Actors Who Died Before They Turned 35

The entertainment industry has been profoundly impacted by the premature deaths of many talented actors who passed away before reaching their 35th birthdays. These performers often left behind notable work that highlighted their potential, only for their careers to be cut short by illness, accidents, or personal struggles. Their legacies continue to be felt through the films and television shows that defined their brief but memorable tenures on screen. This list details 50 male actors whose lives ended too soon, noting their ages, death dates, and causes of death.

James Dean

James Dean became a global icon for his portrayals of disillusioned youth in films like ‘Rebel Without a Cause’. He was 24 years old when he died on September 30, 1955, in a tragic car accident near Cholame, California. The actor was driving his Porsche 550 Spyder to a racing competition when he collided with another vehicle at a highway junction. Despite his short career consisting of only three major films, he remains a legend of the silver screen and a symbol of 1950s rebellion.

River Phoenix

River Phoenix was a highly acclaimed actor known for his roles in ‘Stand by Me’ and ‘My Own Private Idaho’. He passed away at the age of 23 on October 31, 1993, outside the Viper Room nightclub in West Hollywood. His cause of death was acute multiple drug intoxication involving cocaine and heroin. Phoenix had earned an Academy Award nomination for his performance in ‘Running on Empty’ and was considered one of the most talented actors of his generation.

Heath Ledger

Heath Ledger delivered one of the most iconic performances in cinematic history as the Joker in ‘The Dark Knight’. He was 28 years old when he was found dead on January 22, 2008, in his Manhattan apartment. The New York City medical examiner ruled his death an accidental overdose of prescription medications, including painkillers and anti-anxiety drugs. Ledger received a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his work on the second installment of Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy.

Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee was a martial arts legend and actor who revolutionized the action genre with films like ‘Enter the Dragon’. He died at the age of 32 on July 20, 1973, in Hong Kong. His cause of death was determined to be a cerebral edema, which was believed to be an adverse reaction to a prescription painkiller. Lee’s influence on both the martial arts community and international cinema remains profound decades after his passing.

Brandon Lee

Brandon Lee was a rising action star when he landed the lead role in the supernatural film ‘The Crow’. He was 28 years old when he died on March 31, 1993, following a tragic accident on the film’s set in Wilmington, North Carolina. During the filming of a shootout scene, a prop gun was loaded with a fragment of a real bullet that fatally struck the actor. His final performance was completed using special effects and helped the movie become a major cult success.

Anton Yelchin

Anton Yelchin was a versatile actor recognized for playing Pavel Chekov in the ‘Star Trek’ reboot series. He passed away at the age of 27 on June 19, 2016, in a freak accident at his home in Los Angeles. The actor was pinned by his own vehicle against a brick pillar and a security fence after the car rolled down his steep driveway. The coroner’s office determined that his death was caused by blunt traumatic asphyxia.

Cory Monteith

Cory Monteith rose to international fame playing the lovable quarterback Finn Hudson on the musical television series ‘Glee’. He was 31 years old when he was found deceased on July 13, 2013, in a hotel room in Vancouver, Canada. An autopsy later revealed that his cause of death was a toxic combination of heroin and alcohol. Monteith’s death was a significant shock to his castmates and the show’s dedicated fan base around the world.

John Belushi

John Belushi was a comedic powerhouse known for ‘Saturday Night Live’ and his role as Bluto in ‘National Lampoon’s Animal House’. He died at the age of 33 on March 5, 1982, at the Chateau Marmont in Hollywood. His cause of death was an accidental overdose of cocaine and heroin, often referred to as a speedball. Belushi was a pioneer of the original “Not Ready for Prime Time Players” and remains an influential figure in sketch comedy.

Chris Farley

Chris Farley was a beloved comedic actor famous for his high-energy performances on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and in films like ‘Tommy Boy’. He was 33 years old when he passed away on December 18, 1997, in his Chicago apartment. The medical examiner confirmed that he died from an accidental overdose of cocaine and morphine, complicated by heart disease. Farley’s physical comedy and expressive characters made him one of the most successful comedic stars of the 1990s.

Jonathan Brandis

Jonathan Brandis was a prominent teen idol who starred in ‘seaQuest DSV’ and the television miniseries ‘It’. He was 27 years old when he died on November 12, 2003, in Los Angeles. His death was ruled a suicide by hanging, occurring after friends discovered him in the hallway of his apartment building. Brandis had a prolific career as a child actor and was widely recognized for his leading roles in family adventure films.

Brad Renfro

Brad Renfro made his impressive film debut at age 11 in ‘The Client’ and went on to star in ‘Sleepers’. He was 25 years old when he was found dead on January 15, 2008, at his home in Los Angeles. The cause of death was accidental acute heroin and morphine intoxication. Despite his early success and natural talent, Renfro’s career was often overshadowed by his public struggles with substance abuse.

