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<p><strong>> Known as:</strong> Record-breaking English soul and R&B singer<br/>
<strong>> Died on:</strong> July 23, 2011<br/>
<strong>> Age at death:</strong> 27<br/>
<strong>> Cause of death:</strong> Accidental alcohol overdose</p>

> Known as: Record-breaking English soul and R&B singer
> Died on: July 23, 2011
> Age at death: 27
> Cause of death: Accidental alcohol overdose

(Roger Kisby / Getty Images)

25 famous people who drank themselves to death

Jan 24, 2023 at 8:00 am
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Drinking can make the good times even better and help get through the bad times, but as anyone who has ever had a splitting hangover knows, alcohol can be extremely hard on the body. Hangovers pass, but when alcohol is consumed at excessive levels regularly it can take a serious toll.

Daniel Webster

<p><strong>> Known as:</strong> Famed 19th-century lawyer, Congressman, and Secretary of State<br/>
<strong>> Died on:</strong> Oct. 24, 1852<br/>
<strong>> Age at death:</strong> 70<br/>
<strong>> Cause of death:</strong> Alcohol-induced cirrhosis and subdural hematoma</p>

> Known as: Famed 19th-century lawyer, Congressman, and Secretary of State
> Died on: Oct. 24, 1852
> Age at death: 70
> Cause of death: Alcohol-induced cirrhosis and subdural hematoma

(Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons)

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Franklin Pierce

<p><strong>> Known as:</strong> 14th President of the United States<br/>
<strong>> Died on:</strong> Oct. 8, 1869<br/>
<strong>> Age at death:</strong> 64<br/>
<strong>> Cause of death:</strong> Alcohol-induced cirrhosis<br/></p><p><strong><a style="color: #008000" href="https://247wallst.com/special-report/2023/01/08/violent-celebrity-deaths/?utm_source=tribune&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tribune&utm_content=violent-celebrity-deaths&wsrlui=811951713">ALSO READ: 37 Violent Celebrity Deaths</a></strong></p>

> Known as: 14th President of the United States
> Died on: Oct. 8, 1869
> Age at death: 64
> Cause of death: Alcohol-induced cirrhosis

ALSO READ: 37 Violent Celebrity Deaths

(Mathew Brady / Wikimedia Commons&nbsp)

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Bix Beiderbecke

<p><strong>> Known as:</strong> Influential 1920s jazz cornetist and composer<br/>
<strong>> Died on:</strong> Aug. 6, 1931<br/>
<strong>> Age at death:</strong> 28<br/>
<strong>> Cause of death:</strong> Lobar pneumonia exacerbated by longtime alcoholism</p>

> Known as: Influential 1920s jazz cornetist and composer
> Died on: Aug. 6, 1931
> Age at death: 28
> Cause of death: Lobar pneumonia exacerbated by longtime alcoholism

(Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images)

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F. Scott Fitzgerald

<p><strong>> Known as:</strong> One of the greatest novelists of the 20th century ("The Great Gatsby," etc.)<br/>
<strong>> Died on:</strong> Dec. 21, 1940<br/>
<strong>> Age at death:</strong> 44<br/>
<strong>> Cause of death:</strong> Alcohol-induced coronary arteriosclerosis<br/></p><p><strong><a style="color: #008000" href="https://247wallst.com/special-report/2022/11/17/very-famous-people-died-at-dinner-table/?utm_source=tribune&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tribune&utm_content=very-famous-people-died-at-dinner-table&wsrlui=811951715">ALSO READ: These Very Famous People All Died at the Dinner Table</a></strong></p>

> Known as: One of the greatest novelists of the 20th century ("The Great Gatsby," etc.)
> Died on: Dec. 21, 1940
> Age at death: 44
> Cause of death: Alcohol-induced coronary arteriosclerosis

ALSO READ: These Very Famous People All Died at the Dinner Table

(Hulton Archive / Hulton Archive via Getty Images&nbsp)

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Dylan Thomas

<p><strong>> Known as:</strong> Acclaimed Welsh poet and writer ("Under Milk Wood")<br/>
<strong>> Died on:</strong> Nov. 9, 1953<br/>
<strong>> Age at death:</strong> 39<br/>
<strong>> Cause of death:</strong> Severe lung infection and bronchopneumonia exacerbated by alcohol abuse</p>

> Known as: Acclaimed Welsh poet and writer ("Under Milk Wood")
> Died on: Nov. 9, 1953
> Age at death: 39
> Cause of death: Severe lung infection and bronchopneumonia exacerbated by alcohol abuse

(Hulton Archive / Archive Photos via Getty Images)

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Joseph McCarthy

<p><strong>> Known as:</strong> U.S. Senator from Wisconsin; anti-communist demagogue<br/>
<strong>> Died on:</strong> May 2, 1957<br/>
<strong>> Age at death:</strong> 48<br/>
<strong>> Cause of death:</strong> Alcohol-induced hepatitis<br/></p><p><strong><a style="color: #008000" href="https://247wallst.com/special-report/2022/08/14/the-greatest-jazz-musicians-of-the-20th-century/?utm_source=tribune&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tribune&utm_content=the-greatest-jazz-musicians-of-the-20th-century&wsrlui=811951717">ALSO READ: The Greatest Jazz Musicians of the 20th Century</a></strong></p>

