13 Promising Actors Who Died Before They Were 30, And It’s Truly Heartbreaking
Chance Perdomo was best known for his work in the TV series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Gen V. He died at age 27 in 2024 in a motorcycle accident, according to the BBC. Gen V, which is expected to air Season 2 in the near future, did not recast Chance’s role. Instead, they recrafted the upcoming season in light of his death.
Cameron Boyce was a Disney Channel alum who starred in the series Jessie and the movie franchise Descendants. He also had a notable role in the Grown Ups films. He died at age 20 in 2019 after suffering a seizure related to his epilepsy, according to ABC News.
Anton Yelchin starred in several major films in the ’00s and ’10s, including the Star Trek franchise and the drama Like Crazy. He died at age 27 in 2016 after his car rolled back and crushed him against his security gate, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Jansen Panettiere was a prolific voice actor who had roles in the TV series Blue’s Clues and The X’s, as well as the films Racing Stripes, Robots, and Ice Age: The Meltdown. He died at age 28 in 2023 from an enlarged heart, according to NBC News.
Angus Cloud starred in the hit TV series Euphoria and had roles in the films Freaky Tales, Abigail, and The Garfield Movie. He died at age 25 in 2023 from an accidental overdose, according to The Guardian.
Kyle Birch starred in the West End production of A Strange Loop. He also starred in productions of The Color Purple and Once on This Island. He died at age 26 in 2024, according to Playbill. A cause of death has not been stated.
Cole Brings Plenty had a notable role in the Yellowstone prequel 1923. He also appeared in the TV series The Tall Tales of Jim Bridger and Into the Wild Frontier. Cole died at age 27 in 2024, according to the New York Times. A cause of death has not been stated.
James Dean starred in classic ’50s films like East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause, and Giant. He died at age 24 in 1955 after a car crash, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Dominique Dunne was an up-and-coming actor who appeared in the hit film Poltergeist. She also appeared in episodes of Fame, Hart to Hart, and CHiPs. Dominique was strangled at the age of 22 in 1982 by her ex-boyfriend, according to the New York Times.
Sharon Tate was one of the biggest up-and-coming stars of ’60s Hollywood, appearing in the TV show The Beverly Hillbillies and the films Valley of the Dolls and The Fearless Vampire Killers. She died at age 26 in 1969 after being murdered by the Manson Family cult.
Thuy Trang starred as the original Yellow Ranger in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. She died at age 27 in 2001 in a car crash, according to Entertainment Weekly.
Heath Ledger had major roles in hit films like 10 Things I Hate About You, A Knight’s Tale, and Brokeback Mountain. He posthumously won an Oscar for his role as Joker in The Dark Knight. He died at age 28 in 2008 from an accidental overdose, according to the New York Times.
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Finally, Edie Sedgwick
Edie Sedgwick was one of Andy Warhol’s muses who appeared in several underground films, including Poor Little Rich Girl. She died at age 28 in 1971 from an overdose, according to the New Yorker.
