20 Reality Stars That Died Too Soon
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VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton
WRITTEN BY: Jordy McKen
Rest in peace! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're looking at times when people who gained celebrity from reality TV shows sadly lost their lives far too young. Our countdown includes stars from shows “American Idol”, “16 and Pregnant”, “Hell's Kitchen” and more!
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at times when people who gained celebrity from reality TV shows sadly lost their lives far too young. Which canceled reality show would you like to have back? “The Simple Life?” “Cutthroat Kitchen?” “My Super Sweet 16?” Or something else? Let us know below.
In the second season of “Storage Wars,” Balelo instantly caught the viewer’s eyes. Dressed in flashy clothes with styled hair, the businessman nicknamed “Rico Suave” had several memorable moments. One of these involved trying to sell a Nintendo Entertainment System for thousands of dollars and another involved returning Nicolas Cage’s stolen Superman comic book he found. Balelo drew the ire of fellow auctioneers when he walked onto the set with a wad of cash, outbidding them easily. But in 2013, the 40-year-old was arrested for possessing illegal substances. After his release on the same day, he struggled with the experience. The day after, Balelo’s body was found inside his car with the engine on.
From her first appearances in season 2 of “Drag Race,” Davenport stole the show with her dancing ability while lip-synching for her life. After coming in 7th, Antoine Ashley used his Davenport persona to carve out a career in music. However, in 2012, she unfortunately passed away from heart failure at 27. “RuPaul’s Drag Race” sadly had another alumnus lose their life. After finishing fourth on the main show and 8th on season 3 of “RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars,” Zavion Michael Davenport, better known as Chi Chi DeVayne, was diagnosed with scleroderma in 2018. In 2020, after suffering from kidney failure, DeVayne passed away from pneumonia at the age of 34.
The NHS-backed B Positive Choir features members who have sickle cell or personal connections to it. Simonne Kerr, a nurse whose son died from sepsis related to his sickle cell, was part of the choir when they competed during series 12 of “Britain’s Got Talent” in 2018. As the “wildcard” act for the final, the choir came in 11th. Only a couple of months after appearing on the show, the 31-year-old Kerr was fatally attacked by her partner Desmond Sylva. The army veteran tried to claim mental health issues were responsible for the violence. However, the jury didn’t agree and found him guilty of murder. In 2019, Sylva was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 21 years.
Following the lives of a group of women with dwarfism, “Little Women: LA” was a success, creating several spin-offs. Ross was a constant presence in “Little Women: Atlanta.” After all, she appeared in every season of the show and became a fan favorite. However, Ross was unable to complete season 6 entirely. In 2020, she was driving at night in Atlanta, Georgia. She suddenly lost control of the car and veered into the other lane, striking another vehicle head-on. While the other driver received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries, Ross wasn’t as lucky. After being rushed to a nearby hospital, she sadly lost her life at the age of 34.
When “The Real World” took the show to New Orleans in 2010, Knight was one of the members who caught the audience’s attention. After an injury derailed a prospective hockey career, he struggled with substance use and moved to New Orleans to escape bad influences. On the show, his controversial relationship with Jemmye Carroll and his behavior towards her made many uncomfortable, turning him into a reality villain. Afterward, Knight moved on to another reality show, “The Challenge.” Shortly after filming the “Battle of the Exes II” season in 2014, Knight’s body was found at his house in Kenosha, Wisconsin. An investigation found that the 28-year-old lost his life from accidentally combining alcohol with various substances.
The hijinks and friendship between Rob Dyrdek and Christopher Boykin, also known as Big Black, in their show “Rob & Big” were a delight to witness. Impressively, Boykin smashed two Guinness World Records during the program’s run. Even after the series ended, Dyrdek and Boykin continued their on-screen relationship with the later series of “Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory” until that ended in 2015. In 2017, Boykin was struggling with heart issues and had a defibrillator implanted into his chest. It was suspected he would need a transplant at some point. However, before that could happen, Boykin’s heart stopped. Unfortunately, he couldn’t be revived and passed away at the age of 45.
