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.
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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."
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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.
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In 1990, a fossil dubbed Sue the T-Rex was discovered by the Black Hills Institute. A tragic custody battle ensued over the T-Rex.
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150 Black people died in the Colfax Massacre, and the aftermath set a dangerous precedent in the United States. This is the tragic story of the Colfax Massacre.
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Country superstar Tammy Wynette's real-life story was riddled with the tragedy of four failed marriages and chronic abdominal health problems.
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DJ Jam Master Jay was integral to early hip-hop as part of Run-DMC, but he was shot to death in 2002 in a case that went unsolved until 2024.
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When news came that George Michael had died at home at the age of 53, our collective sadness was highlighted by a cruel irony. As part of '80s power duo Wham! (with Andrew Ridgeley), Michael brought us one of the all-time beloved Christmas pop songs, "Last Christmas" -- and he died on Christmas Day.
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Pop-rock group The Go-Go's climbed to the top of the charts in the early '80s, but behind the hits, the band members were plagued by numerous tragic events.
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Cline recorded her first album in 1955 and gained a huge following by the time the 1960s rolled around. Her songs started to appear on the radio. Her face was showing up on the television variety program Town and Country Jamboree. She was on her way to the top.
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George Harrison enjoyed much success, but his life was marked by underappreciation by peers, Eric Clapton marrying his ex-wife, and an attempt on his life.
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South African cleric Desmond Tutu's live was far from rosy. Here's a look at the tragic truth about Desmond Tutu.
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Combs was highly experienced and knew what she was doing but couldn't prevent a mechanical failure when she was chasing a world record in Oregon.
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In the story of NASA, one of the worst disasters in the department's history happened on solid ground. As NASA reports, on January 27, 1967, a fire during a preflight test for the Apollo 1 mission took the lives of astronauts Gus Grissom, Edward White, and Roger Chaffee.
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"Rowdy" Roddy Piper was one of the biggest WWE personalities of the 1980s. Why? Because everyone loved to hate this hot-headed, fearless star. He battled the likes of Hulk Hogan and Mr. T in the ring, and had quite the prolific career on the other side of the ropes as well.
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New Hampshire-born Connie Converse is considered to be the first modern singer-songwriter. She settled among the beatniks and bohemians in New York City's Greenwich Village in the 1950s, writing hauntingly raw lyrics over guitar melodies.
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The Nazis may have Magnus Hirschfeld's Institute for Sexual Sciences, but his legacy lives on in the continued battle for LGBT rights.
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George Washington died suddenly on December 14, 1799, just two years after he left office as the first President of the United States.
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For many people, Jani Lane was the ultimate hair metal frontman. This is the tragic real-life story of Warrant's Jani Lane.
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And though Axl Rose's childhood isn't an excuse for any unpalatable behavior he may have exhibited, it certainly gives us a little insight into the trouble he's had in his past.
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In 1965, after more than a decade of struggling to become the musician he dreamed of being and joining the ranks of the budding rock 'n' roll royalty, Roy Orbison began to see his fame fade...
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Desi Arnaz Jr. might not ring a bell at all to the younger generations, but being the child of a famous couple keeps you in the spotlight -- and being in the spotlight often means trouble.
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Jeff Buckley was a unique talent whose career was only beginning to take off before a bad decision cost him his life. Here is the story of his tragic death.
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Rodman had hard times. If you were to spot him as a kid, you'd never know that he'd someday be shooting hoops for the NBA. His childhood goes far beyond everyday hardships, which makes his story of success all the more fantastic.
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Where were the police? "They were there," Yates insisted, "but it appeared as though they were there to protect the people who were beating us."
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All four members of The Who had significant moments of tragedy and tribulation throughout their lives, but guitarist and singer Pete Townshend's childhood had a series of particularly sad and disturbing moments.
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One of the most memorable characters from the Little Rascals was Froggy, a cranky little boy with a croaking voice reminiscent of a frog.
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