Celebrities Who Tragically Took Their Own Life

Losing public figures to suicide is heartbreaking for fans and communities who connected with their work. This list shares key facts about the lives and careers of well known people who died by suicide, focusing on what they created and how they are remembered.

Robin Williams

Robin Williams earned an Academy Award for his role in ‘Good Will Hunting’ and became a household name through films like ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ and ‘Dead Poets Society’. He first broke out with the series ‘Mork and Mindy’ and worked for decades across stand up, television, and film.

Williams died in 2014 at age 63. After his death, his family disclosed he had been diagnosed with diffuse Lewy body disease, a progressive brain disorder that can affect mood and cognition. Tributes highlighted his extensive charity work and support for USO tours.

Anthony Bourdain

Anthony Bourdain was a chef and author whose book Kitchen Confidential led to a series of travel and food programs. He hosted ‘No Reservations’ and later ‘Parts Unknown’, where he explored cuisines and cultural stories around the world.

Bourdain died in 2018 at age 61 while filming in France. His production team and network aired a final season with episodes he had completed, and organizations created scholarships and grants in his name to support culinary students and storytellers.

Chester Bennington

Chester Bennington was the lead vocalist of Linkin Park and helped the band reach global success with albums that topped charts in multiple countries. He also performed with Stone Temple Pilots and collaborated with artists across rock and hip hop.

Bennington died in 2017 at age 41. After his death, Linkin Park organized a memorial concert and encouraged mental health awareness. Sales and streams of the band’s music saw a significant rise as fans revisited his catalog.

Chris Cornell

Chris Cornell fronted Soundgarden and Audioslave and was widely recognized for his vocal range. He contributed to the soundtrack for ‘Casino Royale’ with the song You Know My Name and released several solo albums.

Cornell died in 2017 at age 52 after performing in Detroit. His family established a foundation that supports vulnerable children and education programs. Fellow musicians organized tribute concerts to celebrate his work.

Kurt Cobain

Kurt Cobain was the singer and guitarist for Nirvana and became a prominent figure of early 1990s alternative rock. The album Nevermind brought the band mainstream recognition and led to international tours.

Cobain died in 1994 at age 27. Artifacts and memories from his life have appeared in museum exhibits and documentaries. The band’s recordings continue to be reissued and studied for their cultural impact.

Avicii

Avicii, born Tim Bergling, was a Swedish producer and DJ known for hits like Wake Me Up and Levels. He performed at major festivals and helped bring electronic dance music to mainstream radio in multiple countries.

He died in 2018 at age 28. His family established the Tim Bergling Foundation to support mental health initiatives and suicide prevention. A posthumous album featured collaborations he had been working on with vocalists and producers.

Kate Spade

Kate Spade co founded a fashion label that became known for colorful handbags and accessories. The brand expanded into clothing, home goods, and fragrance and built a strong retail presence in the United States and abroad.

Spade died in 2018 at age 55. Industry peers paid tribute during fashion events, and her family created the Kate Spade New York Foundation’s support for women’s empowerment and mental health programs. The company promoted donations to related nonprofits.

Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen was a British designer who served as creative director at Givenchy before focusing on his own label. His runway shows drew international attention for their craftsmanship and theatrical presentation.

McQueen died in 2010 at age 40. The Victoria and Albert Museum curated a major retrospective of his work that drew record attendance. His brand continues to operate under new leadership, maintaining his design legacy.

Naomi Judd

Naomi Judd was one half of the country duo The Judds with her daughter Wynonna. The duo earned multiple Grammy Awards and placed numerous singles on the country charts.

Judd died in 2022 at age 76. Her family openly discussed mental health to reduce stigma, and a previously announced induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame proceeded with a family appearance. A tribute concert brought together artists from across country music.

Stephen “tWitch” Boss

Stephen Boss worked as a dancer and choreographer and became the resident DJ for ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’. He previously gained national attention on ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ and later returned as a judge.

Boss died in 2022 at age 40. Colleagues from television and dance honored him with special segments and performances. His family and peers highlighted community resources for mental health support within the entertainment industry.

Leslie Cheung

Leslie Cheung was a Hong Kong singer and actor who starred in acclaimed films including ‘Farewell My Concubine’ and ‘Days of Being Wild’. He achieved success in Cantopop and held concert tours across Asia.

Cheung died in 2003 at age 46. Annual fan gatherings in Hong Kong commemorate his birthday and film screenings celebrate his work. Music labels have issued box sets and remastered recordings.

