Famous People Who Died At 42

The list of famous people who died at 42 includes Elvis Presley, Ted Bundy, Robert F. Kennedy, Mary I of England, Albert, Prince Consort. Famous personalities featured on this list, include political leaders, emperors & kings, poets and actors and from other domains of life. This list of celebrities who died at 42 includes people from United States, United Kingdom, Germany & India and many more countries.
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 1 
Elvis Presley
(One of the Most Significant Cultural Icons of the 20th Century and 'The King of Rock and Roll')
Elvis Presley
168
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: January 8, 1935
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Tupelo, Mississippi, United States
Died: August 16, 1977
The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, winner of 3 Grammys, and pioneer of the Pelvis move, Elvis Presley was a musical phenomenon of the 20th century. Known for his humbleness, love for God and devotion to his country, Presley had numerous gold, platinum and multi-platinum records to his credit, including 18 number 1 hits and 38 top ten hits.
 2 
Robert F. Kennedy
(United States Senator, Brother of President John F. Kennedy)
Robert F. Kennedy
45
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: November 20, 1925
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Brookline, Massachusetts
Died: June 6, 1968

Robert F Kennedy, the brother of the 35th US president John F Kennedy, was a politician who served as US Attorney General and as US Senator. He was known as a civil rights and human rights activist and fought against organised crime and the Mafia. He opposed America’s involvement in the Vietnam War. He was assassinated by a 24-year-old Palestinian.

 3 
Miss Elizabeth
(American Professional Wrestler and Wrestling Manager)
Miss Elizabeth
29
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 19, 1960
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Frankfort, Kentucky, United States
Died: May 1, 2003
Height: 5'4" (163 cm)
 4 
Gary Coleman
(Actor and Comedian Best Known for His Role as ‘Arnold Jackson’ in the Sitcom ‘Diff'rent Strokes’)
Gary Coleman
19
Birthdate: February 8, 1968
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Zion, Illinois, United States
Died: May 28, 2010
Gary Coleman, who topped VHI’s list of the 100 Greatest Kid Stars, was best known to fans as Arnold Jackson from the sitcom Diff'rent Strokes and for The Gary Coleman Show. A congenital kidney disease and hormonal issues led to his short 4’8” frame. He struggled with financial issues later.
 5 
Gilda Radner
(Comedian)
Gilda Radner
16
Birthdate: June 28, 1946
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States
Died: May 20, 1989
Height: 5'6" (168 cm)
 6 
Albert, Prince Consort
(Prince Consort of Queen Victoria of Great Britain (1840 - 1861))
Albert, Prince Consort
6
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: August 26, 1819
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Schloss Schloss Rosenau, Coburg, Rödental, Germany
Died: December 14, 1861

Albert, Prince Consort was the husband of Queen Victoria who earned a reputation for promoting public causes like the abolition of slavery worldwide and educational reform. He also helped develop Britain's constitutional monarchy by guiding his wife during her dealings with Parliament. After his untimely death at age 42, Queen Victoria started wearing black for the remainder of her life. 

 7 
Dorothy Dandridge
(The First African-American Film Star to be Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress,)
Dorothy Dandridge
29
Birthdate: November 9, 1922
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Died: September 8, 1965

Actress, singer, and dancer Dorothy Dandridge was one of the earliest African-American women stars to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress. Incredibly successful in her career, she was recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. As a singer, she used to perform in night clubs. Unfortunately, she died under mysterious circumstances at 42.

 8 
John Cazale
15
Birthdate: August 12, 1935
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Revere, Massachusetts, United States
Died: March 12, 1978

John Cazale is best remembered for his memorable performance as Fredo Corleone in two The Godfather films. Fans also loved him in The Deer Hunter, The Conversation, and Dog Day Afternoon. He also performed in Broadway and off-Broadway plays. He met an untimely death at 42, due to lung cancer.

 9 
Kimbo Slice
(Bahamian-American Mixed Martial Artist)
Kimbo Slice
15
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 8, 1974
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Nassau, Bahamas
Died: June 6, 2016

Kimbo Slice, dubbed The King of the Web Brawlers by Rolling Stone, gained fame for his mutual combat street fights. He dabbled in MMA, boxing, and wrestling, eventually signing with EliteXC and competing in UFC. A little over a year after signing with Bellator MMA, he died of heart failure.

