Actresses Who Died Before They Turned 45

The film industry has witnessed the tragic loss of many talented women whose lives and careers were cut short. These actresses left behind significant legacies through their performances in cinema and television. Their contributions continue to be remembered by audiences and historians of the entertainment world. This list highlights prominent performers who passed away before reaching the age of 45.

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe was an iconic star of ‘Some Like It Hot’ and ‘The Seven Year Itch’. She was found dead in her home at age 36. Her death was ruled a probable suicide from a barbiturate overdose. She began her career as a model before becoming a major film star. She remains one of the most famous cultural icons of the 20th century.

Brittany Murphy

Brittany Murphy was known for her roles in ‘Clueless’ and ‘8 Mile’. She passed away at age 32 due to pneumonia combined with anemia and drug intoxication. Her husband died under similar circumstances just months later. She was a prolific talent in both live action film and voice acting for the series ‘King of the Hill’.

Natalie Wood

Natalie Wood starred in ‘West Side Story’ and ‘Rebel Without a Cause’. She died at age 43 under mysterious circumstances during a boat trip to Catalina Island. Her death was initially ruled an accidental drowning but was later changed to undetermined. She began her career as a successful child star in ‘Miracle on 34th Street’.

Jayne Mansfield

Jayne Mansfield was a prominent sex symbol of the 1950s who appeared in ‘The Girl Cant Help It’. She died at age 34 in a tragic car accident in Louisiana. She was the mother of future actress Mariska Hargitay. Her career was often compared to that of her contemporary Marilyn Monroe.

Sharon Tate

Sharon Tate was an upcoming starlet known for ‘Valley of the Dolls’. She was murdered at age 26 by members of the Manson Family while eight months pregnant. Her death shocked Hollywood and marked the end of an era in the film industry. She was married to director Roman Polanski at the time of her passing.

Aaliyah

The singer and actress starred in ‘Romeo Must Die’ and ‘Queen of the Damned’. She died at age 22 in a plane crash in the Bahamas. She was returning from filming a music video for her final album. Her short career left a significant impact on music and film.

Heather ORourke

Heather ORourke is best known for her role as Carol Anne Freeling in ‘Poltergeist’. She died at the young age of 12 due to cardiac arrest caused by septic shock. Her unexpected death occurred during the filming of the third installment of her famous horror franchise. She was considered a talented young actress with a bright future ahead of her.

Judith Barsi

Judith Barsi was a child actress who voiced characters in ‘The Land Before Time’ and ‘All Dogs Go to Heaven’. She was killed by her father at age 10 in a tragic murder suicide. Her career was cut short just as she was becoming a staple in animated films. She also appeared in the live action movie ‘Jaws The Revenge’.

Jean Harlow

Known as the original Blonde Bombshell she starred in ‘Hells Angels’ and ‘Dinner at Eight’. She died at age 26 from kidney failure caused by uremic poisoning. Her death occurred while she was at the peak of her popularity as a leading lady at MGM. She was one of the first major stars to have her signature hair color become a national trend.

Carole Lombard

Carole Lombard was a major comedic star of the 1930s known for ‘My Man Godfrey’. She died at age 33 in a plane crash while returning from a war bond tour. She was married to screen legend Clark Gable at the time of her death. Her passing was mourned by the entire nation during the early years of World War II.

Naya Rivera

Naya Rivera rose to fame as Santana Lopez on the musical series ‘Glee’. She died at age 33 after drowning in Lake Piru while boating with her son. She was credited with helping her son back onto the boat before she disappeared under the water. Her performance on the show was highly praised for its representation of the LGBTQ community.

Selena Quintanilla

Although primarily a singer she starred in the film ‘Don Juan DeMarco’. She was murdered at age 23 by the president of her fan club. Her death was a major event that brought Latin music into the mainstream spotlight. She had just finished recording her first English language album before her life was cut short.

Rebecca Schaeffer

Rebecca Schaeffer was a rising star known for the sitcom ‘My Sister Sam’. She was murdered at age 21 by an obsessed fan who had stalked her for several years. Her death led to the passage of anti stalking laws in California to protect public figures. She was a talented actress who had just auditioned for a role in ‘The Godfather Part III’.

Dominique Dunne

Dominique Dunne is remembered for her role as Dana Freeling in the classic horror film ‘Poltergeist’. She was strangled by an ex boyfriend at age 22 outside her home in Los Angeles. Her death occurred just months after the release of her breakout movie. She was the sister of actor and director Griffin Dunne and the daughter of author Dominick Dunne.

Dana Plato

Dana Plato played Kimberly Drummond on the hit television show ‘Diffrent Strokes’. She died at age 34 from an overdose of prescription medication while traveling in an RV. Her later life was marked by financial struggles and public legal issues after her time as a child star ended. She was one of the many child actors of that era who faced a difficult transition into adulthood.

