Before and after pictures of some of Hollywood's most handsome actors
Jordin Sparks was riding high in her career, and was pregnant with her first child when she tragically lost four loved ones in the same week.
Rihanna is famous for spreading great tunes and good vibes wherever she goes. But she went through a really hard episode in her life.
Travolta's son suffered from Kawasaki, a disease that affects the blood arteries. Preston passed away from breast cancer.
See also: Meet the stars who have battled cancer
Félicité Tomlinson, the half-sister of One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson, was found dead at her flat in west London on March 13, 2019.
The aspiring fashion designer passed away at the age of 18, following reports of a cardiac arrest.
Jamie Foxx penned a moving Instagram post following the loss of his younger sister DeOndra Dixon, who died at just 36 years old. "My heart is shattered into a million pieces," he wrote. "My beautiful loving sister Deondra has transitioned... I say transitioned because she will always be alive."
According to TMZ, DaBaby's brother had posted a video of himself that same day, in a car with a gun, crying and claiming he had been wronged in the past. After the news of his death broke, the rapper posted lyrics from his song 'Intro.' "My brother be thinkin' that we don't love him and let him struggle like we ain't family. Like I won't give up all I got to see you... "
DaBaby's older brother, Glenn Johnson, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Charlotte, North Carolina, this on November 3, 2020.
21 Savage lost his younger brother, Terrell Davis, who was killed in a fatal stabbing in London on the night of November 22. The rapper's younger brother was just 27, a year younger than him, and had allegedly gotten into an argument with a friend just before his death. "Can’t believe somebody took you baby bro," 21 Savage wrote in an Instagram tribute. "I know I took my anger out on you I wish I could take that [expletive] back."
The musician previously lost his other brother, Quantivayus Joseph, in a fatal shooting after an alleged botched drug deal some years ago.
Nicki Minaj’s 64-year-old father, Robert Maraj, died after being struck by a hit-and-run driver in New York, according to a police statement. Maraj was reportedly walking along a road on Long Island on the evening of February 12, 2021, when he was hit. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead the next day. The rapper spoke out for the first time about the tragic event on her website on May 14. “Tho I can’t really bring myself to discuss the passing of my father as yet; I can say it has been the most devastating loss of my life,” she said. “I find myself wanting to call him all the time. More so now that he’s gone. Life is funny that way."
Pharrell Williams's cousin, Donovon Lynch, was killed during a series of shootings in Virginia Beach starting March 26, 2021. The musician, who is from Virginia Beach, shared a tribute to Lynch, 25, on Instagram on March 29. "The loss of these lives is a tragedy beyond measure," he wrote. "My cousin Donovon was killed during the shootings. He was a bright light and someone who always showed up for others." He continued, "It is critical my family and the other victims' families get the transparency, honesty and justice they deserve."
'Bridgerton' author Julia Quinn suffered a devastating loss during the summer of 2021. On June 29, her father, age 77, and her sister, age 37, were both killed in a car accident. The three-car pile-up occurred in Utah and started when a catering company truck spilled it's cargo onto the highway, as the back wasn't properly secured. Quinn's father and sister managed to stop their car in time to avoid the mess, but another driver crashed into them from behind at speed. They both died at the scene and the driver was arrested for a DUI.
American Olympian Raven Saunders hit a career high at the Tokyo Games with a silver medal in women's shot put, but just a couple days later she also experienced a devastating low. On Twitter on August 3, 2021, Saunders shared the news that her mother had passed away. "Hoping off social media for a while to take care of my mental and my family," the athlete wrote. "My mama was a great woman and will forever live through me. My number one guardian angel. I will always and forever love you." Her mother reportedly passed away in Orlando, Florida, where she had attended a watch party for her daughter on July 30.
Venezuelan actor Édgar Ramírez wrote a raw and devastating letter about his devastation and frustration after losing several family members to COVID-19. "It’s been weeks and weeks of my family being played, tortured and jerked around by this cruel, treacherous and violent disease which mercilessly ended up killing them all." On the subject of the vaccine, he said “None of them had been vaccinated. None had access to a vaccine in Venezuela. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of vaccines are being thrown away in the United States because a large number of people don’t want them. It breaks my heart that so many people in this country are willing to snub the very vaccine my family would have taken in an instant.” He urged anyone who had access to the vaccine to get vaccinated as soon as possible, to save the lives of others if not their own.
DeOndra Dixon loved dancing, she was an ambassador for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, and her death was felt by all who knew her. Foxx wrote in his post, "Deondra you have left a hole in my heart... but I will fill it with all of the memories that you gave me."
Sharon Stone confirmed her younger brother Patrick died at the age of just 57 on February 12, 2023. She shared a photo of them together on February 13 captioned simply, "RIP my brother Patrick Joseph Stone." The Pennsylvania coroner's office said Patrick's death was ruled due to sudden cardiac death caused by heart disease, according to TMZ.
