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According to the World Health Organization, around 10 million people die of cancer across the globe each year. Of course, these numbers also include famous people who lost their battle with the disease. While some stars managed to survive their cancer diagnosis, others sadly succumbed to it. Unfortunately, the list is long.
In this gallery, you will find the most famous people who lost their lives to this terrible disease.
The actress, best known for starring in movies such as 'Twins' (1988) and 'Jerry Maguire' (1996) died of breast cancer on July 12, 2020. The late wife of actor John Travolta was 57.
At the time of her death on May 10, 1977, from a heart attack while suffering from pancreatic cancer, no one was quite sure how old Joan Crawford was: her date of birth has never been ascertained. The Hollywood legend's age was reported as being anywhere between 69 and 73 years old.
The legendary American jazz pianist and singer died of lung cancer on February 15, 1965, at just 45 years of age.
The famous photographer and musician, also known for being married to Paul McCartney of The Beatles, died three years after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She passed away on April 17, 1998, at the age of 56.
The award-winning actor died from complications of lung cancer and emphysema on July 1, 1997, at the age of 79.
The Oscar-winning actress, who had a very successful career spanning more than half a century, succumbed to breast cancer on October 6, 1989, at the age of 81.
Hollywood A-lister Patrick Swayze is famous for his roles in 'Dirty Dancing' (1987) and 'Ghost' (1990). In 2008, he was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. The actor died the following year, on September 14, 2009, aged 57.
Alan Rickman was a highly respected stage, television, and film actor, best known for playing Professor Snape in the 'Harry Potter' film franchise. The British actor first received treatment for prostate cancer before later being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He died aged 69 on January 14, 2016.
The American baseball legend who played for the New York Yankees died of lung cancer on March 8, 1999, aged 84.
Andre Braugher was diagnosed with lung cancer just a few months before his death. The 61-year-old actor died on December 11, 2023. He was best known for playing the beloved Captain Raymond Holt in the comedy series 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' for its eight seasons.
The Swedish actress who conquered Hollywood sadly died of breast cancer on her 67th birthday, on August 29, 1982.
The iconic animator, entrepreneur, and film producer, died of "circulatory collapse" caused by lung cancer on December 15, 1966. He was 65.
The Oscar-winning actor, known for movies such as 'The Color of Money' (1986), lost his battle with lung cancer on September 26, 2008. Paul Newman was 83.
Hattie McDaniel was the first African American woman to ever win an Academy Award. She won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mammy in 'Gone with the Wind' (1939). McDaniel died of breast cancer on October 26, 1952, aged 59.
The lead guitarist of The Beatles passed away on November 29, 2001, following a battle with lung cancer. The "quiet Beatle" was 58.
The American entertainer died of large-cell lung carcinoma (a rare type of lung cancer) on May 16, 1984, at the age of 35.
Astronaut Sally Ride broke the gender barrier on June 18, 1983, when she became the first American woman in space, rocketing to the stars on Challenger's STS-7 mission with four male crewmates. The history-making heroine—and the first known astronaut to have been LGBTQ—was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2011. She died of the disease on July 23, 2012, aged 61.
The Academy Award-winning actor died after prostate cancer spread to his colon, bones, and lungs. Cooper left us on May 13, 1961, at 60.
Founding frontman and songwriter for Pink Floyd, Syd Barrett had long spiraled into mental illness before his demise at 60 from pancreatic cancer on July 7, 2006.
The French impressionist painter lost his battle with lung cancer on December 5, 1926. Monet was 86.
The famous American singer was diagnosed with lung cancer in September 1993 and died of acute respiratory failure resulting from emphysema on December 25, 1995. He was 78.
The 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' (1961) and 'The A-Team' actor died of pneumonia after battling lung cancer and emphysema on May 8, 1994. Peppard passed away at the age of 65.
The wife of Richard Nixon and former First Lady of the United States died of lung cancer on June 22, 1993, aged 81.
The American actress lost her battle with breast cancer on January 21, 1999. Susan Strasberg was 60.
The award-winning British-Australian singer and actress was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992. The 'Grease' star battled the disease on and off for years but eventually passed away on August 8, 2022. She was 73.
The "King of Cool" died of pleural mesothelioma, a type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. Steve McQueen left us on November 7, 1980, at the age of 50.
Mexican-American actor Adan Canto passed away on January 8, 2024, at the age of 42. He had privately battled appendiceal cancer. Canto was best known for starring in shows like ' The Cleaning Lady' and 'Designated Survivor.'
The English actress, best known for co-starring in multiple films with her husband Charles Bronson, passed away on May 18, 1990. Ireland succumbed to breast cancer at the age of 54.
King George VI's official cause of death was coronary thrombosis, but it has been suggested that the blocking of blood flow to the heart was a result of complications caused by a carcinoma in his lungs. The king died on February 6, 1952, at the age of 56.
The Queen of Disco died of lung cancer on May 17, 2012. Donna Summer was 63.
Steven Spielberg once called English actor Pete Postlethwaite "the best actor in the world." Postlethwaite, who died of pancreatic cancer on January 2, 2011 aged 64, was known for films such as 'In the Name of the Father' (1993), and Spielberg's own 'The Lost World: Jurassic Park' (1997).
The Jamaican reggae legend was diagnosed with melanoma (skin cancer) on his toe in 1977. The melanoma then fatally spread to his brain and lungs. Bob Marley died on May 11, 1981. He was 36.
Forever known for his roles as Little Joe Cartwright in 'Bonanza' (1959–1973) and as Charles Ingalls in 'Little House on the Prairie' (1974–1983), Michael Landon succumbed to a particularly aggressive form of pancreatic cancer known as exocrine adenocarcinoma on July 1, 1991. He was 54 years old.
The legendary "Queen of Soul," Aretha Franklin remains a music legend, and is one of the world's best-selling artists with hits like 'Respect' and '(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.' Her death from pancreatic cancer on August 16, 2018, aged 76, was mourned by fans the world over.
Luciano Pavarotti was a giant of the opera world. No other tenor of the modern era faced down high Cs like the man from Modena. Pavarotti was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in July 2006, dying the following year on September 6, 2007, aged 71.
Steve Jobs is remembered as the man who co-founded Apple Computers and pioneered a series of revolutionary technologies, including the iPhone and iPad. In 2003, Jobs discovered that he had a neuroendocrine tumor, a rare form of pancreatic cancer. He battled the disease for eight years before passing away on October 5, 2011. He was 56 years old.
A controversial trailblazer, Karl Lagerfeld was one of the most influential names in the fashion industry. The creative director of Chanel, a position held from 1983 until his death, Lagerfeld passed away from complications of pancreatic cancer aged 85 on February 19, 2019.
Famous people who died of cancer
Notable figures who lost their battle with the illness
CELEBRITY Health
According to the World Health Organization, around 10 million people die of cancer across the globe each year. Of course, these numbers also include famous people who lost their battle with the disease. While some stars managed to survive their cancer diagnosis, others sadly succumbed to it. Unfortunately, the list is long.
In this gallery, you will find the most famous people who lost their lives to this terrible disease.