Beyond superstition and myth, the “Birthday Effect” is a hauntingly real statistic. Studies suggest that people are considerably more at risk of passing away the closer they are to their birthdays, citing factors such as higher stress and alcohol consumption… but also because accidents that occur close to birthday celebrations hit so much harder.
It’s never easy to say goodbye to a loved one, be they close or a beloved celebrity. It’s even more tragic when the day that marks their entry into the world becomes the exact date of their departure. Let’s take a look at 10 notorious characters from history whose final breath occurred on the very anniversary of their first.
10. Gertrude Astor (November 9, 1887–1977)
Gertrude Astor led a fascinating life. An entertainer her entire life, Astor began as a trombone player in a woman’s band, until she started acting as an extra in silent films. By 1915, she had already signed a contract with Universal Studios, appearing in close to 250 films by the 1960s. She also experienced firsthand the transition from the silent era to the new age of the “talkies.” Astor eventually passed away on November 9, 1977, on her 90th birthday.
9. Edna May Oliver (November 9, 1883–1942)
Curiously, our next celebrity was also born on November 9 – and she was also a classic silent-era star. Edna Oliver had a scene-stealing presence, one that earned her an Oscar nomination for her role in Drums Along the Mohawk.
A consummate character actress, Oliver appeared in at least 49 films between 1923 and 1941. Sadly, she died of an intestinal ailment just as she turned 59. Her sickness forced her to leave her newfound passion, radio dramas, just as she was getting started on a new project.
8. Mel Street (October 21, 1935–1978)
Beloved country singer who rocked the charts with hits like Borrowed Angel, If I Had a Cheating Heart, and Lovin’ on Back Streets was one of the most celebrated musicians in the genre, even after his untimely passing. He signed a deal with Mercury Records in 1978, but his clinical depression and alcoholism led him down a dark path. He took his own life on October 21, 1978 – the very same day he was turning 43. His posthumous release, Mel Street’s Greatest Hits, sold 400,000 copies.
7. Mike Douglas (August 11, 1920–2006)
Before Douglas became a TV giant, he had a prominent background as a big band vocalist with the Kay Kyser orchestra. In 1950, he provided the singing voice for Prince Charming in Disney’s Cinderella. A bit over a decade later, Douglas started hosting his own daytime talk show, The Mike Douglas Show – a gig he kept for over twenty years. The show was on syndicated television until 1982, and by then, Mike Douglas was already a television legend. Douglas became dehydrated while golfing and was unable to recover, finally passing away on the day of his birthday in 2006, when he was 86.
6. Raphael (April 6, 1483–1520)
Our definition of “celebrities” has changed drastically through the years, but back in the Renaissance, you could hardly get any more popular than the man responsible for painting The School of Athens. One of the greatest artists who has ever lived (and also one of the coolest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Raphael’s style defined Western art for centuries.
While some historians debate the exact date of Raphael’s birth, most have come to the consensus that the Italian painter was born in Urbino on April 6, a Good Friday that also happened to be the date of his death. He passed away in 1520, likely from complications related to pneumonia. He was only 37 years old.
5. William Shakespeare (April 23, 1564–1616)
The greatest playwright in history remains as much a celebrity today as he was back in Elizabethan England. With the release of Hamnet and its status as a solid Oscar contender, Shakespeare’s life beyond the plays has gained renewed interest. It’s a shame we know so little about the man himself.
We know he was born on April 23, 1564… well, we’re mostly sure he was born that day. Shakespeare was baptized on April 26, and historians agree that April 23 sounds like the most likely date for his birth, which would also be poetically fitting, seeing as he passed away on the same day, 52 years later.
4. Ian Marter (October 28, 1944–1986)
Die-hard Doctor Who fans from the Fourth Doctor days might remember Ian Marter from his time as Harry Sullivan. Marter appeared in some of the series most memorable episodes, like Genesis of the Daleks. Beyond Doctor Who, Marter worked on classic British horror flicks like Doctor Faustus and The Medusa Touch.
After battling with diabetes for a significant part of his adult life, the condition finally claimed Marter’s life on his 42nd birthday.
3. Nan Grey (July 25, 1918–1993)
Nan Grey is a legend among horror fans. The 1930’s star starred in films such as The Invisible Man Returns, Tower of London, and Dracula’s Daughter, the direct sequel to 1931’s Dracula.
In 1941, she worked on her final film, Under Age, and in 1950, she married her lifelong companion, singer Frankie Laine. In the 60s, Grey’s career took an unexpected turn after she invented a new type of cosmetic mirror, specifically designed for near-sighted ladies. She enjoyed a long, quiet life away from the silver screen until 1993, when she passed away on her 75th birthday.
2. Otto Kruger (September 6, 1885–1974)
In the 40s and 50s, if you needed a charming villain, you went for Otto Kruger. His name even sounds like a Bond villain! Kruger started his career on Broadway, but by the 1930s, he was already co-starring in sound films. From Dracula’s Daughter to classic westerns, Kruger was everywhere. One of his most memorable roles was that of Charles Tobin in Hitchcock’s Saboteur.
Unfortunately, Kruger suffered a stroke in 1960. For four more years, Kruger continued acting, but he would eventually retire due to health concerns. In 1974, Kruger passed away. He was happily retired at the Motion Picture and Television Country House at the time, leaving behind his wife of 55 years and a daughter.
1. Ingrid Bergman (August 29, 1915–1982)
Easily one of the most influential actresses in the history of cinema, Ingrid Bergman received virtually every possible accolade across her long and prosperous career. From starring in Casablanca to revolutionizing made-for-TV movies with her astounding performance in The Turn of the Screw, it’s no wonder that Ingrid Bergman earned three acting Academy Awards.
Despite her battle with breast cancer, Ingrid Bergman continued acting until her final days. She departed this world on August 29, 1982; she was turning 67 that day. She received a posthumous Emmy Award for her final role in the miniseries A Woman Called Golda, released that same year.
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