The Most Devastating Final Words Actors Said To Their Co-Stars

The death of someone close is one of the most difficult things people can face in life. Anyone who has lost a friend or family member knows that those final moments together are often some of the most cherished and can provide not just closure but also memories that last years and years. Occasionally, the last words of a loved one are haunting, touching, or even profound. 

Though celebrities are frequently treated like they are larger than life, the reality of our mortality is no easier on them than on any of us. Many actors and actresses have tragically passed well before their time. Their deaths not only have an impact on their families, friends, and fans around the world but also on their co-stars. Below are some of the most heartbreaking final words from icons — including Natasha Richardson, Humphrey Bogart, Chadwick Boseman, and John Ritter — whose deaths deeply affected their closest co-workers.  

Desi Arnaz was as big as they come throughout his acting career, which spanned from 1940 until his final film role in 1982's "The Escape Artist." More famously, Arnaz was recognized for being the patriarchal lead in the groundbreaking 1950s sitcom "I Love Lucy," alongside his then-wife Lucille Ball. The pair met on the set of the film "Too Many Girls" and eloped during the movie's production. Together, the couple filmed over 180 episodes of "I Love Lucy" while going on to make films and special appearances. Unfortunately, the world's most famous couple of the time divorced in 1960 and shared few exchanges until Arnaz was on his deathbed in 1986.

In 2022, a documentary called "Lucy and Desi" revealed many truths about the Hollywood couple, including their final words to each other. According to their daughter, Lucie Arnaz, she united her parents to have one last conversation on their wedding anniversary, November 30, 1986. With it explained to Lucille Ball that Arnaz's time was short, the celebrated actress reportedly exclaimed her love for her former co-star on a phone call in his final days and he replied in kind (per Insider). Additionally, Lucie Arnaz said that a month prior, Ball had paid her ex-husband a visit and they watched old episodes of their famous television show. He died on December 2, 1986. 

Most famous for performing ridiculous daredevil acts as a regular cast member on "Jackass," Ryan Dunn was described as the "go-to guy for outrageous stunts that even such stalwarts as Steve-O weren't willing to try" (per MTV). A longtime member of the troop, Dunn was undeniably closest with star Bam Margera, since the pair had worked alongside each other in the "Jackass" predecessor series "CKY." Unfortunately, in 2011, Dunn and his production assistant Zachary Hartwell died in an alcohol-involved vehicular accident in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Torn up about the loss of his friend, Bam Margera spoke about the accident with E! News a short time later. "He was my best f–king friend in the world. It's been five days now and I can't stop crying," said the heartbroken Margera. Sadly, the former co-star then revealed the troubling final text message that he received from Dunn on the night of the fateful crash. It read, "stopping for a beer, be there when I can." Weighing on Margera even further is the fact that he had been in a similar accident with Dunn 15 years prior: "He flipped me in a car eight times at the same exact spot in 1996. Thank God I had my seat belt on."

The death of once-budding young heartthrob Corey Haim proved harrowing for Hollywood. The Canadian actor was an icon in the 1980s alongside Corey Feldman. The performers appeared in seven different films together, most notably "The Lost Boys." Unfortunately, Haim struggled with the trauma and sexual assault that he'd been subjected to as a young actor. Amid a downward turn in his career and financial struggles, addiction issues ended with Haim's demise in March 2010.

Although Corey Feldman and Haim's relationship was reportedly strained in the actor's final years, they had reconciled and were preparing to film new projects together (per Larry King Live). However, the most heartbreaking news to come out following Haim's passing was a promise that Feldman had made to his longtime co-star and best friend. "Corey asked me to make sure that if he died before me that his story was told," said Feldman to E! News about exposing the sexual assault the actors faced as teenagers in Hollywood. "I am doing exactly that... The only thing left is he wants people to know who the assailant was, and I hope to God that one day that story can be told, too." Since Haim's death, Feldman has been fulfilling his oath, releasing a documentary about their childhood and appearing in multiple news outlets.

