CHILD STARS WHO PASSED AWAY TOO SOON

Skye McCole Bartusiak (1992-2014)

Best Known Role(s): As Mel Gibson’s daughter in 2000’s The Patriot, as well as Michael Douglas’ on-screen daughter in 2001’s Don’t Say a Word.

Age at Death: 21

Cause of Death: On July 19, 2014, she was found dead in her apartment behind her parents’ home from what appears to be an epileptic seizure. It has not been yet confirmed.

Brad Renfro (1982-2008)

Best Known Role(s): At 11-years-old, he landed the lead role in the 1994 flick The Client, starring alongside Susan Sarandon and Tommy Lee Jones. He went on to become one of the biggest child stars of the ‘90s. You’ll also recognize him from portraying “Huck” in 1995’s Tom and Huck with Jonathan Taylor Thomas, as well as his phenomenal performance in The Cure.

Age at Death: 25

Cause of Death: His accidental death stemmed from a heroin overdose.

Jonathan Brandis (1976-2003)

Best Known Role(s): He played a teen prodigy in the NBC series seaQuest, but long before landing that role, he starred in many other series including The Wonder Years, Full House and Who’s the Boss? As for the big screen, he landed the lead roles in The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter, Sidekicks and Ladybugs. He played the main protagonist in the made-for-TV horror flick, It, based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name.

Age at Death: 27

Cause of Death: Suicide by hanging. He was found alive, but unconscious in his apartment in LA. He later died at the hospital.

Brittany Murphy (1977-2009) 

Best Known Role(s): Lovable Tai Frasier in 1995’s Clueless. Before that, she starred in numerous TV shows as a child including Drexell’s Class, Party of Five and Sister, Sister.

Age at Death: 32

Cause of Death: Pneumonia and anemia, though in November 2013, her father, Angelo Bertolotti, claimed a toxicology report states she was poisoned by heavy metals.

River Phoenix (1970-1993)

Best Known Role(s): The 1986 coming-of-age film Stand by Me.

Age at Death: 23

Cause of Death: Heart failure caused by a mixture of drugs. He died outside The Viper Room, a Hollywood nightclub owned by Johnny Depp. His brother, fellow actor Joaquin Phoenix, called 9-1-1, while sister Rain attempted to resuscitate him.

Paul Walker (1973-2013)

Best Known Role(s): He began working on television shows in 1985. His resume included roles on Who’s the Boss? [see right photo above], The Young and the Restless and Touched by an Angel. He received teen heartthrob status in the late 90s with supporting roles in Varsity Blues and She’s All That, before nabbing the lead role of detective Brian O’Conner in the Fast & Furious franchise.

Age at Death: 40

Cause of Death: He passed away in a car crash in Santa Clarita, Calif., last November. Roger Rodas, his friend who was driving the 2005 Porsche Carrera GT, also died.

Ashleigh Aston Moore (1981-2007)

Best Known Role(s): Chrissy in the 1995 coming-of-age film Now and Then.

Age at Death: 26

Cause of Death: An accidental heroin overdose.

Lee Thompson Young (1984-2013)

Best Known Role(s): The title character on the Disney series The Famous Jett Jackson. He had been starring on the TNT drama series Rizzoli & Isles at the time of his death.

Age at Death: 29

Cause of Death: Suicide by a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Corey Haim (1971-2010)

Best Known Role(s): Numerous TV and movie roles in the 80s and 90s, including The Lost Boys, Lucas and Dream a Little Dream. He often co-starred in films with fellow actor and friend, Corey Feldman.

Age at Death: 38

Cause of Death: The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office ruled his death was due to pneumonia. But leading up to his passing, he was reportedly taking many prescription drugs, including Valium and Vicodin.