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.

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.

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.