If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

"Saturday Night Live" alum Chris Farley was one of the funniest men to ever hit Hollywood. Best known for being a heavyset guy who would put his body on the line for a good laugh, he split the audience's sides in movies like "Beverly Hills Ninja." Unfortunately, Farley died in December 1997 after nearly completing voice actor work as the main character in the animated movie "Shrek." His legacy had a significant impact on the comedian community, and he's often compared to another "SNL" star who passed away in similar circumstances, John Belushi.

Farley's over-the-top energy was the perfect contrast to co-stars like Adam Sandler and David Spade. Farley and Spade especially built a friendship that saw them collaborate on such big-screen movies as "Tommy Boy" and "Black Sheep." Despite their success together, Farley began spreading his wings into new projects. However, Spade recently revealed in an interview with Esquire how close they were to making a new comedy. "I ran into him two months before [he died]," said Spade. "He was like, 'Everyone always talks about 'Tommy Boy' and 'Black Sheep.' It's not as much fun out there. Let's try to get one going again...' I think about Farley every day."

Another former "Saturday Night Live" cast member taken before his time was Norm Macdonald. Recognized for hosting the "Weekend Update" segment on the late-night variety show, Macdonald elicited laughs with his ability to crack the most sarcastic comments without breaking. The folksy funnyman went on to star in movies like "Dirty Work" and "Dr. Doolittle," as well as star in his own self-titled ABC sitcom "The Norm Show." Sadly, the actor hid his terminal illness from everyone but his closest circle and inevitably died in September 2021 (per Washington Post).

Norm Macdonald's death devastated the comedy community. Many of his peers shared their condolences on social media. One of his closest friends was seasoned "Full House" actor Bob Saget, who had performed with the comedian many times and directed the Macdonald-led "Dirty Work." "I knew something was wrong. I think a lot of us felt it," said Saget following news of Macdonald's death (per Hollywood Reporter). "Two weeks ago, he texted me, 'How are you? What are you doing? Are you doing stand-up?' And I answered him with much too many words. And then I didn't hear back. And then last week I got a text and just said, 'I love you.' I didn't say much back. I just said, 'I love you, Norm.'"

Redd Foxx was a celebrated comedian best known for his 1970s sitcom "Sanford and Son." The prominent stand-up's influence can still be seen in comedy today thanks to his long, illustrious career and many catchphrases. In 1991, the seasoned 68-year-old actor plotted a television comeback and began work on a new sitcom called "The Royal Family." However, he died before the series could air under extremely unfortunate and ironic circumstances.

Foxx suffered a massive heart attack while rehearsing for the upcoming sitcom. His co-star and friend of over four decades, Della Reese, was caught off guard by the genuine health troubles, as it was the senior actor's regular bit. Reportedly, Foxx would often fake heart troubles while grabbing his chest and yelling, "This is the big one!" Reese told news outlets, "Redd was always doing something funny. I thought he took a pratfall." "When he dropped to the floor, Della said 'Get up, Redd'" noted another witness, "He said, 'I can't breathe.' Those were the last words he said."

One of the more recent heartbreaks to hit Hollywood was Chadwick Boseman's untimely death. Recognized for portraying Black Panther in the MCU film franchise, Boseman was an award-winning actor who appeared on screens as far back as 2003. His death came as a surprise to most, as he never spoke about his illnesses publicly before dying in August 2020 at the age of 43. Upon the actor's shocking death, his friends and co-stars were quick to fondly remember the "Avengers" star. 

Josh Gad, who co-starred with Boseman in the 2017 legal drama "Marshall," had a particularly special remembrance of his friend. Noting that the late actor knew "how precious every moment was," Gad tweeted one of his final text messages from Boseman. "I urge you to go outside and take a deep breath," reads the message. "We should take advantage of every moment we can to enjoy the simplicity of God's creation." Boseman's final messages about living every moment fell especially heavy considering the secrets he withheld. 

