Some of them had been appearing in our screens for years, thus we were used to being in their company as if they were our friends. TV personalities, singers, actors, comedians; these were people that we did not really know, yet we feel close to them either because we adore their work or because of their frequent exposure to the cameras.
Unfortunately, this means that whenever something bad happens to them, we tend to experience the loss as if they were close to us. Even more, it makes us nostalgic to see their final appearance before their final moments.
Martin Luther King - April 4, 1968
The coroner said that had he not been assassinated, he would probably live with chronic heart problems from an early age possibly due to all the stress he suffered fighting for civil rights. He had the heart of a 60-plus-year-old in his 39-year-old body.
However, the day Martin Luther King was shot dead outside his room in the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, the whole humanity knew we had lost a uniquely competent individual. Martin Luther King was shot by James Earl Ray on April 4, 1968, and emergency surgery was, unfortunately, deemed unsuccessful to keep him alive.
“Mama” Cass Elliot - July 15, 1974
Her heart problems were the reason Mama Cass left us so soon. Long before she was found dead in her residence, rumor had it that Mama Cass was not at her best. As it happened, she had already canceled a few TV appearances in prominent shows of the era.
She has missed her appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (it is said that she collapsed backstage right before the start of the show) and made her last appearance – where this photo was taken from - on The Mike Douglas Show. It was only a week before her tragic death!
Carrie Fisher - December 27, 2016
She will always be remembered and adored as the iconic Princess Leia of Star Wars. Carrie Fisher had portrayed a legendary character for a legendary franchise and the world was saddened at the news of her tragic death! She was featured on The Graham Norton Show and in her last photo, she was signing autographs with her British fans just one day before she died.
The next day, as she was heading back to the U.S. on a plane, she suffered a cardiac arrest during a sleep apnea only 15 minutes before her flight landed! Four days later, she would die at the UCLA Medical Center.
Andy Kaufman - January 1984
Andy Kaufman was a wizard of improvisation and his rather controversial – surreal even - humor was appealing to many of his fans, especially after his incredible performance as Latka Gravas on Taxi. Kaufman was not a man who cared about stardom and that, along with his talent, was exactly what turned him into a star.
Such was the surprise of everyone who learned about his death at the age of 35 of rare metastatic lung cancer that rumors about his death being a huge prank are circulating almost until today! Here he is, after his last appearance in public in a photo taken by his fan, Michael Dare.
Amelia Earhart - May 21, 1937
Amelia Mary Earhart will be in everyone’s memories just like the last day we saw her atop her Electra airplane, ready to “conquer” the world with her solo flight around the globe! Her smile tells the story on its own; her happiness, determination, and excitement.
She was making a huge step for aviation as well as a strong statement for the societal and professional position of women, back in the late ‘30s. Unfortunately, her journey that started right after her last photo in May 1937 ended tragically with her disappearing near Howland Island along with navigator Fred Noonan.
Leonard Cohen - October 13, 2016
His deep voice still lingers in our ears, either singing songs of profound beauty or reciting lyrics from his multidimensional poems that touched themes such as love, religion, isolation, and more. The Canadian poet and songwriter, Leonard Cohen, gave all he had in the arts.
Leonard had done so for his entire 82 years until the time of his death in 2016 from leukemia, even though the triggering cause had been a fall earlier, on the day he died. He always used to say that he was an optimist and that was what he was repeating at the time of his last photo, smiling brightly!
Bill Paxton - February 2017
His career looked shiny all along since his first appearances in movies! Bill Paxton participated in many blockbusters, starting his career in the mid-‘70s and many times, he had been a nominee for various awards. Unfortunately, he passed early, at the age of only 61 due to a stroke during a heart surgery he was undergoing.
Paxton lived with heart problems since his childhood as he was a survivor of rheumatic fever at a young age. His last public appearance was two weeks prior to his death at the 48th NAACP Awards.
Diana, Princess of Wales - August 31, 1997
We do not believe that there is a Royal who had been more adored than Princess Diana of Wales was back in the day! The 'People’s Princess' had been an icon for her looks, goodwill, free spirit, and humanitarian work.
Her marriage to Prince Charles lasted until August 1996, only a year before the fatal car accident in Pont de l’Alma tunnel, in Paris, alongside her rumored partner Dodi Fayed and their driver. Her last photo was taken with her trying to avoid the paparazzi lenses only minutes before they took off on what would be their last ride.
Marilyn Monroe - July 13, 1962
She was everyone’s desire and the shiniest star of her era, no doubt! Marilyn Monroe had a great career as a pin-up model and an even more glorious one as an actress, as she was an iconic figure of the golden era. In July 1962, George Barris was the last person to capture Marilyn with his lens on the beachside of Santa Monica in California.
Less than a month later, on August 5, 1962, Monroe would be found dead on her bed by her housekeeper due to a barbiturate overdose. Her death made the world a lot less beautiful.
Whitney Houston February 9, 2012
We can’t help but think where Whitney Houston would have been had she lived a full life and unraveled her full potential in the music industry. Her voice was silky, her melody impeccable, and her songs never to be forgotten!
Unfortunately, her drug addiction was meant to lead to her demise as she was found unresponsive and submerged in her hotel bathtub after abuse of various narcotics. Houston was reportedly appearing quite "disheveled and erratic" some days prior to her death. Here she is, just two days before dying exiting Tru Club in California.
Jan-Michael Vincent - October 2014
Jan-Michael Vincent was a huge star in the '80s due to his character Stringfellow Hawke in the amazing helicopter mega-hit series Airwolf. The show only lasted three seasons but Jan-Michael Vincent had a huge following already from movies he has starred in during the '70s. He often had played the rebel in his movies of this time.
