Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, and Other Celebrities that Died on the Same Day, They say that celebrities die in threes, but it seems much more common for them to die in twos. And on the same day, at that. Farrah Fawcett died early in the day on June 25, 2009, and just hours later, pop king Michael Jackson died, somewhat overshadowing the in memoriam specials news stations had already planned for Farrah Fawcett.
It's strange that the death of two very different celebrities, Michael Jackson, the undisputed King of Pop, and Farrah Fawcett, the undisputed queen of beautiful posters, will forever tie the two together in the history books, but they aren't the first celebrities that have died on the same day. This is a look back at other celebrities whose dates of death put them in this tragic and strange category:
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson - Perhaps one of the oddest occurrences in history is the double death of two of the men responsible for our nation becoming what it is today. And, to make matters more bizarre, the two died on July 4, 1826. Both were Presidents and bitter rivals, but Thomas Jefferson ended up winning in the end; he is the one with his face on money, after all. Still, John Adams did get a whole award-winning 8+ hour miniseries dedicated to him, so the battle between these two rages on long after they have died.
Luis Bunuel and David Niven - It's hard to connect controversial Spanish director Luis Bunuel to one of the many faces of James Bond, David Niven. Luis Bunuel is known for blasphemous (but very good) movies like 'Viridiana' and 'Simon of the Desert' that made him a largely hated figure during his younger days, while David Niven is known as a great star of popular American movies. But, despite being named after a saint, David Niven does share one tidbit of blasphemy with the man he died on the same day as: he thought as a child that the Lord's Prayer said, "Our Father, who art a Niven."
Michelangelo Antonioni and Ingmar Bergman - It's one of the strangest coincidences to me that two such amazing directors died on the same day. Ingmar Bergman was no stranger to exploring death before he died, with amazing movies like 'The Seventh Seal' and 'Wild Strawberries'. Antonioni, on the other hand, was more into modern neorealistic mysteries with movies like 'L'avventura' and 'Blowup'. Both are incredible directors, and while many film fans debate over which of the two is greater, they both deserve the highest accolade in my book.
Milton Berle and Billy Wilder - Milton Berle was known for making audiences on laugh on movies and television, most notably through the 'Texaco Star Theater' television show (which was previously a radio broadcast). Billy Wilder, on the other hand, was a great director and writer of comedic films like 'Some Like in Hot', 'The Seven Year Itch' (Farrah Fawcett would have been amazing as Marilyn Monroe's character in a 80's update of this film!), and 'The Apartment', but he also directed and wrote some of the best American dramas in 'Sunset Blvd.' And 'Ace in the Hole'. Both were quite different men, but they knew how to make audiences smile.
Orson Welles and Yul Brynner - Orson Welles and Yul Brynner have one thing in common: Marlene Dietrich (apparently the actress had a strong affection for Welles and a brief affair with Brynner). But while Brynner got accolades for his acting in films and plays like 'The King and I' and 'The Magnificent Seven', Welles carved out a name for himself as one of the best actors/writers/directors of all time with 'Citizen Kane'. Unlike Brynner, however, Welles wasn't as popular with audiences in his younger years (perhaps it had something to do with that whole 'War of the Worlds' ordeal), but being responsible for what many consider the greatest movie of all time was probably worth the grief.
Klaus Kinski and Freddie Mercury - Freddie Mercury is the Michael Jackson of rock; no one moved quite like him or sang with the heart he did. He was a victim of AIDS before we understood it, and the front man for Queen responsible for songs like 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and 'We Will Rock You' is still sorely missed. But as much as I'd love to see him still making music, I wouldn't mind Klaus Kinski having more time on this earth, too. His performance in 'Aguirre, Wrath of God' is one of the best you'll ever see; you won't lay eyes on a character that is more frightening or intriguing. He may now best be known as the father of Natassja Kinski, but I don't think we'd know who this actress was without her father. (NOTE: while Kinski and Mercury are listed as dying on November 23 and 24, I have put them on this list because they died during the same 24-hour period.)
Orville Wright and Gandhi - One man was trying to fly over our heads in a violent-looking machine, while the other was thinking above our heads in the most non-violent way possible. But while Orville spent a lot of time in the sky, he didn't die there; a heart attack took his life. Something unexpected took the life of Gandhi, one of the biggest proponents for peace in history, as well; he was assassinated. Both men have changed the course of history, however, inspiring men to think higher (just in different ways).
Federico Fellini and River Phoenix - Federico Fellini had a long lifetime of making great movies like '8 1/2' and 'La Dolce Vita', while River Phoenix' young life was cut much too short. Fellini is now hailed as one of the greatest directors of all time, while River Phoenix is known as one of the most promising young actors of all time due to his work in movies like 'Stand by Me' and 'My Own Private Idaho'. (It's just too bad his wacky brother is making a living off of his fame.)
Jim Henson and Sammy Davis, Jr. - Sammy Davis, Jr. was a musician and member of the 'Rat Pack' responsible for breaking racial barriers (especially in his appearance on 'All in the Family'), while Jim Henson brought a few rats to life of his own in puppet form and broke barriers when it came to children's entertainment. Both were amazing men whose passion brought joy to generations.
Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens - The day these three musicians was the day the music died, according to Don McLean's 'American Pie'. America did lose three of its greatest musicians on one day in the same plane crash, but like those of Michael Jackson, their works will continue to live on as beloved American masterpieces.