Famed actress Natasha Richardson was the daughter of Emmy Award winner Vanessa Redgrave and a member of England's Redgrave family dynasty. Richardson made a name for herself in films such as "Gothic" and "The Handmaid's Tale," before meeting the love of her life Liam Neeson during a Broadway production of "Anna Christie" in 1993. Their relationship quickly flourished and they would go on to collaborate on further projects and welcome two children. Unfortunately, in 2009, the actress suffered an ultimately fatal head injury during a skiing accident in Quebec, Canada. 

Years later, during an episode of "60 Minutes," Neeson shared the harrowing final moments he spent with his wife. "Oh darling, I've taken a tumble in the snow," was the last thing Richardson told him before being rushed to the hospital with a significant blood clot. When Neeson arrived to be beside his wife, he realized the true extent of her injuries. Unfortunately, at this point, Richardson was no longer conscious and Neeson was forced to make a difficult decision. "She and I had made a pact. If any of us got into a vegetative state that we'd pull the plug," said Neeson. Meanwhile, his last words to his wife and former co-star were, "Sweetie, you're not coming back from this. You've banged your head. It's — I don't know if you can hear me, but that's — this is what's gone down."

Instantly recognizable for his long-running role in the "Fast and Furious" franchise, Paul Walker was at the height of his career when he tragically died in November 2013. An action star and stuntman, Walker performed in over 30 films and even turned down the role of Superman in 2003 (per Superhero Hype). His death in a vehicular accident was a tragic, if ironic, conclusion for the actor, given his connection to the "Fast" films and enthusiasm for performance vehicles. 

The celebrated actor developed close bonds with his friends and castmates, specifically "Fast and Furious" co-star Vin Diesel. The pair were in the development of the seventh movie in their action franchise during their last interaction. Diesel has since shared the story of their final scene together and the last words the friends shared. "These action films can be very dangerous, no matter what anyone tells you," Diesel stated in an interview with Variety (via International Business Times). "I started to think, 'What would happen to Paul Walker if I died?'" Subsequently, Diesel recollects speaking with Walker about death while fretting about his own fate. Reportedly, it was Diesel who worried he would die young and told Walker to tell the world the kind of brother that he was. "I've played that over in my head countless times. That's the last time I ever saw him," he said.

An icon for his contributions to animation and puppeteering, Jim Henson was the creative mastermind behind franchises such as "The Muppets" and "Sesame Street," as well as feature-length films like "Labyrinth." The voice and performer behind Kermit the Frog and a collection of other characters, Henson hand-built a production company that made people smile all over the world. Tragically, Henson died abruptly and unexpectedly from a common bacterial infection in May 1990. His death devastated the community that he is credited with creating. However, the Muppet man did leave some final words for his friends and family in the form of two letters.

"I'm not at all afraid of the thought of death and in many ways look forward to it with much curiosity and interest," reads a letter Henson left for his closest friends and co-stars. "Please watch out for each other and love and forgive everybody. It's a good life, enjoy it." The note goes on to detail his wishes for his funeral, including asking his Muppet family to sing "happy and joyful" songs. Always the jokester, Henson's final words are the most fitting, "Have a wonderful time in life, everybody; it feels strange writing this kind of thing while I'm still alive, but it wouldn't be easy to do after I go."

Best known for his starring role in the first four seasons of the musical sitcom "Glee," Cory Monteith was a Canadian actor on the rise before he tragically died in 2013. His passing was full of sorrow closely tied to his on-screen romance. Monteith met his long-time girlfriend Lea Michele on the set of "Glee," where they played romantic interests. Their off-screen relationship became one of the most heartwarming stories of love in Hollywood. Monteith's unexpected death hit his co-stars hard but they found the resilience to deliver a tribute episode to the actor in the fifth season of "Glee."