Michelle Thomas

Michelle Thomas was known for her roles on ‘The Cosby Show’ and as Myra Monkhouse on ‘Family Matters’. She died at age 30 from a rare form of stomach cancer. Her illness forced her to leave her role on the soap opera ‘The Young and the Restless’ shortly before her death. She was a beloved figure on television who left behind a legacy of comedic talent.

Lisa Robin Kelly

Lisa Robin Kelly played the character of Laurie Forman on the popular series ‘That 70s Show’. She died at age 43 in a rehabilitation facility from multiple drug intoxication. Her character was a fan favorite but she struggled with personal issues that led to her replacement on the show. Her death was ruled accidental but marked a tragic end for the actress.

Misty Upham

Misty Upham was a Native American actress known for ‘Frozen River’ and ‘August Osage County’. She died at age 32 after falling into a ravine in Washington state. Her disappearance sparked a major search effort by her family and the local community. She was highly regarded for her performances and her advocacy for indigenous representation in Hollywood.

Jiah Khan

Jiah Khan was a British American actress who appeared in Hindi films like ‘Nishabd’ and ‘Ghajini’. She died at age 25 after taking her own life in her Mumbai apartment. Her death sparked a significant controversy regarding her relationship with a fellow actor. She was known for her striking looks and her early success in the Indian film industry.

Divya Bharti

Divya Bharti was one of the most successful Indian actresses of the early 1990s appearing in films like ‘Deewana’. She died at age 19 after falling from a balcony of her apartment building. Her sudden death remains a subject of intense speculation and debate in India. At the time of her passing she was one of the highest paid actresses in the country.

Anissa Jones

Anissa Jones became famous for playing Buffy on the sitcom ‘Family Affair’. She died at age 18 from a drug overdose in a friends home. Her death was one of the earliest examples of the pressures faced by child stars in the television industry. She struggled to find work as an adult actress after her show was canceled.

Bridgette Andersen

Bridgette Andersen was a child actress who starred in the film ‘Savannah Smiles’. She died at age 21 from an accidental overdose of opioids. Her early career included many television guest spots and a few feature films. Like many child performers she found it difficult to maintain her career into her teenage years.

Lucy Gordon

Lucy Gordon was a British actress and model who appeared in ‘Spider-Man 3’ and ‘Gainsbourg’. She died at age 28 after taking her own life in her Paris apartment. Her death occurred just before the release of her biographical film about Serge Gainsbourg. She was a rising star in both the European and American film markets.

Skye McCole Bartusiak

Skye McCole Bartusiak played the daughter of Mel Gibson in the historical drama ‘The Patriot’. She died at age 21 from an accidental overdose of multiple drugs in her home. She continued to work in television and independent films throughout her teenage years. Her family remembered her as a passionate and gifted performer.

Anna Nicole Smith

Anna Nicole Smith was a model and actress who appeared in ‘The Naked Gun 33 1/3’ and her own reality show. She died at age 39 from an accidental drug overdose in a Florida hotel room. Her life was frequently the subject of tabloid scrutiny due to her marriage to a billionaire and legal battles. Her death occurred only months after the passing of her son Daniel.

Dorothy Dandridge

Dorothy Dandridge was the first African American woman to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in ‘Carmen Jones’. She died at age 42 from an accidental overdose of an antidepressant. Her career broke many racial barriers in Hollywood during the 1950s. She faced significant personal and professional challenges while navigating the film industry as a woman of color.

Edie Sedgwick

Edie Sedgwick was an heiress and actress who became one of Andy Warhols superstars. She appeared in underground films like ‘Poor Little Rich Girl’ and ‘Ciao Manhattan’. She died at age 28 from a barbiturate overdose after years of struggling with mental health and addiction. Her style and persona made her a lasting fashion icon of the 1960s.

Peg Entwistle

Peg Entwistle was a stage and film actress who is famous for her role in ‘Thirteen Women’. She died at age 24 after jumping from the letter H of the Hollywoodland sign. Her tragic death has become a part of Hollywood lore as the girl who jumped from the sign. She was an accomplished Broadway actress who had moved to Los Angeles to pursue a film career.

Kim Walker

Kim Walker is best remembered for her role as Heather Chandler in the cult classic film ‘Heathers’. She died at age 32 from a brain tumor in her Los Angeles home. Her characters famous line about death in the movie became a poignant reference after her passing. She worked as an actress throughout the 1990s before retiring to focus on other interests.

Pier Angeli

Pier Angeli was an Italian actress who starred in ‘Somebody Up There Likes Me’ and ‘The Silver Chalice’. She died at age 39 from an accidental barbiturate overdose. She was famously involved in a high profile relationship with actor James Dean. Her career spanned across Europe and Hollywood during the 1950s and 1960s.

Romy Schneider

Romy Schneider was a highly acclaimed German French actress who starred in the ‘Sissi’ trilogy and ‘Limportant cest daimer’. She died at age 43 from cardiac arrest in her Paris apartment. Her life was marked by several personal tragedies including the accidental death of her young son. She remains one of the most respected performers in the history of French cinema.

