Chris Farley
It’s never easy saying good bye to your loved ones, and we all hope that when the time comes to pass on we can do so with no regrets and nothing left unsaid. The famous last words of your favorite celebrity will bring you to tears.
Chris Farley died far too young as a result of drugs and an extremely high risk lifestyle. His last night on this earth was spent with a prostitute in a Chicago hotel where they consumed large amounts of crack and heroin.
Farley collapsed near the door to the room as the prostitute was leaving and apparently called out to her, “Don’t leave me”. She snapped a photo and left him there where he was found the next day by his concerned brother.
Carrie Fisher
Always outspoken, Fisher never shied away from a tough question or comment and gave an interview just days before her death. In that fateful issue of Rolling Stone magazine, the interviewer asks Fisher if she fears death to which she replied, “No, I fear dying.
Anything with pain associated with it, I don’t like. And I’ve been there for a couple people when they were dying, and it didn’t look like fun.” Four days later she suffered a massive heart attack on a flight from London and passed away soon after.
Elvis Presley
The King of Rock and Roll died in his bathroom while sitting on the toilet, a sad end to an otherwise magnificent life. Presley was heavily using barbiturates and his health was quickly deteriorating, Parts of concerts had to be cancelled all together as he was unable to get out of his bed.
He woke on the morning of August 16, 1977, turned to his fiance Ginger Aldean and said ” I’m going to the bathroom to read” and never returned.
Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs is credited with discovering Apple and launching a high tech revolution. In October, 2011, Jobs was found dead at his California home due to complications related to treatment he received for pancreatic cancer. Hours before he passed away, Steve lost consciousnesses but not before uttering his last words. Surrounded by his mother, children, and partner Laurene he looked at each of them and then took in his surroundings one last time and said, “Oh wow.
Oh wow. Oh wow. ”
Sharon Tate
Sharon Tate's untimely death in 1969 shocked the nation, not only because she was one of the most famous actresses of her time, but because cult leader Charles Manson was responsible for her killing. Tate was eight months pregnant at the time of her death, and her last words to her killers were: “Please — please don’t kill me — I don’t want to die.
I just want to have my baby.”
Michael Landon
Known best for his role on the classic family series Little House on the Prairie, Landon died of Pancreatic Cancer in 1991 at only 54 years old. His family had been gathered at his bedside and his son pleaded with the actor to let go to which Landon answered, “You’re right. It’s time.
I love you all” and passed peacefully. Just before his death, he granted Life Magazine one final interview that focused on his private life and his struggles to live.
Farrah Fawcett
Farrah Fawcett died in 2009 from a multiple-year battle with cancer. She died with her romantic partner Ryan O'Neal at her side.
According to O'Neal, Fawcett's last words were: “I’m happy. I’m ready.”
Lucille Ball
This funny redhead asked for “My Florida water” moments before she suffered a heart attack. On April 18, 1989, Ball was rushed to hospital and underwent surgery for eight hours, which appeared to go well at first. However, in a few days she was gone.
At 77 years old, the comedian succumbed to her injuries and went to join former husband Desi Arnaz on the other side. Lucille Ball was best known for her comedic timing and amazing facial expressions and physical humor.
Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain committed suicide with a shotgun at the age of 27 on April 5, 1994 and left a note addressed to his imaginary friend Boodah, “It’s better to burn out than to fade away” was the last sentence scrawled on the piece of paper at his side. High amounts of heroin and diazepam were found in his blood but it was not initially clear if he had suffered an overdose.
Courtney Love, Cobain’s partner, had called the police previously following a suicide attempt early in 1994.
Harriet Tubman
Perhaps the most famous abolitionist, Harriet Tubman died in 1913 at 91 years old. Knowing that the end was near, she gathered her family around her and together they sang “Swing Low Sweet Chariot”.
Her last words were those exact words, “Swing low, sweet chariot.” During the Civil War, Tubman worked as a cook and nurse, before later trying her hand as an armed scout and spy for the Union Army. She is responsible for liberating more than 700 slaves through the underground railway.
Jackie Wilson
Known as Mr. Excitement, Jackie Wilson was a legendary R&B singer with a voice beyond his years. A master showman, Wilson collapsed on stage and it was soon discovered he had suffered a massive heart attack at only 49 years old.
He was in the middle of rehearsing his song “Lonely Teardrops” for the Dick Clark Good Ol’ Rock and Roll Revue, and after his heart attack he slipped into a coma. His last words were therefore lyrics from his famous song.
