17 Outdated Hollywood Stars Whose Deaths Shocked Hollywood

Bobby Driscoll discovered success as a baby actor within the late ’40s and ’50s in movies like So Pricey to My Coronary heart, Treasure Island, and Peter Pan. He died in 1968 at age 31 from hardening of the arteries, a aspect impact of drug use. In keeping with Leisure Weekly, his physique was discovered by youngsters enjoying in an deserted New York tenement, and he was buried in an unmarked grave.

James Dean skyrocketed to fame within the ’50s due to roles in movies like East of Eden, Insurgent With out a Trigger, and Big. He died in 1955 at age 24 after a automobile crash in California, based on the New York Instances.

Natalie Wooden’s profession continued lengthy after Outdated Hollywood ended, however she made a major impression whereas the period was nonetheless going. She starred in movies like Miracle on thirty fourth Road, Insurgent With out a Trigger, and The Searchers, all earlier than 1960. After all, only a few years later, she went on to behave within the blockbuster musicals West Facet Story and Gypsy. She died in 1981 at age 43, and her demise was the topic of thriller and vital information consideration. In keeping with Individuals, she drowned throughout a ship journey off the coast of California. Per the publication, her demise was dominated “an unintentional drowning,” although the circumstances round it stay nonetheless mentioned right now.

Sal Mineo additionally died far after Outdated Hollywood got here to an in depth, however he was a well-liked up-and-coming actor through the last years of the period. Within the late ’50s, he had vital roles within the movies Insurgent With out a Trigger and Big. He died in 1976 at age 37 after being stabbed and killed in West Hollywood outdoors of his condominium. His killer was later recognized and despatched to jail, based on the Los Angeles Instances.

Jean Harlow was a titan of the silver display screen within the ’30s and was generally known as the unique “Blonde Bombshell.” She appeared in hits like Crimson-Headed Girl, Crimson Mud, and Private Property. She died in 1937 at age 26 whereas filming what would go on to be her largest hit: Saratoga, which co-starred Clark Gable. Jean’s demise is attributed to kidney failure, based on Historical past.com.

If Jean Harlow was the unique “Blonde Bombshell,” Marilyn Monroe took the title to a different stage. Surging to reputation within the ’50s, Marilyn stays one of the recognizable faces of Outdated Hollywood. Amongst her many roles, she’s arguably finest identified for her performances in Gents Desire Blondes, The Seven Yr Itch, and Some Like It Sizzling. Marilyn’s demise got here after movie’s Golden Age ended. She died in 1962 at age 36 from a barbiturate overdose, based on the Los Angeles Instances.

One other blonde bombshell within the ’50s, Jayne Mansfield starred in movies like The Woman Cannot Assist It, Too Sizzling to Deal with, and Guarantees! Guarantees! She additionally died after the Outdated Hollywood period ended. In 1967, Jayne died at age 34 when a automobile she was a passenger in, alongside her household, crashed right into a tractor-trailer in Mississippi. Three of her 5 youngsters had been within the automobile and survived, together with her daughter Mariska Hargitay.

Judy Garland may simply be one of the recognizable stars of cinema…ever? She starred in ubiquitous movies, like The Wizard of Oz, Meet Me in St. Louis, and A Star is Born. Her profession spanned a number of many years, ending in 1969 when she died at age 47 from barbiturate poisoning, based on PBS.

Carole Lombard’s profession spanned the late ’20s by way of the early ’40s. She was finest identified for her work in screwball comedies, garnering a Finest Actress Oscar nomination for My Man Godfrey. Her notable movies embrace The Arizona Child, Twentieth Century, and Mr. & Mrs. Smith. She died in 1942 at age 33 when a airplane she was touring in crashed in Nevada, based on Time.

Robert Walker was an actor who had vital success within the ’40s. Nonetheless, he is most well-known for starring in Alfred Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Practice in 1951. He died that very same 12 months at age 32 from an unintentional overdose throughout medical therapy, based on the New York Instances.

Rudolph Valentino, generally known as the “Latin Lover,” was one of the outstanding Italian actors of the ’20s. He starred in movies like The 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse and The Sheik. Rudolph died in 1926 at age 31, shortly after an an infection set in following surgical procedure for an appendicitis and perforated ulcers. In keeping with Self-importance Truthful, his demise brought on a frenzy amongst followers mourning his loss.

Russ Columbo was an American musician identified for writing or co-writing standard songs like “You Name It Insanity (However I Name It Love)” and “Prisoner of Love.” He died in 1934 at age 26 following an “unintentional discharge” of an vintage pistol he was viewing at a photographer’s dwelling, based on the New York Instances.

Renée Adorée was a French actress whose large break as a movie actor got here with the 1923 silent movie The Everlasting Battle. She noticed even higher success with the 1925 silent struggle drama The Massive Parade. Renée died in 1933 at age 35 from tuberculosis, based on the Los Angeles Instances.

Leslie Howard was a Hollywood renaissance man within the ’30s and ’40s. The British actor was finest identified for his supporting function in Gone with the Wind and Oscar-nominated turns in Berkeley Sq. and Pygmalion. Throughout World Warfare II, Leslie was an lively supporter of the Allied Powers. In 1943, a flight he was on from Portugal to England was shot down by Germany. He and 16 others had been killed, based on the Los Angeles Instances.

Dorothy Dell appeared in her solely three movies in 1934: Wharf Angel, Little Miss Marker, and Shoot the Works. She died that very same 12 months at age 19 in a automobile crash, based on the New York Instances.

Adrienne Ames started working as an actor within the late ’20s and continued by way of 1940. She died in 1947 at age 39 after a battle with most cancers, based on the Los Angeles Instances.

Thelma Todd discovered success as an actor within the ’20s and ’30s, starring in movies equivalent to Monkey Enterprise and Corsair. She died in 1935 at age 29 from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, although the circumstances round her demise largely stay a thriller, based on NPR station KCRW.