River Phoenix got his big break in Hollywood when he was a child, first appearing as one of the stars of the Joe Dante-helmed “Explorers” alongside a young Ethan Hawke. Many fans of the franchise were livid that the star of teen dramas and rom-coms was playing the iconic Batman villain. In 2007, production began on the second Christopher Nolan-led “Batman” film, with Ledger cast to play the caped crusader’s most infamous nemesis, the Joker. The 2000s were looking to be a definitive decade for Ledger, now in his 20s, as he went on to star in Oscar-nominated films such as “The Patriot” and “Brokeback Mountain,” a title that garnered him a Best Actor nomination. Several more arrests followed, including a charge of grand theft in 2000, and his famously nasty attitude toward movie critics didn’t help matters.
His works remain iconic, but his personal struggles serve as a poignant warning. Fitzgerald’s tragic demise exemplifies how addiction can claim even the brightest talents. Beiderbecke’s musical genius was overshadowed by his battle with addiction. Mussorgsky’s tragic end underscores the dangers of both prolonged alcohol use and withdrawal. His life serves as a reminder of how personal demons can overshadow professional achievements. Yet, only 10% of the estimated 15 million individuals struggling with alcohol use disorder receive treatment, per Talbott Recovery.
Shortly after he began his Major League career, his beloved father, Mutt Mantle, died of Hodgkin’s disease at age 39. Days later, Billie Holiday died at 44 of chronic alcoholism. Taking note of Truman’s incoherence during the interview … the host asked, ‘What’s going to happen unless you lick this problem of drugs and alcohol? If you were born with a certain genetic makeup, if there is a history of alcoholism in your family, if you experience worsening consequences of your drinking and still can’t stop…you might be one of us. For these and so many icons whose careers were cut short, fame, talent, beauty, and wealth were not effective armor against the onslaught of alcohol use disorder. Famous pop/rock musician Billy Joel has admitted to struggling with alcohol abuse in his adult life.
A lifetime of alcoholism lead to his death from hepatitis and complications from drinking in 1995. On movie sets around the same time, Farley became famous for his excess — both in terms of drugs and alcohol as well as his searing temper, and co-stars and filmmakers were often forced to intervene. A lifetime of alcoholism lead to his death duloxetine and alcohol from hepatitis and complications from drinking in 1995. His career came to an end on January 15, 2008, when Renfro died of an accidental heroin overdose at age 25. According to USA Today, the coroner’s report confirmed the actor’s death was due to drug toxicity that involved heroin and alcohol.
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The Rehab singer struggled throughout her entire career with alcohol and drug abuse. Another legend that was ruined by drugs was Prince, who reportedly died from an accidental fentanyl overdose. He may be known for his iconic movie roles in comedies and romances, but on his way to success, Bradley Cooper also struggled with the use of alcohol and drugs. Rising to fame in an era where drugs were the rave found Elton John battling with an addiction. Here we take a trip back down memory lane and uncover the celebrities who have been on drugs and suffered from alcohol abuse.
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She would reportedly consume a half bottle of brandy every day for ten years leading up to the day in 1980 when she succumbed to liver failure the age 53. Doctors listed liver, kidney, and heart ailments all as causes, complicated by pneumonia and his continued drinking. American actress and comedian Jane Lynch is among the many celebrities who are sober and have stayed sober despite the fact that they have been struggling with multiple addictions. Jack Kerouac was a writer and poet, famous as a key voice of the Beat Generation in the 1950s.
Beat Generation icon Jack Kerouac died in 1969 at 47 from a hemorrhage caused by cirrhosis. Behan’s wit and literary talent were overshadowed by his lifelong battle with addiction. Holiday’s life was filled with struggles, but her music continues to inspire. His story is a sobering reminder of the health consequences of alcoholism. Young’s musical contributions remain legendary, but his life was tragically shortened by addiction. Senator Joseph McCarthy, infamous for his anti-communist crusades, succumbed to alcohol-induced hepatitis in 1957 at 48.
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Per documents made available by the official Twitter account of the 2014 documentary “An Open Secret,” Pettiet’s manager Bob Villard revealed that though Pettiet hid his drug problem, Villard knew about it and was insistent that Pettiet seek help. Pettiet may have had the same lasting success as his peers, had he not tragically died at the age of 24 in 2000. Christopher Pettiet started out young in Hollywood as a child actor, one part of a trio of friends that also includes Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire. Interestingly, no drugs were found in the room where her body was found. Playboy, which catapulted Bridges to fame in the 1990s, issued a statement saying she died of natural causes (via The Smoking Gun).
If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Until his death, he had convinced nearly everybody, including the newspapers reporting on his passing, that he was an Australian native, born in Perth. In the 1970s and ’80s, he tried his hand at the British punk scene but eventually turned to acting full-time in the 1990s.
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Scott’s friends say that he was reckless with drugs and alcohol for years before his death. Unfortunately many famous people’s lives have been cut short because of alcoholism, including actors, musicians and athletes. The cause of his death was a gastrointestinal hemorrhage, most likely the result of years of alcohol abuse. List of famous people who died of alcoholism, listed bromide detox alphabetically with photos when available.
