10 Celebrity Tragedies No One Knows About

10 Celebrity Tragedies You Didn’t Know About

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at 10 Celebrity Tragedies You Didn’t Know About.

For this list, we’ll be examining the least-known accounts of tragic events that have impacted high-profile individuals.

Which of these did you already know about? Let us know in the comments!

Shania Twain

Throughout her career, Shania Twain has sold over 100 million records and largely pioneered the country-pop crossover movement. But her rise to superstardom wasn’t all that rosy. In her 2011 memoir “From This Moment On,” Twain opened up about surviving an extremely difficult childhood before achieving her dreams. According to the country music star, after her parents’ divorce, her mother married another man who adopted her and her sisters. This new marriage reportedly became violent as the years went on, and Twain described suffering physical and sexual assault at the hands of her stepfather. To make matters worse, her mother and stepfather passed away in a car accident, leaving Twain to fend for her younger siblings when she was just 22.

Keanu Reeves

Before becoming one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, Keanu Reeves’ life and career was nearly derailed by a series of personal tragedies. First, his father deserted the family when he was still a toddler, and Reeves struggled with dyslexia in his childhood. After his acting career began taking off, Reeves formed a close bond with his “My Own Private Idaho” co-star River Phoenix. In 1993, Phoenix’s life came to a tragic end as a result of a combined drug overdose. Then, in 1999, Reeves’ then-girlfriend Jennifer Syme had a stillbirth with their daughter Ava. Two years later, Syme also lost her life in a multi-vehicle collision. Despite all of these challenges, Reeves has demonstrated remarkable resilience and kindness, and remains a widely beloved actor.

Jennette McCurdy

Jennette McCurdy rose to fame as the tomboyish Sam Puckett on Nickelodeon’s “iCarly”. She would return in the same role on “Sam & Cat,” cementing her status as one of Nickelodeon’s most recognizable stars. But while it seemed like her life was great on-screen, it turns out that behind the scenes, McCurdy was dealing with a lot of trauma. McCurdy was seemingly pressured into the business by her mother Debra, who exerted complete control over her life, in many invasive ways. After Debra passed away from cancer in 2013, McCurdy struggled with eating disorders and later retired from acting altogether. Her harrowing experience at the hands of her mother were detailed in her best-selling memoir “I'm Glad My Mom Died”.

Leighton Meester

Leighton Meester is probably best known for her performance as the privileged socialite Blair Waldorf on the teen drama series “Gossip Girl”. But unlike her on-screen role, Meester had a pretty complicated start in life, having been born while both of her parents were locked up in prison. She lived the first three months of her life in a halfway house, before being handed to her grandparents to care for her. Meester eventually made a name for herself, but at the height of her fame, her relationship with her mother grew strained. Both parties dragged each other to court over the financial responsibility of Meester’s ailing brother. Regardless, she maintains a positive outlook about her upbringing, and thinks it wasn’t all that bad.

Dylan McDermott

In the “Law & Order” universe, Dylan McDermott has portrayed organized crime boss Richard Wheatley on two separate series. While an established actor known for playing tough-as-nails characters, McDermott seems to have taken inspiration from his real-life experiences for his turn as Wheatley. Growing up in New York, the actor describes being surrounded by mobsters and later developing a fascination with them. A pivotal moment in his life came when McDermott lost his mother at an early age. At the time, her death was ruled to have been the result of an accidental gunshot wound. However, decades later, the investigation was reopened and it was reclassified as a murder by her boyfriend, who also lived a life of crime.

Dave Navarro

Regarded as “one of alternative rock's first true guitar heroes,” Dave Navarro built a legacy for himself playing for the renowned rock bands Jane’s Addiction and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Sadly, his mother didn’t live long enough to see him attain such great heights. While he was still a teenager, Navarro’s mother was murdered, alongside her best friend, by her ex-boyfriend. Navarro has been open about the profound impact his mother’s tragic death had on his life and the trauma he has had to deal with ever since. He has also not been shy to talk about his long struggle with substance use disorder and depression. In 2015, Navarro released a documentary titled “Mourning Son,” in which he confronts these tragic events.

Dee Dee Ramone

Born Douglas Glenn Colvin, Dee Dee Ramone was one of the founding members of The Ramones, as well as their bassist and main songwriter. Before the birth of the legendary punk rock band, Ramone had a tough childhood, growing up with a violent father. He soon turned to drugs as a means of escape and quickly developed an addiction. At some point, he also reportedly made a living as a drug dealer and a sex worker. But even after achieving success with his band, Ramone still battled with drug misuse and his own personal demons, with one industry insider describing him as “a greatly disturbed person”. On June 5th 2002, Ramone passed away due to a drug overdose.

Jennifer Hudson

Barely two years after winning an Oscar for her turn as Effie White in “Dreamgirls,” Jennifer Hudson was faced with a devastating tragedy. On October 24th 2008, the bodies of her mother and brother were discovered inside their home. Hudson’s nephew was initially reported missing and an AMBER alert was issued for him. However, he was also found dead three days later by the FBI. All three individuals had been shot and the prime suspect in their murders was William Balfour, the estranged husband of Hudson’s sister Julia. Balfour went on trial in 2012, during which Hudson testified as a witness. He was eventually convicted and sentenced to three consecutive life terms.

Trevor Noah

In 2016, renowned comedian and former host of “The Daily Show” Trevor Noah released a best-selling memoir titled “Born a Crime”. This label was inspired by Noah’s real birth which, back in 1984, was the result of an illegal relationship. Noah was born during the apartheid era in Johannesburg, South Africa to a white father and a black mother. At the time, interracial relationships were criminalized in the country. His mother later got married to another man, who was violent towards her and Noah. In 2009, Noah’s stepfather, Abel Shingange, shot his mother in the leg and head, but she miraculously survived. Shingange was ultimately found guilty of attempted murder.

Viola Davis

Today, Viola Davis is one of the most celebrated actresses in Hollywood, having won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and a Tony Award. But rising to that level of prominence certainly was an uphill battle. Davis grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood in Central Falls, Rhode Island, and describes enduring extreme poverty in her childhood. According to the “Woman King” star, her parents’ marriage was plagued by domestic violence and she faced racial harassment from children in her school. Coming from a disadvantaged background, Davis had to navigate a lack of resources and limited opportunities, which proved to be significant hurdles for her. Despite all of that, she remains an influential figure in the industry, using her platform to advocate for greater inclusivity.