“The readiness is all”
There are no recorded or documented last words spoken by Alec Guinness before his death, but this is the epitaph on his gravestone, a famous line from William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. The stage and screen actor, best known for his role as Obi Wan Kenobi in the original Star Wars movies, died from cancer in King Edward VII’s Hospital in Midhurst England, he was 86 years old.
“Pam, are you still there?”
These were Jim Morrison’s last words according to his longtime girlfriend Pamela Courson. The 27 year old singer-songwriter, lead vocalist of rock band the Doors, was found dead in the bathtub of his Paris apartment. The official cause of death was listed as heart failure, although no autopsy was performed as it was not required by French law.
“Bob, I don’t feel so good. I think I’m OD’ing.”
These were River Phoenix’ last words to musician and friend Bob Forrest inside The Viper Room a nightclub in West Hollywood. The actor and musician passed away at the age of 23 from acute multiple drug intoxication, specifically a lethal combination of cocaine and heroin, which led to a fatal drug overdose.
“I’m going to be with Gloria now.”
The actor and military aviator spoke these final words to his children as he lay on his deathbed, referring to late wife Gloria who passed away three years before. James Stewart died of a heart attack at 89 years of age in his Beverly Hills home surrounded by family.
“Thank you.”
The flamboyant singer and songwriter, lead vocalist for rock band Queen, thanked his close friend Peter Freestone before slipping into a coma and dying shortly after. Freddie Mercury was 45 years old when he died at home in Kensington London, the cause of death was bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS.
“No courthouses, but okay, let’s go.”
Marvin Lee Aday, better known by the stage name Meat Loaf, spoke these last words during the final days of his life to daughter Amanda. She had told him to “get strong” so he could walk her down the aisle on her wedding day. The singer and actor passed away at home in Nashville Tennessee at the age of 74, no official cause of death was released but he had reportedly been ill with COVID-19.
“What is this thing I’m feeling, I’m going to sleep now.”
The martial artist and actor spoke these final words to colleague Betty Ting before taking a painkiller and lying down for a nap. Bruce Lee never awoke from the nap – an autopsy would later conclude that he died from cerebral edema due to a reaction to compounds present in the painkiller. On the discovery of his unresponsive body Lee was brought to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kowloon Hong Kong but declared dead on arrival at the age of 32.
“I’m tired of fighting.. I do not want to fight anymore..”
Erik Weisz, known professionally as Harry Houdini, delivered these deathbed words to his brother Tanch, just before passing away in Detroit’s Grace Hospital. Aged 52, the famous escapologist and illusionist died from peritonitis due to a ruptured appendix.
“I don’t age. I level up.”
The martial artist and actor posted this humorous birthday message on Instagram just nine days before passing away at the age of 86. Chuck Norris was hospitalized in Hawaii after experiencing a sudden medical emergency and shortly afterwards died peacefully surrounded by his family.
“Kiss me… hug me tight.”
The pioneer of heavy metal music and lead vocalist for the band Black Sabbath said these final words to wife Sharon on his deathbed. John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne died from a heart attack at his home in Buckinghamshire with family by his side, he was 76 years old.
