You can look at your favorite celebrities and think they got it all figured out– especially with fame and fortune, but ever so often, we’re reminded that mental health issues can impact even the strongest warriors. In the case of these 15 celebrities, their mental health battles on top of other troubling issues ultimately claimed their lives.
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Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in America, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. But within the Black community, the numbers are even scarier: One in three rural Black men reported suicidal thoughts within a two-week experiment, according to a 2024 study from the University of Georgia. Ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day in September, we’re taking a closer look at the amazing lives and tragic deaths of politicians, singers, dancers, athletes and more.
Lee Thompson Young
Lee Thompson Young got his Hollywood start on the Disney show “The Famous Jett Jackson.” From there, he became a well-known actor because of his reoccurring role in the crime show “Rizzoli & Isles” and his appearance in “Friday Night Lights.” Young failed to show up for work at a movie set back in Aug. 2013. This led to police conducting a welfare check and discovering him dead from a gunshot wound, NBC reported.
Lance Blanks
In 2023, the daughter of former NBA player Lance Blanks announced his death on social media. “People will want more information,” she wrote. “But the fact is we will never truly know why. And we don’t need to. All we need to do is remember him, honor him, celebrate him and pour our love into the family that made him happy.” Throughout his professional career, Blanks played for the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves. Additionally, he was the general manager for the Phoenix Suns.
Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss
Actor and dancer Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss shocked the entertainment world after news broke of his suicide. As we previously reported, tWitch died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Dec. 2022. He previously co-starred on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” After his death, DeGeneres said, “He was my family, and I loved him with all my heart. I will miss him. Please send your love and support to Allison and his beautiful children – Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia.”
Don Cornelius
Most people know that Don Cornelius was the creator of “Soul Train,” but they don’t know the tragic story that quickly followed his success. In 1982, Cornelius underwent a 21-hour medical surgery, but in addition to the corrective procedure, Cornelius was left with health issues that followed him until his death. This– on top of a growing plate of legal battles and a serious seizure condition– caused the show host much pain. He reportedly told his son “I don’t know how long I can take this” during a phone conservation. Hours later, he died from a self-inflicted gunshot at age 75.
Phyllis Hyman
When she wasn’t performing her music or starring on Broadway, singer and actress Phyllis Hyman dealt with severe depression. As we previously reported, Hyman’s therapist, Dr. Portia Hunt, told “Unsung” the singer was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Additionally, the star struggled with drugs and alcohol. “Being a woman in this industry is very lonely,” Hyman said in an interview. In 1995, she was found dead after an apparent overdose. A note found in the room read, “I’m tired. I’m tired. Those of you that I love know who you are. May God bless you.”
Cheslie Kryst
On Jan. 31, 2019, former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst posted “May this day bring you rest and peace” to her Instagram. Shortly afterwards, she jumped to her death from a 60-story building. On the surface, Kryst had it all. “Not only beautiful but she was smart — she was a lawyer,” a police source said of Kryst. “She has a life that anyone would be jealous of. … It’s so sad.” But in truth, the 30-year-old was battling depression. According to PEOPLE, she left her mother a note asking to share her story. Years later, “By the Time You Read This: The Space Between Cheslie’s Smile and Mental Illness” was published in her honor.
Hyattsville, Md. Mayor Kevin Ward
Kevin Ward moved to Hyattsville, Md. with his family in 2014. The next year, Ward jumped into local politics, being elected to city council in 2015 and then being tapped to be interim mayor in 2021. In 2022, he became the first openly gay mayor in the city, but less than a year later, Ward reportedly took his own life. Months after the tragic incident, a lawsuit was filed in Aug. 2022 accusing him of embezzling $2.2 million from D.C. charter schools, CBS News reported.
Capital Steez
Rapper Capital Steez was only 19 years old when he jumped to his death on Christmas Eve 2012, Billboard reported. Steez was the founder of Brooklyn rap collective ‘Pro-Era’ alongside rapper Joey Bada$$. Since his death, Joey has raised awareness for suicide in honor of his friend. He often pays tribute through his music.
Lil Loaded
At just 20 years old, rapper Lil Loaded had a lot going for himself. In 2019, he song “6locc 6a6y” was a viral sensation, and he was predicted to be a star. But in a shocking twist, he took his own life in 2021, NBC reported. The rapper was reportedly going through a breakup and had even been charged with murder but was released on bond. One of Loaded’s friends took to Instagram claiming the rapper committed suicide because of relationship troubles. “This nihh ended this shit behind his girl. He meant that s**t. Brudda I love you,” he wrote, according to Revolt.
Chris Lighty
Well-known hip-hop executive Chris Lighty once managed acts like 50 Cent, Diddy and Mariah Carey. He’s often credited with helping launch hip-hop into mainstream media. In January 2019, he reportedly got into a disagreement with his estranged wife. That’s when he said “I’m tired of this,” according to New York Daily News, and shot himself in the head. At the time of his death. Lightly allegedly owed the IRS $5 million, the Guardian reported.
J.J. Johnson
By the time of his death in 2001, J.J. Johnson was regarded as “the father of modern jazz trombone.” He had musical credits in films like “Shaft” and “Cleopatra Jones,” and most notably, he played with folks like Miles Davis and Ella Fitzgerald. But at age 77, Johnson committed suicide by gunshot, CBS News reported. He was reportedly dealing with prostate cancer at the time.
Stephanie Adams
Back in 2018, former Playboy Playmate Stephanie Adams was in the midst of a nasty custody battle with her estranged husband, Charles Nicolai, who is a New York-based chiropractor, PEOPLE reported. Things reportedly got so bad between the couple that they had to meet at a police precinct to exchange custody of their seven-year-old son, Vincent. According to reports, this led Adams to jump to her death from a New York City hotel penthouse while holding her son in a murder-suicide leap.
Simone Battle
U.K. based girl group G.R.L. was at the peak of their success when one of the members, Simone Battle, took her life back in 2014. The singer and dancer was found hanged in her West Hollywood home by her then-boyfriend. According to friends and family, Battle was depressed over money struggles. “Words cannot express the depth of our loss. Simone’s incredible talent was only surpassed by the size of her heart,” G.R.L.’s remaining members tweeted. She was only 25 years old.
Young Noble
As we previously reported, rapper Young Noble died by suicide on July 4, 2025. Fellow Outlawz member E.D.I. Mean shared the news on Instagram: “My brother and partner for over 30 years took his life this morning. Rest in Power Rufus Young Noble Cooper.” Noble was a member of Outlawz and a Death Row affiliate.
OGMaco
Late last year, rapper OGMaco, who is famous for his song “U Guessed It,” shot himself in the head, according to the New York Post. He was soon rushed to the hospital and put in a coma. He was surrounded by family when he finally succumbed to his injuries two weeks later. “His life was a testament to resilience, creativity, and boundless love,” the family’s statement said. “Through his music, passion, and unwavering spirit, he touched so many lives and left a lasting impact.”
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