After Airwolf, he starred in a lot of B-grade movies that were of an action or sci-fi nature. His last movie was in 2002's White Boy. Vincent, unfortunately, took the path that many failing celebrities take of substance abuse. He also was arrested for his violent nature that was brought out at times. He was married twice and had one daughter - Amber Vincent. Vincent died in 2019 on the 10th of February at the age of 74. The reason was cardiac arrest and it happened in Asheville, North Carolina.
Jim Morrison - June 1971
His death also marked the second anniversary of Brian Jones' (of The Rolling Stones) death. Jim Morrison’searly demise was one of the many deaths of music icons that year that shook the music industry and saddened millions of fans!
Morrison was found dead in his Paris apartment bathtub by his girlfriend Pamela Courson in the summer of ’71 at the age of only 27. Death was presumably caused by heart failure, yet no autopsy was performed. Only a few days earlier, he would take his last photo with his girlfriend in his arms enjoying a beer in sunny Paris.
Joan Rivers - September 3, 2014
No one was left unaffected by the news of Joan River’s death back in 2014 as the world lost one of its most talented and prominent comedians. Rivers kept a unique persona with a quite caustic humor (especially when it came to politicians) and her shows were always the crème de la crème of TV airtime.
She was multi-awarded for her work on TV as well as for authoring very successful books. The late journalist and TV critic, Jack Gould, had claimed that Joan was innately funny like no one else on earth! Rivers died of cerebral hypoxia on September 4, 2014.
Roger Moore - October 2016
Sir Roger Moore was one of the most prolific James Bonds, and he portrayed the character on seven different occasions. However, when he was not shooting fictional villains, he was deeply involved in charitable efforts. Moore was a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, which earned him the maximum honor in Great Britain.
The Queen knighted him for his benevolent activities in 2003. Moore suffered from medical issues during his entire life; as an adult, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer on two different occasions. Despite overcoming the malignancy the first time, he succumbed when it resurfaced.
Karl Lagerfeld - November 22, 2018
Karl Lagerfeld’s last public appearance took place at the Champs-Elysees on November 22 of 2019. Lagerfeld was there to bring light to the Christmas decorations of that year. Later on, in January of 2019, he missed an appearance at a Chanel show, which had never happened before.
Lagerfeld was battling pancreatic cancer and wasn’t feeling strong enough to attend the event. He died in Paris in February of 2019. Karl was one of the most influential figures in the industry. With his unique style and consistently great designs, his collections were very successful.
Jimi Hendrix - September 18, 1970
He was known for his incredible music writing as well as his extreme lifestyle that included substance abuse. Perhaps it was just a matter of time, therefore, before he would succumb to the ill effects of his habits as Jimi Hendrix was pronounced dead in Kensington in the morning of September 18, 1970.
It was his girlfriend, Monika Danneman, who was trying to wake him but finding him unresponsive, she rushed Hendrix to the hospital. It was also she that took his last photo in the garden of the Samarkand Hotel where they were residing at the time just a day before his passing.
John Lennon - December 8, 1980
He imagined all people living life in peace, yet, he could not have fathomed that he would be killed by a fan just a few hours after he had even signed an autograph for him! John Lennon was a legendary figure of music and had he not been assassinated, the arts would have been a lot “richer” no doubt.
His last photo was taken a few hours prior to his assassination by Mark David Chapman while he was signing autographs for his fans with Yoko Ono by his side; it was just outside of his Manhattan apartment! In August 2018, the court denied parole to Chapman for the 10th time!
Chris Cornell - May 17, 2017
His voice must have been one of the most recognizable ones - and we've been humming his tunes with Soundgarden and Audioslave - not to mention his incredible solo career. It seems that depression is not an uncommon occurrence when it comes to music stars and it is possible that it does not show due to their constant exposure to the limelight and heavy schedules.
After a show with Soundgarden in Fox Theater, on May 17, 2017, Chris Cornell was found dead in his hotel room by his bodyguard. It was officially ruled a suicide by hanging. Chris was fifty-two at the time.
JFK - November 22, 1963
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the 35th President of the U.S. even though his service would be ceased abruptly after his shocking assassination on November 22, 1963. JFK was visiting Dallas, Texas along with his wife Jackie in order to calm down a political feud. While in his motorcade with Jackie by his side, he was shot twice on the head.
JFK died a few minutes later, even before receiving medical treatment. The assassin was caught but got murdered before receiving his sentence. This photo was the last of the former president, only minutes before Lee Harvey Oswald fired those bullets!
David Bowie - January 8, 2016
He lost the battle with liver cancer only two days after his last album, titled Blackstar, was released in 2016. His happiness was doubled that day as he also had his 69th birthday. David Bowie was rocking the world with his extreme talent in music (and the arts in general since he was always excellent at everything he ventured into) for more than fifty years. His last photo shoot was for Jimmy King’s lens the day of his 69th birthday and the release of Blackstar. It was meant for the promotion of his new work.
Steve Irwin - September 4, 2006
Maybe one of the most jaw-dropping incidents captured by the cameras! Steve Irwin’s death shocked the whole world who knew him as the promoter and educator of wildlife. Born in Australia, Irwin knew very well his ways around nature and he was passionate about showing wildlife from up close to the world. However, his bravery meant also his demise since Irwin died at the age of 44 while filming a stingray. He succumbed to his injuries only a few minutes after his colleagues got him out of the water due to exsanguination.