> Known as: U.S. Senator from Wisconsin; anti-communist demagogue
> Died on: May 2, 1957
> Age at death: 48
> Cause of death: Alcohol-induced hepatitis

ALSO READ: The Greatest Jazz Musicians of the 20th Century

(Getty Images / Hulton Archive via Getty Images&nbsp)

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Lester Young

<p><strong>> Known as:</strong> Highly regarded and influential jazz tenor saxophonist<br/>
<strong>> Died on:</strong> March 15, 1959<br/>
<strong>> Age at death:</strong> 49<br/>
<strong>> Cause of death:</strong> Alcohol-induced internal bleeding</p>

> Known as: Highly regarded and influential jazz tenor saxophonist
> Died on: March 15, 1959
> Age at death: 49
> Cause of death: Alcohol-induced internal bleeding

(library_of_congress / Flickr)

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Brendan Behan

<p><strong>> Known as:</strong> Author, poet, playwright, and political activist; considered one of the great Irish writers of all time<br/>
<strong>> Died on:</strong> March 20, 1964<br/>
<strong>> Age at death:</strong> 41<br/>
<strong>> Cause of death:</strong> Alcohol-induced complications of diabetes</p>

> Known as: Author, poet, playwright, and political activist; considered one of the great Irish writers of all time
> Died on: March 20, 1964
> Age at death: 41
> Cause of death: Alcohol-induced complications of diabetes

(Hulton Archive / Hulton Archive via Getty Images)

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Jack Kerouac

<p><strong>> Known as:</strong> Quintessential Beat Generation novelist and poet ("On the Road")<br/>
<strong>> Died on:</strong> Oct. 21, 1969<br/>
<strong>> Age at death:</strong> 47<br/>
<strong>> Cause of death:</strong> Cirrhosis-induced esophageal hemorrhage linked to lifelong alcohol abuse<br/></p><p><strong><a style="color: #008000" href="https://247wallst.com/special-report/2022/02/06/americas-drunkest-cities-2/?utm_source=tribune&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tribune&utm_content=americas-drunkest-cities-2&wsrlui=811951719">ALSO READ: America's Drunkest Cities</a></strong></p>

> Known as: Quintessential Beat Generation novelist and poet ("On the Road")
> Died on: Oct. 21, 1969
> Age at death: 47
> Cause of death: Cirrhosis-induced esophageal hemorrhage linked to lifelong alcohol abuse

ALSO READ: America's Drunkest Cities

(National Archives / Wikimedia Commons&nbsp)

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Clyde McPhatter

<p><strong>> Known as:</strong> Influential R&B and rock'n'roll singer; founder of The Drifters<br/>
<strong>> Died on:</strong> June 13, 1972<br/>
<strong>> Age at death:</strong> 39<br/>
<strong>> Cause of death:</strong> Liver, heart, and kidney disease linked to alcohol abuse</p>

> Known as: Influential R&B and rock'n'roll singer; founder of The Drifters
> Died on: June 13, 1972
> Age at death: 39
> Cause of death: Liver, heart, and kidney disease linked to alcohol abuse

(Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images)

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John Bonham

<p><strong>> Known as:</strong> Influential Led Zeppelin co-founder and drummer<br/>
<strong>> Died on:</strong> Sept. 25, 1980<br/>
<strong>> Age at death:</strong> 32<br/>
<strong>> Cause of death:</strong> Alcohol-induced pulmonary aspiration</p>

> Known as: Influential Led Zeppelin co-founder and drummer
> Died on: Sept. 25, 1980
> Age at death: 32
> Cause of death: Alcohol-induced pulmonary aspiration

(Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images)

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William Holden

<p><strong>> Known as:</strong> Academy Award-winning Hollywood leading man; named one of classical Hollywood's 25 greatest male stars<br/>
<strong>> Died on:</strong> Nov. 12, 1981<br/>
<strong>> Age at death:</strong> 63<br/>
<strong>> Cause of death:</strong> Blood loss from laceration suffered from a fall while inebriated<br/></p><p><strong><a style="color: #008000" href="https://247wallst.com/special-report/2022/01/05/dangerous-conditions-a-simple-blood-test-can-help-detect-2/?utm_source=tribune&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tribune&utm_content=dangerous-conditions-a-simple-blood-test-can-help-detect-2&wsrlui=8119517111">ALSO READ: Dangerous Conditions a Simple Blood Test Can Help Detect</a></strong></p>

> Known as: Academy Award-winning Hollywood leading man; named one of classical Hollywood's 25 greatest male stars
> Died on: Nov. 12, 1981
> Age at death: 63
> Cause of death: Blood loss from laceration suffered from a fall while inebriated

ALSO READ: Dangerous Conditions a Simple Blood Test Can Help Detect

(Michael Ochs Archives / Moviepix via Getty Images&nbsp)

