They would presumably have had prolonged careers, had their drug overdoses not cut their lives short.
It caused a big exodus from drugs."
But an unhealthy use of substances continued to stalk Hollywood.
Unfortunately, many acting icons were lost painfully young to this affliction.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available.
Visit theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration websiteor contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Mathis stated that she found Phoenix convulsing on the pavement outside the club.
Phoenix’s brother, actor Joaquin Phoenix, called 911.
There was talk at the time of murder charges being brought against the drug supplier.
Heath Ledger
In 2008, 28-year-old Heath Ledger’s death left a void in Hollywood.
PerBritannica, Ledger’s interest in acting started in junior high.
Autopsy results showed several different prescription drugs in his system, perThe Guardian.
However, her seemingly glamorous adult life was preceded by a troubled childhood.
Born Norma Jeane Mortenson, she was shuffled between many sets of foster parents (viaBritannica).
Monroe originally worked as a model and moved into acting by 1946, per theHollywood Walk of Fame.
By the mid-1950s, she was taking leading roles in box-office hits.
On August 5, 1962, 36-year-oldMonroe was found deadof an apparent overdose in her Los Angeles home.
I had a serious problem."
By the time he was 19, Monteith had been to rehab twice.
Monteith passed away on July 13, 2013, at the age of 31.
His body was found in a hotel room in Vancouver.
John Belushi
John Belushi was widely revered on the American comedy scene.
Belushi enjoyed spirited success through the 1970s, even as a persistent drug problem loomed in the background.
Hollywood was rattled when Belushi died of an overdose on March 5, 1982, at 33 years old.
The coroner’s report confirmed his death from intoxication resulting from cocaine and heroin, reportedThe New York Times.
Acting legends Robert De Niro and Robin Williams had joined the final party at Belushi’s bungalow No.
In December 1997, the actor died of a drug overdose at the age of 33.
Co-member Adam Sandler was one of Farley’s closest friends, perFar Out Magazine.
He had faced lifelong issues of obesity and addictions that landed him in rehab several times.
According toEntertainment Weekly, his final days were fueled by a drug and booze binge.
According to theLos Angeles Times, Plato stepped into showbiz at age 6.
Plato was deep into alcoholism by the late 1980s, after the show ended.
She later tried in vain to kickstart her failing career with B-movies in the ’90s.
Plato was 34 when she died of an overdose on May 8, 1999, in Oklahoma.
Her death was ruled a suicide due to the fatal doses of prescription drugs found in her system.
The acting bug bit him when he was only 9 years old.
Soon after, he landed his first gig in 2014, his mother Marlyse Williams told theNew York Post.
Williams' preteen years were spent in and out of auditions.
By the time he was 13, his mother discovered he was using drugs.
After starting with marijuana, he graduated to other substances.
She was only 7 years old when the film was released.
On July 19, 2014, Bartusiak, just 21 years old, died in her Texas home.
Forensic reports asserted that Bartusiak’s death was an accident.
Incidentally, Bartusiak has connections with two others on this list who met the same fate.
TheLos Angeles Timesreported that he had been clean in the days leading up to his death.
His body was discovered at his apartment in Los Angeles by his girlfriend, perPeople.
The success was short-lived, however, with Moore drawing the curtains on acting by 1997 (perIMDb).
Exactly a decade later, she was dead.
According toUs Weekly, Aston Moore was 26 when she reportedly died of an accidental heroin overdose.
She first came to the public’s attention with her debut Playboy cover in March 1992, perABC News.
In 2002, she started her own reality show, “The Anna Nicole Show.”
In her final days, 39-year-old Smith had been in poor health.
The circumstances of her death were initially clouded with conflicting narratives.
Bruises were also reportedly detected on her body.
Nahem, as well as Bridges' father, claimed that Bridges was often depressed.
Interestingly, no drugs were found in the room where her body was found.
An accidental drug overdose killed Pettiet on April 12, 2000.
