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Brad Renfro -

The actor found success early in his career with movies such as 'The Client' (1994). Brad Renfro struggled with substance abuse for many years and in 2008 he died of an overdose, aged 25.

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Rob Knox -

The British actor (right) is known for playing Marcus Belby in 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' (2009). He was stabbed to death in 2008 while trying to protect his younger brother Jami (left). Knox was 18. 

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Lee Thompson Young -

The actor was best known for starring in the Disney Channel series 'The Famous Jett Jackson' (1998–2001). At age 29, Young took his own life.  

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Benji Gregory -

Benji Gregory is best known for playing Brian Tanner on the sitcom 'ALF' (1986–1990). The actor was found dead in his car. He was 46 when he died of vehicular heatstroke.

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Anton Yelchin -

The actor is best known for his role in 'Star Trek,' but he starred in numerous movies as a young actor, including 'Hearts in Atlantis' (2001). Yelchin passed away in 2016 at age 27.

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Jonathan Brandis -

Jonathan Brandis was a famous young actor in both the big and the small screen. He tragically took his life in 2003. Brandis was 27. 

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Gary Coleman -

Gary Coleman is best known for his role as Arnold Jackson in the show 'Diff'rent Strokes' (1978–1986). The actor passed away after suffering a brain hemorrhage in 2010. Coleman was 42 at the time.  

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Corey Haim -

Corey Haim rose to fame in the '80s after starring in movies such as 'The Lost Boys' (1987). He died of pneumonia in 2010, aged 38.

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Matthew Garber -

Best known for starring in 'Mary Poppins' (1964), Matthew Garber died at age 21 after contracting hepatitis.

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Michelle Thomas -

The actress is best known for playing Myra in the sitcom 'Family Matters' (1968-1998). Michelle Thomas died of cancer in 1998, aged 30.

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Heather O'Rourke -

The young actress is best known for playing Carol Anne Freeling in the 1982 horror film 'Poltergeist.' In 1988, O'Rourke underwent surgery to remove a bowel obstruction and died of complications. She was 12. 

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Dana Plato -

Plato was best known for her role as Kimberly Drummond in the show 'Diff'rent Strokes' (1978–1986). She passed away after overdosing on prescription medication at age 34.

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River Phoenix -

River Phoenix (right) was one of the most promising young actors of his generation. He rose to fame with films such as 'Stand by Me' (1986). Phoenix died in 1993 of drug intoxication at age 23.

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Dana Hill -

Dana Hill (bottom right) starred in several successful movies, including the 1985 comedy 'National Lampoon's European Vacation.' The actress died of diabetes complications in 1998. She was 32.

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Sawyer Sweeten -

Sawyer Sweeten (left), who starred alongside his twin brother Sullivan Sweeten in 'Everybody Loves Raymond' (1996–2005) died in 2015. The young actor took his life at age 19. 

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Skye McCole Bartusiak -

Best known for playing Mel Gibson's character's daughter in the film 'The Patriot' (2000), Bartusiak accidentally overdosed on prescription medication and died at 21.

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Cameron Boyce -

The Disney Channel star had a promising future ahead of him. The 'Jessie' (2011–2015) actor suffered a seizure and died in his sleep. The official cause of death was Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). Boyce was 20.

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Kevin Clark -

In 2021, the 'School of Rock' (2003) actor was hit by a vehicle while he was cycling. Clark was 32 when he died. 

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Ashleigh Aston Moore -

Ashleigh Aston Moore (far left) is best known for starring in 'Now and Then' (1995). The young actress died of an overdose in 2007 aged 26.

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Josh Ryan Evans -

Josh Ryan Evans is best known for his role in the soap opera 'Passions' (1999–2008). The actor died of a congenital heart defect the same day that his character Timmy Lenox died on the show. He was 20.

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Bridgette Andersen -

The star of 'Savannah Smiles' (1982) died of an overdose in 1997, aged 21.

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Bobby Driscoll -

Bobby Driscoll rose to fame in Disney movies, including 'Song of the South' (1946) and 'Treasure Island' (1950). The actor struggled with substance abuse and was found dead at home when he was 31. 

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Rusty Hamer -

Hamer was the child star of 'The Danny Thomas Show' (1953–1965). The actor took his own life in 1990 at age 42.

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Carl Switzer -

Carl Switzer, here pictured with a young Elizabeth Taylor, is best known for playing Alfalfa in the 'Our Gang' film series. The actor was killed during an altercation in 1959. He was 31.

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Sammi Kane Kraft -

The baseball player and actress starred in 'Bad News Bears' (2005). She died in a car crash when she was 20.

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Billy Laughlin -

Billy Laughlin (middle, standing) is best known for playing the character Froggy in the 'Our Gang' movies. He died in 1948 after being hit by a bus. The young actor was 16 at the time. 

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Anissa Jones -

The young star of 'Family Affair' (1966–1971) struggled with substance abuse and died from an accidental overdose when she was 18. 

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Christopher Pettiet -

Christopher Pettiet starred in numerous movies, including 'Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead' (1991) and 'Boys' (1996). He died of an overdose at the age of 24.

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Scotty Beckett -

The 'Our Gang' actor died of an overdose at the age of 38. 

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Lucille Ricksen -

The young silent movie actress fell ill with tuberculosis in 1925 and died. She was 14.

Sources: (Ranker) (IMDB) (Stacker) 

See also: Famous musicians who tragically died young

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