Celebrities Who Died in Their 50s
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11 min readIt shocks us when public figures die at a young age — and, for most of us, 50 feels pretty young. From Jackie Robinson to Jerry Garcia, Grace Kelly to Kate Spade, some of our favorite celebrities died in their 50s, leaving us much too soon. We remember famous figures from film, television, music, business, and sports who died before 60. Click the links for more info about your favorite celebrities.
KATE SPADE (1962 - 2018)
Kate Spade (Photo by David Howells/Corbis via Getty Images)
Fashion designer KATE SPADE (1962 - 2018) was known for her stylish handbags and bubbly personality. "I hope that people remember me not just as a good businesswoman," she told Glamour magazine in 2002, "but as a great friend — and a heck of a lot of fun."
GORD DOWNIE (1964 - 2017)
Gord Downie ( Corbis via Getty Images / Icon Sportswire / Photo by Chris Austin)
When GORD DOWNIE (1964 - 2017) died after a brave battle with brain cancer, Canada lost one of its most beloved musicians. Downie fronted the Tragically Hip from the band's formation in 1983 until his death.
Gord Downie: The Tragically Hip's Greatest Performances
TROY GENTRY (1967 - 2017)
Troy Gentry (Photo by Frederick Breedon IV/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum)
DAVE SEMENKO (1957 - 2017)
Dave Semenko (Getty)
Former Edmonton Oilers winger DAVE SEMENKO (1957 - 2017) was known as Wayne Gretzky’s on-ice bodyguard. He died of cancer at 59.
CHRIS CORNELL (1964 - 2017)
Chris Cornell (Photo by Joby Sessions/Total Guitar Magazine via Getty Images)
As the lead singer for Soundgarden and Audioslave, CHRIS CORNELL (1964 - 2017) was one of the architects of the 1990s grunge rock movement. Cornell died suddenly May 17, 2017, in Detroit, where he'd been performing with Soundgarden. He was 52.
ERIN MORAN (1960 - 2017)
Erin Moran (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)
Actor ERIN MORAN (1960 - 2017) was best known for her role as Joanie Cunningham on the 1970s sitcom "Happy Days" and its 1980s spinoff "Joanie Loves Chachi." She died of cancer at 56.
CHARLIE MURPHY (1959 - 2017)
Charlie Murphy (Getty)
Comedian CHARLIE MURPHY (1959 - 2017) was known for his work on "Chappelle's Show" and for his real-life role as Eddie Murphy’s older brother. He died of leukemia at 57.
SAM SIMON (1955 - 2015)
Sam Simon (Getty Images / WireImage / Amanda Edwards)
SAM SIMON (1955 - 2015) began his career in television as a writer for sitcoms such as "Cheers" and "Taxi," but made his biggest mark as co-creator of "The Simpsons." In later life he became a philanthropist, establishing the Sam Simon Foundation, an animal welfare organization, in 2002. Ten years later, after a terminal cancer diagnosis, Simon decided to give away his entire estate of more than $100 million to various charities after his death.
JAN HOOKS (1957 - 2014)
Jan Hooks (Everett Collection)
As a "Saturday Night Live" cast member, JAN HOOKS (1957 - 2014) had audiences in stitches with her impressions of famous women. Later she starred as innocent and tenderhearted Carlene Dobber on "Designing Women." Hooks died of throat cancer at 57.
HENRY "BIG BANK HANK" JACKSON (1957 - 2014)
Henry "Big Bank Hank" Jackson (Getty Images/Michael Ochs Archives)
HENRY "BIG BANK HANK" JACKSON (1957 - 2014) was a member of the Sugarhill Gang, the hip-hop act whose 1979 track "Rapper's Delight" set the stage for a music revolution and influenced a generation of musicians. He died at 58 of cancer.
ELIZABETH PENA (1959 - 2014)
Elizabeth Pena (Photo by Matt Carr/Getty Images)
ELIZABETH PENA (1959 - 2014) was a versatile actress who shifted between dramatic roles in such films as "Lone Star" and comedic parts in TV shows like "Modern Family." Peña died at 55 of cirrhosis of the liver due to alcohol abuse.
