Famous Celebrities Who Died In Their 60s

The average life expectancy for Americans is 77 years old, so it hits particularly hard when a family member, close friend, or beloved celebrity passes away in their 60s. That's because, had circumstance been different, they could have potentially had much more time — years, in fact, to spend with their loved ones and to entertain their fans. The celebrities on this list died of an assortment of calamities, from cancer and heart disease to tragic accidents. Some were still actively working in their chosen fields when they passed away, while a few had stepped away from the spotlight for one reason or another.

Either way, these stars were gone too soon. These singers, actors, and entertainers made their mark in show business, and they won't be forgotten any time soon (even those who died decades ago). Their legacy lives on through their movies and music. Check out some stars who died in their 60s.

Sonny Bono is perhaps best remembered for his role in the singing duo Sonny and Cher. But prior to connecting with the vibrant young star, he was a singer and songwriter of his own accord. He collaborated with Phil Spector and was a back-up singer for the Righteous Brothers, according to History. Then, he paired up with a teenager named Cherilyn Sarkasian, aka Cher, who would help catapult his career. The twosome fell and love and became famous for songs such as "I Got You Babe" and the variety show "The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour," which launched in 1971. They wed and had a child but eventually got divorced amid rumors of infidelity.

Not unlike a handful of other celebrities, including Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bono turned to politics and became the mayor of Palm Springs, California, in 1988. Six years later, he earned a seat in the House of Representatives. In 1998, he died while skiing in South Lake Tahoe, California, at the age of 62. According to police reports, he was skiing solo, hit a tree, and died due to head trauma. He was survived by his fourth wife, Mary Bono, and their two children as well as his son Chaz (formerly Chastity) with Cher and a daughter he had with his first wife.

Audrey Hepburn earned an Academy Award after starring in her first major film, 1953's "Roman Holiday," alongside Gregory Peck. Moviegoers were charmed by the beautiful star's screen presence, and her marketability also translated to the theater. She won a Tony Award that same year for the play "Ondine." Hepburn went on to star alongside William Holden and Humphrey Bogart in "Sabrina" the following year and alongside Fred Astaire in 1957's "Funny Face." In summing up her career, The New York Times has described her as elegant and gamine "with an aristocratic bearing."

One of Hepburn's most iconic roles was as Holly Golightly in the 1961 movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's." She also starred in "Love in the Afternoon," "Charade," and "My Fair Lady." She lightened her acting load in 1967 and only appeared in the occasional film in the '70s and' 80s, instead spending the majority of her time in Switzerland after semi-retiring from acting. In 1988, she became a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF and traveled frequently to Africa and Latin America. She was diagnosed with colon cancer in the early '90s and died from the disease at the age of 63 on January 20, 1993.

Sammy Davis, Jr., embodied it all: he sang, danced, acted, and performed comedy routines, a skillset that wasn't unheard of back in the day when vaudeville and variety acts were all the rage. He came from a showbiz family and made his film debut in a musical short at the age of 7, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation. He was meant for great things, although he may not have realized it at such a young age. As a teenager, he befriended big band leader Tommy Dorsey as well as Frank Sinatra, who would become instrumental in his success later on.

Davis, Jr.'s loved ones shielded him from racism and discrimination, but his world was turned upside down when he was drafted into the United States Army at the age of 18, and he was treated unkindly by some of his fellow recruits due to his skin color. Fortunately, his talent led to his transfer to an entertainment regiment. After he was discharged, he released several hit singles and eventually became a member of the infamous Rat Pack, which also included Sinatra, Dean Martin, Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford. In the '70s, he battled substance abuse and had a heart attack. He recovered, though, and continued to release music until 1989 when doctors found a cancerous tumor in his throat. It was treated with radiation, but a bigger oral tumor was found the following year, and it was inoperable. Davis, Jr., died at the age of 64 on May 16, 1990.

Tom Petty both helmed Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and was a popular solo artist. He formed Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in 1976 and became a member of the Traveling Wilburys before releasing his first solo album in 1989. He is known for songs such as "Free Fallin'," "Runnin' Down a Dream," "American Girl," "Refugee," "Don't Come Around Here No More," and "Learning to Fly." Petty earned three Grammy Awards over the course of his career and collaborated with a string of equally talented musicians, including Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, and Johnny Cash, according to Biography.

In 1996, Petty divorced his wife of 22 years and struggled with substance abuse, which he kicked a few years later, and in 2002, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Petty continued to perform with the group and in solo projects leading up to his death in 2017. He died at the age of 66 from of an accidental drug overdose, according to NPR. His system was full of a variety of drugs prescribed for several health issues, such as a fractured hip. He also had knee problems and emphysema. Prior to his death, Petty had just completed a summer tour celebrating the 40th anniversary of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

David Bowie, known for the 1969 song "Space Oddity," his Ziggy Stardust alter ego, and a string of hits, including "Fame," died at the age of 69 on January 10, 2016 (via Biography). He passed away two days after his birthday, shocking fans who were unaware he had been battling terminal cancer for several months. The singer had just released his 25th studio album, "Blackstar," according to The Guardian. Johan Renck, who directed the video for the album's first single, "Lazarus," said, "I found out later that, the week we were shooting, it was when he was told it was over, they were ending treatments and that his illness had won." 

Only those closest to the singer were aware that he was dying of cancer. Despite the diagnosis, Bowie kept on working and spent large portions of his days focused on his music. Even though he was undergoing treatments for the disease, he was still able to complete the album. The singer was also known for hits such as "Modern Love," "China Girl," and "Let's Dance." 

One of early cinema's most famous stars was Gary Cooper, known for playing all-American roles. Cooper, who often portrayed strong, manly characters, had a penchant for hooking up with his co-stars, such as silent film superstar Clara Bow and Patricia Neal, with the latter romance allegedly occurring while he was married. The Montana native, whose parents were English, got his start making silent films and continued to act through the early 1960s until his death at the age of 60, according to Biography. 

He kicked off his career with the 1926 western "The Winning of Barbara Worth" and impressed audiences with 1929's "The Virginian." He was nominated for an Academy Award for 1936 film "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" before winning the coveted statue for 1941's "Sergeant York," in which he portrayed a World War I soldier. He also received Oscar nominations for 1942's "The Pride of the Yankees" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls." However, the role Cooper is likely most known for is Will Kane in the 1952 film "High Noon," and he won his second Academy Award for the work. Cooper passed away of cancer on May 13, 1961.