Just months after a fateful Playboy interview where he joked about his poor health, his trouble with drugs, and his impending death, Farley died from a fatal overdose, a toxic mixture of cocaine and morphine. A few weeks after his passing, the New York Medical Examiner’s Office ruled that he died of acute mixed drug intoxication, including heroin, cocaine, benzodiazepines and amphetamine. These stories of these immensely gifted musicians and actors underscore how addiction is an indiscriminate foe that can claim even the most extraordinary lives. Each tale serves as a solemn reminder of the urgency to address the pervasive issues of substance abuse and mental health, particularly in high-pressure professions like the entertainment industry. It remains a mystery whether Monroe’s tragic drug overdose was intentional or accidental.

Celebrity Drug Overdoses

Garland’s long-term struggles with addiction had become almost as well known as her legendary singing voice. The “King of Pop” died aged 50 of acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication. The drugs were administered to the singer by Conrad Murray, his personal physician. Murray was later found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and served two years of a four-year sentence. The model Anna Nicole Smith, who earned the title of 1993 Playmate of the Year, reportedly had a dependency on prescription drugs. Tragically, this addiction resulted in her passing away at the age of 39 due to a fatal combination of drugs, with no traces of illegal substances detected in her system.

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This is why we cannot claim that the percentage of celebrities, who suffered a drug-related death, has been rising. One of the most recent deaths involves the famous musician Prince who accidentally overdosed on fentanyl 9. According to news media reports, attempts to start him on addiction treatment were about to commence when the tragic overdose death occurred 10. Frankie Lymon, an R&B singer who rose to fame as the lead singer in the 1950’s group The Teenagers, died of a heroin overdose in 1968 at the age of 25. The report of Rich Homie Quan’s death placed a spotlight on notable Black people who have died from drug overdoses. Phoenix was unresponsive when emergency personnel arrived and was declared dead when he arrived at the hospital.

Cory Monteith

It is possible she committed suicide because she felt hopeless and unable to endure further suffering. However, it’s also possible her death was an accident that resulted from the dangerous combination of barbiturates and alcohol. In any event, the iconic actress’s early death is a painful example of the devastating effects of substance abuse, child abuse, and mental illness. Phil Lynott, the main songwriter, lead singer, and bassist of the rock group Thin Lizzy, faced challenges with substance abuse during the 1980s. His passing at the age of 36 from pneumonia and heart failure resulting from septicemia was partially attributed to his reliance on heroin.

Celebrities Who Died From Overdoses — From Amy Winehouse to Heath Ledger and More

With worldwide sales of over 150 million records, he is ranked among the best-selling music artists of all time. After a doctor refused to prescribe him painkillers following a knee surgery, Eminem went home to find Vicodin that he’d hidden from himself years before. Eminem has told his life story to the public through the lyrics of his songs, and he’s never been shy about sharing the dirty details of the struggles he’s faced.

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A coroner’s report unearthed evidence that she’d died in celebrities who died due to drugs her sleep due to drug intoxication. It happened on September 8, 1965, when her manager, Earl Mills, couldn’t get in touch with her. Using a tire iron, Mills broke down the door to Dandridge’s apartment to find her dead, the result of an accidental antidepressant overdose. Decades later, she was played by Halle Berry in her breakout role in the 1999 television movie “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge.” That’s how many people have reportedly died from synthetic opioid overdoses as of April 2023, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

• In 2002, he was back in trouble again, arrested and suspected of driving under the influence after he drove his vehicle down a closed stretch of highway.
• She called an ambulance, but Hendrix was announced dead less than two hours later at St. Mary Abbott’s Hospital in London.
• Incredibly successful in her career, she was recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
• Belushi was found dead in a Hollywood hotel, the Chateau Marmont, where he had been staying.

Mitchell gained fame as a member of the rap group Three Six Mafia, having joined the group at the young age of 14. It has now been revealed, more than six months later, that the cause of her untimely demise was an accidental overdose. A report from Fox 13 states that Mitchell had a combination of Fentanyl, cocaine, and alcohol in her system when she was discovered lifeless in her residence. Douglas Glenn Colvin, or Dee Dee Ramone, was a co-founder, bassist, and singer of the punk rock band The Ramones.

• Our analysis has direct implications for the care of a very small but influential patient group as celebrities most likely influence the public’s health decisions.
• He had also written some of the band’s hits such as Wart Hog and Rockaway Beach.
• One of the most influential singer-songwriters of her generation, Janis Joplin was just 27 when she died of a heroin overdose.
• Several sources have debated and scrutinized the details and ruling of his death.

Famous People Who Died Of Drug Overdose

• We searched a U.S.-based search engine and websites in English which may have led to a selection bias towards U.S. celebrities.
• Anna Nicole Smith was one of those Playboy Playmates whose personal lives gained more attention than their professional achievements.
• In any event, the iconic actress’s early death is a painful example of the devastating effects of substance abuse, child abuse, and mental illness.
• The incidence of deaths caused by prescription drugs in the US has increased dramatically in the 21st century.

Fentanyl has taken away many great people over the last several years. The opioid, intended to alleviate pain, has created more of that for its victims’ families, loved ones, and fans. VIBE, somberly, recalls celebrities who have passed away due to fentanyl poisoning. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner released a statement confirming that “mixed drug toxicity” including cocaine, fentanyl and alcohol, caused the rapper’s death. Famed Glee star Cory Monteith was found dead in a Vancouver, British Columbia, hotel room on July 13, 2013, following an overdose. He struggled with substance abuse for most of his adult life before his passing.

Anna Nicole Smith was one of those Playboy Playmates whose personal lives gained more attention than their professional achievements. She made headlines at the age of 27 when she married the 89-year old J. Despite denying media speculation that she married him for his money, she was involved in a legal battle over his property after Howard’s death. Thus, Presley officially died from hypertensive cardiovascular disease with atherosclerotic heart disease, also known as a heart attack. However, a toxicology report revealed that he had 10 prescription medications his body when he died, including codeine at 10 times the therapeutic level.