SAEDNEWS: A string of high-profile deaths over the decades — spanning rock icons, actors, comedians and athletes — has left fans and industries reeling time and again. Below is a roundup of these 25 notable figures, summarising their lives, achievements and the circumstances of their deaths.
Kurt Cobain, born February 20, 1967 in Aberdeen, Washington, co-founded Nirvana in 1986 and helped define the 1990s grunge movement. After early struggles following his parents’ divorce and a period of instability in youth, Cobain rose from the Sub Pop scene to mainstream superstardom with Nevermind (1991). He married musician Courtney Love in 1992 and was the father of Frances Bean Cobain. Cobain’s life ended in April 1994; his death prompted an outpouring of grief and remains a defining moment in rock history.
Robin Williams, born July 21, 1951 in Chicago, became one of the most lauded performers of his generation — a comic virtuoso who also won acclaim for dramatic roles. After studying at Juilliard, he rose to fame with Mork & Mindy and starred in films ranging from Good Morning, Vietnam to Good Will Hunting (for which he received an Academy Award). Williams was found dead at his home on August 11, 2014; his death sparked conversations about mental health and neurodegenerative illness.
Chris Cornell (born July 20, 1964) emerged from Seattle as a towering vocalist and songwriter, fronting Soundgarden before forming Audioslave and pursuing a solo career. With multiple Grammys and a celebrated range that included soundtrack work (including the Bond theme for Casino Royale), Cornell’s influence extended across rock. He died in May 2017; his passing deeply affected fans and fellow artists worldwide.
Chester Bennington, the Phoenix-born frontman of Linkin Park, combined emotional lyricism with fierce delivery to reach global audiences. After early bands and gradual commercial breakthrough, Bennington helped steer Linkin Park to multi-platinum success. He died in 2017, and his death intensified public discussion of mental health in the music world.
Lee Thompson Young gained fame as a child actor and later starred in series such as Friday Night Lights. Born in 1984, he pursued stage and screen roles from an early age. Young’s untimely death in 2013 cut short a promising career.
Sawyer Sweeten, born May 12, 1995, was known for his role on Everybody Loves Raymond. A child actor who grew up in the public eye, Sweeten died in 2015 at age 19, a loss that reverberated through the show’s fan community.
Chris Benoit was widely regarded for his in-ring skill and dedication to wrestling over a 22-year career spanning WCW, ECW and WWE. Tragically, in 2007 Benoit murdered his wife and son and died by suicide two days later; the case prompted intense scrutiny into concussions, brain health and the demands of professional wrestling.
Michael Lee Alfonso (Mike Awesome) rose to fame in promotions such as ECW and WCW and achieved championship success in Japan. He was prominent in the 1990s wrestling scene; his death in 2007 marked another loss in the sport.
Jonathan Brandis began acting as a child and became known for roles in films and TV — notably SeaQuest DSV. After early promise and hopes of a career re-emergence, Brandis died in 2003, a loss that fans still remember.
Margot Kidder, born Margaret Ruth Kidder, gained international recognition as Lois Lane in Superman (1978) and appeared in a range of film, television and stage roles. Kidder later spoke openly about mental health struggles; she died in 2018, and her advocacy added to her cultural legacy.
Tim Bergling, known globally as Avicii, was a Swedish DJ and producer who brought electronic music to massive mainstream audiences with hits such as “Levels” and “Hey Brother.” He toured worldwide and shaped modern EDM; his death in 2018 prompted renewed attention to the pressures faced by touring artists.
Charles Rocket’s career included film and television roles and a stint on Saturday Night Live. The actor, born in 1949, died in 2005 after a varied career in comedy and character roles.
Tony Scott, younger brother of Ridley Scott, built a memorable career as a director of high-energy thrillers including Top Gun and True Romance. His visual style influenced action cinema; he died in 2012.
Freddie Prinze rose quickly as a stand-up comedian and television star in Chico and the Man. His early success was accompanied by personal struggles, and he died in 1977; his son Freddie Prinze Jr. later followed him into acting.
Kerry Von Erich, a member of the storied Von Erich wrestling family, achieved in-ring success but also battled injuries and personal hardship. He died in 1993, one among several tragic losses in his family.
Del Shannon scored a massive hit with “Runaway” in 1961 and continued recording and touring. Facing struggles later in life, Shannon died in 1990.
Hana Kimura competed in Japan’s Stardom promotion and also appeared on reality television; her talent and youthful prominence made her a rising star. She died in 2020, prompting conversations about online harassment and mental-health support for public figures.
Tony Halme, a Finnish wrestler and occasional actor, built a career in sports entertainment and cinema; he died in 2010.
Jason David Frank became a household name as Tommy Oliver in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, later performing martial-arts stunts and maintaining a dedicated fan base. He died in 2022.
Larry Sweeney (real name Justin Sweeney) found a following in independent wrestling and as a manager and commentator. His death in 2011 was a blow to the indie wrestling community.
Known for her appearances in WWE and NXT, Sara Lee built a profile in the wrestling world before her death in 2022.
Ashley Massaro competed in WWE and appeared in television; she died in 2019, and her passing again highlighted mental-health concerns in the industry.
Dana Plato became a familiar face as Kimberly Drummond on Diff’rent Strokes, but struggled after the show ended. She died in 1999, a loss that sparked discussion of the difficulties child actors can face transitioning to adult careers.
Naomi Judd — one half of the Judds country-music duo — had a long career in music and entertainment and later worked in television and production. She died in 2022; her death was mourned across the country-music community.
Steve Bing, a film producer and businessman, produced films and supported philanthropic causes. He died in 2020; his passing was noted across entertainment and business circles.
