During a break, while filming ‘Gladiator,’ English actor Oliver Reed died of a heart attack (2000). Check out this gallery to see which stars died as a result of alcohol abuse. Van Zandt’s poignant lyrics reflected his personal struggles, which ended in tragedy. His death underscores the long-term effects of addiction. Jazz saxophonist Lester Young died at 49 in 1959 from internal bleeding caused by years of alcohol abuse. Thomas’ lyrical works reflected his inner turmoil, and his addiction ultimately cost him his life.
- His death was caused by overdosing on alcohol and heroin.
- The actual cause of his death was stated as Alcoholism by medical officers.
- Philip Seymour Hoffman, who notably appeared in Happiness and the Big Lebowski, died on February 2, 2014, at the age of 46.
Unfortunately these personalities did not succeed in defeating their demon
On the evening of August 4, 1962, Marilyn Monroe was found dead in the bedroom of her Brentwood home. She passed away while in a California recovery center, her publicist confirmed. Supervising Medical Examiner Investigator Paul Parker told CNN at the time that high blood pressure and emphysema contributed to his passing. Michael Jackson, known all over the world as the King of Pop, died of cardiac arrest. According to reports, the cardiac arrest resulted from intoxication from benzodiazepines and Propofol.

Famous People Who Died of Alcoholism
Sadly, the actor couldn’t resist it and he passed away at the age of 65. Holden’s heavy drinking began impacting his professional and personal life, including a drunk driving incident where he killed another driver. In 1981, at the age of 61, Holden had a few too many one last time, and slipped and hit his head. Known for her fearless songs about urban Africa and her personal life, she passed away in 2004 from a cocaine overdose.

Famous Alcoholics Who Died From Alcoholism
- After a difficult childhood, she began singing in various nightclubs as a teen.
- In 2014, the actor was found in his apartment in New York City with a needle in his arm.
- His most successful work was his semi-autobiographical road novel, On the Road, which extensively explored what the Beats called “the derangement of the senses”.
Decades later, she was played by Halle Berry in her breakout role in the 1999 television movie “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge.” The following article contains discussions of drug and alcohol abuse. If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse, remember that you are not alone. Contact Casa Capri Recovery today to learn more about our programs and how we can support you on your journey to recovery.
John Bonham
In 1999, during the filming of Gladiator, Reed challenged a group of sailors to a drinking contest. Payton’s battles with substance abuse got her in trouble for check fraud and prostitution, and were her ultimate cause of death. Alcoholism is a disease that affects people from all walks of life, regardless of their socioeconomic status, profession, or level of fame.

Mac Miller was only 26 when he died on September 7, 2018. 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.
Cleveland native Dorothy Dandridge was something of an unlikely star, an African American woman who grew up in the middle of the Great Depression. When they moved to Los Angeles, she became a movie star. The Alcohol Use Disorder presence of benzodiazepines can especially raise overdose risk due to their ability to enhance the effects of other drugs.
These famous figures sadly couldn’t beat their demons
They eventually recorded several others, celebrities who died of alcoholism many of which have received gold certification in the US. They later disbanded in 2019 after embarking on a farewell tour. However, he’s perhaps best known for his television projects. Aside from Not Only…But Also, which earned him a British Academy Television Award, he also appeared in the films Bedazzled and The Wrong Box. At one point in the late 1970s, he even co-presented Saturday Night Live. Billie Holiday is considered to be one of the greatest jazz singers of all time.
