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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

Final score:

186points

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similarly 9 months ago

This is really sad.

50points

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

Final score:

149points

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MayaGeGe 9 months ago

'Who are killed every year' ? What is going on exactly ?

24points

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."

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

Final score:

145points

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Ben Kay 9 months ago

Often forgotten how young 🌱 he was when he was murdered.

43points

koolchicken , Tima Miroshnichenko Report

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.

Final score:

141points

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PrettyJoyBird 9 months ago

This hurts really bad.

43points

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.

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

gooberama , Countdown Report

Final score:

140points

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Julie Blaylock 9 months ago

My lovely Freddie. His loss was so great to the world of music.

38points

No_Character_5315 , The Best Picture Show Company Report

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.

Final score:

132points

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LadyRougarou 9 months ago

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 🖤

80points

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

"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!"

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

Final score:

130points

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Orwell 9 months ago

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

56points

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

Final score:

128points

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Sarah Pryde 9 months ago

upvote, upvote, upvote...this one hurt so much.

22points

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."

#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

Final score:

123points

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PrettyJoyBird 9 months ago

Would have loved to see a world with her still in it.

43points

#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

Final score:

112points

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Roselyn Park 9 months ago

Likewise, Terry Pratchett.

53points

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

Final score:

104points

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Stephanie Did It 9 months ago

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.

13points

#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

Final score:

103points

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D-m Keilman 9 months ago

I just recently read about him. Amazing man.

11points

WranglerVegetable512 , Touchstone Pictures 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.

Final score:

99points

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PrettyJoyBird 9 months ago

This still hurts deep down in my heart. Gone too soon. Wayyy too soon.

20points

#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

Final score:

99points

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BTDubs 9 months ago

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.

40points

Fresh-Hedgehog1895 , wikipedia.org Report

#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.

Final score:

98points

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Who? Me? 9 months ago

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

31points

#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

Final score:

89points

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similarly 9 months ago

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

10points

JoTheLizard(she/they) 9 months ago

Can I assume the “almost” means that you got the surgery and that you are ok now?🫶

1point

Jane 9 months ago

I am so sorry for this, my heart really goes out to you and breaks for you

3points

Calvin Smelliott 9 months ago

Sending you the warmest, most loving hug I can. I hope you're doing okay.

2points

PrettyJoyBird 9 months ago

This one hits hard as a Mom

2points

D Wall 9 months ago

My baby brother Chuckie died at 18 months of age of membranous croup back in 1957. At the time membrane is croup had a 95% infant mortality rate. Now nowadays, it’s curable.

1point

Robin DJW 9 months ago

O, my dear, I am so sorry. I understand your pain. My son's birthday is in 2 days. He died suddenly in 2020 at 45 with a pulmonary embolus (blood clot in the lungs) after a serious infection of some sort (not COVID). I know you have no words; there are no words.

1point

Reba Jane 9 months ago

So sad. I send you you best if you ever read this!

1point

Pretty Pink Sky Photography 9 months ago

I am so sorry for your loss.

0points

JelliTate 9 months ago

Oh my goodness. what do you say to someone going through this? no words are enough.

0points

Brian Droste 9 months ago

Did he do anything outstanding?

0points

Tamra 9 months ago

He was a beloved son. That is enough.

0points

#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

Final score:

88points

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BTDubs 9 months ago

One of the first members of the 27 club. RIP

17points

#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

Final score:

82points

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Mrs. EW 9 months ago

But he was “a tramp!”, lol

1point

#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

Final score:

81points

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Jean Lancelin 9 months ago

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..

19points

#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

Final score:

80points

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Ban-One 9 months ago

"The day the music died"

32points

tacknosaddle , Ghoulardi Film Company 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.

Final score:

75points

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similarly 9 months ago

He was so amazing in everything he was in.

18points

#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

Final score:

73points

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JoNo 9 months ago

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.

10points

#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

Final score:

67points

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Kraneia The Dancing Dryad 9 months ago

His son Brandon, too.

47points

Dutch Swimmer Goes Viral For Super Revealing Trunks During 2024 Olympics: “Is This Legal?”