Lee Thompson Young

Lee Thompson Young was widely known for starring in the title role of the Disney Channel series ‘The Famous Jett Jackson’. He was 29 years old when he passed away on August 19, 2013, in his Los Angeles apartment. His death was ruled a suicide by a self-inflicted gunshot wound. At the time of his passing, Young was a series regular on the crime drama ‘Rizzoli & Isles’ playing Detective Barry Frost.

Cameron Boyce

Cameron Boyce was a Disney Channel star known for his roles in the ‘Descendants’ franchise and the series ‘Jessie’. He died at the young age of 20 on July 6, 2019, in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles. His cause of death was attributed to a seizure resulting from epilepsy, a condition for which he was being treated. Boyce was also recognized for his extensive philanthropic work and his role in the ‘Grown Ups’ film series.

Chance Perdomo

Chance Perdomo was an emerging talent known for his roles in ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ and the series ‘Gen V’. He was 27 years old when he passed away on March 30, 2024, following a motorcycle accident. Local authorities reported that no other individuals were involved in the crash. Perdomo had been gaining significant recognition for his performance as Andre Anderson in the superhero spin-off series at the time of his death.

Angus Cloud

Angus Cloud became a breakout star for his portrayal of Fezco on the acclaimed drama series ‘Euphoria’. He was 25 years old when he died on July 31, 2023, at his family home in Oakland, California. The Alameda County Coroner’s Bureau determined that he died from an accidental overdose of fentanyl, cocaine, and other substances. Cloud’s authentic performance on television made him a fan favorite and a rising talent in the industry.

Tupac Shakur

Tupac Shakur was a legendary rapper and an accomplished actor who starred in films like ‘Poetic Justice’ and ‘Juice’. He was 25 years old when he died on September 13, 1996, several days after being shot in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas. His death was ruled a homicide resulting from multiple gunshot wounds. Shakur remains one of the most influential figures in hip-hop culture and left behind several posthumously released acting projects.

The Notorious B.I.G.

Christopher Wallace, better known as The Notorious B.I.G., was a pivotal figure in the 1990s rap scene who appeared in the film ‘The Show’. He was 24 years old when he was killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997. His cause of death was homicide from multiple gunshot wounds sustained while leaving a party. As a cultural icon, his life and career have been the subject of numerous biographical films and documentaries.

Rudolph Valentino

Rudolf Valentino was a silent film superstar known as the “Latin Lover” for his roles in ‘The Sheik’ and ‘Blood and Sand’. He was 31 years old when he died on August 23, 1926, in New York City. His cause of death was peritonitis and pleurisy following a surgery for perforated ulcers. His passing caused mass hysteria among his fans and remains one of the most famous celebrity deaths of the early 20th century.

Bobby Driscoll

Bobby Driscoll was a famous child actor who voiced the title character in Disney’s ‘Peter Pan’ and starred in ‘Song of the South’. He passed away at the age of 31 on March 30, 1968, in an abandoned building in New York City. His cause of death was heart failure caused by advanced hardening of the arteries due to long-term drug use. Driscoll had struggled to transition into adult roles after a highly successful career as a child star.

Matthew Garber

Matthew Garber is best remembered for his role as Michael Banks in the classic Disney film ‘Mary Poppins’. He died at the age of 21 on June 13, 1977, at a hospital in London. His cause of death was pancreatitis, which reportedly developed after he contracted hepatitis while traveling in India. Garber had retired from acting shortly after his childhood success to pursue other interests.

Carl Switzer

Carl Switzer, famously known as Alfalfa in the ‘Our Gang’ short films, was a recognizable face of early Hollywood. He died at the age of 31 on January 21, 1959, in Mission Hills, California. Switzer was shot and killed during a dispute over money, and his death was eventually ruled as justifiable homicide by a coroner’s jury. Despite his early fame, he struggled to maintain a consistent acting career as an adult.

Pete Duel

Pete Duel was a popular television actor who starred as Hannibal Heyes in the Western series ‘Alias Smith and Jones’. He was 31 years old when he died on December 31, 1971, at his home in Hollywood. His cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound, which was ruled a suicide. Duel’s unexpected passing occurred while his hit television show was still in active production.

Brandon De Wilde

Brandon De Wilde was a child prodigy who earned an Academy Award nomination for his role in the Western ‘Shane’. He was 30 years old when he died on July 6, 1972, following a car accident in Lakewood, Colorado. The actor’s vehicle struck a parked truck, causing fatal injuries. De Wilde had continued to work steadily in film and television throughout his adult life before the tragic crash.

Freddie Prinze

Freddie Prinze was a groundbreaking stand-up comedian and actor who starred in the hit sitcom ‘Chico and the Man’. He was 22 years old when he died on January 29, 1977, in Los Angeles. Prinze suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, and his death was officially ruled a suicide. He was the father of actor Freddie Prinze Jr. and was one of the first major Latino stars on American television.

