35+ Celebrities Who Passed Tragically Young

This article appeared in Cleverclassic and has been published here with permission.

35+ Celebrities Who Passed Tragically Young

It’s always tragic when a life is lost but it’s even more upsetting when it’s a young life and the person went before their natural time. As it turns out, even all the money, power, and influence, in the world can’t save people from meeting an unfair end. These talented celebrities still had more to share with the world but, sadly, passed away far too soon.

Sharon Tate

Sharon Tate’s passing, at the age of 26, was one of the most publicized celebrity passings of all time due to the terrifying circumstances surrounding her death. The model/actress was known for her roles in Eye of the Devil, Valley of the Dolls, and The Fearless Vampire Killers.

Photo by Ellen Graham // Getty Images

Tragically, her life ended far too early at the hand of the Manson Family cult. Sharon was eight and a half months pregnant when she passed.

Janis Joplin

Janis Joplin will forever be remembered as one of the most iconic musicians of all time, with hits like “Me and Bobby McGee” and “Piece of My Heart.” Unfortunately, she has also gone down as a member of the 27 Club, as she passed away at the age of 27 due to the usage of illegal substances.

Photo by Chris Walter/WireImage

Janis was posthumously added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and was listed as one of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine.

Jim Morrison

Jim Morrison became famous as the lead singer of The Doors. Sadly, he’s also known as a member of the 27 Club — a group of celebrities who’ve all passed away at 27 years old. Like many rock stars of that time, Jim dabbled in illegal substances — which many people believe caused his untimely passing.

Photo by Chris Walter // WireImage

That being said, it’s never been confirmed. What is known is that, sadly, Morrison was found deceased in his bathtub, due to heart failure.

Jimi Hendrix

James Marshall “Jimi” Hendrix was a musician who the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has called “arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music.” Jimi’s passing raises a lot of questions as no one’s quite sure what happened.

Photo by Ivan Keeman // Redferns

Additionally, he’s a member of the 27 Club — which has a lot of conspiracy theories surrounding it. Hendrix spent his last day with a woman named Monica Dannemann who claims that the musician took quite a few illegal substances before passing away in his sleep.

Avicii

Tim Bergling aka Avicii was one of the most popular DJs of all time. He’s largely seen as one of the DJs who made electronic music mainstream (although music enthusiasts will gladly debate that) with hits like “Levels” and “Waiting for Love.”

Instagram // @avicii

However, his life was cut short at the age of 28. After the DJ took his own life in 2018, his friends and family shared that they had been worried about his mental state for quite some time. This was largely due to his sudden and intense fame.

Taylor Hawkins

Taylor Hawkins was most famous for playing the drums as a member of the iconic rock band Foo Fighters. While few people argue over Taylor’s talents, the incident surrounding his passing is highly debated.

Photo by Gie Knaeps // Getty Images

Hawkins passed at the age of 50, due to an overuse of illegal substances. Some say that the drummer was overwhelmed while on tour and had requested to play fewer shows. Others vehemently deny that the Foo Fighters’ tour had anything to do with Taylor’s stress and how he coped with it.

Brittany Murphy

For a while in the late ’90s/early 2000s, Brittany Murphy was America’s sweetheart. The actress was beloved for her roles in Girl, Interrupted, Drop Dead Gorgeous, and Uptown Girls.

Photo by Vera Anderson // WireImage

Things started to take a turn for the worst for Brittany in 2005 when people began to suspect that she was taking illegal substances — accusations that she firmly denied. She passed at age 32 in what appears to be a tragic accident of taking too much (prescribed) medication while ill.

Princess Diana

There are quite a few theories surrounding the passing of 36-year-old Diana, the Princess of Wales. The general belief is that Princess Diana passed away in a car accident, in which she was trying to escape some paparazzi.

Photo by Jayne Fincher // Getty Images

The tragic story is often served as a cautionary tale for the paparazzi’s intrusive behavior. However, many people believe that there were powerful individuals who wanted Diana’s life cut short, due to the fact that she intended to marry someone deemed “inappropriate” by the royal family.

Robin Williams

Robin Williams was one of Hollywood’s most beloved comedians/actors with a ton of iconic roles under his belt. Williams was most famous for Good Morning Vietnam, Mrs. Doubtfire, and his unforgettable performance as the Genie in Aladdin.

Photo by Harry Langdon // Getty Images

Tragically, Robin had mental health issues which his wife described as a “terrorist inside my husband’s brain.” At the age of 63, Robin took his own life. Sadly, it took Williams’ demise to see how much he meant to the public, as the entire world mourned in unison.

Luke Perry

Actor Luke Perry was widely known for his roles in Beverly Hills, 90210, The Fifth Element, and Riverdale. At the age of 52, Luke suffered a stroke and was put on life support.

Photo by Gabriel Olsen // FilmMagic

After a few weeks, he suffered a second stroke, at which point his family decided to take him off of machine assistance. Due to the fact that Luke was still starring in Riverdale at the time, in an emotional decision, his character passed away on the show as well, rather than being re-cast.

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Philip Seymour Hoffman was widely known for his work in Hollywood movies and Broadway productions. His most recent work was in The Hunger Games in which he played Plutarch Heavensbee.