Michele dealt with the loss of her boyfriend and co-star in a creative way. The actress-slash-singer wrote multiple songs about Monteith, including "If You Say So," about the final words that they shared. "It's about my last conversation that I had with him," Michele told Seventeen. "There are lots of different emotions — if you could see this person again, what are the things you would want to say to them? It's a personal story." The lyrics to Michele's tribute song read: "Was just a week ago you said, 'I love you girl.' I said, 'I love you more.' And a breath, a pause, you said, 'if you say so if you say so.'"

A pure film and music dynamo, Olivia Newton-John had a fruitful career in both industries. As a singer-songwriter, she scooped up four Grammy Awards, dished out a collection of Top 100 singles, and landed the top entry of Billboard's Greatest of All Time Songs of the 80s with "Physical." Meanwhile, in Hollywood, she most memorably starred as leading lady Sandy Olsson in the 1978 musical sensation "Grease" opposite a young John Travolta.

Sadly, the superstar passed away in August 2022, and the impact could be felt worldwide, with the Sydney Opera House from her home country of Australia lighting up in pink as a memorial. Still, her former "Grease" castmates felt the loss most significantly, as showcased by a touching tribute from Travolta. However, it was her Pink Lady cohort Edith "Didi" Conn, who played the iconic Frenchie, who had a heartfelt last conversation with Newton-John.

The pair had remained in contact throughout the years, speaking almost once a month, including in her final few weeks. "She was in the hospital at the time," Conn said in an interview with Page Six. Touchingly, despite her condition, Newton-John thoughtfully spent most of the chat concerned about Conn's own recent illness. "The next day, I got this beautiful orchid plant," Conn recalled. "Three days before she died one of the orchid flowers fell down and my heart stopped. I said, 'I hope that's not a sign.'"

A stand-up comedy legend, Bob Saget is best remembered for his work in television. He provided the narrating voice of Ted Mosby for more than 200 "How I Met Your Mother" episodes and hosted nearly a couple more hundred episodes of the video clip series "America's Funniest Home Videos." Still, Saget remains most famous for his role as patriarch Danny Tanner on the long-running sitcom "Full House" and its sequel series "Fuller House."

While the characters of "Full House" learned how to become a family through eight seasons, the performers playing the roles created their own lifelong connections. Tragically, the passing of Saget in January 2022 helped audiences realize just how close the actors of "Full House" were. John Stamos, who played the rock 'n roll-loving Uncle Jesse, revealed in an interview with The New York Times that despite some hardship and head-butting initially, he and Saget became lifelong pals. Sadly, it was his last encounter with a somber Saget that Stamos missed the most: "He listened, and he was thoughtful and didn't interrupt; he cared about what we were saying," Stamos recalled. "I hate to say it, but it was the Bob that I always wanted to see." Meanwhile, Saget's onscreen daughter Candace Cameron Bure admitted that their final interaction mended a small argument, with the father figure ending the conversation with the emotional expression, "I love you more for the trouble you're giving me. If that's even possible."

One of the most difficult deaths in Hollywood in recent years was the passing of Robin Williams in August 2014. Entertaining audiences of all ages, Williams collected a trove of awards, including an Oscar, as he built an astounding filmography. From his groundbreaking work on the ABC sitcom "Mork & Mindy," iconic voice performances in animations like "Aladdin," to heartfelt dramatic roles like in "Good Will Hunting," Williams did it all while being widely beloved by fans. Sadly, audiences knew nothing of the depression Williams faced in his final days — alongside his diagnosis of the degenerative disease Lewy body dementia.

