Questions are still being asked about the entertainer's demise
James Brown is widely known as "The Godfather of Soul." His fiery performances and unique style propelled him to stardom for more than five decades.
The renowned singer died on Christmas Day in 2006. Aged 73, he died of a heart attack and fluid in his lungs in an Atlanta hospital. However, some have pointed out a few things about his death that don't add up.
Marvin Crawford, the doctor who signed the singer's death certificate, disputes that Brown died naturally. The singer's close friend Andre White suspects it was a murder. In the absence of an autopsy, the mystery around Brown's death remains unsolved.
Charlie Chaplin, a renowned British actor and filmmaker, is widely recognized as one of the most famous figures in the industry. With a move to the United States, he would become a silent film sensation.
Charlie Chaplin gained fame for his iconic role as "The Tramp." In his later years, he relocated to Switzerland where he peacefully passed away in his sleep on December 25, 1977. Chaplin was 88 years old.
Chaplin's physical condition worsened in the years before his death. He relied on a wheelchair and carried an oxygen tank. His hearing and sight were reportedly declining, and he struggled to speak at times. The film legend eventually suffered a stroke and died in his sleep.
George Michael rose to fame in the 1980s as one half of the duo Wham! He then embarked on a highly successful solo career.
It is ironic that the man who sang 'Last Christmas' died on Christmas Day. George Michael passed away in December 2016 due to "dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and fatty liver." It is believed that the singer may have spent his final day alone or with his housekeeper.
Tragically, George Michael's sister, Melanie Panayiotou, also died on Christmas Day, exactly three years after her brother passed away. The holiday season must be an incredibly difficult time of the year for their family.
Dean Martin, a member of the Rat Pack, earned the moniker "The King of Cool." Collaborating with Jerry Lewis catapulted him to stardom.
Martin also passed away on December 25. He was 78 years old when he died in 1995, after battling a number of health challenges, including kidney problems.
A heavy smoker, he succumbed to acute respiratory failure caused by emphysema and lung cancer.
Kitt, the dancer, singer, and actress, gained fame and was praised by renowned director Orson Welles as the "most exciting woman in the world"." She truly shined.
Eartha Kitt died at her residence on Christmas Day in 2008, after battling colon cancer. Her daughter, Kitt Shapiro, was by her side at the time of her passing. As peaceful as it sounds, Shapiro revealed that her mother's death was far from quiet.
"The doctor told us she will leave very quickly and her body will just start to shut down. But when she left, she left the world with a bang, she left it how she lived it. She screamed her way out of here, literally. I truly believe her survival instincts were so part of her DNA that she was not going to go quietly or willingly," said her daughter.
Miró, a renowned Spanish artist, was a pioneer of modern art and a household name in the abstract and surrealist art movements.
The Catalan artist showcased his remarkable creations in renowned museums and galleries worldwide, leading a fulfilling life until his death at the age of 90.
Joan Miró passed away on December 25, 1983, due to heart failure, said to be a result of various health problems he was battling, including "heart and lung ailments." He'd been admitted to the hospital just a fortnight prior to his death, due to breathing difficulties. He returned home and passed away on Christmas Day.
Billy Martin was a professional second baseman and later a five-time manager for the New York Yankees.
Regrettably, on Christmas Day in 1989, the iconic Yankees player met a tragic end in a car accident, at the age of 61.
The accident took place as Martin and his companion Bill Reedy were going home after a night of drinking at a bar. Reedy was reported to have been driving, and was ultimately found guilty of exceeding the legal alcohol limit.
Blondell was a quintessential Hollywood blonde bombshell, famous for her half-century career and an Oscar nomination as Best Supporting Actress.
On December 25, 1979, Joan Blondell, the actress, died at 70 in Santa Monica, California, from leukemia.
According to reports, Blondell had her children and sister with her when she died.
The last communist leader of Romania, who served as the former President, ruled the country for more than twenty years. Regarded as one of the most brutal dictators in recent history, he left a lasting impact.
He was toppled and killed by a firing squad in the Romanian Revolution on December 25, 1989.
Romanian TV aired the execution of Nicolae and Elena, his wife. Nicolae Ceaușescu was 71 years old.
Yoshihito, later known as Emperor Taishō, holds significant historical importance in Japan. He served as the country's ruler from 1912 to 1926.
Yoshihito passed away on Christmas Day in 1926 due to a heart attack. Although it had been previously reported in December that the emperor was dealing with pneumonia, another source at the time attributed his death to uremic poisoning.
Emperor Taishō passed away at the age of 47, leaving a lasting impact as a beloved historical figure cherished by the Japanese people.
Sources: (Grunge) (IMDb)
See also: Did these famous figures predict their own deaths?
The holiday season is typically a joyous time, one when people come together to celebrate with loved ones. However, for some individuals, Christmas can be a painful reminder of those who are missing; this is especially true of those who've experienced the loss of dear family members during this festive period. Over the years, a number of notable individuals have tragically passed away on December 25.
Take a moment to get to know the stars who left us on Christmas Day, by clicking on the gallery.
Stars we lost on Christmas Day
These famous figures left us on December 25
CELEBRITY Celebrity deaths
The holiday season is typically a joyous time, one when people come together to celebrate with loved ones. However, for some individuals, Christmas can be a painful reminder of those who are missing; this is especially true of those who've experienced the loss of dear family members during this festive period. Over the years, a number of notable individuals have tragically passed away on December 25.
Take a moment to get to know the stars who left us on Christmas Day, by clicking on the gallery.