Photo by Mirek Towski // FilmMagic

Sadly, Philip struggled with illegal substances in his youth but he’d been clean for 23 years before relapsing in 2013. In 2014, at the age of 46, the actor was found deceased in his home. There were various illegal substances surrounding his body.

Paul Walker

Paul Walker starred in The Fast and the Furious franchise, which had many people worried for his safety. However, it wasn’t a filming stunt that cut his life short, but a regular car accident that happened off set.

Instagram // @paulwalker

Paul was 40 years old when he passed, and was still in the process of filming Furious 7. His character’s story was completed with the help of CGI and Paul’s two brothers acting as stand-ins.

Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley aka the King of Rock and Roll changed music forever with songs like “Heartbreak Hotel” and “Hound Dog,” plus his notorious dance moves. By the time he was in his 40s, Elvis’s body could no longer handle the number of illegal substances he was consuming paired with a grueling tour schedule.

Instagram // @elvis

His heart finally gave out when the singer was 42, and he suffered a fatal heart attack. It’s worth noting that the heart attack is only one theory of many as to what ended Elvis’s life.

Mac Miller

Mac Miller was known for perfectly combining jazz and hip-hop with hits like “Stay” and “Dang!” The rapper/singer was open with his fans about his issues in regard to depression and illegal substances and often shared his experiences in his lyrics.

Instagram // @macmiller

At the age of 26, Mac passed away due to an excess amount of illegal substances. The men who sold him those substances are now serving time in prison. In 2020, Miller’s family released his already-finished album Circles, which has been an undeniable success.

John Belushi

John Belushi was a comedian/actor best known for his work on Saturday Night Live. Despite his incredible talent, John was fired and re-hired from SNL numerous times, due to his issues with illegal substances and the questionable behavior it caused.

Photo by CW Braun // Images/Getty Images

Belushi passed away in 1982, at the age of 33, due to consuming too many illegal substances. In 2004, John was posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston became a household name with major hits like “I Will Always Love You” and “One Moment in Time.” Whitney was blunt about the fact that she struggled with illegal substances and she was trying her best to quit using them.

Instagram // @whitneyhouston

Sadly, the singer passed away at the age of 48 by accidentally drowning in the bathtub while using said substances. Eerily, her daughter passed away in a very similar manner, three years later.

Bobbi Kristina Brown

Bobbi Kristina Brown was famous for her appearances on the reality show Being Bobby Brown and her even more famous parents, Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown. Three years after her mother’s passing, Bobbi also passed away, at the age of 22.

Photo by Shareif Ziyadat // FilmMagic

Just like her mother, Bobbi was found passed out in a bathtub with illegal substances in her system. She was put in a medically induced coma for six months, after which she passed away in hospice care.

Corey Haim

Corey Haim is often referred to as the “poster child” for how someone’s life can be destroyed if they become dependent on illegal substances. Corey rose to fame with movies like Lucas and The Lost Boys, and being one half of the duo The Two Coreys.

Photo by Michael Buckner // Getty Images

Sadly, his inability to stop using resulted in Corey becoming homeless. His friends and colleagues cut all ties with him, and he made several attempts to end his life. Tragically, he passed away from said substances at 38 years old.

Michael K. Williams

Michael K. Williams has long been a staple in Hollywood but his most famous roles are probably that of Omar Little in The Wire and Ray Ray in The Sopranos.

Instagram // @bkbmg

Michael struggled with illegal substances throughout his life, which he largely blames on the trappings of fame, although he was able to stay mostly clean while filming. In 2021, when he was 54 years old, the actor passed away due to his excessive use of those substances.

Heath Ledger

Heath Ledger had many iconic roles throughout his career but his portrayal of the Joker in The Dark Knight is undeniably his most lauded work. Despite the awards he got for playing the Joker, many argue that Ledger throwing himself, entirely, into the role led to his untimely passing.

Photo by Bob Riha Jr // WireImage

At 28 years old, the actor passed away due to consuming too many illegal substances. While this wasn’t a new problem for Heath, some feel that the issue was exacerbated by the taxing role of the Joker.

Cory Monteith

Cory Monteith rose to fame playing Finn in the hit show Glee. At the time, fans didn’t know that Cory had struggled with a dependence on illicit materials ever since he was 13 years old.

Photo by Michael Buckner // Getty Images for Activision

At one point, the cast and crew of Glee held an intervention for Monteith, asking him to go to a treatment center, to which he obliged. As it turns out, the actor still needed more help. He continued to use those substances, which resulted in his passing at the age of 31.

James Dean

James Dean had a promising start to a career in Hollywood with his role in Rebel Without a Cause. Tragically, his bright future was cut short when James got into a car accident and passed away at the young age of 24.

Instagram // @jamesdean

In 1955, Dean became the first actor to ever receive a posthumous Oscar nomination, which he received for East of Eden. The following year, he received another nomination for Giant. To this day, James is the only actor to ever receive two posthumous Oscar nominations.

River Phoenix

River Phoenix began acting at the age of 10, paving the way for his younger brother Joaquin Phoenix’s success. River starred in Stand by Me, My Own Private Idaho, and Running on Empty (the latter earned him an Oscar nomination).