After appearing on “I Love New York,” brothers Ahmad "Real" Givens and Kamal "Chance" Givens starred in the reality dating show “Real Chance of Love.” Women, who were given nicknames, were pitted against each other in competitions and were eliminated by the rapper siblings until a winner was declared. After that, the Givens brothers then teamed up for “Real and Chance: The Legend Hunters” to discover mythical beasts in 2010. In 2013, after several misdiagnoses, Ahmad was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. After battling the disease with chemotherapy and surgeries, his condition rapidly deteriorated in 2015, sadly taking his life at the age of 33.
Anna Nicole Smith rose to fame as a model and an actor, and also due to her controversial marriage to billionaire J. Howard Marshall. She gave birth to her daughter in 2006, but her joy was short-lived. Her 20-year-old son died from an accidental substance abuse while visiting Anna and his new little sister. She had other issues to contend with in her life, including lawsuits over her deceased husband’s estate and severe problems with prescription medication. In 2007, she was found unresponsive in her hotel room in Hollywood, Florida, from a toxic combination of substances. Sadly, the 39-year-old Smith didn’t survive.
Rising to fame within the CKY crew alongside best friend Bam Margera, Dunn and he joined the “Jackass” team for their TV show in 2000. Showcasing a group of friends taking part in dangerous and sometimes disgusting stunts, the series captured a rabid fanbase, leading to a massive “Jackass” franchise. In 2011, Dunn and Zachary Hartwell, a production assistant in one of the films, were drinking at a bar. Afterward, Dunn gave Hartwell a lift in West Goshen Township, Pennsylvania. Sadly, a combination of speeding and intoxication caused Dunn to drive off the road and collide with a tree before going up in flames. Neither the 34-year-old Dunn nor the 30-year-old Hartwell survived.
Debuting in the 2006 season of “The Challenge” known as “Fresh Meat,” Brown immediately drew praise for announcing she was battling ovarian cancer. She became a stalwart of the reality show, appearing in several seasons. Brown even created one of “The Challenge”’s most touching moments when she removed her wig during the “The Duel” season. Balancing her entertainment reporter role, Brown also set up MedGift, a crowdfunding site for those struggling with medical bills. While all this was going on, she beat cancer twice. However, in 2014, it returned for the third time, causing Brown to collapse as she filmed the “Battle of the Exes II” season. Sadly, the disease had spread, and the 34-year-old passed away.
In 1994, “The Real World” went to San Francisco to follow a group of 20-year-olds looking to find their place in life. This season would break the mold for reality TV. After being diagnosed as HIV positive and becoming an educator of the disease, Zamora wanted to use the show to spread awareness. He taught viewers and his fellow cast about the disease. Zamora and his partner Sean Sasser became the first same-sex couple to have a commitment ceremony on TV. A day after the season aired, the 22-year-old Zamora sadly passed away from complications from his illness. Sasser, who was also HIV positive, worked as a pastry chef after the show. In 2013, he unfortunately passed away from cancer at 44.
“Hell’s Kitchen” (2005-)
In the 2006 season of Gordon Ramsay’s culinary competition, contestants hoped to secure a lucrative Las Vegas gig. Among them was 39-year-old Rachel Brown, who was eliminated in episode five. In his trademark fashion, Ramsay was hard on her, but as Rachel told IGN in a post-elimination interview, he didn’t make her feel singled out. In fact, she seemingly found his style to be relatively normal by kitchen standards, stating: “he’s demanding, as he should be.” Sadly, the next year, in May 2007, the behind-the-scenes narrative took a dark turn, when Brown was tragically found dead in her family home in Bedford, Texas, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
“16 and Pregnant” (2009-21)
In 2010, Valerie Fairman was featured on this popular MTV series. Because of the format of the show, she only appeared in one episode, but her family claims that her time on TV “went to her head.” Known to act out before her MTV appearance, in the years that followed, Valerie had numerous run-ins with the law, including a 2015 arrest for sex work. Despite attempts to turn her life around and multiple trips to rehab, she ultimately passed away from reported substance issues in 2016 at age 23. She left behind a seven-year-old daughter named Nevaeh.