Kurt Cobain, December 1993
He was one of the most popular personas of rock for his unique style and his band’s alternative tunes. However, Kurt Cobain, Nirvana’s frontman, was not a big fan of his stardom and often struggled with his popularity and leading a life in the limelight. It was also known that he was suffering from drug addiction (mainly heroin) as well as for his stormy marriage to Courtney Love. After he had disappeared for a few days, Cobain was found dead in his Washington apartment by his electrician, having shot himself. His last photoshoot along with the band was only five months prior to his suicide!
Michael Jackson - June 25, 2009
It was June 2009 and Michael Jackson was rehearsing for his upcoming shows in London that were booked at the O2 arena for that year. Only two days after, he was giving his everything on stage during rehearsals, but Jackson would die due to cardiac arrest after consuming a cocktail of prescribed medication that proved to be lethal! His doctor was prosecuted as Jackson’s death was described as homicide by the coroner who performed his autopsy. His funeral was one of the most watched events and it kicked off several happenings in his honor all over the world!
Nikola Tesla - 1943
Nikola Tesla is probably one of the most interesting yet tragic stories of the scientific industry. Despite being a genius with thousands of ideas, he was discredited by his peers, including rival Thomas Edison. Despite this, Tesla was the first to conceive many inventions of modern technology, without being able to build them. Tesla would often draw the final result of his inventions, without writing any sort of notes on the process to get there. Therefore, many of his inventions remained as ideas, as no one knew how to implement him. This picture was taken in 1943, the year he passed away.
Heath Ledger - January 18, 2008
Heath Ledger was one of the most talented actors of his generation. We had seen him grow since his days in the teenage film 10 Things I Hate About You, until his chilling performance as The Joker in the Batman film The Dark Knight. Many believe that this role had a pernicious effect on Ledger’s mental health. This last picture was shot a couple of days before his death on January 22 of 2008. He was shooting the film The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus. Other actors finished the film after his death.
Christopher Mccandless - Date Undisclosed
Christopher McCandless –who usually went by Chris - was an adventurer. He had traveled all throughout the United States and, finally, made a decision that would end on his demise. He decided to head for Alaska and to live only of what the land provided him. He kept a diary during this time, jotting down his experiences and eating habits. Chris’ nutrition suffered greatly and someone found his decomposing body on September 6 of 1992. Although the official ruling was starvation, there are some theories that he might have poisoned himself with certain potato seeds.
Muhammad Ali - May 22, 2016
Muhammad Ali is one of the greatest boxers of all time. Furthermore, his great work regarding the civil rights movement made him an example to follow. He was also a conscientious objector to the Vietnam war and sacrificed years of his boxing career to be able to act according to his principles. Ali retired in the early '80s and later in that decade, he came public with his diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. This picture was taken by his daughter Hana on May 22 of 2016. It was only two weeks before he died from a septic shock.
Lisa Robin Kelly - March 31, 2012
Lisa Robin Kelly reached worldwide fame for her role in the hit TV comedy series That 70’s Show. However, a life of substance addiction ended her career, leading to a tumultuous life and, eventually, her death. Lisa was arrested multiple times on different charges. This picture corresponds to her mug shot after the police arrested her on charges of domestic abuse on March 31, 2012. Lisa died the next year, on August 15, 2013, after entering a facility to overcome her issues. The official cause of death was drug intoxication.
Tom Petty - September 2017
This picture was taken in the final days of September, after Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers did their last performance at the Hollywood Bowl on September 25 of 2017. Petty, who is recognized for his immense talent, was suffering from multiple medical ailments. This caused him to be in great pain, leading to his abuse of prescription drugs, all of them opioids. An excessive intake led to the cardiac arrest that ended his life on Monday, October 2 of 2017. In his last interview, Tom stated that he was not yet ready to retire.This legendary couturier changed fashion forever!
Verne Troyer - March 22, 2018
Verne Troyer played the unforgettable role of Mini-Me in the Austin Power films. He was the faithful companion of Dr. Evil, Austin Power’s archenemy. Troyer’s comedic skills earned him plenty of recognition and he was able to build a sizeable fortune. Troyer would later appear in different reality TV shows. His last public appearance was at the 25tth anniversary party of OK! Magazine. Troyer had been open about his struggles and thoughts of suicide. On April 21, 2018, he died of alcohol poisoning, which the coroner officially ruled as a suicide.
John Mahoney - November 2017
John Mahoney’s life ended when he was in a Chicago hospice in 2018, on February 4. Mahoney struggled with throat cancer, with which he was diagnosed in 2014. A friend of Mahoney’s named Anna Shapiro, shared that Mahoney was fragile and he was set to undergo a routine procedure. Of course, being very frail after stage three throat cancer didn’t leave his body much of a chance to survive the otherwise safe procedure. The Frasier star had beaten cancer, but other complications which followed proved too much for him to bear.
Mark Salling - October 16, 2017
Mark Salling became known worldwide for his role in the hit TV show Glee, which broke the boundaries between musicals and TV series. His role as Puck was that of the typical bad boy. However, Mark got involved in real trouble after the police arrested him for having forbidden video content in his home. Salling was set to pay a sentence after achieving a deal out of court. However, he killed himself before the beginning of the sentence. Authorities found him on a riverbed in Los Angeles, near to where he lived.
Candy Darling - March 1974
Candy Darling was the muse of professional photographer and filmmaker, Andy Warhol. She became an icon for the transgender community as a transgender woman herself. Unfortunately, she suffered from a chronic illness that ended her life when she was only 29. Despite this, she never abandoned her stylish way of portraying herself. Peter Hujar captured this picture. Despite it being her deathbed, Candy continued to look glamorous and beautiful until the very end. Darling had declared before that she always knew she wouldn’t live a long life and that life simply bored her.
