# Favorite actor/musician/author etc who died young? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 5, 2021, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-actor-musician-author-etc-who-died-young/948113 "2021-08-05T18:12:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-actor-musician-author-etc-who-died-young/948113/81 "2021-08-07T15:38:42Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > I’m having a hard time thinking of a favorite young writer who died at the top of their game. Maybe **Edgar Allen Poe**? Sylvia Plath Dylan Thomas ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-actor-musician-author-etc-who-died-young/948113/82 "2021-08-07T15:42:45Z")
Don’t forget > **[Lee Morgan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Morgan)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > Edward Lee Morgan (July 10, 1938 – February 19, 1972) was an American jazz trumpeter and composer. > One of the key hard bop musicians of the 1960s, Morgan came to prominence in his late teens, recording on John Coltrane's Blue Train (1957) and with the band of drummer Art Blakey before launching a solo career. Morgan stayed with Blakey until 1961 and started to record as leader in the late '50s. His song "The Sidewinder", on the album of the same ... ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-actor-musician-author-etc-who-died-young/948113/83 "2021-08-07T15:51:41Z")
Writers who died young include: Anne Brontë, 29, tuberculosis Emily Brontë, 30, tuberculosis Percy Bysshe Shelley, 29, boat accident/drowning John Keats, 25, tubeculosis ---
**Author:** ![2\_More\_Bits](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2_more_bits/32/4148_2.png) [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-actor-musician-author-etc-who-died-young/948113/84 "2021-08-07T15:54:40Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > 2 people mentioned here died in the same London apartment. Mama Cass in 74 and Keith Moon in 78. She was 32 he was 31 The same London apartment owned by Harry Nilsson… who was 53 when he died. Way too young, as far as I (a huge fan) am concerned! ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-actor-musician-author-etc-who-died-young/948113/85 "2021-08-07T15:57:27Z")
> **[Alexander Pushkin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Pushkin)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > > Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin (English: /ˈpʊʃkɪn/; Russian: Александр Сергеевич Пушкин\[note 1\], tr. Aleksandr Sergeyevich Pushkin, IPA: \[ɐlʲɪkˈsandr sʲɪrˈɡʲe(j)ɪvʲɪtɕ ˈpuʂkʲɪn\] (listen); 6 June \[O.S. 26 May\] 1799 – 10 February \[O.S. 29 January\] 1837) was a Russian poet, playwright, and novelist of the Romantic era. He is considered by many to be the greatest Russian poet and the founder of modern Russian literature. > Pushkin was born into the Ru... ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-actor-musician-author-etc-who-died-young/948113/86 "2021-08-07T16:14:36Z")
> **[Thomas Wolfe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Wolfe)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > > Thomas Clayton Wolfe (October 3, 1900 – September 15, 1938) was an American novelist of the early 20th century. > Wolfe wrote four lengthy novels as well as many short stories, dramatic works, and novellas. He is known for mixing highly original, poetic, rhapsodic, and impressionistic prose with autobiographical writing. His books, written and published from the 1920s to the 1940s, vividly reflect on American culture and the mores of that period,... ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-actor-musician-author-etc-who-died-young/948113/87 "2021-08-07T17:15:24Z")
Yes. He should have been on my list with Parker and Coltrane. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-actor-musician-author-etc-who-died-young/948113/88 "2021-08-07T17:52:36Z")
Do pro wrestlers count? Because I would add Owen Hart who died after falling from the rafters of the Kemper Arena attempting to rappel down for his ring entrance at the age of 34. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-actor-musician-author-etc-who-died-young/948113/89 "2021-08-07T18:20:17Z")
> [@dorvann](#): > > Do pro wrestlers count? \ _No, No they don’t. Absolutely not. Now go stand in the corner and think about what you’ve done._ \ ---
**Author:** ![anny\_m](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@anny\_m](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anny_m)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-actor-musician-author-etc-who-died-young/948113/90 "2021-08-07T19:23:17Z")
Lots of wonderful artists mentioned here. Thought I’d add Israel Kamakawiwoʻole. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-actor-musician-author-etc-who-died-young/948113/91 "2021-08-07T19:35:51Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > Oh yes, how could I, how could _anyone_ forget Bob Marley? Looking through the posts, I’m staggered at the artists I missed. Kirsty MacColl, Hank Williams, Gram Parsons - to name but three. How did I manage to forget them? (Plus, sorry to hear your news. Best wishes.) j ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-actor-musician-author-etc-who-died-young/948113/92 "2021-08-07T20:01:25Z")
Marilyn Monroe, 36 (If she were alive today, she’d be 95.) ---
**Author:** ![Mrs\_Fairway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Mrs\_Fairway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs_Fairway)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-actor-musician-author-etc-who-died-young/948113/93 "2021-08-07T23:59:54Z")
Chadwick Boseman, 43. I loved to watch him work. Such a shame to lose him. He did amazing work while he was here. ---
