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0 / 35 Fotos
John Taylor
- The respected jazz pianist suffered a heart attack at the Saveurs Jazz Festival in 2015. He later passed away in hospital.
© Getty Images
1 / 35 Fotos
Molière
- One of the earliest stars to meet his end on stage was this famous French actor and playwright. He battled tuberculosis and perished during a performance of 'Le Malade Imaginaire.'
© Public Domain
2 / 35 Fotos
Big Pokey
- At the age of 45, Houston rapper Big Pokey lost his life due to a frightening fall while performing on stage. The incident shocked the audience and ultimately led to his passing. The Texas-based MC, born Milton Powell, collapsed at a bar in Beaumont on the evening of June 17, 2023. Video footage captured the moment as he held the microphone, exhaled deeply, tipped backward, and fainted. Panic ensued when he didn't rise, and a nurse attempted to provide assistance until emergency services arrived. He was transported to the hospital where he later passed away. His autopsy revealed that he died of a heart attack.
© Getty Images
3 / 35 Fotos
Lil Hardin Armstrong
- The jazz musician collapsed on stage during a memorial performance for her former husband, Louis Armstrong, in 1971.
© Getty Images
4 / 35 Fotos
Lee Morgan
- Jazz legend Lee Morgan met an untimely demise in New York. He was shot and killed by his common-law wife while performing on stage. Heavy snowfall prevented timely ambulance arrival, leading to his fatal bleeding at the venue.
© Getty Images
5 / 35 Fotos
Mikaben
- Haitian singer Mikaben, whose real name was Michael Benjamin, tragically passed away during a concert in Paris on October 15, 2022. He collapsed as he exited the stage, still within view of his fans. It is suspected that he suffered a heart attack. He was only 41 years old at the time.
© Getty Images
6 / 35 Fotos
Mikaben
- While performing at the 20,000-capacity Accor Arena in Paris, as a guest of the renowned Haitian group Carimi, Mikaben experienced the fatal event. The venue later confirmed his passing, stating that he had suffered a seizure on stage and despite the efforts of emergency services, he couldn't be saved.
© Getty Images
7 / 35 Fotos
Darrell Abbott
- Known as Dimebag Darrell, the guitarist for Pantera and Damageplan was shot and killed by Nathan Gale, an intruder who attended a Damageplan concert in 2004.
© Getty Images
8 / 35 Fotos
Bruce Hampton
- During a celebration of his 70th birthday, Hampton collapsed on stage and shortly thereafter passed away.
© Getty Images
9 / 35 Fotos
Tiny Tim
- The singer behind the horror hit 'Tiptoe Through the Tulips' met a tragic fate. He collapsed during a benefit show performance of the song and passed away a few hours afterward.
© Getty Images
10 / 35 Fotos
Sib Hashian
- Sib Hashian, the drummer for Boston, passed away in 2017 after collapsing mid-performance aboard a cruise ship.
© Public Domain
11 / 35 Fotos
Detsl
- In 2019, the Russian rapper died under tragic circumstances. He suffered a heart attack shortly after leaving the stage. He was just 35 years old.
© Getty Images
12 / 35 Fotos
Leonard Warren
- Singer Leonard Warren, highly regarded in the opera world, collapsed right after performing 'Urna Fatale del Mio Destino' ('Fatal Urn of My Destiny') in New York.
© Getty Images
13 / 35 Fotos
Alan Marshal
- Alan Marshal, a prolific actor in film and theater, suffered a heart attack while on stage during his final play, 'Sextette.'
© Getty Images
14 / 35 Fotos
Mark Sandman
- Mark Sandman, the frontman of rock band Morphine, suffered a heart attack while performing at the Giardini del Principe festival in Italy. He passed away en route to the hospital.
© Getty Images
15 / 35 Fotos
Eric Morecambe
- Eric Morecambe, one half of the famous comedy duo Morecambe and Wise, experienced a heart attack shortly after leaving the stage at the Roses Theater in England.
© Getty Images
16 / 35 Fotos
Costa Titch
- South African rapper Costa Titch's sudden death on March 12, 2023, shocked many. He collapsed while on stage during a music festival, as confirmed by his family through an Instagram post. The rapper, also known as Constantinos Tsobanoglou, was only 28 years old. Videos on social media showed Tsobanoglou stumbling on stage during a performance at Ulta South Africa in Johannesburg, before being helped up by someone nearby.
