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While legendary mathematicians, famous actors and world-altering activists permanently etch their names into history, at the end of the day, they are human beings just like us. And they're not immune to seeing their lives end much earlier than anticipated.

Redditors have recently been discussing notable individuals whose lives were cut short before they were able to reach their full potential. Whether they died at 16 or 46, these people had plans to accomplish even more. So enjoy scrolling through this list and remembering the legacies of these individuals, and keep reading to find a conversation with pop culture expert and host of Ready to Be Petty, Torry!

#1

40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential There's no way to know. My aunt had 2 babies that died shortly after birth. I had a classmate who needed a heart transplant, but couldn't get one, and died in junior high. My sister had a classmate who died of cancer.

I used to live about 3 blocks from Caltech. Every year 1-2 kids there buckle under pressure and hang themselves.

It's easy I guess to say "Jim Morrison would've released more great music!" "Edgar Allan Poe would've revolutionized literature!" but there are *so many* people who die so young that there's just no way to know what they'd have been capable of.

anon , Maël BALLAND Report

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    #2

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential My wife died two weeks ago…at 42. She was the prettiest, smartest, and nicest women I have ever met. She dedicated her life to helping those less fortunate than us. I was the luckiest man in the world for 17 years.

    Emera1dthumb , Edward Eyer Report

    #3

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential I wish I could name all the native Americans who are killed every year trying to protect their land from oil companies

    Winsom_Thrills , Brett Sayles Report

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    To learn more about celebrities who should have lived to see many more birthdays, we reached out to pop culture expert and host of the Ready to Be Petty podcast, Torry. She was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and share about some of the celebrities she believes never got to reach their full potential.

    The first star Torry noted was Heath Ledger. "Heath could do it all, from comedies, to rom-coms, to darker, serious movies," the host says. "I think he would have been considered one of 'the greats' and honored with many Academy Awards."

    #4

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential Martin Luther King Jr. People remember him as some wise old man. He was 39 when he died.

    FredTheLynx , wikipedia.org Report

    #5

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential My husband. He was special to me yes, but he was important to his patients. We all know about the ER docs that are dismissive, condescending, and are just all around jerks. My husband, even at his most burnt out wasn’t like that. He was the type you pray you get. The one that will actually listen, who will figure out what’s going on. It didn’t matter if you were female, a POC, trans, or any combination. He was listening. He was going to treat your pain. He wasn’t going to send you home until he had an answer. I knew this about him, but it was confirmed by the patients that left messages on his obituary page. Sure he did the usual emergency med life saving things. But a car accident is easy. There’s no argument about whether or not a patient is hurt. It’s assumed something is wrong. What made him special to the world is proof you were sick meant only your word that you were. He tried to teach the providers around them. Never made people feel dumb for not knowing things. He wanted people to be motivated to do better and bullying or dismissive behavior doesn’t help with that.

    When he died I died too. Our children also lost their lives. We’re nothing without him. But the rest of the world? There are countless people that will now die just as scared and alone as I am because he’s not there to help.

    koolchicken , Tima Miroshnichenko Report

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    The next celebrity Torry noted was Aaliyah. "Aaliyah's style, presence, and music were unique and drew the attention of fans all over the world," she explained. "If she were alive, I could see her releasing a Greatest Hits album or producing music behind the scenes with up and coming arts."

    Amy Winehouse was another who tragically didn't get to reach her full potential. "I don't think we've seen another voice like Amy's, and so many people were impacted by the music she was able to release," Torry shared.

    And we can't forget Selena. "Selena was a global pop star, but I think her star power could have been HUGE and lasted over many years," the host added.

    #6

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential Freddie Mercury.

    gooberama , Countdown Report

    #7

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential Steve irwin I believe his conservation work would have probably spilled over into environmental issues and he seemed passionate about doing good not just fame and money.

    No_Character_5315 , The Best Picture Show Company Report

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    LadyRougarou
    Community Member
    9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Honestly it already has through his wife and kids. They have helped spread awareness about environmental issues in Australia and all over. The work they do is insane and the animals they continue to save is extraordinary 🖤

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    On the other hand, some celebrities are fortunate enough to reach their full potential, and Torry believes that Jennifer Lopez is a great example.

