Pathetic Facts

American movie stars died at 40

Here are 5 famous actresses from United States of America died at 40:

Adrienne Shelly

Adrienne Shelly (June 24, 1966 Queens-November 1, 2006 Manhattan) also known as Adrienne Levine or Adrienne Shelley was an American actor, film director, screenwriter and songwriter. She had one child, Sophie Ostroy.

She died in murder.

Adrienne Shelly began her career as an actress in 1989, appearing in several independent films before landing a breakout role in the 1990 film "The Unbelievable Truth" directed by Hal Hartley. She went on to appear in several other Hartley films, including "Trust" and "Simple Men."

In the early 2000s, Shelly shifted her focus to writing and directing. Her directorial debut, "Sudden Manhattan," premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 1996. She went on to direct two more films, "I'll Take You There" and "Waitress," which was released posthumously.

Shelly's death in 2006 shocked the film community. She was found dead in her Manhattan office, and it was later revealed that she had been murdered by a construction worker who was renovating the building. The tragedy of her death added to the legacy of her work, which continues to inspire and influence filmmakers today.

Read more about Adrienne Shelly on Wikipedia »

Betty Compton

Betty Compton (May 13, 1904 Isle of Wight-July 12, 1944) also known as betty_compton was an American singer and actor.

She died caused by breast cancer.

Betty Compton rose to fame in the 1920s and 1930s as a talented singer and actress. She got her start on the Broadway stage, appearing in a number of successful musicals including "The Little Show" and "Of Thee I Sing." She also had a successful film career, starring in movies such as "The Gay Divorcee" and "Rafter Romance."

Compton was known for her stunning voice and her ability to captivate audiences with her performances. She was often compared to other leading ladies of the time, such as Ginger Rogers and Jean Harlow.

In addition to her work on stage and screen, Compton was also an accomplished songwriter with several hit songs to her name. She was also a philanthropist who was involved in various charitable causes.

Unfortunately, Compton's life was cut short due to breast cancer. She passed away in 1944 at the age of 40, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most talented performers of her time.

Read more about Betty Compton on Wikipedia »

Dixie Lee

Dixie Lee (November 4, 1911 Harriman-November 1, 1952 Holmby Hills) a.k.a. Wilma Winifred Wyatt, Wilma Wyatt, Dixie Carroll or Dixie Lee Crosby was an American singer, actor, dancer and showgirl. She had four children, Gary Crosby, Lindsay Crosby, Phillip Crosby and Dennis Crosby.

She died as a result of ovarian cancer.

Dixie Lee began her career as a showgirl in the Earl Carroll Revue, before transitioning to Hollywood in 1930. She landed small roles in films such as "Love in the Rough" and "The Big Broadcast," where she met her future husband, Bing Crosby. The couple went on to appear together in several films including "Just For You" and "Double or Nothing."

Aside from her career in film, Dixie Lee had a successful singing career on radio and performed with bands like Paul Whiteman's orchestra. She was also known for her philanthropic work and was actively involved in fundraising for various charities including cancer research. Her death at the age of 40 was a shock to the Hollywood community and deeply impacted Bing Crosby, who never fully recovered from her loss.

Read more about Dixie Lee on Wikipedia »

Jean Seberg

Jean Seberg (November 13, 1938 Marshalltown-August 30, 1979 Paris) also known as Jean Dorothy Seberg was an American actor. She had two children, Alexandre Diego Gary and Nina Hart Gary.

She died in drug overdose.

Jean Seberg was best known for her role in the iconic French New Wave film, "Breathless" (1960), directed by Jean-Luc Godard. She also appeared in several Hollywood films, including "Saint Joan" (1957) and "Paint Your Wagon" (1969).

Aside from her acting career, Seberg was also an activist who supported various causes, including the Black Panther Party and the Native American rights movement. She was heavily surveilled and harassed by the FBI due to her political beliefs and associations, leading to a mental breakdown and several suicide attempts.

On August 30, 1979, Seberg's body was found in her car in Paris. The cause of her death was ruled a probable suicide by overdose of barbiturates and alcohol, although some speculate foul play due to her past harassment. She was only 40 years old.

Read more about Jean Seberg on Wikipedia »

Sarah Danielle Madison

Sarah Danielle Madison (September 6, 1974 Chicago-September 27, 2014 Chicago) also known as Sarah Danielle Goldberg, Sarah Goldberg, Sarah Danielle or Sarah Madison was an American actor.

She died as a result of natural causes.

Sarah Danielle Madison was best known for her role as Billy Madison's love interest in the hit comedy movie "Billy Madison" starring Adam Sandler. She also portrayed several other notable characters on television shows such as "Chicago Fire," "Without a Trace," and "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," among others. In addition to acting, Madison was also a writer and producer. Her talent and dedication to her craft were highly regarded in the entertainment industry, and her passing was a great loss. Madison's contributions to the world of film and television will be remembered and appreciated for years to come.