No one wants to hear about a favorite young star dying. It brings you up short, strikes that sentimental chord, and makes us realize how we feel connected to them, even if we’ve never met them. All these losses, whether belonging to the so-called “27 Club” or tragically younger, have become deeply ingrained in pop culture. Let’s pay their memory a tribute with a reverse countdown of the young stars whose untimely deaths still linger on today.
11. Chance Perdomo (27)
At the height of his stardom with lead roles in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Gen V, Chance Perdomo’s life was cut short in a 2024 motorcycle accident. In respect, the makers of Gen V decided against recasting but rewrote the entire next season in his memory—a lasting act of remembrance and sadness.
10. Cameron Boyce (20)
From Jessie to Descendants, charm and potential oozed from every pore of Cameron Boyce. His tragic death in 2019, of a seizure caused by epilepsy, took away a star who was just getting started. Public reaction—from an eulogy by Adam Sandler to moving tributes—highlighted just how high his flame blazed and how much he is missed.
9. Anton Yelchin (27)
As lovable Chekov in the Star Trek reboots, Anton Yelchin stole hearts on and off the screen. His sudden death in 2016 in a bizarre car accident—attributable to a recognized Jeep gear-shifter flaw—was a sobering reminder of how brief life can be. The subsequent legal settlement only served to be a testament to the tragedy of losing such a great hope.
8. Thuy Trang (27)
To many a ’90s kid, Thuy Trang was the Yellow Ranger on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers—daring, uplifting, and not soon forgotten. When she died in a car accident in 2001, fans and co-stars alike described her as gracious, strong, and warm. Her legacy continues.
7. Angus Cloud (25)
Angus Cloud broke out as the tender-hearted yet tough Fezco on Euphoria. His death by accidental overdose in 2023, following the loss of his father, was heartbreaking. His family reminded everyone, “You’re not alone,” reinforcing that his openness about mental health remains a lasting and powerful message.
6. Aaliyah (22)
With three albums and two films to her credit, Aaliyah was already R&B royalty when she died in a 2001 plane crash after wrapping up a music video shoot. The overcrowded plane and incapacitated pilot made her demise a tragic one for fans and peers alike—she left behind a legacy of creativity and style.
5. Selena (28)
Selena’s creative Tejano music, warm disposition, and cultural influence were cut short viciously when she was murdered by gunshot in 1995. The world mourned. Even years later, her family and fans cried at the loss of a daughter of such talent and boundless potential.
4. River Phoenix (23)
The indie film culture lost a shining star when River Phoenix passed away in 1993 due to a drug overdose outside the Viper Room. He was featured in Stand by Me and My Own Private Idaho and left behind visions of raw talent and a sad reminder of the pressures of fame.
3. Kurt Cobain (27)
When Nirvana’s lead singer committed suicide in 1994, the world grieved the loss of a generation’s voice. He was no stranger to drug addiction and depression, and his death only added fuel to the legend of the “27 Club.” But bigger than myth, his passing also necessitated discussion of the intersection of mental illness and creativity.
2. Amy Winehouse (27)
Amy Winehouse was a force of nature—voice, style, and life that no one could ignore. She passed away due to alcohol poisoning in 2011 after an extremely public struggle with addiction. Her sadness was palpable, recollections of her dying days spent viewing her videos, carving out a bittersweet story. Music, as her life, remains potent.
1. Heath Ledger (28)
Heath Ledger’s death in 2008 was unreal—peak form. From teen heartthrob to his now-iconic role as the Joker in The Dark Knight, he had it all. His untimely death, declared an accidental overdose on prescribed medication, shocked fans worldwide. His work is still iconic, and his loss is sorely missed.
These child stars left impressions upon our hearts well beyond their years. Their humanity, struggles, and artistry remain pertinent today. Which of these losses remains in your mind? Or is there someone else you just can’t shake your head about?