Actors who died before they could see their final films

Angus Cloud tragically passed away at the age of 25 on July 31, 2023. Cloud was a natural actor, scouted off the street to play Fezco in the hit HBO series 'Euphoria.' The show's success projected him to an unprecedented level of fame and his career was just beginning to take off when he died. He had three projects in the works which have yet to be released. He will posthumously star in the film 'Freaky Tales' opposite Pedro Pascal, and had also reportedly completed his scenes for an upcoming monster thriller from the makers of 'Scream.' He also wrapped filming on a horror thriller called 'Your Lucky Day.'

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Chadwick Boseman -

Chadwick Boseman's untimely death in 2020, caused by colon cancer, left both his fans and the entertainment world in disbelief. Despite battling his illness privately, he remained dedicated to his craft until the end. Several months after his passing, the film 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' (2020) was released, garnering numerous awards and nominations in his honor.

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Robin Williams -

Robin Williams, a beloved actor, made his last film appearance in 'Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb' (2014) before his passing. He suffered from a rare condition called diffuse Lewy body dementia, which tragically contributed to his suicide in 2014, before the movie's release.

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Carrie Fisher -

Following her passing in 2016, Carrie Fisher had completed work on a number of films which were yet to be released. Known for her candidness regarding her mental health and addiction issues, Fisher tragically passed away from cardiac arrest with several drugs in her system. Since her death, three films featuring Fisher have been released: 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' (2017), 'Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics' (2020), and 'Wonderwell' (2021).

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Philip Seymour Hoffman -

Philip Seymour Hoffman, a highly skilled and talented actor, faced the painful battle of drug addiction. Tragically, he succumbed to an overdose in 2014. The film 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2' (2014) was released more than a year after his death.

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Whitney Houston -

Whitney Houston, known for her extraordinary talent as an R&B singer, faced well-known challenges in her personal life. Alongside her music career, she dabbled in acting and even completed filming for the movie 'Sparkle' (2012) shortly prior to her passing from an overdose.

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Brittany Murphy -

In 2009, Brittany Murphy sadly died in her home under unclear circumstances. A subsequent investigation revealed that she had pneumonia and a combination of prescription drugs in her system. Not long after, her spouse also passed away from similar causes. Murphy had acted in the film 'Something Wicked' before her death, although it was not released until 2014.

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Heath Ledger -

Heath Ledger had an impressive career despite his tragically short life. His portrayal of the Joker in the 2008 film 'The Dark Knight' earned him a posthumous Oscar. 'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus' was another film released after his untimely death in 2009. Sadly, Ledger passed away at the age of 30 due to an overdose of prescription drugs.

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Stan Lee -

Stan Lee wasn't really an actor, but as the creator of the Marvel universe, he loved making cameos in his own TV shows and movies. He passed away at the respectable age of 95, and appeared in the following movies that were released after his death: ‘Captain Marvel’ (2019) and ‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019).

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Tupac Shakur -

Tupac Shakur, a renowned rapper, featured in numerous movies in addition to his successful music career. Following his unfortunate death in 1996 at the age of 25, two films, 'Gang Related' (1997) and 'Resurrection' (2003), were released. It is believed that his shooting was connected to a gang dispute.

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Burt Reynolds -

Burt Reynolds, the beloved actor, continued his work in the film industry until his death at the age of 82 in 2018. Even after his death, his talent graced the screen in the films 'An Innocent Kiss' (2019) and 'Defining Moments' (2020).

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Bruce Lee -

Bruce Lee’s untimely death at the age of 32 did not diminish his status as an iconic figure. Following his tragic demise, the film ‘Enter the Dragon’ (1973) was released. The talented actor and martial artist passed away unexpectedly from a brain edema, potentially linked to a prescription painkiller.

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Brandon Lee -

The Lee family experienced tragedy for two consecutive generations. Brandon Lee, son of Bruce Lee and an actor himself, tragically lost his life at the young age of 28. He was fatally shot on set due to a malfunctioning prop gun while filming the movie ‘The Crow’ (1994). Despite the tragedy, the film was released after his death.

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Alan Rickman -

Alan Rickman, a well-loved actor, passed away in 2016 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. His illness was kept private until his death, occurring after his work on 'Alice Through the Looking Glass' (2016) and 'Eye in the Sky' (2016).

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Orson Welles -

Orson Welles was a multifaceted figure in Hollywood, donning various roles throughout his career. Apart from his renowned directorial work, he was also highly active as an actor. In fact, he lent his voice to the film 'Transformers: The Movie' (1986), which he openly criticized. Tragically, this marked his final on-screen appearance as he passed away before its release. The movie premiered the year following his death.

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John Hurt -

John Hurt, who had a long career, continued to work until his death. In 2015, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and passed away two months later. In 2017, he appeared in the films 'Damascus Cover,' 'My Name Is Lenny,’ and 'That Good Night.'

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Luke Perry -

Luke Perry rose to fame on the hit TV show 'Beverly Hills, 90210' during his youth. He then went on to play a significant role in the show 'Riverdale,' until his untimely passing at the age of 52 from a stroke in 2019. Despite his tragic departure, Perry also made a posthumous appearance in the acclaimed film 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' (2019), which received an Oscar after his death.

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Paul Walker -

Paul Walker gained fame for his prominent role in the 'Fast & Furious' movie franchise. Tragically, he met an untimely end while shooting 'Furious 7' (2015). Involved in a fatal accident as a passenger, production of the film was completed with the aid of CGI technology and with Walker's brothers serving as stand-ins for certain scenes.