Robert found himself behind bars on numerous occasions on drug-related charges. Having moved on from those dark times, Jolie is grateful that she’s still standing, unlike many that have passed from similar behavior before her. Amidst the drug-taking, the Hollywood icon also suffered from depression and even planned suicide twice.
- Although celebrities seem like they have it all – fame, money, fortune and friends, the constant scrutiny and public attention often drives them to breaking point.
- On movie sets around the same time, Farley became famous for his excess — both in terms of drugs and alcohol as well as his searing temper, and co-stars and filmmakers were often forced to intervene.
- His career came to an end on January 15, 2008, when Renfro died of an accidental heroin overdose at age 25.
- Still, his fans and critics felt there could have been so much more if not for the drinking.
- The autopsy report said the cause was an accidental overdose of fentanyl.
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Her public battles with addiction were almost as famous as her chart-topping songs, painting a poignant picture of the struggle many endure when grappling with substance abuse. Best known for his beloved character on the TV show “Glee,” Cory Monteith’s life came to a devastating halt due to a deadly mixture of heroin and alcohol. Some are addicted to chocolate, some to shopping, some to love and some .\r\rIn a clip from Larry King Live taped in 2007, Robin Williams opens up on his alcohol addiction and going through rehab.\r\r Troyer’s struggles with addiction were public, and his death shed light on the challenges faced by those living in the spotlight. Actor and singer David Cassidy died in 2017 at 67 from liver and buspirone uses and side effects kidney failure caused by alcoholism.
Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham died in 1980 at 32 from alcohol-induced aspiration. Lake’s glamorous career gave way to a tragic decline fueled by addiction. Hollywood actress Veronica Lake died in 1973 at 50 from alcohol-induced hepatitis and cirrhosis. McPhatter’s incredible talent was eclipsed by his struggles with addiction. Kerouac’s free-spirited lifestyle came at a cost, with alcohol ultimately claiming his life.
- According to his daughter, Cassidy’s last words were “So much wasted time.”
- What’s mostly disheartening about Prince’s addiction is that nobody knew he had it.
- His works remain iconic, but his personal struggles serve as a poignant warning.
- Soccer legend George Best died in 2005 at 59 from multiple organ failure due to alcoholism.
- She was quoted as saying “My makeup wasn’t smeared, I wasn’t disheveled, I behaved politely, and I never finished off a bottle, so how could I be alcoholic?
As one of the most recognizable personas from the 1990s, Anna Nicole Smith lived a highly publicized life. Her co-star from the film, Thora Birch, recalled Moore as being “a really cool kid,” adding, “she still lives on as Chrissy to me” (per ABC News). The endearing character of Chrissy, played by Ashleigh Aston Moore, immediately became an audience favorite, as did the actor herself.
During a break, while filming ‘Gladiator,’ English actor Oliver Reed died of a heart attack (2000). Her death was caused by severe hepatitis and acute renal damage. Haemorrhages caused by Biofeedback Therapy drunkenness were the cause of his death. He died in 1969 after being brought to the hospital when, while drinking whiskey, he began vomiting blood.
Though some may have suspected an accidental overdose, Monroe’s death was officially deemed as purposfully self-inflicted. Monroe was known for her relationships with huge stars, too, including her brief marriage to New York Yankees slugger Joe Dimaggio, as well as rumored affairs with John F. Kennedy and Marlon Brando. In the 1950s she hit it big with hits that include “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” and “The Seven Year Itch.” As one of the most famous women of her day, Monroe starred alongside the biggest male leads in the business including Cary Grant, Clark Gable, and Laurence Olivier. In perhaps one of the most shocking deaths to rock Hollywood in decades, the actor’s younger brother, Joaquin, made a frantic call to emergency services in the early hours of Halloween 1993, claiming that River was having seizures. By the early 1990s, it seemed like the sky was the limit for Phoenix, who continued to impress on screen in the tear-jerking drama “My Own Private Idaho” and the ensemble comedic thriller “Sneakers.” He had just been tapped to star in Neil Jordan’s 1994 adaptation of “Interview with the Vampire” when tragedy struck.
But even that role came to her after she’d proven herself in the 1978 comedy “California Suite.” By the time the ’80s came to a close, though, Plato’s TV days were all but done, with the final episode of her hit sitcom being her last appearance in a network series. Another child star from the late ’70s and early ’80s, Dana Plato was best known for her role as Kim Drummond on the smash hit “Diff’rent Strokes” which ran from 1978 to 1986. Nowhere is this more horrifically visible than the case of Adam Rich, a young actor who came to fame off the back of the 1977 sitcom “Eight Is Enough,” in which he he played Nicholas Bradford.
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In 2021, he was found dead in his home at the age of 38 with no clear cause of death. As his drinking got worse and worse, liver damage forced him to stop touring. A founding member of the Grateful how old was demi lovato in 2008 Dead, keyboardist Ron “Pigpen” McKernan was a blues purist whose role in the band diminished over time. John Cassavetes began his career as an actor in such films as Rosemary’s Baby. The “Southern Charm” star looked visibly uncomfortable while being questioned about his family tragedy.