“Mob Wives” (2011-16)
Known for her larger-than-life persona and “Big Ang” moniker, this New York native lived a colorful life even before appearing on reality TV. So, when “Mob Wives” came calling for Angela Raiola, she was primed for a breakout performance. Big Ang evolved into a series mainstay, earned herself not one but two spin-offs, and even crossed over into feature film with a cameo in “Scary Movie 5.” Sadly, less than five years into her reality TV career, Angela’s health rapidly declined. Cancerous tumors were discovered, ultimately leading to her death at age 55. But in the world of reality TV, Big Ang remains one of the more memorable personalities.
“American Idol” (2002-16; 2018-)
Born and raised in Perth, Australia, this crooner established a loyal fan base during his time on “American Idol” Season 7. As one of the finalists, Michael Johns proved to have commercial appeal and the musical versatility to back it up. While he didn’t achieve immense success after his reality TV experience, Johns was still widely considered one of the more popular series contestants. And so, his sudden 2014 death came as a surprise to the “American Idol” community, when he passed away at only 35 due to a condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy. When the 2016 series finale brought back a variety of past contestants, his presence was sorely missed.
“The Bachelor” (2002-)
On Season 14 of ABC’s “The Bachelor,” this Queens native came fairly close to winning Jake Pavelka’s heart. Gia Allemand then went on to appear on the spin-off series, “Bachelor Pad” alongside some other past contestants, before settling into a relationship with NBA player Ryan Anderson. Unfortunately, when things soured between the two of them, and personal issues added to her pain, Gia called her mother and then proceeded to take her own life.
“The Real World” (1992-2017; 2019)
When this Chicagoan appeared on “The Real World: Hollywood,” he proved to be one of the series’ most explosive castmates. In fact, Joey Kovar was ultimately asked to leave and seek help, and not long after, he was cast on “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.” Sadly, his acting career never got the chance to take off, and his story came to a sad end when he succumbed to his addiction. At only 29 years of age, Joey Kovar became the third “Real World” cast member to pass away, following the untimely death of 25-year-old Frankie Abernathy, who, during her time on the show, helped bring attention to the condition that ultimately took her life - Cystic Fibrosis.
“Buckwild” (2013)
In 2013, this West Virginian was featured on MTV’s reality series “Buckwild.” Not only was Shain Gandee a refreshing break from the often image-conscious stars of reality TV; he also quickly became the show’s most compelling cast member. Unfortunately, less than two months after the season finale, Shain and two others were found dead after a “mudding” trip went horribly wrong. The death of this 21-year-old marked a significant moment in reality TV. Gandee was known for “livin’ hard” and the camera loved it. Although his rough and tumble way of living came naturally to him... it ultimately cost him his life, leaving family, friends and fans alike struggling to process the loss.
“The Voice” (2011-)
During her teenage years, this vocalist earned a loyal YouTube following thanks to her impressive cover songs. So when Christina Grimmie later appeared on NBC’s “The Voice,” she was primed to make the spotlight her own. Not only did Christina manage to finish in 3rd place; she also truly stunned the judges, earning offers and plenty of media attention. On June 10, 2016, Christina invited fans to her Orlando show, and it seemed to be just another night. But in a tragic turn of events, the 22-year-old musician became yet another victim of gun violence when she was shot and killed by a crazed fan while signing autographs.
#1: Phil Harris
Although Phil Harris had long been a respected fisherman, he became somewhat of a legend thanks to the exposure on “Deadliest Catch.” Year after year, viewers tuned in to watch Captain Harris navigate through extreme situations. Unfortunately, his fans would discover the all too real dangers of Phil’s line of work when a random mishap severely injured the man. In Season 6, Phil’s struggles were further documented, leading to one of reality TV’s most heartbreaking moments, when Harris suffered a stroke that ultimately resulted in his death. The Cornelia Marie lost its captain, and reality TV lost a truly beloved star.