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    "Jennifer's new movie This Is Me... Now, which is inspired by her life and career, is coming up this February," the host says. "She's done so much with her career - from music, dance, movies, TV, skincare, and so much more!"

    #8

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential Alan Turing. died for the worst f*****g reason and what happened to him was a travesty.

    DimesOHoolihan: Turing was prosecuted in 1952 for homosexual acts. He accepted hormone treatment with DES, a procedure commonly referred to as chemical castration, as an alternative to prison. Turing died on 7 June 1954, 16 days before his 42nd birthday, from cyanide poisoning. An inquest determined his death as a s****de, but it has been noted that the known evidence is also consistent with accidental poisoning.

    Far-Polaris , wikipedia.org Report

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    Orwell
    Community Member
    9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What's missing here is that he basically created the foundation of computer science. Phenomenally intelligent human being.

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    #9

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential Chadwick Boseman. Such a talented actor, and seemed like a genuinely good person.

    Living_Debate599 Report

    We were also curious which celebrities Torry is excited to see grow and reach their full potential in the future. "Rachel Zegler - She now has two successful big box office movies under her belt," the host shared. "I could see her starring in more movies that showcase her singing voice. Broadway shows turned movies are hot right now, and she's the perfect person to be cast."

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    #10

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential Princess Diana. I think she would have really found her feet in today’s world more so than the ‘90s.

    magical_bunny , wikipedia.org Report

    #11

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential Douglas Adams. His ability to create the most absurd possible sentences and situations and make them as funny as they are... amazing writer.

    shapiritowastaken , ABC Science Report

    Torry also says we should keep an eye on Amelia Dimoldenberg's career. "Amelia has carved out a new space for broadcasting/comedic interviews for herself. She was just named the official correspondent for the Oscars," she explained. "Her YouTube show is getting bigger guests, and many other content creators are trying to mimic her style of comedy."

    If you'd like to hear more of Torry's thoughts on celebrity gossip and pop culture, be sure to check out Ready to Be Petty!

    #12

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential I'm going historical. Prince Arthur Tudor. He died aged 15, leaving his younger brother Henry to become Henry VIII of England. Arthur was apparently more of a scholar than anything else, compared to his brother who was more into the idea of being a warrior king. Had Arthur survived and gone on to become King, then global history would have taken a very different turn

    c0_sm0 , wikipedia.org Report

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    Stephanie Did It
    Community Member
    9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Henry was not expecting to rule and while very well educated was more inclined to a religious life. After Arthur died, their father gave him no preparation for the throne. It was Katherine who maneuvered him into joining into her daddy Ferdinand's campaigns.

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    #13

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential Srinivasa Ramanujan

    Probably the greatest mathematician that pushed modern mathematics at galactic speed, died only aged 32

    Mr_Dudester , wikipedia.org Report

    #14

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential Heath Ledger. Just imagine the roles he could’ve done in his older age.

    WranglerVegetable512 , Touchstone Pictures Report

    #15

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential Thomas Sankara was only 37 when he was assassinated. He brought through huge reforms in Burkina Faso in such a short space of time. He increased literacy massively and improved women's rights, also brought through vaccination programs and improved infrastructure. None of which was popular with the French...

    shawbawzz , wikipedia.org Report

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    BTDubs
    Community Member
    9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What the European powers did to the African continent is atrocious. Most of them haven't even apologized for the genocides and crimes against humanity they have committed that STILL affect daily life on the continent.

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    #16

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential Terry Fox. He died at 22 after running halfway across Canada with one leg and stricken with lung cancer. Imagine what he could have done in life without cancer holding him back.

    Fresh-Hedgehog1895 , wikipedia.org Report

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    Who? Me?
    Community Member
    9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder if some people would not have achieved their 'greatness', if they had not had not been challenged by life.

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    #17

    My son died 19 days ago at 43 yrs old. It was totally unexpected. He was recovering from a routine surgery and he developed a blood clot 9 days after. He will be missed every moment. I have no words.

    banjolady Report

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    similarly
    Community Member
    9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is so sad. Hospital almost refused my last surgery because of circulatory problems.

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    #18

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential Jimi Hendrix hadn't even reached his full potential when he died.

    Yet he is still regarded by many to be the best guitarist of all time.

    Imagine if he had lived.