It's odd and sad that Farrah Fawcett is the only woman on this short list. But while these deaths are all tragic, these celebrities all share a strange historical distinction in having died on the same day, and they will all be even more memorable for it.
It's strange that the death of two very different celebrities, Michael Jackson, the undisputed King of Pop, and Farrah Fawcett, the undisputed queen of beautiful posters, will forever tie the two together in the history books, but they aren't the first celebrities that have died on the same day. This is a look back at other celebrities whose dates of death put them in this tragic and strange category:
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson - Perhaps one of the oddest occurrences in history is the double death of two of the men responsible for our nation becoming what it is today. And, to make matters more bizarre, the two died on July 4, 1826. Both were Presidents and bitter rivals, but Thomas Jefferson ended up winning in the end; he is the one with his face on money, after all. Still, John Adams did get a whole award-winning 8+ hour miniseries dedicated to him, so the battle between these two rages on long after they have died.
Luis Bunuel and David Niven - It's hard to connect controversial Spanish director Luis Bunuel to one of the many faces of James Bond, David Niven. Luis Bunuel is known for blasphemous (but very good) movies like 'Viridiana' and 'Simon of the Desert' that made him a largely hated figure during his younger days, while David Niven is known as a great star of popular American movies. But, despite being named after a saint, David Niven does share one tidbit of blasphemy with the man he died on the same day as: he thought as a child that the Lord's Prayer said, "Our Father, who art a Niven."
Michelangelo Antonioni and Ingmar Bergman - It's one of the strangest coincidences to me that two such amazing directors died on the same day. Ingmar Bergman was no stranger to exploring death before he died, with amazing movies like 'The Seventh Seal' and 'Wild Strawberries'. Antonioni, on the other hand, was more into modern neorealistic mysteries with movies like 'L'avventura' and 'Blowup'. Both are incredible directors, and while many film fans debate over which of the two is greater, they both deserve the highest accolade in my book.
Milton Berle and Billy Wilder - Milton Berle was known for making audiences on laugh on movies and television, most notably through the 'Texaco Star Theater' television show (which was previously a radio broadcast). Billy Wilder, on the other hand, was a great director and writer of comedic films like 'Some Like in Hot', 'The Seven Year Itch' (Farrah Fawcett would have been amazing as Marilyn Monroe's character in a 80's update of this film!), and 'The Apartment', but he also directed and wrote some of the best American dramas in 'Sunset Blvd.' And 'Ace in the Hole'. Both were quite different men, but they knew how to make audiences smile.
Orson Welles and Yul Brynner - Orson Welles and Yul Brynner have one thing in common: Marlene Dietrich (apparently the actress had a strong affection for Welles and a brief affair with Brynner). But while Brynner got accolades for his acting in films and plays like 'The King and I' and 'The Magnificent Seven', Welles carved out a name for himself as one of the best actors/writers/directors of all time with 'Citizen Kane'. Unlike Brynner, however, Welles wasn't as popular with audiences in his younger years (perhaps it had something to do with that whole 'War of the Worlds' ordeal), but being responsible for what many consider the greatest movie of all time was probably worth the grief.
Klaus Kinski and Freddie Mercury - Freddie Mercury is the Michael Jackson of rock; no one moved quite like him or sang with the heart he did. He was a victim of AIDS before we understood it, and the front man for Queen responsible for songs like 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and 'We Will Rock You' is still sorely missed. But as much as I'd love to see him still making music, I wouldn't mind Klaus Kinski having more time on this earth, too. His performance in 'Aguirre, Wrath of God' is one of the best you'll ever see; you won't lay eyes on a character that is more frightening or intriguing. He may now best be known as the father of Natassja Kinski, but I don't think we'd know who this actress was without her father. (NOTE: while Kinski and Mercury are listed as dying on November 23 and 24, I have put them on this list because they died during the same 24-hour period.)
Orville Wright and Gandhi - One man was trying to fly over our heads in a violent-looking machine, while the other was thinking above our heads in the most non-violent way possible. But while Orville spent a lot of time in the sky, he didn't die there; a heart attack took his life. Something unexpected took the life of Gandhi, one of the biggest proponents for peace in history, as well; he was assassinated. Both men have changed the course of history, however, inspiring men to think higher (just in different ways).
Federico Fellini and River Phoenix - Federico Fellini had a long lifetime of making great movies like '8 1/2' and 'La Dolce Vita', while River Phoenix' young life was cut much too short. Fellini is now hailed as one of the greatest directors of all time, while River Phoenix is known as one of the most promising young actors of all time due to his work in movies like 'Stand by Me' and 'My Own Private Idaho'. (It's just too bad his wacky brother is making a living off of his fame.)
Jim Henson and Sammy Davis, Jr. - Sammy Davis, Jr. was a musician and member of the 'Rat Pack' responsible for breaking racial barriers (especially in his appearance on 'All in the Family'), while Jim Henson brought a few rats to life of his own in puppet form and broke barriers when it came to children's entertainment. Both were amazing men whose passion brought joy to generations.
Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens - The day these three musicians was the day the music died, according to Don McLean's 'American Pie'. America did lose three of its greatest musicians on one day in the same plane crash, but like those of Michael Jackson, their works will continue to live on as beloved American masterpieces.
It's odd and sad that Farrah Fawcett is the only woman on this short list. But while these deaths are all tragic, these celebrities all share a strange historical distinction in having died on the same day, and they will all be even more memorable for it.
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