See Also on Bored Panda

Thrill-Seeking Diver Jumps Down Extreme Waterslide, Ignoring The Strict Ban For Women

#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

Final score:

64points

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BarkingSquirell 9 months ago

40 is far too young.

4points

#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

Final score:

59points

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Kristy Marion 9 months ago

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

6points

#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

Final score:

58points

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Simon Chen 9 months ago

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

14points

#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

Final score:

56points

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Ample Aardvark 9 months ago

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

20points

Woman Put A Water Fountain With A Camera In Her Yard, Here Are 24 Photos Of Regular Visitors (New Pics)

See Also on Bored Panda

“Ma’am I Live Here”: Woman Refuses To Back Out Of Driveway, Learns A Lesson The Hard Way

#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

Final score:

55points

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Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 9 months ago

Imagine Kirk's survival guilt after that!

31points

#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

Final score:

52points

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Suby 9 months ago

I cried when he passed away. I loved him in Stand By Me.

9points

#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

Final score:

52points

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BTDubs 9 months ago

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

13points

50 Of The Most Incredible Shots That Were Submitted To The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

See Also on Bored Panda

French Diver’s “Jewels” In Tight Swimming Trunks Become Talk Of The Town At Olympics

#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

Final score:

49points

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La Lucy 9 months ago

He was so talented!

10points

#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

Final score:

47points

POST

VonBlade 9 months ago

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

2points

#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

Final score:

40points

POST

similarly 9 months ago

This one is also really, really sad. So talented.

9points

#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

Final score:

34points

POST

Mimi M 9 months ago

This beautiful portrait is by artist Vasily Perov.

1point

Woman Moves Out Of Parents' Home After They Asked Her To Give Her Space To Brother, They Freak Out

See Also on Bored Panda

Mom Leaves $250k Inheritance To Son, Throws A Fit When Daughter Stops Looking After Her

#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

Final score:

33points

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brittany 9 months ago

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

2points

Pristine-Salt-7502 Report

#37

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

Final score:

32points

POST

Dianellian 9 months ago

Absolutely

3points

Larix-deciduadecidua 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.

Final score:

24points

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aubergine10003 Premium 9 months ago

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

6points

PhatCaulkForyourMom , christinagrimmie Report

#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

Final score:

23points

POST

Upstaged75 9 months ago (edited)

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. :(

17points

Woman Refuses To Chip In For Babysitting Because She Doesn’t Even Have Kids, Asks If She’s A Jerk

See Also on Bored Panda

“This Breaks My Heart”: People Stunned—And Angry—After Woman Buys Lost Luggage From Airport

#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

Final score:

11points

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Dianellian 9 months ago

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.

11points

Howdy, I'm Adelaide! I'm originally from Texas, but after graduating from university with an acting degree, I relocated to sunny Los Angeles for a while. I then got a serious bite from the travel bug and found myself moving to Sweden and England before settling in Lithuania about two years ago. I'm passionate about animal welfare, sustainability and eating delicious food. But as you can see, I cover a wide range of topics including drama, internet trends and hilarious memes. I can easily be won over with a Seinfeld reference, vegan pastry or glass of fresh cold brew. And during my free time, I can usually be seen strolling through a park, playing tennis or baking something tasty.

Read less »

Gabija is a photo editor at Bored Panda. Before joining the team, she achieved a Professional Bachelor degree in Photography and has been working as a freelance photographer since. She also has a special place in her heart for film photography, movies and nature.

Read less »

What do you think ?

POST

Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 9 months ago

Karen Carpenter, rock singer, died of heart complications caused by anorexia. She was actually recovering, but her heart just couldn't hold on long enough. Because of her death, though, anorexia became more recognized.

22points

Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 9 months ago

My mom cried for days when she found out.

2points

Marnie 9 months ago

When it comes to women, people tend to just associate them with being a singer, even when they are songwriters and/or musicians. She was a singer, songwriter, and DRUMMER. Calling her a singer is like calling Jimmy Hendrix a "singer".

1point

jasper 9 months ago

Can't upvote this enough. She was spectacular.