Photo by Darlene Hammond // Getty Images

At 23 years old, Phoenix consumed various illegal substances while out partying, and passed away. These days, Joaquin often honors River in his speeches and interviews. River is further remembered by being compared to James Dean in his potential, early success, and untimely passing.

Prince

Prince Rogers Nelson, commonly known simply as Prince, was one of the most successful musicians of all time. With an androgynous style, wide vocal range, and hit songs like “Purple Rain,” Prince became an icon.

Photo by Kevin Mazur // WireImage for NARAS

Sadly, his life ended at the age of 57, due to the usage of illicit materials. Prince is widely regarded as one of the most celebrated pop culture icons of all time. The Los Angeles Times aptly wrote that Prince was “our first post-everything pop star, defying easy categories of race, genre, and commercial appeal.”

Kurt Cobain

Kurt Cobain was the lead singer of Nirvana, helping the band rise to fame with hits like “Heart-Shaped Box” and “About a Girl.” However, being famous didn’t agree with Kurt as it led him to have issues both personally and professionally.

Instagram // @kurtcobain

He began to struggle with dependencies on illegal substances and depression. Cobain also started to have trouble with his career and with his marriage to fellow musician Courtney Love. In 1994, Kurt chose to end his life, becoming a member of the 27 Club.

Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant is often regarded as one of the best basketball players of all time. Nicknamed the Black Mamba, Kobe was a shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers. He won five NBA championships, was an 18-time All-Star, and was named MVP three times.

Instagram // @kobebryant

In 2020, 41-year-old Kobe was in a helicopter along with eight other people, including his daughter. There was a lot of fog that day, making it difficult for the pilot to see. The helicopter tragically crashed, leaving no survivors.

Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse was one of the most successful singers of the younger generations. Her hits “Rehab” and “Back to Black” were massively successful, as was Amy’s unique style and lack of interest in being like other pop stars.

Instagram // @amywinehouse

Similarly to many other pop stars, though, Amy struggled with illegal substances, depression, and eating disorders. At the age of 27 (yes, another member of the 27 Club), the musician consumed too many adult beverages, resulting in her passing.

John Lennon

John Lennon was most famous for being part of the iconic band The Beatles. Lennon was also known for his second band, the Plastic Ono Band, which he started with his wife, Yoko Ono. When John was 40 years old, he encountered a man named Mark David Chapman.

Instagram // @johnlennon

The two had an altercation, which resulted in John’s untimely passing. To this day, his song “Imagine” remains one of the biggest hits of all time, and serves as a stark contrast to how his life ended.

Tupac Shakur

Tupac Shakur was one of the world’s most successful rappers. However, Tupac wasn’t only famous for his music… He had a feud with fellow musician Notorious B.I.G., sparking the East Coast v West Coast rivalry.

Photo by Steve Eichner // Getty Images

Tupac’s life ended when he was 25, either by Notorious B.I.G.’s group or a different group with similar interests. That being said, many people believe that Tupac is still alive and has run away upon learning that someone was after him. To this day, there are often “Tupac sightings” around the globe.

The Notorious B.I.G.

Christopher George Latore Wallace, aka The Notorious B.I.G., was one of the most successful rappers in history. However, his professional rivalry with Tupac Shakur was also a personal one. The two men, and their respective groups, fought for the honor of being the best rapper and fought in real life, as well.

Instagram // @thenotoriousbig

When he was 24 years old, Notorious B.I.G.’s life came to an end. It’s assumed that Tupac’s group (or a similar rival group) had something to do with it, but we’ll never know for sure.

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe came up in Hollywood through her acting but her true claim to fame was her bombshell status. However, Marilyn’s swift rise to fame made her already existent mental health issues worse. She became dependent on illegal substances and suffered both mentally and physically.

Photo by M. Garrett // Murray Garrett // Getty Images

The icon tragically ended her life in 1962, at the age of 36. Her passing shook the world and it’s said that the number of young women ending their lives doubled after seeing their idol do the same.

Kailia Posey

Kailia Posey was a beauty pageant contestant and reality show star. She was most widely known for her participation in TLC’s Toddlers and Tiaras, even becoming a meme in the process. Yes, Posey is the child in the Grinning Girl meme.

Instagram // @missteenlyndenwa2022

Kailia participated in beauty pageants throughout her entire life, from the age of three until her passing at age 16. The rising star won the title of Miss Lynden Teen in 2021. The following year, in 2022, Kailia took her own life.

Takeoff

Takeoff was one-third of the hip-hop group Migos, alongside Offset and Quavo. The group was extremely popular with hits like “MotorSport” and “Bad and Boujee” as well as their A-list collaborations with artists such as Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, and Drake.

Instagram // @yrntakeoff

On November 1st, 2002, Takeoff was at a bowling alley with roughly 40 other people, attending a party. The group was standing outside when there was an altercation that ended Takeoff’s life. Police believe that the rapper wasn’t the intended target and his passing was accidental. He was 28 years old.

Steve Irwin

Steve Irwin aka the Crocodile Hunter was a wildlife expert widely known for his TV show The Crocodile Hunter which aired from 1996 to 2007. In 2006, Steve was filming for the documentary series Ocean’s Deadliest when he was stung by a stingray.

