Her passing was one of the most famous female celebrity drug overdoses of the 1960s. Phyllis Hyman, a soul singer and actress, was known for her distinctive voice and stage presence. In 1995, she tragically took her own life by overdosing on pentobarbital and secobarbital, both of which are barbiturates. Cocaine is a powerful and addictive stimulant drug made from the leaves of the coca plant. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, approximately 18 million people globally misused cocaine in 2018. A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine shows that the rate of death from cocaine overdose began to rise sharply around 2012 and continued to rise through 2018.
These famous figures sadly couldn’t beat their demons

King immediately sought help and quit all forms of drugs and alcohol in the late 1980s. The famous comedian abused cocaine and alcohol early in his career, but quit when friend and fellow comedian, John Belushi, died of a cocaine and heroin overdose in 1982. After that, the late actor struggled off and on with alcohol for years until his death in 2014. He even regularly highlighted these struggles as a part of his stand-up routines. Hollywood is almost like another world, a city of bright lights, brighter stars, and extraordinary excess that could feel alien to everyone else. For some, though, it’s that excess that attracts aspiring talent, drawn to the promise of the glitz and glamour, and the fame and fortune that a successful acting career can bring.
Unfortunately these personalities did not succeed in defeating their demon
Sadly and tragically, in 2012 she accidentally drowned in the bathtub, with heart disease and cocaine use as contributing factors. Toxicology results revealed additional drugs in her system including diphenhydramine (Benadryl), alprazolam (Xanax), cannabis, and cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril). Popstar Michael Jackson died from a propofol overdose in 2009 at age 50. His death came as a result of cardiac arrest brought on by the drugs in his system.
- But with the right support, treatment, and perseverance, recovery is not just possible, but achievable and sustainable.
- To gain a deeper understanding of other celebs who had cirrhosis and how they navigated their health battles, check out the list below.
- Her final completed film was the 1961 classic « The Misfits, » written by her then-husband, Arthur Miller.
- Best known to audiences for his decade-long stint at Chandler Bing on « Friends » beginning in 1994, Matthew Perry first broke into acting on the small screen years earlier.
John Dearth

Aside from dealing with long-term bulimia, she also faced drug and alcohol addiction in the years leading to her death. Popular singer Whitney Houston passed away at the age of 48 due to a drug overdose. In 2012, she was found dead in a bathtub with bottles of prescription medicines scattered in her hotel room. According to reports, Houston took a combination of drugs including Xanax, marijuana, Flexeril, and cocaine.
Deaths caused indirectly by alcohol, or driving under the influence, are not listed here. The filmmaker and actor who gave us classics like ‘Pyaasa,’ ‘Kaagaz Ke Phool,’ ‘Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam,’ and ‘Chaudhvin Ka Chand’ died as a result of alcohol and sleeping tablet overdose. On August 5, 1962, though, Monroe was discovered dead by her housekeeper and her psychiatrist. Though some may have suspected an accidental overdose, Monroe’s death was officially deemed as purposfully self-inflicted. Her final completed film was the 1961 classic « The Misfits, » written by her then-husband, Arthur Miller. After playing Mini-Me, though, Troyer became a favorite in the comedy world, and Sober living home roles in « Bubble Boy » and « Pauly Shore Is Dead » followed.
- He was in The Sell Out (1976) and The Great Scout & Cathouse Thursday (1976) with Lee Marvin.
- Frequent stints in rehab, as well as the support of her husband, were unable to break the cycle of addiction for Winehouse, who tragically died at the age of 27.
- Years after leaving « That ’70s Show, » Kelly admitted that her struggle with alcohol had contributed to her departure.
- Call Knoxville Recovery Center and speak with an addiction expert today.
- British actress Yootha Joyce found success in her work on British television, appearing in such productions as Man About the House and George and Mildred.
- His death highlighted the consequences of chronic alcohol abuse.
Famous people who died of alcoholism
Our program offers the highest quality care for women struggling with addiction and co-occurring conditions in Southern California. The combination of amphetamines and alcohol can also have contrasting effects on the body. While amphetamines may mask the sedative effects of alcohol, allowing an individual to drink more, alcohol can also intensify the side effects of celebrities who died of alcoholism amphetamines, causing a potentially deadly outcome.
Our experienced case managers will then work with our clients to place them in a program that addresses their specific wants and needs. The goal of our addiction treatment track is to stabilize clients so that they are treatment-ready. When they met in 1980, she was 16 years old and he was 42.43 In his final years, Reed and Burge lived in Churchtown, County Cork, Ireland. Reed appeared in The New Spartans (1975), then acted alongside Karen Black, Bette Davis, and Burgess Meredith in the Dan Curtis horror film, Burnt Offerings (1976). He was in The Sell Out (1976) and The Great Scout & Cathouse Thursday (1976) with Lee Marvin.
