In 1970, pioneering rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix overdosed on a friend’s prescription sleeping pills (barbiturates) at the age of 27. The drugs were legal, and they didn’t belong to Hendrix, but they ended his life just the same. Popular Saturday Night Live cast member Chris Farley died from an illegal drug overdose of https://ecosoberhouse.com/ morphine and cocaine at the age of 33. Even the most successful people can find themselves dealing with negative emotions. John Belushi probably had that attitude when he died at the age of 33. Country musician and rising star Luke Bell overdosed on the potent and deadly opioid fentanyl in August of 2022.
Celebrities Who Died of Overdose
Realizing she had a serious problem, the popstar did a lot of soul searching and used therapy to come clean again. After many run-ins with the law and three trips to rehab, Lindsay decided to step away from acting and found her healing space in Europe. During this time, she focused on new business endeavors and opened a chain of high-end clubs in Greece. The actor is currently following a twelve-step program to recover from alcoholism. Ben revealed in 2020 that he suffers with both anxiety and depression and said he used alcohol to solve his feelings of “discomfort”.
His rock and roll hall of fame plaque remembers him as “arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music”. This Chicago native was considered by many to be the greatest comic voice of his generation. His star-studded resume included being one of the seven original members of the Saturday Night Live cast and his iconic turn as Blub in the 1978 film, National Lampoon’s Animal House. Just 33 years old, John passed on March 5, 1982, from a speedball overdose injected by a drug dealer in Chateau Marmont Hotel in West Hollywood, CA. Perhaps more than any other country on earth, American culture is driven by its celebrity class.
How Addictive is Cocaine?
Every kid picking up an electric guitar today is playing in Jimi’s sandbox whether they know it or not – he didn’t just move the goalposts, he built a whole new stadium. Her life, though filled with artistic highs, is also a cautionary narrative about the toll that relentless public scrutiny and professional pressures can exert. Marilyn Monroe, a legendary figure in the entertainment world, passed away in 1962 amidst a cloud of uncertainty. While the declared cause was an overdose of barbiturates, her death has been the subject of endless speculation and various conspiracy theories, leaving the true circumstances somewhat murky. Petty was also suffering from emphysema and coronary artery atherosclerosis at the time of his death.
Stephen King – Alcohol, Cocaine, Sleep Aids

The opioid epidemic is claiming approximately 81,806 victims a year in the United States and does not choose its victims by class. Not only does an elite status not provide an escape from its fatal clutches, but living life in the spotlight can lead to fatal drug overdoses. 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).
Entwistle had heart issues for which he was taking medication before his death, but the condition was worsened by intake of cocaine. At the age of 50, the Major League Baseball player, Darrell Porter was found dead. His cause of death was ruled as excited delirium, ‘the toxic effects of cocaine’, and an enlarged heart.
- Amy had checked herself into rehabs multiple time due to her addiction issues.
- British supermodel and actress Cara Delevingne checked into rehab herself in late 2022 and is now still in recovery.
- Below, you will find a list of the many famous people who died from an overdose, cutting their lives and careers short.
- With that baritone voice and those leather pants, Morrison turned rock concerts into something between theater and a séance.
Hundreds of thousands of visitors pass through Graceland every year, peaking during the yearly pilgrimage there on the anniversary of his death. His wild ride ended tragically at 23 years of age, as yet another victim of speedballing. Unfortunately, the cover does not always accurately tell the story of the book. Too often, their lives are lined with emptiness and end in tragedy, driven by an endless search for the next shot of adrenalin and the next high. Celebrities, in a very significant way, are a microcosm of the American people at large. In our minds, they are the ones who have actualized the life and the lifestyle we all would choose to live if only we had the choice.

According to the toxicology reports, she had a lethal amount of cocaine and alcohol in her system. According to the toxicology reports, he had a lethal amount of cocaine and heroin in his system. He was best known for his role as The Joker in the 2008 superhero film, The Dark Knight. Alcohol is not necessarily lethal, but in higher celebrities that died from drugs doses, it can lead to alcohol poisoning. It is estimated that Amy consumed around five times the amount of alcohol that would usually be fatal.
Times Celebs Got Real About Feeling Unsafe
- In 2002, he gained the attention of the media when he fled a rehab center in 2002.
- Garland dealt with depression and addiction in the years leading to her death.
- Drugs like fentanyl, oxycodone, temazepam, alprazolam, citalopram, acetylfentanyl, and despropionyl fentanyl were behind the star’s tragic death.
- Police reported seeing about eight bottles of propofol in Jackson’s rented mansion, along with other vials and pills that had been prescribed to the pop singer by Murray and other doctors.
He overdosed on Percocet pills while police were conducting a search on his plane. Even though Burroughs battled addictions since his Major League days, it is known that he survive by his son Knox, his mother Debbi and his father Burroughs. Following Little League Legend Sean Borroughs death due to fentalyl overdose, the amount of people that has passed away because of drugs increases again.
Fallen Stars and Their Toxicology Reports

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent unhealthy behaviors and help those who are already struggling. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or mental health, it is important to get treatment. At Asheville Recovery Center treatment specialists utilize a 12-step program and practice holistic rehabilitation. According to his autopsy report, he had a drug addiction toxic combination of prescription medications, sleeping pills, anti-anxiety drugs, and anti-depressants in his system. His death was completely preventable if he had been more careful and attentive when taking the drugs. Although Whitney enrolled in rehabilitation centers multiple times, it seems her struggles with drugs and alcohol got the best of her.
