What Age Would They Be Today?

Sadly, we’ve lost a lot of great people way too soon. What follows is the age these folks would be today had they survived. Why, you ask? Because I find it somewhat interesting and think that some of you may too. On a related note, you may also find it depressing. Read on . . .

Bruce Lee – 81

Lee passed at the age of 32 in 1973. He was shot on set during filming when a prop gun that wasn’t meant to be loaded fired a live round into his abdomen. So sad.

Janis Joplin – 78

Janis died of an accidental heroin overdose in 1970 aged 27 after releasing three pretty incredible albums.

Len Bias – 57

Lenny and Michael Jordan were born the same year, 1963. He died 2-days after being selected by the Boston Celtics with the second overall pick in the 1986 NBA draft from cardiac arrhythmia induced by a cocaine overdose.

Paul Walker – 48

Paul Walker was a main character in the Fast & Furious franchise. He died at the age of 30 in 2013. He was a passenger in a red Porsche Carrera GT driven by his friend Roger Radas who lost control of the vehicle at 100 mph before it smashed into a tree and burst on fire.

John Lennon – 80

Hard to believe he was murdered nearly 40-years ago, back in 1980. John was only 40 when some jackass (who will not be named here) outside his apartment in his beloved adopted hometown of New York City. Again, I remember every detail of the night he died.

Marvin Gaye – 82

The R & B legend died at the age of 45 in 1984 after his father Marvin, Sr. shot him 3-times in the chest. Gaye was known for songs such as What’s Goin’ On, Sexual Healing, and Mercy Mercy Me.

Sharon Tate – 78

Tate, an actress, was brutally murdered by members of the Manson Family at the age of 26 in 1969. Hair stylist Jay Sebring, coffee heiress Abigail Folger, aspiring screenwriter Wojciech Frykowski, and Steven Parent all died in the attacks.

Jimi Hendrix – 79

Hendrix died at the age of 27 in 1970 of a drug overdose while in England, although there have been questions regarding his death for the past 50-years. Although his career only lasted 4-years, his guitar playing obviously had a major influence on rock and roll.

Karen Carpenter – 71

Karen died at the age of 32 in 1983, succumbing to heart failure brought on by her long, unpublicized struggle with anorexia. Quite simply, she had one of the most gorgeous voices in music history.

John Candy – 70

John Candy died of a heart attack at the age of 43 in 1994, but he left behind great movies like Stripes, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Splash, Cool Runnings, Summer Rental, The Great Outdoors, Spaceballs, Uncle Buck and Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

Patrick Swayze – 69

Patrick Swayze was famous for his roles in movies like Ghost, Red Dawn, The Outsiders, Dirty Dancing, and my favorites Next of Kin and Road House. He died in 2009 of cancer at the age of 57.

Jim Croce – 78

JIm Croce was a great singer/songwriter who passed away in a plane crash in 1973. He was just 30-years old. He was famous for songs like Time in a Bottle, Bad, Bad Leroy Brown and Operator. I still remember where I was the moment I heard the news.

John F. Kennedy Jr. – 60

JFK Jr. died in 1999 at the age of 38. He was John F. Kennedy’s son but was also a lawyer, journalist, and magazine publisher. He perished when the plane he was piloting crashed off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard.

Farrah Fawcett – 74

Farrah was an original Charlie’s Angel and a 1970s sex symbol for a many a young lad like myself. She died in 2009 from cancer at the age of 62. She and Michael Jackson died on the same day.

Marilyn Monroe – 95

Marilyn Monroe was a 1950s icon that died in 1962 at the age of 36, presumably of a drug overdose although opinions are varied. She also had a rumored affair with President John F. Kennedy, who’s next.

John F. Kennedy – 104

JFK was a war hero and 35th President of the United States. He was assassinated in Dall, TX in 1963 at the age of 45 and that day is forever seared into my memory.

Jim Morrison – 78

Morrison was lead singer of The Doors and died in Paris in 1970. He, like Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix, was 27.

Andy Gibb – 63

Andy Gibb was the younger brother of Robin, Maurice and Barry Gibb, better known as the Bee Gees. Andy had a successful singing career until he passed away from a heart condition (although most believe it was from a drug overdose) at the age of 30.

Michael Jackson – 63

Michael died in 2009 at the age of 50 due to cardiac arrest that was cause by taking a combination of drugs.

Yep. I was correct. Upon rereading that I found that it was indeed depressing. Soory kids. Have a great summer.

PS- On a personal note, my old friend Jigger would be 73 today, still a relatively young man.