Aaliyah - August 25, 2001
Aaliyah’s last picture shows her having fun after finishing a project. She had just shot the video for the single Rock The Boat and was ready to go back to the United States after having a good time in the Bahamas. Unfortunately, the pilot of the charter flight they took was intoxicated. The plane crashed and all the passengers and the pilot died. Many of Aaliyah’s singles have been released after her death and have reached great success. For many, she’s one of the most influential figures of R&B to this day.
Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes - April 25, 2002
Lisa Lopes attained stardom as a member of one of the best selling female groups of all time TLC. She was one of the main creative forces behind the group. Not only did she participate in writing many of the songs but she was also involved in designing the group’s stage costumes. She was just launching her solo career when a terrible car crash took place. Lisa was doing charity work in Honduras while recording a documentary. Her last moments were recorded, and there’s footage of her driving. Unfortunately, after swerving to avoid a vehicle, she lost control and was ejected from her car. She died instantly.
River Phoenix - October 28, 1993
River Phoenix showed great promise as an actor. He became a teen idol after starring in several projects during his youth. By the time of his death, he was transitioning to more adult projects, including the full movie Dark Blood. This film was released almost two decades after his death. On October 30 of 1993, River, who was also a musician, was going to perform with Flea, from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. However, a combination of different drugs caused him to collapse as he overdosed. The event was fatal. River was Joaquin Phoenix’s eldest brother.
Stan Lee - November 10, 2018
Stan Lee is recognized as one of the biggest creative minds in the comic books’ world. His unique style and stories changed how superheroes were portrayed in mainstream media forever. He worked with close collaborators to become the creative director of Marvel for a long time, raising the company's profile. Lee had the vision of bringing the comics beyond their paper form and onto the big screen. After he had retired as head of the company, he was seen doing a number cameos in the very successful Marvel films. This picture was taken two days before he died from congestive heart failure, which took place on November 12 of 2018.
Bradley Nowell - May 24, 1996
Bradley Nowell was a great musician, who was a member of the band Sublime, which played music in the punk-ska genre. Bradley had a history of drug addiction, which he had struggled with most of his adult life and although matters improved after the birth of his child, when he was touring with his band he relapsed and overdosed on heroin on May 25 of 2019. Bradley’s last picture was taken after the band’s performance the night before. Sublime continued to release music that included Nowell. He recorded hundreds of songs before his death.
Aretha Franklin - November 8, 2017
Many know Aretha Franklin as the Queen of Soul. She was one of the greatest singers of all time and a very vocal advocate for the civil rights’ movement. Even former President Barack Obama paid his respects after Aretha passed away. Her last public appearance was also her last performance and it took place in November of 2017. She sang at Elton John’s AIDS Foundation gala, showing her immense talent one last time. Aretha passed away on August 13 of 2018 after she had suffered from pancreatic cancer during her final years.
Joe Jackson - 2018
Joe Jackson was the mastermind behind The Jackson 5, the group formed by five of his children that launched the entire family into stardom. Jackson’s legacy is certainly indisputable, despite the questionable way in which he raised his offsprings. According to his son, the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, Joe used physical punishment when he was raising them. Despite many scandals within the family, his wife and children were there when Joe died. The last video published by Joe shows him at a Jamba Juice, listening to Michael’s songs on the speaker.
Anthony Bourdain - June 7, 2018
Anthony Bourdain changed a lot of people’s perception of experimenting with food. Through his numerous TV appearances, he would show people all over the world, the many culinary differences, and options that we can find in various countries. However, many believe that all along, Bourdain, a well-renowned chef, was suffering from depression. This belief emerged after he killed himself in his hotel room while recording an episode for his show Parts Unknown. The last picture taken was during the shoot, in which we can see him riding a bike with his friend.
Kate Spade - April 28, 2017
Kate Spade ran one of the most successful brands in the entire world. She took a step back from the company for a few years before coming back to the world of fashion in 2016. Kate and her husband launched their new brand, Frances Valentine. One of her last appearances was a year before her death, at an interview in which both of them explained how they had built their brand. Kate was battling several mental issues for most of her life. On June 5 of 2018, she decided to end her life by hanging herself. She left a note for her daughter telling her not to blame herself.
Chris Benoit - June 22, 2007
Chris Benoit was a very successful professional wrestler who had the love of many of his fans. It is unclear if he was suffering from post-traumatic encephalopathy due to the hits received during his career. Whatever the reason, the violent acts that took place were surprising for everyone. After taking this picture at his doctor’s office on June 22, Chris proceeded to kill his wife at his home. Later, he would also kill their son and then proceed to kill himself in his weight room. The police discovered the bodies on June 25 of 2007.
Hunter S. Thompson - 2005
Hunter S. Thompson was a journalist and writer who created a new line of journalism which he called gonzo journalism. It involves the journalist taking a role, even a central one, in the story he’s telling. Thompson rose to fame for his book Hell’s Angels, in which he told his experience after infiltrating the gang of the same name for an extended time. Thompson struggled with alcohol abuse and other substances for most of his adult life. He decided to kill himself on February 20 of 2005. His son Juan found him.
Ryan Dunn - June 20, 2011
Ryan Dunn was a successful stuntman who had attained fame on the show Jackass. After making a name for himself, he also explored his comedy and acting skills, which allowed him to broaden his career. Only nine days after turning 34 years old, Ryan uploaded a picture on his Twitter account of him partying with friends. Unfortunately, It appears Dunn ignored all the warnings about drunk driving and left the club with a friend. They both died after their vehicle crashed against a tree and burst into flames. The police later demonstrated that Ryan was, in fact, drunk when this took place.
