Celebrity Deaths That Sadly Went Unnoticed

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While some celebrities died at the peak of their fame, others fell out of the limelight long enough that their deaths came as a shock to family, friends, and fans. From former child stars to beloved characters, there have sadly been a series of entertainers who have gone relatively unnoticed in the big, wide world of celebrity. “We all experience loss at some point in our lives,” “Friends” star Jennifer Aniston once wrote on Instagram, citing the death of co-star and friend Matthew Perry. “Being able to really SIT in this grief allows you to feel the moments of joy and gratitude for having loved someone that deep.” Whether they had been on TV as recently as the week before, or remained a memory through a cult classic film, these performers made a mark on audiences despite the attention their passing may have received.

Many people remember June 25, 2009, as a sad day in history due to the loss of the legendary Michael Jackson. But the King of Pop wasn’t the only superstar to die that day. After uttering her heartbreaking last words, Farrah Fawcett, a ’70s icon thanks to her starring role in the “Charlie’s Angels” television series, passed away. The bubbly blonde had been treated for anal cancer at the time and passed away early that day at a local hospital.

But just a few hours later, when Jackson was pronounced dead, all eyes turned to the shocking announcement, and Fawcett’s passing seemed quickly forgotten. “It was such an odd coincidence that she and Michael Jackson should die just within hours of each other,” recalled Alana Stewart, Fawcett’s close friend, to CNN. “It’s just amazing that something like that could happen.” Although her legacy seemed to have faded for a while after that moment, those close to her affirm that avoiding public attention would’ve brought joy to Fawcett. “I always had the sense that Farrah would kind of be getting a laugh out of that and saying ‘Thank God, they’re over there, finally,'” Stewart continued. “‘They’re leaving me alone.'”

Unfortunately, the snub didn’t end there as the Oscars omitted Fawcett’s name from their “In Memoriam” segment that year. Even though Stewart had shed light on Fawcett’s journey via the documentary “Farrah’s Story,” which aired five weeks before her death, it became clear that Oscars executives felt Fawcett was more of a television star. “I can’t imagine why they would have made that decision, and it was just really wrong,” Stewart lamented.

Farrah Fawcett hasn’t been the only star to be omitted from the Oscars’ annual “In Memoriam” spotlight. Even in 2025, several beloved actors were not given their due on the worldwide broadcast. Specifically, “Candyman” horror legend Tony Todd and “Harriet the Spy” standout Michelle Trachtenberg. For Tony Todd, who passed away due to stomach cancer in November 2024, his family was left fuming and subsequently called out potential racism in the decision not to include Todd. In particular, the performer’s widow, Fatima, chastised the Academy, suggesting they should commit to highlighting all areas of artists who worked hard for their craft. Todd’s rep, Jeffrey Goldberg, even commented on the situation, saying, “The Academy might want to reconsider the way they do this section of the broadcast because … they often forget others that should be honored … I’m just sad that he wasn’t given the honor that he deserved” (per TMZ).

Other stars like Shannon Doherty, Olivia Hussey, and Michelle Trachtenberg, whose official cause of death is so devastating, were also omitted from the Academy’s segment, prompting fans online to share a number of messages to lambast their decision. And in an eerie moment of deja vu — due to the belief that celebrity deaths come in threes — Trachtenberg’s passing was arguably pushed aside due to the mysterious deaths of actor Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa that were announced the very next day.

There were many dark secrets that the cast of “That ’70s Show” tried to hide, including Lisa Robin Kelly’s history of drug use that resulted in her accidental death in 2013. For years, the actor struggled with addiction and had even checked herself into a rehab facility prior to her death in an attempt to get clean. Unfortunately, she succumbed to her addiction on August 15. “She was hopeful and confident, looking forward to putting this part of her life behind her,” her agent, Craig Wycoff, shared with E! News. “Last night she lost the battle.”

Kelly had racked up a number of indiscretions since leaving “That ’70s Show,” where she starred as Eric’s (Topher Grace) older sister Laurie. She was arrested for two DUIs, domestic abuse, and assault against her then-spouse, all within the span of three years. Ultimately, Kelly’s death was ruled an accidental overdose due to multiple drug intoxication, and her memory continued to fade into the TV ether. But not all forgot her — co-star Kurtwood Smith, who played her TV dad Red Forman, remembered the actor with touching sentiment. “I know the last 10 years have been such a difficult struggle for her but I will always remember the lovely, funny and very talented young lady I worked with,” he shared in a statement (per E! News).

Harold Ramis, the writer-director who helmed classic films like “Groundhog Day,” “Caddyshack,” as well as writing the early “Ghostbusters” films (which he also starred in), lost his life in 2014 after complications from autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis. He had suffered from this condition, which caused painful inflammation of blood vessels, for just four years before passing.