0points

Ty Stratton-Quirk 9 months ago

Vincent van Gogh: only 37 when he committed suicide.

10points

Kraneia The Dancing Dryad 9 months ago

Don McClain (of American Pie fame) did another song titled "Vincent". If you haven't heard it, give it a listen. It's quite beautiful.

3points

similarly 9 months ago

My Mom died many, many years ago, quite young. It's hard to believe I'm almost the same age now. Because I suffer from chronic depression, there have been so many times I've thought about showing myself out quietly, but I know that people wouldn't understand, and people tend to take that sort of thing very personally and emotionally. I just never reached a point where I could ignore that long enough to make it out the door.

8points

Kraneia The Dancing Dryad 9 months ago

I empathize. I too lost my mother at a young age (both of us--she was 44, I was 12!) . You get caught up in the why-me's and forget that you are in the here and now. Just remember: you are loved and lovely, valued and valuable to the world around you. Sending many many hugs, and know that someone somewhere is thinking of you and would miss you if you left the world. 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

5points

Enlee Jones 9 months ago

Anton Yelchin. That young man was going places and then he was killed in a freak accident at 27.

7points

Binky Melnik 9 months ago

I just posted him, as I didn’t see someone had mentioned him yet. He absolutely *reeked* of promise, and I feel like a victim of his death. 😞

2points

Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 9 months ago

I'm surprised Ian Curtis didn't make the list. Lead singer of the greatest post punk band ever, Joy Division. He suffered epilepsy and grand mal seizures that left him horribly depressed for days. Eventually the sadness got to be too much for him and he took his own life. Two albums is all they ever produced. The band reformed as New Order and Blue Monday took the world by storm, but Ian wasn't with them.

7points

Ellen Townsend 9 months ago

Also, Jim Croce.

7points

UpupaEpops 9 months ago

Keith Flint. Coming from a small town in Eastern Europe, where everybody dressed the same, listened to the same thing, and went to the same places, finding The Prodigy was simply life-changing. Back then I couldn't imagine a world where being that "different" was not only accepted but celebrated. Their music has really changed my life.

6points

️ ️~ lefty libra️ ~ 9 months ago

Selena Quintanilla. so young.

5points

OpheliaPoe 9 months ago

I can't believe she wasn't on here!

1point

The Doom Song 9 months ago

Chester Bennington from Linkin Park. One of the few singers that can go from singing like an angel to screaming like a madman in the blink of an eye. RiP Chester

4points

Auntriarch 9 months ago

Good to see some unexpected people, many I've never heard of. Not just "the usual suspects". Thanks fellow Pandas.

4points

Binky Melnik 9 months ago

Pandas didn’t create this list; it’s from Reddit. (I’m not sure BP creates ANY articles of their own; they seem only to do research to add to things they pulled from Twitter, Reddit, and so on.) (And I for one am grateful for that research; it’s surprisingly thorough, and I’ve learned a good deal reading it.)

0points

DB 9 months ago

Phil Lynott, bassist and singer for Thin Lizzy. Steve Clark, guitarist for Def Leppard. James Dean, actor. Dorothy Stratten, Playboy model turned actress. Sharon Tate, actress. John Bonham, drummer for Led Zeppelin.

3points

andrew hall 9 months ago

Chris Farley!

3points

brittany 9 months ago

anne frank. really everyone killed during that time. every single person had the potential to contribute something to the world and its heart breaking to think how much light was brutally taken from it

3points

OpheliaPoe 9 months ago

Sadly I think she had a great impact on the world because of the tragedy of her death BUT as an individual person, absolutely, she had so much more life to live!

5points

jon gilbertson 9 months ago

Delores O'Riordan. Lovely in so many ways.

2points

William Teach 9 months ago

Randy Rhoades. Janis Joplin. Bon Scott. Keith Moon. John Bohnam. James Honeyman Scott.

2points

jon gilbertson 9 months ago

I would have loved to see a drum off between Bonzo Bonham and Animal from the Muppets.

1point

saw & order 9 months ago

I just recently started listening to Mac Miller, he died so young at 26.