Sharon Tate - August 1969
This is one of the most horrific stories in Hollywood. Sharon Tate, who was a successful actress and America’s sweetheart, was murdered for living at the wrong place. She was married to famous and controversial director Roman Polanski and was pregnant with their child. While she was with friends at her home, members from the infamous Manson family entered the house because Manson told them that someone he used to know lived there. They killed everyone, stabbing Sharon 16 times. Her friend Jay Sebring took this picture days before this heinous event. He also died during the attack of August 8, 1969, alongside Tate..
Avicii - April 17, 2018
Avicii, whose real name was Tim Bergling, started releasing his music when he was only a teenager. He quickly rose to fame for his catchy beats and incredible collaborations with some of the biggest singers in the industry. He toured all over the world before retiring from the spotlight in 2016. Bergling was undergoing mental health treatment, and according to his family, he was searching for inner peace and meaning. However, he lost the battle for his life in Oman, on April 20 of 2018, when he took his life.
Stephen Hawking - December 2017
Stephen Hawking was one of the most well-known physicists in the world. Known for his work in both physics and cosmology, his theories revolutionized the world and made science accessible and interesting for many people. After his diagnoses with motor neuron disease, his ability to move and talk deteriorated, but he never let this stop him. Hawking continued to lead his life and generously contributed to the world and science. This picture was taken a couple of days before Christmas of 2017. Hawking died peacefully on March 14 of 2018.
Cory Monteith - July 6, 2013
Cory Monteith became known as one of the main stars in the groundbreaking TV show Glee. Despite a rising acting career and a promising future, he was dealing with substance abuse, which caused him to enter a drug rehab facility. His co-workers were very worried about him. After finishing his stay he was supposed to go back to set. Here, we can see him hanging out with his then-girlfriend and co-star, Lea Michele. Corey died days after this picture was taken after overdosing. It was ruled as an accidental death and not suicide.
Luke Perry - 2018
Luke Perry became a teen idol after his role in the teenage drama series Beverly Hills: 90210. This show helped launch Perry's career along with many of his co-stars, including Shannon Doherty and Brian Austin Green. Perry had gone on to participate in numerous projects. One of the most recent ones was the TV show Riverdale, as well as a role in Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood. One of Luke’s last appearances at a public event was at the Build Series in October of 2018. Luke suffered a stroke in February of the following year. His family decided to withdraw life support on March 4 of 2019.
David Foster Wallace - 2008
David Foster Wallace was praised as one of the best writers of his generation. His ability with words was widely recognized and he was a finalist for the Pulitzer for his novel The Pale King. David was a college professor as well and he was described as an intelligent, sensitive, and sweet person. However, he had been dealing with mental issues for most of his life and after leaving his medication under medical supervision and trying new therapies, his condition worsened considerably. On September 12 of 2008, he couldn’t deal anymore and took his life at his home.
René Angelil - January 21, 2016
René Angélil knew he had found the one in Celine Dion. Although their age difference caused many to raise their brows, neither of them cared. They were married for 21 years and René was Celine’s manager and life partner during this time. He died in 2016, after having battled cancer on different occasions as well as suffering heart issues. Celine has paused her career to better care for him but she's now in full swing. René stepped down as her manager in 2014 and it was during this time that he stopped making public appearances. The couple had three kids together.
Frank Sinatra - December 1995
Frank Sinatra was the voice and image of an entire generation. His incredible voice and great acting skills made him a legend in the Hollywood industry. One of his last public appearances was at an event held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles at which famous artists honored him. The TV special Sinatra 80 Years My Way, was released on December 14 of 1995. Sinatra was turning 80 that year. He suffered from medical issues during his last years, including dementia, heart issues, and malignancy in his bladder. He died on May 14 of 1998 in Los Angeles.
Patty Duke - 2014
Patty Duke was a famous actress who had the cards of her life dealt in her favor since she was a child. She was raised by talent managers and they introduced her to the movie industry at a very young age. Patty rose to fame due to her great talent, which earned her Emmy and Golden Globe Awards. After being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Duke became an outspoken advocate for mental issues. She died on March 29 of 2016. Her son, actor Sean Austin, stated that she was in terrible pain when she passed away.
Philip Seymour Hoffman - January 2014
Philip Seymour’s talent was widely recognized and his role as Truman Capote in the film Capote earned him an Academy Award. He was never afraid of playing controversial roles throughout his career. His last public appearance was at the Sundance Film Festival in January of 2014. There, he took this picture that clearly shows he wasn't in his best shape. Hoffman, who had been sober for years, had relapsed on his heroin habit. Despite going to a rehab addiction center, he later overdosed. His long-time partner had asked him to leave their home for the sake of their children.
Harry Dean Stanton - 2017
Harry Dean Stanton was an iconic actor of his era. Although the majority of his appearances were as a supporting actor, he also had lead roles. One of his most iconic roles was in The Godfather franchise. However, the full movie that truly shows his greatness was one of his last projects, titled Lucky. This was his final role as a lead character. Harry passed away at 91 years of age on September 15 of 2017 from natural causes after living a long and prolific life. There’s a festival in Kentucky that the organizer named after Stanton.
Don Rickles - 2017
Don Rickles made a name for himself for being one of the best at a specific type of comedy which earned him the name, "insult comic". His outrageous roasts and very frank nature helped him secure the love of the fans. He voiced the character of Mr. Potato Head in the Toy Story franchise, making it into the children’s film market as well. Don worked until the very end and his last project was titled Dinner With Don; an interview show that was published shortly after he died. Don passed away due to kidney failure on April 6 of 2017.
