4. James Dean
Born James Byron Dean on February 8, 1931, James Dean would have a remarkable impact on 20th-century culture considering he only starred in three feature films, East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause, and Giant, all of which have gone on to become cinematic classics. Unfortunately for Dean and the world at large, acting wasn’t his only passion. He was also interested in developing a career in motorsport.
Sadly, on September 30, 1955, while driving his 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder to the track to prepare for the upcoming Salinas Road Race event that was scheduled for October 1–2, Dean slammed into the passenger side of a 1950 Ford Tudor, driven by 23-year-old Cal Poly student Donald Turnupseed. Dean was pronounced dead on arrival shortly after he arrived by ambulance at the Paso Robles War Memorial Hospital at 6:20 p.m.
Dean became the first actor to receive a posthumous Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and remains the only actor to have had two posthumous acting nominations. He was just 24 years old when he died but is still a Hollywood icon.
28 thoughts on “10 Shocking Celebrity Deaths That Left Fans Devastated”
We were born on the same day, same year, damn near the same time. When he died, part of me went with him.
Chadwick impressed me a lot. I really liked his acting. I would watch his movies over and over I will miss him .
It really hit me when she got her heart attack onboard the plane she had boarded. I truly admired both her and her mother – both as human being and as actors.
Elvis Presley
I’ve never even heard of your # 10, What about Elvis, the king of rock & roll, actor/love of every woman’s heart? Where does he come in at on your list?
Also, what about Paul Walker/actor, starred in The Fast and Furious franchise, the longest running street car racing action series spanning the 90’s until present. 20 years running with nine movies, six of which he was one of the leading roles as character Brian O’ Conner along side Vin Diesel, starring as Dom Torento. Paul, 40 yrs old , tragically died in a fiery car crash when the Porsche he was a passenger in lost control hit a light pole then a tree and exploded into flames, literally burning Paul to death.
Paul’s daughter, Meadow, later won a wrongful death lawsuit against Porsche for a undertirement amount of money in the death of Paul caused by a faulty fuel line. Where does Paul fall into your devastating celebrities deaths?
You You left out Quite a few more Michael Jackson Prince Marlon Brando Bruce Lee and a lot more
There were a few that I believe should of made this list. The passing of Michael Jackson and Prince!
CHADWICK BOSEMAN was the most shocking at only 43, as we didn’t see it coming he was so talented and kind, but WHITNEY HOUSTON, PRINCE and LUTHER VANDROSS hit us in the gut!!! 😪🎶🎵 I really couldn’t see MICHAEL JACKSON living to be an old man, his death was shocking but not that surprising.
Wow not mentioning the tragic and shocking murder of John Lennon is a shame. James Dean and Chadwick Boseman were very shocking as well. The others were sad and shocking but were inevitable due to their drug and alcohol abuse. Sharon Tate was another shocking murder. Thank you April patgault@comcast.net
Ron Desantis is horrible and I do not want to see ads a out him!!!!!
Ron DeSantis is a great governor of Florida and will make a great president of the United States.
Where is Elvis on this list!!!!!!!
The actress who devastated me was Diana Carroll and Olivia Newton John. R.I.P 🥺😔😪🙏🏽🪦
How could you forget Michael Jackson, Prince, John Lennon,
What about Elvis Presley ? August 16, 1977
Robin Williams, Whitney Houston, both were devastating., to me. Robin Williams was a complete surprise! He was a genius and made his living with his brain. So, I can see he had no light at end of the tunnel experience. But, a shocking event. Whitney Houston, was incredible! Whenever she was singing I just took pause to hear the beauty of very note. But she couldn’t get away from. Bobby. The end was clear to me. Still an incredible woman. Her daughter was equally a shock.
Michael Jackson, equally a shock. Killed by the very people meant to help him. I always just stopped whatever I was doing to watch him dance. His music was fantastic! One of a kind!
i am veryb surprised elvis presley was not on this list..’
Can’t believe you didn’t name Michael Jackson and Kobe Bryant, who gave you this list. You had several that were substance abusers.
and Anthony Bourdain?
Where is John Lennon on this list. I am not a fan of his or the Beatles but I recognized that his tragis death had a huge impact worldwide.
The celebrity death that disturbed me the most was the murder (at the age of 40) of John Lennon.
Sonny Bono and John Denver were actually murdered because they were good men, trying to help the world!
I agree with the 10 celebrity deaths that left fans devastated but what about ‘TINA TURNER’ and ARETHA FRANKLIN ? I was very,very devastated by their passing!!!
Prince, David Bowie KOBE BRYANT!
Steve Irwin’s death was very devastating. Also Elvis very sad.
John Denver’s death affected me the hardest and still does to this day. Knew him in college and had one date with him before he was “John Denver”. His music still moves me.
Prince the musical genius
All entertainers passing broke my heart. When Ms. Houston passed, I cried for weeks.
When Chadwick Boseman passed, I thought I would never catch my breath.