Bill Hicks

Bill Hicks was a highly influential stand-up comedian and social critic who appeared in several comedy specials and short films. He died at the age of 32 on February 26, 1994, at his parents’ home in Little Rock, Arkansas. His cause of death was pancreatic cancer, which he had kept private from the public for some time. Hicks is widely regarded as one of the greatest comedians of his era for his fearless commentary on politics and religion.

Glenn Quinn

Glenn Quinn was an Irish actor best known for his roles as Mark Healy on ‘Roseanne’ and Doyle on the series ‘Angel’. He was 32 years old when he was found deceased on December 3, 2002, at a friend’s house in North Hollywood. An autopsy confirmed that he died from an accidental heroin overdose. Quinn was a beloved figure on both shows and was remembered for his distinct charisma and screen presence.

David Strickland

David Strickland was a comedic actor who rose to fame as rock critic Todd Stites on the sitcom ‘Suddenly Susan’. He was 29 years old when he passed away on March 22, 1999, in a hotel room in Las Vegas. His death was ruled a suicide by hanging. Strickland had been a rising star in the television industry and had recently completed a role in the film ‘Forces of Nature’.

Justin Mentell

Justin Mentell was an actor and speed skater best known for his role as Garrett Wells on the television drama ‘Boston Legal’. He died at the age of 27 on February 1, 2010, in a car accident near Blanchardville, Wisconsin. Mentell’s vehicle went off the road and down a steep embankment, and it was reported that he was not wearing a seatbelt. He had also provided the voice for the character Terrence in the animated film ‘G-Force’.

Sawyer Sweeten

Sawyer Sweeten was a child actor who played Geoffrey Barone on the long-running sitcom ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’. He was 19 years old when he died on April 23, 2015, while visiting family in Austin, Texas. His cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound, which was ruled a suicide. Sweeten had spent most of his childhood on television alongside his twin brother and older sister.

Cody Longo

Cody Longo was an actor and musician known for his roles in the series ‘Hollywood Heights’ and the soap opera ‘Days of Our Lives’. He was 34 years old when he was found dead on February 8, 2023, at his home in Austin, Texas. The medical examiner determined that his cause of death was chronic ethanol abuse. Longo had a recurring presence in television and had also pursued a career as a singer-songwriter.

Gregory Tyree Boyce

Gregory Tyree Boyce was an actor who appeared in the first ‘Twilight’ film as the character Tyler Crowley. He was 30 years old when he and his girlfriend were found deceased on May 13, 2020, in their Las Vegas condominium. The Clark County coroner’s office ruled the cause of death as an accidental overdose of cocaine and fentanyl. Boyce had recently been focused on expanding his career and starting a business before his passing.

Jackson Odell

Jackson Odell was a young actor and songwriter known for his role as Ari Caldwell on the sitcom ‘The Goldbergs’. He passed away at the age of 20 on June 8, 2018, at a sober living facility in Tarzana, California. The Los Angeles County coroner’s office determined that he died from an accidental drug overdose of heroin and cocaine. Odell was also a talented musician who contributed songs to the soundtrack of the film ‘Forever My Girl’.

Michael Galeota

Michael Galeota was a child actor who starred as Nick Lighter in the Disney Channel series ‘The Jersey’. He died at the age of 31 on January 10, 2016, at his home in Glendale, California. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s office stated that his death was due to natural causes related to hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Galeota had appeared in several television shows during the 1990s and early 2000s before retiring from acting.

Nick Lashaway

Nick Lashaway was an actor known for his roles in ‘The 40-Year-Old Virgin’ and ‘The Last Song’. He was 28 years old when he died on May 8, 2016, in a three-car accident in Framingham, Massachusetts. Lashaway had also appeared in the series ‘Girls’ and ‘The X-Files’ throughout his career. He was recognized as a promising character actor with a steady trajectory in film and television.

Chris Kelly

Chris Kelly was a member of the 1990s rap duo Kris Kross and appeared in various television shows and films like ‘Who’s the Man?’. He was 34 years old when he was found unresponsive on May 1, 2013, at his home in Atlanta, Georgia. His cause of death was determined to be a drug overdose involving a combination of several substances. Kelly had achieved massive success at a young age with the hit song “Jump” and continued to work in the music and entertainment industry.

Chris Trousdale

Chris Trousdale was an actor and singer who gained fame as a member of the boy band Dream Street and appeared on ‘Shake It Up’. He died at the age of 34 on June 2, 2020, at a hospital in Burbank, California. His death was attributed to complications from COVID-19. Trousdale had a long career in theater and television, starting as a child performer in Broadway productions like ‘Les Misérables’.