Glenne Headly – July 8, 2016
Glenne Headly became a star decades ago for her role in the film Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. She showed her immense talent on numerous occasions, earning Emmy Award nominations and recognition from Hollywood film critics. One of her last appearances was at the reunion of Two Days In The Valley, on July 8 of 2016. She died while she was filming her last project; a new Hulu comedy titled Future Man. Headly suffered a pulmonary embolism that ended her life on June 8 of 2017. She was 62 years old at the time.
Jack Palance – April 2005
Jack Palance is one of those classic Hollywood faces that we will always remember. His talent was recognized by the Academy on numerous occasions with nominations for films like Sudden Fear and Shane. Finally, after decades of acting on the big screen, he earned an Academy Award for his performance in City Slickers. Palance was also involved in social endeavors and he would often visit veteran hospitals. One of the last pictures of him is when he was visiting such a facility in April of 2005, one year before he died.
Ernest Borgnine – April 27, 2012
Ernest Borgnine worked during the last year of his life when he was 95 year years old. He had been in perfect condition according to a recent check-up. However, he suffered an acute case of kidney failure that landed him in the emergency room. He never recovered and passed away on July 8 of 2012. Borgnine made one of his last public appearances at the Newport Beach Film Festival for the release of his last project, The Man Who Shook The Hand Of Vicente Fernandez. Critics praised his impressive performance.
Sondra Locke – May 6, 2018
Sondra Locke became a successful actress due to her very first movie role. She earned an Academy Award nomination for her performance in The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter, her debut film. Sondra was Clint Eastwood’s partner for over 13 years, however, Eastwood’s infidelity eventually led to a nasty separation that involved a long legal battle. Sondra moved on with her life but found difficulty in continuing her career, allegedly, due to Warner Bros. boycotting her career with Eastwood’s help. She filed a lawsuit and settled to her great satisfaction. One of her last public appearances was at a screening on May 6 of 2018.
Penny Marshall – November 4, 2016
Penny Marshall made one of her last public appearances on November 4 of 2016. She gave an interview in which she spoke candidly about her brother, Garry Marshall, who was instrumental for the development of her career. Penny became an actress known worldwide after starring in the TV comedy Laverne & Shirley. Her talent was widely recognized. Later on, she proceeded to focus on directing, including blockbuster films like Big amongst her works. Penny battled with type 2 diabetes for years before she died in 2018 due to complications from the disease.
Amy Winehouse – July 21, 2011
Amy Winehouse won the hearts of millions with her unique deep voice that reminded us of Hollywood’s golden years. Furthermore, her signature hairstyle helped in making her an iconic figure of her generation. Her album Back To Black was lauded and sold millions all around the world. However, Amy had a drug problem that caused her several issues during her short but successful career. This picture caught her walking around London only two days before her death. Amy was found dead in her apartment after drinking excessive amounts of liquor, which ended her life.
John Avildsen – February 4, 2017
John Avildsen’s stellar talent as a director gave us numerous iconic films that changed the lives of many youngsters out there. Avildsen is the mastermind behind movies like Rocky and The Karate Kid franchise. Rocky earned him an Academy Award in recognition of his great work as a director. John continued to be an active part of the industry until the year he died. In early 2017, he attended the 32nd edition of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. He died only months later, on June 16 of 2017 due to pancreatic cancer.
Bob Marley – March 1981
Bob Marley continues to be the most influential figure of reggae in the entire world. Decades after his death, his heritage continues to be intact and he’s the inspiration of many new artists. Marley also helped in putting his native island, Jamaica, on the map. Marley was diagnosed with melanoma and he looked for treatment in Germany, which is where this photo was taken. However, after accepting his fate, he decided to go back to Jamaica. Unfortunately, he never made it and passed away in Miami on May 11 of 1981. Millions of people mourned his death.
Tupac Shakur – September 7, 1996
Many continue to consider Tupac Shakur as one of the greatest rappers the music industry has ever seen. He was at the top of his career, at only 25 years old, when he was fatally shot. The event took place on September 7 of 1996. This photo was taken by an acquaintance only minutes before the shooting took place. Afterward, Tupac was rushed to the hospital's emergency room. He was there for six days until he passed away on September 13 of 1996. Thousands of mourners paid their respects after the news was made known. Many conspiracy theorists think Tupac is still alive and residing in the United States.
Adolf Hitler – April 28, 1945
History will always remember Adolf Hitler as one of the most destructive men to have ever lived. He rose to power in a post-war Germany and committed heinous crimes in the name of the supremacy of the Aryan race. However, Hitler was defeated by Allied troops in 1945. This last picture shows him staring at the ruins of the Chancellery of the Reich two days before he killed himself after realizing he had lost the war. Hitler died alongside his dog and his wife, Eva Braun, who also killed herself. Many of his followers followed his example.
Leonard Nimoy – January 2014
Leonard Nimoy is one of the most iconic actors from the Star Trek franchise. However, his talent didn’t stop at acting. Nimoy was also an accomplished singer and songwriter as well as a director. However, most generations will remember him as the unique character, Spock, from the intergalactic franchise. Nimoy announced he was dealing with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which made his last months a real struggle for him. Here, we can see one of the last pictures ever taken of him, in which he looks frail as he is transported in a wheelchair.
Joey Feek – March 2016
Joey Feek rose to fame as part of a duet with her husband Rory Feek on the former competitive TV show Can You Duet. Rory, who was also a musician, was always very supportive of Joey, who had tremendous talent. After giving birth to their daughter, Indiana, a physician diagnosed Joey with a malignant tumor. After undergoing exhausting rounds of therapy, she seemed to be out of the woods. However, the ailment returned and she passed away in March of 2016. Her husband, Rory, journaled their lives on his blog and shared pictures of Joey’s final moments.
