Celebrities Who Died At Their Peak

21stCenturyBoy21stCenturyBoy Posts: 44,493
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... and what they'd have gone on to achieve if they hadn't.

Quite a maudlin topic, but hey, it's the middle of March and snowing so I'm in no mood to be cheery!

Just a contribution thread to see who we think died at the peak of their fame/ influence, and maybe speculate as to what they'd have gone on to achieve if they'd have lived.

(Given the thread title, no Sonny Bono jokes please!)

I'll start with James Dean.

Maverick actor and original Hollywood bad boy. Would only be in his early 80's now, so I imagine would be taking the roles meant for Clint Eastwood.

Aalyiah

Could well have become the first R&B superstar of the noughties- died before her peak, but was well on the ascension. Might have stopped the rise of Beyonce.
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Comments

  • Madonna38Madonna38 Posts: 2,078
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    I always wonder what would have happened to Marilyn Monroe if she hasn't died when she did.
  • bexmil89bexmil89 Posts: 4,928
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    For me it's Heath ledger. He was a brilliant actor and was already receiving critical acclaim for the dark knight, such a great talent :(
  • twellstwells Posts: 1,065
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    Madonna38 wrote: »
    I always wonder what would have happened to Marilyn Monroe if she hasn't died when she did.

    Nothing good. She was on a downward spiral.
  • Pink KnightPink Knight Posts: 24,773
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    Dermot Morgan.
  • Super_FurrySuper_Furry Posts: 774
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    Tony Gubba
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 71
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    Father Ted aka Dermot Morgan.
  • googlebabygooglebaby Posts: 397
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    Richard Beckinsale, River Phoenix
  • Madonna38Madonna38 Posts: 2,078
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    Jean Harlow was another who died early on in her career.
  • misslibertinemisslibertine Posts: 14,306
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    Buddy Holly
  • tinkerbell987tinkerbell987 Posts: 1,848
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    Amy Winehouse
  • tinkerbell987tinkerbell987 Posts: 1,848
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    ...
    Aalyiah

    Could well have become the first R&B superstar of the noughties- died before her peak, but was well on the ascension. Might have stopped the rise of Beyonce.[/QUOTE]

    totally agree. Loved Aaliyah & IMHO she was far more superior to Beyonce. Bey's good but she's become a brand now & what i liked her for in the beginning has gradually been eroded.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 3,538
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    Heath Ledger

    James Dean

    I wouldn't put Amy Winehouse on the list because had she have still been alive, she'd have not released anything remotely resembling her former glory. She died at 27. It was her fate.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 26,449
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    Michael Hutchence :(
  • HotelierHotelier Posts: 13,100
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    Jimi Hendrix.
    Jim Morrison
    Kurt Cobain
  • quatroquatro Posts: 2,886
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    Dustin Gee - the comedian who did the double act with Les Dennis. Very funny and better, in my opinion, than Les Dennis.
  • homer2012homer2012 Posts: 5,216
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    Kurt Cobain died way too soon
  • Hound of LoveHound of Love Posts: 79,896
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    googlebaby wrote: »
    Richard Beckinsale, River Phoenix

    Agree with both. I would add:

    Carole Lombard.

    Sharon Tate (who was starting to develop a knack for comedy roles.)
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 332
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    River Phoenix was in the pipeline for a lot of big roles when he went. I think a few of them went to Leonardo Dicaprio (Basketball Diaries, Total Eclipse), with Christian Slater famously taking over for Interview with a Vampire and donating his salary. Such a shame.
  • Madonna38Madonna38 Posts: 2,078
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    Agree with both. I would add:

    Carole Lombard.

    Sharon Tate (who was starting to develop a knack for comedy roles.)

    The way those two women died was horrific. Such talented women.
  • Hound of LoveHound of Love Posts: 79,896
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    Madonna38 wrote: »
    The way those two women died was horrific. Such talented women.

    So true:(:(
  • Madonna38Madonna38 Posts: 2,078
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    So true:(:(

    I was looking at pictures of Sharon on tumblr to reblog and was greeted with pictures of her dead and bloody body. It affected me for ages after. :(
  • The PrumeisterThe Prumeister Posts: 22,398
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    Amy Winehouse. When she died she was allegedly much more at peace with herself and I think if she had lived and sorted her issues out she could have continued to produce more good music. Such a talented lady:(
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 11,275
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    Have to disagree with Amy Winehouse at the peak of her career. I think she was a the downward slope. It was always a case of when not if.
  • The PrumeisterThe Prumeister Posts: 22,398
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    jackbell wrote: »
    Have to disagree with Amy Winehouse at the peak of her career. I think she was a the downward slope. It was always a case of when not if.



    We'll have to agree to disagree then. She was clean of drugs and had given up drinking apart from the binge that killed her... I do think she was on the 'up' - at least from where she was anyway.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 8,510
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    Hotelier wrote: »
    Jimi Hendrix.
    Jim Morrison
    Kurt Cobain

    Ditto
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