The Brooklyn-based rapper his given name Christopher Wallace + The Notorious B.I.G., hailed as one of the genre's greats, died at age 24 on March 9, 1997. The Notorious B.I.G. + shooting death, The Notorious B.I.G. unsolved murder, Voletta Wallace + wrongful death lawsuit + LAPD,
This 25-year-old rapper turned actor spent his last day attending a high-profile heavyweight boxing match Mike Tyson v. Bruce Seldon fight in Las Vegas. Tupac shakur date of death September 13, 1996, Tupac shakur cause of death Firearm, Gunshot, Murder, Respiratory failure, Tupac Shakur + Suge Knight, Dexter Isaac confession, Orlando Anderson + Tupac Shakur
She was the little sister of a supermodel whose own star was on the rise when she died at age 17 on July 2, 1995. Krissy Taylor + asthma + cardiac arrhythmia, The C.A.R.E. Foundation + Krissy Taylor
The grunge rock frontman, best known for the '90s anthem "Smells Like Teen Spirit," died at age 27, leaving behind a singer spouse and a young daughter. Kurt cobain date of death April 5, 1994, kurt cobain cause of death Firearm, Gunshot, Suicide, Kurt Cobain heroin addiction, Kurt & Courtney Los Angeles, CA, Last Days Los Angeles, CA
Phoenix, fondly remembered for his role in an '80s film favorite Stand By Me Los Angeles, CA, died at age 23 before performing a Halloween gig with a rock-star friend flea at a Hollywood venue viper room. river phoenix date of death October 31, 1993, River Phoenix drug overdose, The Thing Called Love Los Angeles, CA, Dark Blood + River Phoenix + 2012 release, songs dedicated to River Phoenix
This Brooklyn artist -- backed by a well-connected artist friend Andy Warhol-- shook up New York's elite art world throughout the '80s Jean Michel Basquiat Paintings, until his death at age 27 on Aug. 12, 1988. Jean-Michel Basquiat + heroin overdose, Jean-Michel Basquiat + invisible ink signature, Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child Los Angeles, CA, Basquiat Los Angeles, CA
Carangi was a sought-after cover girl through the mid-'70s and early '80s Gia Carangi magazine covers before dying at age 26 on Nov. 18, 1986. Gia carangi date of death November 18, 1986, gia carangi cause of death AIDS, Gia Los Angeles, CA
This award-winning forward for the Terrapins died on June 19, 1986, at 22, two days after being drafted into the NBA Boston Celtics + Len Bias. Len bias cause of death Cocaine overdose, Drug overdose, The Len Bias Law, Jay Bias shot to death, Without Bias Los Angeles, CA
The Jamaican music legend helped introduce reggae to the masses with such tracks as "Jamming" and BBC's "Song of the Millennium". He was 36 when he died. Bob marley date of death May 11, 1981, bob marley cause of death Cancer, Skin cancer, No Woman No Cry: My Life With Bob Marley, "Marley" Kevin MacDonald documentary
Prefontaine was a track and field runner who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympic Games and was training for the 1976 games when he died at age 24 on May 30, 1975. Steve Prefontaine cause of death Car accident, Prefontaine Memorial Park, Prefontaine Los Angeles, CA
Blue-eyed soul hits such as "Rehab" and "Back to Black" propelled this troubled British songstress to international fame. She died at age 27. Amy winehouse date of death July 23, 2011, Amy winehouse cause of death Alcohol intoxication, Amy Winehouse coroner resigned, Amy Winehouse + 2012 Grammy + "Body and Soul", Lioness: Hidden Treasures
The martial arts master Jeet Kune Do-turned-Hollywood star Enter the Dragon Los Angeles, CA was 32 when he died more nearly 40 years ago. Bruce lee date of death July 20, 1973, bruce lee cause of death Cerebral edema, The Green Hornet TV series, Brandon Lee accidentally shot, I Am Bruce documentary, Bruce Lee fragrances
This influential '60s rock lead singer (hear a classic track) was 27 when he died in Paris. Jim morrison date of death July 3, 1971, Jim morrison cause of death Drug overdose, Heart failure, Jim Morrison heroin overdose, Jim Morrison Père Lachaise cemetery, The Doors Los Angeles, CA
Joplin became a rock icon on the San Francisco scene and is known for such hits as "Me and Bobby McGee." She was 27 when she died. Janis joplin date of death October 4, 1970, janis joplin cause of death Heroin overdose, Piece of My Heart Janis Joplin, Janis Joplin Pearl, The Pearl Sessions
The virtuosic guitarist debuted a seminal album in 1967 and became legendary before dying at 27. jimi hendrix date of death September 18, 1970, Jimi hendrix cause of death Drug overdose, Inhalation of vomit, Jimi Hendrix 1992 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Jimi Hendrix Park + Seattle, WA, Nicole Miller + Jimi Hendrix + 2012
Toole didn't live to see his most celebrated novel A Confederacy of Dunces achieve high literary honors A Confederacy of Dunces + 1981 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. He died at 31 on March 26, 1969. John Kennedy Toole suicide