Despite Williams keeping his problems private, he kept dear friends close. Notably staying in touch was fellow comedy legend, Billy Crystal, who co-starred in many projects alongside Williams, including the feature film "Father's Day" and an impromptu cameo on "Friends." "He's my closest friend," remembered Crystal during an interview on "Today" (via E Online). "We'd talk three, four times a day sometimes." Heartbreakingly, Crystal was deeply concerned for his friend near the end. In a biography titled "Robin," Crystal recalls attempting to find help for Williams following his LBD diagnosis. "I didn't miss a beat. Because of my relationship with Muhammad Ali, I knew a lot of really good Parkinson's research doctors," said Crystal. "I never heard him afraid like that before. This was the boldest comedian I ever met — the boldest artist I ever met. But this was just a scared man."

A tough truth about someone dying is that you will never get the chance to fix past mistakes or mend a broken relationship. Painfully, this occurred with Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Dustin Diamond, who once represented the tightest of childhood friendships in the longstanding "Saved by the Bell" franchise. Playing Zack and Screech, both were the only performers to appear in all three main entries of the series, including "Good Morning, Miss Bliss" and "The College Years." Diamond even outdid his co-star by joining "Saved by the Bell: The New Class" upon the cancellation of "The College Years."

Unfortunately, Diamond and Gosselaar struggled to maintain the same close relationship they presented onscreen, especially after the shows ended. Even more disheartening is that while many of the "Saved by the Bell" cast members remained friendly, even reuniting multiple times in recent years, Diamond was often excluded. Gosselaar and the rest of the cast tragically never took the chance to make amends with their childhood peer before the Screech actor passed away in February 2021. "We did a Comic-Con back in 2019. I saw him. He looked healthy. We had a nice little conversation," Gosselaar said on his podcast "Zack to the Future." "We didn't talk after that. What a lot of people don't understand is that you can work with somebody for many years [and not talk to them again]. It's a sad thing about the business, but it does happen."

Without question, Elvis Presley ranks as the biggest rock star of his time, and is often regarded as "the greatest cultural force of the 20^th century." The hip-shaking singer became an international sensation for his groundbreaking, best-selling music that crossed multiple genres. Launching to stardom in the mid-1950s, Presley dominated the charts until his shocking death in August 1977 – although, his influence is still felt today. During Presley's revolutionary career, audiences all over the world clamored to see the King of Rock and Roll perform. His prominence and natural charisma helped him make the transition into acting, and he quickly emerged as one of Hollywood's biggest movie stars.

Between 1956 and 1969, Presley starred in 31 feature films ranging from westerns to romances that almost always included original musical numbers. Some of his most famous roles involved the utopian island backdrop of Hawaii, which is where he met co-star Irene Tsu on the set of 1966's "Paradise, Hawaiian Style." "He smelled like baby powder and milk," a starstruck Tsu recalled in an interview with Fox News (via Elvis Australia). The pair became quite close, bonding over spirituality and a mutual love for martial arts. However, it was her last interaction with The King that resonates most for Tsu. "He just looked at me and said, 'Keep that light burning, baby'. And that was it," she said. "I guess he lost his light. Couldn't find his way home, you know? I truly feel he just worked himself to death. It was very tragic."

Veteran actor Scott Wilson amassed film and television credits dating back to 1967. Despite earning a Golden Globe nomination for his supporting role in the 1980 film "The Ninth Configuration," Wilson struggled to find much notoriety in the acting game until late in life. The aging performer finally found success and fame when he joined the cast for the second season of AMC's "The Walking Dead" as farmer and veterinarian Hershel Greene. Maintaining a regular role on the series for three seasons, Wilson saw his star grow even brighter in Hollywood, as landed a main role in the Netflix series "The OA."

Heart-shatteringly, it was at the height of his celebrity status that Wilson passed away in October 2018. As the shocking news of his death broke it was almost simultaneously revealed that Wilson would return for season 9 of "TWD." The season debuted the next day with a touching tribute to the late actor. Subsequently, his co-stars honored the late performer by remembering him as a warm and entertaining man. In an interview with MovieWeb, Norman Reedus, Daryl Dixon of "TWD," recalled his hilariously touching last visit with Wilson. "He's sitting there next to me, and he can't speak very well," Reedus said. "I looked over at him and he looked over at me, and I go 'You're such a f***ing a**hole.' And he just starts laughing."