© Getty Images
17 / 35 Fotos
Costa Titch
- He tried to continue performing but collapsed once more. In a statement posted on his Instagram, Tsobanoglou's family expressed deep sorrow over his passing and extended gratitude to the emergency responders and those present during his final moments. The exact cause of death was not mentioned. Tsobanoglou will be remembered as a significant contemporary figure in amapiano music.
© Getty Images
18 / 35 Fotos
Joseph Keilberth
- In 1968, Joseph Keilberth collapsed while conducting 'Tristan und Isolde.' Interestingly, Felix Mottl also faced a similar fate in the same location in 1911.
© Getty Images
19 / 35 Fotos
Laudir de Oliveira
- Oliveira (left), recognized as a former member of Chicago, suffered a heart attack while performing in Rio de Janeiro in 2017.
© Getty Images
20 / 35 Fotos
Warne Marsh
- Marsh, a saxophonist and member of the band Supersax, passed away on stage at Donte's while playing the song 'Out of Nowhere.'
© Public Domain
21 / 35 Fotos
Owen Hart
- A prominent wrestler in the '90s, Owen Hart tragically fell 78 feet from the ceiling onto the ring at the Kemper Arena in Kansas. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
© Public Domain
22 / 35 Fotos
Les Harvey
- In 1972, the musician experienced electrocution on stage after touching a faulty microphone. He passed away at the age of 27 due to his injuries.
© Getty Images
23 / 35 Fotos
Mitsuharu Misawa
- In 2009, the Japanese pro wrestler tragically injured his spine during a match in Japan. He went into cardiac arrest and later passed away.
© Getty Images
24 / 35 Fotos
P. C. Sorcar
- Sorcar, a renowned magician in India, suffered a fatal heart attack during a show in Hokkaido, Japan, in 1971.
© Getty Images
25 / 35 Fotos
Louis Vierne
- Louis Vierne, formerly the resident organist at Notre-Dame Cathedral, performed his last concert for an audience of 3,000 people. Tragically, he suffered a heart attack during the performance.
© Public Domain
26 / 35 Fotos
Lasse Eriksson
- Eriksson, once a celebrated Swedish stand-up comedian, died during his show 'Fyra Lyckliga Man 2' after collapsing on stage.
© Public Domain
27 / 35 Fotos
Papa Wemba
- The Congolese musician collapsed during a performance in the Ivory Coast. He was 66 years old
© Getty Images
28 / 35 Fotos
Frederick Federici
- The British bass-baritone sang his final note and then suffered a heart attack, collapsing through a trapdoor.
© Public Domain
29 / 35 Fotos
Sid James
- British actor Sid James, known for his roles in the 'Carry On' films, collapsed on stage during the opening night of the play 'The Mating Season' in 1976. He had a heart attack and passed away at the age of 62.
© Getty Images
30 / 35 Fotos
Brandon Lee
- The son of Bruce Lee, also an actor, met his demise on the set of 'The Crow' when a defective prop gun inadvertently discharged, fatally shooting him.
© Getty Images
31 / 35 Fotos
Tommy Cooper
- Welsh comedian Tommy Cooper died of a heart attack during a live TV performance of 'Live from Her Majesty's' in 1984.
© BrunoPress
32 / 35 Fotos
William Ellsworth Robinson
- William Ellsworth Robinson was an American magician who pretended to be Chinese and performed under the name Chung Ling Soo during the 19th and 20th centuries. He met his demise in 1918 when a gun was accidentally fired into his lung during a failed bullet-catch trick.
© Public Domain
33 / 35 Fotos
David Burns
- Broadway star David Burns was 68 years old when he passed away during a tryout performance of '70, Girls, 70' in Philadelphia. See more: Celebrities who died of AIDS
© Public Domain
34 / 35 Fotos
© Getty Images
0 / 35 Fotos
John Taylor
- The respected jazz pianist suffered a heart attack at the Saveurs Jazz Festival in 2015. He later passed away in hospital.