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Anton Yelchin -

Anton Yelchin, a promising young talent, achieved success by playing Pavel Chekov in the revived 'Star Trek' film. Tragically, at the young age of 27, he passed away in a tragic car accident caused by a malfunctioning brake. His final contribution to the franchise, 'Star Trek Beyond' (2016), was released posthumously.

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James Gandolfini -

James Gandolfini is most famous for playing Tony Soprano in the popular HBO show 'The Sopranos,' but he was also highly regarded as a film actor. Sadly, he passed away from a sudden heart attack at the age of 51. He had completed filming for 'Enough Said' in 2013 and 'The Drop' in 2014, with both movies being released posthumously.

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Bernie Mac -

Comedian and actor Bernie Mac brought a distinctive brand of humor and vitality to his performances. Tragically, he battled sarcoidosis and passed away from pneumonia in 2008. His memory is honored in the films he worked on before his untimely death, including ‘Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa’ (2008), ‘Soul Men’ (2008), and ‘Old Dogs’ (2009).

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Richard Harris -

Richard Harris, an esteemed Irish actor, gained recognition as the original Dumbledore in the 'Harry Potter' movies. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2002 after a short struggle with Hodgkin’s disease. Just a month following his untimely demise, 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' hit theaters. Michael Gambon then assumed the role of Dumbledore.

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John Candy -

John Candy was a beloved comedic actor known for his roles in endearing films like 'Home Alone' (1990) and 'Spaceballs' (1987). Sadly, he passed away from heart failure during the filming of 'Wagons East' (1994). 'Canadian Bacon' (1995) was released posthumously as well.

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Clark Gable -

Known as the "King of Hollywood," Clark Gable earned his title as a prominent figure in the film industry. Gable starred alongside Marilyn Monroe in the 1961 film 'The Misfits,' portraying an aging cowboy. Tragically, he passed away the same year from a heart attack, and the movie was released in the subsequent year.

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Adam West -

Adam West, the original 1960s Batman, left an enduring legacy. He concluded his career by voicing a character in the animated film 'Batman vs. Two-Face' (2017), but sadly passed away from leukemia before its premiere.

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Natalie Wood -

Natalie Wood began her journey in Hollywood as a young actress in the film 'Miracle on 34th Street' in 1947. Despite achieving great success, her life came to a tragic end at the age of 43. She tragically drowned during a boat excursion, though the exact circumstances surrounding her death remain unclear. During this unfortunate time, she was in the midst of filming the movie 'Brainstorm' (1983), and her sister stepped in to complete the remaining scenes.

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River Phoenix -

River Phoenix, brother of Joaquin Phoenix, hailed from a family of remarkable talents. The young actor gained recognition for his exceptional performance in 'Stand By Me' (1986). Tragically, at the tender age of 23 in 1993, he succumbed to a drug overdose, leaving his last film, 'Dark Blood', unfinished. Eventually, the film saw the light of day in 2012.

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John Ritter -

John Ritter, known for his role in the popular sitcom 'Three's Company,' had a prolific career in over 100 movies and TV shows. Unfortunately, he tragically passed away at the age of 54 due to a sudden heart attack while filming '8 Simple Rules.' Such an untimely demise required his death to be incorporated into the show. Additionally, Ritter appeared in the film 'Bad Santa' (2003), which was released posthumously.

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Aaliyah -

Aaliyah, who was discovered on the reality show 'Star Search,' released an album before reaching her teenage years. She ventured into acting and had a prominent role in the film 'Queen of the Damned' (2002). However, at the age of 22, she tragically passed away in a plane crash prior to the movie's release.

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Marlon Brando -

Marlon Brando, a renowned actor of the 20th century, contributed to the animated film 'Big Bug Man' as the voice of Mrs. Sour. Remarkably, despite his declining health, Brando managed to complete the voice recording from the comfort of his home while reliant on a respirator. Unfortunately, Brando passed away in 2008 due to respiratory failure, and 'Big Bug Man' remains unreleased.

See also: Bizarre celebrity deaths you've probably never heard of.

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Angus Cloud -

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Chadwick Boseman -

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Robin Williams -

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Carrie Fisher -

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Philip Seymour Hoffman -

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Whitney Houston -

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Brittany Murphy -

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Heath Ledger -

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Stan Lee -

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Tupac Shakur -

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Burt Reynolds -

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Bruce Lee -

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Brandon Lee -

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Alan Rickman -

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Orson Welles -

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John Hurt -

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Luke Perry -

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Paul Walker -

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Anton Yelchin -

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James Gandolfini -

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Bernie Mac -

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Richard Harris -

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John Candy -

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Clark Gable -

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Adam West -

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Natalie Wood -

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River Phoenix -

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John Ritter -

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Aaliyah -

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Marlon Brando -

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Actors who died before they could see their final films

Many talented artists have suddenly passed while they were still working

07/01/25 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Deaths

There are countless talented actors who have tragically died at a young age after battling with addiction, disease, or mental illness. However, their work lives on, immortalizing their exceptional talent. On the opposite end of the spectrum, some great actors of the 20th century lived long lives and continued working until their final breath. Unfortunately, this meant that not all of them had the opportunity to witness the release of their last films.

Click through the gallery to meet the actors who didn't live to witness their final works of art.