5 Celebrities Who've Tragically Died Whilst Filming

No one ever expects an accident to happen, let alone a fatal one. But accidents do happen, and sometimes they happen to people who are in the public eye. Here are five celebrities who tragically died whilst filming.

Each of these celebrities died in accidents that occurred whilst they were filming. Their deaths shocked the world and their families, and their films were never completed. In some cases, the films were released posthumously.

If you are a fan of any of these celebrities, then you will know how tragic their deaths were. It is a reminder of how precious life is, and how we should all be careful whilst we are filming.

Martha Mansfield

Martha Mansfield had a lot to be thankful for on Thanksgiving Day 1923. The 24-year-old actress was rising through the ranks in Hollywood. Six years before, she had appeared in a series of comedic shorts. Then, she was cast in the Ziegfeld Follies, an elite ensemble of beautiful and talented ingenues. After that, she starred opposite the legendary John Barrymore in the 1920's "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde".

Mansfield was sitting in a car with fellow actors, having just finished the day's shooting for her latest movie, a Civil War love story called "The Warrens of Virginia." She was still in costume, wearing the ruffled finery befitting a Southern belle when a smoker's match caused her clothing to immediately catch fire.

Mansfield's co-star managed to put out the flames with his overcoat. The chauffeur also ripped the dress off Mansfield's body, but he sustained burns in the process. Unfortunately, Mansfield's injuries were too severe and she passed away the next morning on Nov. 30, 1923. The men's actions did save her face and neck from being burned. Although initial reports said that the match was lit by a fellow passenger in the car, later reports indicated that it was unclear where the match came from. It's possible that the match was thrown into the car from outside, or even came from Mansfield herself. Nobody can be sure at this point.

The studio heads were relieved that Mansfield had mostly wrapped up her work on the film, saving them the trouble of recasting her role. With her scenes pared down, another actress promoted as the star, the show went on.

Art Scholl

On September 16, 1985, Hollywood stunt pilot Art Scholl was killed when his plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean while he was filming a scene for the movie Top Gun.

The accident happened during the filming of a scene in which Scholl's character, "Mr. MiG", was supposed to fly under the Golden Gate Bridge. However, Scholl lost control of the plane while attempting the stunt and crashed into the ocean.

Investigators were never able to determine what caused the accident, but it is believed that a mechanical failure may have been to blame.

Despite the tragedy, the movie Top Gun was a huge success and is still considered one of the greatest action movies of all time.

Conway Wickliffe

On September 28, 2019, actor Conway Wickliffe died in a car accident while working on the set of the upcoming Batman film The Dark Knight. Wickliffe was driving a stunt car when the accident occurred, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

During the test run of an action scene, a driver lost control of the Nissan 4x4 vehicle that cameraman Conway Wickliffe was in and it crashed into a tree. Wickliffe died as a result of the accident.

Wickliffe's death is a tragic loss for the entertainment industry, and our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.

Brandon Lee

On March 31, 1993, actor Brandon Lee was fatally shot while filming a scene for the movie The Crow. The accident happened when a prop gun was mistakenly loaded with real bullets instead of blanks. Lee was struck in the abdomen and died later that day.

The incident was a tragedy not only for Lee's family and friends but also for the movie industry. The Crow was only Lee's second film, but he had already made a name for himself as a talented actor. His untimely death left the movie unfinished, and it was eventually released posthumously.

The Accidental Shooting Of Brandon Lee is a reminder of the dangers of working with firearms, even when they are props. It's important to be careful and to make sure that all firearms are properly unloaded before filming begins.

Ormer Locklear

Ormer Locklear, a Hollywood stuntman, died in a plane crash while attempting to perform a dangerous stunt. Locklear was piloting a small plane when it crashed into a tree and burst into flames. He was rushed to the hospital but died from his injuries.

Locklear's death is a tragic reminder of the dangers of stunt work. Although Locklear was an experienced pilot and stuntman, the risks involved in performing stunts are always present. In the wake of Locklear's death, we must remember the courage and dedication of all stunt professionals who put their lives on the line to entertain us.

While it's certainly true that accidents can happen anywhere, it seems that there's an increased risk when celebrities are involved. Whether it's because they're pushing themselves to do something extremely physically demanding or because they're in a dangerous location, celebrities have sadly died while filming on several occasions.