17 Stars We Lost to Suicide

Many people dream and fame and fortune, but sadly some stars succumb to pressures of the industry, their own demons and addictions. In extreme cases, this has resulted in the troubled celebrity taking his or her own life. Here are some stars who are confirmed to have or suspected of committing suicide and left us too soon.

1. Robin Williams

Robin Williams was one of the most beloved actors of all time, but he tragically took his life by hanging himself in August 2014. He was suffering from depression and had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. His autopsy showed that he was suffering paranoia from an affliction called Lewy body dementia, which could have ultimately led to the suicide. His unique brand of energy is certainly missed.

2. Kurt Cobain

Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain shocked the world when he ended his life in 1994 by taking a self inflicted gunshot to the head in April 1994. He is survived by his daughter Francis Bean. He had been struggling with both drug addiction and depression, and committed suicide after leaving a detox facility. What a loss.

3. Jonathan Brandis

Jonathan Brandis starred in the Never Ending Story II and it looked like he had a bright future ahead of him. Sadly, the former teen idol hung himself in November 2003 at the age of 27. He was found alive but died the following day in the hospital. Friends say he was depressed about his waning career, the plight of many a child star.

4. Dana Plato

Dana Plato starred on Diff’rent Strokes before spiraling downward into drug addiction and a life of petty crime. She was the poster girl of child stars gone bad, and ultimately took her own life in 1999 by overdosing on prescription pills. Tragically, her son followed in her footsteps and shot himself to death 11 years after his mom’s passing.

5. Johnny Lewis

Sons of Anarchy star Johnny Lewis is suspected to have jumped from the roof of his home after he killed his 81-year-old landlady and her cat. He had suffered head injuries from a motorcycle accident, which might have had something to do with his suicidal state. Lewis had dated Katy Perry years ago, and she was said to be “devastated” over his death.

6. Tony Scott

Director/producer Tony Scott was known for films like Top Gun and True Romance, but he ended up committing suicide by jumping off a bridge in Los Angeles in 2012. He left suicide notes, and his brother Ridley Scott suspected it might have had something to do with his history with cancer. Ridley described Tony’s death as “inexplicable.”

7. Simone Battle

Simone Battle was an X Factor finalist and one member of the girl group G.R.L. She took her life in 2014 by hanging herself, and those close to her said that she had been depressed over finances.

8. Lee Thompson Young

Disney channel actor Lee Thompson Young was discovered dead in August 2013 with a self inflicted gunshot wound after he didn’t show up to a taping of his show Rizzoli & Isles. He had been suffering from bipolar disorder and depression. His family launched the Lee Thompson Young Foundation to help remove the stigma surrounding mental illness.

9. Lucy Gordon

Lucy Gordon was a model-turned-actress who had roles in films like Serendipity and Spiderman 3 before committing suicide in 2009. She was found hanging in her Paris apartment by cinematographer Jérôme Alméras, and left behind two suicide notes detailing how she wanted her estate to be handled. According to family, her actions were out of the blue and they have no idea why she did what she did.

10. Don Cornelius

Don Cornelius was the creator and host of Soul Train, but he ultimately committed suicide by shooting himself in the head in 2012. He had suffered for years following an aneurysm that gave him seizures. His deep voice will always be remembered saying “we wish you love, peace and soul.”

11. Mindy McCready

Troubled country star Mindy McCready shot herself to death in 2013, on the same porch that her son’s father took his own life the month before. It was sadly Mindy’s third and final suicide attempt.

12. Gia Allemand

Model Gia Allemand was a popular contestant on The Bachelor and Bachelor Pad, but then took her own life by hanging herself in her New Orleans home. The 29-year-old reality star was found alive and hospitalized, but was reported brain dead and taken off life support.

13. Marilyn Monroe

It is confirmed that Marilyn Monroe died of a barbiturate overdose, and highly speculated that the the overdose was intentional. Marilyn was known for her drug use at the height of her career, but conspiracy theories about murder continue to haunt her legacy.

14. Freddie E.

Seattle rapper Freddie E. committed suicide by shooting himself in the head. He was reportedly depressed over a breakup and had tweeted his intentions before ultimately killing himself. RIP.

15. Misty Upham

Misty Upham starred in the film Frozen River and later was found dead at the bottom of a cliff. Her death was speculated to be a suicide, but those close to her believe it was more likely an accident due to her mental health problems.

16. Freddie Prinze

Actor and comedian Freddie Prinze starred in the successful sitcom Chico and the Man and it looked like he had every thing to live for. However, in 1977 he took his own life by gunshot to the head. He was the father of Freddie Prinze Jr.

17. James Whale

Actor/director James Whale was known for Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein, but he ultimately drowned himself in his swimming pool 1957. The openly gay artist was suffering through a lot of pain following a series of strokes. Such a sad ending to a gifted filmmaker.