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Richard Burton

<p><strong>> Known as:</strong> Famed Shakespearean actor turned box-office star; two-time husband to Elizabeth Taylor<br/>
<strong>> Died on:</strong> Aug. 5, 1984<br/>
<strong>> Age at death:</strong> 58<br/>
<strong>> Cause of death:</strong> Alcohol-induced intracerebral hemorrhage</p>

> Known as: Famed Shakespearean actor turned box-office star; two-time husband to Elizabeth Taylor
> Died on: Aug. 5, 1984
> Age at death: 58
> Cause of death: Alcohol-induced intracerebral hemorrhage

(Norman Potter / Hulton Archive via Getty Images)

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Alexander Godunov

<p><strong>> Known as:</strong> Russian ballet star and actor<br/>
<strong>> Died on:</strong> May 18, 1995<br/>
<strong>> Age at death:</strong> 45<br/>
<strong>> Cause of death:</strong> Alcohol-induced hepatitis<br/></p><p><strong><a style="color: #008000" href="https://247wallst.com/special-report/2022/08/14/the-greatest-jazz-musicians-of-the-20th-century/?utm_source=tribune&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tribune&utm_content=the-greatest-jazz-musicians-of-the-20th-century&wsrlui=8119517112">ALSO READ: The Greatest Jazz Musicians of the 20th Century</a></strong></p>

> Known as: Russian ballet star and actor
> Died on: May 18, 1995
> Age at death: 45
> Cause of death: Alcohol-induced hepatitis

ALSO READ: The Greatest Jazz Musicians of the 20th Century

(Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images&nbsp)

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Townes Van Zandt

<p><strong>> Known as:</strong> Influential Texas singer-songwriter<br/>
<strong>> Died on:</strong> Jan. 1, 1997<br/>
<strong>> Age at death:</strong> 52<br/>
<strong>> Cause of death:</strong> Alcohol-induced cardiac arrhythmia</p>

> Known as: Influential Texas singer-songwriter
> Died on: Jan. 1, 1997
> Age at death: 52
> Cause of death: Alcohol-induced cardiac arrhythmia

(Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images)

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George Best

<p><strong>> Known as:</strong> British soccer star; considered one of the best players of all time<br/>
<strong>> Died on:</strong> Nov. 25, 2005<br/>
<strong>> Age at death:</strong> 59<br/>
<strong>> Cause of death:</strong> Alcohol-induced lung infection and multiple organ failure<br/></p><p><strong><a style="color: #008000" href="https://247wallst.com/special-report/2023/01/08/violent-celebrity-deaths/?utm_source=tribune&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tribune&utm_content=violent-celebrity-deaths&wsrlui=8119517113">ALSO READ: 37 Violent Celebrity Deaths</a></strong></p>

> Known as: British soccer star; considered one of the best players of all time
> Died on: Nov. 25, 2005
> Age at death: 59
> Cause of death: Alcohol-induced lung infection and multiple organ failure

ALSO READ: 37 Violent Celebrity Deaths

(Joe Bangay / Hulton Archive via Getty Images&nbsp)

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Amy Winehouse

<p><strong>> Known as:</strong> Record-breaking English soul and R&B singer<br/>
<strong>> Died on:</strong> July 23, 2011<br/>
<strong>> Age at death:</strong> 27<br/>
<strong>> Cause of death:</strong> Accidental alcohol overdose</p>

> Known as: Record-breaking English soul and R&B singer
> Died on: July 23, 2011
> Age at death: 27
> Cause of death: Accidental alcohol overdose

(Roger Kisby / Getty Images)

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David Cassidy

<p><strong>> Known as:</strong> Actor, singer, teen idol<br/>
<strong>> Died on:</strong> Nov. 21, 2017<br/>
<strong>> Age at death:</strong> 67<br/>
<strong>> Cause of death:</strong> Alcohol-induced liver and kidney failure<br/></p><p><strong><a style="color: #008000" href="https://247wallst.com/special-report/2022/02/06/americas-drunkest-cities-2/?utm_source=tribune&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tribune&utm_content=americas-drunkest-cities-2&wsrlui=8119517114">ALSO READ: America's Drunkest Cities</a></strong></p>

> Known as: Actor, singer, teen idol
> Died on: Nov. 21, 2017
> Age at death: 67
> Cause of death: Alcohol-induced liver and kidney failure

ALSO READ: America's Drunkest Cities

(Rick Diamond / Getty Images&nbsp)

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Verne Troyer

<p><strong>> Known as:</strong> Comedian and actor (Mini-Me in the Austin Powers films)<br/>
<strong>> Died on:</strong> April 21, 2018<br/>
<strong>> Age at death:</strong> 49<br/>
<strong>> Cause of death:</strong> Suicide by alcohol poisoning</p>

> Known as: Comedian and actor (Mini-Me in the Austin Powers films)
> Died on: April 21, 2018
> Age at death: 49
> Cause of death: Suicide by alcohol poisoning

(Kristian Dowling / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images)

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