2points

David Paterson 9 months ago

Galois was a superb French mathematician who died at age 20. Wikipedia has a list of 18 mathematical topics named after him.

2points

Kraneia The Dancing Dryad 9 months ago

Jamie Livingston. Who was this, you ask? Starting in 1979, he took a photo every day until his death in 1997. https://photooftheday.hughcrawford.com/

2points

Cat Chat 9 months ago

I will add this one because I went to the same highschool as him, with his name plastered on the records wall, plus the city held an annual holiday in his name (probably still does, but I moved from there over 30 years ago after graduation). Steve PreFontaine. Olympic runner and many rules regarding amateur/professional eligibility changed because of him. The hostage situation kind of kept him from getting the expected gold, and he died tragically in an auto accident. He definitely would have broken even more records and won many more medals if he had lived.

2points

FloralDangerNoodle 9 months ago

Why's Amy Winehouse on this list twice, yet no mention of Layne Staley of Alice in Chains?!

1point

Fortescue_ 9 months ago (edited)

Alexander Hamilton, he did so much with his 47 years; imagine what he could have done if he lived another 20-30 years and became president. (Also Philip Hamilton 1 died too soon)

1point

Binky Melnik 9 months ago

In addition to most of those listed above, I was horrified by the deaths of Paul Walker and Anton Yeltsin. The former because when he wasn’t making “Fast and Furious” movies, he was helping out dolphins, and that made him less fungible than the average actor. He not only worked hard at it, but also donated significant portions of his money to help ‘em out. As for Yeltsin, I don’t believe he made a movie of which I *didnt* say “ZOMG! He’s incredible!” Being THAT good at such a young age makes me think he coulda been a PSH had he lived. I’m so horrified that a faulty car killed him. 😰

1point

CG 9 months ago

Monty Oum, an animator, director, voice actor, and writer, who is most credited for the early seasons of RWBY. Passed away at the age of 33 from a severe allergic reaction before season 3 had an opportunity to start.

1point

Sunshine Sunshine 9 months ago

Trevor Moore. My heart hurts.

1point

kansasmagic 9 months ago

I never quite buy the "just imagine what great music [dead musician] could have made if they lived another 30 years" thing. I just don't see it. Paul McCartney still makes new music, but nothing from the last 30 years comes close to the Beatles or even Wings. Bruce Springsteen is more productive now than when younger, but nothing will surpass "Born to Run". In music, lightning almost never strikes twice; and for the vast majority of musicians it doesn't even strike once.

1point

Mike F 9 months ago

If you look at their body of music as a whole, not just through the lens of what they had done before, I think you'll see they have been just as productive. It might not speak to you, but that doesn't make it any less important to fans who have recently become acquainted with them.

0points

Piglet 9 months ago

I've often wondered what Princess Diana would have been doing now.

1point

Synsepalum 9 months ago

Jack Parsons (founder of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, acolyte of Aleister Crowley, occultist, ritual magician). Jay Reatard (punk musician). Randy Rhoads (guitarist for Quiet Riot and Ozzy Osbourne). Owen Heart (professional wrestler). Rosalind Franklin (helped figure out DNA was a thing). Sylvia Plath ( writer), Anne Sexton (writer). Just off the top of my head.

1point

mhoulden 9 months ago

Dimebag Darrell. Would Damageplan have gone on to greater things, or would there have been a Pantera reunion?

1point

D-m Keilman 9 months ago

Aaron Schwartz needs to be listed here.

1point

BlueBlazer999 9 months ago

This one won’t be popular, but Minecraft YouTuber Technoblade. Died at 21 of cancer. Inspired millions, and raised over $300,000 for cancer research. He was a real person in a sea of corporate faces that YouTube can be. And he was funny. Again, not the most well-known or famous person, but a legend amongst several communities.

0points

Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 9 months ago

Heather O'Rourke, the actress who played Carol Anne in the Poltergeist movies.

0points

Exotic Butters 9 months ago

Bored Panda sucks if you don't love commercials and hating on Americans. Out.