John Wayne
Although you may know him as John Wayne, this Hollywood tough guy was actually named Marion Robert Morrison. Born in Winterset, Iowa, Wayne started acting in small film roles when he lost his football scholarship. Best known for his work in westerns, Wayne acted alongside many of the big film stars of his ear. He passed away at 72 after being diagnosed with both stomach and lung cancer.
His last words were addressed to his third wife, Pillar, he turned to her and said in his characteristic drawl “Of course I know who you are. You’re my girl. I love you.”
Whitney Houston
With her dying breath, Whitney Houston’s last words were, “I’m gonna go see Jesus, want to see Jesus”. The sad and tragic end to her long battle with addiction came on February 11, 2012.
Whitney was found drowned in a hotel bathtub after a suspected accidental overdose which led to heart failure. Whitney is the only artist to have seven consecutive No.1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 list.
John Lennon
Famous former Beatle and world renowned peace activist, John Lennon was murdered in front of his NYC apartment on December 8, 1980. Shot multiple times in the back by deranged fan Mark Chapman, Lennon was rushed to hospital and only spoke a few words before losing consciousness.
According to reports from the nursing staff who received the fatally injured star, his last words were simply, “I’m shot”. Lennon left behind his wife Yoko Ono and two sons, Sean and Julian Lennon.
W.C. Fields
Actor and comedian W.C. Fields began his career in vaudeville and quickly moved on to Broadway and film. He became popular for playing misanthropic and egotist characters.
He passed away at only 66 years old due to a stomach hemorrhage, perhaps related to the large amounts of alcohol Fields consumed daily. Fields died in 1946 and his last words were: “God damn the whole friggin’ world and everyone in it but you, Carlotta.” He was speaking to his girlfriend Carlotta Monti, an actress and performer.
Tupac Shakur
An original player in the rap game, Tupac Shakur was not only a performer but a poet and activist as well. Known for his scathing lyrics and no holds bar attitude, Tupac was shot down in a drive by shooting in Los Vegas on September 7th, 1996.
As he was leaving a boxing match with friend and associate Suge Knight, the young rapper got into a scuffle with a member of the Crips gang and paid the ultimate price. Police at the scene reported that his last words were exactly what you’d expect upon seeing a cop leaning over him, “F**k you”.
Marvin Gaye
Singer songwriter Gaye was shot at point blank range by his father after trying to intervene in a fight between his parents. Marvin went to his room after a physical altercation with his father and told his mother, “Mother, I’m going to get my things and get out of this house.
Father hates me and I’m never coming back.” Marvin Gaye is credited for helping to shape the sound of Motown in the 1960’s and was dubbed ” The Prince of Motown”. Gaye’s father was later found to have a brain tumor that may have led to his irrational behavior.
Groucho Marx
Julius Henry Marx, better known by his stage name Groucho Marx, died at 86 years old after a bout of pneumonia in a Los Angeles Hospital. Groucho made 13 feature films with his brothers as well as had a successful solo comedy career. A funny man till his dying day, his last words were apparently, “This is no way to live”.
Marx made a career off of his exaggerated greasepaint mustache, stooped posture and ever present cigar. Groucho died just four months after his brother Gummo and was survived by younger brother Zeppo.
Walt Disney
In November of 1966, Walt Disney was diagnosed with lung cancer after a life time of heavy smoking. The famous animator never used filters on his cigarettes and smoked with a pipe in his youth. Just days after his 65th birthday he was taken to hospital and died of circulatory collapse.
Found after his death was a note on his desk with the words, “Kurt Russel” scrawled across it. The now famous Hollywood actor was just starting his career and cast in several Disney Studios films.
Ryan Dunn
Ryan Dunn was a founding member of the American stunt performance crew, Jackass. Dunn rose to fame alongside pal Bam Margera thanks to his adventurous outlook and fondness for extreme pranks and stunts. On June 20, 2011, Dunn left his home and sent a final text to Bam that read, ” Stopping for a beer, be there when I can”.
Dunn’s Porsche veered off the road and collided with a tree and shortly burst into flames. Ryan was only 34 years old and fondly remembered by his friends and fans.
Heath Ledger
When it was announced that actor Heath Ledger had been found dead in a New York apartment the world was shocked. The young actor had recently spoke to his sister on the phone and told her, “Katie, Katie, look…it’ll be fine, you know, I just need to get some sleep.” Heath was rumored to be suffering from insomnia following his intense character work for The Joker role in The Dark Knight.
