6 Child Actors Who Died Young

Starting our list of child actors who died young is Dana Hill. Born Dana Lynne Goetz, she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in high school, pushing her from pursuing sports to a career in acting. Hill landed a role on the sitcom The Two of Us and continued to find roles in Magnum, P.I., The Fall Guy, and her best-known movie, National Lampoon’s European Vacation. In the 90s, Hill switched to voice acting, but her diabetes worsened, and in 1996 she fell into a diabetic coma before dying of a stroke at 32 years old.

Related: 6 Child Actors Who Went on to Have Incredible Careers

Next up on our list of child actors who died young is Rob Knox, an English actor. Knox had made a few appearances before landing his supposed big break in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. He signed on for the last two films but tragically never made it there, as he was killed in May 2008 after being stabbed outside a bar. Rob Knox was protecting his brother from the assailant, who later was sentenced to life in prison.

Check Out: 7 More Child Actors Who Went on to Have Incredible Careers

Fourth on our list of child actors who died young is Heather O’Rourke. She was one of two young girls who played children of the Freeling family in Poltergeist, who died soon after. In O’Rourke’s case, she passed in 1988 at 12 years old. She won the role over Drew Barrymore and appeared in both sequels, but died before Poltergeist III was released. A year prior, O’Rourke was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and died from congenital stenosis of the intestine, causing septic shock.

Also Read: 6 Iconic Movie Roles That Were Almost Played By Different Actors

Rounding out the top three child actors who died young is Judith Barsi, a prolific child actor in the 80s. Barsi started taking roles by the time she was six, appearing in small films and television shows. Her parents relied on Barsi’s income, including her unhinged father, who grew angrier the more successful Barsi became. After repeated threats to do so, Barsi’s father murdered her and her mother before taking his own life in 1988. Judith was only 10 years old.

Check Out: 6 Best Movie Cameos in History

Second on our child actors who died young list is River Phoenix. After a troubled childhood alongside his four siblings (including Joaquin Phoenix), he made his break into film with 1985’s Explorers. However, Phoenix’s most powerful performance was in the 1986 classic Stand By Me. He continued to appear in major films, including Running on Empty and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The world was shocked at just 23 years old, Phoenix died from multiple drug intoxication in 1993.

Read More: Most Handsome Actors of the 70s

Last but not least on our list of child actors who died young is Cameron Boyce. Born in 1999, Boyce earned his first roles in 2008 with Mirror, Eagle Eye, and General Hospital. He later would join the cast of Grown Ups and Grown Ups 2, moving next into the world of Disney. Boyce starred in the series Jessie and the musical Descendants alongside its two sequels. While more roles were lined up for the young star, he passed six weeks after his 20th birthday. Boyce was previously diagnosed with epilepsy, and complications from the condition brought about his death.

Check Out: Most Handsome Actors of the 80s