The renowned soul singer -- known for this signature song Try a Little Tenderness Otis Redding-- died at 26 on Dec. 10, 1967. Otis Redding plane crash , (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay Otis Redding, Otis Redding + Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Davis achieved an African-American sports milestone, Ernie Davis + first African-American + Heisman Trophy, in 1961 and was set to play in the NFL team Cleveland Browns when he died at 23 on May 18, 1963. Ernie davis date of death May 18, 1963, Ernie davis cause of death Leukemia, Ernie Davis + President John F. Kennedy, The Express Los Angeles, CA
Hollywood’s quintessential sex symbol -- drooled over in such movies as "Some Like It Hot" and "The Seven Year Itch" -- died at age 36. Marilyn monroe date of death August 5, 1962, Marilyn monroe cause of death Barbiturate, Drug overdose, Suicide, My Week with Marilyn Los Angeles, CA, MAC + Marilyn Monroe collection
Holly his real name Charles Hardin Holley, was an early rock-and-roll star whose death at age 22 is remembered as "The Day the Music Died." Buddy holly date of death February 3, 1959, Buddy holly cause of death Air disaster, Ritchie Valens + The Big Bopper, Surf Ballroom, That'll Be the Day Buddy Holly, American Pie Don McLean
Dean personified "cool" in "Rebel Without A Cause," released in 1955. He died at age 24. James dean date of death September 30, 1955, James dean cause of death Car accident, East of Eden + James Dean + Best Actor nomination, Giant + James Dean + Best Actor nomination
This foreign-born star of a controversial hit film left behind a young daughter Michelle Williams actress when he died at age 28. Heath ledger date of death January 22, 2008, Heath ledger cause of death Drug overdose, Heath Ledger + DEA investigation, Heath Ledger + The Dark Knight + Best Supporting Actor, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus los angeles, ca
This writer, best known for the novel "The Bell Jar," died at age 30. Sylvia plath date of death February 11, 1963, Sylvia Plath suicide, Nicholas Hughes suicide, Sylvia Los Angeles, CA
Crane penned numerous short stories, poems and newspaper articles, but gained the most recognition for his Civil War novel, "The Red Badge of Courage." He died at 28. Stephen crane date of death June 5, 1900, Stephen crane cause of death Tuberculosis, The Red Badge of Courage Los Angeles, CA
Bronte -- one member of a trio of talented sisters -- was a poet who penned the now-classic novel "Wuthering Heights." She died at age 30. Emily bronte date of death December 19, 1848, emily bronte cause of death Tuberculosis, Ellis Bell + Emily Bronte, Emily Bronte portrait at auction
The English Romantic poet made his mark with a series of odes (including the well-regarded "To Autumn") shortly before dying at 25. John keats date of death February 23, 1821, john keats cause of death Tuberculosis
The 19-year-old famously led the French army against the English, claiming to have direct orders from God. She accomplished heroic feats until her death. Joan of arc date of death May 30, 1431, Joan of Arc execution by burning, Joan of Arc + patron saint of soldiers
The NFL safety team Washington Redskins from Miami died in his hometown at age 24. Sean taylor date of death November 27, 2007, Sean taylor cause of death Gunshot, Murder, Sean Taylor + Washington Redskins Ring of Fame
Tillman was an NFL defensive back (see which team) who enlisted in the U.S. Army after September 11 and served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He was 27 when he died. Pat tillman date of death April 22, 2004, Pat tillman cause of death Firearm, Friendly fire, Gunshot, Pat Tillman initial death cover-up, The Tillman Story los angeles, ca, Tillman Military Scholar
One-third of a chart-topping '90s R&B group, Lopes rapped through such hits as "No Scrubs" and "Waterfalls." She died at age 30. on April 25, 2002. Lisa lopes date of death April 25, 2002, Lisa Lopes + car accident, The Last Days of Left Eye
The 22-year-old R&B singer and actress full name Aaliyah Dana Haughton released a self-titled album a month before she died. Aaliyah date of death August 25, 2001, Aaliyah cause of death Air disaster, Luis Morales III pilot + autopsy + cocaine, Aaliyah + plane exceeded weight limit,
Thomas was a linebacker in the NFL known for his signature move. He died at age 33 on Feb. 8, 2000. Derrick Thomas cause of death Pulmonary embolism, Derrick Thomas Pro Football Hall of Fame, The Derrick Thomas Academy
The glamorous princess Lady Diana Frances Spencer became a style icon while married to Great Britain's heir to the throne. Her life was cut short at age 36. Princess diana date of death August 31, 1997, Princess diana cause of death Car accident, Pont de l'Alma tunnel, boyfriend Dodi Fayed + driver Henri Paul, Diana killed by driver's gross negligence
