12 Actors Who Died Before They Were 30
The sudden and tragic death of Academy Award-nominated actor Heath Ledger on Tuesday is the latest in a long line of actors who have passed away at the prime of their life. Shocking as Ledger’s death may be, it isn’t the first time a well-known actor died before they even reached the age of 30, and, with the unpredictable nature of death, certainly wouldn’t be the last.
1. James Dean
February 8, 1931 – September 30, 1955
Killed in a car accident at age 24
2. Sharon Tate
January 24, 1943 – August 9, 1969
Murdered by members of Charles Manson's "Family" at age 26
3. Freddie Prinze
June 22, 1954 – January 29, 1977
Committed suicide by shooting himself in the head at age 22.
4. Dominique Dunne
November 23, 1959- November 4, 1982
Strangled by ex-boyfriend John Thomas Sweeney, died a few days later at age 22.
5. Rebecca Schaeffer
November 6, 1967 – July 18, 1989
Murdered by stalker Robert John Bardo at age 21
6. Brandon Lee
February 1, 1965 – March 31, 1993
Died at age 28 in an accidental shooting on the set of his last movie “The Crow”
7. River Phoenix
August 23, 1970 – October 31, 1993
Died of a heroine and cocaine overdose at age 23.
8. David Strickland
October 14, 1969 – March 22, 1999
Committed suicide by hanging himself with a bed sheet at age 29.
9. Aaliyah
January 16, 1979 – August 25, 2001
Died in a plane crash at age 22.
10. Thuy Trang
December 14, 1973 - September 3, 2001
Died in a car accident at age 27
11. Jonathan Brandis
April 13, 1976 – November 12, 2003
Committed suicide by hanging at age 27
12. Brad Renfro
July 25, 1982 – January 15, 2008
Found dead in his LA apartment at age 25, cause of death still undetermined
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