Death is inevitable. We're all going to go through it. It's never easy. There is a thing about when certain famous people die though. Singers, actors, writers... it can be heartbreaking.... more than the demise of a family member. Artists help define us. When they go... a piece of us, a piece of our past and present goes with them. And it can be life altering.
Redditor u/Ritzaficionado needed for all of us to share... What famous persons death affected you most and why?
It's all too random...
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Anton Yelchin, the guy who played Chekov in the new Star Trek movies. Why? Because I liked that guy, he seemed like he had a good career ahead of him and one day he was out in his driveway and his car unexpectedly rolled down his driveway pinning him against a wall. He died. He died, standing there, at 27 years old, with the whole world ahead of him, pinned by his own car, in the middle of the day. Not being rich, or happy, or liked could save him. Life is completely scary and anything could happen. It reminded me I need to appreciate what and who I have and try to not be such a complainer about everything. stylophonics
This one hurts!
Alan Rickman was probably the first celebrity death I mourned. While other deaths have shocked or saddened me, Rickman's was just...different, somehow. Llamageddon24
Who?
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Terry Pratchett. He was my favorite author, now there are no new books. Reading about his descent into Alzheimer's was heartbreaking, especially after seeing my grandfather go through a similar situation. DocZoidfarb
We Will Rock You!
Man, Freddie Mercury died a month after my dad. I was 15 and lost both my heroes. To think I'd never hear that voice again except on CD just shattered me. spartanwa
The Rainbow Connection...
Jim Henson. I understand that the Muppets are still around, but it's not the same, though I do appreciate their efforts.ravenmakah
Uncle Buck!!!
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John Candy. To me he was one of the kindest, most genuine, funniest performers out there. It's been more than 2 decades and I still miss seeing him in film & TV. ListenToTheStooges
Three's Company after....
My Dad loved John Ritter. The day he died my Dad was in his hospital bed waiting for a open heart surgery. The fact that Ritter died of a heart problem scared me so I didn't tell him. Fortunately my Dad survived the operation and he's still kicking at 85. sonia72quebec
You Gotta have Faith...
George Michael. He died way too early and he struggled with depression and demons and still was able to achieve a superb career from it. That actually inspires me.
So serious....
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Heath Ledger was tough. He was in his prime and I was excited for him to take on new roles. DC827
10 Things I Hate About You is one of my favorite films of all time. I get angry when someone calls it a 'teen movie.'cryptomicro
Best of the best...
Phillip Seymour Hoffman. He was so unbelievably talented, and young, and I had no idea he had a drug problem, so it was doubly shocking news. CreampuffOfLove
Back to Black...
We won't see another Amy Winehouse. She left us with two great albums and scores of live recordings. When she was on, there was nothing like her. She was functioning on a very high musical level and people will be listening to her stuff from now on out. mjs4x6
Say no to drugs!
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It's going to sound dumb, but Anna Nicole Smith. Yes she was a drug-addled floozy who sold herself to the highest bidder, but I always felt sorry for her. She was young and beautiful and everyone used her and abused her for fame and money. She was at her lowest point in life and they kept the cameras rolling the whole time.
I think she just wanted to be loved and to get away from the poverty she grew up in. She may have gone about it the wrong way, and that was all on her, but she was young and uneducated. I bet she felt like she had to do whatever the producers said in order to survive. AnnieB512
Mr. President...
I saw John F. Kennedy as he drove past my house when I was a little girl and remember feeling excited about his presidency. His assassination was devastating to me even as a child. The country was riveted to the TV. It was real life drama and was all anyone talked about. beyondtheridge
Nirvana!!!
Kurt Cobain, I was really into Nirvana back in the day. ripgressor1974
Tough one for me. I was all in on Grunge (still love it) and our Squadron in the Air Force made a flight patch called "Smells like teen spirit" with a tiger cub (our squadron mascot) on a leash tied to a teen girl. Not good form and we had to get rid of them, but illustrates Nirvana's impact at that time.
A year after his suicide, my wife and I got free tix to Seattle. We saw old concert promos for Nirvana ($5!) at the Central and just wished we had been in Seattle in the late 80s early 90s to experience that energy. We went to his house where he ended his life and it was really emotional to see the place you saw on TV where he did the deed. In hind site, we shouldn't have gone, but felt compelled to do so.
3 years ago at Burning Man, my wife pointed out a small note in the temple that said something like "Dear Kurt, we know you never intended to become the face of angst. We miss you dearly and love you very much. Love Mom, Dad, Courtney and Frances Bean." Not sure which one of them actually wrote it, but moving none the less. THE-Prominent-Beaver
The Happy Ones...
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With Robin Williams I see myself as him. If you know me in person I'm a happy positive person who is always smiling and laughing. I truly enjoy making other people laugh and having good conversations. I hate seeing other people suffer because I know what it's like and I want to help them. I probably enjoy making others laugh because it masks myself who is hurting inside. On the inside I'm an emotional wreck. I hate talking about my problems to others because it sucks the good energy in the room. I don't have insurance to seek professional help but I'm working on it to get back on track.illplatano
England's Rose...
Princess Diana was so shocking to me because she was like a fairy tale princess.
What will be worse for me when it happens is when the Queen passes. My boss already knows that if it's announced while I'm at work, I'll be leaving for the rest of the day. ReadontheCrapper
Sounds of youth...Sounds of youth...
Chris Cornell, followed by Chester Bennington [who killed himself due to Cornell's death]. I'm 30 years old, and over the years when people have died, famous people, I've been concerned bit not upset. When Cornell died, it really hit me hard.
His music helped me through a lot of dark times in my teenage years, from Soundgarden/Temple of the Dog/Audioslave and his solo stuff. His voice/music/lyrics really connect with me on a personal level and he still is to this day my favorite artist of all time.
When he died, I was shocked beyond all belief. Even now I can't fully understand it. When Chester killed himself due to a deep depression which in itself was brought on by Cornell's death, I was hit again. Bennington was another teenage influence and the Meteora album is still something I listen to, to this very day.
Chris and Chester, I miss you both as a fan and as somebody you both helped get through their own darker times, in the past and more recently as well. DonKiddic
The Voice.
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Christina Grimme. She was incredibly talented. I started watching her YouTube channel years ago and was so excited when she got a chance to sing on The Voice (USA). Although she didn't win, she was incredibly talented. I got so see her open for Selena Gomez and she was honestly so energetic and fun to watch live. I cried all night when I heard she got shot and murdered at one of her own shows. It was a random act of violence and she didn't deserve it. It was also in the midst of a big gun control debate and literally no one cared that someone easily obtained a weapon and open fired at a concert. Everyone just said "that sucks" and moved on. I was heartbroken for weeks. Hope her family found some peace in the last year or so since it happened. mecohen3264
Do you hear the music?
Avicii also affected me because I follow the EDM music industry very closely and am a DJ myself. I understand how people can fall into addiction in this industry because it is extremely stressful and competitive. Like I mentioned earlier I hate watching people suffer and his death also affected me because Avicii was my same age. illplatano
The Princess...
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Carrie Fisher because she was my girl. Princess Leia was like my idol since I was a little girl. imradmad
Carrie Fisher was the first celebrity death I've ever actually shed a tear over. Star Wars has been a huge part of my life since I was a little kid. What boy hasn't had a crush on the Princess? That was a really rough one. During the lead-up press to The Last Jedi, hearing Mark Hamill talk about Carrie was overwhelming. I miss her. Other celebrities I've felt sad over, sure, but when Carrie died it was the first time I've ever felt grief over a celebrity. LeanMeanWeenMachine