    CoatsBoi , wikipedia.org Report

    #19

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential Otis Redding. Based on his energy, the fact that after a short career with an amazing voice, he came back from surgery with a better one, recorded one of the great songs of the 20th century, and then immediately died.

    TDOMW , wikipedia.org Report

    #20

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential Henry Mosely

    A British Physicist

    One of the greatest physicists of the 20th century. Developed Moseley's Law that helped to define the atomic number.

    [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moseley%27s_law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moseley%27s_law)

    The reason why nobody has heard of him is because he had his brains blown out by a sniper at Gallipoli when he was 27 years old.

    Isaac Asimov wrote about him: "in view of what [Moseley] might still have accomplished ... his death might well have been the most costly single death of the War to mankind generally."


    He's the reason why countries keep their scientists and researchers from being drafted or allowed to fight anymore.

    Vio_ , wikipedia.org Report

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    Jean Lancelin
    Community Member
    9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Evariste Gallois: Mathematician, killed in a duel at 21 in 1832; Alain-Fournier: Writer, killed during WW1 at 27 in 1914; Antoine Lavoisier: Chemist, decapitated in 1794 at 51, during French Revolution; etc..

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    #21

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential Buddy Holly. Of course, he already wrote some fantastic songs, but man would it be a treat to see his songwriting in the '60s!

    Could end up being the same or he could have grown. But it's those what-ifs!

    DirtlessEye , wikipedia.or Report

    #22

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential Phillip Seymour Hoffman. He was an incredibly gifted actor and I would be genuinely excited when a film with him came out to see what he would do. There should have been a lot more anticipatory moments like that.

    tacknosaddle , Ghoulardi Film Company Report

    #23

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential Amadeus Mozart.

    While he wasn't terribly young, I'd say his true potential life was cut in half. Imagine what music will never be or where it could have gone had he lived a longer life.

    WhoFan , wikipedia.org Report

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    JoNo
    Community Member
    9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He was 35 when he died. While life expectancy wouldn't be as long in the 1700s, I say he was young - too young to die.

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    #24

    Bruce Lee.

    Whimsycottt: Bruce Lee brought Hong Kong Cinema to the West. He is the guy who popularized martial arts movies and made being Chinese (and East Asians) more accepted when most Asians in Hollywood at the time were either nerds or Fu Manchus. The feminization of Asian Men by Hollywood still exists, but we can at least point to Bruce Lee as the turning point where Asian men can be more than that. This man singlehandedly bridged the gap between the East and West with his movies, and inspired an entire genre of films.

    He also helped modernized/paved the way for MMA, and his style of fighting (Jeet Kune Do) was based more on practicality rather than flashines, and being open to different types of styles instead of sticking to a single, rigid one.

    I'm forever grateful for him, and I think its a damn shame that we lost him so young.

    leprethong Report

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    #25

    Maryam Mirzakhani died at 40 of cancer. She was Iranian. In 2014 Mirzakhani won the Fields Medal, the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for Mathematics, which is awarded by the International Congress of Mathematicians.

    “The award recognized her sophisticated and original contributions to the fields of geometry and dynamical systems, particularly in understanding the symmetry of curved surfaces such as spheres.”

    debsmooth2020 Report

    #26

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential Jeff Buckley comes to mind. Only one incredible studio album completed. It's changed many lives.

    MoonRabbit , wikipedia.org Report

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    Kristy Marion
    Community Member
    9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He’s always at the top of my gone-too-soon list. I saw him live twice. What a talent

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    #27

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential Prince. He is/was larger than life, despite his stature. He was a musical genius, and frankly after he left us s**t got weird.

    huh_phd , wikipedia.org Report

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    Simon Chen
    Community Member
    9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nah....he wasnt doing anything exciting at least 10 years before he died. His did not leave on the top imo. Does not mean he is not a loss

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    #28

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential Kurt Cobain! I can't believe this isn't higher. Imagine if he lived another 30 years, how much beautiful music he could have made.

    Omniwing , gettyimages.com Report

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    Ample Aardvark
    Community Member
    9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The only possible consolation is that if Kurt hadn't died, there probably would be no Foo Fighters

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    #29

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential Cliff Burton - the bassist of Metallica. He taught all the other bandmates musical theory, harmonies and all that stuff, because he was the only one that was actually musically trained in school.

