Famous movie actors died when they were 56

Here are 10 famous actors from the world died at 56:

Douglas Fairbanks

Douglas Fairbanks (May 23, 1883 Denver-December 12, 1939 Santa Monica) also known as Douglas Elton Thomas Ullman, Douglas Elton Ulman, Elton Banks, Douglas Fairbanks Sr., Doug, The King of Hollywood, Mr. Douglas Fairbanks or Elton Thomas was an American screenwriter, actor, film producer, film director and businessperson. His child is called Douglas Fairbanks, Jr..

He died caused by myocardial infarction.

Fairbanks was a leading figure in the early years of Hollywood and was known for his swashbuckling roles in silent films such as "The Mark of Zorro" and "The Thief of Bagdad." He was also the co-founder of United Artists studio along with Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, and D.W. Griffith, which helped give filmmakers more control over their work. In addition, he was one of the founding members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and served as its president from 1927-1929. Fairbanks was married to fellow actress Mary Pickford from 1920-1936, and their marriage was one of Hollywood's most high-profile unions. After his death, a star was dedicated to him on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the film industry.

Read more about Douglas Fairbanks on Wikipedia »

Brook Benton

Brook Benton (September 19, 1931 Lugoff-April 9, 1988 Queens) a.k.a. Brook Brenton, Brook Benten, Benjamin Franklin Peay or Benton, Brook was an American songwriter, singer, actor and musician.

He died in meningitis.

Brook Benton was best known for his soulful ballads and R&B hits in the 1950s and 1960s. He began his music career as a gospel singer in the 1940s and later formed a group called The Sandmen. Benton's first solo hit came in 1959 with "It's Just A Matter of Time," which reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. He went on to have several other Top 10 hits including "Endlessly," "Rainy Night in Georgia," and "A Rockin' Good Way (To Mess Around and Fall in Love)" with Dinah Washington. Benton also acted in films and television shows, including the 1970s TV drama, "The Young Lawyers." Throughout his career, Benton remained a beloved figure in the music industry and influenced many soul and R&B artists who came after him.

Read more about Brook Benton on Wikipedia »

Dennis Crosby

Dennis Crosby (July 13, 1934 Los Angeles-May 4, 1991 Novato) a.k.a. Dennis Michael Crosby, The Crosby Brothers or Dennis Michael Crosby Sr. was an American singer and actor. He had seven children, Denise Crosby, Gregory Crosby, Dennis Crosby Jr., Patrick Anthony Crosby, Erin Colleen Crosby, Kelly Lee Crosby and Catherine Denise Crosby.

He died in suicide.

Dennis Crosby was the son of famous American singer and actor Bing Crosby and Dixie Lee. He started his career as a singer and was featured on several albums with his siblings. In the late 1950s, he made his acting debut in the TV series "Playhouse 90." He later appeared in popular shows such as "Hawaiian Eye," "The Red Skelton Hour," and "The Bing Crosby Show."

Dennis Crosby struggled with alcohol addiction and was involved in several car accidents including one that claimed the life of a man in 1960. He was also involved in a high-profile divorce from his wife Pat Sheehan. In later years, he suffered from depression and financial difficulties.

Despite his personal struggles, Dennis Crosby was remembered by his family and friends as a caring and talented individual. His daughter Denise Crosby went on to become a successful actress known for her roles in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and "The Walking Dead."

Read more about Dennis Crosby on Wikipedia »

Don Drysdale

Don Drysdale (July 23, 1936 Van Nuys-July 3, 1993 Montreal) also known as Donald Scott Drysdale, Donald Scott "Don" Drysdale, Double D, Big D or Don was an American baseball player, actor and sports commentator. His children are called Drew Drysdale, Kelly Drysdale, Don Drysdale Jr. and Darren Drysdale.

He died caused by myocardial infarction.

Drysdale was a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1956 to 1969, and was one of the most dominant pitchers of his era. He was a six-time All-Star, and won the Cy Young award in 1962. Drysdale also played a key role in the Dodgers' World Series championships in 1959, 1963, and 1965. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984. After his playing career, Drysdale became a popular sports commentator and worked for various networks, including ABC, CBS, and NBC. He also acted in several TV shows and movies, including "The Brady Bunch" and "The Munsters." Despite his success on the field and in the media, Drysdale struggled with personal issues, including alcoholism. He passed away at the age of 56 in Montreal while on a broadcasting trip, leaving behind his wife and four children.

Read more about Don Drysdale on Wikipedia »

George DeWitt

George DeWitt (December 30, 1922 Atlantic City-July 14, 1979 Miami) also known as George Florentine or George de Witt was an American comedian, singer and actor. He had one child, Jay Florentine.

George DeWitt began his career in entertainment as a singer in the 1940s, performing in nightclubs and on radio. He later transitioned to comedy and became a popular stand-up comedian, known for his quick wit and sharp sense of humor. DeWitt appeared on numerous television shows, including "The Ed Sullivan Show," "The Jackie Gleason Show," and "The Dean Martin Show."

