Hollywood stars may seem larger than life, but of course, they are just as vulnerable to life’s tragedies, including the chance of dying at a young age. While the unexpected loss of a loved one is always horrible, the loss of a young person is particularly heartbreaking. Sadly, Hollywood has experienced quite a few child star deaths. These 7 beloved young actors passed away far too soon.
Heather O’Rourke (1975–1988):-
- Most known for: Poltergeist
- Cause of death: Septic shock and cardiac arrest
After her breakout role in the 1982 horror film Poltergeist, child actor Heather O’Rourke starred in its two sequels, Poltergeist II: The Other Side and Poltergeist III. In the first film, the angelic-looking O’Rourke plays the role of Carol Anne Freeling, the youngest daughter in a family whose home is plagued by a supernatural apparition.
The Poltergeist movie poster, featuring O’Rourke with her hands on a static television screen is one of the most iconic ever. And the “they’re here” line she delivers in the movie is so famous The American Film Institute included it on their list of top movie quotes from the last 100 years.
Sadly, Poltergeist III was the last film O’Rourke made. Several months before filming began, doctors misdiagnosed O’Rourke with Crohn’s disease. Unfortunately, they did not discover their misdiagnosis until it was too late. On Jan. 31, 1988, O’Rourke collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. According to the Los Angeles Times, doctors found a longstanding bowel obstruction. An attempt to surgically remove the blockage led to septic shock, and she suffered cardiac arrest. O’Rourke passed away at just 12 years old.
Paul Walker (1973–2013):-
- Most known for: The Fast and the Furious
- Cause of death: Car accident
The Fast and the Furious star Paul Walker also appeared in many movies and TV shows as a child, including Highway to Heaven and Throb. His big break came when he was cast in 1986’s Monster in the Closet, a horror comedy movie that also featured Stacy Ferguson (of Black Eyed Peas), Howard Duff, and John Carradine.
Walker’s greatest career success came as an adult when he played Brian O’Conner in 2001’s The Fast and the Furious. The film’s box office success led to roles in other major movies like Timeline, Into the Blue, and Flags of Our Fathers. He reprised his role as Brian O’Conner in five The Fast and the Furious sequels, including 2015’s blockbuster Furious 7.
On Nov. 30, 2013, Walker left a benefit event for his Reach Out Worldwide charity in a Porsche driven by a friend. The driver lost control of the car, and the fiery crash killed both men. According to investigators cited by CNN, the cause of the accident was “unsafe speed for the roadway conditions.” Walker had recently turned 40 years old.
Rob Knox (1989–2008):-
- Most known for: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- Cause of death: Murder
English actor Rob Knox appeared to be on the cusp of a promising career after securing the role of Marcus Belby in the movie Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Although his portrayal of Belby in the sixth Harry Potter film is his most famous role, Knox had previous acting experience on multiple British TV shows, as well as a small part in the 2004 film King Arthur.
On May 24, 2008, Knox was stabbed five times in the chest outside a bar in London as he tried to defend his brother from an attacker, reported the BBC. Knox was only 18 years old when he died. In 2009, his attacker, Karl Bishop, was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 20 years. Anton Yelchin (1989–2016):-
- Most known for: Star Trek
- Cause of death: freak accident
The loss of Anton Yelchin in 2016 shook up Hollywood. The Russian-born actor started his career at 12 years old, starring in Along Came a Spider and Hearts in Atlantis and appearing in some smaller TV roles. Yelchin received his break in Steven Spielberg’s 2002 alien abduction-centric Taken miniseries. Things took off from there, as he starred in Alpha Dogs, Charlie Bartlett, and Terminator Salvation, among other projects.
The biggest role of Yelchin’s career was also his last, starring as Pavel Chekov in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek reboot. Tragically, his Jeep Cherokee pinned the 27-year-old against a pillar outside his home, after the car rolled backward in his driveway — a result of a common transmission error that later led to a recall.
Matthew Garber (1956–1977):-
- Most known for: Mary Poppins
- Cause of death: Hepatitis
Matthew Garber’s career in Hollywood didn’t last long, but Disney fans will always remember him for his most iconic role, as the young Michael Banks in Disney’s Mary Poppins.
At just 20 years old Garber contracted hepatitis while on a trip to India. He finally traveled home to London several months later, and by that time, the sickness moved to his pancreas. In 1977, Garber passed away in the hospital at the age of 21, from what doctors categorized as hemorrhagic necrotising pancreatitis.
Carl Switzer (1927–1959):-
- Most known for: Little Rascals
- Cause of death: Homicide
Although Carl Switzer played a variety of small roles as an adult, fans knew him as one of the rascals in Little Rascals. Switzer famously played Alfalfa in MGM’s Our Gang shorts, developing into a fan favorite character throughout his tenure (despite rubbing many of his cast members the wrong way).
Switzer’s death tragically came when he was 31. He kicked down the door of someone he felt owed him money. That person shot him with a .38 revolver after Switzer came at him with a switchblade. Doctors pronounced him dead on arrival at the hospital, after suffering from acute internal bleeding.
Sammi Kane Kraft (1992–2012):-
- Most known for: Bad News Bears
- Cause of death: Car accident
Death by a car crash is something we wouldn’t wish on our worst enemy. Sadly, the child star of the 2012 Bad News Bears remake suffered this fate. The 20-year-old was along for the ride when her car got rear-ended by a semi-truck and hit by another vehicle.
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