Park Yong-ha

Park Yong ha was a South Korean actor and singer known for the drama ‘Winter Sonata’. He also released albums in Japan where he built a substantial fan base.

Park died in 2010 at age 32. Fans and colleagues created memorials, and sales of his recorded music rose in the months that followed. His roles helped the spread of Korean television dramas internationally.

Sulli

Choi Jin ri, known professionally as Sulli, began as a child actress and later joined the K pop group f x under SM Entertainment. She appeared in dramas and variety programs and maintained a large social media following.

Sulli died in 2019 at age 25. Her death prompted public discussion in South Korea about online harassment and mental health. Entertainment companies announced policy reviews for artist support.

Goo Hara

Goo Hara was a member of the K pop group Kara, which released albums in South Korea and Japan and toured widely. She also worked as a solo artist and television personality.

Goo died in 2019 at age 28. Her passing led to renewed calls for stronger measures against cyberbullying. Fans organized memorial spaces in Seoul and Tokyo to honor her career.

Jonghyun

Kim Jong hyun, known as Jonghyun, was a vocalist and songwriter for the group SHINee. He released solo albums that topped domestic charts and wrote songs for other artists.

Jonghyun died in 2017 at age 27. SM Entertainment and fellow artists organized memorials attended by large numbers of fans. Posthumous releases compiled his work and handwritten notes on songwriting.

Caroline Flack

Caroline Flack hosted ‘Love Island’ and previously presented ‘The X Factor’ and other entertainment programs in the United Kingdom. She received a British Academy Television Award for her work on ‘Love Island’.

Flack died in 2020 at age 40. Her family and colleagues launched projects to encourage kindness on social media. Broadcasters aired tributes and reminded viewers of support services.

Don Cornelius

Don Cornelius created and hosted ‘Soul Train’, a music and dance program that aired for decades and promoted soul, R and B, and hip hop artists. The show introduced national audiences to performers and dance styles.

Cornelius died in 2012 at age 75. A posthumous Grammy Trustees Award recognized his impact on music television. Archival episodes and documentaries continue to profile the show’s history.

Richard Jeni

Richard Jeni was a stand up comedian who released multiple specials and appeared in films such as ‘The Mask’. He performed on late night programs and toured extensively in the United States.

Jeni died in 2007 at age 49. Fellow comedians highlighted his writing and timing in tribute segments. Comedy clubs hosted memorial shows to support mental health organizations.

Junior Seau

Junior Seau played linebacker in the NFL for the Chargers, Dolphins, and Patriots and was selected to numerous Pro Bowls. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Seau died in 2012 at age 43. Researchers later reported evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy in his brain, a disease found in athletes with repeated head impacts. The league and player groups expanded programs related to player health and wellness.

Tony Scott

Tony Scott directed films including ‘Top Gun’, ‘True Romance’, and ‘Man on Fire’. He collaborated frequently with producer Jerry Bruckheimer and worked with major studios on action and thriller projects.

Scott died in 2012 at age 68. The Directors Guild and studios organized tributes, and his filmography received renewed attention through retrospectives. His production company continued developing television series.

Jonathan Brandis

Jonathan Brandis acted in ‘seaQuest DSV’ and appeared in films and television movies during the 1990s. He began as a child model and moved into recurring roles on network shows.

Brandis died in 2003 at age 27. Fans maintain online communities that archive interviews and clips from his career. Former colleagues have spoken about the pressures of early fame and the importance of support for young performers.

Lee Thompson Young

Lee Thompson Young starred in ‘The Famous Jett Jackson’ and later appeared on ‘Rizzoli and Isles’. He worked in film and theater and earned recognition for roles that resonated with younger audiences.

Young died in 2013 at age 29. His family founded a foundation that promotes mental health education and training. Productions he worked on dedicated episodes in his memory.

L’Wren Scott

L’Wren Scott was a fashion designer and stylist whose clients included actors and musicians. She presented collections during major fashion weeks and developed collaborations in beauty and accessories.

Scott died in 2014 at age 49. Fashion houses and museums displayed her designs in tribute exhibits. Her company’s partners supported memorial initiatives that highlighted her craftsmanship.

Margot Kidder

Margot Kidder starred as Lois Lane in ‘Superman’ and appeared in films like ‘The Amityville Horror’. She worked across film and television for several decades and received a Daytime Emmy Award.

Kidder died in 2018 at age 69. A coroner later confirmed her death as a result of suicide. Colleagues and organizations used the occasion to discuss the importance of accessible mental health care for performers.

Let us know if we miss some in the comments.