JAMES GANDOLFINI (1961 - 2013)
James Gandolfini (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, file)
JAMES GANDOLFINI (1961 - 2013), who won three Emmy Awards for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for his work in "The Sopranos," died at 51 of a heart attack
STEVE JOBS (1955 - 2011)
Steve Jobs (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
STEVE JOBS (1955 - 2011) forever made his mark on technology as the founder and CEO of Apple. Jobs died at 56 of pancreatic cancer.
RANDY SAVAGE aka MACHO MAN (1952 - 2011)
Randy "Macho Man" Savage (Photo by Bob Stowell/Getty Images)
RANDY SAVAGE aka MACHO MAN (1952 - 2011) was a wrestling icon, and fans were devastated when he died at 58 of heart disease.
MICHAEL JACKSON (1958 - 2009)c2
Michael Jackson (AP Photo/Cliff Schiappa, File)
King of Pop MICHAEL JACKSON (1958 - 2009) was wildly successful both as a solo artist and with his brothers, churning out some of the best-selling and most critically-acclaimed albums of all time. He died at 50 of acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication following a cardiac arrest.
PATRICK SWAYZE (1952 - 2009)c2
Patrick Swayze (Photo by Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images)
PATRICK SWAYZE (1952 - 2009) made women and girls swoon as the romantic lead in films such as "Dirty Dancing" and "Ghost," and was equally effective as a tough guy in films such as "The Outsiders" and "Roadhouse." Swayze died at 57 of pancreatic cancer.
BERNIE MAC (1957 - 2008)c2
Bernie Mac (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, file)
Born on Chicago's South Side, BERNIE MAC (1957 - 2008) held jobs at General Motors and Wonder Bread before pursuing a career in comedy. His stand-up success brought him movie roles and his own television show, putting him in the homes of millions of viewers who loved laughing with him. Mac died at 50 of sarcoidosis.
TIM RUSSERT (1950 - 2008)
Tim Russert (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
"Meet the Press" anchor TIM RUSSERT (1950 - 2008) was the guy who could effortlessly marshal facts, figures, block quotes from a devastating New York Times profile – whatever was necessary – and gently weave them into a guest's shroud. Russert died at 58 of a heart attack.
LUTHER VANDROSS (1951 - 2005)
Luther Vandross (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
LUTHER VANDROSS (1951 - 2005) sang songs that made us fall in love – with his music and with each other. The singer-songwriter sold more than 25 million albums and won eight Grammys, thanks to his rich voice and romantic music. Vandross died at 54 of a heart attack.
CHRISTOPHER REEVE (1952 - 2004)c2
Christopher Reeve (AP Photo/Akili Ramsess)
CHRISTOPHER REEVE (1952 - 2004) became everyone's favorite superhero when he played the lead role in "Superman." But it was his bravery, strength, and determination after being paralyzed from the neck down that made him a true hero.
RICK JAMES (1948 - 2004)
Rick James (Getty Images/Paul Natkin)
RICK JAMES (1948 - 2004) called his blend of musical styles "punk funk." His most well-known songs, including "Super Freak," "Give It to Me Baby," and "Mary Jane," promote a wild lifestyle that eventually caught up with him in real life.
BARRY WHITE (1944 - 2003)
Barry White (Getty Images/WireImage /Chris Walter)
In the 1970s, the songs of BARRY WHITE (1944 - 2003) were the gold standard for setting a romantic mood, and fans still remember him fondly for providing the soundtrack to their most intimate moments. White was in need of a kidney transplant and undergoing dialysis when he suffered a stroke in May 2003. He died a few months later at 58.
JOHN RITTER (1948 - 2003)c2
John Ritter (AP photo)
In 1977 JOHN RITTER (1948 - 2003) landed the job that would make him a star – playing Jack Tripper on "Three's Company." Co-star Don Knotts called him "the greatest physical comedian on the planet." Ritter died at 54 of an aortic dissection.
NELL CARTER (1948 - 2003)
Nell Carter (AP Photo)
NELL CARTER (1948 - 2003) went from nightclub gigs in Birmingham, Alabama, to a Tony-winning performance in "Ain't Misbehavin," then on to television as the star of sitcom "Gimme a Break!" She died at 54 of heart disease complicated by diabetes.