0points

MagicJacket 9 months ago

Chris Bell of the criminally underappreciated band Big Star. Their first album didn't sell in 1972 because of their horrible record label, even though Rolling Stone gave it a GLOWING review and heralded them as a great new act. He got depressed and left the band. He went to work for the family restaurant, and died in a car crash in 1978.

0points

RAM31280 9 months ago

How did no one mention Elvis, who only dies at 42 yo. Also, Sam Kinison, I get he might not be everyone's favorite comedian, but shortly after he got sober, and could have had much bigger career, he was in a car accident where a drunk driver killed him.

0points

Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 9 months ago

I saw a "documentary" not long ago where they found Elvis, alive. He has supposedly been in witness protection because he was a spy for the FBI, working to bring down the drug trade amongst the entertainment industry. It was actually well-done for something like that. But maybe that's why he's not on the list?

0points

CG 9 months ago (edited)

Billy Kametz. A voice actor who notably voiced in series like Rising of the Shield Hero (as the main character for season 1), Persona 5 Royal, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. He was only a voice actor for 6 years, from 2016 until his passing in 2022, where he succumbed to stage 4 Colon Cancer. He was only 35 years old.

0points

Ken Beattie 9 months ago

I was going to say Steve Clark one of the guitarists from Def Leppard. This is mandela effect here but I could have sworn he died by suicide *before* he saw the huge success that came from the Hysteria album, but apparently he died a few years after it was released of accidentally causes. Either way, they were at the peak of their success when he died.

0points

Nadine 9 months ago

Sharon Jones, amazing singer.

0points

John Dilligaf 9 months ago

Frederick III, German Emperor for 99 days in 1888..... He was the son of of Emperor Wilhelm I and father of of Emperor Wilhelm II (he of World War 1 fame). ...... Frederick III came to the throne at age 56 when his father died in March of 1888, but he himself died in June 1888 from cancer. His son, Wilhelm II, then took the throne. ,,,,, But Fredrick was as different from his son as night is from day. He was an anglophile, a liberal and a reformer who wanted to reduce the centralized power of the Chancellor and the Emperor. '........ He wanted to reform the German gov't and establish a British style Constitutional monarchy with the Chancellor and the cabinet answerable to the elected parliament (the Reichstag). ......He also denounced anti-Semitism and, although he was a trained solider, he was known to abhor war...... Who knows what the history of Germany and Europe would have been like if he had had 20 or 30 yrs as Emperor to enact his agenda?

0points

Brian Droste 9 months ago

Harry Chapin. He died in a semi truck/car accident. Died when he was 38. I liked his music. His music always told a story. He also fought against hunger. I wonder how much farther he could have done fighting hunger.

0points

Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 9 months ago

There are so many colors in a rainbow, so many colors in the morning sun. So many colors in a flower, and I see every one.

0points

J9 9 months ago (edited)

Patsy Cline, Ritchie Valens, JFK Snr and JFK Jr

0points

Tiny Dancer 9 months ago

Harry Chapin. The man was literally on his way to perform at yet another charity concert when he died at the age of 38 in 1981. All these years later and people remember him for TAXI and CAT'S IN THE CRADLE, but he had so many timeless, heartbreaking, life-affirming songs he left behind. He also worked endlessly on the cause of hunger in the US and co-founded the World Hunger Year. Who knows what more he could have achieved? I miss him madly and still cry when I sing some of his songs (COREY'S COMING and MAIL ORDER ANNIE kill me every time).

0points

Vi vi 9 months ago

Judith Barsi voice of ducky and so much more. She was 10 years old when she was killed.

0points

Aspiring Canuck 9 months ago

US Senator Paul Wellstone (D-Minn) died in a plane crash at 58. He had a lot of productive years ahead of him.

0points

POST

Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 9 months ago

22points

Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 9 months ago

My mom cried for days when she found out.

2points

Marnie 9 months ago

1point

jasper 9 months ago

Can't upvote this enough. She was spectacular.

0points

Ty Stratton-Quirk 9 months ago

Vincent van Gogh: only 37 when he committed suicide.

