It’s always heartbreaking when we hear of celebs who died way too soon, mostly because we tend to forget that they’re people too.
Yes, really.
We get used to them playing different characters on screen or performing on stages.
We feel familiar with their larger than life personas because we buy their posters, watch them on television or scramble to get their autographs that we completely forget that they are just like us – mortal.
Yes, they may have more money, better bodies, personal assistants, private chefs and access to all the better things in the world that should increase lifespan.
Unfortunately, that is not always the case.
The list below features a few celebs who died way too soon and some might say, in their primes.
Heath Ledger
Heath Ledger is an Australian Actor best known for his portrayal of ‘The Joker’ in The Dark Knight. Before his passing, he had starred in almost twenty movies including The Patriot, Brokeback Mountain, Monster’s Ball, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, A Knight’s Tale and 10 Things I Hate About You.
Looking at the body of work of the aspiring director, you can tell immediately that he was on the brink of achieving ‘Icon’ status.
Even at 28, he had starred in some of the best movies of that decade.
Heath was discovered unconscious in his bed by his housekeeper and his masseuse by 2:45pm on the 22nd of January 2008 at his apartment in Manhattan.
When the paramedics arrived his location, he was pronounced dead.
An autopsy revealed the cause of death was “an accident, resulting from the abuse of prescribed medications.”
Mr. Ledger was awarded a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Dark Knight.
Paul Walker
Paul Walker was an American actor who unfortunately passed away on the 30th of November, 2013.
Paul, who was 40 years old at the time of his passing, first gained recognition for his appearances in coming of age movies such as She’s All That and Varsity Blues.
He also appeared in Movies like Brick Mansions, Hours, Eight Below, Running Scared, Into The Blue and Joy Ride.
However, he is best known for his portrayal of Brian O’Connor in The Fast and Furious film franchise.
Paul was also a humanitarian and was involved with many charities including ‘Reach Out Worldwide’ (ROWW) which he founded.
On November 30th 2013, Paul Walker left a ROWW event with a friend of his – Roger Rodas in Rodas’ 2005 Porsche Carrera GT at exactly 3:30pm.
They got into in a single vehicle collision and the car crashed into two trees and a lampost and then burst into flames.
Walker was in the passenger seat while Rodas was in the driver’s seat. Both bodies were burned beyond recognition in the accident.
His death still remains a shock to fans a few years later.
Christina Grimmie
Christina’s death was upsetting for so many reasons. So many.
Especially because the young celeb was on the brink of achieving the kind of superstar career she had worked so hard for.
Christina, who was born on the 12th of March 1994, is an American singer who gained recognition for her videos on Youtube and then for her participation on The Voice.
Her first studio album was released in 2013 and her second in 2016.
After finishing 3rd place in The Voice, her coach on the show – Adam Levine – announced he was signing her to his ‘222 Records’ label regardless of the results on the show.
On the 10th of June 2016, Christina Grimmie was shot by Kevin James Loibl as she signed autographs for fans after a show in Orlando, Florida.
The 27-year-old Kevin, who was infatuated with the singer, had undergone physical alterations including weight loss, hair surgery and eye surgery to make himself more physically attractive for Grimmie.
He had traveled by taxi from St. Petersburg (also in Florida) with a hunting knife, two handguns and extra magazines of ammunition.
After he shot Christina four times, he was tackled by her brother. However, he managed to break free and then proceeded to shoot himself.
Although Christina was rushed to Orlando Regional Medical Center, she was pronounced dead just before 11pm.
Read More: 7 Most disliked Celebrities And Why They Are Disliked
Anton Yelchin
All loss of life is hard but Anton’s death…that was a particularly difficult pill to swallow.
Anton Yelchin is a Russian Born American actor who was known for playing Pavel Chekov in the reboot of the Star Trek franchise.
Anton was noted for being one the hardest working actors of his generation having starred in quite the number of movies including Like Crazy, Along Came a Spider, Hearts in Atlantis, Taken, Charlie Bartlett, Only Lovers Left Alive, Green Room and The Smurfs.
During his time in Hollywood, Anton worked with some of the most prominent actors, producers and directors in the business.
Anton Yelchin’s death has been referred to as ‘a freak accident’.
Anton was found by his friends on the morning of June 19th, 2016 where he was pinned between a brick pillar outside his house and his Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The actor has gotten out of his car which had been on a steep incline when it rolled back and pinned him against the pillar.
He is believed to have died within 60 seconds of impact.
His parents have announced their intentions of filing a wrongful death suit against the car manufacturers.
However, the manufacturers responded stating they were not responsible for Anton’s death, indicating Anton alone was responsible because he had ‘misused’ the vehicle.
How unfortunate.
See More: Celeb Couples With Height Differences You Can’t Miss
Aaliyah
There are very few celebrity deaths that shook the world in the way Aaliyah’s did.
Much like James Dean, River Phoenix and Michael Jackson, her passing broke the hearts of millions around the world.
Aaliyah, also known as the Princess of RnB, was born on the 16th of January, 1979. She was an American singer, actress and dancer.
While Aaliyah’s debut album did remarkably well, it was her second album that shot her into international fame and it was her third album that solidified her place as the Queen of Urban Pop.
Aaliyah passed away on the 25th of August, 2001 with eight others after her plane crashed in the Bahamas.
Not only was the pilot – Luis Morales III – unlicensed at the time of the crash but he was also under the influence of cocaine and alcohol.
Aaliyah’s family filed a wrongful death lawful against the airlines and it was settled out of court.
Even to this day, Aaliyah remains one of the most influential artists of our time.
Aaliyah is currently as the 10th most successful female R&B artist of the past 25 years and also the 27th most successful R&B artist in history.
And to think these are only just a few of the celebrities who died way too soon. The actual number is quite staggering and will surprise you.