The less-than-sensational circumstances around his death could arguably be a reason why his passing wasn’t headlining news for a while, but that didn’t stop his friends, family, and fans from celebrating him and his life’s work. “Harold Ramis made almost every movie which made me want to become a comedy director,” writer-director Judd Apatow said in a statement (per The Hollywood Reporter). “I looked up to him as a director but even more so as a man … His brilliant work will make people happy forever.”

His legacy lives on through his children, including daughter Violet Ramis Stiel, who wrote the book “Ghostbuster’s Daughter: Life with My Dad, Harold Ramis” in 2018. Through writing, Ramis Stiel not only came to terms with her father’s passing but also saw how much of an impact he had on filmmaking and film lovers. “After he died, I really heard from so many people about how much he had meant to them and the things they had learned from him through little interactions and through his work,” she shared with EW. “I just realized, ‘It wasn’t just with me. He really was this amazing with everybody.'”

After suffering a devastating heart attack on screen as Leo McGarry on “The West Wing,” actor John Spencer passed away in real life from a heart attack in 2005. According to his publicist, Ron Hofmann, he had been admitted to the hospital the night prior just before his 59th birthday (per Today). His character on the beloved drama series served as the Chief of Staff to Martin Sheen’s President Josiah “Jed” Bartlet before his on-screen health scare caused him to remove himself from the White House staff. The character was written out of the show following Spencer’s death, prompting fans to mourn both losses.

Though he may have gone unexpectedly, there was no lack of admiration for the performer from the cast and creatives who loved him. “John was an uncommonly good man, an exceptional role model and a brilliant actor,” show creator Aaron Sorkin and executive producer Tommy Schlamme said of the star. “We feel privileged to have known him and worked with him. He’ll be missed and remembered every day by his many, many friends.” And to some, he is perhaps best remembered as the beating heart of the show itself. “[The] West Wing without John Spencer isn’t The West Wing, to me anyway.” actor Dulé Hill, who portrayed presidential aide Charlie Young, admitted to USA Today.

Acclaimed English actor Helen McCrory, who many knew from the “Harry Potter” films and the show “Peaky Blinders,” passed away at the age of 52 in 2021 after being diagnosed with cancer. It was her husband, “Homeland” actor Damian Lewis, who announced her passing. “She died as she lived,” he wrote on X. “Fearlessly. God we love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. She blazed so brightly.” News of her death came as a surprise to many around the world, including notable colleagues, including fellow “Peaky Blinders” star Cillian Murphy, co-founder of The Public theatrical production company, Michael Sheen, and even the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

McCrory’s impact continues to live on beyond the screen and stage. She was celebrated for her indelible mark on theatre, television, and film, and was also recognized for her humanitarian work. Just weeks before losing her life, McCrory and Lewis made appearances on talk shows like the BBC’s “Newscast” and “Good Morning Britain” to share about their work with the Prince’s Trust and Feed NHS (National Health Service), the latter of which they helped raised £1 million at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. “When this outbreak happened, [NHS workers and friends] said one of the big problems they had was all the cafes and restaurants around the hospitals were closing,” she explained (per BBC). “And the hours they were doing were [getting] longer and longer, and they weren’t able to get food. We decided we wanted to try and get food to these people.”

Despite only being 40, actor Chris Penn lost his life in 2006. The performer — a standout in “Footloose” and “Reservoir Dogs” — died due to an enlarged heart and the effects of multiple prescription medications at the age of 40. Even though Penn was experiencing a career renaissance with roles in acclaimed films like “Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang,” his death led to the end of a career cut too short. But there were still some who praised the performer for being a real professional throughout his career. “He had the understated brilliance of a true artist,” recalled “Footloose” co-star Lori Singer (per the New York Post). “He was real in person and in his acting. He was the real thing.”

Oscar-winning brother Sean Penn, who has also suffered a tragic loss through the death of his mother, reportedly became very reclusive upon news of his brother’s passing, relegating his publicist to share a statement requesting privacy for him and his family during the difficult time.

Known for her roles on beloved television sitcoms “Happy Days” and the spinoff “Joanie Loves Chachi,” actor Erin Moran was found dead at age 56 in 2017. Once a household name, the actor made fewer appearances in the years leading to her death, with her last credit being the 2010 film “Not Another B Movie.” While her autopsy revealed that her cause of death was due to complications from stage 4 cancer, tabloid reports frequently speculated that her later years were full of troubled instances, from drunken fights with family members to losing her California home to foreclosure. The former child star was even reportedly bouncing between cheap motels after becoming homeless and often indulged in wild parties that raised concerns among many.

