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Shocking Celebrity Deaths
Posted: Jan 22, 2008 in Movies, TV and Celebrities
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I know it's fresh but the whole Heath Ledger business is a bit of a shocker to me.
Fellow indy.com user kimikopuffs put it well like this: "Amy Winehouse, maybe. Paris Hilton, wishful thinking. But it's also a HUGE reminder of just how messed up a lot of Hollywood folks are."
The kid from The Client, Brad Renfro's passing wasn't a total shock. But two of them so close together?
So here's the question? Who's the most shocking celebrity death you can remember?
Brandon Lee of course, as we discussed on the other thread. Chris Farley, though it wasn't a shock so much as just tragic.
Phil Hartman.
Brandon Lee of course, as we discussed on the other thread. Chris Farley, though it ...
Phil Hartman. Great call Joe. What a freaking waste.
And just when I thought me posting this topic was morbid, I find this gem ... http://www.deathbeeper.com/
I thought that Anna Nicole's was for sure a publicity stunt. It wasn't a huge surprise, given the woman's history of drug abuse, etc. But it was still a shocker.
Left Eye, Aliyah and Selena were all shockers too.
And don't forget Tupac and Biggie.
why would you wish Paris Hilton dead?
Tupac and B.I.G = Not Surprising
Steve Irwin, Kurt Cobain and Princess Diana are a few that come to mind that haven't been brought up.
Maybe I'm showing my age but the loss of Jimi and Stevie Ray comes right to mind.
I think that Jeff Buckley's drowning accident was a great loss. He was so talented, and his music will never be completed. All young celebrity deaths are sad, because they are so YOUNG! The worst is when these young celebrities throw their lives away with drug abuse, or other ways.
Hunter S. Thompson
I just saw River Phoenix's name on another site.
Also shocking for me in the 80s was Heather O'Rourke, the little girl who played Carol Ann in the "Poltergeist" movies. Very sad, especially since she died during the tail end of production on the third movie.
As for shocking deaths (not previously mentioned): Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Natalie Wood, Bob Crane, Andy Kaufman, John Belushi, Roberto Clemente, Hank Gaithers, Pete Maravich, Jim Croce, Keith Whitley, Marvin Gaye, Swede Savage, Flo-Jo.
As for shocking deaths (not previously mentioned): Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Natalie Wood, ...
Roberto Clemente reminded me of 'The Day the Music Died'; Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. Did you know Waylan Jennings was supposed to be on that flight? It predates me but the story is fascinating.
I still can't get over the death of Sen. Paul Wellstone: personable, committed, left-of-center... Boy, do we need him now!
What about John Candy...
Ben Stiller.
oh wait. that was just his career that died. or maybe was never alive. so sad.
My wife and I watched his most recent debacle and she couldn't even finish it. It was sad.
I'd have to say Janis Joplin was a shocker back in the day.
A lot of the ones mentioned weren't what you'd call shocking. You can't really be surprised when someone like John Belushi dies from an overdose when you consider that he was pretty well known for drug use.
But I remember being absolutely stunned when I heard that someone had shot John Lennon right outside of his apartment building. I was still in high school and my mom woke me up early when she heard it on the news.
Sharon Tate
We're going back pretty far, we might as well go back to the granddaddy of 'em all, Marilyn Monroe.
How about the lead singer from INXS? I think his name was Michael Hutchens... apparently he committed suicide once the band started becoming less popular... i was a big fan of the band when i was a kid, and i couldnt believe it when i heard that he had died.
Phil Hartman, John Candy, Michael Hutchence, Heath Ledger, River Pheonix, etc. I'm probably THE only guy in my generation that will say that Cobain's death never suprised me.