Photo by Justin Sullivan // Getty Images

The stingray pierced Irwin’s chest, ending his life at 44 years old. Eerily, the entire incident was caught on camera. As of 2022, Steve’s family is following in his footsteps by operating the Australian Zoo and sharing his love of animals with the world.

Helen McCrory

Helen McCrory was known for her incredible acting across all platforms — theatre, movies, and TV. Her most iconic roles were Narcissa Malfoy in the Harry Potter series and Aunt Polly in Peaky Blinders.

Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett // Getty Images

What very few people knew was that Helen had breast cancer for many years. That knowledge only became public when she passed away from the illness at 52 years old. The actress was still filming Peaky Blinders at the time, causing her character’s life to end, and the show to be rewritten.

Cameron Boyce

Cameron Boyce was a child star famous for his work with the Disney channel, specifically, his starring roles in the show Jessie and the Descendants movie trilogy. Cameron had a bright future ahead of him, as he seamlessly grew out of his younger roles and took on more mature content.

Instagram // @thecameronboyce

Unfortunately, the actor had some health issues. He’d been diagnosed with epilepsy and was taking medication for it. However, something seems to have gone wrong, as he passed away at just 20 years old due to having an epileptic seizure in his sleep.

DJ AM

Adam Michael Goldstein aka DJ AM was famous for his solo work in the music industry and his collaboration with Travis Barker in TRV$DJAM. Sadly, DJ AM had several dependencies and passed away at the age of 36 due to consuming too many illegal substances.

Photo by Michael Tran // FilmMagic

In a move that only added to the tragedy, the public blamed AM’s former girlfriend, Haley Wood, saying their breakup contributed to his emotional state (Ariana Grande suffered the same accusations when Mac Miller passed away). Haley, rightfully, denied responsibility for her ex’s difficulties.

Sid Vicious

Sid Vicious (born John Simone Ritchie) was famous in the 1970s as the Sex Pistols’ bassist, and he’s still a punk subculture icon today. Sid suffered from various dependencies and passed away at the young age of 21, due to having had too many illegal substances.

Instagram // @sidvicious

Some conspiracy theories say that Sid’s passing was intentional, as he was on trial and afraid of going back to prison. Others claim that, in true punk fashion, the musician had a pact with his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, and they both wanted to pass away.

Selena

Selena Quintanilla Pérez (known simply as Selena) was so iconic that she was often referred to as the Queen of Tejano music. With hits like “Captive Heart” and “I Could Fall in Love,” Selena was an international sweetheart.

Photo by Arlene Richie // Getty Images

Things went south when Selena’s former boutique manager (and friend) Yolanda Saldívar was put on trial for embezzlement. The singer went to confront Yolanda about the finances, which led to an altercation that ended Selena’s life. She was only 23 years old.

Aaliyah

Aaliyah’s music is often credited with redefining hip-hop, pop, and contemporary R&B. Singles such as “Try Again” and “More Than a Woman” earned the singer titles like the Queen of Urban Pop and the Princess of R&B.

Instagram // @aaliyah

To the world’s dismay, Aaliyah passed away at the age of 22 in a plane crash. The flight was last minute and the plane was overloaded, yet, it somehow still got cleared for takeoff. There were nine people on that flight and, tragically, none of them survived the crash.

Aaron Carter

Aaron Carter is most widely known for his singing and acting abilities, and his equally famous brother the Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter. Aaron had his struggles in life, particularly with substance dependencies, but was trying to get clean. He was 34 years old when he was found deceased in his home.

Instagram // @aaroncarter

The case is still being investigated, as no one knows exactly what happened. The main theory is that Carter relapsed on some illegal substances and accidentally drowned in his bathtub. However, at the time of writing this, that hasn’t been confirmed.

Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman will always be remembered as the very first actor to play Black Panther in a live-action film. What fans didn’t know was that Chadwich was suffering from cancer while filming many of his movies.

Instagram // @chadwickboseman

His illness continued for four years before ending his life when he was 43 years old. Very few people knew about Boseman’s condition, as he didn’t want it to affect his day-to-day life. Clearly, his plan worked, as he continued to star in major films until the day he passed.

Anne Heche

Anne Heche was an actress most known for her roles in I Know What You Did Last Summer and Wag the Dog. Sadly, Anne suffered from mental health issues due to the mistreatment she endured as a child.

Instagram // @anneheche

At the age of 53, Heche was in a series of three car accidents in one night — the third of which took her life. Police who were at the scene said that Anne was “deemed to be under the influence and acting erratically” at the time.

Anna Nicole Smith

Anna Nicole Smith was widely known for her modeling work, particularly her appearances in Playboy magazine. Despite her success, Anna led a pretty tragic life that culminated in her untimely passing at the age of 39.

Photo by Ron Davis // Getty Images

The model suffered financial issues throughout her life and finally filed for bankruptcy. Furthermore, her son passed away at the age of 20, due to consuming an excess amount of illegal substances. Anna passed a year later, in the exact same way.