An icon of classic cinema, Humphrey Bogart helped Hollywood become what it is today thanks to performances in timeless films such as "Casablanca," "The Maltese Falcon," and "The African Queen." However, as important as he was to the film industry, the same attention could be given to his longtime wife and superstar actress Lauren Bacall. The pair met on the set of Bacall's first film, "To Have and Have Not," and despite a significant age gap (Bacall was 19, Bogart was 44), they hit it off. They married soon after and went on to co-star in several movies, including "The Big Sleep" and "Key Largo."

Bogart and Bacall's marriage remains one of Hollywood's truest love stories. The hardened Bogart — with a reputation of spitting bullets — reportedly shed tears the day he wed his young bride, and they remained happily together until his health deteriorated. Bogart was ill for the last few years of his life, with Bacall and many celebrity friends at his side. A longstanding rumor suggests that Bogart's final words were "I should never have switched from scotch to martinis," which sounds like the witty vernacular of the classic actor. However, it is better documented that Bogart spoke last to his wife, telling Bacall "Goodbye, kid. Hurry back." Mournfully, the actress left his bedside to attend to their children, but Bogart had slipped into a fatal coma before she could return.

Unmistakable as gangster Henry Hill from the film "Goodfellas," Ray Liotta nevertheless established an accomplished career beyond mobster flicks. "You want to do as many different genres as you can and that's what I've been doing. I've done movies with the Muppets. I did Sinatra. I did good guys and bad guys," Liotta once said in an interview with Long Island Weekly. "I decided that I was here to try different parts and do different things." So, it is unsurprising that Liotta opted to take on a role in one of the most outrageous and original films in recent years, becoming the villain Syd White for the rambunctious "Cocaine Bear." Tragically, it was one of the last projects Liotta would finish as he passed away in May 2022; the film opened posthumously.

Before Liotta wrapped up his work on the drug-infused-bear movie, he offered some touching words to his friends and castmates. The film was directed by Elizabeth Banks, who previously shared the screen with Liotta in the film "The Details." She remembers her last interaction with the actor before he departed for another film set in the Dominican Republic. "We had a great hug, and he was really proud of the movie. He laughed at what it had become," Banks recalled in an interview with USA Today. He also left a message with the director about "Cocaine Bear" co-star Alden Ehrenreich, saying "That kid's good," a last revered compliment from an actor of high caliber.

One of Hollywood's biggest tragedies involved Vic Morrow, who died while filming "Twilight Zone: The Movie" in the early 80s. A veteran actor with decades of experience, Morrow's most notable performance was the lead role in the ABC 60s drama series "Combat!" Additionally, he appeared in many popular television programs, including "Hawaii Five-O," "Charlie's Angels," and "Fantasy Island." However, it is Morrow's final role in a segment of the "Twilight Zone" feature that cemented his legacy in Hollywood history books.

In what may be the biggest disaster to ever take place while filming a movie, Morrow and two child actors (ages six and seven) died in a helicopter accident in July 1982. The aftermath saw Hollywood mourning while years of civil and criminal court cases tormented the studio and director John Landis. The most disheartening news to come out of the catastrophe was that Morrow was reportedly quite concerned about filming around the chopper. From reports that were released after the accident, there were multiple concerns raised by cast and crew surrounding the stunt, including from Morrow himself. Remaining timid around the flying machine, the actor was overheard by cast and crew on the morning of the tragic accident uttering his last words: "I must be out of my mind to be doing this. I should've asked for a stunt double."