The Highs and Lows of Nell Carter
LYNNE THIGPEN (1948 - 2003)
Lynne Thigpen (PBS Promo)
LYNNE THIGPEN (1948 - 2003) has many film and television credits, but she's perhaps best known for her turn as the Chief on the PBS children's series "Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?" and "Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego?" based on the popular computer games. Thigpen died of a cerebral hemorrhage after complaining of headaches for a few days. She was 54.
Favorite Children's Entertainers
ROBERT KARDASHIAN (1944 - 2003 )
Robert Kardashian (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, Pool)
Attorney ROBERT KARDASHIAN (1944 - 2003) rose to national prominence in the 1990s as part of O.J. Simpson's legal defense team against murder charges. He died of esophageal cancer in 2003, four years before his children Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, and Rob Jr. became reality TV superstars.
GEORGE HARRISON (1943 - 2001)
George Harrison (AP Photo)
GEORGE HARRISON (1943 - 2001) was just 14 years old when he joined the Beatles. Lennon and McCartney may have been the primary songwriters, but Harrison wrote several timeless Beatles' songs, including "Here Comes the Sun," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," and "Taxman" before going on to a successful solo career. He died of lung cancer at 58.
George Harrison's Best Beatles Songs
MADELINE KAHN (1942 - 1999)
Madeline Kahn (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
MADELINE KAHN (1942 - 1999) costarred in some of the funniest movies of the 1970s and '80s, including "Young Frankenstein," "Blazing Saddles," and "Clue." Reportedly, she doubted her own ability to tell a joke, but she could certainly sing one – as anyone who has laughed through "I'm Tired" from "Blazing Saddles" can attest. Kahn died of ovarian cancer at 57.
Madeline Kahn, Reluctant Comedian
GENE SISKEL (1946 - 1999)
Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac, File)
GENE SISKEL (1946 - 1999) and fellow movie critic Roger Ebert created the template for succinct thumbs-up or thumbs-down movie reviews. Siskel died at 53 of complications from surgery for brain cancer.
TAMMY WYNETTE (1942 - 1998)
Tammy Wynette (AP Photo)
As TAMMY WYNETTE (1942 - 1998) neared the end of her life, she reflected on the challenges she'd faced: a childhood picking cotton, a baby who contracted spinal meningitis, jobs waiting tables and working on factory floors. Five husbands, a bankruptcy filing, a stalker, a house fire. So how did she make peace with a lifetime of struggle? "The sad part about happy endings is there's nothing to write about." Wynette died at 55 of a blood clot in her lung.
LINDA McCARTNEY (1941 - 1998)c2
Linda McCartney (Getty Images/Redferns/Gijsbert Hanekroot)
LINDA McCARTNEY (1941 - 1998) broke the hearts of women all over the world when she married Beatle Paul McCartney in 1969. A gifted photographer, animal rights activist, author and entrepreneur, she died of breast cancer at 56.
JOHN DENVER (1943 - 1997)
John Denver (AP Photo/File)
JOHN DENVER (1943 - 1997), whose songs "Rocky Mountain High" and "Take Me Home, Country Roads" gained him worldwide appeal and millions of record sales in the 1970s, was killed at 53 when his experimental single-engine plane crashed off the California coast.
JERRY GARCIA (1942 - 1995)
Jerry Garcia (AP Photo/FILE/Arista)
JERRY GARCIA (1942 - 1995) was a master guitarist whose band, the Grateful Dead, symbolized the 1960s counterculture and remained a top concert draw three decades later. Garcia was at a drug treatment center when he died of a heart attack at 53.
RAUL JULIA (1940 - 1994)c2
Raul Julia (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
RAUL JULIA (1940 - 1994) was one of Puerto Rico's most famous native sons, thanks to his celebrated acting career on Broadway and in films such as "The Addams Family" and "Kiss of the Spider Woman." Julia died of complications from a stroke after months of ill health. He was 54.
FRANK ZAPPA (1940 - 1993)c2
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