Naya Rivera

Naya Rivera was known for her acting and singing in the show Glee. In 2020, 33-year-old Naya was declared missing when her four-year-old son, Josey, was found alone on a rented boat.

Instagram // @nayarivera

Josey recalled his mother helping him onto the boat but struggling to get on herself. Josey was wearing a life jacket but Naya was not. Five days later, Rivera’s body was found. It’s assumed that she and Josey got caught in a rip current, in which Naya heroically saved her son but was unable to save herself.

Twitch

Stephen Laurel “Twitch” Boss rose to fame on the reality show So You Think You Can Dance as one of the most popular contestants of all time. He went on to star in several of the Step Up movies and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Instagram // @sir_twitch_alot

In December 2022, Twitch tragically took his own life at the age of 40. He’s survived by his wife, fellow SYTYCD alum Allison Holker, and their three children.

Angus Cloud

Angus Cloud, who’s best known for his work in the show Euphoria tragically passed away in 2023, at the age of 25. So far, Cloud’s family hasn’t told the media how the actor’s life ended.

Instagram // @anguscloud

The only information that’s been made public is that Angus’s last moments were spent in his home in Oakland, California. It’s also known that Cloud recently lost his father due to health issues and he was, understandably, extremely emotional.

Matthew Perry

Matthew Perry’s career began when he was just a kid, but it was really during the mid-’90s that he had really solidified his career in Hollywood. And it’s really thanks to his all-too-perfect portrayal of the quirky commitment-phobe fans have grown to know and love — Chandler Bing — on Friends.

Instagram // @mattyperry4

Sadly, the actor was just 54 years old when he passed. On October 28th, 2023, the actor was found unresponsive at his LA home in his jacuzzi. According to multiple reports, Perry had passed in an apparent drowning accident. The world will miss you, Matthew.

Meet The Partners Of These LGBTQ Celebrities

Instagram // @davidfurnish

Whether they’re actors, directors, interior designers, athletes, fashion icons, or writers, LGBTQ celebrities have made their mark in Hollywood and beyond for their incredible talents and abilities to overcome any obstacle standing in their way of success. Their stories have empowered countless individuals from all walks of life to be honest with their friends and families and improve their lives tremendously. Now these LGBTQ celebrities have taken their stories one step further, revealing to the public that they have found love and that they are not afraid to show off their significant others to the world. Here are the other halves of your favorite LGBTQ celebs.

Neil Patrick Harris

While his How I Met Your Mother character, Barney Stinson, maybe a total womanizer and player, notorious for his pickup lines and crazy antics with the women of New York City, in real life, Neil Patrick Harris has openly shared that he is “quite proud to say that I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest.”

Instagram // @nph

In fact, fans of the popular sitcom were shocked to see Harris portray such an unexpected character. Nevertheless, the actor has proudly shared glimpses into his family and personal life with his fans on social media.

David Burka

Neil Patrick Harris was first presumed to be in a relationship with David Burka in 2007. However, during an interview on The Ellen Degeneres Show, Harris later admitted that the two had begun dating in 2004.

Instagram // @nph

Harris and Burka even got the chance to worked together on the former’s hit show How I Met Your Mother. While they didn’t share a scene together, they did have fun on set. In 2010, Harris and Burka became fathers to twins Gideon Scott and Harper Grace via a surrogate. Once the Marriage Equality Act was passed, the couple said “I do” in a beautiful ceremony in Italy. HIMYM director Pamela Fryman officiated the wedding, and Elton John performed.

Anderson Cooper

Anderson Cooper has been the lead anchor of his CNN show Anderson Cooper 360° since the show debuted all the way back in 2003. That’s not all though. He has also worked as a correspondent for 60 Minutes.

Instagram // @andersoncooper

In addition to being one of the most recognizable faces in journalism, Cooper is, as the New York Times once described, “the most prominent openly gay journalist on American television.” Cooper considers himself very lucky, for a number of reasons. One of those is the fact that he was able to strike a balance between having such a successful career as well as a happy and fulfilling personal life. So who exactly is Cooper in a relationship with?

Benjamin Maisani

In general, Anderson Cooper has kept his personal life out of the spotlight and avoided interview questions about his private life.

Instagram // @enews

During a 2012 interview, Cooper stated, “I’m gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn’t be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud.” Cooper first began dating bar owner Benjamin Maisani in 2009. While they’ve yet to tie the knot, the couple share a Rye House in Connecticut. They purchased the historic estate back in 2014.

Lauren Morelli

As a writer for Orange Is The New Black, it’s no surprise why Lauren Morelli has seen so much success in recent years. However, her journey has been anything but easy.

Instagram // @lomorelli

Before she took Hollywood by storm, Morelli was an aspiring dancer. Following a devastating back injury, she battled with depression while changing career paths. She first began writing as a coping mechanism and soon realized she had a knack for it. Now, she’s the lead writer for one of Netflix’s most popular series.

Samira Wiley

Before Morelli came out about her true sexuality, she was married to Steve Basilone for two years. Within the first few seasons of Orange Is The New Black, she filed for divorce and openly revealed her preference for women.

