10 Celebrities Linked to Serial Killers in Shocking Ways
Sean Penn
Celeb Reactions to Sean Diddy Combs Allegations
In the 1980s, actor Sean Penn was regularly drawing the attention of the police. He infamously had numerous attacks against the paparazzi. In 1987, Penn was sentenced to 60 days in the Men's Central Jail in Los Angeles, California, for violating parole after attacking a film extra. While there, Penn met Richard Ramirez, also known as the Night Stalker, who was awaiting trial after being suspected of taking the lives of over 15 people. After getting approval from officials to approach Penn for an autograph, Ramirez sent a support letter to the actor with disturbing imagery. Penn responded by stating he had no camaraderie with him as a fellow inmate and hoped he'd get the death penalty.
Rosalynn Carter
Politicians meet all sorts of people at events, especially when the individual has been publicly celebrated for their commitment to a cause. But usually, particularly with higher-ups in government, the Secret Service will vet guests. However, they royally messed up in 1978. After being appointed the director of Chicago's annual Polish Constitution Day Parade and supporting Democrat events, John Wayne Gacy met with First Lady Rosalynn Carter. Gacy was best known for working part-time as a clown and was suspected of taking over 33 lives. At the event, the killer wore a special pin to show he was cleared to meet Carter, even getting a photograph with her that she autographed. Around 7 months later, Gacy was arrested for his crimes.
Travis Hollman
Typically, when people gush about their other half on social media for Valentine’s Day, it’s a bit sickly but sweet. Well, in 2021, Stephanie Hollman of “The Real Housewives of Dallas” casually dropped shocking info about her husband, Travis. She mentioned her hubby had been babysat by the I-5 Killer, Randall Woodfield. The former Green Bay Packers draftee was convicted of one murder but suspected to be involved with 44 slayings. Travis’s mom and stepdad were friends with the Portland State University football team coach, who sent football players, including Woodfield, to look after their kids. (Xref) Another famous face peripherally connected to Woodfield is the iconic Dick Van Dyke. The actor’s son, Chris, was the Marion County District Attorney and prosecuted the killer for his crimes.
Chris Farley
The Tragic Life of Chris Farley
Chis Farley was a comedy legend. After making his name in “Saturday Night Live” and various iconic films, he sadly lost his life in 1997. In 2021, his brother, comedic actor John Farley, was on the podcast “Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade” to talk about his sibling. There, he detailed their strange and unsettling upbringing. Their childhood home was next to Lake Mendota in Wisconsin. Nearby sits Mendota Mental Health Institute. This facility is best known for housing Ed Gein after his conviction for 2 murders and suspicion of taking several more lives. To make it creepier, the lights and sirens when a patient escaped would wake the family up.
Peter Lorre
Known as one of the best actors to never be nominated for an Oscar, Peter Lorre is a legend in the film industry with his work in horror movies and “Casablanca.” In 1964, Lorre sadly passed away. In 1977, his daughter, Catharine Lorre Baker, was approached by what appeared to be two police officers, but who turned out to actually be the Hillside Stranglers, Kenneth Alessio Bianchi and Angelo Buono Jr. The duo were eventually caught in 1979 and took a combined 12 lives together. Bianchi and Buono planned to make Baker another victim. However, she had an ID and a photograph with her father. Since the two were fans of Lorre and were concerned with taking a high-profile life with the media attention, they let Baker go.
Alan Alda
The Untold Story of Alan Rickman's Rise to Fame
The TV show “To Tell the Truth” had a fun concept. A celebrity panel had to determine which of the guests is the central character with an unusual fact about them. However, in 1972, one episode later became well-known for all the wrong reasons. The panel contained multi-Emmy-winning actor Alan Alda alongside Gene Rayburn, Kitty Carlisle, and Peggy Cass. They had to determine which guest was Edward Edwards, who was then famous for being a convicted armed robber who’d turned his life around. However, Edwards hadn’t actually reformed. Five years later, he began his 5-person killing spree that got him convicted in 2009. However, it’s speculated Edwards could’ve taken over 15 lives. We’ll never know for certain, since he passed away in jail in 2011.
Kelsey Grammer
Making his name in “Frasier” and "Cheers," Kelsey Grammer is one of the greatest comedy actors to grace the screen. He seemingly had it all together. Yet his past is doused in tragedy. In 1975, his teenage sister Karen Grammer was waiting at a restaurant in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for her boyfriend’s shift to finish. But, after robbing a store and believing she could be a witness, a group of men led by Freddie Glenn kidnapped Karen and attacked her before Glenn took her life. In 1976, he was sentenced for taking three lives and being involved in the deaths of up to five. Grammer has spoken at Glenn’s various parole meetings. While he forgives his sister’s killer, the actor doesn’t believe he should be free.
Ashton Kutcher
Top 20 Times Ashton Kutcher & Mila Kunis Made Us Believe in Love
In 2001, Ashton Kutcher was carving out a name for himself as an actor. As well as his professional life going well, so was his romantic life as he was dating Ashley Ellerin. However, when Kutcher arrived at her Hollywood, California, home to pick her up for a date, she didn’t answer the door. Sadly, Ellerin had been killed at her home by Michael Gargiulo. Known as the Hollywood Ripper, Gargiulo is believed to have had up to 10 victims, with 1 surviving. As well as helping police establish the time of Ellerin’s murder, Kutcher also spoke at Gargiulo’s trial in 2019. The killer was found guilty of 2 slayings and was handed the death penalty.
Woody Harrelson
How Woody Harrelson Got Famous
With multiple Oscar nominations and an Emmy to his name, Woody Harrelson has led a very successful acting career. But before the starry heights of Hollywood came calling, his life was very different. In 1968, Harrelson’s father, Charles, left his family. For 12 years, Harrelson had no idea what happened to him until his father was arrested for the murder of Judge John H. Wood Jr. Charles had become a contract killer, and had already been convicted of another murder and was released before this infamous case. Charles received 2 life sentences for taking Wood’s life and died in 2007. It’s rumored he took dozens of lives, although numerous claims have been unproven.
Bryan Cranston
Long before “Breaking Bad” turned him into a household name, in 1968, Bryan Cranston and a cousin visited the Spahn Ranch in California, which was sometimes used for filming movies and horse riding. While doing the latter, the young Cranston witnessed notorious cult leader Charles Manson — who lived there for a time — as Manson rode a horse. (Xref 1) Another actor who met Manson was Danny Trejo. In 1961, while incarcerated at Los Angeles County Jail, Manson used hypnotism on the future actor. (Xref 2) Another connection involves the Beach Boys' Dennis Wilson. Wilson stumbled into a friendship and music collaboration with Manson, which ended shortly before Manson led his cult to kill several people. What other connections did we miss? Let us know in the comments.