#20: Mark Balelo
“Storage Wars” (2010-)In the second season of “Storage Wars,” Balelo instantly caught the viewer’s eyes. Dressed in flashy clothes with styled hair, the businessman nicknamed “Rico Suave” had several memorable moments. One of these involved trying to sell a Nintendo Entertainment System for thousands of dollars and another involved returning Nicolas Cage’s stolen Superman comic book he found. Balelo drew the ire of fellow auctioneers when he walked onto the set with a wad of cash, outbidding them easily. But in 2013, the 40-year-old was arrested for possessing illegal substances. After his release on the same day, he struggled with the experience. The day after, Balelo’s body was found inside his car with the engine on.
#19: Sahara Davenport
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” (2009-)From her first appearances in season 2 of “Drag Race,” Davenport stole the show with her dancing ability while lip-synching for her life. After coming in 7th, Antoine Ashley used his Davenport persona to carve out a career in music. However, in 2012, she unfortunately passed away from heart failure at 27. “RuPaul’s Drag Race” sadly had another alumnus lose their life. After finishing fourth on the main show and 8th on season 3 of “RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars,” Zavion Michael Davenport, better known as Chi Chi DeVayne, was diagnosed with scleroderma in 2018. In 2020, after suffering from kidney failure, DeVayne passed away from pneumonia at the age of 34.
#18: Simonne Kerr
“Britain’s Got Talent” (2007-)The NHS-backed B Positive Choir features members who have sickle cell or personal connections to it. Simonne Kerr, a nurse whose son died from sepsis related to his sickle cell, was part of the choir when they competed during series 12 of “Britain’s Got Talent” in 2018. As the “wildcard” act for the final, the choir came in 11th. Only a couple of months after appearing on the show, the 31-year-old Kerr was fatally attacked by her partner Desmond Sylva. The army veteran tried to claim mental health issues were responsible for the violence. However, the jury didn’t agree and found him guilty of murder. In 2019, Sylva was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 21 years.
#17: Ashley ‘Minnie’ Ross
“Little Women: Atlanta” (2016-21)Following the lives of a group of women with dwarfism, “Little Women: LA” was a success, creating several spin-offs. Ross was a constant presence in “Little Women: Atlanta.” After all, she appeared in every season of the show and became a fan favorite. However, Ross was unable to complete season 6 entirely. In 2020, she was driving at night in Atlanta, Georgia. She suddenly lost control of the car and veered into the other lane, striking another vehicle head-on. While the other driver received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries, Ross wasn’t as lucky. After being rushed to a nearby hospital, she sadly lost her life at the age of 34.
#16: Ryan Knight
“The Real World” (1992-2017; 2019)When “The Real World” took the show to New Orleans in 2010, Knight was one of the members who caught the audience’s attention. After an injury derailed a prospective hockey career, he struggled with substance use and moved to New Orleans to escape bad influences. On the show, his controversial relationship with Jemmye Carroll and his behavior towards her made many uncomfortable, turning him into a reality villain. Afterward, Knight moved on to another reality show, “The Challenge.” Shortly after filming the “Battle of the Exes II” season in 2014, Knight’s body was found at his house in Kenosha, Wisconsin. An investigation found that the 28-year-old lost his life from accidentally combining alcohol with various substances.
#15: Christopher ‘Big Black’ Boykin
“Rob & Big” (2006-08)The hijinks and friendship between Rob Dyrdek and Christopher Boykin, also known as Big Black, in their show “Rob & Big” were a delight to witness. Impressively, Boykin smashed two Guinness World Records during the program’s run. Even after the series ended, Dyrdek and Boykin continued their on-screen relationship with the later series of “Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory” until that ended in 2015. In 2017, Boykin was struggling with heart issues and had a defibrillator implanted into his chest. It was suspected he would need a transplant at some point. However, before that could happen, Boykin’s heart stopped. Unfortunately, he couldn’t be revived and passed away at the age of 45.
#14: Ahmad 'Real' Givens
“Real Chance of Love” (2008-09)After appearing on “I Love New York,” brothers Ahmad "Real" Givens and Kamal "Chance" Givens starred in the reality dating show “Real Chance of Love.” Women, who were given nicknames, were pitted against each other in competitions and were eliminated by the rapper siblings until a winner was declared. After that, the Givens brothers then teamed up for “Real and Chance: The Legend Hunters” to discover mythical beasts in 2010. In 2013, after several misdiagnoses, Ahmad was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. After battling the disease with chemotherapy and surgeries, his condition rapidly deteriorated in 2015, sadly taking his life at the age of 33.
