• Mary Wells, 1964

    The Tragic Real-Life Story Of Mary Wells

    When Wells was 16, she met an assistant to Berry Gordy Jr. of Motown Records, who brought her in to present a song she'd written for Jackie Wilson. Motown signed her and she recorded the song, "Bye Bye Baby," herself. She paired up with Smokey Robinson, and the result was a string of hits.
  • Carrie Fisher in 2015

    The Tragic Real-Life Story Of Carrie Fisher

    Actress and humorist Carrie Fisher had an incredibly unusual life story. As the daughter of Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher earned an iconic role in the original Star Wars trilogy. But behind Princess Leia was the tragic story of drug addiction, bipolar disorder, and sour marriages.
  • Junior Seau

    The Tragic Death Of Junior Seau

    Chronic traumatic encephalopathy may have been the primary factor in the suicide of former San Diego Charger Junior Seau, who shot himself to death.
  • Curtis Mayfield

    The Tragic Life Of Curtis Mayfield

    According to the L.A. Times, Mayfield was performing a concert in Brooklyn when a freak accident occurred -- a lighting rig collapsed, striking Mayfield and fracturing three vertebrae in his neck. Mayfield was left permanently paralyzed from the neck down. He continued to compose and record.
  • Groucho Marx

    The Tragic Death Of Groucho Marx

    As the most prominent of the Marx Brothers, Julius Henry Marx –- known to the world as "Groucho" –- became one of the best-known comedians of his age, known both for his dazzling visual comedy and his acerbic, quick-witted one-liners.
  • Rock Hudson

    The Tragic Real-Life Story Of Rock Hudson

    Old Hollywood icon Rock Hudson was best known for his dashing looks and roles in Giant and All That Heaven Allows. Behind Rock Hudson's fame was a tragic childhood, a manipulative Hollywood agent, and a struggle with his gay identity. Hudson was the first major celebrity to die with AIDs in 1985.
  • A shot of drag racer Scott Kalitta from 1996

    The Tragic Death Of Drag Racer Scott Kalitta

    Scott had taken a break for three years before he got back to racing simply because he missed it so much. Scott was driving during the qualifying rounds for the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) SuperNationals, moving at about 300 miles an hour when his Funny Car's engine exploded into flames.
  • A profile shot of a young George Michael

    The Tragic Childhood Of George Michael

    The singer didn't know what it's like to be taken care of as a kid and didn't experience love and affection at home. His parents were too caught up in trying to provide for him and his siblings. "I was never praised, never held," he said. "So it wasn't exactly the Little House On The Prairie."
  • Dale Earnhardt, Sr.

    The Tragic Death Of Dale Earnhardt, Sr

    According to initial reports by the Orlando Sentinel, he died of the brain injury, but those reports turned out to be incorrect. According to U.S. Motorsport, Dr. Barry Myers, a professor of biomedical engineering at Duke University, reviewed Earnhardt's autopsy images.
  • Jared Leto

    The Truth About Jared Leto's Tragic Childhood

    According to Leto, his father went out to get a carton of milk, only to metaphorically end up on a milk carton himself, back in the early 1970s when Leto was only a baby. The story gets a bit darker. Leto's dad remarried, and Leto never heard from the guy again.
  • cooper

    The Tragic Death Of Tommy Cooper

    Known for his big red fez, the bumbling prop comedian Tommy Cooper elicited belly laughs from countless fans throughout his 37-year career. But while the 6'5" actor brought joy to audiences, the on-screen death of the 69-year-old proved to be more shocking than any of his gags ever would be.
  • A close-up shot of racing driver Ayrton Senna

    The Tragic Death Of Formula One Racer Ayrton Senna

    According to the Formula One website, Senna was aware of his limitations and didn't take his mortality for granted. He viewed racing as a way to learn more about himself. "For me, this research is fascinating," he said. "Every time I push, I find something more, again and again."
  • A Guns N' Roses banner held up by a fan at a concert

    The Tragic Death Of Guns N' Roses' Original Bassist

    Beich was drawn to the band's potential. He'd already proved his mettle with Mercyful Fate and other bands. As the the sound and style of Guns N' Roses evolved, however, the bassist found himself struggling to be happy. He didn't want to stick to hard rock.