Photo: Miramax Films
When I go, I hope it’s someplace quiet that smells of honeysuckle and lavender where beautiful, shiny women scratch my back and tell me everything is going to be alright. That’s a lot more than I can say for these actors and musicians who either collapsed and died onstage or were shot and killed mid-performance. But what a way to go!
While most people never get a chance to do what they love for a living and show everyone their talents, these beloved celebrities and talented artists got to go out doing what they love. Many hit the floor onstage or during a show due to heart attacks, but there are a couple wild ones that involve guns and helicopter propellers (don’t ask, just read).
From lovable actors like John Candy and John Ritter to heavy rockers like Dimebag Darrell and Nick Menza, we’ve got all the live deaths of some of the most popular artists. May their awesome exits never be lost in the history books. Now go ahead and take a read at all of these.
9 Actors And Musicians Who Died Onstage Or Were Shot And Killed Mid-Performance
More celebrity history: The 11 Biggest Onstage Rock Star Meltdowns
Live Deaths
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John Ritter
In 2003, at 55, Ritter was rushed to the hospital after a suspected heart attack while on the set of 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter. It turned out to be an aortic dissection, a tear branching off of the heart, but by that time, it was too late.
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Brandon Lee
The Crow actor was shot on set at age 28 when a "prop gun" wasn't secured and caused him to bleed out.
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Steve Irwin
While filming Ocean's Deadliest in 2006, Irwin took a snorkel break in Queensland and was stabbed in the heart by a stingray before bleeding to death.
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John Candy
At just 43, Candy died of a heart attack on location in Mexico for the film Wagons East! nearly 25 years ago.
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Vic Morrow
Screengrab: YouTube
Many people don't know this, but Vic Morrow was decapitated by a helicopter when shooting Twilight Zone: The Movie.
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Bruce Hampton
Photo: Getty
While playing an encore set in honor of his 70th birthday, Hampton dropped on the stage, which much of the crowd assumed to be part of his performance. He died shortly after in the hospital before actually turning 70.
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Nick Menza
Just a couple years ago in 2016, Megadeath drummer, Nick Menza, collapsed of a heart attack on stage at age 51. CPR was administered to no avail.
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Sib Hashian
Photo: Rebecca Carr
While performing at sea for the Legends of Rock Cruise, Hashian, the former drummer for the band Boston, collapsed. He was 66.
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Dimebag Darrell
This is crazy, but in 2004, the once Pantera guitarist was shot and killed while performing by a suspected Pantera fan, bitter of the band's breakup. He was only 38.