© Getty Images
1 / 35 Fotos
Molière
- One of the earliest stars to meet his end on stage was this famous French actor and playwright. He battled tuberculosis and perished during a performance of 'Le Malade Imaginaire.'
© Public Domain
2 / 35 Fotos
Big Pokey
- At the age of 45, Houston rapper Big Pokey lost his life due to a frightening fall while performing on stage. The incident shocked the audience and ultimately led to his passing. The Texas-based MC, born Milton Powell, collapsed at a bar in Beaumont on the evening of June 17, 2023. Video footage captured the moment as he held the microphone, exhaled deeply, tipped backward, and fainted. Panic ensued when he didn't rise, and a nurse attempted to provide assistance until emergency services arrived. He was transported to the hospital where he later passed away. His autopsy revealed that he died of a heart attack.
© Getty Images
3 / 35 Fotos
Lil Hardin Armstrong
- The jazz musician collapsed on stage during a memorial performance for her former husband, Louis Armstrong, in 1971.
© Getty Images
4 / 35 Fotos
Lee Morgan
- Jazz legend Lee Morgan met an untimely demise in New York. He was shot and killed by his common-law wife while performing on stage. Heavy snowfall prevented timely ambulance arrival, leading to his fatal bleeding at the venue.
© Getty Images
5 / 35 Fotos
Mikaben
- Haitian singer Mikaben, whose real name was Michael Benjamin, tragically passed away during a concert in Paris on October 15, 2022. He collapsed as he exited the stage, still within view of his fans. It is suspected that he suffered a heart attack. He was only 41 years old at the time.
© Getty Images
6 / 35 Fotos
Mikaben
- While performing at the 20,000-capacity Accor Arena in Paris, as a guest of the renowned Haitian group Carimi, Mikaben experienced the fatal event. The venue later confirmed his passing, stating that he had suffered a seizure on stage and despite the efforts of emergency services, he couldn't be saved.
© Getty Images
7 / 35 Fotos
Darrell Abbott
- Known as Dimebag Darrell, the guitarist for Pantera and Damageplan was shot and killed by Nathan Gale, an intruder who attended a Damageplan concert in 2004.
© Getty Images
8 / 35 Fotos
Bruce Hampton
- During a celebration of his 70th birthday, Hampton collapsed on stage and shortly thereafter passed away.
© Getty Images
9 / 35 Fotos
Tiny Tim
- The singer behind the horror hit 'Tiptoe Through the Tulips' met a tragic fate. He collapsed during a benefit show performance of the song and passed away a few hours afterward.
© Getty Images
10 / 35 Fotos
Sib Hashian
- Sib Hashian, the drummer for Boston, passed away in 2017 after collapsing mid-performance aboard a cruise ship.
© Public Domain
11 / 35 Fotos
Detsl
- In 2019, the Russian rapper died under tragic circumstances. He suffered a heart attack shortly after leaving the stage. He was just 35 years old.
© Getty Images
12 / 35 Fotos
Leonard Warren
- Singer Leonard Warren, highly regarded in the opera world, collapsed right after performing 'Urna Fatale del Mio Destino' ('Fatal Urn of My Destiny') in New York.
© Getty Images
13 / 35 Fotos
Alan Marshal
- Alan Marshal, a prolific actor in film and theater, suffered a heart attack while on stage during his final play, 'Sextette.'
© Getty Images
14 / 35 Fotos
Mark Sandman
- Mark Sandman, the frontman of rock band Morphine, suffered a heart attack while performing at the Giardini del Principe festival in Italy. He passed away en route to the hospital.
© Getty Images
15 / 35 Fotos
Eric Morecambe
- Eric Morecambe, one half of the famous comedy duo Morecambe and Wise, experienced a heart attack shortly after leaving the stage at the Roses Theater in England.
© Getty Images
16 / 35 Fotos
Costa Titch
- South African rapper Costa Titch's sudden death on March 12, 2023, shocked many. He collapsed while on stage during a music festival, as confirmed by his family through an Instagram post. The rapper, also known as Constantinos Tsobanoglou, was only 28 years old. Videos on social media showed Tsobanoglou stumbling on stage during a performance at Ulta South Africa in Johannesburg, before being helped up by someone nearby.
