NFT: Celebrity deaths from long ago that still

I think I was around 12 years old and the time and I was a big fan of some of his songs. I remember that I had just seen him on what I believe was the Midnight Special (could have been Don Kirschners Rock Concert or one of those other late night rock shows) the week before he died in a plane crash. I couldnt get that out of my head for awhile, that image of him and one other guy on that stage and then finding out they were both dead a week later.

John Lennon is another....obviously no one in their right mind saw that one coming. Wish he were still around today to hear his perspective on things.

He was the kid that played Chekov in the Star Trek reboot.

Promising future and such a tragic way to go

saw a behind the scenes video about Stand By Me on YouTube, that was a classic, especially for those of us who grew up in the 80s.

He did a great job in that movie, considering he was only 15 or 16 at the time. Nominated for an Oscar at 18, died of an overdose at 23. Damn shame

I was 12 and its the first one I remember distinctly. Came on over the car radio and I got pretty upset, a little choked up. My dad called him an idiot and told me it was dumb to cry about an idiot and changed the channel lol. I really think his best music was still in front of him. I think the band was fairly close to ending, and Unplugged might be a glimpse of what his solo work could've been like. Chris Gethard has a great bit about people romanticizing depression with comments like "But what about art? What about Kurt Cobain and all that amazing music", and his response is "Well, I'd kinda rather he got help and was still around, putting out shitty Starbucks holiday exclusives".

Stand By Me and a young Indiana Jones in The Last Crusade film.

Promising future, tragic.

In comment 15213806 mfsd said:

Quote:

saw a behind the scenes video about Stand By Me on YouTube, that was a classic, especially for those of us who grew up in the 80s. He did a great job in that movie, considering he was only 15 or 16 at the time. Nominated for an Oscar at 18, died of an overdose at 23. Damn shame

Beat me to it!

that one still stings.

Died every year from the mid-80's to 2016.

......

I have never gotten over Thurman Munson dying in that plane crash.

In comment 15213818 Jay on the Island said:

Quote:

that one still stings.

+1. That guy was so funny. He was one of those rare people that just made you laugh the minute you saw him in a movie or sketch. Will Ferrell is the same way for me.

JFK Jr, Prince Heath Ledger...couldn't believe those ones at first.

in a long line of SNL performers who tempted death with their lifestyle, Hartman just got married to the wrong person.

mostly because of what happened that day and how I heard about it.

and I stayed in the car and listened to Elvis songs on AM radio for a while when the news broke.

not that long ago but I was surprised to find that it was 7 years ago. Incredible range.

Another amazing talent that we lost too soon.

Can't believe it's been 13 years already.

I know wasn't that long ago but man that one really sucked.

In comment 15213836 SFGFNCGiantsFan said:

Quote:

JFK Jr, Prince Heath Ledger...couldn't believe those ones at first.

All good ones, all tragic they’re gone

Chris Cornell really sticks with me too. Not that long ago, but his music was part of the soundtrack of my college years, and I’ve been listening to his solo stuff a lot lately.

In comment 15213855 terz22 said:

Quote:

I know wasn't that long ago but man that one really sucked.

That one is still hard to believe.

Bill Paxton, too.

+1

That one really hurt.

reminds me of the Oscars Celebrity Death Applause-O-Meter where we all could tell someone's popularity based on the level of applause they got when their picture came on screen. Always found that bizarre.

That hit hard.

Kurt Cobain
Chris Farley
Tupac/Biggie

In comment 15213828 NY2Carolina said:

Quote:

I have never gotten over Thurman Munson dying in that plane crash.

+1, same here. Shook me up as a kid.

In comment 15213828 NY2Carolina said:

Quote:

I have never gotten over Thurman Munson dying in that plane crash.

With you on that one

I was only six but remember my old man's reaction when he heard Len Bias had died. He thought it was a sick joke at first.

Never forget the death of your first girlfriend.

Phil Lynott and Bon Scott still upset me.

it was my freshman year of college, bunch of guys just sitting around stunned in a quad, muttering "Fuuuuuuucccccc*****" when we heard

So young, and at the peak of his career.

On Easter Sunday, I think.

Patrick Seayze I can't believe he would go like that and then recently watching the skit of him and Chris Farley trying out for the male dancer just made me sad realizing both are gone.

Godfather 1 &2
Dog Day Afternoon
Deer Hunter

Fredo is seared into our collective consciousness. Gone but yet still here.

Not all that long ago but it still bugs me.

Still shocks me when I think about it. Can't believe he went out that way and only 40 years old.

Thurman Munson - (very bummed)

Kurt Cobain, River Phoenix, Heath Ledger, Philip Seymour Hoffman - just about anyone that went be fore there time should have been up. Hell, even Michael Jackson I don't own any of his music - but his death shocked me.

John Prine

as I sit here mourning the passing of a childhood friend. We grew up together literally 5-6 blocks apart.

His family owned Pepe's pizza. If you grew up in the New Haven area - you probably heard that name - Pepe's. Gary was sort of a local celebrity.

He was one of the hardest working people I knew and a great guy.



RIP Gary - ( New Window )

Passed away about 12 years ago. Younger and more recent than many on this list but tragic nonetheless and someone mysterious circumstances. She was a fun and talented actress (especially as Luann in King of the Hill and in Clueless among other roles). I see a documentary is coming to HBO examining her death.
Link - ( New Window )

John Lennon, Jerry Garcia and Elvis are all ones that hit me hard and still bum me out when I think about how they all went too young

not a "celebrity" per se, but I lived on the UES about 10-15 blocks north of where he crashed that plane into the building. From the balcony on our duplex apartment we had a perfect view of the crash site and the fire that ensued.

