Gone Too Soon, 2009

Natasha Richardson

The Tony-Award winning actress died on March 19 following a ski accident at Mont Tremblant in Montreal, Canada. As a member of one of Britain's great acting families, Richardson, 45, was the daughter of  legendary actress Vanessa Redgrave and Oscar-winning director Tony Richardson, sister of Nip/Tuck actress Joely Richardson, and granddaughter of actress Rachel Kempson. Richardson was married to actor Liam Neeson and left behind two sons, Michael, 13, and Daniel, 12.

Farrah Fawcett

America's favorite angel died on June 25 following a battle with anal cancer. She was 62. The Charlie's Angels actress shot to stardom with her legendary pin-up poster, which sold a still-record breaking 12 million copies. Fawcett left behind her on-and-off partner, Ryan O'Neal, and their son, Redmond. Farrah used her celebrity status to publicly support and document her journey with cancer, co-producing the documentary Farrah's Story. 

Michael Jackson

The King of Pop died at his Holmby Hills, CA home on June 25 after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 50. Jackson rose to fame as the lead singer in his family's boy band, Jackson 5. He followed his tumultuous childhood with an adult life plagued by rumors of false marriages (Lisa Marie Pressley, Debbie Row), child molestation and plastic surgery. The state of California held a funeral for the fallen king, with costs estimated at $2.5 million. Jackson left behind three children, Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and Blanket, 7.

DJ AM

Celebrity spinner DJ AM  died on August 29 of an accidental overdose in his NYC apartment. The 36-year-old, real name Adam Goldstein, was clean for six years before relapsing. Family and friends blame AM's return to drugs on the plane crash he survived in 2008. He was in the midst of producing Gone Too Far, a new MTV show centered on addiction. The former finance of Nicole Richie was said to have been depressed over the plane crash and breakup with his girlfriend, Hayley Wood. DJ AM's last eery tweet read, "New York, New York. Big city of dreams, but everything in New York ain't always what it seems."

Patrick Swayze 

The Dirty Dancing star lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on September 14. He was 57. The romantic leading man, gifted dancer and loving husband to Lisa was a "warrior" in his cancer fight. Swayze continued working on his A&E series The Beast as he underwent chemotherapy and never lost hope. His memory lives on in Hollywood, as Dancing With the Stars and The View payed tribute to the late star. 

Stephen Gately

The Irish singer from boy band Boyzone died on October 11 while on vacation with his partner in Spain. He was 33. Gately made headlines when he came out as gay a decade ago. Although the death was deemed suspicious at first, investigators confirmed that no foul play was involved. The tragic accident shook the hearts of girls and boys worldwide.

Brittany Murphy

The Cluless actress died on December 20 of a heart attack in her Los Angeles home. She was 32. The star shot to fame as ditzy Tai in Clueless, and made headlines with her roles in 8 Mile, Girl, Interrupted, Don't Say a Word and Just Married. The star was found in full cardiac arrest by her mother and her husband called 911. Attempts at reviving the star were unsuccessful. Murphy's death was predicted by gossip blogger Perez Hilton last month.