Instagram // @lomorelli

Morelli’s work life and personal life crossed paths when she found love with Samira Wiley, the actress who portrays Poussey on Morelli’s show. Interestingly enough, when their romance first began, Morelli was writing the script about Poussey’s relationship with a woman.

Victor Garber

Famous for hit films such as Legally Blonde, Milk, and Titanic, Victor Garber has made a name for himself among Hollywood elites for his incredible versatility.

Instagram // @therealvictorgarber

With such a successful career, it’s no surprise that Garber boasts an impressive resume, with everything from a recurring role on the CW’s The Flash, to a starring role on the off-Broadway musical Godspell. Garber first came out as gay in 2012, saying in a 2013 interview, “I don’t really talk about it, but everybody knows.”

Rainer Andreessen

Back in 2015, Garber announced his marriage to Rainer Andreesen. The couple has reportedly been together since 2000.

Instagram // @therealvictorgarber

After Andreesen uploaded an adorable photo of the couple on Instagram along with the caption “YES WE DID!” his followers could only assume that the two had eloped and tied the knot in Canada. Following the announcement, a whole slew of celebrity co-stars and friends congratulated the happy couple. After 15 years, Garber had finally made his love official.

Zachary Quinto

Zachary Quinto, an actor famous for his role on Heroes, came out as gay to the general public in October 2011.

Instagram // @zacharyquinto

He said “that living a gay life without publicly acknowledging it is simply not enough to make any significant contribution to the immense work that lies ahead on the road to complete equality.” Since coming out, Quinto has become heavily involved with various gay rights organizations, including the It Gets Better Project, a campaign to aid in the suicide epidemic among LGBT youths.

Miles McMillan

Zachary Quinto first began dating painter and model Miles McMillan in 2013. Since then, the pair has been inseparable.

Instagram // @imgmodels

While they’ve yet to tie the not, Quinto and McMillan have shared a Manhattan apartment since 2015, where they currently live along with their dogs, Skunk and Rocco. For the time being, they’re enjoying life together. Vogue wrote about the pair in 2015, calling Quinto and McMillan “a power couple whose domain extends across the film, fashion and art scene.”

Nate Berkus

Nate Berkus became famous for his incredible eye for interior design earning himself his own self-titled DIY show.

Instagram // @nateberkus

On numerous occasions, Berkus has been featured as a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show. With such a successful career, it was only a matter of time before Berkus left the single life behind for good. In 2012, Berkus met Jeremiah Brent. The two hit it off right away and soon fell in love. Within a year, they were happily engaged!

Jeremiah Brent

Jeremiah Brent and Nate Berkus got engaged in April 2013. A year later, they tied the knot. Thanks to the TLC network, the couple was able to launch their own show in 2017, titled Nate & Jeremiah By Design.

Instagram // @nateberkus

These days, they reside in West Hollywood, California with their two kids who were brought into the family via surrogates. The couple’s daughter, Poppy Brent-Berkus, was born in 2015, and their son, Michael Brent-Burkus was born in March 2018. They are happy and thriving.

Kristen Stewart

She was once famous for her highly publicized relationship with Twilight co-star Robert Patterson and subsequent affair with director Rupert Sanders.

Instagram // @thekristenstewart

However, Stewart leads a much different lifestyle these days. In a February 2017 episode of Saturday Night Live, Stewart explained that she is “so gay.” In a later interview, she described that she’s actually bisexual, and has dated various women in recent years. That being said, she remains open to the idea of dating men, saying, “I want to try everything.”

Stella Maxwell

Since coming out as bisexual, Kristen Stewart has been spotted with numerous male and female celebrities. Most recently, Stewart and Victoria’s Secret model Stella Maxwell have become an item.

Instagram // @ishipkristella

The two have been together since 2016, and things seem to be going quite smoothly for the lovebirds. It’s no surprise to us why Stewart has chosen Maxwell as her partner, especially considering Maxwell’s status as number 1 on Maxim‘s “Hot 100 List.” The two are certainly a Hollywood power couple.

Cheyenne Jackson

Jackon is actor famous for roles both on Broadway as well as television series like American Horror Story.

Instagram // @mrcheyennejackson

Cheyenne Jackson has used his platform as an openly gay celebrity to make a difference by speaking out for gay rights and improving the status of the LGBTQ community. In addition to his work as an ambassador for the Foundation for AIDS Research, Jackson has also served as a spokesperson for the Hetrick-Martin Institute, an organization aimed at helping LGBTQ youth.

Jason Landau

Following a 13-year relationship which ended in divorce in 2013, Cheyenne wasn’t sure he would ever find love again.

Instagram // @mrcheyennejackson

Then, just one month after divorcing his ex, he met and began dating fellow actor Jason Landau. As someone who has never stayed single for long. Cheyenne got engaged just six months into his relationship with Landau, and the two tied the knot in Encino, California in 2014. In October 2016, the happy couple brought twins Willow and Ethan into the family.

Ellen Page

Ellen Page got her big break when she starred as a pregnant teenager in the award-winning romantic comedy Juno. Since then, she’s become a household name in Hollywood.

Instagram // @carlaboecklin

Like many other celebs on our list, Page has used her platform as a famous actress to stand up for what’s right. In recent years, she’s become a strong advocate for gay rights and an inspirational figure within the LGBTQ community. One could only hope that Page’s love life is as exciting as her career.

