8 Comedians Passed Away At Their Peak And Their Current Net Worth
They left a legacy of laughter to generations but unfortunately, passed away with so much still to give.
Whether these famous comedians died of a heart attack, drug overdose, or illness, fans were shocked to learn they had lost one of their favorites in film, stand-up and numerous albums.
Some may be surprised that these iconic jokesters continue to earn royalties and hold a net worth matching some of the most successful in Hollywood.
Check out a list of comedy greats who were gone too soon.
8 Sam Kinison – $800,000
The Grammy-winning stand-up comedian was known for his politically incorrect humor and released a slew of comedy albums in the late 1980’s to early 1990’s. Kinison appeared in several films and comedy specials with his mentor, Rodney Dangerfield such as Rodney Dangerfield’s Ninth Annual Young Comedians Special and the 1986 film Back to School. Kinison was actually banned from working at The Comedy Store due to his excessive drug and alcohol use, with the stipulation to enter rehab. According to The Wrap, in 1992, the newlywed died in a head-on collision at the age of 38.
7 John Belushi – $2 Million
One of the original members of NBC’s sketch comedy series, Saturday Night Live (SNL), Belushi rose to stardom quickly in films like Animal House and The Blues Brothers. He was friends with fellow iconic comedians like Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase and Gilda Radner. According to Ranker, his albums, films and skits live on despite Belushi’s untimely death of a drug overdose at the age of 33. Belushi won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Series in 1977 and posthumously received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2004. His younger brother Jim Belushi continues to act and now owns a cannabis farm in Oregon. He stars in the Discovery Channel’s Growing Belushi and occasionally appears opposite Aykroyd in a Blues Brothers performance.
6 Gilda Radner – $4 Million
Radner was one of the original cast members of SNL and was known for writing a great deal of her own material according to Celebrity Net Worth. In 1972, she got her start in a Toronto production of Godspell alongside Martin Short, Eugene Levy and other comedians. From there, Radner joined a syndicated radio program starring future SNL members like Bill Murray, John Belushi and Chevy Chase. Radner married famous actor Gene Wilder and the pair starred in Hanky Panky, The Woman in Red and Haunted Honeymoon. Radner passed away in 1989 from cancer at the age of 42. Her legacy has continued through her impressive work and Wilder’s organizations honoring Radner: the Gilda Radner Hereditary Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai, the Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry and Gilda’s Club, created to support and educate patients and their families.
5 Chris Farley – $5 Million
The SNL performer began by learning the art of improvising at the Ark Improv Theatre in Madison, WI alongside Joan Cusack and others. While he earned the love of fans quickly, his fellow SNL castmates have been known to share their favorite memories of the comedian as well. On and off camera, Farley continuously brought joy to a new SNL cast including Chris Rock, Adam Sandler and David Spade. After his stint at SNL, Farley continued a successful movie career with films like Tommy Boy, Black Sheep and Almost Heroes, leaving audiences to continue to find joy in Farley’s work, even after his untimely death of a drug overdose at 33 years old.
4 Bernie Mac – $10 Million
He began appearing in films as the funny guy with a variety of supporting roles but didn’t get his big break until winning the Miller Lite Comedy Search at the age of 32. He co-starred in Friday, Ocean’s Eleven and Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle. However, audiences really took notice with Mac starring in The Bernie Mac Show for five seasons on Fox. Mac passed away due to lung disease and heart attack at the age of 50. Nearly 7,000 were in attendance at his funeral, including Ashton Kutcher, Samuel L. Jackson and Steve Harvey, proving the vast number of people he touched throughout his life.
3 John Candy – $15 Million
He appeared in some of our favorite films like Home Alone, Uncle Buck and The Great Outdoors. The comedic genius loved making others laugh and starred alongside fellow comedians like Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Steve Martin. At the age of 43, Candy suffered a heart attack during the filming of Wagons East. Though he left memories of laughter behind for his fans, Candy has said he was a victim of anxiety, panic attacks, overeating and the strong family history of heart disease, eventually silencing the funny man.
2 John Ritter – $20 Million
The Three’s Company actor performed in over 100 movies and television shows throughout his career, in addition to Broadway. Ritter won an Emmy and Golden Globe for his role as Jack Tripper in the sitcom, but boasts a list of films like Problem Child, Sling Blade and others. At the time of his death, Ritter was starring on the ABC sitcom, 8 Simple Rules, opposite Katey Sagal. Ritter suffered from an aortic dissection (an injury to the heart) at the age of 54. His son, Jason, has followed in his footsteps, starring in television’s Parenthood and has more than 100 acting credits to his name.
1 Robin Williams – $50 Million
He brought us Mork and Mindy, Mrs. Doubtfire, Night at the Museum and the voice of Disney’s Aladdin. His uncanny ability to find comedy in nearly everything created a fanbase like none other. The two-time Oscar winner showed versatility in drama films like Good Will Hunting and One Hour Photo but it was the action comedies that seemed to draw audiences. Williams died of suicide at 63 years old in 2014, shocking the world with his loss. Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb starring Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson and Williams was released less than six months after his death.
Sources: The Wrap, Ranker, Celebrity Net Worth
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