Françoise Dorléac

Françoise Dorléac was a French actress and the sister of Catherine Deneuve who starred in ‘The Young Girls of Rochefort’. She died at age 25 in a car accident while driving to the airport in Nice. She was considered one of the most promising young talents in the French New Wave movement. Her career was short but she appeared in several major films directed by luminaries like Roman Polanski.

Marie Trintignant

Marie Trintignant was a French actress known for films like ‘Serie Noire’ and ‘Victoire ou la douleur’. She died at age 41 from a cerebral edema after being assaulted by her boyfriend. Her death sparked a national conversation in France about domestic violence. She was the daughter of famous actor Jean Louis Trintignant and had a successful career in her own right.

Inger Stevens

Inger Stevens was a Swedish American actress who starred in ‘The Farmers Daughter’ and ‘Hang Em High’. She died at age 34 from acute barbiturate poisoning that was ruled a suicide. She was a popular leading lady on television and in film during the 1960s. Her death was a shock to the industry as she was at the height of her professional success.

Carol Wayne

Carol Wayne was a regular on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson’ appearing in the Matinee Movie sketches. She died at age 42 under mysterious circumstances while on vacation in Mexico. Her body was found floating in shallow water after she went missing from a walk on the beach. She was a well known television personality and actress who appeared in films like ‘The Party’.

Gilda Radner

Gilda Radner was one of the original cast members of ‘Saturday Night Live’ and starred in films like ‘Hanky Panky’. She died at age 42 from ovarian cancer after a public battle with the disease. Her death led to increased awareness and funding for cancer research through the creation of Gildas Club. She was married to actor Gene Wilder who became an advocate for cancer awareness after her passing.

Lana Clarkson

Lana Clarkson was an actress and model known for her roles in films like ‘Barbarian Queen’. She died at age 40 from a gunshot wound in the home of music producer Phil Spector. Her death led to a high profile murder trial that resulted in a conviction. She was a frequent performer in the Los Angeles comedy and film scene.

Christina Grimmie

Christina Grimmie was a singer and actress who appeared on the reality show ‘The Voice’ and in the film ‘The Matchbreaker’. She was murdered at age 22 by an obsessed fan while signing autographs after a concert. Her death led to renewed calls for increased security at fan events and venues. She was a popular YouTube personality before transitioning into a mainstream entertainment career.

Dorothy Stratten

Dorothy Stratten was a model and actress who appeared in the film ‘They All Laughed’. She was murdered at age 20 by her estranged husband in a murder suicide. Her life and death were the subject of the biographical film ‘Star 80’ starring Mariel Hemingway. She had been named Playboys Playmate of the Year just before her tragic passing.

Peggy Shannon

Peggy Shannon was a star of the 1930s who appeared in films like ‘The Secret of the Blue Room’. She died at age 31 from a heart attack caused by alcoholism. Her death occurred while she was sitting at her kitchen table and her husband died shortly after. She was once promoted as a potential successor to Clara Bow in Hollywood.

Thelma Todd

Known as The Ice Cream Blonde she was a popular comedic actress who appeared in over 120 films. She died at age 29 from carbon monoxide poisoning under suspicious circumstances in her car. Her death remains one of the great unsolved mysteries of early Hollywood. She was a frequent co-star of comedy legends like the Marx Brothers and Laurel and Hardy.

Olive Thomas

Olive Thomas was a silent film star and Ziegfeld Follies girl who appeared in ‘The Flapper’. She died at age 25 after accidentally ingesting mercury bichloride in a hotel room in Paris. Her death was one of the first major scandals in Hollywood history. She was married to Jack Pickford who was the brother of screen legend Mary Pickford.

Martha Mansfield

Martha Mansfield was a silent film actress who starred in ‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’. She died at age 24 after her costume caught fire while she was on a film set in Texas. The fire started when a passerby dropped a lit match near her highly flammable dress. She was a prominent star of the early 1920s who had successfully transitioned from musical theater to film.

Marie Prevost

Marie Prevost was a Canadian born actress who was a successful silent film star and later appeared in ‘The Racket’. She died at age 38 from acute alcoholism and malnutrition in her Hollywood apartment. Her death was famously referenced in popular culture as a cautionary tale of the dark side of fame. She was once one of the most popular stars at Warner Bros during the 1920s.

Barbara Colby

Barbara Colby was an actress known for her roles on ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ and the spin-off ‘Phyllis’. She was murdered at age 36 in a random shooting in a parking lot in Venice California. Her death occurred just as she was beginning her work on a new sitcom. The attackers were never identified and the motive for the shooting remains unknown.

Belinda Emmett

Belinda Emmett was an Australian actress known for her roles on the soap operas ‘Home and Away’ and ‘All Saints’. She died at age 32 from bone cancer after being diagnosed several years earlier. Her battle with the disease was closely followed by the Australian public. She was married to television presenter Rove McManus at the time of her death.

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