8 actors who tragically died in the middle of filming: From Paul Walker to Brandon Lee
8 actors who tragically died during filming
Actors often transcend time and generations for the characters they portray. But sometimes, tragedy can lead the movie to turn into an eternal memorial for them. An actor taking their last breath in the middle of filming would forever be a shock to the co-stars, the crew members, and obviously millions of fans. Here is a list of eight actors whose deaths came in the most unexpected moment, in the middle of a production or on a movie set.
1. Heath Ledger
Heath Ledger, best known for his portrayal of the DC Comics supervillain Joker, was found dead in his apartment in Manhattan on January 22, 2008. His life ended at the age of 28 due to a prescription drug overdose. The tragic news hit Hollywood soon after Ledger completed Christopher Nolan's 'The Dark Knight' and was in the middle of filming Terry Gilliam's 'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus'. After his death, Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, and Jude Law were cast to portray transformations of his character, Tony, as he travels through a dream world.
2. Paul Walker
'Fast & Furious' fans were left in shock when Paul Walker died in a car crash after leaving a charity event on November 30, 2013. He, along with his friend, former racer Roger Rodas, died on the spot when their Porsche Rodas went out of control and hit a tree. Walker, who brought into life the movie franchise's protagonist Brian O'Conner, was filming 'Fast & Furious 7' at the time of his death. The movie was put on hold for months and was later completed using CGI replacements, stunt doubles, and the actor's brother Cody Walker.
3. Brandon Lee
Brandon Lee, the son of Bruce Lee, died on set on March 31, 1993, while filming Eric Draven's 1994 film 'The Crow'. The 28-year-old was filming a shooting scene when a fragment of a dummy bullet left in the prop gun hit his abdomen. Brandon, who had suffered extensive internal damage and blood loss, died the next day.
4. River Phoenix
River Phoenix died on October 31, 1993, due to a drug overdose while he was in the middle of filming George Sluizer's 'Dark Blood'. The 23-year-old took his last breath outside The Viper Room in West Hollywood. Traces of cocaine and morphine were found in his body during the autopsy. 'Dark Blood' was shelved for 19 years and finally hit the silver screen in 2012.
5. Natalie Wood
Natalie Wood's life came to an end rather mysteriously while she was in the middle of filming 'Brainstorm'. On November 29, 1981, the 43-year-old actress drowned near California's Catalina Island while enjoying a weekend boat trip with her husband Robert Wagner, 'Brainstorm' co-star Christopher Walken, and Dennis Davern, the boat's captain.
6. Marilyn Monroe
Hollywood's "blonde bombshell" Marilyn Monroe died on August 5, 1962, at the age of 36 while shooting for the movie 'Something's Got to Give', which was abandoned after her death. The actress overdosed on barbiturates (sleeping pills) at her Brentwood, California home and the coroner's office ruled the death as a possible suicide.
7. Cory Monteith
Cory Monteith died of a heroin and alcohol overdose on July 13, 2013, at a Vancouver hotel while in the middle of filming the hit TV series 'Glee'. The Canadian actor, who had a history of substance abuse, starred as Finn Hudson in the musical comedy since its debut in 2009. The third episode in Season 5 of 'Glee', 'The Quarterback', which aired on October 10, 2013, included a tribute to Monteith and focused on the death of his character.
8. Steve Irwin
Australian zookeeper and animal advocate Steve Irwin died on September 4, 2006, while filming 'Ocean's Deadliest', an underwater documentary. Irwin, also known as "The Crocodile Hunter," sustained a fatal injury from a stingray in the Great Barrier Reef. The documentary aired on the Discovery Channel four months after his death. The beloved conservationist also portrayed himself in several movies, including 'Dr Dolittle 2' (2001) and 'The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course' (2002).