Johnny Cash – July 5, 2003
People all over the world consider Johnny Cash as one of the most iconic singers. He bridged the gap between different music genres and was never afraid of experimenting with his creations and recordings. Johnny’s love story with June Carter also garnered a lot of attention. Johnny had been suffering from chronic illnesses for a while and his overall state worsened after June’s death. His last performance took place on July 5 of 2003 where he read some words for June after her death. Johnny passed away in September of 2003, only months after his last concert. He recorded songs up until his final days.
Notorious B.I.G. – March 9, 1997
The Notorious B.I.G. whose actual name is Christopher Wallace was one of the most renowned rappers in the scene when unknown assailants killed him after he left the Soul Train Music Awards on March 9, 1997. Here we can see him with his friend, fellow rapper Puff Daddy. B.I.G. was killed in the same way as Tupac Shakur, two crimes that deeply rocked the music industry. His second album was released after his death and received immense success, increasing his net worth after he was already gone. Wallace continues to be a source of inspiration for many rappers today.
Dale Earnhardt Sr. – February 18, 2001
Fans remember Dale Earnhardt Sr. as a historic figure in race car driving. He began his career racing in NASCAR and achieved great success during his active years. The last picture of Dale alive shows him as he’s about to commence his last race at the Daytona 500. After making contact with two other cars, Dale crashed against the wall, which caused his instant death. His death was the fourth in eight months during a race, which motivated NASCAR to make the races safer for the drivers. The number of car accidents has decreased immensely and no drivers have died while racing since Earnhardt.
Anton Yelchin – April 13, 2016
Anton Yelchin seemed to have a promising career ahead of him. However, sometimes the most unlikely accident can take place, ending someone’s life way too soon. Yelchin participated in the Star Trek franchise and received great recognition. Two months before his death he starred in the premiere of one of his last projects, Green Room. However, on June 19, 2016, as he exited his truck, the vehicle rolled back and pushed him against the security fence, killing him in about a minute. Yelchin was last photographed at an ArcLight Hollywood movie premiere, wearing a charming suit.
Selena – March 30, 1995
Selena rose to fame for breaking down language barriers and introducing Tejano music into the English market. Her immense talent caused her to succeed in a genre typically dominated by men. This last picture shows her working on bills for her private company, which Yolanda Saldivar previously handled. However, after finding out that Yolanda was mishandling the accounts and that some irregular activities were taking place, Selena was going to fire her the next day. On March 31 of 1995, Selena confronted Yolanda, who had claimed to be her friend and most loyal fan. Yolanda proceeded to shoot Selena, ending her life.
Farrah Fawcett – April 2009
Farrah Fawcett became an iconic actress for her Charlie’s Angels performance. She earned numerous Golden Globe and Emmy Awards nominations for her roles in different film projects as well. One of these was The Burning Bed. Her final nomination took place after her death, for her role as a producer in the documentary Farrah’s Story. In it, she documented her battle with malignant tumors, which eventually took her like on June 25 of 2009. Her long-time partner, Ryan O’Neal, was devastated. One of the last pictures of Farrah shows her at an airport, sitting in a wheelchair.
Albert Einstein – March 1955
Albert Einstein was one of the most brilliant minds to have ever graced the earth. His groundbreaking theories in physics changed the field forever. One of these is the very well-known theory of relativity. Einstein’s last-known picture shows him at Princeton, in March of 1955. Einstein died only one month later, on April 18. He had a ruptured abdominal aneurysm and he passed away after refusing to undergo surgery to treat it. Einstein considered that there was no need to prolong life with artificial means. He was 76 years old.
Babe Ruth - July 29, 1948
One of the most celebrated pitchers of all time, The Bambino as his fans and teammates used to call him, died on August 16, 1948, at the age of 53, after suffering from cancer for the last couple of years of his life. Babe Ruth used to be a frequent subject of the press back in his days for his talent in baseball and his way with women! His last photo was taken at the Memorial Hospital just a few days before his death where he sits at the company of Steve Broidy discussing the intentions of the latter to give financial aid to the Ruth Foundation for underprivileged children.
Alan Rickman - December 7, 2015
Only a few weeks before he died, Alan Rickman was taking photos outside a central London theater where he had gone along with friends in order to watch Hangmen. At that point, no one could ever foresee his untimely demise at the age of 69 due to pancreatic cancer, only a month after his last public appearance. Alan Rickman saw the breakthrough of his career with his role on Les Liaisons Dangereuses and he was loved by the younger generations for his portrayal of Professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter franchise.
Robin Williams - August 10, 2014
Even if you were not a fan of his – which we doubt because we have yet to meet someone who did not love Robin Williams - you would agree that he had left a hole when he committed suicide on August 11, 2014, at his 63 years of age. Only one day prior to the tragic event, Robin Williams was seen at an art gallery at the company of his wife, Susan, near their estate. According to his wife, Williams had been suffering from Lewy body disease, an illness that had detrimental effects on both his physical as well as his mental well-being.
Mary Tyler Moore - Date Undisclosed
Mary Tyler Moore stayed away from the spotlight during the last four years of her life. This is one of the last times that she was photographed in 2013, and this is the same year in which she made her last TV appearance in an episode of Hot in Cleveland. In the episode, she reunited with her former co-stars from The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Mary became widely known for this role and her part in The Dick Van Dyke Show. Mary died from pneumonia when she was 80 years old, on January 25 of 2017.