 10 
Mary I of England
(Former Queen of England & Ireland (1553 - 1558))
Mary I of England
30
Birthdate: February 18, 1516
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Palace of Placentia, England
Died: November 17, 1558

Mary I, the queen of England from 1553-1558, is remembered as the ruler who sought to return England to the Catholic Church. She persecuted many Protestants and got nearly 300 of them burned at the stake. Most of them were common citizens. Many also died in prison and hundreds fled the country. This earned her the ignominious nickname ‘Bloody Mary’.

 11 
Jeffrey Hunter
(Actor Known for His 1965 Role as 'Captain Christopher Pike' in the Original Pilot Episode of 'Star Trek')
Jeffrey Hunter
5
Birthdate: November 25, 1926
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Died: May 27, 1969

Jeffrey Hunter was an American actor and producer who contributed immensely to the film and TV industries in the USA. He achieved popularity for his lead roles in the 1950s. Jeffrey Hunter is best remembered for his performances in films like King of Kings and The Searchers. 

 12 
Margaux Hemingway
(American Fashion Model and Actress)
Margaux Hemingway
20
Birthdate: February 16, 1954
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Portland, Oregon, United States
Died: July 1, 1996

Margaux Hemingway was an American actress and fashion model. During the mid-1970s, Hemingway became known as a supermodel and graced the covers of popular magazines, such as Time, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Harper's Bazaar, and Elle. Margaux Hemingway struggled with drug addiction, alcoholism, and depression, which culminated in her suicide by drug overdose at the age of 42.

 13 
Guy de Maupassant
(French Short Story Writer and Naturalist )
Guy de Maupassant
27
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: August 5, 1850
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Tourville-sur-Arques, France
Died: July 6, 1893

Guy de Maupassant was a French author who wrote 300 short stories during his illustrious career. Widely regarded as the father of the modern short story, Maupassant's stories are characterized by economy of style and depicted human lives in pessimistic terms,

 14 
Robert Mapplethorpe
(American Photographer Best Known for His Black-And-White Photographs)
Robert Mapplethorpe
6
Listed In: Photographers
Birthdate: November 4, 1946
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Floral Park, New York, United States
Died: March 9, 1989

Best known for his black and white photographs, Robert Mapplethorpe chose homoerotic themes to express himself. His male nudes reflected the gay BDSM subculture of New York. His works also included flowers, still lifes, and portraits of celebrities. The gay photographer-artist eventually died of aids.

 15 
Soren Kierkegaard
(Religious Author Who is Considered to be the First 'Existentialist' Philosopher)
Soren Kierkegaard
32
Birthdate: May 5, 1813
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark
Died: November 11, 1855

Soren Kierkegaard was a Danish philosopher, theologian, social critic, poet, and religious author. Widely regarded as the first existentialist philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard is sometimes referred to as the Father of Existentialism. He is also credited with influencing many theologians, philosophers, and writers like Paul Feyerabend, Ludwig Wittgenstein, and Jorge Luis Borges.

 16 
Huey Long
(Politician)
Huey Long
27
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: August 30, 1893
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Winnfield
Died: September 10, 1935
Huey Long, also known as "The Kingfish,” was the governor of Louisiana from 1928 to 1932 and then a Louisiana senator from 1932 to 1935. Though he supported Franklin D. Roosevelt initially, he fell out with him later over the New Deal, proposing the Share Our Wealth movement instead.
 17 
Jose Marti
(Cuban Nationalist, Poet and Philosopher)
Jose Marti
10
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: January 28, 1853
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
Died: May 19, 1895

Son of Spanish immigrants, Jose Marti spent his childhood in a strife-torn Cuba and attended high school on financial aid. Marti’s poems, essays, and articles were laced with his patriotic vigor to free Cuba from the Spanish rule. He died battling on the field at Dos Ríos.

 18 
Carol Wayne
(Actress)
Carol Wayne
5
Birthdate: September 6, 1942
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died: January 13, 1985
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 19 
Peter Tosh
(Reggae Musician)
Peter Tosh
15
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: October 19, 1944
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Westmoreland, Jamaica
Died: September 11, 1987
Abandoned by his parents as a child, Peter Tosh grew up learning music by watching others perform. Part of the Jamaican reggae group Bob Marley and the Wailers, he advocated for legalization of marijuana. He loved unicycling. He was shot dead during a robbery attempt by three gunmen.
 20 
Hernando de Soto
3
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 1500 AD
Birthplace: Province of Badajoz, Spain
Died: May 21, 1542

Hernando de Soto was a Spanish conquistador and explorer best remembered for his expeditions in the Yucatan Peninsula and Nicaragua. The first documented European to have crossed the Mississippi River, Hernando de Soto is also remembered for guiding the first European expedition into the territory of the present-day USA. He also played a key role in the Conquest of Peru.

