American movie stars died at 53
Here are 17 famous actors from United States of America died at 53:
Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth (February 6, 1895 Pigtown-August 16, 1948 New York City) a.k.a. George Herman Ruth Jr., babe_ruth, George Herman Ruth, Jr., George Herman Ruth, The Bambino, The Caliph of Clout, Babe, Sultan of Swat, Jidge, The Behemoth of Bust, The Great Bambino, The Big Bam, George Jr., "the Babe Ruth", "the Sultan of Swat" or George Herman "Babe" Ruth, Jr. was an American baseball player and actor. He had two children, Dorothy Ruth and Julia Ruth Stevens.
He died in esophageal cancer.
Babe Ruth is widely regarded as one of the greatest baseball players of all time. He was born to German-American parents in Baltimore, Maryland and grew up in a rough waterfront neighborhood. At the age of seven, his parents placed him in St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys, a Catholic orphanage and reformatory, where he was introduced to baseball by George Herman Ruth Sr., the school's athletic director.
Ruth's raw athleticism and powerful swing led him to the major leagues in 1914, where he began his career as a star pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. In 1919, he was traded to the New York Yankees and quickly became known as the "Sultan of Swat" for his prodigious home runs. Ruth's popularity helped to transform the sport of baseball into a national pastime and he became a cultural icon, inspiring countless books, songs, and films.
While his legacy as a baseball player is well-known, Babe Ruth also had a career in film. He starred in several movies, including "Headin' Home" and "Speedy," and appeared in cameo roles in several others. Off the field, Ruth lived a flamboyant lifestyle, indulging in heavy drinking and womanizing.
In 1946, Ruth was diagnosed with throat cancer and underwent numerous surgeries and treatments before passing away in 1948. Despite his larger-than-life persona, Ruth remained a beloved figure in American culture and his impact on the game of baseball is still felt today.
Read more about Babe Ruth on Wikipedia »
Jim Henson
Jim Henson (September 24, 1936 Greenville-May 16, 1990 New York City) also known as Dr. Teeth, Ernie, James Maury Henson, Mr. Jim Henson, Jim Henson and his Puppets, Jim Henson's Muppets, The Muppets, Kermit the Frog, Jim Henson & The Muppets, James Maury "Jim" Henson or Jim Henson's Kermit the Frog was an American puppeteer, film director, television producer, screenwriter, voice actor, film producer, television director, actor, cartoonist and inventor. He had five children, Brian Henson, John Henson, Lisa Henson, Heather Henson and Cheryl Henson.
He died caused by pneumonia.
Jim Henson is best known for creating the Muppets, which have appeared in numerous television shows and films, including "Sesame Street," "The Muppet Show," and "The Muppet Movie." He also created other puppet characters, such as Fraggle Rock and The Dark Crystal. Apart from puppetry, Henson also had a successful career as a filmmaker, directing movies such as "Labyrinth" and producing films like "The Great Muppet Caper." In addition, he was a pioneer in the use of puppetry in advertising and was responsible for creating many memorable commercials. Henson was known for his creativity, humor, and warmth, and his contributions to the world of entertainment continue to be celebrated today.
Read more about Jim Henson on Wikipedia »
John Denver
John Denver (December 31, 1943 Roswell-October 12, 1997 Pacific Ocean) also known as Denver, John, John Dennver, Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr., H.J. Deutschendorf, Jr. or Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. was an American songwriter, singer, poet, musician, writer, singer-songwriter, actor, guitarist, social activist, pilot, composer, lyricist and record producer. He had three children, Jesse Belle Deutschendorf, Zachary John Denver and Anna Kate Denver.
He died in aviation accident or incident.
Denver was one of the most popular and best-selling musicians of the 1970s, renowned for his soft, folk-influenced music and poignant lyrics. He is known for hits such as "Take Me Home, Country Roads", "Annie's Song", "Rocky Mountain High", and "Sunshine on My Shoulders". In addition to his music career, Denver was a committed environmental and humanitarian activist, and his songs often reflected these values. He was also a licensed pilot and often flew his own plane to his performances. Denver was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1996 and his music continues to inspire today.
Read more about John Denver on Wikipedia »
Will Sampson
Will Sampson (September 27, 1933 Okmulgee-June 3, 1987 Houston) also known as William Sampson was an American actor, artist, painter and visual artist. He had one child, Tim Sampson.
