Jonathan Brandis – Suicide By Hanging

Jonathan Brandis was an actor. In a career that he started as a child, Brandis had played roles in One Life to Live, It, and seaQuest DSV, among many others. Back in 2003, when Brandis was only 27 years old, the up and rising star committed suicide by hanging.

Following his death, Brandis’s friends revealed that he was battling with depression, mainly as he believed his career was deteriorating. With the number of credits under his name during his short life span, we guess his career was anything but waning. Some of his works, like Puerto Vallarta Squeeze and Bad Girls from Valley High, were even released posthumously.

Lisa Robin Kelly – Multiple Drug Intoxication

Lisa Robin Kelly, who played Laurie Forman from That ’70s Show, had far too many demons haunting her life in reality. While the character portrayed a fun-loving playgirl, real-life was more challenging, especially with alcohol and substance addiction.

Kelly suffered a miscarriage and even had problems within her marriage. However, it seems like she was ready to turn her life around, which is why she checked in at Pax Rehab House in Altadena in 2013. Sadly, she died in her sleep due to multiple drug intoxication a few days later at age 43.

James Avery – Complications Of Open-Heart Surgery

If you’re an ’80s kid or older, you most likely remember the beloved Uncle Phil from the ’90s sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, starring Will Smith. While James Avery had his parts in other productions, including The Brady Bunch Movie, Sparks, and The Closer, Philip Banks’s character made history.

On November 11, 2013, Avery underwent open-heart surgery at Glendale Memorial Medical Centre in California. Unfortunately, after almost two months in the hospital, Avery died from complications of the operation at the age of 68. His remains were cremated and scattered along the Pacific Ocean.

Natasha Richardson – Traumatic Brain Injury

Natasha Richardson was born to parents Vanessa Redgrave and Tony Richardson, who were both in the film industry. Naturally, she became an actress and even married into those in the same industry. Some of her most notable works were in Gothic, Patty Hearst, and The Handmaid’s Tale.

Richardson was happily married to the Taken star Liam Neeson at the time of her tragic death. She was working on her skiing skills at Mont Tremblant Resort in Quebec, Canada, when she faced a head injury. The mother of two passed away on March 18, 2009, due to a traumatic brain injury (epidural hematoma).

Leonard Nimoy – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Since the ’60s, the Star Trek franchise has captured millions of fans around the world. One of the most prominent characters in the series and films is Spock, the half-human half-Vulcan science and first officer, originally played by Leonard Nimoy. The man took on the role for nearly 50 years.

In February 2015, Nimoy left his fans heartbroken after he died from complications brought on by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, not long after his diagnosis. He was survived by his long-time wife, Susan Bay, and their two children. Two documentaries about his life, career, and illness were created following his death.