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8 Legendary Celebrities Who Died from Alcoholism

Grant’s addiction began during his military career and continued into his presidency. He ultimately sought treatment and was able to overcome his addiction, but his struggles with alcoholism were a significant part of his legacy. Our stated editorial mission – and sole bias – is to destigmatize all forms of addiction and mental health matters, support recovery, and assist toward humane policies and resources. Can you picture in your mind’s eye the Academy-Award acceptance speech of Richard Burton? Or F. Scott Fitzgerald accepting the Nobel Prize for his later work? How about Mickey Mantle breaking the record for the most home runs in a season?

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The fact is that just like millions of not-so-famous people suffering from alcohol use disorder or abuse, these well-known alcoholics have had their lives torn apart by this disease. Read on as we dive into the stories of famous alcoholics in history, those who have recovered (and some still struggling) with it. While being driven across the country, Williams combined chloral hydrate, a sedative, with excessive drinking, and fell into a stupor. After being injected by a local doctor with a vitamin and morphine combination, the trip continued, but Hank’s conditioned did not improve. Realizing the singer was unresponsive, his driver pulled over and discovered the worst.

Lulu Roman dead: Hee Haw star who collaborated with Dolly Parton dies

The actual cause of his death was revealed as Alcoholism in his autopsy reports. The popular musician had a charismatic stage presence, which was loved by many. Gary Moore regrettably passed away on 6th February 2011 due to a heart attack, which was induced by his drinking habit. The musician indulged himself in alcohol when his career experienced downfall.

celebrities who died of alcoholism

And The Three Musketeers, Oliver Reed was notorious for both his womanizing and his drinking and was known for his binge drinking. In 1999, during the filming of Gladiator, Reed challenged a group of sailors to a drinking contest. English drummer John Bonham was known as one of the most ferocious drummers in rock. As Led Zeppelin scaled the heights of rock stardom, so did Bonham’s drinking. In 1969, after one last night of drinking rye, Kerouac complained of stomach pains. Jack Kerouac was a writer and poet, famous as a key voice of the Beat Generation in the 1950s.

She even recorded with country music icon Dolly Parton, and was described as https://www.ae911truth.info/my-most-valuable-advice-10/ having “the voice of an angel”. She initially started singing on Hee Haw when she returned in 1973, and was finally inducted into the Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1999. After this, he decided to challenge himself to two months being alcohol-free.

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Holiday suffered significant trauma as a child and later turned to prostitution, which led to an arrest for solicitation. After being released from prison, she landed her first paid performing gig, and her career took off. In his thirties, Errol Flynn collapsed in an elevator and nearly died. A steady diet of alcohol had ravaged his heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys. Still, he continued drinking, injecting vodka into oranges when he was forbidden to drink on set.

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Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky, famed for Night on Bald Mountain, suffered from alcohol withdrawal delirium. His death in 1881 at just 42 was the result of severe seizures and hallucinations caused by his addiction. Pierce’s personal struggles with addiction mirrored the challenges of leadership during a tumultuous era. His life serves as a reminder of how personal demons can overshadow professional achievements. Despite his brilliance, Webster’s struggles with alcohol impacted his later years and overshadowed his legacy.

  • Unlike many alcoholics and famous drug addicts of her time, she took the initiative by becoming a true advocate for the importance of seeking treatment.
  • But Capote never published another significant work in his lifetime.
  • In 1959, under the treatment of a doctor in Canada, Flynn succumbed to a heart attack at the age of 50.
  • The death of Jason Molina was followed by the tragic death of Jeff Hanneman.

Gram Parsons was a songwriter and musician known for both his solo work and as a member of the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers. Parsons’ “Cosmic American Music” influenced later generations of indie, alt-country and country rock artists. A dope user and a heavy https://www.wholesalenbajerseystore.com/2023/12/01/the-5-commandments-of-and-how-learn-more drinker, in 1973 Parsons consumed copious amounts of alcohol, barbiturates, and morphine, then fell unconscious. John Cassavetes began his career as an actor in such films as Rosemary’s Baby.

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celebrities who died of alcoholism

The actual cause of his death was stated as suicide by alcohol intoxication. Holden’s heavy drinking began impacting his professional and personal life, including a drunk driving incident where he https://www.interstellarindex.com/HumanisticPsychology/current-issues-and-debates-in-psychology 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.

Considered a key American director of the later 20th century, films such as A Woman Under the Influence and The Killing of a Chinese Bookie were important influences on later directors. Alexander Godunov was famous for both his talents as a ballet dancer with the Bolshoi ballet and for defecting from the USSR in 1979 while on tour in the United States. He continued his career in the US, expanding his work from dancing to acting.

On New Year’s Day, 1953, at the young age of 29, Hank Williams died of alcoholism and drug intoxication while traveling to a concert in Canton, Ohio. The longest-serving producer of Doctor Who unfortunately died at a very young age. The prominent celebrity experienced liver failure due to his alcohol addiction, which took away his life on 1st May 2002. Another prominent actor who untimely died because of alcoholism was Michael Elphick. On 7th September 2002, the talented actor unfortunately died at the age of 55.

The BBC said The Archers will mark her character’s 100th birthday next week. Downey’s turning point came in 2003 when he embraced sobriety with the help of his wife, Susan. Therapy, martial arts, and a renewed focus on his craft allowed him to rebuild his life and career.

  • The death of the 39-year old actress was caused by an overdose of benzodiazepines and chloral hydrate.
  • The player sadly passed away on 25th November 2005 at the age of 59.
  • It comes as she recalled her early days with the band, when she realized that during their rise to fame, she had issues with alcohol.
  • He joined the Grand Old Opry in 1949 but his stay with the renowned Nashville country music broadcast was brief.

Drew Barrymore’s struggles with addiction began early, a consequence of growing up in the spotlight. By the time she was 13, she had been to rehab twice, battling alcohol and drug misuse. Her story could have ended tragically, but instead, Barrymore took control of her life and career. Ben Affleck’s journey with alcoholism has been a deeply personal and public one.

Due to this, he also damaged his liver and needed a liver transplant. Sadly, he died of liver cancer on 13th August 1995 at the age of 63. The following table outlines the death of notable celebrities and athletes who have had drugs or alcohol implicated in their deaths. Mixing illicit, prescription or over-the-counter medications can be dangerous, and patients should always rule out drug interactions with their healthcare provider. The use of prescription medications with illegal drugs or alcohol can produce an unpredictable and fatal response, and many deaths due to such circumstances may have been preventable.

After Zelda was institutionalized for schizophrenia, his drinking worsened. Popularly known as Robin Hood, the actor was only 63 years old when he tragically died. John Dearth was among those actors who indulged in alcoholism at the height of their careers. The actor unfortunately passed away on 17th March 1984 due to alcoholism.

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