Harry Hains

Harry Hains was an Australian actor and musician who appeared in ‘American Horror Story: Hotel’ and ‘The OA’. He passed away at the age of 27 on January 7, 2020. His cause of death was ruled as accidental fentanyl intoxication. Hains was also known for his music project under the name ANTIBOY and was recognized for his advocacy for gender fluidity.

Kim Jong-hyun

Kim Jong-hyun, professionally known as Jonghyun, was a South Korean singer-songwriter and actor who appeared in the documentary film ‘I AM’. He was 27 years old when he died on December 18, 2017, in a leased apartment in Seoul. His cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning, which was ruled a suicide. Jonghyun was a leading figure in the K-pop industry as a member of the group SHINee and was highly respected for his musical talent.

Moon Bin

Moon Bin was a South Korean actor and member of the boy band Astro who began his career as a child actor in ‘Boys Over Flowers’. He was 25 years old when he was found dead on April 19, 2023, at his home in Seoul. While the official cause of death was not immediately publicized, authorities initially suspected suicide. Moon Bin was a popular entertainer who had been active in both music and variety television.

Cha In-ha

Cha In-ha was a South Korean actor and a member of the actor group Surprise U who appeared in the series ‘Love with Flaws’. He was 27 years old when he was found dead at his home on December 3, 2019. The exact cause of death was not released to the public, though it was investigated by local authorities. Cha In-ha had been a rising star in the Korean drama scene with several notable roles.

Haruma Miura

Haruma Miura was a highly popular Japanese actor known for his roles in ‘Attack on Titan’ and ‘Kimi ni Todoke’. He passed away at the age of 30 on July 18, 2020, in his Tokyo apartment. His death was ruled a suicide by hanging. Miura was one of Japan’s most prominent young actors and was involved in various theater and television projects at the time of his death.

Johnny Lewis

Johnny Lewis was an actor recognized for his role as Kip “Half-Sack” Epps on the drama series ‘Sons of Anarchy’. He died at the age of 28 on September 26, 2012, after falling from the roof of a residence in Los Angeles. Prior to his fall, he was involved in an altercation that led to the death of his landlady. Lewis had also appeared in films like ‘Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem’ and the series ‘The O.C.’.

James Hayden

James Hayden was a character actor known for his role as Patrick “Patsy” Goldberg in the crime epic ‘Once Upon a Time in America’. He was 29 years old when he died on June 6, 1983, in New York City. His cause of death was an accidental heroin overdose. At the time of his passing, Hayden was performing in the Broadway play ‘American Buffalo’ alongside Al Pacino.

Christopher Pettiet

Christopher Pettiet was a young actor best known for his role as Zach Crandell in the comedy film ‘Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead’. He died at the age of 24 on April 12, 2000, in Los Angeles. His cause of death was an accidental drug overdose. Pettiet had also appeared in the television series ‘The Young Riders’ and several other guest roles throughout the 1990s.

Josh Ryan Evans

Josh Ryan Evans was a unique talent known for his role as Timmy the living doll on the soap opera ‘Passions’. He was 20 years old when he passed away on August 5, 2002, in a San Diego hospital. His death was caused by heart failure resulting from a medical procedure related to his condition of achondroplasia. Coincidentally, his character Timmy died on the same day the actor’s real-life passing was announced.

Lamont Bentley

Lamont Bentley was an actor and rapper best known for his role as Hakeem Campbell on the sitcom ‘Moesha’. He was 31 years old when he died on January 19, 2005, in a single-vehicle car accident in Ventura County, California. Bentley’s vehicle went over an embankment, and he was ejected from the car. He also portrayed hip-hop legend Tupac Shakur in the television film ‘Too Legit: The MC Hammer Story’.

Justin Pierce

Justin Pierce was an actor and professional skateboarder who rose to fame for his role as Casper in the film ‘Kids’. He was 25 years old when he was found dead on July 10, 2000, in a hotel room in Las Vegas. His death was ruled a suicide by hanging. Pierce also appeared in the film ‘Next Friday’ and was considered a natural talent who transitioned effectively from the skate world to acting.

Merritt Butrick

Merritt Butrick was an actor recognized for his roles as David Marcus in ‘Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan’ and ‘Star Trek III: The Search for Spock’. He died at the age of 29 on March 17, 1989, at his home in Los Angeles. His cause of death was complications from AIDS. Butrick was a well-regarded character actor who also starred in the cult film ‘Valley Girl’.

Stephen Gately

Stephen Gately was an Irish singer and actor who was a member of the boy band Boyzone and appeared in several stage productions. He was 33 years old when he died on October 10, 2009, at his holiday home in Mallorca, Spain. His cause of death was determined to be pulmonary edema caused by an undiagnosed heart defect. Gately had a successful career in musical theater, including the lead role in ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’.

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