It is always a tragedy when a parent outlives their child. Unfortunately, several famous people have had children who passed away at a young age. These children of famous people died before their time, tragically cutting their lives short. Some famous people create memorial funds for their children, while others pay tribute to them in song. No matter how each celebrity handles their grief, it can't be easy. This list of celebrities whose children died, is loosely ranked by fame and popularity, and includes information about these famous Hollywood celebrities who sadly had to say goodbye to their children.
Who is the most famous person who dealt with the death of their child? Anna Nicole Smith tops our list. Anna Nicole Smith's son Daniel died on Sept. 10, 2006 of a lethal combination of Zoloft, Lexapro, and methadone. Daniel Smith's father is Billy Wayne Smith and he was half brother to Dannielynn Birkhead. Tragically, Anna Nicole Smith died less than a year after her son of “combined drug intoxication” associated with sleeping pills. Other famous women who've outlived their children include Mary Tyler Moore, Loretta Lynn and Carol Burnett.
Several famous musicians have also experienced the deaths of their children. Eric Clapton's son Connor died in 1991 when he was just four years old. He tragically fell out of a hotel room window. Clapton wrote the song "Tears in Heaven" in his honor. Other musicians who've lost children include Vince Neil, Robert Plant, and Roy Orbison.
How do you think a parent copes with the tragic loss of a child? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
30 Celebrities Who Lost Children,
Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin's first child, Norman Spencer Chaplin, died in 1919 three days after he was born. Then, in 1968, his son Charlie Chaplin, Jr., died at age 42 of a blood clot in the lungs. His father was living out of the country at the time of his death and did not attend the funeral. Chaplin had a total of 11 children born from his four marriages.
Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis's youngest son, Joseph, died in 2009 of a narcotics overdose.
Johnny Carson
Johnny Carson's son, Richard, died on June 21, 1991, in a car accident. He was taking photographs at the time of the accident.
John Travolta
John Travolta and wife Kelly Preston's son, Jett, died in 2009 at age 16 after complications with a seizure. Jett had two siblings, Ella Blue and Benjamin, who was born after Jett's death.
Keanu Reeves
Keanu Reeves's girlfriend, Jennifer Syme, gave birth to a stillborn daughter, Ava Archer Syme-Reeves, in 1999. Syme died in a car accident 18 months later.
Marie Osmond
Marie Osmond's son, Michael, committed suicide on Feb. 26, 2010, by jumping out an eighth floor window. Osmond adopted Michael with her husband, Brian Biosil.
Mary Tyler Moore
Mary Tyler Moore's only son, Richard Meeker, Jr., died at age 24 of an accidental gunshot wound on Oct. 14, 1980. The gun he was handling was later taken off the market for having a "hair trigger." His father was Moore's first husband, Richard Meeker, Sr.
Mike Tyson
Boxer Mike Tyson's four year-old daughter, Exodus, died of accidental asphyxiation on May 25, 2009. She was found by her 7 year-old brother, Miguel, tangled up in a cord attached to a treadmill.
Paul Newman
Paul Newman's son, Scott, died of a drug overdose on Nov. 20, 1978, when he was 28. He had been taking painkillers after being in a motorcycle accident. His mother was the actress Jackie Witte.
Sylvester Stallone
Sylvester Stallone's son, Sage, died of a heart attack on July 13, 2012, at age 36. Sage Stallone's mother is Sasha Czack.