Moran’s “Happy Days” co-stars touched on their castmate’s troubles in their quiet tributes to her. “I’ll always choose to remember you on our show making scenes better, getting laughs and lighting up TV screens,” wrote Ron Howard on X (via BBC).

Actor Kelly Preston, star of films including “Jerry Maguire” and “What A Girl Wants” and wife of fellow performer John Travolta, quietly battled breast cancer for two years before succumbing to the disease in July 2020 at the age of 57. In a statement announcing her passing, Preston’s representative revealed what was inside Kelly Preston’s life before she passed away too soon: the actor chose to keep her cancer diagnosis and treatment private. “She was a bright, beautiful and loving soul who cared deeply about others and who brought life to everything she touched,” the statement said (per People). “Her family asks for your understanding of their need for privacy at this time.”

Travolta, who shares children Ella and Ben with Preston, faced this devastating loss after the couple endured another tragic death in their family. Their eldest child, Jett, lost his life at age 16 in 2009. The “Saturday Night Fever” actor has spoken about how he deals with grief, along with how he tries to help his children navigate their own journeys with loss while still giving them autonomy. “The most important thing you can do to help people going through grief is allow them the space to live it and not complicate their journey with your own,” he shared with Esquire Mexico.

Among the tragic real life details about the cast of “Roseanne,” Irish actor Glenn Quinn, best known for his role on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” spinoff series “Angel,” tragically died from an accidental heroin overdose in 2002 at the age of 32. To die so young came as a shock to many, including his fellow actors. “I was … devastated when Glenn passed away,” his “Roseanne” co-star Michael Fishman told the Irish Independent. “You have to understand Glenn was like a spotlight of a man, he could cut through the darkest moment and light things up.” The publication even went so far as to liken the young actor to Irish contemporaries like Colin Farrell, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Brendan Gleeson in terms of beginning a successful screen career at the time. But his personal struggles outweighed his time in the spotlight, and his ongoing addiction reared its head multiple times. “Glenn’s struggles took over,” the star’s sister, Sonya, shared with the outlet. “Though there were periods of sobriety, ultimately it consumed him.”

While his time on the show only lasted for one season, Quinn’s impact on “Angel” also left an indelible mark on both the fans and the performers he endeared. “Glenn played a great character, but also became a really close friend of mine,” co-star David Boreanaz shared with EW. “God rest his soul.”

Actor Andy Whitfield became a household name thanks to his starring role on Starz’s “Spartacus: Blood and Sand.” After a monumental first season, Whitfield was training for the show’s second season when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This prompted his doctors to immediately advise him to cease training – and for the network to remove him from the show altogether as a precaution, all the while singing his praises both on screen and off. “Andy is not only an incredible actor whose portrayal of Spartacus made an indelible impression on Starz audiences, he is also an amazing human being whose courage, strength, and grace in the face of adversity have inspired all of us,” the network shared in a statement (per Deadline). “Right now, we just want to extend our concern and support to Andy and his family. We will address our programming plans at some later date.”

Unfortunately, the Welsh actor lost his battle in 2011 at the age of 39, leaving behind his wife and two young children. While he may have faded from glory on the TV battlefield, his earthly loss was not for naught. His journey was documented in the film “Be Here Now,” in which Whitfield’s full diagnosis, treatment, and passing were captured by filmmakers. The documentary ultimately served dual purposes: to both bring awareness about the disease to others and to provide a source of comfort for his widow, Vashti, who described watching the piece as a way to hang out with her husband for a few hours. “The trajectory he was on was pretty incredible,” his co-star Jai Courtney, who is also the godfather to Whitfield’s children, told ABC News. “It’s tough to imagine there would have been a limit to what he could have achieved.”

Many had seen actor Mary Pat Gleason on screens big and small before her death due to cancer in 2020 at age 70. The performer had accumulated more than 170 roles to her name since beginning her career as a Daytime Emmy Award-winning writer for the soap opera “Guiding Light” in the 1980s. Some of her standout roles included “A Cinderella Story,” “Intolerable Cruelty,” and “The Crucible.” One of her longest-running roles was as Mary on “Mom,” and her castmates shared many warm regards over one of their favorite guest stars. “It’s a hard one to digest,” co-star Jaime Pressly wrote of Gleason in a touching post on Instagram. “I feel better knowing that we’ve got an amazing soul like her up there watching over us.” Ironically, Gleason’s last TV appearance was on the show, which saw her character die of a brain aneurysm.

No matter how small the role, Gleason’s spirit lives on through her work and the heart she displayed. “Just being in her presence, you felt comfortable and safe — like a warm hug,” Hillary Duff said of her “A Cinderella Story” co-star to USA Today. “I feel grateful to have gotten even the small amount of time with Mary that I did many moons ago.”