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The respected jazz pianist suffered a heart attack at the Saveurs Jazz Festival in 2015. He later passed away in hospital.
South African rapper Costa Titch's sudden death on March 12, 2023, shocked many. He collapsed while on stage during a music festival, as confirmed by his family through an Instagram post. The rapper, also known as Constantinos Tsobanoglou, was only 28 years old. Videos on social media showed Tsobanoglou stumbling on stage during a performance at Ulta South Africa in Johannesburg, before being helped up by someone nearby.
Haitian singer Mikaben, whose real name was Michael Benjamin, tragically passed away during a concert in Paris on October 15, 2022. He collapsed as he exited the stage, still within view of his fans. It is suspected that he suffered a heart attack. He was only 41 years old at the time.
One of the earliest stars to meet his end on stage was this famous French actor and playwright. He battled tuberculosis and perished during a performance of 'Le Malade Imaginaire.'
At the age of 45, Houston rapper Big Pokey lost his life due to a frightening fall while performing on stage. The incident shocked the audience and ultimately led to his passing. The Texas-based MC, born Milton Powell, collapsed at a bar in Beaumont on the evening of June 17, 2023. Video footage captured the moment as he held the microphone, exhaled deeply, tipped backward, and fainted. Panic ensued when he didn't rise, and a nurse attempted to provide assistance until emergency services arrived. He was transported to the hospital where he later passed away. His autopsy revealed that he died of a heart attack.
He tried to continue performing but collapsed once more. In a statement posted on his Instagram, Tsobanoglou's family expressed deep sorrow over his passing and extended gratitude to the emergency responders and those present during his final moments. The exact cause of death was not mentioned. Tsobanoglou will be remembered as a significant contemporary figure in amapiano music.
While performing at the 20,000-capacity Accor Arena in Paris, as a guest of the renowned Haitian group Carimi, Mikaben experienced the fatal event. The venue later confirmed his passing, stating that he had suffered a seizure on stage and despite the efforts of emergency services, he couldn't be saved.
Alan Marshal, a prolific actor in film and theater, suffered a heart attack while on stage during his final play, 'Sextette.'
During a celebration of his 70th birthday, Hampton collapsed on stage and shortly thereafter passed away.
Welsh comedian Tommy Cooper died of a heart attack during a live TV performance of 'Live from Her Majesty's' in 1984.
Sib Hashian, the drummer for Boston, passed away in 2017 after collapsing mid-performance aboard a cruise ship.
The jazz musician collapsed on stage during a memorial performance for her former husband, Louis Armstrong, in 1971.
Singer Leonard Warren, highly regarded in the opera world, collapsed right after performing 'Urna Fatale del Mio Destino' ('Fatal Urn of My Destiny') in New York.
In 2019, the Russian rapper died under tragic circumstances. He suffered a heart attack shortly after leaving the stage. He was just 35 years old.
Oliveira (left), recognized as a former member of Chicago, suffered a heart attack while performing in Rio de Janeiro in 2017.
Known as Dimebag Darrell, the guitarist for Pantera and Damageplan was shot and killed by Nathan Gale, an intruder who attended a Damageplan concert in 2004.
In 1972, the musician experienced electrocution on stage after touching a faulty microphone. He passed away at the age of 27 due to his injuries.
In 2009, the Japanese pro wrestler tragically injured his spine during a match in Japan. He went into cardiac arrest and later passed away.
British actor Sid James, known for his roles in the 'Carry On' films, collapsed on stage during the opening night of the play 'The Mating Season' in 1976. He had a heart attack and passed away at the age of 62.
Sorcar, a renowned magician in India, suffered a fatal heart attack during a show in Hokkaido, Japan, in 1971.
The Congolese musician collapsed during a performance in the Ivory Coast. He was 66 years old
The son of Bruce Lee, also an actor, met his demise on the set of 'The Crow' when a defective prop gun inadvertently discharged, fatally shooting him.
Eric Morecambe, one half of the famous comedy duo Morecambe and Wise, experienced a heart attack shortly after leaving the stage at the Roses Theater in England.
Mark Sandman, the frontman of rock band Morphine, suffered a heart attack while performing at the Giardini del Principe festival in Italy. He passed away en route to the hospital.
The singer behind the horror hit 'Tiptoe Through the Tulips' met a tragic fate. He collapsed during a benefit show performance of the song and passed away a few hours afterward.
In 1968, Joseph Keilberth collapsed while conducting 'Tristan und Isolde.' Interestingly, Felix Mottl also faced a similar fate in the same location in 1911.
Jazz legend Lee Morgan met an untimely demise in New York. He was shot and killed by his common-law wife while performing on stage. Heavy snowfall prevented timely ambulance arrival, leading to his fatal bleeding at the venue.
Broadway star David Burns was 68 years old when he passed away during a tryout performance of '70, Girls, 70' in Philadelphia.
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Louis Vierne, formerly the resident organist at Notre-Dame Cathedral, performed his last concert for an audience of 3,000 people. Tragically, he suffered a heart attack during the performance.
William Ellsworth Robinson was an American magician who pretended to be Chinese and performed under the name Chung Ling Soo during the 19th and 20th centuries. He met his demise in 1918 when a gun was accidentally fired into his lung during a failed bullet-catch trick.
The British bass-baritone sang his final note and then suffered a heart attack, collapsing through a trapdoor.
Eriksson, once a celebrated Swedish stand-up comedian, died during his show 'Fyra Lyckliga Man 2' after collapsing on stage.
Marsh, a saxophonist and member of the band Supersax, passed away on stage at Donte's while playing the song 'Out of Nowhere.'
A prominent wrestler in the '90s, Owen Hart tragically fell 78 feet from the ceiling onto the ring at the Kemper Arena in Kansas. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
A shocking number of musicians, actors, and performers of all kinds have taken died in front of an audience. Whether they were struck down during a performance or suffered from a sudden illness on stage that claimed their lives later on, it's much more common than you might think.
From jazz greats to world-class magicians, check out this list of stars who dropped dead on stage.
Stars who dropped dead mid-performance
Believe it or not, plenty of performers have died on stage throughout the years
CELEBRITY Deaths
A shocking number of musicians, actors, and performers of all kinds have taken died in front of an audience. Whether they were struck down during a performance or suffered from a sudden illness on stage that claimed their lives later on, it's much more common than you might think.
From jazz greats to world-class magicians, check out this list of stars who dropped dead on stage.