He died caused by renal failure.
Sampson was a member of the Muscogee Creek Nation and was proud of his Native American heritage. He was an advocate for Native American rights and worked to increase awareness of the issues affecting Native American communities. In addition to his acting career, Sampson was a talented artist and painter. His artwork was featured in galleries across the United States. Sampson is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Chief Bromden in the Academy Award-winning film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, which earned him critical acclaim and established him as a respected actor in Hollywood. Other notable film roles include Taylor in The Outlaw Josey Wales and Ten Bears in Dances with Wolves. Sampson's legacy continues to inspire Native American artists and actors today.
Read more about Will Sampson on Wikipedia »
Jerry Quarry
Jerry Quarry (May 15, 1945 Bakersfield-January 3, 1999 Templeton) a.k.a. The Bellflower Bomber, Irish, Quarry, Jerry C. Quarry, "Irish" Jerry Quarry or The Great White Hope was an American professional boxer and actor.
He died as a result of cardiac arrest.
Jerry Quarry had a successful boxing career, with a record of 53 wins (with 33 knockouts), 9 losses, and 4 draws. He became known for his aggressive style, powerful punches, and ability to take a lot of punishment in the ring. Some of his most famous fights include matches against Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, and Floyd Patterson.
Outside of boxing, Quarry appeared in several films and TV shows, including "The Rockford Files" and "The Six Million Dollar Man." He also struggled with alcoholism and mental health issues later in his life. After his death, he was diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease often found in athletes who have experienced repeated head trauma.
Read more about Jerry Quarry on Wikipedia »
Gene Siskel
Gene Siskel (January 26, 1946 Chicago-February 20, 1999 Evanston) also known as Eugene Kal Siskel, Gene, Siskel or Eugene Kal "Gene" Siskel was an American writer, journalist, film critic, critic and actor. He had three children, Kate Siskel, Callie Siskel and Will Siskel.
He died caused by brain tumor.
Siskel was most famously known for co-hosting the television show "Siskel & Ebert" with fellow film critic Roger Ebert. The show, which featured the two critics reviewing and critiquing the latest movies, became a cultural phenomenon and ran for over 23 years. Siskel received numerous awards for his film criticism, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He also wrote for the Chicago Tribune for over 20 years and authored several books. Siskel's legacy as a pioneering film critic continues to inspire and influence generations of cinephiles.
Read more about Gene Siskel on Wikipedia »
Al Dubin
Al Dubin (June 10, 1891 Zürich-February 11, 1945 New York City) also known as Alexander "Al" Dubin, Alexander Dubin or Dubin was an American songwriter, lyricist, soldier, musician, composer and actor. He had two children, Patricia Dubin McGuire and Simon Joseph Dubin.
Dubin was known for collaborating with composer Harry Warren on a number of hit songs, including "Lullaby of Broadway", "42nd Street", and "We're in the Money". He also wrote lyrics for the song "Tiptoe Through the Tulips", which became a hit for Tiny Tim in the 1960s. Dubin began his career as a vaudeville performer before turning his focus to songwriting. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army and wrote songs for military shows. He was posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970.
Read more about Al Dubin on Wikipedia »
Vic Morrow
Vic Morrow (February 14, 1929 The Bronx-July 23, 1982 Ventura County) a.k.a. Victor Harry Morrow, Victor Harry "Vic" Morrow, Victor Morrow, Victor Morozoff or Victor "Vic" Morrow was an American actor, television director, soldier and screenwriter. His children are Jennifer Jason Leigh and Carrie Ann Morrow.
He died as a result of decapitation.
Morrow began his acting career in the 1950s and appeared in several popular television shows including "Combat!", "The Twilight Zone" and "The Rifleman". He also had roles in a number of movies, most notably in "The Blackboard Jungle" and "Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry".
In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, Morrow served in the United States Army during the late 1940s and early 1950s. He was later awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge during the Korean War.
Morrow's career as a director also flourished in the early 1970s, and he directed several popular episodes of well known TV shows including "The Six Million Dollar Man" and "Baretta".
Unfortunately, on July 23, 1982, while filming the movie "Twilight Zone: The Movie", Morrow was involved in a tragic accident where a helicopter crashed and landed on top of him, killing him and two child actors. His death led to major changes in the film industry's safety procedures for working with helicopters and other heavy machinery.
