25 Celebrities Whose Lives Were Cut Short by Alcoholism

Alcohol plays a significant role in our culture, often featured at celebrations, events, and social gatherings. Despite its powerful effects on the mind and body, it doesn't carry the same stigma as recreational drugs. However, according to the CDC, excessive alcohol consumption is responsible for over 140,000 deaths annually in the U.S, impacting both celebrities and ordinary people.

To compile a list of famous people who died from the effects of alcohol, 24/7 Tempo consulted numerous lists published by addiction- or alcoholism-related sites, then verified death dates and diagnoses from obituaries appearing in the New York Times and elsewhere. 

We have focused solely on people whose deaths were directly caused by, or significantly worsened due to, excessive alcohol use. Those who were heavy drinkers or alcoholics but had other contributing factors were not included, nor were the many notable figures, particularly in the music industry, who died from a combination of alcohol and other substances, whether recreational or prescribed.

Almost all these celebrities were killed from the effects of using alcohol over long periods of time. Pioneering jazz musician Bix Beiderbecke, for instance died from lobar pneumonia that was exacerbated by an immune system weakened by many years of alcohol use – though he was only 28 when he died. (He lived long enough to evolve into one of the greatest jazz musicians of the 20th century.)

Others succumbed to alcohol-related conditions like cirrhosis of the liver, cardiovascular events, or internal bleeding. The author of “The Great Gatsby,” F. Scott Fitzgerald, died of an alcohol-induced heart condition. Jazz singer Billie Holiday died from health problems related to alcohol-related cirrhosis of the liver, or scarring of the liver.

Even giving up alcohol can be fatal. Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky died from delirium tremens, an extreme symptom of withdrawal that can cause seizures, hallucinations, and ultimately death.    

Although alcohol often leads to impaired judgment and reduced motor skills, only one person on this list died as a result of an alcohol-related accident. 1950s screen idol William Holden tragically lost his life while intoxicated after slipping and hitting his head on the sharp edge of a bedside table, ultimately dying from blood loss caused by the injury.

• Known as: Famed 19th-century lawyer, Congressman, and Secretary of State
• Died on: Oct. 24, 1852
• Age at death: 70
• Cause of death: Alcohol-induced cirrhosis and subdural hematoma

• Known as: 14th President of the United States
• Died on: Oct. 8, 1869
• Age at death: 64
• Cause of death: Alcohol-induced cirrhosis

• Known as: Esteemed Russian romantic-era composer ("Night on Bald Mountain")
• Died on: March 28, 1881
• Age at death: 42
• Cause of death: Delirium tremens caused by alcohol withdrawal

• Known as: Famed short story writer ("The Gift of the Magi")
• Died on: June 5, 1910
• Age at death: 47
• Cause of death: Alcohol-induced cirrhosis

• Known as: Influential 1920s jazz cornetist and composer
• Died on: Aug. 6, 1931
• Age at death: 28
• Cause of death: Lobar pneumonia exacerbated by longtime alcoholism

• Known as: One of the greatest novelists of the 20th century ("The Great Gatsby," etc.)
• Died on: Dec. 21, 1940
• Age at death: 44
• Cause of death: Alcohol-induced coronary arteriosclerosis

• Known as: Legendary '30s and '40s actor and comedian
• Died on: Dec. 25, 1946
• Age at death: 66
• Cause of death: Alcohol-induced gastric hemorrhage

• Known as: Nobel Prize-winning author and playwright ("Babbitt")
• Died on: Jan. 10, 1951
• Age at death: 65
• Cause of death: Alcohol-induced heart attack

• Known as: Acclaimed Welsh poet and writer ("Under Milk Wood")
• Died on: Nov. 9, 1953
• Age at death: 39
• Cause of death: Severe lung infection and bronchopneumonia exacerbated by alcohol abuse

• Known as: U.S. Senator from Wisconsin; anti-communist demagogue
• Died on: May 2, 1957
• Age at death: 48
• Cause of death: Alcohol-induced hepatitis

• Known as: Highly regarded and influential jazz tenor saxophonist
• Died on: March 15, 1959
• Age at death: 49
• Cause of death: Alcohol-induced internal bleeding

• Known as: The greatest, most influential jazz singer of the 20th century
• Died on: July 17, 1959
• Age at death: 44
• Cause of death: Pulmonary edema and heart failure, exacerbated by alcohol-induced cirrhosis of the liver

• Known as: Author, poet, playwright, and political activist; considered one of the great Irish writers of all time
• Died on: March 20, 1964
• Age at death: 41
• Cause of death: Alcohol-induced complications of diabetes

• Known as: Quintessential Beat Generation novelist and poet ("On the Road")
• Died on: Oct. 21, 1969
• Age at death: 47
• Cause of death: Cirrhosis-induced esophageal hemorrhage linked to lifelong alcohol abuse

• Known as: Influential R&B and rock'n'roll singer; founder of The Drifters
• Died on: June 13, 1972
• Age at death: 39
• Cause of death: Liver, heart, and kidney disease linked to alcohol abuse

• Known as: Glamorous actress in 1940s comedies and film noirs
• Died on: July 7, 1973
• Age at death: 50
• Cause of death: Alcohol-induced cirrhosis and hepatitis

• Known as: Influential Led Zeppelin co-founder and drummer
• Died on: Sept. 25, 1980
• Age at death: 32
• Cause of death: Alcohol-induced pulmonary aspiration

• Known as: Academy Award-winning Hollywood leading man; named one of classical Hollywood's 25 greatest male stars
• Died on: Nov. 12, 1981
• Age at death: 63
• Cause of death: Blood loss from laceration suffered from a fall while inebriated

• Known as: Famed Shakespearean actor turned box-office star; two-time husband to Elizabeth Taylor
• Died on: Aug. 5, 1984
• Age at death: 58
• Cause of death: Alcohol-induced intracerebral hemorrhage

• Known as: Russian ballet star and actor
• Died on: May 18, 1995
• Age at death: 45
• Cause of death: Alcohol-induced hepatitis

• Known as: Influential Texas singer-songwriter
• Died on: Jan. 1, 1997
• Age at death: 52
• Cause of death: Alcohol-induced cardiac arrhythmia

• Known as: British soccer star; considered one of the best players of all time
• Died on: Nov. 25, 2005
• Age at death: 59
• Cause of death: Alcohol-induced lung infection and multiple organ failure

• Known as: Record-breaking English soul and R&B singer
• Died on: July 23, 2011
• Age at death: 27
• Cause of death: Accidental alcohol overdose

• Known as: Actor, singer, teen idol
• Died on: Nov. 21, 2017
• Age at death: 67
• Cause of death: Alcohol-induced liver and kidney failure

• Known as: Comedian and actor (Mini-Me in the Austin Powers films)
• Died on: April 21, 2018
• Age at death: 49
• Cause of death: Suicide by alcohol poisoning