy Award for his performance in As Good As It Gets, he dedicated the award to Walsh and gave a heartfelt speech to honor him.
Omar Sharif, 2015 | Heart Attack
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Egyptian actor, Omar Sharif, is best known for his roles in the movies Lawrence of Arabia and Funny Girl, both of which marked box office success. Outside of acting, he was known for being an esteemed contract bridge player, as well as, a horse racing devotee.
In 2015, news broke that Sharif had Altzheimers, and in July of 2015, a heart attack claimed his life. He was 83 years old. His final role was in a short, part animated film titled, 1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al-Haytham.
Diana Rigg, 2020 | Cancer
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She was 82 years old at the time of her death, in September 2020. Diana Rigg has lived a remarkable and highly accomplished life. After all, she’s been acting non-stop since the late ‘50s. Sadly, she succumbed to cancer just months after her diagnosis.
She will always be alive in a way through her timeless performances. She’s played in films like Her Majesty’s Secret Service, and series like The Avengers of the ‘60s and Game of Thrones. She’s now survived through her daughter, Rachael Stirling, who is also an actress like her.
Amanda Peterson, 2015 | Accidental Drug Overdose
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Back in the late '80s, Amanda Peterson was known for starring in the hit movie, Can't Buy Me Love. Following her breakout role, she withdrew from the spotlight in 1994, residing in Greeley, Colorado, where she decided to focus on her studies.
By the early 2000s, her drug addiction became apparent. Unable to regain sobriety, she lost her life after an accidental overdose in 2015. She was only 43 years old at the time of her death. Her last acting role was in the 1994 film, Windrunner.
David Huddleston, 2016 | Heart & Kidney Disease
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Surely, you must remember the film star, David Huddleston for his outstanding performances in the movies The Big Lebowski, Santa Claus: The Movie, and Blazing Saddles. He entered the acting scene in the 1960s and managed to have a career that lasted for over five decades!
After a long and prosperous career, David Huddleston passed away from heart and kidney disease in 2016. He was 85 years old and was reportedly staying in Santa Fe, New Mexico at the time. The thriller, Locker 13 and the Christmas special for It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia were his final projects.
George Martin, 2016 | Cause of Death Undisclosed
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George Martin was a talented English record producer, composer, and musician who often worked with the English rock group, The Beatles. He was constantly referred to as, the "fifth Beatle" because of his considerable involvement in the production of each of the group's iconic albums.
After producing 30 number one hit songs in the United Kingdom, he became less active in the music industry, as the 2000s approached. Martin passed away in his sleep in 2016 at the age of 90. To this day, the cause of his death has not been disclosed.
Len Lesser, 2011 | Cancer-Related Lung Infection
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If you've watched the popular show Seinfeld, then you definitely know who Len Lesser is. He gave life to the character of Uncle Leo on the sitcom and played Garvin on the high ranking series Everybody Loves Raymond. He also served in the U.S Army during World War II.
Lesser was 88 years old when he passed away in February of 2011. The cause of his death was said to be a cancer-related lung infection. The last on-screen appearance he had in his career was in the show called Castle back in 2009.
George Gaynes, 2016 | Natural Causes
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George Gaynes is popularly known for starring in the TV series Police Academy as Commandant Eric Lassard. He is also recognized for playing the character of Henry Warnimont on Punky Brewster. Prior to his acting career, he served in the Royal Netherlands Navy during the Second World War.
Gaynes' career spanned over 50 years until his retirement in 2003; his last film role was in Just Married. When he passed away in 2016, he was already 98 years old, and so one could safely say, he lived a full life. It is reported that he died from natural causes.
Anthony Bourdain, 2018 | Suicide
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Celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain rose to fame when he released the New York Times bestselling book Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly. He later became a known TV personality after he hosted shows like A Cook's Tour and Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations.
In 2018, the public was shocked to find out that Bourdain passed away after he committed suicide by hanging. No narcotics were found in his system at the time of his death. In honor of Bourdain, a scholarship was established by The Culinary Institute of America in June 2019.
Richard Attenborough, 2014 | Heart Complications
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Richard Attenborough, also known as, Lord Attenborough was a very talented filmmaker and actor, well recognized for his work on the movie, Gandhi. He also performed on-screen; some of his most popular roles being in movies like Jurassic Park, Miracle on 34th Street, and Brighton Rock.
Five days before his 91st birthday, he passed away, as a result of heart complications. Attenborough was residing in a nursing home with his wife at the time of his death. The last project he directed and produced was the movie Closing the Ring.
Doris Day, 2019 | Pneumonitis
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Doris day first established herself as a singer in the 1940s, continuing to release music up until her final album in 2011. She then became known as a gifted actress, recognized for her notable performances in the movies; Pillow Talk, The Man Who Knew Too Much, and Calamity Jane.
She bid farewell to the big screen in the 1970s and enjoyed a very peaceful life in her Carmel-by-the-Sea, California home. Unfortunately, Day passed away in May of 2019 due to pneumonitis at age 97. At her request, there were no memorials, funeral services, or gravesites.
Nick Lashaway, 2016 | Car Crash
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Actor, Nick Lashaway was only ten years old when he made his acting debut in the drama television series, The X-Files. Over the years, his popularity grew, thanks to the roles he had in Girls, The Last Song, and My Soul To Take.
In 2016, Lashaway was involved in a tragic car crash, which unfortunately led to his unexpected death. He was only 28 years old at the time and definitely had a promising career ahead of him. His last on-screen appearance was in the 2016 movie Prayer Never Fails.