Read more about Vic Morrow on Wikipedia »
W. S. Van Dyke
W. S. Van Dyke (March 21, 1889 San Diego-February 5, 1943 Brentwood) a.k.a. Major W.S. Van Dyke II, W.S. Van Dyke, Woodbridge Strong Van Dyke, Jr., Woodbridge Strong Van Dyke II, W.S. Van Dyke II, Maj. W.S. Van Dyke II, William S. Van Dyke, Woody, One Take Van Dyke, One-Take Woody or Woody Van Dyke was an American film director, film producer, screenwriter and actor.
He died caused by suicide.
W.S. Van Dyke was a prolific director, having helmed over 90 films during his career. He was known for his efficiency and ability to shoot films quickly, earning him the nickname "One Take Woody." Van Dyke directed a range of genres, from silent films to musicals to dramas. He is perhaps best known for his work on the films "The Thin Man" and "San Francisco," both of which were nominated for Academy Awards. In addition to directing, Van Dyke also acted in over 20 films early in his career. He was one of the founding members of the Directors Guild of America and served as its president from 1936 to 1938. Despite his successes, Van Dyke struggled with depression and took his own life in 1943.
Read more about W. S. Van Dyke on Wikipedia »
Coleman Francis
Coleman Francis (January 24, 1919 Greer County-January 15, 1973 Hollywood) also known as Coleman C. Francis, Colman Francis, C. Francis or Coley was an American film director, actor, screenwriter and film producer. He had two children, Alan Francis and Ronald Francis.
He died caused by cardiovascular disease.
Francis is known for his work on low budget B-movies in the 1960s. He made three films that are often cited as some of the worst films ever made: "The Beast of Yucca Flats" (1961), "Red Zone Cuba" (1966) and "Skydivers" (1963). His films were characterized by their poorly written scripts, bad acting, and low production values. Despite the critical reception to his work, Francis has gained a cult following among fans of bad films. He was also an experienced pilot and often incorporated footage of skydiving and aerial acrobatics into his films.
Read more about Coleman Francis on Wikipedia »
Cleavon Little
Cleavon Little (June 1, 1939 Chickasha-October 22, 1992 Sherman Oaks) also known as Cleavon Jake Little or Bart was an American actor.
He died caused by colorectal cancer.
Little was best known for his role as Sheriff Bart in the 1974 comedy film, "Blazing Saddles," which earned him critical acclaim and a nomination for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. He began his acting career in the late 1960s and also appeared in the films "Once Bitten," "Scavenger Hunt," and "Vanishing Point," as well as on TV shows such as "All in the Family," "Barney Miller," and "Dear John." Little was also a stage actor, starring in the Broadway production of "Purlie" in 1970 and earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical. Despite his success, Little faced racism and discrimination throughout his career, and often spoke out about the lack of representation for Black actors in Hollywood.
Read more about Cleavon Little on Wikipedia »
Paul Shenar
Paul Shenar (February 12, 1936 Milwaukee-October 11, 1989 West Hollywood) also known as Albert Paul Shenar was an American actor, theatre director, teacher and voice actor.
He died caused by hiv/aids.
Shenar graduated from the Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago and appeared in numerous theatrical productions before transitioning to film and television. He is best known for his role as Alejandro Sosa in the 1983 film "Scarface," for which he received critical acclaim.
Throughout his career, Shenar also served as a theatre director and teacher, working with the Actors Studio in New York City and the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta. Additionally, he lent his voice to various animated series and films, including "G.I. Joe" and "The Transformers."
Shenar remained private about his personal life, but after his death, it was revealed that he was gay and had been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. He became an advocate for AIDS research and awareness, and his death brought attention to the importance of education and prevention of the disease.
Read more about Paul Shenar on Wikipedia »
Leonard Freeman
Leonard Freeman (October 31, 1920 Sonoma County-January 20, 1974 Palo Alto) a.k.a. Glen Roberts, Glenn Roberts or Lenny was an American television producer, screenwriter, film producer, actor and writer.
He is best known as the creator and executive producer of the long-running crime drama series "Hawaii Five-O" which aired from 1968 to 1980. Freeman began his career writing for radio shows in the 1940s before transitioning to television in the 1950s. He worked on various TV series as a producer and writer before creating "Hawaii Five-O," which was set and filmed in Hawaii. Freeman's love for the Hawaiian culture and people shone through in the show, which became a huge success and made stars out of its cast members. Freeman passed away in 1974 at the age of 53 due to heart disease.
