The stage is a place where performers can showcase their talents, entertain their fans and express their passions. But sometimes, it can also be a place where tragedy strikes and lives are cut short.
From magicians to musicians, from actors to wrestlers, there have been many cases of performers who died on stage or shortly after their performance. Some of them were victims of accidents, some of them suffered from health issues and some of them faced unexpected dangers.
Here are some of the most notable examples of performers who died on stage:
- William Elsworth Robinson, a magician who performed under the name Chung Ling Soo, was shot in the chest during a bullet catch trick in London in 1918. He revealed his real identity and uttered his last words: “Oh my God. Something’s happened. Lower the curtain.”[1]
- Louis Vierne, a French organist and composer, died of a heart attack while playing his 1,750th concert at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris in 1937. He collapsed on the keyboard after playing his final chord.[1]
- Gareth Jones, a British actor, had a heart attack while performing live on television in 1958. He was playing a character who had a heart attack in the play Underground.[1]
- Brandon Lee, an American actor and son of martial arts legend Bruce Lee, was accidentally shot by a prop gun that contained a real bullet while filming The Crow in 1993. He died in the hospital after six hours of surgery.[1][2]
- Irma Bule, an Indonesian singer known for performing with live snakes, was bitten by a king cobra during a concert in 2016. She refused to take an antidote and continued to sing for 45 minutes before collapsing and dying.[1] [2]
These are just some of the examples of performers who died on stage. Their deaths shocked and saddened their fans and colleagues, but also left behind a legacy of courage and dedication to their craft.
As the famous saying goes: “The show must go on.”
[1]25 artistes impressionnants qui sont morts sur leur scène