 21 
William Tyndale
(Theologian)
William Tyndale
3
Birthdate: 1494 AD
Birthplace: North Nibley
Died: October 6, 1536

English scholar, William Tyndale, became a leading figure in the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. He is known for translating the Bible into English. An active writer, he wrote extensively on political issues and religion. He was accused of heresy and condemned to be burned to death. Executed in 1536, he is honored as a martyr.

 22 
Payne Stewart
(American Professional Golfer Who Won Eleven PGA Tour Events)
Payne Stewart
10
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 30, 1957
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Springfield, Missouri, United States
Died: October 25, 1999

Payne Stewart was a professional golfer famous for winning eleven PGA Tour events. He won his first major title at the 1989 PGA Championship and went on to win several other titles. He was much admired for his gracefully stylish and fluid golf swings. He died in an airplane accident at the age of 42. 

 23 
Nikolai Gogol
(Russian Novelist, Short Story Writer and Playwright)
Nikolai Gogol
6
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: April 1, 1809
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Velyki Sorochyntsi, Ukraine
Died: March 4, 1852

Nikolai Gogol was a Ukrainian author who redefined Russian literature with his novels such as Dead Souls and his short stories such as The Overcoat and Diary of a Madman. Most of his works were influenced by Ukrainian folklore. He was typically fond of the grotesque as a literary element.

 24 
Jeff Chandler
19
Birthdate: December 15, 1918
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: June 17, 1961
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 25 
Madame de Pompadour
(Noblewomen)
Madame de Pompadour
6
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: December 29, 1721
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: April 15, 1764
 26 
Teresa Teng
(Singer, Actress)
Teresa Teng
3
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: January 29, 1953
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Baozhong, Taiwan
Died: May 8, 1995
 27 
Modest Mussorgsky
(Russian Composer Who was an Innovator of Russian Music in the Romantic Period)
Modest Mussorgsky
8
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: March 21, 1839
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Karevo, Russia
Died: March 28, 1881

Modest Mussorgsky was a Russian composer best remembered for being part of a renowned 19th-century Russian composers group known as The Five. An innovator of Russian music, Mussorgsky worked towards achieving a Russian musical identity that challenged the already established Western music, which was generally considered conventional at that time.

 28 
Ofra Haza
(Israeli Singer, Songwriter and Actress)
Ofra Haza
7
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: November 19, 1957
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Hatikva, Tel Aviv, Israel
Died: February 23, 2000

Ofra Haza was an Israeli actress and singer who achieved great popularity in the Western world where she came to be known as the Madonna of the East. An influential cultural figure in Israel, Ofra Haza played a major role in popularizing the Mizrahi culture. During her illustrious singing career, Haza earned several gold and platinum discs.

 29 
Ernie Kovacs
(Actor, Comedian)
Ernie Kovacs
6
Birthdate: January 23, 1919
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Trenton, New Jersey, United States
Died: January 13, 1962
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 30 
Rashaan Salaam
(American Football Player)
Rashaan Salaam
4
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 8, 1974
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: San Diego, California, United States
Died: December 5, 2016
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 31 
Anthony van Dyck
(Flemish Baroque Artist)
Anthony van Dyck
2
Birthdate: March 22, 1599
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Antwerp, Belgium
Died: December 9, 1641

Anthony van Dyck was a Flemish Baroque artist who started painting at an early age before going on to become the leading court painter in England. Although he is best remembered for painting the aristocracy, van Dyck also painted biblical and mythological subjects. In 1632, Anthony van Dyck received a knighthood from Charles I.

 32 
Mary Ure
(Stage actor, Film actor)
Mary Ure
3
Birthdate: February 18, 1933
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Glasgow
Died: April 3, 1975
 33 
Halyna Hutchins
(Ukrainian Cinematographer)
Halyna Hutchins
23
Birthdate: 1979 AD
Birthplace: Horodets', Ukraine
Died: October 21, 2021
Height: 5'6" (168 cm)
 34 
Charles V of France
(Former King of France (1364 - 1380))
Charles V of France
1
Birthdate: January 21, 1338
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Vincennes, France
Died: September 16, 1380

Charles V of France reigned as the king of France from 1364 until his death in 1380. Charles V was highly successful during the Hundred Years' War as his armies recovered almost all the territories held by the English. His reign also witnessed the construction of many significant buildings, including the Château du Louvre, Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, and the Bastille.

