Every year, headlines are made when an unexpected death occurs in Hollywood. Sometimes the deaths are shocking and sometimes, unfortunately, they’re not. Regardless of the reason, many celebrities are taken way too soon. Here is a list of 11 popular stars, over the past 20 years, who died before the age of 35:
11. Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse was as well known for her alcohol and drug abuse, as she was for her deep vocals and cross-cultural style. Unfortunately, in July of 2011, at the age of 27, she died of accidental alcohol poisoning after she had resumed drinking after a period of abstinence.
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10. Ryan Dunn
Ryan Dunn – one of the stars of “Jackass” – died in a horrific high-speed car crash in 2011. The 34-year-old – who had been drinking with friends on the evening of the crash – flew off the road on his way home, crashing his car. Police found his Porsche in the woods engulfed in flames.
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9. Tupac Shakur
Back in 1996, after he attended a Mike Tyson fight in Las Vegas, Tupac Shakur was shot several times by assailants while he waited at a stoplight. The 25-year-old was taken to the hospital where he died of internal bleeding six days later. Some believe that The Notorious B.I.G. was involved in Shakur’s murder, but nothing has ever been proven.
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8. The Notorious B.I.G.
Just six months after Tupac Shakur’s murder, the Notorious B.I.G. was gunned down while waiting at a stoplight in Los Angeles. Many fans believe that his murder was a retaliation for Shakur’s murder; however, the case has never been solved. The Notorious B.I.G. was only 24 years old when he died.
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7. Brad Renfro
Back in the ‘90s, Brad Renfro was named one of PEOPLE magazine’s “Top 30 Under 30.” Unfortunately his substance abuse and subsequent legal problems interfered with his career. In 2008, at the age of 25, Renfro was found dead in his apartment. The actor had accidentally overdosed on heroin.
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6. Lee Thompson Young
Lee Thompson Young – best known for his role on “The Famous Jett Jackson” – died in 2013 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The 29-year-old actor had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was being medicated for it; however, he had been suffering from depression prior to his death.
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5. Brittany Murphy
At the end of 2009, actress Brittany Murphy died suddenly after she went into full cardiac arrest. The actress was taken to the hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival. According to the coroner’s report, her death was caused by a lethal combination of pneumonia and prescription drugs. Murphy was only 32-years-old when she died.
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4. Cory Monteith
Cory Monteith – star of “Glee” – was found dead in his hotel room in 2013 at the age of 31. According to the coroner’s report, the actor had been downing champagne and shooting heroin in his hotel room on the night of his death. The coroner suggested that Monteith’s tolerance for substance abuse was probably lower than usual because he had stopped using during a rehab stint in April of that year.
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3. Heath Ledger
Heath Ledger was considered one of the most promising actors of his generation. He had already been nominated for an Oscar for his performance in “Brokeback Mountain” when he accidentally overdosed on prescription medication in 2008 at the age of 28.
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2. Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes
Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes – from the R&B/hip hop group TLC – was killed in a car crash in Honduras back in 2002. She was driving when she rolled off the road and was thrown from the vehicle. According to her publicist, Lopes was killed instantly. She was only 30 years old at the time.
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1. Aaliyah
Aaliyah died in a plane crash back in 2001 after filming had wrapped for her music video “Rock the Boat.” An investigation after the accident revealed that the plane was at least 700 pounds overweight and was also loaded with one more passenger than it was certified to carry. Aaliyah was only 22 years old when she died.