Top 10 Celebrities That Allegedly Killed Someone
These are the famous celebrities that made headlines as writers, actors, musicians, politicians…oh, and murderers. In this video, http://www.WatchMojo.com counts down our picks for the top 10 celebrities that allegedly killed someone. As the title implies, for this list, we're taking a look at celebrities who have reportedly killed one or more people or are assumed to have done so, based on strong evidence. The deaths as a result of these celebrities' actions can be either deliberate or accidental for the purpose of this list. Be sure to also check out our list of the top 10 unsolved murder mysteries.
Special thanks to our user Marko Tarandek for submitting the idea on our Suggest Page at WatchMojo.comsuggest
Script written by George Cimurt
#10: Don King
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With his crazy hair and flamboyant personality, King is one of the most famous boxing promoters ever. Unfortunately, aside from alleged organized crime connections and various litigation cases against him, he was found responsible for the deaths of at least two people in court. The first was Hillary Brown, whom King shot in a justifiable homicide in 1954 after Brown tried to steal money from one of his gambling dens. Thirteen-years later, Sam Garrett – a former employee of King who owed him money – was beaten to death, and King was found guilty. He spent four-years in prison on a non negligent manslaughter charge, and has since been pardoned for the crime.
#9: Matthew Broderick
Though he’s the winner of two Tony Awards and has starred in several beloved films, few may know about the dark events in Broderick’s life that occurred in August of 1987. While on vacation in Ireland with his then-secret-girlfriend Jennifer Grey, Broderick’s rental car crossed into the wrong lane about 80 miles west of Belfast for an unknown reason and rammed another vehicle, killing both women inside. Suffering several serious injuries, including lacerations and broken bones, Broderick and Grey were rushed to hospital, and Broderick was later charged with careless driving and fined $175.
#8: Laura Bush
Long before she encountered George Walker Bush in 1977 and eventually became First Lady of the United States for two terms, a 17-year-old Laura Welch was behind the wheel when her car struck and killed good friend and schoolmate Michael Dutton Douglas. In November of 1963, two-days after her 17th birthday, Welch – as she was known at the time – drove through a stop sign and collided with Douglas’ automobile, killing him and suffering slight injuries herself. Although she not charged for the accident, the tragic event haunted Bush for years.
#7: Phil Spector
Ranked as one of Rolling Stone’s Greatest Artists of All Time and acclaimed for his roles as a producer, songwriter, and music pioneer, Spector was a giant in the industry, which is why many were shocked when a woman turned up dead in Spector’s California home in 2003. The woman was actress Lana Clarkson, and although he was quoted as saying that he thought he had killed her, he later claimed that her death was an accidental suicide because she had “kissed the gun.” Regardless, the eccentric celebrity was tried twice in relation to Clarkson’s death and was ultimately convicted of second-degree murder in 2009.
#6: Ted Kennedy
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A prominent member of the United States Senate, a powerful speaker and a member of one of America’s most famous political families, Kennedy’s beloved image was tarnished because of the events of July 18th, 1969. After leaving a party he’d been hosting on Chappaquiddick Island with 28-year-old Mary Jo Kopechne, the car they were in drove off a bridge and into the water below. Although Kennedy escaped the overturned car and swam to shore, Kopechne didn’t follow; he later pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident and an inquest revealed that negligent driving may’ve been a factor in the death.
#5: Robert Blake
Blake was famous for his film and TV roles, notably and perhaps ironically including his portrayal of a real-life killer 1967’s “In Cold Blood.” Blake married Bonnie Lee Bakley in 1999, a woman notorious for scamming older men for their money. Two-years later, she was found dead in a car from a gunshot to the head. Blake was arrested and charged the following year and, although several witnesses claimed he’d tried to hire them to kill her, he was acquitted in the criminal case. However, in the civil suit, Blake was found liable for his wife’s wrongful death and was ordered to pay $30-million.
#4: Sid Vicious
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Famous for his rebellious lifestyle and his musical career with the Sex Pistols, Vicious was also well-known for his relationship with the equally-unruly Nancy Spungen. Their tumultuous love-affair was marked by physical, emotional, and drug abuse, all of which escalated until October 12th, 1978, when Vicious woke to find Nancy dead in the bathroom of their suite in New York’s Chelsea Hotel. Although it’s unknown whether her death was accidental, the unintentional result of a fight, or deliberate murder, Vicious was released on bail after several suicide attempts and himself was dead less than a year later.
#3: Chris Benoit
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At the peak of his career, this Canadian wrestler was a two-time world champion and was referred to by some as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. However, with highs come lows, and at perhaps his lowest point, police entered his home due to concerns about his welfare, only to find his body as well as those of his wife and seven-year-old son. Although brain damage, emotional instability, testosterone therapy and drug abuse have all been listed as possible factors for the double-murder suicide, the exact motives died with Benoit.
#2: Oscar Pistorius
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This South African runner first made it to the news as a gold medal-winning Paralympian, and for his participation in the Olympics despite having no legs. However, the headlines bearing his name in February 2013 were less than positive. On February 14th, he shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his home in South Africa, claiming he thought she was an intruder. Though Pistorius was found not guilty of the murder, he was found guilty of culpable homicide, leading to an up-to five-year prison sentence and his fall from grace.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable – or in this case dishonorable – mentions:
- John Wilkes Booth
- Jayson Williams
- Keith Moon
- Vince Neil
- William S. Burroughs
- Snoop Dogg
#1: O.J. Simpson
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This former football star and successful actor was at the centre of perhaps the most controversial and publicized trial of the 20th century. When Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman were found stabbed to death in June 1994, all signs seemed to point to Simpson, Brown’s ex-husband. Although piles of evidence were presented in the lengthy court case, ultimately O.J.’s legal team ultimately prevailed when a verdict of not guilty was reached. All we know for sure is that O.J. was later found liable for the deaths in a civil trial and was ordered to pay damages to the tune of $33.5-million.
Do you agree with our list? Which celebrities do you think deserve to be mentioned? For more nail biting top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