© Getty Images
17 / 35 Fotos
Costa Titch
- He tried to continue performing but collapsed once more. In a statement posted on his Instagram, Tsobanoglou's family expressed deep sorrow over his passing and extended gratitude to the emergency responders and those present during his final moments. The exact cause of death was not mentioned. Tsobanoglou will be remembered as a significant contemporary figure in amapiano music.
© Getty Images
18 / 35 Fotos
Joseph Keilberth
- In 1968, Joseph Keilberth collapsed while conducting 'Tristan und Isolde.' Interestingly, Felix Mottl also faced a similar fate in the same location in 1911.
© Getty Images
19 / 35 Fotos
Laudir de Oliveira
- Oliveira (left), recognized as a former member of Chicago, suffered a heart attack while performing in Rio de Janeiro in 2017.
© Getty Images
20 / 35 Fotos
Warne Marsh
- Marsh, a saxophonist and member of the band Supersax, passed away on stage at Donte's while playing the song 'Out of Nowhere.'
© Public Domain
21 / 35 Fotos
Owen Hart
- A prominent wrestler in the '90s, Owen Hart tragically fell 78 feet from the ceiling onto the ring at the Kemper Arena in Kansas. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
© Public Domain
22 / 35 Fotos
Les Harvey
- In 1972, the musician experienced electrocution on stage after touching a faulty microphone. He passed away at the age of 27 due to his injuries.
© Getty Images
23 / 35 Fotos
Mitsuharu Misawa
- In 2009, the Japanese pro wrestler tragically injured his spine during a match in Japan. He went into cardiac arrest and later passed away.
© Getty Images
24 / 35 Fotos
P. C. Sorcar
- Sorcar, a renowned magician in India, suffered a fatal heart attack during a show in Hokkaido, Japan, in 1971.
© Getty Images
25 / 35 Fotos
Louis Vierne
- Louis Vierne, formerly the resident organist at Notre-Dame Cathedral, performed his last concert for an audience of 3,000 people. Tragically, he suffered a heart attack during the performance.
© Public Domain
26 / 35 Fotos
Lasse Eriksson
- Eriksson, once a celebrated Swedish stand-up comedian, died during his show 'Fyra Lyckliga Man 2' after collapsing on stage.
© Public Domain
27 / 35 Fotos
Papa Wemba
- The Congolese musician collapsed during a performance in the Ivory Coast. He was 66 years old
© Getty Images
28 / 35 Fotos
Frederick Federici
- The British bass-baritone sang his final note and then suffered a heart attack, collapsing through a trapdoor.
© Public Domain
29 / 35 Fotos
Sid James
- British actor Sid James, known for his roles in the 'Carry On' films, collapsed on stage during the opening night of the play 'The Mating Season' in 1976. He had a heart attack and passed away at the age of 62.
© Getty Images
30 / 35 Fotos
Brandon Lee
- The son of Bruce Lee, also an actor, met his demise on the set of 'The Crow' when a defective prop gun inadvertently discharged, fatally shooting him.
© Getty Images
31 / 35 Fotos
Tommy Cooper
- Welsh comedian Tommy Cooper died of a heart attack during a live TV performance of 'Live from Her Majesty's' in 1984.
© BrunoPress
32 / 35 Fotos
William Ellsworth Robinson
- William Ellsworth Robinson was an American magician who pretended to be Chinese and performed under the name Chung Ling Soo during the 19th and 20th centuries. He met his demise in 1918 when a gun was accidentally fired into his lung during a failed bullet-catch trick.
© Public Domain
33 / 35 Fotos
David Burns
- Broadway star David Burns was 68 years old when he passed away during a tryout performance of '70, Girls, 70' in Philadelphia. See more: Celebrities who died of AIDS
© Public Domain
34 / 35 Fotos
Stars who dropped dead mid-performance
Believe it or not, plenty of performers have died on stage throughout the years
© Getty Images
A shocking number of musicians, actors, and performers of all kinds have taken died in front of an audience. Whether they were struck down during a performance or suffered from a sudden illness on stage that claimed their lives later on, it's much more common than you might think.
From jazz greats to world-class magicians, check out this list of stars who dropped dead on stage.
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