Ten Actors Who Died in Their 20s

Actors who died in their 20s, just like Heath Ledger.

James Dean, 24, died Sept., 30, 1955, after an automobile crash on the highway near Paso Robles, Calif.

Sharon Tate, 26, was murdered Aug. 9, 1969, by followers of Charles Manson in Los Angeles.

Freddie Prinze, 22, died Jan. 29, 1977, after shooting himself in Los Angeles.

Jon-Erik Hexum, 26, died Oct. 18, 1984, after accidentally shooting himself with a prop gun in Los Angeles.

Rebecca Schaeffer, 21, was murdered July 18, 1989, by stalker Robert John Bardo in Los Angeles.

Brandon Lee, 28, died March 31, 1993, after accidentally being shot on the set of "The Crow" in Wilmington, N.C.

River Phoenix, 23, died Oct. 31, 1993, from a drug overdose outside of a night club in Los Angeles.

David Strickland, 29, died March 22, 1999, after hanging himself in a hotel room in Las Vegas.

Jonathan Brandis, 27, died Nov. 12, 2003, from injuries he suffered after hanging himself in Los Angeles.

Brad Renfro, 25, died Jan. 15, 2008, the day after reportedly spending the previous evening drinking with friends.

• via Associated Press