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Broadway star David Burns was 68 when he died during a tryout performance of '70, Girls, 70' in Philadelphia.
This Japanese pro wrestler died in 2009, after injuring his spine during a match in Japan. He suffered a cardiac arrest, and later died.
Warren was a revered opera singer, who collapsed straight after performing 'Urna Fatale del Mio Destino' ('Fatal Urn of My Destiny') in New York.
One half of famous comedy couple Morecambe and Wise, Eric had a heart attack right after stepping offstage at the Roses Theater in England.
In 1972, this musician (right) was electrocuted after touching a microphone. Harvey died from his injuries aged 27.
Best known as a former member of Chicago, Oliveira (left) had a heart attack during a set in Rio de Janeiro in 2017.
In 1968, Joseph Keilberth collapsed while conducting 'Tristan und Isolde.' Felix Mottl was another conductor who died in the exact same place in 1911.
This Russian rapper died in 2019, suffering a heart attack after stepping off stage. He was 35.
Hampton collapsed on stage during a celebration of his 70th birthday. He died shortly after.
A legend of jazz, Lee Morgan was killed by his common-law wife while performing in New York. Heavy snowfall halted the arrival of ambulances, and Morgan bled to death at the venue.
This strange singer was behind the horror hit, 'Tiptoe Through the Tulips.' He collapsed during a performance of the song at a benefit show, and died a few hours later.
Front man of rock band Morphine, Mark Sandman suffered a heart attack on stage at the Giardini del Principe festival in Italy. He died en route to the hospital.
The revered jazz pianist had a heart attack at the Saveurs Jazz Festival in 2015. He died later at the hospital.
Son of Bruce Lee, this actor died on set of 'The Crow,' when he was shot by a faulty prop gun.
This Congolese musician collapsed during a performance in the Ivory Coast. He was 66.
Sorcar was a hit magician in India, but died of a heart attack in Hokkaido, Japan, during a show in 1971.
Also known as Dimebag Darrell, the Pantera and Damageplan guitarist was shot and killed by Nathan Gale, who snuck into a Damageplan concert in 2004.
Haitian singer Mikaben, real name Michael Benjamin, died in the middle of a concert in Paris on October 15, 2022, after collapsing as he made his way off stage, still in view of fans. It's suspected he suffered a heart attack. He was just 41 years old.
The singer was appearing at the 20,000-capacity Accor Arena in Paris as a guest of famous Haitian group Carimi. The venue tweeted that he "died after suffering a seizure on stage and despite the efforts of emergency services," which rushed to him when he collapsed.
Mikaben was a huge figure in Haiti's music scene and Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry tweeted, "I’m shocked by the sudden death of the young and very talented artist Michael Benjamin ‘Mikaben.'" Haiti-born rapper Wyclef Jean, of The Fugees, also called the singer “one of the most influential and inspirational young artists of our generation” in an interview with The Miami Herald newspaper.
South African rapper Costa Titch died suddenly on March 12, 2023, after collapsing on stage at a music festival, his family confirmed on Instagram. The 'Big Flexa' rapper, whose real name is Constantinos Tsobanoglou, was just 28. Footage on social media appeared to show Tsobanoglou, who had recently signed to Akon's music label, fall over on stage while performing at Ulta South Africa, in Johannesburg, before being lifted up by someone beside him. He tried to continue his performance but collapsed again.
“It is with deep pain that we find ourselves having to acknowledge his passing at this time,” Tsobanoglou’s family said in a post on his Instagram. “We are thankful for those emergency responders and all those present in his last hours on this earth." The statement did not mention a cause of death. Tsobanoglou will be remembered as one of the biggest contemporary stars of amapiano music.
Houston rapper Big Pokey died at age 45 after a scary fall onstage which shocked the audience and ultimately took his life. The Texas-based MC, born Milton Powell, collapsed at a bar in Beaumont late on June 17, 2023, as video footage captured him with mic in hand, letting out a big breath, then tipping backward and passing out, TMZ reports. When he didn't get up, panic ensued and a nurse tried to administer aid until emergency services came and transported him to the hospital, where he eventually died.
This jazz musician collapsed on stage during a performance at a memorial for her former husband, Louis Armstrong, in 1971.
British actor Sid James, known for his numerous roles in the 'Carry On' films, collapsed on stage during the opening night of the play 'The Mating Season' in 1976. He had suffered a heart attack and passed away at the age of 62.
Believe it or not, there are plenty of performers who have died on stage through the years. Whether it's dropping dead during a set or suffering a heart attack that later takes their life, it's surprisingly more common than you'd think.
From jazz greats to world-class magicians, check out this list of stars who dropped dead on stage.
Stars who died on stage
The deaths of these celebrities were as shocking as they were tragic
CELEBRITY Celebrity deaths
Believe it or not, there are plenty of performers who have died on stage through the years. Whether it's dropping dead during a set or suffering a heart attack that later takes their life, it's surprisingly more common than you'd think.
From jazz greats to world-class magicians, check out this list of stars who dropped dead on stage.