The easiest ticket to immortality for the modern celebrity seems to be an untimely death. Ask James Dean fans whether they care that he only starred in three feature films before his death. Or what Anna Nicole Smith was famous for, for that matter. Here are seven celebrities who died before their time, some reaching iconic status, some serving as cautionary tales, and others becoming a source of fascination.
Anna Nicole Smith
Former Playmate of the Year, Smith attracted a lot of attention when she married the oil billionaire J. Howard Marshall, 63 years older than her. Smith was basically a white trash it-girl, famous for being famous. She was found dead in a hotel in Hollywood on Feb. 8, 2007 at the age of 39. The cause of her death is still undetermined, presumably a lethal combination of prescription drugs.
James Dean
Having died in a high-speed car accident on Sep. 30, 1955 at the age of 24, James Dean soon gained an iconic status, with only three feature films under his name. His troubled rebel persona in Rebel Without a Cause and the loner in East of Eden reinforced the image of an evocative, brooding actor.
John Belushi
The Saturday Night Live cast member and one of the Blues Brothers, John Belushi died at yet another hotel room from a drug overdose on Mar. 5, 1982 aged 33. He had 11 speedballs, and injection of cocaine and heroine. The night of his death, Belushi's drug companions were Robin Williams and Robert De Niro.
John Lennon
One of the founders and member of the Beatles and outspoken peace activist, John Lennon, was murdered outside his New York apartment by Mark David Chapman on Dec. 8, 1980 when he was 40-years-old. His second wife, Yoko Ono, recently said that she could not find it in her heart to forgive the murderer.
Marilyn Monroe
The most famous of the premature celebrity deaths, Marilyn's death still remains to be an undying source of conspiracy. She was found dead in her home on Aug. 5, 1962 aged 36. The cause of her death is presumed to be a drug overdose, either with intentions of suicide or a covert assassination by the Kennedy brothers, both of whom she knew personally.
River Phoenix
One of the most promising actors of his generation, River Phoenix died of a drug overdose on Oct. 31, 1993 at age of 23. The biggest legacy of the Academy Award and Golden Globe-nominated actor was his heart-breaking role in My Own Private Idaho.
Sharon Tate
The promising actress and sex symbol died at her home with multiple stabs by the followers of Charles Manson on Aug. 9, 1969 aged 26. Four others were killed with the then-eight-and-a-half months pregnant Tate. Decades after her murder, Tate's mother Doris continued her fight parole being granted for the killers.
Originally published on Hürriyet Daily News on 26 Jan. 08
0 yorum:
Post a Comment