In addition to his work on television, DeWitt also appeared in several films, including "The Godfather Part II" and "Sleeper." He was also a talented voice actor, providing the voices for characters in animated series such as "The Flintstones" and "The Jetsons."

Despite his success in the entertainment industry, DeWitt struggled with personal demons and battled addiction throughout much of his life. He passed away in 1979 at the age of 56 due to complications related to cirrhosis of the liver.

Read more about George DeWitt on Wikipedia »

Jack Little

Jack Little (May 30, 1899 London-April 9, 1956) also known as Little, Little Jack, John Leonard or Little Jack Little was an American songwriter, singer, actor and conductor.

He died in suicide.

Jack Little began his career as a musician in the 1920s, working as a pianist in Chicago and New York. He later moved to Hollywood to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. He was best known for his work as a songwriter, and he wrote a number of hits for popular singers of the era, including Bing Crosby, Rudy Vallee, and Al Jolson.

In addition to his work as a songwriter, Jack Little also worked as a singer and actor. He appeared in several films during the 1930s, including "Thanks a Million" (1935) and "You Can't Have Everything" (1937). He also served as a conductor for several top orchestras, including the NBC Symphony Orchestra and the Columbia Symphony Orchestra.

Despite his success, Jack Little struggled with personal demons throughout his life, and he ultimately took his own life in 1956. Despite this tragic end, his contributions to the entertainment industry have continued to be celebrated in the years since his death.

Read more about Jack Little on Wikipedia »

Richard Tauber

Richard Tauber (May 16, 1891 Linz-January 8, 1948 London) a.k.a. Richard Denemy, Ernst Seiffert, Carl Tauber or C. Richard Tauber was an Austrian singer and actor.

Tauber was born into a Jewish family and initially trained as a painter before turning to music. He quickly gained popularity in Austria, Germany, and the United Kingdom with his distinctive tenor voice and interpretation of classical music, operetta, and popular songs. Tauber eventually became a British citizen and performed in numerous concerts, films, and operas until his death from lung cancer at the age of 56. Despite facing persecution as a Jew during the Nazi regime, Tauber continued to perform for Jewish audiences and secretly aided other Jewish refugees. His recordings and performances remain popular to this day.

Read more about Richard Tauber on Wikipedia »

Roger Miller

Roger Miller (January 2, 1936 Fort Worth-October 25, 1992 Los Angeles) also known as Roger Dean Miller, Roger Millier, Roger Dean Miller, Sr. or The Wild Child was an American singer-songwriter, composer, lyricist, actor and musician. His children are Michael Miller, Alan Miller, Shari Miller, Rhonda Miller, Dean Miller, Shannon Miller, Taylor Miller and Adam Miller.

He died as a result of lung cancer.

Miller gained fame in the 1960s with a string of hits like "King of the Road", "Dang Me", and "England Swings". He won 11 Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame posthumously in 1995. In addition to his successful music career, Miller also appeared in films such as "Robin and The 7 Hoods" and "Dear Heart". Miller had an unconventional style of songwriting and was known for his clever wordplay and humorous lyrics. His music has influenced many artists and he is considered to be one of the most important figures in country music.

Read more about Roger Miller on Wikipedia »

Reginald Sheffield

Reginald Sheffield (February 18, 1901 Hanover Square, London-December 8, 1957 Pacific Palisades) also known as Matthew Reginald Sheffield Cassan, Eric Desmond, Reggie Sheffield or Reggy Sheffield was an English actor. He had three children, Johnny Sheffield, Billy Sheffield and Mary Alice Sheffield Cassan.

Reginald Sheffield started his acting career on stage in London and later transitioned to film, appearing in over 70 films throughout his career. He often played supporting roles, frequently portraying aristocratic or authoritative figures. Some of his notable film credits include "David Copperfield" (1935), "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938), and "Rebecca" (1940).

Sheffield was also active in radio, performing in various programs, including the popular radio drama "The Shadow." He continued to work in film and television until his death in 1957. His son, Johnny Sheffield, also became a successful actor best known for his role as "Boy" in the Tarzan film series.

Read more about Reginald Sheffield on Wikipedia »

Wyatt Knight

Wyatt Knight (January 20, 1955 United States of America-October 25, 2011 Maui) was an American actor.

He died caused by suicide.

Wyatt Knight was best known for his role as Tommy Turner in the 1982 film "Porky's" and its sequels. He also appeared in other films such as "The Last American Virgin," "Weird Science," and "Heartbreak Hotel." Knight also had guest roles on popular TV shows such as "M*A*S*H," "Chicago Hope," and "Star Trek: The Next Generation." In addition to his acting career, he also worked as a screenwriter and producer. However, despite his success, Knight struggled with personal and financial issues throughout his life.

Read more about Wyatt Knight on Wikipedia »

Related articles