#13: Anna Nicole Smith
“The Anna Nicole Show” (2002-04)Anna Nicole Smith rose to fame as a model and an actor, and also due to her controversial marriage to billionaire J. Howard Marshall. She gave birth to her daughter in 2006, but her joy was short-lived. Her 20-year-old son died from an accidental substance abuse while visiting Anna and his new little sister. She had other issues to contend with in her life, including lawsuits over her deceased husband’s estate and severe problems with prescription medication. In 2007, she was found unresponsive in her hotel room in Hollywood, Florida, from a toxic combination of substances. Sadly, the 39-year-old Smith didn’t survive.
#12: Ryan Dunn
“Jackass” (2000-01)Rising to fame within the CKY crew alongside best friend Bam Margera, Dunn and he joined the “Jackass” team for their TV show in 2000. Showcasing a group of friends taking part in dangerous and sometimes disgusting stunts, the series captured a rabid fanbase, leading to a massive “Jackass” franchise. In 2011, Dunn and Zachary Hartwell, a production assistant in one of the films, were drinking at a bar. Afterward, Dunn gave Hartwell a lift in West Goshen Township, Pennsylvania. Sadly, a combination of speeding and intoxication caused Dunn to drive off the road and collide with a tree before going up in flames. Neither the 34-year-old Dunn nor the 30-year-old Hartwell survived.
#11: Diem Brown
“The Challenge” (1998-)Debuting in the 2006 season of “The Challenge” known as “Fresh Meat,” Brown immediately drew praise for announcing she was battling ovarian cancer. She became a stalwart of the reality show, appearing in several seasons. Brown even created one of “The Challenge”’s most touching moments when she removed her wig during the “The Duel” season. Balancing her entertainment reporter role, Brown also set up MedGift, a crowdfunding site for those struggling with medical bills. While all this was going on, she beat cancer twice. However, in 2014, it returned for the third time, causing Brown to collapse as she filmed the “Battle of the Exes II” season. Sadly, the disease had spread, and the 34-year-old passed away.
#10: Pedro Zamora
“The Real World” (1992-2017; 2019)In 1994, “The Real World” went to San Francisco to follow a group of 20-year-olds looking to find their place in life. This season would break the mold for reality TV. After being diagnosed as HIV positive and becoming an educator of the disease, Zamora wanted to use the show to spread awareness. He taught viewers and his fellow cast about the disease. Zamora and his partner Sean Sasser became the first same-sex couple to have a commitment ceremony on TV. A day after the season aired, the 22-year-old Zamora sadly passed away from complications from his illness. Sasser, who was also HIV positive, worked as a pastry chef after the show. In 2013, he unfortunately passed away from cancer at 44.
#9: Rachel Brown
“Hell’s Kitchen” (2005-)
In the 2006 season of Gordon Ramsay’s culinary competition, contestants hoped to secure a lucrative Las Vegas gig. Among them was 39-year-old Rachel Brown, who was eliminated in episode five. In his trademark fashion, Ramsay was hard on her, but as Rachel told IGN in a post-elimination interview, he didn’t make her feel singled out. In fact, she seemingly found his style to be relatively normal by kitchen standards, stating: “he’s demanding, as he should be.” Sadly, the next year, in May 2007, the behind-the-scenes narrative took a dark turn, when Brown was tragically found dead in her family home in Bedford, Texas, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
#8: Valerie Fairman
“16 and Pregnant” (2009-21)
In 2010, Valerie Fairman was featured on this popular MTV series. Because of the format of the show, she only appeared in one episode, but her family claims that her time on TV “went to her head.” Known to act out before her MTV appearance, in the years that followed, Valerie had numerous run-ins with the law, including a 2015 arrest for sex work. Despite attempts to turn her life around and multiple trips to rehab, she ultimately passed away from reported substance issues in 2016 at age 23. She left behind a seven-year-old daughter named Nevaeh.