**Author:** ![Dropo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2021, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-actor-musician-author-etc-who-died-young/948113/94 "2021-08-08T02:08:18Z")
Among others not yet mentioned: Mike Bloomfield Marc Bolan Sam Cooke Magic Sam (Maghett) – Donyale Luna Jayne Mansfield Edie Sedgwick – Aubrey Beardsley Raphael ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2021, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-actor-musician-author-etc-who-died-young/948113/95 "2021-08-08T03:07:42Z")
Originally came to post Eric Dolphy but see it’s been noted, so, with punk / hc / metal, there’s too many to mention, but per the OP my faves among them would have been D. Boon, 27, of The Minutemen > **[D. Boon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D._Boon)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > > Dennes Dale Boon (April 1, 1958 – December 22, 1985) was an American musician, best known as the guitarist, singer and songwriter of the punk rock trio Minutemen. He was born on April 1, 1958 in San Pedro, California, and formed the Minutemen in 1980 with bassist Mike Watt and drummer George Hurley. The Minutemen were known for their politically charged lyrics and energetic, fast-paced music, and they released several influential albums during t... Chuck Schuldinder, 34, of Death > **[Chuck Schuldiner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Schuldiner)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > > Charles Schuldiner (born May 13, 1967 – December 13, 2001) was an American musician. He founded the death metal band Death in 1983, in which he was the lead vocalist, guitarist, primary songwriter and only consistent member until his death in 2001. His obituary in the January 5, 2002 issue of UK's Kerrang! magazine described him as "one of the most significant figures in the history of metal." Schuldiner was ranked No. 10 in Joel McIver's book ... I thought about Mark. E. Smith but he was 61! 🤦‍♂️ 🙃 Into a different neighbourhood - was Werner Fassbinder mentioned yet? Only 37, with a considerable body of work already under his belt. > **[Rainer Werner Fassbinder](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainer_Werner_Fassbinder)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > > Rainer Werner Fassbinder (German: \[ˈʁaɪnɐ ˈvɛʁnɐ ˈfasbɪndɐ\] (listen); 31 May 1945 – 10 June 1982), sometimes credited as R. W. Fassbinder, was a German filmmaker. He is widely regarded as one of the major figures and catalysts of the New German Cinema movement. > Fassbinder's main theme was the exploitability of feelings. His films were deeply rooted in post-war German culture: the aftermath of Nazism, the German economic miracle, and the terror o... Ha! Seth Puttnam doesn’t qualify! ---
**Author:** ![TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thegunismightierthanthepen/32/2981_2.png) [@TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheGunIsMightierThanThePen)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2021, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-actor-musician-author-etc-who-died-young/948113/96 "2021-08-08T03:16:26Z")
For classical music I see that the usual suspects of Mozart / Schubert / Mendelssohn have already been mentioned, so I’ll throw in a vote for Frederic Chopin who died at 39. ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2021, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-actor-musician-author-etc-who-died-young/948113/97 "2021-08-08T03:17:39Z")
I forgot Phil Ochs. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2021, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-actor-musician-author-etc-who-died-young/948113/98 "2021-08-08T03:34:15Z")
In the dim corners of my brain I think Peter Laughner, early guitarist for Pere Ubu, was already mentioned. That fine number “Humour Me” was dedicated to him. Not a fave, more of a somewhat-noteworthy-legend-in-his-own-mind sorta goomba, 36. > **[GG Allin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GG_Allin)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > > Kevin Michael "GG" Allin (born Jesus Christ Allin; August 29, 1956 – June 28, 1993) was an American punk rock musician who performed and recorded with many groups during his career. Allin was best known for his controversial live performances, which often featured transgressive acts, including self-mutilation, defecating on stage, and assaulting audience members, for which he was arrested and imprisoned on multiple occasions. AllMusic called him... ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2021, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-actor-musician-author-etc-who-died-young/948113/99 "2021-08-08T12:23:46Z")
Jim Croce ---
**Author:** ![Wolf333](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf333/32/3460_2.png) [@Wolf333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolf333)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2021, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-actor-musician-author-etc-who-died-young/948113/100 "2021-08-08T14:32:06Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > Ha! Seth Puttnam doesn’t qualify! “Seth Putnam was wrong about a lot of things but Seth Putnam was right about you!” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-actor-musician-author-etc-who-died-young/948113.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-actor-musician-author-etc-who-died-young/948113.md?page=6)