Patrick's death comes 17 months after his son, River William Stone, died at just 11 months old after suffering organ failure. Stone previously mourned her nephew with a heartbreaking dedication on Instagram and captioned the video, which featured beautiful clips of her playing with her blue-eyed nephew, "River William Stone Sept. 8, 2020 - Aug. 30, 2021." Patrick's wife, Tasha, wrote on Instagram, "My wish through all of this is that now at least River has his daddy with him and I hope the two of you are having the best time."
'American Idol' alum Chris Daughtry faced a tragedy no parent ever should: the loss of a child. The singer's 25-year-old daughter Hannah was found at her home in Tennessee on November 12, 2021, and pronounced dead at the scene. On November 14, the musician shared a tribute to his daughter on Instagram: "I am still processing the last 24 hours," he wrote, alongside a photo of Hannah. "I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken. I just recently lost my mother to cancer but I was blessed with the chance to say goodbye and I was processing it privately. We never got to say goodbye to our precious Hannah and it's another huge hit to our family."
Famed Spice Girl Geri Halliwell lost her brother suddenly and prematurely. The 54-year-old Max Halliwell collapsed in his Hertfordshire home and was rushed to hospital, where he passed away in intensive care a few days later. The cause of his death has not been shared. A rep for Geri Halliwell made a statement, saying "As you can imagine this is a difficult time and we would ask that you respect the family's privacy at this time."
'Mean Girls' (2004) star Lacey Chabert shared news that her older sister Wendy had suddenly died, leaving her family devastated and reeling. "The shocking loss has left us so broken hearted. Our lives will never be the same without my dear sister, but we cling to the promises of Jesus that we will be together again in eternity. Please keep our family, especially her two boys, in your hearts and prayers. Thank you so much."
The rapper G-Eazy is mourning the death of his mother, who his fans know he was extremely close to. In the past, he shared how her concern for him convinced him to go to rehab to treat his addiction to drugs and alcohol. He also called her on FaceTime live on stage at a gig once because she couldn't make it! He shared the news of her passing in a heartbreaking Instagram post, although the cause of her death wasn't mentioned. "The tears won’t stop. My eyes hurt, my face hurts, my body hurts, everywhere hurts. There’s no safe place to hide and there’s no way to lay, sit, or stand that doesn’t hurt. The pain is enormous. But I know you’re out of yours and that brings me peace."
Tyrese Gibson lost his mother, Priscilla Murray Gibson, after a battle with COVID-19 and pneumonia. The actor announced the terrible news on February 14, 2022, with a heart-wrenching video of him holding his mother’s hand as he tearfully said his goodbyes and promised to hold her hand throughout the rest of his life, "the way you held my hand when I was a kid,” he says. In the caption he thanked people for their prayers which they'd been giving since he'd first shared on Instagram that his mother was in a coma and hospitalized in the ICU on February 5, and wrote, "This is the saddest moment of my life."
While accepting his award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series for his performance in 'Dopesick,' Michael Keaton took a moment to share why the moment meant so much to him. The Hulu series is centered on the opioid crisis in the US, and in 2016 Keaton lost his nephew, also named Michael, following an accidental overdose of heroin and fentanyl. The actor got emotional near the end of his speech as he said, "Given the subject matter, this is for my nephew, Michael, and my sister, Pam." He held back tears as he added, "I lost Michael...and it hurts. To my sister Pam, thanks."
Actor Darren Criss took to social media to share the tragic news of his brother's passing. He revealed that his older brother Charles Criss, 36, took his own life in February 2022. Criss clearly put a lot of time and thought into how he would share the news of his brother's death and wrote a raw, heartfelt tribute that spanned several pages. He explained that his brother had been struggling with depression for the past few years, along with a lifelong difficulty with expressing his feelings. Criss described this as a "dangerous combination," particularly as Charles was so good at concealing his pain. He likened mental illness to any other virus or cancer that eats away at us if left untreated. Criss reminded anyone reading his statement that admitting to our weaknesses is actually an admirable display of strength, and the first step on the road to recovery. He encouraged anyone feeling hopeless to seek professional counseling and support, and to remember that love is an infinite resource available to us all.
'Young and the Restless' star Mishael Morgan shared the news of a devastating loss in her family that occurred on March 28, 2022. "On Monday morning my husband’s only brother, perished with his wife & 3 kids in a tragic house fire. I am still in absolute disbelief. My sister-in-law set up a fund, please pray for my family & donate if you are able," she wrote on Twitter. On the GoFundMe page, her sister-in-law wrote "As a family, we are devastated to lose two generations in a blink of an eye. Our homes are broken as we mourn a loss that we can never replace."
Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah suffered a terrible loss at the age of 22, 2022. His older brother, Joshua Emmanuel Owusu-Koramoah, was found dead in his home on April 5. Police reports say they were called to the house where they found his body and evidence of a fire. The death was being investigated as a homicide, but those who knew Joshua say it's impossible to imagine. The 23-year-old worked as a science teacher at Hampton Christian High School and excelled at college football, just like his brother. His alma mater shared a message of sympathy, stating, "Joshua's loss will be felt by the many individuals in our athletics program and campus community whose lives he touched with his kindness and caring."
Famed producer Metro Boomin suffered a terrible loss as reports say his mother, Leslie Wayne, was killed by her husband before he took his own life, TMZ reports. The husband is not Metro's father, and Metro is said to have received the tragic news after his mother's body was discovered by cops just outside of the Atlanta area. The producer—who has made countless hits for the likes of Future, Drake, Migos, Travis Scott, Kanye West, and 21 Savage—was close with his mother and called her his “biggest inspiration" on her birthday in 2019. She was an early believer in his music, and according to Complex at the beginning of Metro's career she would drive her son over eight hours from St. Louis to Atlanta to help him achieve his dreams.
Actor Josh Gad, who famously voices Olaf in 'Frozen,' announced on Twitter June 26, 2022, that his 20-year-old nephew Marco died unexpectedly in his sleep, "his life cut far too short and our pain far too deep," he wrote. "Our family is trying to make sense of it all but your support has been incredible." A day later Gad shared a longer tribute to his nephew's "brilliant, creative and loving soul" on Instagram with a series of photos. "Today I write this with a broken heart," Gad began. "At 20 years old, he was full of possibly [sic] and promise. To say he is gone far too soon does not do justice to the life force that he was. As his parents try to work this impossible pain, I am asking for all of you to send positive energy and love their way. He fought to make the world a better place, stood on the side of justice and light and stood up for those who needed it most. His life may be gone, but I hope and pray his memory will endure."
Famed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro honored his late mother at the world premiere of his latest animated film 'Pinocchio,' just one day after her death. The director, known for 'Pan’s Labyrinth' and 'The Shape Of Water,' got emotional as he revealed the news at the BFI London Film Festival film. “I just want to say, my mother just passed away, and this was very special for her and me,” del Toro said, as per Variety. “This is not only the first time you’ll see the movie, it’s the first time she’ll see the movie with us. Thank you.”
He added that both he and his mother felt a strong connection to the original 1940 Disney classic and its themes of love, honesty, and loyalty. “I saw the film as a kid, and it’s a film that bonded me with my mom for an entire life,” del Toro said. “It affected me because Pinocchio saw the world the way I saw it. I was a little bit enraged that people demand obedience from Pinocchio, so I wanted to make a film about disobedience as a virtue, and to say that you shouldn’t change to be loved.” The film had been in the works for nearly 15 years.
Both of Carly Simon's sisters died within just one day of each other. The 'You're So Vain' singer's sister Joanna passed on October 19, 2022, from thyroid cancer, and Lucy on October 20 following a long battle with breast cancer.
“Their loss will be long and haunting,” Carly said in a statement shared with Deadline. “As sad as this day is, it’s impossible to mourn them without celebrating their incredible lives that they lived.” Lucy was a Tony-nominated Broadway composer, and Joanna performed with the New York City Opera, and the New York and Vienna Philharmonics.
She continued, “We were three sisters who not only took turns blazing trails and marking courses for one another, we were each others secret shares. The co-keepers of each other’s memories. I have no words to explain the feeling of suddenly being the only remaining direct offspring of Richard and Andrea Simon.” Carly's brother, famed photographer Peter Simon, died in 2018 of cardiac arrest after a cancer battle, at the age of 71.
On July 20, 2022, Toni Chester, niece of the rapper Trina, was killed in a shooting in Miami. The 17-year-old had reportedly walked out of a corner store around midnight when the incident occurred. Police were called to the scene where Chester was pronounced dead, and two other people were found injured with gunshot wounds. This loss comes as a blow to the rapper who has already suffered so much, as her 62-year-old mother lost her battle with cancer in 2019, and her brother, Wilbrent Bain Jr., was shot and killed in 2013 after getting into an argument with a friend.
On February 14, 2023, Audrina Patridge took to Instagram to share the devastating news of her niece's death. "My heart hurts to even write this. My beautiful niece is now in heaven. I know Its not goodbye forever, but it is the hardest to say goodbye for now." Sadie had just celebrated her 15th birthday, and while her cause of death wasn't shared, her mother wrote that "Her story will save countless lives." Casey Patridge Loza, Audrina Patridge's sister, said goodbye to her daughter by sharing a lesson that Sadie often reminded her of: "The first law of thermodynamics aka (Law of Conservation of Energy) works in all spheres of life…..'Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be changed from one form to another,'" she wrote. "Transformation is a better word than death."