Emma Portner

Ellen Page was once rumored to be romantically involved with artist Samantha Thomas, but the couple’s relationship reportedly fizzled out.

Instagram // @hollywoodreporter

Since 2018, Page has a new love interest in dancer Emma Portner. These lovebirds first met via Instagram, and have since fallen head over heels for each other. It wasn’t long before the two moved in together. While they now share a place in LA, Page is often in Hollywood working as an actress, while Portner runs a dance company in New York.

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster has been an openly gay celebrity for several decades. From 1993 until 2008, she was romantically involved with Cydney Bernard.

Instagram // @_jodiefoster_

During a 2013 Golden Globes acceptance speech, Foster said, “I already did my coming out about a thousand years ago back in the Stone Age, those very quaint days when a fragile young girl would open up to trusted friends and family and co-workers, and then gradually and proudly to everyone who knew her, to everyone she actually met.”

Alexandra Hedison

Although Foster’s relationship with Cydney Bernard didn’t end with a “happily ever after,” the couple still share two children together. These days, Foster is married to actress and photographer Alexandra Hedison.

Instagram // @justjared

The couple said “I do” in 2014 and have remained faithful to one another ever since. While Foster once found it difficult to open up about her sexuality, the award-winning actress no longer tries to hide anything. The only thing that concerns her these days is her happiness and that of her beautiful family.

Ellen DeGeneres

In many ways, Ellen DeGeneres paved the way for the new generation of openly gay celebrities. DeGeneres first came out in 1997, and initially, the world didn’t take the news well.

Instagram // @ellendegeneres

Believe or not, her self-titled sitcom was taken off the air for a bit. Luckily, Ellen refused to be silenced and continued to push her career forward. Her persistence has paid off in a big way, and she eventually became the first openly gay talk show host on TV.

Portia de Rossi

Ellen met Portia de Rossi in 2004, and the pair hit it off immediately. Although Rossi had previously pursued men romantically, there was no denying the chemistry that she shared with Ellen.

Instagram // @portiaderossi

The couple soon became engaged and tied the knot after same-sex marriage was made legal in 2008. Rossi and DeGeneres are truly a match made in heaven and the couple is never shy when it comes to showing off their love for one another to the world.

Orlando Cruz

For gay professional athletes, particularly in combat sports, the process of coming out is never simple.

Instagram // @latinboxsports

Former professional boxer Orlando Cruz experienced this first hand when he came out during the peak of his fighting career. In a sport dominated by a macho mentality, the task must have been incredibly difficult for Cruz. Ever since he became open about his sexuality, the Puerto Rican boxer has shown the world just how much he loves his husband and other half.

José Manuel Colón

After Orlando Cruz came out as gay, it only took a year before the world met his partner, Jose Manuel Colón. The couple got married in 2013, having a beautiful Central Park ceremony.

Twitter // @ElFenomenoCruz

Although the pair tries to keep their personal life out of the spotlight, Cruz took to Facebook after the wedding to share some thoughts about the man of his dreams. He wrote, “Giving thanks to my heavenly father for one more day of life and with [my] husband José Manuel in it.”

Lance Bass

Best known for his ’90s music career as a member of the boyband ‘NSYNC, Lance Bass has done his best to keep his personal life as quiet as possible.

Instagram // @lancebass

In 2006, Bass finally opened up to the world about his sexuality, appearing on the cover of People magazine. A year later, Bass published his autobiography titled Out of Sync, where he shared even more about his struggle growing up as a closeted gay man and the courage it took to come out.

Michael Turchin

After coming out to the world as gay, Bass spent the better part of five years publicly dating men and figuring out what exactly he wanted.

Instagram // @michaelturchinart

Then, in 2011, he found what he had been searching for when he started dating Michael Turchin. Three years into their relationship, Bass and Turchin tied the knot on an E! network special titled Lance Loves Michael: The Lance Bass Wedding. Lance and Michael’s groundbreaking wedding ceremony became the first-ever televised same-sex marriage.

Jim Parsons

Famous for portraying the lovable and goofy nerd Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory, Jim Parsons’ real-life persona is quite different from his sitcom counterpart.

Instagram // @jimparsonsthrowbacks

While Sheldon is known for his romantic pursuit of fellow genius and geek Amy Farrah Fowler, Jim has been openly gay since his acting career took off. In fact, during a New York Times interview, he revealed that he’s been in a serious relationship with a man for more than a decade.

Todd Spiewak

The mystery man who Jim Parsons has been dating for over ten years and whom he spoke of in his New York Times interview is none other than successful art director Todd Spiewak.

Instagram // @jodd_jimtodd

The couple has given the public a glimpse into the personal lives, sharing that their lifestyle is surprisingly boring and normal, despite the fame, fortune, and never-ending spotlight. During a 2013 interview with E!, Parsons claimed that they have “a regular life, boring love.”

Robin Roberts

Every day, Robin Roberts brings us news stories from all over the country on Good Morning America. While the headlines which she shares tend to be positive and upbeat, Roberts faced some much darker news in 2013.

