Actor’s deaths are always tragic for fans. However, it’s shocking to hear when one of them is murdered. A handful of these actors murders have resulted in ridiculous sensational trials ( some of them served less than 4 years in prison), while some remain unsolved to this day.
1. SHARON TATE.
Tate was an actress best known for the movie “Valley of the Dolls“; and she was the wife of movie director Roman Polanski.
The actress and model was murdered on Aug. 9, 1969 at the age of 26, by followers of Charles Manson.
While she and three friends were sleeping, four members of his cult broke into Tate’s home and stabbed her 16 times. she was 8 months pregrant, at the time of her death.
Charles Manson and the four assailants were convicted of murder in 1971, and given the death penalty. However, their sentences were commuted to life in prison in 1972.
Manson and Susan Atkins died in prison.
2. PHIL HARTMAN.
Hartman Was an actor and comedian best known as a member of the “Saturday Night Live” ensemble cast, and the TV show “NewsRadio”.
His wife Brynn killed the Saturday Night Live alum on May 28, 1998, when he was only 49 years old.
After reportedly getting into a heated argument, she shot him three times in his sleep and later took her own life in their home. He was survived by their two children.
3. DOMINIQUE DUNNE.
She was an actress best known for the movie “Poltergeist”. she was the daughter of actor, writer, and TV host Dominick Dunne and sister of actor Griffin Dunne.
She was murederd on November 4, 1982, at the age of 22. she was strangled to death by her ex-boyfriend John Thomas Sweeney, in the driveway of her home.
Even though Sweeney admitted “he killed his girlfriend” when police arrested him, he was only sentenced to six years in prison for manslaughter and served less than 4 years.
4. ADRIENNE SHELLY.
The actor director Was best known for the movie “Waitress,” which she wrote, directed, and starred in.
Shelly was hanged to death in the shower of the studio apartment she used as an office, on Nov. 1, 2006 at the age of 40 by Diego Pillco, a construction worker.
Her killer pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 25 years in prison without parole.
5. REBECCA SCHAEFFER.
She was an actress and model, best known for appearing on the TV show “My Sister Sam”.
She Died on July 18, 1989, at the age of 21; she was shot to death in her apartment building by an obsessed fan.
He reportedly became enraged with jealousy after seeing her in bed with another man on TV. He was sentenced to life without parole.
Her stalker had obtained her address from the DMV. As a result of her death, California enacted a law restricting the release of private information from its motor vehicle records.
6. DOROTHY STRATTEN.
Stratten was an actress and Playboy magazine Playmate of the Year.
She Died on August 14, 1980, at the age of 20; she was shot to death by her estranged husband and manager, who then killed himself in their West Los Angeles apartment.
Her body was later found ra**ped and beaten with a gunshot wound on her face.
7. JUDITH BARSI.
Barsi was an American child actress who appeared in over 70 TV commercials, and the movies “Jaws: The Revenge” and “The Land Before Time”.
The only child of Jozsef Barsi and Maria Benko, she Died ob July 25, 1988, at the age of 10.
she and her mother were shot to death by her father, who then killed himself.
8. JING BAI.
Bai was a Chinese martial arts actress, best known for starring in the movies “Kung Fu Wing Chun” and “Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon” and the TV series “Legend of Xiangxi”.
She Died on February 28, 2012, at the age of 28; she was stabbed to death by her billionaire husband, who then killed himself.
9. SUSAN CABOT.
Cabot Was an American actress best known for the films “The Wasp Woman” and “Son of Ali Baba”.
she Died on December 10, 1986, at the age of 59; her son beat her to death with a weight-lifting bar.
Her son spent 2-1/2 years in jail pending trial; he was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and served no additional time for her murder.
10. LANA CLARKSON.
Clarkson Was an actress and model best known for the movies “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” and “Barbarian Queen”.
the actress died on February 3, 2003, at the age of 40; she was shot to death by music producer Phil Spector.
At his second trial, he was convicted of 2nd degree murder and sentenced to 19 years to life. He died in prison in January 2021 at age 81.
11. MARIE TRINTIGNANT.
She was a French actress who was nominated for the Cesar Award 5 times; she was the daughter of Cesar Award-winning actor Jean-Louis Trintignant.
She Died on August 1, 2003, at the age of 41, of a fractured skull and cerebral edema.
Her boyfriend, French rock star Bertrand Cantat, severely beat her. She died 6 days later in the hospital.
Her killer was convicted of manslaughter, and only served 4 years in prison.
12. THELMA TODD.
Todd Was a popular actress in the 1930’s. She was beaten to death on December 16, 1935, at the age of 29.
She was found in her garage , slumped over the wheel of her car.
Her official cause of death was sui**cide, but she had a broken nose, two fractured ribs, and bruising around her neck.
No one was ever charged with her murder and it remains unsolved.
13. MERLIN SANTANA.
Santana was an American actor and rapper best known for the TV shows “The Cosby Show”, “Moesha”, and “The Steve Harvey Show”.
He Died on November 9, 2002, at the age of 26. He was shot to death as he was leaving a friend’s home; his companion was also shot, but survived.
His killer was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences plus 70 years.
14. RAMON NOVARRO.
Novarro was a Mexican-American actor in silent films in the 1920’s and 1930’s.
He Died on October 30, 1968, at the age of 69. He was beaten to death in his home by 2 male prostitutes who were also brothers, ages 17 and 22.
The brothers were sentenced to life imprisonment, but served less than 7 years.
15. SAL MINEO.
Mineo was an American actor best known for the movies “Rebel Without a Cause” and “Exodus”, both of which he was nominated for an Academy Award.
He died on February 12, 1976, at the age of 37; he was stabbed to death during a robbery.
His killer was sentenced to 57 years to life, but was paroled after serving only 12 years.