Hayden Panettiere's younger brother Jansen Panettiere died suddenly of an enlarged heart at the age of 28 on February 19, 2023. Jansen had become an actor like his sister in the early 2000s. He was apparently attached to five projects at the time of his devastatingly young death.
NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson reportedly suffered a horrifying family loss on June 26, 2023. His wife's parents, Terry Janway, 68, and Jack Janway, 69, were killed along with his 11-year-old nephew Dalton Janway. It's believed that they were killed in a murder-suicide perpetrated by his mother-in-law, Terry Janway. All three of them were found dead, reportedly by gunshot wounds, in the Janway's home in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
'Smash' actress and Broadway star Megan Hilty faced a tragic loss of three family members who were passengers on a floatplane that crashed in Puget Sound in Washington state on September 4, 2022. Two days later, the US Coast Guard released the names of the victims which included Hilty's sister Lauren Hilty, who was pregnant, as well as her brother-in-law Ross Mickel and niece Remy Mickel, among the 10 victims.
On July 2, 2023, actress Drena De Niro, daughter of Robert De Niro, shared the devastating news that her 19-year-old son had passed away. "I don’t know how to live without you but I’ll try to go on and spread the love and light that you so made me feel in getting to be your mama," she wrote beneath a photo of her late son, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, on Instagram. "You were so deeply loved and appreciated and I wish that love alone could have saved you. I'm so sorry my baby." The actress shared Leandro with the artist Carlos Mare. Just like his mother and grandfather, Leandro was an actor. He appeared alongside his mother in the Oscar-winning film 'A Star Is Born' in 2018.
On August 26, 2024, Carey confirmed to People that she lost two family members in one weekend. "My heart is broken that I’ve lost my mother this past weekend. Sadly, in a tragic turn of events, my sister lost her life on the same day," she said in a statement, referring to her sister Alison. "I feel blessed that I was able to spend the last week with my mom before she passed. I appreciate everyone’s love and support and respect for my privacy during this impossible time." No details about the causes of death were shared.
We always see our favorite stars beaming into the camera lens, whether at publicity events, film premieres, or awards ceremonies. That's what makes it all the more shocking when we see their smiles swapped for tears when tragedy strikes. While celebrities may have talent, fame, and money, nothing can protect them from the human reality of grief and loss.
Madonna has experienced multiple losses in her family in recent years. It started in early 2023 with the death of her older brother, Anthony Ciccone, who died at 66 after a battle with throat cancer. Their stepmother, Joan Gustafson Ciccone, passed away from cancer at the age of 81 in September. Most recently, her younger brother, Christopher Ciccone, also died of cancer on October 4 at the age of 63. Madonna confirmed the sad news in a tribute to her brother on social media. "He was the closest human to me for so long," she wrote of Christopher. "Its hard to explain our bond. But it grew out of an understanding that we were different and society was going to give us a hard time for not following the status quo. We took each other‘s hands and we danced through the madness of our childhood. In fact dance was a kind of superglue that held us together. Discovering dance in our small Midwestern town saved me and then my brother came along, and it saved him too." Christopher is survived by his husband, Ray Thacker, who was by his side when he died.
Click through the gallery to learn which other stars tragically lost family members.
Celebrities who tragically lost family members
Madonna's brother passes away from cancer weeks after her stepmother
CELEBRITY Tragedy
We always see our favorite stars beaming into the camera lens, whether at publicity events, film premieres, or awards ceremonies. That's what makes it all the more shocking when we see their smiles swapped for tears when tragedy strikes. While celebrities may have talent, fame, and money, nothing can protect them from the human reality of grief and loss.
Madonna has experienced multiple losses in her family in recent years. It started in early 2023 with the death of her older brother, Anthony Ciccone, who died at 66 after a battle with throat cancer. Their stepmother, Joan Gustafson Ciccone, passed away from cancer at the age of 81 in September. Most recently, her younger brother, Christopher Ciccone, also died of cancer on October 4 at the age of 63. Madonna confirmed the sad news in a tribute to her brother on social media. "He was the closest human to me for so long," she wrote of Christopher. "Its hard to explain our bond. But it grew out of an understanding that we were different and society was going to give us a hard time for not following the status quo. We took each other‘s hands and we danced through the madness of our childhood. In fact dance was a kind of superglue that held us together. Discovering dance in our small Midwestern town saved me and then my brother came along, and it saved him too." Christopher is survived by his husband, Ray Thacker, who was by his side when he died.
Click through the gallery to learn which other stars tragically lost family members.