Read more about Leonard Freeman on Wikipedia »
Jack Nance
Jack Nance (December 21, 1943 Boston-December 30, 1996 South Pasadena) a.k.a. Marvin John Nance or John Nance was an American actor.
He died in homicide.
Jack Nance was best known for his work in the films of David Lynch, including Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, and Twin Peaks. He began his acting career in the late 1960s in Los Angeles and performed in several plays, including "The Caretaker" by Harold Pinter. In addition to his work with Lynch, he also appeared in films such as Barfly, Wild at Heart, and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Nance was married twice and had one child. He died at the age of 53 after sustaining head injuries from an altercation outside a donut shop in South Pasadena. The circumstances of his death remain unresolved.
Read more about Jack Nance on Wikipedia »
Warren Oates
Warren Oates (July 5, 1928 Depoy, Kentucky-April 3, 1982 Los Angeles) a.k.a. Warren Mercer Oates, Warren Oats or Warren M. Oates was an American actor. His children are called Jennifer Oates and Tim Oates.
He died caused by myocardial infarction.
During his career that spanned over two decades, Warren Oates appeared in numerous films, television shows and theater productions. He gained critical acclaim for his performances in films like "The Wild Bunch", "Two-Lane Blacktop", and "Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia". Oates' acting style was characterized by his rugged looks, rough voice, and intense screen presence. He was known for his ability to bring complex characters to life with realism and authenticity.
Oates started his acting career in the theater and later ventured into television and films. He made his film debut in the 1957 film "No Down Payment" and went on to appear in many popular TV shows like "Gunsmoke", "Rawhide", and "The Twilight Zone". Oates received critical acclaim for his performance in the 1980 film "The Border", for which he won the Best Acting Award at the Montreal Film Festival.
In addition to his acting career, Warren Oates was known for his love of hunting and fishing. He was an avid hunter and spent much of his free time in the great outdoors. Oates was also a car enthusiast and owned several classic cars, including a 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible.
Despite his success as an actor, Warren Oates remained humble and low-key throughout his life. He was widely respected by his colleagues in the industry, who praised him for his talent and dedication to his craft. Oates' legacy continues to live on today, through his inspiring performances and the impact he made in the entertainment industry.
Read more about Warren Oates on Wikipedia »
James P. Hogan
James P. Hogan (September 21, 1890 Lowell-November 4, 1943 North Hollywood) also known as James. P Hogan, Jim, James Hogan or James Patrick Hogan was an American film director, screenwriter, writer, actor and film producer.
He died in myocardial infarction.
James P. Hogan was born in Lowell, Massachusetts in 1890. He began his career in the entertainment industry as a writer and an actor in the silent film era. In the 1920s, he transitioned into directing and producing films, quickly becoming a well-known name in Hollywood. He directed more than 75 films, including westerns, comedies, and mysteries.
Throughout his career, Hogan worked with many major stars, including Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, and W.C. Fields. He also wrote and directed several films for the popular "Crime Doctor" series.
In addition to his work in film, Hogan was a prolific writer, penning several novels and short stories. He also wrote and produced radio dramas, including the popular series "The Adventures of Ellery Queen."
Despite his success, Hogan's career was cut short when he passed away from a heart attack in 1943 at the age of 53. He left behind a legacy of entertaining films and stories that continue to be enjoyed by audiences today.
Read more about James P. Hogan on Wikipedia »
Tony Snow
Tony Snow (June 1, 1955 Berea-July 12, 2008 Georgetown) also known as Robert Anthony Snow or Robert Anthony "Tony" Snow was an American journalist, radio personality, writer, spokesperson, speechwriter, editor, presenter and actor.
He died in cancer.
Tony Snow started his career as a journalist before moving on to become a political commentator for Fox News. He also hosted his own radio show, "The Tony Snow Show," and wrote columns for various publications, including USA Today and The Detroit News. In 2006, he was appointed as the White House Press Secretary under President George W. Bush, where he served until 2007. Snow was known for his wit and expertise in politics, earning the respect of both colleagues and opponents. Despite his battle with cancer, Snow continued to work and give speeches until the end of his life.
Read more about Tony Snow on Wikipedia »