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Untimely Deaths: Hollywood Tragedies

John Hughes (1950 - 2009)

Iconic 1980s teen flick writer/director died suddenly of a heart attack while walking in Manhattan on August 6, 2009. Some of his credits include “Sixteen Candles,” “The Breakfast Club,” “Weird Science,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” and “Home Alone.” Hughes has been noted as inspiration for many filmmakers, such as Kevin Smith and Wes Anderson. (AP Photo)

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John Hughes (195... Iconic 1980s teen flick writer/director died suddenly of a heart attack while walking in Manhattan on August 6, 2009. Some of his credits include “Sixteen Candles,” “The Breakfast Club,” “Weird Science,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” and “Home Alone.” Hughes has been noted as inspiration for many filmmakers, such as Kevin Smith and Wes Anderson. (AP Photo)
Billy Mays (1958... William Darrell Mays, Jr., better known as Billy Mays, was a successful TV Pitchman with a “full-volume” trademark style. He began his career on the Atlantic City boardwalk selling the Washmatick portable device and became famous for many “As Seen on TV” products, including OxiClean and Orange Glo. According to a toxicology report, heart disease was the "primary cause of death" and cocaine was listed as a "contributory cause of death.” (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Michael Jackson ... The “King of Pop” made his debut in 1964 as a member of The Jackson 5 and held the world’s attention for four decades. Jackson’s solo career was full of hit songs and memorable dance moves, but his personal life was marred with controversy. Gearing up for a 50 date comeback tour, Jackson suffered from cardiac arrest. Some speculate prescription drug use as a contributing factor in his death. (AP Photo/Michael A. Mariant)
Farrah Fawcett (... Farrah Fawcett rose to fame thanks to her role in the 1976 TV series "Charlie's Angels." She later appeared off-Broadway and in television movies. Farrah passed away on June 25, 2009 after a long battle with anal cancer.
Natasha Richards... The beloved actress and member of the Redgrave dynasty passed away suddenly on March 18, 2009 at 45. She died from a brain injury caused by a fall during a skiing lesson in Quebec.

(Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Bernie Mac (1957... Comedian Bernie Mac -- whose real name was Bernard McCullough -- passed away after complications from pneumonia on August 9, 2008. Mac, who starred in "The Bernie Mac Show," also suffered from sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease.

(Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)
Heath Ledger (19... "Brokeback Mountain" star Heath Ledger died suddenly on January 22, 2008 at 28. There was much speculation surrounding his passing, but the official cause of death was an accidental toxic combination of prescription drugs.

(Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
Tim Russert (195... Journalist and "Meet the Press" host Tim Russert collapsed at his office and later died. An autopsy determined that the cause of death was a heart attack. Bruce Springsteen performed at his memorial service.

(Photo by AJ Mast/Getty Images for Meet the Press)
Anna Nicole Smit... Born Vickie Lee Hogan, the Playboy playmate and reality show star's colorful life was marred by tragedy, including the death of her son from an overdose. Smith herself passed away of an accidental drug overdose at the age of 39. After a long investigation, doctors and partner/attorney Howard K. Stern were charged with felonies for providing her with the substances.

(Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images)
Steve Irwin (196... The Aussie "Crocodile Hunter" wrestled with all kinds of animals during his storied career as a wildlife expert and TV personality, but it was a lethal stingray barb to the heart that killed him while he was filming an episode of his show on the Great Barrier Reef. The Australian prime minister offered to hold a state funeral for Irwin, but the family declined, saying Irwin would want to be remembered as "an ordinary bloke."

(Photo by Australia Zoo via Getty Images)
John Ritter (194... Best known for playing Jack Tripper on "Three's Company," John Ritter fell ill on the set of his sitcom, "8 Simple Rules..." on September 11, 2003 and passed away the same day. The cause of death was a dissection of the aorta.

(Photo by Lawrence Lucier/Getty Images)
Lisa "Left Eye" ... The third member of the blockbuster girl group TLC, Lopes passed away at age 30 in a tragic car accident in Honduras. Lopes was driving a rented SUV and according to a report in People magazine, "careened off a two-lane highway after passing a pickup truck. Lopes, who was thrown from the van, died from chest and head wounds."

(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Phil Hartman (19... Hollywood was shocked when actor and "SNL" star Phil Hartman was murdered by his wife Brynn Hartman, who then committed suicide.

(AP Photo/Lennox McLendon)
Chris Farley (19... "SNL" funnyman Chris Farley passed away at 33 of a drug overdose, just as his film career was taking off with hit projects like "Tommy Boy" and "Beverly Hills Ninja."

(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Diana, Princess ... She was technically an English princess, "The People's Princess" was mourned globally after she passed away in a car accident in Paris while being chased by paparazzi. For ten years following her death, conspiracy theorists have suspected that everyone from the British government to Prince Philip arranged to have the princess killed, but official investigations have all concluded that it was an accident.

(AP Photo/ Mark Lennihan)
River Phoenix (1... Actor River Phoenix, brother of actor Joaquin Phoenix was a rising star when he passed away at 23 from an overdose of cocaine and heroin.

(Photo: MPTV)
Brandon Lee (196... Brandon Lee, son of action film star Bruce Lee, was shot and killed during the filming of the "The Crow" in a freak accident involving a stunt gun.

(Photo: Ron Grover)
Natalie Wood (19... Natalie Wood's death in 1981 at the age of 43 was a terrible shock. The actress drowned off of the coast of Catalina Island in California when she slipped and fell from a boat.

(Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Marilyn Monroe (... The pop culture icon died at 36 of a drug overdose. Conspiracy theories around her death abound -- from a hit arranged by the Kennedy's to a hit arranged by the Mafia -- but the official coroner's report stated "acute barbiturate poisoning" and that her death was a "probable suicide."

(Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Farrah Fawcett's... Click here to take a look back at the career of Farrah Fawcett.

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