#7: Angela ‘Big Ang’ Raiola
“Mob Wives” (2011-16)
Known for her larger-than-life persona and “Big Ang” moniker, this New York native lived a colorful life even before appearing on reality TV. So, when “Mob Wives” came calling for Angela Raiola, she was primed for a breakout performance. Big Ang evolved into a series mainstay, earned herself not one but two spin-offs, and even crossed over into feature film with a cameo in “Scary Movie 5.” Sadly, less than five years into her reality TV career, Angela’s health rapidly declined. Cancerous tumors were discovered, ultimately leading to her death at age 55. But in the world of reality TV, Big Ang remains one of the more memorable personalities.
#6: Michael Johns
“American Idol” (2002-16; 2018-)
Born and raised in Perth, Australia, this crooner established a loyal fan base during his time on “American Idol” Season 7. As one of the finalists, Michael Johns proved to have commercial appeal and the musical versatility to back it up. While he didn’t achieve immense success after his reality TV experience, Johns was still widely considered one of the more popular series contestants. And so, his sudden 2014 death came as a surprise to the “American Idol” community, when he passed away at only 35 due to a condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy. When the 2016 series finale brought back a variety of past contestants, his presence was sorely missed.
#5: Gia Allemand
“The Bachelor” (2002-)
On Season 14 of ABC’s “The Bachelor,” this Queens native came fairly close to winning Jake Pavelka’s heart. Gia Allemand then went on to appear on the spin-off series, “Bachelor Pad” alongside some other past contestants, before settling into a relationship with NBA player Ryan Anderson. Unfortunately, when things soured between the two of them, and personal issues added to her pain, Gia called her mother and then proceeded to take her own life.
#4: Joey Kovar
“The Real World” (1992-2017; 2019)
When this Chicagoan appeared on “The Real World: Hollywood,” he proved to be one of the series’ most explosive castmates. In fact, Joey Kovar was ultimately asked to leave and seek help, and not long after, he was cast on “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.” Sadly, his acting career never got the chance to take off, and his story came to a sad end when he succumbed to his addiction. At only 29 years of age, Joey Kovar became the third “Real World” cast member to pass away, following the untimely death of 25-year-old Frankie Abernathy, who, during her time on the show, helped bring attention to the condition that ultimately took her life - Cystic Fibrosis.
#3: Shain Gandee
“Buckwild” (2013)
In 2013, this West Virginian was featured on MTV’s reality series “Buckwild.” Not only was Shain Gandee a refreshing break from the often image-conscious stars of reality TV; he also quickly became the show’s most compelling cast member. Unfortunately, less than two months after the season finale, Shain and two others were found dead after a “mudding” trip went horribly wrong. The death of this 21-year-old marked a significant moment in reality TV. Gandee was known for “livin’ hard” and the camera loved it. Although his rough and tumble way of living came naturally to him... it ultimately cost him his life, leaving family, friends and fans alike struggling to process the loss.
#2: Christina Grimmie
“The Voice” (2011-)
During her teenage years, this vocalist earned a loyal YouTube following thanks to her impressive cover songs. So when Christina Grimmie later appeared on NBC’s “The Voice,” she was primed to make the spotlight her own. Not only did Christina manage to finish in 3rd place; she also truly stunned the judges, earning offers and plenty of media attention. On June 10, 2016, Christina invited fans to her Orlando show, and it seemed to be just another night. But in a tragic turn of events, the 22-year-old musician became yet another victim of gun violence when she was shot and killed by a crazed fan while signing autographs.
#1: Phil Harris
“Deadliest Catch” (2005-)
Although Phil Harris had long been a respected fisherman, he became somewhat of a legend thanks to the exposure on “Deadliest Catch.” Year after year, viewers tuned in to watch Captain Harris navigate through extreme situations. Unfortunately, his fans would discover the all too real dangers of Phil’s line of work when a random mishap severely injured the man. In Season 6, Phil’s struggles were further documented, leading to one of reality TV’s most heartbreaking moments, when Harris suffered a stroke that ultimately resulted in his death. The Cornelia Marie lost its captain, and reality TV lost a truly beloved star.
