7 Fan-Favorite 90s and 00s Hollywood Stars Who Died Too Early

When the TV show craze first kicked off, we all eagerly waited for each new episode, and the stars became our best friends. Back in the ’90s and early 2000s, some of these actors couldn’t even walk down the street without getting mobbed by a wall of fans. The same fans who wrote them letters and dreamed of meeting them.

But no matter how famous or admired someone may be, they are still human—vulnerable to illness, addiction, and the fragility of the body. Sometimes, all it takes is one serious health issue or an untreated struggle to bring even the brightest life to a tragic end.

1. Michelle Trachtenberg (1985-2024)

Michelle Trachtenberg started acting at just 3 years old. Fans loved her as Dawn in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and later in EuroTrip and Gossip Girl as the scheming Georgina Sparks. But after Gossip Girl, her career quieted down.

She dated a few celebrities over the years, and in 2020, she was in a relationship with agent Jay Cohen, who was 24 years older. Her changing appearance sparked media gossip, with rumors of plastic surgery and extreme diets, which Michelle denied.

On February 26, 2024, the shocking news came: Michelle had died in her apartment at just 39. Later, it came to light that she had recently undergone a liver transplant. Some sources said it was due to addiction struggles, likely alcohol-related. Her health declined after surgery, and she looked visibly unwell in her final days. Those who knew her say she had sharp talent and a great sense of humor.

2. Val Kilmer (1959-2025)

Val Kilmer, born December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles, was known for his versatility and commitment to his craft. He gained fame with standout roles like Iceman in Top Gun, Jim Morrison in The Doors, and that unforgettable Batman in Batman Forever.

The actor’s diagnosis of throat cancer in 2015 led to significant health challenges, including a tracheotomy that affected his voice. Despite all the pain, he continued to work, even reprising his role as Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick, where technology helped recreate his voice.

Kilmer passed away on April 1, 2025, at the age of 65, due to pneumonia. He was surrounded by family and friends in Los Angeles. His daughter, Mercedes, confirmed his passing and noted that he had been battling health issues for several years.

3. Matthew Perry (1969-2023)

Matthew Perry, born August 19, 1969, became a household name as Chandler Bing on Friends—the sarcastic guy everyone loved. The show was a massive hit, but behind the scenes, Matthew was battling serious addictions to alcohol and painkillers, starting while the show was still filming. He later admitted that he couldn’t remember filming several seasons and spent millions trying to get clean.

After Friends, he launched a few shows of his own, but none took off. He continued acting mostly in comedies. His personal life included relationships with Lizzy Caplan and Julia Roberts. He got engaged in 2020 to Molly Hurwitz, but they split the next year. In 2022, he published a brutally honest memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, where he opened up about his struggles.

On October 28, 2023, Perry was found dead in his hot tub. The actor was 54. It was later revealed he died due to “acute effects of ketamine.” His death sparked huge conversations about addiction again. His book became a bestseller, and fans remembered him not just as a brilliant comic actor but as someone who bravely shared his darkest battles.

4. Shannen Doherty (1971-2024)

Shannen Doherty shot to fame playing Brenda Walsh on Beverly Hills, 90210, and Prue Halliwell on Charmed. But along with success came a lot of drama—she was let go from both shows after behind-the-scenes conflicts. Thereafter, her film career was never really the same.

In her personal life, Shannen married three times. Her third marriage, to photographer Kurt Iswarienko, seemed solid for a while. But in 2015, Doherty was diagnosed with breast cancer. After tough treatments, she hit remission in 2017 and even returned as Brenda in the 90210 reboot. Sadly, the cancer came back in 2020, this time more aggressive. In 2023, while preparing for brain surgery, she also discovered her husband had cheated and filed for divorce.

Despite everything, Shannen kept fighting. She started new treatments in early 2024, ran a podcast, and championed animal rights. She passed away on July 13, 2024, at 53, remembered as a fierce fighter who loved life.

5. Luke Perry (1966-2019)

Luke Perry, born October 11, 1966, became a ’90s heartthrob as Dylan McKay on Beverly Hills, 90210. He had fans everywhere but never let fame get to his head. He married Rachel Sharp in 1993, and they had two kids—Jack and Sophie. The couple divorced in 2003 but remained close co-parents.

After his role in Beverly Hills, 90210, Perry continued to work in the industry, but he never reached the same fame again. His later roles included Archie’s dad on Riverdale and a small part in Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

In 2018, he got engaged to therapist Wendy Madison Bauer. But tragedy struck on February 27, 2019, when Luke suffered a massive stroke at home. Perry was placed in a medically induced coma but sadly passed away on March 4, 2019, at 52.

6. Annie Wersching (1977-2023)

Annie Wersching, born March 28, 1977, was a familiar face on TV throughout the 2000s, best known for roles in 24, The Vampire Diaries, Bosch, and Star Trek: Picard (as the Borg Queen). She married actor Stephen Full in 2009, and they had three sons. In June 2020, Annie was diagnosed with a rare cancer called adenoid cystic carcinoma. She kept the diagnosis private and continued acting as long as she could, showing incredible dedication and strength.

On January 29, 2023, Annie passed away at the age of 45. Her husband remembered her as someone who found joy in the little things and lived life to the fullest.

7. Heath Ledger (1979-2008)

Heath Ledger had that rare kind of screen presence that felt effortless—like he wasn’t acting, just being. In the late ’90s and early 2000s, he quickly became a fan favorite, whether he was singing “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” on the bleachers in 10 Things I Hate About You or charging through medieval battlefields in A Knight’s Tale. He brought a certain charm and mischief to every role, but beneath it, there was always depth. You could feel it.

What made Heath so captivating wasn’t just his talent—it was his hunger to go deeper. He never settled for being the good-looking lead. When he played Ennis in Brokeback Mountain, he showed a side of himself that was quiet, conflicted, and incredibly vulnerable. And then came his Joker—chaotic, haunting, unforgettable. It was the kind of performance that stays with you long after the credits roll.

He died in 2008, just 28 years old. It still doesn’t feel real. Heath had so much more to give—stories, art, emotion. He was an artist whose life ended far too soon.