10points

Kraneia The Dancing Dryad 9 months ago

Don McClain (of American Pie fame) did another song titled "Vincent". If you haven't heard it, give it a listen. It's quite beautiful.

3points

similarly 9 months ago

8points

Kraneia The Dancing Dryad 9 months ago

5points

Enlee Jones 9 months ago

Anton Yelchin. That young man was going places and then he was killed in a freak accident at 27.

7points

Binky Melnik 9 months ago

I just posted him, as I didn’t see someone had mentioned him yet. He absolutely *reeked* of promise, and I feel like a victim of his death. 😞

2points

Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 9 months ago

7points

Ellen Townsend 9 months ago

Also, Jim Croce.

7points

UpupaEpops 9 months ago

6points

️ ️~ lefty libra️ ~ 9 months ago

Selena Quintanilla. so young.

5points

OpheliaPoe 9 months ago

I can't believe she wasn't on here!

1point

The Doom Song 9 months ago

Chester Bennington from Linkin Park. One of the few singers that can go from singing like an angel to screaming like a madman in the blink of an eye. RiP Chester

4points

Auntriarch 9 months ago

Good to see some unexpected people, many I've never heard of. Not just "the usual suspects". Thanks fellow Pandas.

4points

Binky Melnik 9 months ago

0points

DB 9 months ago

3points

andrew hall 9 months ago

Chris Farley!

3points

brittany 9 months ago

3points

OpheliaPoe 9 months ago

Sadly I think she had a great impact on the world because of the tragedy of her death BUT as an individual person, absolutely, she had so much more life to live!

5points

jon gilbertson 9 months ago

Delores O'Riordan. Lovely in so many ways.

2points

William Teach 9 months ago

Randy Rhoades. Janis Joplin. Bon Scott. Keith Moon. John Bohnam. James Honeyman Scott.

2points

jon gilbertson 9 months ago

I would have loved to see a drum off between Bonzo Bonham and Animal from the Muppets.

1point

saw & order 9 months ago

I just recently started listening to Mac Miller, he died so young at 26.

2points

David Paterson 9 months ago

Galois was a superb French mathematician who died at age 20. Wikipedia has a list of 18 mathematical topics named after him.

2points

Kraneia The Dancing Dryad 9 months ago

Jamie Livingston. Who was this, you ask? Starting in 1979, he took a photo every day until his death in 1997. https://photooftheday.hughcrawford.com/

2points

Cat Chat 9 months ago

2points

FloralDangerNoodle 9 months ago

Why's Amy Winehouse on this list twice, yet no mention of Layne Staley of Alice in Chains?!

1point

Fortescue_ 9 months ago (edited)

Alexander Hamilton, he did so much with his 47 years; imagine what he could have done if he lived another 20-30 years and became president. (Also Philip Hamilton 1 died too soon)

1point

Binky Melnik 9 months ago

1point

CG 9 months ago

1point

Sunshine Sunshine 9 months ago

Trevor Moore. My heart hurts.

1point

kansasmagic 9 months ago

1point

Mike F 9 months ago

0points

Piglet 9 months ago

I've often wondered what Princess Diana would have been doing now.

1point

Synsepalum 9 months ago

1point

mhoulden 9 months ago

Dimebag Darrell. Would Damageplan have gone on to greater things, or would there have been a Pantera reunion?

1point

D-m Keilman 9 months ago

Aaron Schwartz needs to be listed here.

1point

BlueBlazer999 9 months ago

0points

Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 9 months ago

Heather O'Rourke, the actress who played Carol Anne in the Poltergeist movies.

0points

Exotic Butters 9 months ago

Bored Panda sucks if you don't love commercials and hating on Americans. Out.

0points

MagicJacket 9 months ago

0points

RAM31280 9 months ago

0points

Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 9 months ago

0points

CG 9 months ago (edited)

0points

Ken Beattie 9 months ago

0points

Nadine 9 months ago

Sharon Jones, amazing singer.

0points

John Dilligaf 9 months ago

0points

Brian Droste 9 months ago

0points

Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 9 months ago

There are so many colors in a rainbow, so many colors in the morning sun. So many colors in a flower, and I see every one.

0points