Famous People Who Died Too Soon
Rodney King was the victim of a brutal police beating in Los Angeles that sparked the LA riots in 1992. King, 47, was found dead at his home on June 17, 2012. rodney king autopsy deferred, rodney king found dead in swimming pool, rodney king plea can we all get along,
Adam Yauch, also known as MCA, and his group Beastie Boys are considered pioneers in hip hop music. At age 47, Yauch passed away on May 4, 2012 – shortly after the group was given a major honor. adam yauch cause of death cancer,
A longtime linebacker for the San Diego Chargers, Seau is remembered by many as a sports icon. The 43-year-old was found dead on May 2, 2012. junior seau dead shooting himself in the chest, junior seau home burglarized, junior seau restaurant shut down,
Internationally known for her phenomenal voice, Whitney Houston was often referred to as one of the best female pop singers of all time. She died at age 48 on Feb.11, 2012, whitney houston death, whitney houston cause of death Cocaine overdose · Coronary heart disease · Drowning, bobby kristina brown cast on tyler perry show,
Heavy D was a popular rapper in the '90s who was just starting to make a slow comeback. He died on Nov. 8, 2011, at the age of 44 – one month after performing in a tribute concert for another fallen singer. heavy d cause of death pulmonary embolism,
Blue-eyed soul hits such as "Rehab" and "Back to Black" propelled this troubled British songstress to international fame. She died at age 27 on July 23, 2011. amy winehouse cause of death Alcohol intoxication, Amy Winehouse coroner resigned, Amy Winehouse + 2012 Grammy + "Body and Soul",
Nate Dogg was widely recognized as the singer in several huge rap hits. He's the cousin of rapper Snoop Dogg, with whom he also performed. Nate Dogg was 41 when he died in Long Beach, Calif., on March 15, 2011. nate dogg cause of death Myocardial infarction, nathaniel dwayne hale,
Corey Haim became a Hollywood teen idol in the '80s after starring in movies like "Silver Bullet" and "License to Drive." He also became good friends and made several movies with another '80s heartthrob. Haim died at age 38 on March 10, 2010. corey haim cause of death Drug overdose · Pneumonia,
Actress Brittany Murphy is probably best known for her roles in the films "Clueless," "8 Mile," and "Don't Say a Word." She was 32 years old when she collapsed and died on December 20, 2009. brittany murphy cause of death Cardiac arrest · Pneumonia, simon monjack found dead, brittany murphy something wicked,
Star NFL quarterback Steve McNair was believed to have been sleeping when he died on July 4, 2009 at age 36. steve mcnair cause of death Gunshot injury, steve mcnair restaurant,
Fans all over the world mourned after music icon Michael Jackson, also known as the "King of Pop", died on June 25, 2009. The 50-year-old passed away weeks before kicking off his "This Is It" tour in London. michael jackson cause of death Cardiac arrest · Homicide · Propofol, michael jackson tiger dies, conrad murray guilty involuntary manslaughter,
This foreign-born star of a controversial hit film left behind a young daughter when he died on Jan. 22, 2008, at age 28. heath ledger cause of death Drug overdose, heath ledger doctor under investigation, heath ledger wins best supporting actor dark knight,
The NFL safety from Miami died in his hometown on Nov. 27, 2007, at age 24. sean taylor cause of death, Sean Taylor + Washington Redskins Ring of Fame,
Former Playboy playmate Anna Nicole Smith died at age 39 on Feb. 8, 2007, nearly five months after her son Daniel's sudden passing at age 20. anna nicole smith cause of death Drug overdose, howard k stern conviction dismissed,
Tillman was an NFL defensive back who enlisted in the U.S. Army after September 11 and served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He was 27 when he died on April 22, 2004. pat tillman cause of death Firearm · Friendly fire · Gunshot, Pat Tillman initial death cover-up,
Known as the DJ for the iconic rap group Run-D.M.C., Jam Master Jay was 37 when he died on October 30, 2002. jam master jay cause of death Firearm · Murder,
One-third of a chart-topping '90s R&B group, Lopes rapped through such hits as "No Scrubs" and "Waterfalls". She died at age 30 on April 25, 2002. Lisa Lopes + car accident,
The 22-year-old R&B singer and actress released a self-titled album a month before she died on Aug. 25, 2001. aaliyah cause of death Air disaster, Luis Morales III pilot + autopsy + cocaine, Aaliyah + plane exceeded weight limit, damon dash aaliyah,
Thomas was a linebacker in the NFL known for his signature move. He died at age 33 on Feb. 8, 2000. derrick thomas cause of death Pulmonary embolism, Derrick Thomas Pro Football Hall of Fame,
JFK Jr., the son of the late President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy, was 38 when died on July 16, 1999 along with his wife, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, 33, and her sister. john f kennedy jr cause of death Air disaster, jfk jr assistant plane carolyn,
"Saturday Night Live" funnyman Chris Farley was known for his style of physical comedy. He was found dead on Dec. 18, 1997 at age 33. Eight years later, he received this posthumous honor. chris farley cause of death Drug overdose · Heroin overdose · Morphine · accidental opiate/cocaine intoxication and coronary atherosclerosis
The glamorous princess became a style icon while married to Great Britain's heir to the throne. Her life was cut short on Aug. 31, 1997, when she was 36. princess diana cause of death Traffic collision, boyfriend Dodi Fayed + driver Henri Paul, Diana killed by driver's gross negligence,
The Brooklyn-based rapper, hailed as one of the genre’s greats, died at age 24 on March 9, 1997. notorious big cause of death Firearm · Gunshot · Murder, The Notorious B.I.G. unsolved murder, Voletta Wallace + wrongful death lawsuit + LAPD,
This 25-year-old rapper turned actor spent his last day — Sept. 13, 1996 — attending a major sporting event. tupac shakur cause of death Firearm · Gunshot · Murder · Respiratory failure, tupac hologram coachella, Orlando Anderson + Tupac Shakur,
She was the little sister of a supermodel whose own star was on the rise when she died at age 17 on July 2, 1995. krissy taylor cause of death Asthma · Cardiovascular disease · Heart failure, The C.A.R.E. Foundation + Krissy Taylor
Grammy-winning singer Selena was often referred to as "The Queen of Tejano Music" or the Mexican equivalent of an American pop singer. She was 23 years old when she died on March 31, 1995 selena cause of death Firearm · Homicide · Murder,
The grunge rock front man, best known for the '90s anthem "Smells Like Teen Spirit," died at age 27 on April 5, 1994, leaving behind a singer spouse and a young daughter. kurt cobain cause of death Firearm · Gunshot · Suicide,
Phoenix, fondly remembered for his role in an '80s film favorite, died at age 23 before he was to perform a Halloween gig with a rock-star friend at a Hollywood venue in 1993. river phoenix cause of death Heart failure · Heroin overdose,
This Brooklyn artist — backed by a well-connected friend — shook up New York’s elite art world throughout the '80s, until his death at age 27 on Aug. 12, 1988. Jean-Michel Basquiat cause of death Drug overdose · Heroin overdose, Jean-Michel Basquiat + invisible ink signature,