It’s always tragic when celebrities die, but when their lives are unexpectedly cut short, the grief is often sharper and lasts longer. While there are plenty of actresses who have lived into their 70s, 80s, or even 90s before passing, these six famous actresses did not live nearly as long. Keep reading to learn more about these six actresses who died young, including their famous works and how they passed.
6. Judy Garland (1922-1969)
Starting our list of actresses who died young is Judy Garland. Most known for her role as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, she is also remembered for roles in Meet Me in St. Louis and A Star Is Born, and singing “Over the Rainbow.” Garland unfortunately died on June 22nd, 1969, due to an accidental barbiturate overdose. Mickey Deans, her husband, found her dead.
5. Brittany Murphy (1977-2009)
Fifth on our list of actresses who died young is Brittany Murphy. The actress starred in films such as Clueless, 8 Mile, Girl, Interrupted, and Just Married. In 2009, Murphy was experiencing flu-like symptoms for some time, and ended up collapsing and dying in her Hollywood Hills home on December 20th. The official ruling was an accidental death from the combination of pneumonia, anemia, and prescription/over-the-counter medication.
4. Susan Shaw (1929-1978)
Next on our list of actresses who died young is Susan Shaw. The British actress was especially popular in the late 1940s and 1950s, most remembered for her roles in the Huggetts trilogy, London Belongs to Me, Pool of London, and It Always Rains on Sunday. Shaw’s death came on November 27th, 1978, from cirrhosis of the liver. She battled alcoholism for many years, which intensified after her husband died in 1958.
3. Kelley Mack (1992-2025)
Rounding out the top three actresses who died young is Kelley Mack. A more recent star, Mack is best known for her roles in The Walking Dead, 9-1-1, and Chicago Med. In 2025, Mack was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancerous brain/spinal cord tumor. Known as a diffuse midline glioma, the tumor caused pain in her back and legs, leading to her death on August 2nd, 2025.
2. Heather O’Rourke (1975-1988)
Second on our list of actresses who died young is Heather O’Rourke. The youngest on our list, O’Rourke, was a child actress best known for starring as Carol Anne Freeling in the Poltergeist trilogy. Misdiagnosed with Crohn’s disease in early 1987, on January 31st, 1988, she fell ill and the next morning collapsed at home. While she was rushed to the hospital, O’Rourke passed on February 1st, 1988, from cardiac arrest and septic shock.
1. Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962)
Last but not least on our list of actresses who died young is Marilyn Monroe. The most famous actress on this list, Monroe, embodied the “blonde bombshell” persona. She starred in several 1950s films, including Some Like It Hot, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and The Seven Year Itch. Tragically, her life ended on August 5th, 1962. Monroe was face down on her bed with empty pill bottles nearby. The official ruling was a barbiturate overdose and probably suicide.