People Are Discussing The Most Heartbreaking Celebrity Deaths That They'll Absolutely "Never Get Over," And I'm Crying Real Tears Right Now

Buzz Feed

24-04-2025

At the risk of sounding a bit parasocial, nothing hits quite as hard as a beloved celebrity's death, especially when it happens super unexpectedly. It's like the world stops turning for a moment.
And although these celebrity deaths are super sad to discuss, it also helps us fans feel united and comforted. So recently, we asked the BuzzFeed Community, "What celebrity death are you never going to get over?" Here's what people said:
1. Robin Williams died in 2014, at age 63.
"I still cry for him sometimes. Such a legend, such a tragic way to go."
– youngchipmunk74
"Everyone I know has a favorite Robin Williams movie, from my grandma all the way down to my friend's toddler. He was universally loved, and his was the only celebrity death that felt like I had lost a loved one.
– rnd13001
2. Matthew Perry died in 2023, at age 54.
"Matthew Perry is the first celebrity I actually grieved for. Being born in 1991, I literally grew up watching him on TV, and I really felt his loss. Especially because the circumstances were so horrible."
– Megan Donovan
3. Liam Payne died in 2024, at age 31.
"I was born the year One Direction started, was five when Zayn left, and was six when they went on an indefinite hiatus, so I'm more of a newcomer. However, I can say that I'm a big fan of their music and the boys themselves, so Liam's death hit me hard.
I will say that I was in disbelief the days following his (Liam's) death and was hoping it was all a bad dream. However, it's been months, and I've finally come to terms with the fact that it was NOT a nightmare."
– metallicvolcano835
4. George Michael died in 2016, at age 53.
"I'm old, but for me it will always be George Michael. My first ever pin-up, a super talented songwriter, and an absolute sweetheart of a man.
I did see him live once, and even though by that time I was a grown-ass adult, I cried several times. The absolute loss of my life."
5. Anthony Bourdain died in 2018, at age 61.
"I remember watching Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations on the Travel Channel, and he made me want to drop what I was doing and go see the world. He always found the best hidden spots to eat because he had the utmost respect for the people and cuisine of each location.
He just had this sincere, quiet vibe that was coated with a dry sense of humour. I wish he were still here to help us get through these dark days."
6. Naya Rivera died in 2020, at age 33.
"When I read about Naya Rivera, right from the onset of reports that she was missing, it hit hard. I was crying. I hardly watched Glee, but it was the tragedy itself, the way she died protecting her son and will never know that she in fact saved him."
– emmerzz0011
7. Natasha Richardson died in 2009, at age 45.
"I still can't believe how Natasha Richardson (Liam Neeson's wife, and the mom in The Parent Trap) died in such a freak way. Like, she got up and thought she was fine, only to pass hours later from a brain hemorrhage, I think it was."
– Mypersonalityispets
8. Alan Rickman died in 2016, at age 69.
"I can't believe he's gone. He was a great actor and person from what I've heard and seen."
– Mypersonalityispets
9. James Earl Jones died in 2024, at age 93.
"He touched me deeply many times in his films. Also the voice of the greatest villain in all of cinema. He will be truly missed."
– lazygamer141
10. Chris Farley died in 1997, at age 33.
"He was the first celebrity death that made me openly sob. That man made me laugh my way through high school. Now I'm going to put on a too-small coat and pretend to live in a van down by the river. RIP you brilliant human; thanks for everything."
– spicynothingbettertodo
11. Steve Irwin died in 2006, at age 44.
12. John Candy died in 1994, at age 43.
"He was SO GOOD, on screen and off, and his death was so unexpected."
– chillskull6747
13. Princess Diana died in 1997, at age 36.
14. Kevin Conroy died in 2022, at age 66.
"Gone way too soon. He was the voice of Batman in a bunch of shows and games, starting with Batman: The Animated Series. A kind, sweet, talented man who lived a troubled life but was dearly loved by fans and colleagues alike. And he loved them all back."
– KTomato
15. Cameron Boyce died in 2019, at age 20.
16. Michelle Trachtenberg died in 2025, at age 39.
Jemal Countess / Getty Images
"I think her and Cameron Boyce were the most tear-jerking for me. They had sooooo much potential and were amazing actors."
– dizzytraveler493
17. Heath Ledger died in 2008, at age 28.
J. Vespa / Getty Images
"He died in 2008 and I still haven't been able to watch 10 Things I Hate About You since."
– cupcakekrystle
18. Freddie Mercury died in 1991, at age 45.
Pete Still / Getty Images / Redferns
"Freddie Mercury was just amazing! What a voice!"
– happytree782
19. Shannon Dougherty died in 2024, at age 53.
Patrick McMullan / Getty Images
"Her death really hit me. We kinda grew up together. And breast cancer is a worry for most women over 50."
– KB
20. Anton Yelchin died in 2016, at age 27.
Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images
"He was so young and losing someone suddenly is an awful feeling. Everything he ever was and ever would be, just snapped away in the blink of an eye."
– daynam4b6e28fa3
21. Luke Perry died in 2019, at age 52.
Jean Baptiste Lacroix / Getty Images
"I forget he's gone, and am always terribly sad when reminded."
– cm
22. Kurt Cobain died in 1997, at age 27.
Vinnie Zuffante / Getty Images
"I wish he would have stuck around. Four albums weren't enough. I was 17 when he died and at 48, I'm still not over it."
– silverswan87
23. Chester Bennington died in 2017, at age 41.
Michael Loccisano / Getty Images
"I loved his music because I really related to it as a teenager growing up. I really struggled with mental health issues as a teenager and his music made me feel seen and understood."
– marbobo7
24. Aaron Carter died in 2022, at age 34.
Frazer Harrison / Getty Images
"At first I thought it was a hoax. Poor Nick lost Aaron and his sister within a span of a few years. I really liked Aaron Carter's music as a '90s kid."
– Evga2024
25. Phil Hartman died in 1998, at age 49.
Derek Storm / Getty Images
"What a senseless loss that was."
– Mypersonalityispets
26. Chadwick Boseman died in 2020, at age 43.
Roy Rochlin / Getty Images
"Such talent, gone way too soon."
– mushyvampire184
27. Selena died in 1995, at age 23.
Vinnie Zuffante / Getty Images
"I didn't know much of her until she was murdered, but after learning about what happened to her, I was saddened and bitter."
– mellowmatcha30
28. Adrienne Shelly died in 2006, at age 40.
Jim Spellman / Getty Images
"She is so underrated and died so young. I'll never get over her death."
– angrygamer182
29. Grant Imahara died in 2020, at age 49.
Gabe Ginsberg / Getty Images
"It breaks my heart that he died so young and so unexpectedly."
– MaryLove❤️
30. Paul Newman died in 2008, at age 83.
Bob Riha Jr / Getty Images
"So talented and handsome, with unequaled generosity."
– greenorc747
31. Chris Cornell died in 2017, at age 52.
Tim Mosenfelder / Getty Images
"Every time I hear 'Fell on Black Days' I wish I was in Seattle on a rainy day. Rest in power, legend."
– evilsalt381
32. Carrie Fisher died in 2016, at age 60.
Stefania D'Alessandro / Getty Images
"I still have to correct myself from speaking about her in the present tense."
– SparklestheCupcake
33. John Lennon died in 1980, at age 40.
Vinnie Zuffante / Getty Images
"Still hurts; always will."
– cleverfish39
34. Bob Saget died in 2022, at age 65.
Jean Baptiste Lacroix / Getty Images
"That was tragic."
– saramariya
Which celebrity death will you absolutely never get over? Tell us in the comments below.
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