No one lives forever. But sometimes with our favorite actors, who live on through their work on the big screen, it feels like they will never ever die. But the fact of the matter is that even those in Hollywood are still only human at the end of the day. And, even though we can continue to see them in movies, on television, and on stage, some of our most beloved actors have sadly passed on. Here are some well-known celebrities from famous works we bet you didn’t know were dead.
Richard Griffiths
Richard Griffiths is definitely best known for his role as old Unclue Vernon Dursley in the Harry Potter movie series. Two years after the final Harry Potter movie was released in 2011, Richard Griffiths passed away due to complications from his heart surgery he underwent in 2013. Aside from the Harry Potter movies, Griffiths was an accomplished actor with many successful roles in both movies and television. He also won a Tony for his performance on stage.
James Avery
It’s a sad thing to know that the kind and caring Uncle Phil from The Fresh Prince of Belaire has passed away. Actor James Avery passed away on the very last day of 2013 from complications following open-heart surgery. By the time he died at only 68 years of age, Avery was suffering from end-stage kidney diseases, coronary heart disease, and type-2 diabetes. Will Smith and the rest of the Fresh Prince cast have expressed heartbreak over their beloved Uncle Phil who really became a true mentor to them all.
Thuy Tran
If you grew up in during the ‘90s, you probably watched Power Rangers with your cereal on Saturday mornings, and you definitely chose which Power Ranger color you would be. Well, if you chose the yellow Power Ranger (known as Trini Kwan), you’d be sad to learn that she died tragically in 2011 in a traffic collision. She was only 27 years old.
Ian Holme
Ian Holme was lucky enough to have been granted the honor of playing Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy. He also lived long enough to appear as Bilbo again in The Hobbit Trilogy as well. Although he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2001, Holme’s treatment was successful, and he ended up living a long life until he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and eventually succumbed to the disease in 2020.
Conchata Ferrell
You probably recognize this actress from her most notable role as Berta, Charlie Sheen’s sarcastic housekeeper in over 200 episodes of the hit sitcom, Two and a Half Men. For almost a year, Ferell had been living in a long-term care facility after she’d had a cardiac arrest. In October of 2020, Ferrell died peacefully in the facility at the age of 77.
Lisa Robbin Kelly
Most known for playing the role of Eric’s annoying but hilarious little sister Lorrie on That ’70s Show, Lisa Robbin Kelly was a teen heartthrob for many from the late ‘90s and beyond. Unfortunately, after the show, she got mixed up with some dangerous drugs and became addicted. She was living in a rehab facility when she got a hold of multiple illegal substances and accidentally overdosed in her sleep. She was only 43 years old.
Michael Clarke Duncan
Big, strong, and powerful, Michael Clarke Duncan was cast in many tough-guy roles in both television and film. Although, he is probably most known for his role in The Green Mile where he played the heartbreaking character, John Coffey. Sadly, Duncan passed away at only 54 years of age. He’d had a heart attack in 2012, and passed from complications following it two months later.
Phillip Seymour Hoffman
Phillip Seymour Hoffman is often regarded as one of the best, most versatile actors of his time. He has successfully played all types of roles, winning many awards and recognitions. In his early 20’s, before his acting career really took off, Hoffman struggled with severe drug addiction. Unfortunately, in 2012, he relapsed and was found dead in his New York apartment with a syringe in his arm.
Lynne Thigpen
This iconic actress is known by ‘90s babies as ‘The Chief’ in Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego, or maybe as the voice of Luna, the moon on Bear in the Big Blue House. Older audiences probably recognize her from the television dramas All My Children and The District. When she was only 54 years old, Thigpen sadly passed away of a cerebral hemorrhage in 2003.
Natasha Richardson
The lovely Natasha Richardson was an accomplished actress, best known for her starring role in the 1998 adaptation of The Parent Trap, playing mother Elizabeth to twins Hallie and Annie (both played by Linsdey Lohan). Tragically, Richardson passed away in 2009 after a severe skiing accident that caused a fatal brain injury ultimately killing her. She died at only 45 years old.