We didn't see the actual crash, but I distinctly remember having a couple beers up there and watching the blaze.

Candy. Very funny actor.

In comment 15213799 TXRabbit said:

Quote:

He was the kid that played Chekov in the Star Trek reboot. Promising future and such a tragic way to go

Man this is a good one, he had A list star written all over him.

In comment 15213806 mfsd said:

Quote:

saw a behind the scenes video about Stand By Me on YouTube, that was a classic, especially for those of us who grew up in the 80s. He did a great job in that movie, considering he was only 15 or 16 at the time. Nominated for an Oscar at 18, died of an overdose at 23. Damn shame

There is a running beef for Joaquin Phoenix towards John Frusciante of the RHCP because apparently he was really pushing River to party harder and harder the night he died. Basically feeding him drugs. Then River didnt feel good, stumbled out of the club and started ODing on the street. Very fucked up situation.

In comment 15214020 short lease said:

Quote:

Still shocks me when I think about it. Can't believe he went out that way and only 40 years old.

John tops my list as well. Thurman Munson up there too though.

In comment 15213818 Jay on the Island said:

Quote:

that one still stings.

Mine too. I'll never forget as long as I live coming back home from college for Christmas break and first thing dad says as I walk in the door is "Chris Farley is dead" and turning on the news in total shock. I had no idea whatsoever about his addiction problems.

More because I had a big group of friends over for a cookout and it happened. Everyone was glued to the TV.

David Bowie
Prince
Leonard Cohen
George Michael

In comment 15214049 Juice921 said:

Quote:

Passed away about 12 years ago. Younger and more recent than many on this list but tragic nonetheless and someone mysterious circumstances. She was a fun and talented actress (especially as Luann in King of the Hill and in Clueless among other roles). I see a documentary is coming to HBO examining her death. Link - ( New Window )

I've found myself watching old "King of the Hill" videos on YouTube, that's a show that has aged so damn gracefully. Just earlier this week I realized/was reminded that Brittany Murphy voiced Luanne on the show. She did such a great job in that role. She died way too young.

Brittany Murphy died? Damn. I must have missed that, though I hadn't seen or heard of her in years so I must have thought she went into seclusion or something.

In comment 15214161 AnnapolisMike said:

Quote:

More because I had a big group of friends over for a cookout and it happened. Everyone was glued to the TV.

+1

Good call Mike. She slipped my mind but, at the time maybe only JFK's death got more coverage? And, for a reason I still do not understand to this day - her death hurt.

I am not British and Royalty does not mean that much traditionally to Americans .. maybe it was just the tragedy of it? Young kids, etc ....

In comment 15214037 short lease said:

Quote:

as I sit here mourning the passing of a childhood friend. We grew up together literally 5-6 blocks apart. His family owned Pepe's pizza. If you grew up in the New Haven area - you probably heard that name - Pepe's. Gary was sort of a local celebrity. He was one of the hardest working people I knew and a great guy. RIP Gary - ( New Window )

Lease,
Sorry to hear about your friend’s passing. Life is bittersweet

Motorhead moves in next door, your lawn dies

Only 21 when he died. I always think about it on Feb 2

Like Lemmy they died of old man diseases not suicide or OD or a reckless accident

I guess it’s because punk rock is associated with youth, so it’s weird that these old punkers or metal/punk guys are dying

I remember talking with Phil in LA about the Dolls and Buzzcocks

Damn, I’m getting depressed

Introduced a whole new wave of movie entertainment and action with his martial arts movies. Career was just starting to blossom when he died suddenly at 32.

Robin Williams, George Harrison

...

In comment 15214145 chopperhatch said:

Quote:

In comment 15213806 mfsd said: Quote: saw a behind the scenes video about Stand By Me on YouTube, that was a classic, especially for those of us who grew up in the 80s. He did a great job in that movie, considering he was only 15 or 16 at the time. Nominated for an Oscar at 18, died of an overdose at 23. Damn shame There is a running beef for Joaquin Phoenix towards John Frusciante of the RHCP because apparently he was really pushing River to party harder and harder the night he died. Basically feeding him drugs. Then River didnt feel good, stumbled out of the club and started ODing on the street. Very fucked up situation.

Interesting, and sad story. Lived in LA for several years a while back, found myself thinking of that night whenever I’d pass by the Viper Room.

Plenty of famous deaths around LA over the years, and plenty of places associated with them for notorious reasons, but that one’s stuck with me

Lennon.

In comment 15214037 short lease said:

Quote:

as I sit here mourning the passing of a childhood friend. We grew up together literally 5-6 blocks apart. His family owned Pepe's pizza. If you grew up in the New Haven area - you probably heard that name - Pepe's. Gary was sort of a local celebrity. He was one of the hardest working people I knew and a great guy. RIP Gary - ( New Window )

Sorry for your loss buddy. I grew up near New Haven, didn’t know him personally but knew of him and his family, as Pepe’s, and New Haven pizza in general was a staple of my childhood

more recently,Robin Williams,a comedic genius,actor extraordinaire & one of the quickest & wittiest performers of all time!

...

.