Toxicology reports showed an accidental overdose of sleeping pills and a prescribed treatment for a chest cold.
Alfred Hitchcock
Legendary film maker Alfred Hitchcock died at the age of 80 due to kidney failure. Hitchcock’s wife had suffered a stroke not long before and the director was hesitant to disclose too much about his own health struggles as a result.
At first he refused a visit from a priest and was quoted as saying, “One never knows the ending. One has to die to know exactly what happens after death, although Catholics have their hopes.” No suspense here, he died peacefully in his home and was survived by his wife and daughter.
Anna Nicole Smith
Marilyn Monroe lookalike and famous model, Anna Nicole Smith transformed herself from a virtual nobody into a megastar. Her death was sad on so many levels. She had, after all, just become a mother for the second time and left behind a five month old baby girl.
Her death was ruled an overdose of prescription and illicit drugs and those who saw her in her final hours remarked how odd her behavior had been. The last reported words were apparently, “I’m hungry”.
Jackie Gleason
Gleason developed the characters he played from real live people that he experienced while growing up in Brooklyn. His tough-talking character Ralph Kramden from The Honeymooners is probably the best known of all of his roles. Gleason was a comedian, writer, and musician who knew how to entertain a crowd.
On June 24, 1987, he died from colorectal cancer at his home in Luderhill Florida but not before saying, ” I always knew what I was doing”. What a great loss to the television industry!
Joe Dimaggio
Major League Baseball star, Joe Dimaggio had only love on the mind when he passed away. His famous last words are rumored to have been, “I finally get to see Marilyn”, referring of course to actress Marilyn Monroe. The pair were married in 1954 and split after Marilyn accused Joe of “mental cruelty”.
They reconciled years later and would often read poetry together despite never renewing their love. On October 12, 1998 Dimaggio entered the hospital for lung cancer surgery. He remained in hospital for 99 days and passed away soon after.
Edgar Allan Poe
King of the macabre, Edgar Allan Poe definitely had one of the most mysterious deaths. On October 3, 1849, Poe was found wandering the streets of Baltimore delirious, confused, and in need of immediate assistance. Poe was wearing clothing that belonged to someone else and was in an out of a coherent state.
His last words, although not known for sure, were reportedly “Lord help my poor soul”. His death certificate was lost and newspapers at the time reported his death was due to “congestion of the brain”, which may have been a euphemisms for syphilis.
Jimi Hendrix
One of the quintessential rock stars of the 1970’s, Jimi is another star to have made it into the “27 club”. His music career only spanned four years but his musical legacy lives on and many musicians credit him as one of the best guitar players of the 20th century.
Hendrix was with his girlfriend Monika Dannemann in her hotel in Notting Hill where they shared dinner and a bottle of wine together the night before he died. The pair stayed up talking until the wee hours and the last thing Jimi said to her was, “I need help bad, man!” When Monika woke up he was unresponsive beside her.
Robin Williams
Hollywood’s favorite funny man committed suicide on August 11, 2014 after secretly battling severe depression and anxiety for years. His last words were publicly addressed to his daughter Zelda on Instagram, captioned, “#tbt and Happy Birthday to Ms. Zelda Rae Williams!
Quarter of a century old today but always my baby girl. Happy Birthday @zeldawilliams Love you”.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The genius behind The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and The Lost World died in his garden at the age of 71. His last words weren’t “Elementary, my dear Watson” but rather “You are wonderful”. He was, of course, addressing his wife Jean Leckie to whom he was married to for just under 20 years.
Doyle is known not just for his creative writing but as a respected scientist and physician. An interesting fact about Doyle, he was obsessed with the paranormal and believed spirits were apt to communicate after death.
Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith was nicknamed the “Empress of the Blues” and was highly influential in the 1920’s and 1930’s. On her death bed, those close to her heard her say, “I’m going, but I’m going in the name of the Lord”.
Smith began singing on street corners as a young girl to help support her impoverished family. During the height of her career, Smith was the highest paid black entertainer of the era and even traveled with her own personalized rail car.
Steve Irwin
Cameraman Justin Lyons is reportedly the last person to see Steve Irwin alive and even captured his last moments on film. The world famous naturalist and conservationist was filming a segment on stingrays when he was fatally struck with a barb.
