Famous People Who Committed Suicide

Over the centuries there have been many famous people who have taken their own lives for one reason or another. With the recent news of Robin Williams taking his own life, the issue of depression and suicide has once again been brought to the forefront.

It has also opened up the recent past of famous people who have not only died before their time, but took their own life as well.

Robin Williams

Here are just some of the celebrities and people who have enjoyed fame who have taken their own lives for different reasons.

Robin Williams

Robin Williams died on August 11, 2014 in his home in Paradise Cay, California. The coroner stated that Williams had died due to self-inflicted asphyxia from a belt tied around his neck. It was stated by his publicist that he was suffering from depression and by his wife that Williams had early stage Parkinson’s disease.

Jevon Belcher

One of the strangest suicides in recent memory, the former Kansas City Chief linebacker had shot his girlfriend and then made his way to the team headquarters where he killed himself. Those who witnessed the event reported that Jevon stated, “I wasn’t able to get enough help.” The speculation was centered on Jevon’s concern about his girlfriend taking away his son and the money issues that he was facing.

Chris Benoit

One of the more famous wrestlers in the WWE stable, Chris Benoit killed his wife and 7 year old son before hanging himself from a weight bench in his basement. Although there was speculation about the use of steroids in Benoit’s life, there were others who believed that he had suffered from brain damage which had altered his sense of reality.

Kurt Cobain

One of the most famous celebrity suicides, Kurt Cobain led the band Nirvana which helped to bring about the grunge movement of the early 1990s. He was only 27 when he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. However, it was discovered that he had more than three times the lethal amount of heroin in his system at the time of his death.

Don Cornelius

Don was the creator and host of “Soul Train”, one of the most successful syndicated television shows that lasted for decades. His health had declined over the years and he suffered from seizures due to an aneurysm. It was not long after that he took his own life with a gunshot to the head.

Ernest Hemingway

One of America’s most famous authors whose works were well known around the world, such as “For Whom the Bell Tolls” was known to have suffered from alcoholism and depression. He died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, although his wife insisted that it was accidental.

Tony Scott

The director of the hit film “Top Gun” was reportedly suffering from depression and jumped off a bridge into Los Angeles Harbor where he ultimately died from drowning. Toxicology results showed high levels of Remeron and Lunesta in his system which is an antidepressant and sleeping aid respectively.

Lee Thompson Young

The actor arguably best known for his role in the movie, “Friday Night Lights” and his recurring character, “The Famous Jett Jackson” committed suicide via self-inflicted gunshot at the age of 29.

A List of Famous People Who Committed Suicide

Prince Alfred of Edinburgh Mark Antony Chris Benoit Eva Braun David Carradine Cleopatra Kurt Cobain Don Cornelius George Eastman Hannibal Ernest Hemingway Margaux Hemingway Heinrich Himmler Adolf Hitler Abbie Hoffman

Richard Jeni Brian Keith Sylvia Plath Freddie Prinze Mark Rothko Junior Seau Socrates Hunter S. Thompson Alan Turing Vincent van Gogh Herve Villechaize Robin Williams Wendy O. Williams Virginia Woolf Lee Thompson Young

Depression, brain damage, alcoholism and drug abuse have played major roles in celebrities who have committed suicide. And, it proves that money and fame are still no escape from the troubles that affect everyday people.