Fans of romantic comedies will remember the 1987 film "Moonstruck" well. The MGM hit starred singer Cher as a woman falling in love with her fiancé's brother, performed by Nicolas Cage. The movie collected six Academy Award nominations, winning one for Cher's leading performance and another for her onscreen mother and supporting actress, Olympia Dukakis. Both actresses would go on to successful careers while maintaining a friendship to the end. Dukakis became a regular in television films and miniseries, building a significant filmography and earning several Emmy Award nominations along the way.

Sadly, Dukakis became severely ill and passed away in May 2021 at the age of 89. But she was quickly honored by her former co-Oscar-winning castmate. "We [laughed] all the time. She would tell me how much she loved Louis [Zorich], her 'handsome, talented' husband," Cher recalled in a social media message after news of Dukakis' passing. Cher went on to reveal that she had recently spoken to Dukakis as she received hospice care. Unfortunately, Dukakis was struggling to hear or speak at the time. However, a conversation with Cher seemingly perked up the ailing actress. "I called into the receiver 'Olympia, it's Cher, I [love] you, remember 'Moonstruck?” She said, 'Oh Cher, I [love] you.' She was weak but happy."

No one can deny Sean Connery's impact on cinema. The longstanding James Bond actor's monumental career spanned almost half of a century. He collected plenty of awards and acclaim while performing in numerous beloved films, including "Highlander," "The Hunt for Red October," and "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade." The celebrated actor retired in the mid-2000s, turning down substantial roles in both "The Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter" franchises. Thankfully, Connery reportedly enjoyed retirement until his fateful passing in October 2020 at the age of 90.

Connery's legacy made a lasting impression on many performers. Notably, Andy Garcia, who co-starred with Connery in "The Untouchables" wrote an article for The Hollywood Reporter to remember the legend days after his passing. Garcia, whose own filmography includes "Ocean's Eleven," "Internal Affairs," and "The Godfather Part III," called Connery his inspiration for becoming an actor. Regrettably, Garcia notes that it pains him that he had not seen his co-star and hero for many years before Connery passed, despite an open invitation. "We had a cocktail or two, and it was a beautiful thing," Garcia said about his last chat with Connery in 2009. "He lived in the Bahamas. He said, 'Come to Nassau. We'll play some golf.' I thought to myself, 'Yeah, I gotta go do that.' I never did. It's a regret I have."

John Lennon is overwhelmingly best recognized as a musical sensation, especially as one-fourth of the Beatles. For the majority of the 1960s, Lennon and his bandmates reigned supreme over the music charts, becoming the most influential music group of all time. What some fans may not realize is that The Beatles briefly parlayed their fame into Hollywood stardom. During the height of Beatlemania, the legendary rock group toplined two comedy films, "A Hard Day's Night" and "Help!," and they almost starred in their own version of "Lord of the Rings."

Alas, everyone knows that the rock group endured a public falling out, centered around disagreements between Lennon and Paul McCartney. The Beatles separated in 1970, 10 years before John Lennon was murdered outside his Manhattan apartment. McCartney has openly admitted that he was heartbroken that he could never fix things with his old friend. "I do feel it was sad that we never actually sat down and straightened our differences out," The Beatle said in an interview with Playboy. "But fortunately for me, the last phone conversation I ever had with him was really great." Devastatingly, their last interaction was a positive experience, spelling potential for a possible reunion. "It was just a very happy conversation about his family, my family. Enjoying his life very much; Sean [Lennon] was a very big part of it. And thinking about getting on with his career."