Michelle Thomas, 1998 | Stomach Cancer
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Actress Michelle Thomas became popular in the late '80s thanks to her role in The Cosby Show as Justine Philipps. She later became an even bigger star when she starred as Myra Monkhouse in the television series, Family Matters. Shortly after the show ended, she debuted on the soap opera, The Young and the Restless.
At the height of her career, her life was sadly cut short after she contracted a rare type of stomach cancer in 1998. She was only 30 years old when she passed away. In 1999, it was announced that she won a Daytime Emmy Award for her role in The Young and the Restless.
Nicole DeHuff, 2005 | Pneumonia
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Nicole DeHuff first gained popularity when she appeared in the movie, Meet the Parents in 2000. She later acted roles in the highly-rated shows; The Court, Without A Trace, and CSI: Miami. DeHuff was becoming a well-known face in Hollywood and continued to work on multiple films.
In 2005, DeHuff was misdiagnosed; it was revealed weeks later that she had been suffering from pneumonia. When she collapsed on February 16, 2005, it was already too late for her to be cured. She passed away at the age of 30. DeHuff's last movie role was in Unbeatable Harold.
Trevor Goddard, 2003 | Drug Overdose
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Actor Trevor Goddard is remembered for playing Lieutenant Commander Mic Brumby in JAG and Kano in Mortal Kombat. In 2003, he had a fatal drug overdose, and it is suspected that his death was a suicide, stemming from the emotional weight of his pending divorce.
Illegal substances such as cocaine and heroin were found in his system, as well as the pain medication, Vicodin and the sleeping pill, Temazepam. He was 40 years old when he passed. The last production he was a part of before his death was the movie Flexing with Monty.
Robert Knox, 2008 | Stabbed To Death
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Robert Knox was only eighteen years old when he passed away. He was trying to protect his brother Jamie during a fight at a bar in South-East London's Sidcup area when he suffered a deadly stab wound. A man named Karl Norman Bishop was placed under arrest and sentenced to life in prison for the homicide.
The most notable project Knox was associated with was Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, which was released a year after he passed. Another project he was involved in was the British television show After You've Gone. Before his death, he was to appear in the film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Arnold Palmer, 2016 | Cardiovascular Disease
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Arnold Palmer is one of the most remarkable golf players in history. He was a force to be reckoned with in the mid-1950s and his winning streaks lasted until the '60s. His numerous wins instantly increased his popularity and he was later dubbed as The King.
During the last years of his life, he was suffering from cardiovascular disease. He was supposed to undergo heart surgery in September of 2016, however, he passed away shortly before. He is well remembered for having a total of 95 professional wins in his fruitful career.
Kenny Baker, 2016 | Chronic Lung Condition
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If you are a true Star Wars fan, then you certainly know who Kenny Baker is. He brought the iconic R2-D2 character to life, which gave him profound recognition over the years, as he portrayed the fictional robot in 6 Star Wars films.
His last feature film was 2015's Star Wars: The Force Awakens, where he acted as a consultant to R2-D2, which was instead being played by Jimmy Vee. The following year, Baker passed away peacefully in his sleep, 11 days before his birthday. He was 81 years old. Reports say a chronic lung condition was the cause of his death.
Kimbo Slice, 2016 | Heart Failure
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Boxer and mixed martial artist, Kimbo Slice, first gained massive popularity for being involved in numerous publicized underground street fights, leading him to be dubbed as, "The King of The Web Brawlers," by Rolling Stone. As time passed, he began competing on a professional level in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Amid his thriving career, Slice passed away in 2016, in Coral Springs, Florida, due to heart problems. He was 42 years old when he died. Throughout his career, he acquired a total of 7 professional boxing wins and 8 professional mixed martial art victories.
Tony Burton, 2016 | Pneumonia Complications
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If you are familiar with the Rocky film series, then you surely remember who the actor, Tony Burton is. He portrayed the role of Tony "Duke" Evers in the franchise. Prior to his acting career, he was a renown professional boxer and football player in the '50s.
In February of 2016, after being hospitalized throughout the previous year, Burton passed away at the age of 78 due to pneumonia complications. His final film role was as Sheriff Stoker in the 2007 movie titled, Hack!. He is also one of the Greater Flint Afro-American Hall of Fame inductees.
Manute Bol, 2010 | Acute Kidney Failure
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Manute Bol was a basketball player, said to be one of the tallest players to have ever competed in the NBA, standing at 7 ft 7 in. He first played for the University of Bridgeport's college basketball team. He was then drafted into the Washington Bullets in 1985.
Throughout his career, he also lent his skills to the Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat. In 2010, when Bol was 47, he lost his battle with acute kidney failure. He was later added to the Fairfield County Sports Hall of Fame and Bridgeport's Athletics Hall of Fame.
Jill Gascoine, 2020 | Alzheimer's Disease
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In 1997, when Jill Gascoine was merely 60 years old, she avoided death after making a full recovery from kidney cancer. Nevertheless, about 13 years later, she revealed that Alzheimer's disease got to her, probably knowing that it would someday be the end of her. It was, indeed.
Gascoine left behind her second husband, Alfred Molina, and two sons when she passed away at 83. The English actress was widely recognized for portraying Detective Inspector Maggie Forbes on the '80s ITV series The Gentle Touch, and subsequently, its spin-off, C.A.T.S. Eyes. King of the Wind and The Onedin Line are a few of her other works.
Junior Seau, 2012 | Suicide
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Former NFL player, Junior Seau is known for the years he spent playing for the San Diego Chargers, as a linebacker, further representing the team on a commercial level. He was a 10-time All-Pro and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.
In 2012, Seau was found dead at his home from a gunshot wound. Despite there being no suicide note, a paper was left in his kitchen with the lyrics to Who I Ain't; a song about a man regretting who he had become. Authorities discovered prescription drugs in his system at the time of his death.