Stars Who Died During the Filming of a Movie

Long after their time is up, movie stars live on through DVDs and cable reruns. But the stars on this list died before completing a project, leaving directors in an emotional and logistical bind, and forever attaching a dark footnote to a movie's history. In some cases the movie was canceled, in others the star was recast, while in others production moved forward with some creative editing

Blonde bombshell Marilyn Monroe, famous for her film roles, multiple marriages, and memorable serenading of President John F. Kennedy, died on August 5, 1962, before she could finish filming Something's Got to Give.

The comedy, directed by George Cukor and also starring Cyd Charisse and Dean Martin, had been plagued with conflict from the start. At one point, Monroe was even fired. But Martin refused to work with any actress other than Monroe, so the famous beauty was rehired. Before Monroe could resume her role, however, she was found dead in her Brentwood, California, home, the result of an overdose of barbiturates. Something's Got to Give was scrapped, but parts of the unfinished film were included in a 2001 documentary titled Marilyn: The Final Days.