Famous People Who Died of Drug Overdose List of Celebrities Who Overdosed on Drugs

Petty was also suffering from emphysema and coronary artery atherosclerosis at the time of his death. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid whose pharmaceutical version is FDA-approved for pain and relief purposes, according to the DEA. But more than just a tale of lost potential, Hendrix’s life narrative serves as an imperative lesson about the corrosive impact of addiction and the necessity for open conversations about mental well-being. With her husky voice and dynamic stage energy, Janis Joplin etched her name into the annals of 1960s rock history. Her music, a blend of raw feelings and societal critiques, resonated deeply with a generation seeking change. The musical realm suffered an enormous loss with the sudden passing of Prince, the multi-talented musician and performer, in 2016.

Addiction Doesn’t Discriminate

During her short but successful career, she played versatile roles in TV shows and films. From an early age, the actor had been plagued by problems with drugs and alcohol, entering rehab when he was just 15 and again when he was 19. During his days on “Glee,” Monteith often talked publicly about his struggles. In 2013, Monteith was still seeking treatment for substance abuse.

Drug-Related Deaths – Notable Celebrities

Many fans of the franchise were livid that the star of teen dramas and rom-coms was playing the iconic Batman villain. But once the movie was released, Ledger’s take on the character immediately became the definitive version, the Joker all other live-action Jokers were measured up against. It was an Oscar-winning performance, but Ledger didn’t live to see the acclaim. After playing Mini-Me, though, Troyer became a favorite in the comedy world, and roles in “Bubble Boy” and “Pauly Shore Is Dead” followed. He even played a small role as Griphook in the first “Harry Potter” movie — a rare American actor in the notoriously all-British series. What fans of the model-turned-actor may not have realized, though, is that throughout her diverse career, Hemingway was also struggling with myriad personal problems.

List of Celebrities Who Died from an Overdose

Several other drummers like Dave Grohl and Neil Peart have cited Moon’s drumming style as an influence. In 1982, he was inducted posthumously what is alcoholism into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame. In her heyday, there was nobody more famous in Hollywood — or arguably the world — than Marilyn Monroe. Born Norma Jeane Mortenson, she embarked on a modeling career in the 1940s and became a sex symbol practically overnight. Known for her playful attitude, curvaceous figure, and long flowing locks, Monroe’s name and likeness became synonymous with beauty and glamour.

The success was short-lived, however, with Moore drawing the curtains on acting by 1997 (per IMDb).
Heath Ledger was found dead on Jan. 22, 2008, in his New York apartment.
He is credited with co-creating the popular rock band Stone Temple Pilots where he served as the lead singer.
He had multiple stints in rehab facilities as he suffered from drug abuse and alcohol abuse.
A coroner’s report later revealed that he died of an accidental overdose of cocaine and morphine, per The Washington Post.
He had a lifelong struggle with heroin addiction and died of a drug overdose.
Monroe originally worked as a model and moved into acting by 1946, per the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The final tragic blow came with Smith’s own death on February 8, 2007, at a hotel in Hollywood. According to autopsy results, her death was attributed to an accidental overdose of several prescription drugs, primarily chloral hydrate (per The New York Times). On the night of her death, she was running a high fever, but reportedly denied medical help (via Today). Brad Renfro got his start as a child actor with a small role in Joel Schumacher’s courtroom thriller “The Client,” but as he got older he took on starring roles. Renfro’s most notable film is “Apt Pupil,” the film that turned director Bryan Singer into a Hollywood darling.

But within just a few short years, Farley was on the outs, dumped from the cast actors that died from drugs alongside Sandler and others after the 1995 season. The following article contains discussions of drug and alcohol abuse. New York Police Department sources previously told CBS News that officers responded to Williams’ home at approximately 2 p.m. His death saw an outpouring of emotion and tributes from a host of famous faces, including the film director Spike Lee and author Stephen King, who described Williams as “fantastically talented”.