Final Checkout

Swedish DJ Avicii, real name Tim Bergling, died at age 28 on Friday, April 20. Death is sad. But what is sadder is to see such a great and beloved talent succumb to what clearly could have been avoided. There will be no toasts in this guy's honor... now that he's toast. Too much drink and not enough think -- gone at 28.

Valerie Fairman (1993-2016)

Valerie Fairrman of 16 and Pregnant fame has died. The cause of death was not immediately reported and remained under investigation. But c'mon folks... 16... pregnant.... a history of arrests for prostitution and using false ID... and a history of substance abuse. We are sad to say this is a definite OD. She leaves a 7-year old child.

Robin Williams (1951-2014)

Decades ago, when Robin Williams was just starting to become famous with his madcap, stream-of-consciousness performances on “Mork and Mindy,” one would have made a good bet that he would eventually kill himself through substance abuse. It can be safely said that many of his comedic performances occurred while he was high on cocaine. However, Williams’ recent death by suicide was not directly related to his substance abuse problems.

Skye McCole Bartusiak (1992-2014)

Who is this girl? Ohhhh, that's right... she's child-star Skye McCole Bartusiak.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman (1967-2014)

Born July 23, 1967, Phillip Seymour Hoffman made it to the ripe old age of 46. The cause of death was ruled accidental, though a guy has to know he's knocking on death's door when he's sitting in his apartment with 50 envelopes of heroin. Hoffman was found early morning on February 2, 2014, by a friend who had been trying to contact him. Hoffman still had a syringe hanging out of his arm.

Billy Mays (1958-2009)

Pitchman Billy Mays was quite the salesman. With his over-the-top voice and can-do attitude, Billy could pitch almost anything and his loyal audience would buy. Get it while supplies last. But in the end not even a load of OxiClean could clean up Billy's act. Nicknamed "Pitchfork", we can now literally say, "Put a fork in 'im, he's done!"

Michael Jackson (1958-2009)

Michael Jackson, the legend: singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and actor. His reputation spanned four decades, and his talents have inspired people on a global level, earning him the honor of being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame not once, but twice. So where did it all go wrong for him? How did such a global personality arrive at such a tragic end?

Anna Nicole Smith (1967-2007)

One of the world’s most non-surprising deaths, though no less tragic, was the drug-related death of superstar model Anna Nicole Smith. Poor Anna lived the fractured fairy tale of being the small town girl from Nowheresville who pined for a life in the big city. She had just enough of something special to get her noticed and notable but not enough to sustain her through the easy-come-easy-go lifestyle ahead of her.

John F. Kennedy Jr. (1960-1999)

In the 1980s and 1990s, John F. Kennedy Jr., the son of the slain president, was the most celebrated of the younger generation of that famous political family. He had all the charm and good looks that an uncrowned prince could possibility want. Sadly his life ended violently and unexpectedly through the tragic flaw of pride.

Chris Farley (1964-1997)

Chris Farley was an icon for those of us growing up in the time of grunge and Wayne and Garth. His self-deprecating style of humor was hilarious, though sometimes it made us cringe on the inside (who of us is willing to pull off dancing as a shirtless Chippendale male stripper next to the Patrick Swayze?).

Tupac Shakur (1971-1996)

Tupac Shakur is nearly twenty years in the grave, but still knows how to put on a great performance. Or at least his hologram does. He may still be out there on the stage, but someone else is milking this cash cow these days. He not only sung "Life Goes On", in death he proved it!

Kurt Cobain (1967-1994)

Oh poor Courtney Love... style icon, inspiration to musical gods, junkie, and murderer? It's been 20 years since Kurt Cobain's untimely death, but a new documentary is bringing to light old allegations. 

John Belushi (1949-1982)

The all-time great comic actor and musician John Belushi was very well known for living an extreme life without any kind of moderation.

Bon Scott (1946-1980)

A true Scotsman, Ronald Belford "Bon" Scott came kicking and screaming into this world on July 9, 1946. Bon Scott spent the better part of his life rockin' and rollin' with AC/DC before checking out on February 19, 1980.

Sid Vicious (1957-1979)

John Simon Ritchie, better known to the world as Sid Vicious was the very embodiment of punk rock. Sid oozed attitude and had no problem telling the world exactly what he thought of it. 

Elvis Aaron Presley (1935-1977)

Elvis was "The King" of Rock & Roll.  He was adored for his charismatic personality, boyish good looks and musical abilities since the 1950's. But few people knew of his problems with drug abuse until after his death in 1977. From the time he moved in to his iconic homestead known as Graceland, Elvis not only lived like a king, but partied like one too. Today marks what would have been his 80th birthday.

Janis Joplin (1943-1970)

When Janis Joplin learned to sing in the church choir in her hometown of Port Arthur, Texas no one would have predicted her ending in 1970 due to a drug overdose. Welcome to the 27 club!

Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970)

Jimi Hendrix, the very name says it all. If you haven’t heard of this legendary artist, you’ve apparently been living in a cave for the last 50 years. He lived a short but meteoric life as a member of the "27 club."

Judy Garland (1922-1969)

Have you ever seen a photograph of Judy Garland at the end of her life? If you know her only as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, you might see that later photograph and think, "Hey, that's nice... a child star who had an impressive career and lived to a ripe old age." That is, If you consider 47 ripe and old.

Nick Adams (1931-1968)

In 1968 and at the age of 36, actor Nick Adams joined the ranks of celebrities to face early death. Though his work didn't foster the same legacy as his dear friends Elvis Presley and James Dean, he too died from drug overdose. He played a rebel, he was a rebel and he died a rebel.