A personality larger than the characters that he portrayed on television, Leslie Jordan was a beloved celebrity until his unexpected death in October 2022. Small in stature and speaking with a thick Southern drawl, Jordan was easily recognizable in his onscreen appearances. Some of his most notable work includes appearances in the "American Horror Story" franchise, a recurring role on "Boston Legal," an Emmy Award-winning guest spot on the NBC sitcom "Will & Grace," and the show he co-starred on at the time of his death, "Call Me Kat." The performer gained a significant social media following thanks to his comedic posts during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jordan's passing at the age of 67 shocked his fans, friends, and co-stars. Actor Max Greenfield, best known for the sitcom "New Girl," shared a long friendship with Jordan after the pair met on the set of "Will & Grace" in 2017. Greenfield missed his last opportunity to see his former co-star just days before Jordan died. In an interview with "E! News," Greenfield explained that Jordan attempted to visit him during a book signing. "He tried to get in, but the event was sold out, and they didn't let him in," said Greenfield. "He texted me during, he was like, 'I tried to get in. I saw that you were so famous, they wouldn't let me in. They turned my little a** away.'"

An entertainer of the highest order, Bob Hope seemingly did it all during his 100 years of life. A former boxer, singer, author, and 19-time host of the Academy Awards, Hope was best known as an actor and comedian thanks to his 70-plus film credits and famous USO tours dating back to World War II. His signature self-deprecating humor made him a star for nearly 80 years, and he kept on joking through his later years, saying (via BBC), "I'm so old, they've canceled my blood type."

Hope died two months after his 100^th birthday, in July 2003. He was deeply mourned by his wife, Dolores Hope, who spent much of her singing career performing alongside her husband on stage, tours, and film. Astonishingly, the pair were married for 69 years before Bob Hope's passing, and despite plenty of rumors of infidelity, remained happily together through four children. The couple's grandson, Zach Hope, stated that it was "laughter to the end" during an interview on CNN. And he was a comedian all the way to his final moments. One of the last things Bob Hope said to his wife and family upon being asked where he wished to be buried was, "Surprise me."

For anyone who owned a television in the 90s and early 2000s, Steve Irwin is an unforgettable figure. Suited up in his tan shirt and shorts and readying his famous catchphrase "Crikey!" Irwin was the premier wildlife educator and television personality called the Crocodile Hunter. With a heart of gold for all animals, Irwin especially focused on the conservation of Australian wildlife as a zookeeper and longtime host of environmental documentaries. Often sharing the screen with his wife Terri Irwin, the pair became international celebrities hosting a slew of zoology programs and specials.

Irwin brought zealous enthusiasm and unadulterated passion to everything he accomplished. That continued until September 2006, when he died during an accident involving a stingray while filming a new documentary. Although his admiration for reptiles was evident from his presentations, so was his love for his family, especially his wife Terri and their children, Bindi and Robert. Sadly, the Crocodile Hunter knew time was short and was considering retirement in his final days. "He never thought he would have a long life," Terri Irwin said in an interview on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's "Brush With Fame." "I remember him saying to me, 'I don't think I am going to film anymore; I think I am just going to spend time with my kids.'" The last thing Irwin said to his beloved family was "Goodbye," as he waved to them as they boarded a flight to Tasmania and he remained in Australia to begin filming his final series.

Award-winning actor John Ritter was a star of movies and television. As the lead in "Three's Company," Ritter played Jack Tripper for more than 170 episodes. Alongside a slew of other television appearances, the actor was still at the top of his game in the early 2000s as the patriarchal figure in "8 Simple Rules... For Dating My Teenage Daughter." Tragically, Ritter died abruptly in 2003 while filming the sitcom, much to the shock of co-star Kaley Cuoco, who would later go on to perform as Penny on "The Big Bang Theory."

Remembering her on-screen father, Cuoco spoke about her time filming "8 Simple Rules" with Ritter on the 15th anniversary of his passing. "To this day, if anyone asks me about John Ritter, I get this chill because I love him so much," the actress emotionally revealed to ET. In her final moments with the sitcom veteran, Cuoco attempted to check on his illness when he did something completely fatherly. "He sat down on the couch, and he goes, 'I love you,'" Cuoco said. "And I was like, 'I love you, too, silly man.' He goes, 'No, I want you to know, I love you.' And I said, 'I love you too.' And he goes, 'That's it!' And he gave me a hug... and that was the last I saw of him."