Famous people who died of heart attacks
Being famous brings with it many perks such as great fortune, rubbing shoulders with other celebs, and leaving behind some legacy. However, no matter how well-known, rich, powerful, or accomplished a person becomes, there comes a time to ‘pay for the ride.’ Heart attacks have been the cause of death for many actors, business people, politicians, and even once-virile athletes who may have been the ideal picture of health in their prime.
We’ve compiled a short list of famous people who have died of heart attacks, what they were famous for, and when possible, other information such as what they were doing when they died. We look into whether what they were famous for had some correlation with their cause of death.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Orville Clarence Redenbacher
Famous for: Popcorn!
This man spent decades of his spare time experimenting with corn hybrids until he and a partner designed a breed they deemed to be responsible for the perfect popcorn. Already an accomplished agricultural scientist, Redenbacher’s popcorn became the leading brand in the US. He is reported to have died by having a heart attack while in a spa and, unfortunately, drowning thereafter.
Born: July 16, 1907, Brazil, Indiana, US
Died: September 19, 1995, Coronado, California, US
Was it the popcorn?
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Heinrich Nestlé
Famous for: Chocolate! And a few other things you may have heard of.
Heinrich Nestlé founded what would become one of the world’s largest multinational food and beverage corporations. He was a pharmacist, confectioner, and inventor of the first infant formula. Some sources state that he died of a heart attack, while others report heart failure.
Born: August 10, 1814, Frankfurt, Germany
Died: July 7, 1890, Montreux, Switzerland
Was it the chocolate?
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Jimmy Ray Dean
Famous for: Sausage!
Jimmy Dean was a country singer, actor, and founder of Jimmy Dean Sausage. He died at 81 while eating in front of the television; his wife said it came as a shock.
Born: August 10, 1928, Plainview, Texas, US
Died: June 13, 2010, Varina, Virginia, US
Was it the sausage?
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Ivan the Terrible
Famous for: Being a Russian Tzar, the Massacre of Novgorod, and paranoia-fueled conquests — and playing chess!
Sources vary on whether Ivan died before or during a chess game, or from a stroke.
Born: August 25, 1530, Grand Duchy of Moscow
Died: March 28, 1584, Moscow, Tsardom of Russia
Was it the chess?
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Red Foxx
Famous for: Stand-up comedy and Sanford and Son!
Red Foxx died while rehearsing for an episode of The Royal Family.
Born: December 9, 1922, St. Louis, Missouri
Died: October 11, 1991, Los Angeles, California
Was it the comedy?
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Jackie Robinson
Famous for: Baseball!
Jackie Robinson, MLB’s first African-American player and commentator, also advanced the civil rights movement. He died at home of a heart attack.
Born: January 31, 1919, Cairo, Georgia, US
Died: October 24, 1972, Stamford, Connecticut, US
Was it baseball?
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Burt Reynolds
Famous for: Acting, producing, and directing!
Burt Reynolds starred in Smokey and the Bandit, Boogie Nights, and The Longest Yard. He died at 82 after chest pain at home.
Born: February 11, 1936, Lansing, Michigan, US
Died: September 6, 2018, Jupiter, Florida, US
Was it all the stunts or the fame?
Test your knowledge
- Famous for chocolate; died in his sleep
- Famous for popcorn; died by having a heart attack while in a spa and drowning thereafter
- Famous for sausage; died while eating dinner
- Famous for being a chess player; died during a chess match
- A sausage company; he invented breakfast sausage
- A multinational food and beverage corporation; he created the first infant formula
- A popcorn company; he developed perfect popcorn kernels
- A chess equipment company; he designed chess sets
- He died in a spa while having a heart attack
- He died at 81 while eating in front of the television; his wife said it came as a shock
- He died while playing chess
- He died peacefully at home in his sleep
- Chess players never have heart attacks
- Many great chess players have had heart attacks during games, including Vladimir Barigov, Kurt Meier, and Leonid Stein
- Only amateur chess players have heart attacks
- Chess prevents heart attacks completely
- Inventing popcorn and chocolate products
- Being a Russian Tzar, the Massacre of Novgorod, keeping enemies in fear, paranoia, rage, and various raids and conquests
- Creating breakfast sausage products
- Founding a multinational food corporation
Stay on track!
Would you like a reminder when your ACLS certification expires, plus study tips?