Burt Reynolds - March 2018
Burt Reynolds had been suffering from a heart condition for years before he passed away on September 6 of 2018. Once an epitome of strength and well-known for playing tough roles on the big screen, Reynolds’ health had been fragile for a while. In the final stages of his life, he needed a cane to walk around. The film Boogie Nights earned him an Academy Award nomination. However, he built his career on roles in films like Smokey and The Bandit and The Longest Yard. Reynolds also explored comedy in the TV sitcom, Evening Shade.
Freddie Mercury - Spring 1991
No introductions needed for Queen's Freddie Mercury, one of the most iconic stars of the music industry who died at the age of only 45, after a long battle with HIV. Spring 1991 would be the last time Freddie would pose for a photo for his partner Jim Hutton at his estate in Kensington while on November 24, 1991, the news of his death would shock the whole world. Mercury had only revealed his condition a day prior to his death even though he was aware of it for years. In 2018, Bohemian Rhapsody, a biopic of Mercury and Queen was released in theaters starring Rami Malek.
Chester Bennington - mid-July 2017
Chester Bennington’s suicide provided a new, fertile ground for mental health discourse, yet the music industry lost one of its most talented and promising individuals. His fans were naturally saddened by the news of his death on July 20, 2017, where Chester was found dead by hanging at his estate in California. A few months after his demise, his wife Talinda posted their last photo together with the family in an attempt to raise awareness of mental illness and the insidious ways of depression. According to Talinda, the photo was taken only a few days before Chester took his own life.
James Gandolfini - June 18, 2013
James Gandolfini was photographed dining in Rome on June 18, 2013. This would eventually be his last meal with his wife Deborah Lin and his son Michael who found him dead the next day due to a heart attack. As the protagonist in HBO's hit series The Sopranos, Gandolfini was loved for his take on Tony Soprano, a New Jersey family man going through an existential crisis while also being an Italian-American mobster. He was to be awarded at the Taormina Film Fest in Sicily before his untimely death and was posthumously inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame, in 2014.
Lucille Ball - March 29, 1989
Her legacy in comedy is still strong, as Lucille Ball, the multitalented and multi-awarded actress, had been in the Television Hall of Fame for more than 30 years! She started her first steps and achieved stardom almost immediately after entering the world of Broadway and from there, it was minor film roles until Lucy aired her own show alongside her then-husband Desi Arnaz, The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour. It marked the breakthrough of her career. At the age of 77, in April 1989, Ball’s heart betrayed her. Here she is at the 61st Academy Awards only a month before her death.
James Dean - September 30, 1955
He was a rebel without a cause - just like the title of the movie that brought him to the limelight - and a role model for the…rebellious youngsters of his era! James Dean was considered by many as one of the most talented actors of the ‘50s and his death was definitely a huge loss for the arts. His last photo was taken just a few hours before his tragic car accident with his beloved, silver Porsche 550 Spyder in Paso Robles, California. Dean was only 24 years old at the time and he just finished with the filming of his upcoming movie, The Giant.In love and in Paris, only a few days before his demise!
Garry Shandling - March 19, 2016
What a sad day that was, March 24, 2016, when the news about Garry Shandling’s sudden death was made known! Only a few days prior, he was taking photos along with his good friends, Kathy Griffin, and Bob Odenkirk, for the former’s Instagram account and no one could have imagined the tragedy that would strike a few days later! Garry, who was one of the most talented comedians in Hollywood, was known to having a fragile health yet a pulmonary embolism was not a scenario anyone could have foreseen. Jon Favreau’s The Jungle Book where Shandling was portraying Ikki was released after his death.
Paul Walker- November 30, 2013
He had a love for fast cars, true to his role on The Fast and Furious franchise. Paul Walker saw the breakthrough of his career with his participation in the world-renowned street racing films, yet he never got to finish filming the full movie of Furious 7. On November 30, 2013, after having appeared at a fundraiser in Santa Clarita, Paul Walker got on a red Porsche Carrera GT owned by his friend – and the driver - Roger Rodas. This was meant to be their last ride as the car crashed on a lamp post, taking both their lives almost instantly!
Elvis Presley - August 16, 1977
You may have fame, wealth, a huge fan base, and a great life insurance, yet, unfortunately, a heart attack alone is enough to erase you from the map and plunge into sorrow your family, friends, and followers. The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, who had been celebrated like no artist of his time (he still is), died at the age of 42 in the summer of 1977. Presley was found by his girlfriend Ginger Alden unresponsive in his bathroom floor. His last photo was taken as he was making his way home on his car just after midnight of August 16, 1977.
Doris Day - May 13, 2019
One of the biggest film stars in the early 1960, Doris Day left us on Monday at her Carmel Valley home. She left millions of her fans with a heavy heart. The Doris Day Animal Foundation mailed statement she was surrounded by close friends and family. Day was an American actress, singer, and animal welfare activist. She began her career as a big band singer in 1939, achieving commercial success in 1945 with her No. 1 recording My Dreams Are Getting Better All the Time with Les Brown & His Band of Renown. She left Brown to embark on a solo career and recorded more than 650 songs from 1947 to 1967. She was awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008, and during her lifetime, three of her songs - Sentimental Journey, Secret Love and Que Sera Sera - were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Carol Channing - January 7, 2016
Carol Channing continued to attend public events until she was well into her years. Her last Broadway performance was nine years before her death, however, one of her last red carpets took place less than three years before her passing. She attended the 26th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival. There, carol showed one of her more characteristic features, her perfect smile. Carol is beloved as one of Broadway’s greatest. The fans fondly remember her for her role in Hello, Dolly! Which is probably the most famous of her projects. Carol died on January 15 of 2019.