Famous People Who Overdosed on Heroin

Drug addiction has tragic consequences, even for the beloved and famous drug users in the world. We also have lists of athletes who were addicted to drugs and celebrities who don't drink or smoke. This is a list of famous people who died of heroin overdose, including pictures, birth dates, professions, and other information. After the shocking death of Philip Seymour Hoffman, people everywhere were confronted with the sad reality of celebrity heroin overdoses and the dangers of being heroin addicts.

Perhaps worse than other serious drugs like cocaine, heroine addiction can ravage a person's body. These celebrities who overdosed on heroin are listed by fame and notoriety and include the famous heroin overdose victims’ hometown and biographical info about them when available. Included on the list are famous actors, musicians, and other celebrities like Chris Farley, Philip Seymour Hoffman and more. Other rock stars, movie stars, and singers that died from heroin overdose include Cory Monteith, John Belushi, Sublime lead singer Bradley Norwell, and Janis Joplin.

These notable heroin overdose deaths include modern and long-gone famous men and women, from politicians to religious leaders to writers. Everyone on this list has overdosed on heroin as a cause of death somewhere in their public records, even if it was just one contributing factor for their death. Everyday, people are dying to substance addiction and overdose.

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Philip Seymour Hoffman was an American actor who was in the film "Capote." He died of an overdose of heroin and other drugs on February 2, 2014 at the age of 46. Hoffman had been sober for 23 years prior to 2012 when he relapsed.

Philip Seymour Hoffman was an American actor, director, and producer of film and theater. Best known for his supporting and character roles – typically lowlifes, bullies, and misfits – Hoffman was a regular presence in films from the early 1990s until his death at age 46. Drawn to theater as a teenager, Hoffman studied acting at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. He began his screen career in a 1991 episode of Law & Order and started to appear in films in 1992. He gained recognition for his supporting work throughout the decade, notably in Boogie Nights, Happiness, The Big Lebowski, and The Talented Mr. Ripley. He began to occasionally play leading roles, and for his portrayal ...more

Age: Died at 47 (1967-2014)

Birthplace: Fairport, New York, USA

Profession: Theatre Director, Film Producer, Actor, Voice acting

Place Of Death: West Village, New York City, New York, United States of America

Credits: Capote, Doubt, Charlie Wilson's War, The Master

Also Ranked

#45 on The Best Actors in Film History

#54 on The Greatest Actors & Actresses in Entertainment History

#91 on The Best Living American Actors

#49 on Actors You Would Watch Read the Phone Book

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River Phoenix

River Phoenix was an American actor who appeared in the film "Stand By Me." He died of a heroin overdose on October 31, 1993 at the age of 23. He died on the street in front of Johnny Depp's club The Viper Room where he was scheduled to perform. His brother Joaquin, sister Rain and friend Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) were present when he died.

River Jude Phoenix was an American actor, musician, and activist. He was the older brother of Rain Phoenix, Joaquin Phoenix, Summer Phoenix, and Liberty Phoenix. Phoenix's work encompassed 24 films and television appearances, including the science fiction adventure film Explorers, the coming-of-age film Stand by Me, the action sequel Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and the independent adult drama My Own Private Idaho. Phoenix's rise to fame led to his status as a "teen sensation". Phoenix began acting at age 10 in television commercials. He appeared in diverse roles, making his first notable appearance in the 1986 film Stand by Me, a coming-of-age film based on a novella by Stephen King. ...more

Age: Died at 23 (1970-1993)

Birthplace: Madras, Oregon, United States of America

Profession: Activist, Guitarist, Environmentalist, Musician, Singer-songwriter, + more

Place Of Death: West Hollywood, California, United States of America

Credits: Stand by Me, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, My Own Private Idaho, The Mosquito Coast

Also Ranked

#10 on The Greatest '80s Teen Stars

#44 on Which Actor Would You Bring Back for One Final Movie?

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John Belushi

John Belushi was an American comedic actor who appeared in the film "Animal House." After a night of partying in Hollywood, he overdosed after injecting a combination of heroin and cocaine into his bloodstream. On March 5, 1982, he was found dead at the Chateau Marmont where he was staying. Belushi was 33 years old.

John Adam Belushi was an American comedian, actor, and musician. He is best known for his "intense energy and raucous attitude" which he displayed as one of the original cast members of the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live, in his role in the film Animal House and in his recordings and performances as one of The Blues Brothers. During his career he had a close personal and artistic partnership with fellow SNL actor and writer Dan Aykroyd whom he met while they were both working at Chicago's Second City comedy club. Belushi died on the morning of March 5, 1982 in Hollywood, California at the Chateau Marmont, after being injected with, and accidentally overdosing on, a mixture of ...more

Age: Died at 33 (1949-1982)

Birthplace: Humboldt Park, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America

Profession: Comedian, Musician, Screenwriter, Actor

Place Of Death: West Hollywood, Hollywood, Florida, United States of America

Credits: The Blues Brothers, Saturday Night Live, Animal House, 1941

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#3 on The Best SNL Cast Members of All Time

#39 on The Best Short Actors

#12 on The Funniest People of All Time

#13 on The Most Original Comedians

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Janis Joplin

Janis Joplin was an American musician who had a number one hit with the song "Me and Bobby McGee." Joplin struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for much of her life. On October 4, 1970, she died of a heroin overdose. She was 27 years old.

Janis Lyn Joplin was an American singer-songwriter who first rose to fame in the late 1960s as the lead singer of the psychedelic-acid rock band Big Brother and the Holding Company, and later as a solo artist with her own backing groups, The Kozmic Blues Band and The Full Tilt Boogie Band. Her first ever large scale public performance was at the Monterey Pop Festival; this led her to becoming very popular and one of the major attractions at the Woodstock festival and the Festival Express train tour. Joplin charted five singles; other popular songs include: "Down on Me"; "Summertime"; "Piece of My Heart"; "Ball 'n' Chain"; "Maybe"; "To Love Somebody"; "Kozmic Blues"; "Work Me, Lord"; "Cry ...more

Age: Died at 27 (1943-1970)

Birthplace: Port Arthur, Texas, United States of America

Profession: Songwriter, Singer

Place Of Death: Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States of America

Credits: Three Kings, The Dreamers, Watchmen, Little White Lies

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#69 on The Best Rock Bands of All Time

#34 on The Best Singers of All Time

#16 on The Best Female Vocalists Ever

#68 on The Greatest Classic Rock Bands

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