His last words were not prophetic, nor did he quote his famous catch phrase “Crikey!” Irwin knew the danger he was in and the risk he took filming the dangerous sea creature and exclaimed “I’m dying”, moments after he was struck.
Paul Walker
In a tragic twist of fate, Walker, known for his wildly successful Fast & Furious films, died in a car crash. Walker was at a charity event raising money for typhoon victims and turned to an organizer and said his fateful last words, “We will be back in five minutes”. Paul and his friend Roger Rodas got into Rodas’s Porsche GT and sped away.
Shortly after, the car crashed into a lamppost and burst into flames. Walker left behind a young daughter and countless distraught fans.
Humphrey Bogart
This American screen icon died at the relatively young age of 57 after a battle with Esophageal Cancer that he managed to keep under wraps for quite sometime. A heavy drinker and smoker for most of his life, his famous last words were apparently “I should never have switched from Scotch to Martinis”.
Over the course of 30 years, Bogart appeared in more than 75 feature films. He met the love of his life, Lauren Bacall on the set of To Have and Have Not.
Sir Isaac Newton
Sir Isaac Newton is widely recognized as one of the most influential scientists and mathematicians of all time. He died at the age of 84 in his native England and apparently said the following on his death bed, “I don’t know what I may seem to the world.
But as to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore and diverting myself now and then in finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than the ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.” Pretty elegant, if you ask me!
Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse joined the infamous “27 club” on July 23, 2011 due to alcohol poisoning. Just hours before her death, Winehouse placed a call to her doctor and told him “I don’t want to die”. According to toxicology reports, her blood alcohol level was five times the legal limit.
Winehouse became famous for her sultry voice and old school look. Her last album Back to Black was, for a time, the best selling album of the 21st century in the UK.
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin was one of the founding fathers of the United States of America, a man renowned for his mathematics abilities and activism. At the end of his days, the 84 year old Franklin was lying in bed having trouble breathing and in pain.
His daughter told him to change position so he could breath easier and he replied with, ” a dying man can do nothing easy”. Although it appears a simple statement, there is a feeling that there may have been more behind these words than meets the eye.
Coco Chanel
Legendary fashion designer Coco Chanel was ready to move on and famously said, “You see, this is how you die”. At 87 years old, she was tired and her health drastically took a turn for the worse. On Saturday January 9, 1971, she took a long drive and went to bed early.
She was dead by the next morning. Born Gabrielle Bonheur, she was dubbed Coco while she worked as a seamstress for a cabaret show and would sing the song “Qui qu’a vu Coco” in between shows.
Bob Marley
Reggae star Bob Marley left us far too young, but his music still continues to ignite a flame in the hearts of fans. At only 36 years old, he died due to complications resulting from a melanoma diagnosis. Marley was such a staunch Rastafarian that he refused a potentially life saving toe amputation and allowed for cancer cells to spread to his organs instead.
When he knew the end would likely come, he told his son Ziggy Marley, “Money can’t buy life”. Marley left behind 12 children from different women.
Bob Hope
Just two months shy of his 100th birthday, actor Bob Hope died from pneumonia at his home in Toluca Lake, California. Sensing the end was near, Hope’s wife asked where he wished to be buried and he replied with “Surprise me”. Bob Hope had a prolific career spanning nearly 80 years in the entertainment industry.
He starred in over 70 feature films and shorts and even hosted the Academy Awards 19 times. Hope was an avid golfer and owned a small stake in his hometown baseball team.
Sid Vicious
Punk rocker and bassist for the Sex Pistols, Sid Vicious was born John Simon Ritchie in Lewisham, London, England. Sid met girlfriend Nancy Spungen at the height of the band’s popularity and the two were known for their volatile relationship and heavy drug use. The two were staying at the Chelsea Hotel in New York City and had a massive blow out which resulted in Sid apparently stabbing Nancy to death. Under intense suspicion for her death, Sid committed suicide by heroin overdose a year later. The note found in his pocket read, ” We had a death pact.
I have to keep my half of the bargain. Please bury me next to my baby. Bury me in my leather jacket, jeans and motor cycle boots. Goodbye.”
Sir Winston Churchill
The man who gave strength to countless British citizens during WWII died from a stroke in 1965 at the ripe old age of 90. The famous strategist had failing health for years and is rumored to have suffered greatly from bouts of depression which he dubbed “the black dog”.
His famous last words were, “I’m bored with it all”, fitting for a man who truly had done it all including leading a country, serving in the military and surviving three wars.