Instagram // @robinrobertsgma

That year, she opened up to viewers about her ongoing battle with breast cancer. In the aftermath of her diagnosis, Roberts learned what was most important and soon came out to the world as gay. She even recently shared that she’s been in a long-term relationship.

Amber Laign

Although Robin Roberts didn’t publicly come out as gay until 2013, she’s been romantically involved with professional massage therapist Amber Laign since 2005.

Instagram // @robinrobertsgma

Eight years is an awfully long time to keep such a big secret! Despite facing all kinds of scrutiny and adversity from the public, Roberts and Laign have proved that love will always triumph. The happy couple refuses to let anything stand in their way. In 2015, Equality Forum named Roberts as one of their 31 Icons of the 2015 LGBTQ History Month.

Sir Elton John

Regardless of your music trivia knowledge, chances are you’ve heard of the legendary Sir Elton John. He’s had many popular hits such as “Candle In The Wind,” “Your Song,” “Rocket Man,” and “Tiny Dancer.”

Instagram // @eltonjohn

In addition, he did plenty of work on the soundtracks of films like Lion King, Aida, and Billy Elliot the Musical, it’s no surprise why Elton John is widely considered as one of the greatest musical performers of all time. He’s also been an openly gay musician since the late 1980s.

David Furnish

After a pair of failed marriages and speculations regarding his true sexuality, Sir Elton John finally shared that he was “comfortable” as a gay man and announced his relationship with David Furnish in 1993.

Instagram // @davidfurnish

In 2005, the couple had a civil union and the first-ever civil partnership in the UK. In 2014, John and Furnish were finally able to marry once the law passed in England. Since their marriage, the couple has brought two sons into their incredibly talented family.

Jillian Michaels

Famous from her role as a personal trainer and motivator on The Biggest Loser, Jillian Michaels has built up an empire of workout DVDs and fitness equipment from scratch.

Instagram // @jillianmichaels

She has worked hard, overcoming lots of adversity to get to where she is today. Her work ethic and positive attitude is evident to anyone who has seen her work. With regards to her sexuality, Michaels once stated that she didn’t even realize she was gay until she was in her 20s.

Heidi Rhoades

Jillian Michaels began dating her current wife, Heidi Rhoades, in 2009. After Michaels popped the question in a movie theater, the couple went on to welcome two children into their family.

Instagram // @people

In May 2012, Rhoades gave birth to a baby boy, and later that month, Michaels adopted a two-year-old girl from Haiti. Speaking about love and sexuality, Michaels once said, “As long as you fall in love…it’s like organic food. I only eat healthy food, and I only want healthy love!”

Louis van Amstel

World renown professional dancer Louis van Amstel has been a featured competitor on Dancing with the Stars since the competition’s first season in 2005.

Instagram // @louisvanamstel

He’s performed alongside celebrities such as Lisa Rinna, Kelly Osbourne, and Pricilla Presley. When he’s not on stage, Louis enjoys time with his husband, who has appeared on the dancer’s Instagram page on numerous occasions. Louis and his partner have never been shy when it comes to sharing their love, even posting a photo flaunting their marriage license.

Joshua Lancaster

After maintaining a long distance relationship with Joshua Lancaster for four years, Louis van Amsel decided the time had come to make things official and take their romance to the next step.

Instagram // @louisvanamstel

Lancaster packed his things and moved to Utah from Texas in order to be closer to the man of his dreams. In January 2016, the couple finally tied the knot in front of friends, family, and fellow celebs. In fact, Kelly Osbourne was the flower girl!

Tom Ford

Whether it’s high-end fashion or fancy fragrances, Tom Ford probably has his name on it. While studying in the Big Apple, the fashion icon discovered he was gay.

Instagram // @tomford

Serving as the creative director for big-name fashion houses like Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent, Ford went on to start his own label. In addition, he has taken on side projects in screenwriting, film directing, and producing. With such an impressive resume, it was only a matter of time before Ford found the love of his life.

Richard Buckley

Tom Ford began dating Richard Buckley more than three decades ago, and the pair has been absolutely inseparable ever since.

Instagram // @tomford

During one interview, Ford spoke of his relationship with the successful magazine editor and journalist, saying, “It was literally one of those things. It was literally love at first sight.” In 2012, Ford and Buckley welcomed a son named Alexander John Buckley Ford, into their family with open arms and, two years later, the couple officially tied the knot.

Tom Daley

In 2012, Tom Daley took the Olympic games by storm, putting on an impressive performance as a member of the British swim team.

Instagram // @tomdaley

The whole world watched as Daley took home a bronze medal. A year later, Daley took to YouTube to publicly come out as gay. According to the British swimmer, a “massive weight” had now been lifted off his shoulders, and he felt that he could finally be himself. A few years later, he found the love of his life.

Dustin Lance Black

Despite an age difference of 20 years, Tom Daley had fallen head over heels for film director and producer Dustin Lance Black.

Instagram // @dlanceblack

By 2015, the lovebirds were engaged and, in 2017, they made their romance official, tying the knot in Daley’s hometown of Plymouth, England. Daley may be an incredibly talented swimmer, but Black is also extremely successful in his field of work. In fact, he’s even won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay in 2008 for his film, Milk.