the list of 9 for april 26, 2005:
NINE NOTABLE PEOPLE WHO DIED AT 34
I turned 35 today. In honor of the event, I was going to write a list of filmmakers whom I haveoutlived. But it seems as though I've picked the right vocation, if longevity is my goal - mostmovie directors live to a ripe old age, and I only found two (very obscure) ones who were deadbefore 35. So I had to find a new topic. Rather than just cite nine famous people who died young(a huge pool to draw from), I focused on the ones whom I can only now say I've officiallyoutlived: those that left this earth while they were a mere thirty-four years of age.
- ELLIOTT SMITH, 1969-2004. Singer-songwriter, nominated foran Oscar for his ballad "Miss Misery." Suicide.
- CHARLIE PARKER, 1920-1955. aka "Bird." Jazz saxophonist.Cause of death undeclared, but probably heroin overdose.
- DANA PLATO, 1964-1999. "Diff'rent Strokes" actress turnedtragic mess. Suicide.
- JESSE JAMES, 1847-1882. Legendary Wild West outlaw.Murdered by colleague.
- LAYNE STALEY, 1967-2002. Singer for grunge band Alice inChains. Overdose.
- JOE ORTON, 1933-1967. British playwright, subject ofbiopic Prick Up Your Ears. Murdered by boyfriend.
- JAYNE MANSFIELD, 1933-1967. Blonde bombshell actress.Automobile accident. (Note: Mansfield was not beheaded, despite urban legend.)
- JEFFREY DAHMER, 1960-1994. Serial killer/cannibal.Murdered by inmate in prison.
- SIMONE WEIL, 1909-1943. French philosopher/activist. Oneof the several more obscure figures to die at 34. Others include Lorraine Hansberry(African-American playwright, wrote "A Raisin in the Sun"), Marco Pantani (Italian cyclist, Tourde France winner), Eva Hesse (German-born minimalist sculptor), Jonathan Melvion (Smashing Pumpkinskeyboardist) and Katherine Mansfield (New Zealand-born writer).
|