Beiderbecke’s musical genius was overshadowed by his https://northiowatoday.com/2025/01/27/sober-house-rules-what-you-should-know-before-moving-in/ battle with addiction. His untimely death reflects the challenges faced by many in the high-pressure world of entertainment. Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky, famed for Night on Bald Mountain, suffered from alcohol withdrawal delirium. His death in 1881 at just 42 was the result of severe seizures and hallucinations caused by his addiction. Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States, battled lifelong alcoholism, which contributed to his decline.
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Further, in his autopsy reports, medical officials stated alcoholism was the real reason for his death. Cooper was struggling with alcohol addiction that started while he was in his late teens and continued into his early 30s. In 2004, the actor made the decision to quit drinking and has been sober ever since. The American actor and singer, Zac Efron, who you may know from the High School Musical franchise, has had a well-publicized journey out of alcoholism.
Alcohol’s toll on public health is staggering, claiming over 178,000 lives annually and affecting 28.9 million Americans, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Yet, only 10% of the estimated 15 million individuals struggling with alcohol use disorder receive treatment, per Talbott Recovery. He got addicted to alcohol when he could not deal with his life problems.
Including Jack Kerouac, Billie Holiday, Richard Burton, Peter Cook, and Errol Flynn, this list shows the celebrities who, for whatever reason, couldn’t fight the addiction and lost their lives to the disease. Female silent movie star Julia Burns and Barbara Payton are also just a few of the famous women who died of alcholism. American novelist, screenwriter, playwright, and actor, Truman Capote died on August 25th, 1984, at the age of 59. Given that Del Rey’s songs are full of references to drugs and alcohol, it’s hard to think of her as a person who is battling to maintain her sobriety.
Unfortunately many famous people’s lives have been cut short because of alcoholism, including actors, musicians and athletes. The actress who won multiple awards for her terrific professional career regrettably died at the age of 55. Elizabeth was addicted to alcohol which took her life on 14th October 2014. However, the cirrhosis caused several health issues, such as cardiogenic shock, heart attack, and gastrointestinal bleeding, which ultimately took her life.
But this drinking problem took his life on 21st October 1969 when he started vomiting blood. After his demise, the actual cause of his death was revealed as Alcoholism. List of famous people who died of alcoholism, listed alphabetically with photos when available. This list of celebrities who died from alcoholism includes information like the victim’s hometown and other biographical information sober house when available.
- Amy’s cause of death was alcohol poisoning, and her passing highlighted the dangers of substance abuse in the music industry.
- Her experience demonstrates how well actors with drinking problems can conceal their addiction and isolate themselves from potential support.
- However, many celebrities who are recovering alcoholics find it easier to talk about it through their work.
- British actor known for his role as Jon Snow in the TV series Game of Thrones is one of the many celebrities with depression and alcohol abuse disorder.
- Lewis’ creative brilliance was dimmed by his struggles with addiction.
Vincent van Gogh
Best’s exceptional talent was overshadowed by his struggles with addiction. His life and death offer a sobering lesson about the perils of substance abuse. Lake’s glamorous career gave way to a tragic decline fueled by addiction.
Veronica Lake, with her iconic peek-a-boo blonde hair, was particularly well-known for playing film noir femme fatales in the 1940s. In real life, her drinking, most likely a form of self-medication for her issues with mental illness, led to her end in 1973 at age 50. Reed got his first significant role in Hammer Films’ Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960), again directed by Fisher. He went back to small roles for His and Hers (1961), a Terry-Thomas comedy; No Love for Johnnie (1961) for Ralph Thomas; and The Rebel (1961) with Tony Hancock. He played the role of Sebastian in the ITV series It’s Cold Outside, which was popular with teenagers, making him an idol for the first time. Though we loved them onscreen, their lives offscreen were quite the mess.
Star Celebrities Who Died of Alcoholism
Our Licensed addiction specialists in the State of California are here to help you. Well known for his addiction problems, drinking was just one piece of the puzzle. In 2011 Dunn was the driver of a car involved in a fatal car accident. These celebrities illustrate that alcohol is often used to self-medicate — to alleviate life’s stressors. A drinking partner of Cuba’s Fidel Castro himself, Flynn’s fondness for alcohol was well documented. He would even show up to his film set smashed, once drunkenly wagering the film crew $500 that he could bed his co-star Olivia de Havilland.
Drug Interactions Can Be Deadly
US Senator Joseph McCarthy was infamous for the anti-Communist House Un-American Activities Committee hearings he led in the 1950s. He has been called the greatest male actor in the history of American cinema. During the late ’60s and early ’70s, this English actor was one of the biggest box office draws in Britain.
- The multitalented celebrity died on 25th August 1984 after he was diagnosed with a liver disease exacerbated by alcoholism.
- In 1969, after one last night of drinking rye, Kerouac complained of stomach pains.
- However, the cirrhosis caused several health issues, such as cardiogenic shock, heart attack, and gastrointestinal bleeding, which ultimately took her life.
- Christopher starred in “General Hospital” on and off between 1996 and 2016 as Nikolas Cassadine.
- The singer died on 9th May 1989, at the age of 34, due to his habit of drinking alcohol.
The actual cause of her death was stated as alcohol intoxication by the medical examiners in her autopsy reports. In her interviews, Lynch shares that she has been struggling with alcoholism, depression, and cold medicine addiction but has maintained her sobriety since 1991. However, despite her struggles, Lynch has had a successful career in film, television, and theatre, winning numerous awards for her performances.
During this time, he appeared in some ITV Playhouse productions, “Murder in Shorthand” (1962) and “The Second Chef” (1962), and guest-starred in episodes of The Saint. Never a critical darling, Kinkade sold millions of prints of his work. In 2012 Kinkade ODed from a combination of drinking and diazepam at the age of 54. Probably now known best as Drew Barrymore’s grandfather, John Barrymore was a pioneer in early Hollywood. But the Barrymore family isn’t only famous for acting; they were famous for putting them back, and John was no exception.
United States Secretary of State, Daniel Webster died on October 24th, 1852, from alcohol-related liver cirrhosis at the age of 70. Welsh poet Dylan Thomas died of alcoholism on November 9th, 1953, at the age of 39. Affleck has credited therapy, medication, and the support of his family with helping him overcome his addiction. His struggles came to a head in 2013, when he, like many celebrities who went to rehab, decided to address his addiction and restore his health. Efron has credited exercise and healthy habits, such as meditation and cooking, with helping him stay on the path to recovery. The 18th President of the United States of America, Ulysses S. Grant, is one of the most famous functioning alcoholics of the modern age as his diseases caused concerns about his ability to lead the country.
Amy’s cause of death was alcohol poisoning, and her passing highlighted the dangers of substance abuse in the music industry. Whitney Houston was one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with a voice that captivated millions around the world. However, her personal struggles with substance abuse, including cocaine, marijuana, and prescription drugs, marred her career.
- Despite attempts at sobriety, Hemingway continued to struggle with alcoholism throughout his career, and his addiction is thought to have contributed to his eventual suicide in 1961.
- The actual cause of her death was stated as alcohol intoxication by the medical examiners in her autopsy reports.
- The use of prescription medications with illegal drugs or alcohol can produce an unpredictable and fatal response, and many deaths due to such circumstances may have been preventable.
- Near the end of his life, his once suave persona and charismatic good looks had been eroded by his addiction to the bottle, and he died, not surprisingly, of liver cirrhosis.
These 25 stories of celebrated figures—artists, leaders, and performers—show the devastating reach of addiction and the enduring lessons it leaves behind. The list you’re viewing has a variety of people in it, like George Best and Guy Burgess.