 35 
Anders Celsius
(Astronomer, Physicist, Mathematician)
Anders Celsius
9
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: November 27, 1701
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Uppsala
Died: April 25, 1744
Inventor of the centigrade or the Celcius scale of temperature, Swedish astronomer and scientist Anders Celsius was no stranger to science, being the son of an astronomy professor and the grandson of mathematician Magnus Celsius. His expeditions confirmed Isaac Newton's belief that the earth was flattened at the poles.
 36 
Jacqueline du Pré
(Cellist)
Jacqueline du Pré
2
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: January 26, 1945
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
Died: October 19, 1987
 37 
Darren Shahlavi
(English Actor, Martial Artist and Stuntman)
Darren Shahlavi
2
Birthdate: August 5, 1972
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Stockport, Cheshire, England
Died: January 14, 2015
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 38 
Micki Harris
(Singer)
Micki Harris
1
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: January 22, 1940
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Passaic, New Jersey, United States
Died: June 10, 1982
 39 
Richard Manuel
(Singer-songwriter, Singer, Pianist, Musician)
Richard Manuel
4
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: April 3, 1943
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Stratford
Died: March 4, 1986

Richard Manuel was a Canadian singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist. He is best remembered as a pianist and singer in the musical group The Band. He was a versatile singer famous for his soul-influenced baritone and delicate falsetto. Unfortunately, he fell victim to alcoholism and drug abuse that threatened his career and life. He died by suicide in 1986. 

 40 
Manuel II of Portugal
(King of Portugal from 1908 to 1910)
Manuel II of Portugal
5
Birthdate: November 15, 1889
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Lisbon, Portugal
Died: July 2, 1932
Son of King Carlos I, Manuel II, was the last king of Portugal. While he came to power after his father’s assassination, he had to flee to England after the Portuguese monarchy was dissolved by a revolution. He later devoted himself to books and published Early Portuguese Books.
 41 
Prodigy
(Rapper)
Prodigy
9
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: November 2, 1974
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Hempstead, Long Island, New York
Died: June 20, 2017

Rapper Albert Johnson, better known by his pseudonym, Prodigy, gained fame as the lead vocalist of the hip-hop band Mindless Behavior, which released the chartbusting single My Girl. He was also part of the hip-hop duo Mobb Deep, with Havoc. He has also co-written a crime novel and a cookbook.

 42 
Freddie King
(Guitarist, Singer, Singer-songwriter)
Freddie King
2
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: September 3, 1934
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Gilmer
Died: December 28, 1976
 43 
Margaret Wise Brown
(Writer)
Margaret Wise Brown
2
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: May 23, 1910
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: November 13, 1952
 44 
Gary Speed
(Welsh Professional Footballer and Manager)
Gary Speed
6
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 8, 1969
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Mancot, Flintshire, Wales
Died: November 27, 2011
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 45 
Rana Sanga
(Ruler of Mewar)
Rana Sanga
21
Birthdate: April 12, 1484
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Malwa
Died: March 17, 1527

Maharana Sangram Singh I, better known as Rana Sanga, is remembered in history as a fierce Rajput king of the Sisodia dynasty. He controlled modern-day Rajasthan, Gujarat, and MP, with Chittor as his capital. In his struggle for power, he had lost one arm and one eye, and was crippled for life.

 46 
Livy
(Roman Historian)
Livy
3
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: 0059 BC
Birthplace: Padua, Italy
Died: 0017 BC

Livy was a Roman historian. His seminal work, Ab Urbe Condita, covers the history of Rome through several centuries. A respected figure in society, he was on friendly terms with members of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. He wrote during the reign of Emperor Augustus, who was reportedly his friend. Livy was married and had at least two children. 

 47 
Gregor Strasser
(Politician, Pharmacist)
Gregor Strasser
1
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: May 31, 1892
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Geisenfeld
Died: July 1, 1934
 48 
Émilie du Châtelet
(Philosopher)
Émilie du Châtelet
2
Birthdate: December 17, 1706
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: September 10, 1749
 49 
Tukaram
(Saint, Poet)
Tukaram
173
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 1608 AD
Birthplace: Dehu, Near Pune, India
Died: 1650 AD

Marathi poet Sant Tukaram was one of the pillars of the Bhakti movement of Maharashtra. It is believed he began writing abhangas, or religious poetry, after being visited by Vitthal, an avatar of Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna, in a dream. He is revered by the Varkari sampradaya.

 50 
Saints Methodius
(Byzantine Christian Theologians and Missionaries)
Saints Methodius
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 0827 AD
Birthplace: Thessaloniki
Died: February 14, 0869