    He died in a bus accident when they were on tour. He and Kirk (still the lead guitarist in the band) were choosing who would sleep on top of the bunk bed, it was supposed to be Kirk, but Cliff insisted that he'd sleep on top. When the accident happened, he was thrown out, the bus lost traction and it landed right on top of him.

    The sad part is it would've been either him or Kirk

    MintCrystal2 , gettyimages.com Report

    #30

    River Phoenix.

    Listened to an interview Wil Wheaton did where he talked about Stand By Me and how everyone on the set knew River was going to be a huge star.

    anon Report

    #31

    Amy Winehouse is up there.

    High-strungHousewife: Her material may not have been to your liking but her contralto voice was widely regarded as exceptional.

    "She had a strong control of her voice, with a clear and precise pitch and a wide range [3 octaves] that allowed her to tackle both high and low notes with ease."

    HellyOHaint Report

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    BTDubs
    Community Member
    9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Another member of the 27 club... She said once that she was afraid that she might end up there RIP one of the greats.

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    #32

    Vince Guaraldi

    Do you ever listen to the Charlie Brown Christmas and wonder why you don't hear more amazing music by Vince Guaraldi? He died of a heart attack at the young age of 47.

    CariniJGL Report

    #33

    Stevie Ray Vaughan.

    He really got his s**t together and seemed to really be in a good place career wise and in his personal life.

    anon Report

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    VonBlade
    Community Member
    9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not the most technically gifted (Guthrie or Vai), the most melodic (Gilmour) but my favourite. He was always powerful and free-flowing.

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    #34

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential Jonathon Larson. He died in 1996 at the age of 35 just before his musical, Rent, came out. It's a shame that he worked so hard for his opportunity and he couldn't see what an impact he had.

    Biggest thing is? His death could have easily been prevented. He was misdiagnosed at two separate occasions leading up to his death.

    EmmaDaBomb , wikipedia.org Report

    #35

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential Dostoevsky. Really wish we could have got the rest of Alyosha’s story

    ChallengeOne8405 , wikipedia.org Report

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    #36

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential Brittany Murphy. I guess you could argue she didn't have the MOST potential out of all of these, but she was the first one I thought of.

    mercurial_creature , wikipedia.org Report

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    brittany
    Community Member
    9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i wasnt a big fan of hers until my husband made me watch Ramen Girl (this was years after her death) and i realized we really lost an amazing woman with so much style, spirit and potential

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    #37

    Elliott Smith, dead 20 years now, was a brilliant musician.

    Pristine-Salt-7502 Report

    #38

    Louis Braille. Alexander the Great died precisely when he should have; Mozart's later career probably wouldn't have been so promising; but Louis Braille had the makings of a true innovator.

    Larix-deciduadecidua Report

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    aubergine10003
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    Premium
    9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not sure how this person could possibly say that about Mozart... based on WHAT evidence, exactly?

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    #39

    40 People Who Passed Before They Reached Their Potential Christina Grimmie. Incredibly talented vocalist, gunned down after a concert by a presumably obsessed fan. I still think that her wanting to remain independent instead of joining a particular record label may have had something to do with it, but her assailant wiped his computers, so we’ll never know for sure

    PhatCaulkForyourMom , christinagrimmie Report

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    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    9 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What now??? She joined Adam Levine's record label - he was her coach on The Voice. (He also paid for her funeral.) And the guy wasn't just "presumed" obsessed with her, he WAS. He went there specifically to kill her. Such a waste. :(

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    #40

    Amy Winehouse would have probably be on par with or surpassed Adele at some point.

    She moved to the tropics to get sober, but the record labels weren’t digging the experimental reggae-inspired stuff she was recording. As with many people who relapse, her body couldn’t take the dosage required to get her high again.

    Part of me thinks if she’s made it one more year she would have been fine. I also think her being 27 played a huge role since she got to join the legendary “club”. She definitely had genius-level talent with music. I feel like Lady Gaga and her would have put out an amazing album together. Amy is probably the only celebrity death where I was very very sad.

    josiahpapaya Report

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    Dianellian
    Community Member
    9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Upvoting for Amy, not the misinformation. She didn’t die of drugs. She died of alcohol. She wasn’t making a new album away, she was getting away from the crazy media.

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