13 amazing actors who tragically died mid-filming

Published on January 4, 2018, 2:34 pm

Written by Straker Julia in Movies

It's heartbreaking when one of our favorite actors passes away and we realize that they'll never again grace our screens. Even worse, is when they die mid-filming and not only leave a hole in their loved ones' hearts, but also a potentially great movie or TV series in tatters. Some productions continued, whilst others floundered due to the loss of their leading star.

Illustration : "13 amazing actors who tragically died mid-filming" — Photo d'illustration

Here are 13 actors who died mid-filming, be it from living in the fast lane, the result of a tragic accident or under mysterious circumstances.

1. Heath Ledger

In 2008, Heath Ledger was found dead in his apartment during the filming of The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. The autopsy report stated that he died from an overdose of prescription medicines.

2. Anton Yelchin

Star Trek star Anton Yelchin was killed by his own car. His death was ruled an accident as Anton was crushed by his SUV as he tried to close the security gate to his house. He was hit with such a force that the gate was also badly damaged.

3. Paul Walker

The Fast and Furious star died in an accident when the Porsche his friend was driving crashed into a lamppost and 2 trees before bursting into flames. Walker was filming Furious 7, which was released after his death.

4. Brandon Lee

Bruce Lee's son died during the filming of The Crow, his 6th movie. He was accidentally shot in the stomach when a gun that was supposed to contain dummy cartridges had been loaded with real bullets; the actor was taken to hospital but died from his wounds.

5. Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee also died at a young age. He suffered a brain aneurysm whilst Enter the Dragon was in post-production. Conspiracy theories about his untimely death still circulate.

6. Marilyn Monroe

50 years after her death, rumors still abound - did Marilyn commit suicide, was she assassinated by the secret service... Marilyn was found dead from an overdose of prescription medicines in 1962, whilst she was filming Something's Got to Give.

7. Oliver Reed

Reed died in Malta from a heart attack at age 61. He was in the middle of filming Gladiator...

8. Philip Seymour Hoffman

After being clean for 23 years, this iconic actor died from an overdose just after he'd finished filming The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1. He was only 46 years old.

9. John Ritter

In 2003, Ritter had just finished shooting Bad Santa and fell ill during rehearsals for 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter. He died during surgery to repair an aortic dissection.

10. Andy Whitfield

Spartacus: Blood and Sand actor Andy Whitfield had been battling non-Hodgkin lymphoma for 18 months, but the cancer finally got the better of him and he passed away just before his 50th birthday.

11. Clark Gable

The serial seducer who played Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind died from a heart attack whilst filming The Misfits with Marilyn Monroe.

12. Brittany Murphy

A young actress with an impressive list of movies to her name, Brittany died during the filming of Something Wicked. Mystery still shrouds the reason for her death, but toxic mold has been suggested, not least because her husband died 5 months later after having suffered symptoms similar to Brittany.

13. River Phoenix

This highy talented actor was only 23 when he died from a drug overdose. His last movie, Dark Blood, was releasd a few years' ago.

By Straker Julia
Writer

Passionate about writing, I write articles on the subjects that I love. Creativity and Animals themes are my favorites!