Which Celebrities Died In 2009

Actress Brittany Murphy died at the young age of 32. She was found unconscious by her mother in the home Brittany shared with her husband Simon Monjack. She went into full cardiac arrest early in the morning and was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Sadly, doctors pronounced her dead on arrival. You might recognize her from movies such as Clueless and 8 Mile.

Actor Patrick Swayze died at the young age of 57. In March of 2008, we learned that Patrick was battling pancreatic cancer but that he also had every intention of fighting it. That heroic fight ended when the cancer claimed his life. The three-time Golden Globe nominee will forever be remembered by fans for his role as Johnny Castle in Dirty Dancing.

Hollywood entertainment writer Army Archerd died at the age of 87 from a rare form of mesothelioma (lung cancer). Army got his start in the mailroom at Paramount Studios, followed by a stint at The AP. He was one of the first journalists to reveal that Rock Hudson was suffering from AIDS. He is best remembered for the 52 long years he spent covering entertainment for Variety.

Musician Adam “DJ AM” Goldstein was found dead in his New York City apartment from an accidental overdose at the young age of 36. In January 2008, Adam talked about his failed suicide attempt. Days before his death, DJ AM posted these lyrics on Twitter: “New York, New York. Big city of dreams, but everything in New York ain’t always what it seems.”

Guitar legend Les Paul, who was instrumental in developing the solid-body electric guitar and multitrack recording, died at age 94 of complications from pneumonia. His guitars became the standard instrument for major stars such as Pete Townshend and Jimmy Page. Les even earned himself an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Following an illness, legendary TV journalist Walter Cronkite died at the age of 92 at his NY home with his family at his side. During his stint on the CBS Evening News, he broke the Kennedy assassination story, covered Vietnam, Civil Rights, and Watergate. A 1972 poll labeled Walter as “the most trusted man in America” and he certainly was.

Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was found dead in a condo apartment in Nashville at the young age of 36. He had been shot multiple times, including once in the head. A 20-year-old woman, Sahel Kazemi, was found near his body with a single gunshot wound to her head. People suspected that it may have had something to do with an affair gone wrong.

Michael Jackson, aka The King of Pop, died in LA at the age of 50. Michael suffered a cardiac arrest at this home and paramedics were quickly called. The singer was taken to the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center only to be pronounced dead. In the weeks leading up to his untimely death, he was busy preparing for another comeback tour scheduled to kick off in England.

Actress/model Farrah Fawcett lost her three year battle with cancer at the young age of 62. Best known for her role as one the gorgeous agents of Charlie’s Angels, Farrah was well liked by everyone in the industry. Her longtime partner Ryan O’Neal stated, “She’s gone. She now belongs to the ages. I loved her with all my heart. I will miss her so very, very much. She’s in a better place now.”

Ed McMahon, known for that famous “Heeeeere’s Johnny” that he belted out to introduce Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show for 30 years, died at 86. Ed was also known for his days spent hosting Star Search and helping to launch the careers of so many unknown hopefuls in Hollywood.

Onscreen King Fu master and Kill Bill star David Carradine was found dead in his hotel room in Bangkok. The beloved Oscar-nominated actor was there working on a movie. Reports claim that a hotel maid found David, 72, in a closet with a rope around his neck and body.

After suffering from cancer, actress Beatrice Arthur died in her Los Angeles home at age 86. Back in the 1970s, she starred in the TV series Maude and spent the better half of the 1980s working on The Golden Girls. The 5-foot-9 star weven won an Emmy for her role as Dorothy Zbornak on the hit show.

Following a minor fall on the slopes in Canada, actress Natasha Richardson died at the young age of 45. Natasha’s heartbroken family released the following statement to the press: “Liam Neeson, his sons, and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha. They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone.”

After a two-year battle with esophageal cancer, Tony Award-winning actor Ron Silver died at age 62. He was known for his political activism and interest in world affairs. In 1989, Ron founded the NYC based Creative Coalition, a nonprofit that helped raise awareness on issues including public education, First Amendment rights and advocation of the arts. He won a Tony Award in 1988 for his work in Speed-the-Plow.

Actor Ricardo Montalban, star of the hit TV series Fantasy Island died in LA at the age of 88. Ricardo was easily one of the most visible Hispanic actors in the 1950s and 1960s. After starring in 13 Spanish-language films in Mexico, he made his American feature film debut in 1947 in Fiesta. He was also known for playing Captain Kirk’s enemy Khan Noonien Singh in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.