Before we had the internet, famous last words were immortalized in journals, books, or through word of mouth. However, in the digital age, every single moment of our lives is online. While these might not be their official last words, celebrities have left behind their final public statements on Twitter.
Famous figures like Maya Angelou and Leonard Nimoy wrote final tweets that perfectly encapsulated their legacies, while celebrities like Billy Mays’ left chilling last statements that foreshadowed his death. Whether they were promoting an upcoming project or sending love to fans, these are the chilling last words posted by our favorite celebrities.
George Michael
He was an ‘80s music superstar and one half of Wham! but George Michael’s true talent shined during his solo career. With songs like “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” and “Club Tropicana,” he has gone down in music history for his iconic contributions. Sadly, he passed away in 2016 due to natural causes.
Just ten months before he was found dead in bed, Michael shared a romantic Valentine’s Day playlist on Twitter. He wrote, “Hi lovelies! Enjoy this playlist on Valentine’s Day,” ending it with a broken heart emoji. His early death was the result of problems with his heart and liver.
Leonard Nimoy
Best known for playing Spock in the Star Trek franchise for almost 50 years, Leonard Nimoy was also a director, singer, and author. He cemented his legendary star status with two seasons of Star Trek and eight franchise films before he passed away in 2015 from COPD, an inflammatory lung disease.
Although he stopped smoking in 1985, the years of smoke damaged his lungs and eventually weakened his immune system and breathing ability. Five days before he died, Nimoy tweeted, “Life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP.” It summed up his life in the perfect way.
Amy Winehouse
For a brief moment, Amy Winehouse was a musical sensation with the potential to make history with her indescribable talents. She was the talk of every publication in the world, but the British singer hid her troubled life from the world. With hits like “Rehab” and “Back to Black,” she cried for help.
Winehouse suffered from drug and alcohol abuse, which became more evident closer to her death. Her final tweet, “oinka okina oinka why you awake,” seemed nonsensical, but it gave insight into her troubled mind. Two days later, Winehouse died from alcohol poisoning in 2011.
Robin Williams
Beloved comedian and actor Robin Williams was truly one of a kind. Williams touched audiences of all ages with hit films like Mrs. Doubtfire, Dead Poets Society, Aladdin, and Jumanji. When he died at 63, it was a shock to the world. He left behind his wife and three children.
While the actor appeared happy in public, Williams struggled with his mental health, suffering from early onset dementia. On August 11, 2014, he died by suicide at home. His final post, 11 days before his death was to wish his daughter, Zelda, a happy 25th birthday. The world mourned his tragic loss.
Muhammad Ali
As one of the greatest boxers in history, Muhammad Ali, formerly known as Cassius Clay, was a champion in the ring and developed a reputation for being a quick-witted speaker. When Ali passed away in 2016, he left behind an incredible legacy.
The former boxer was diagnosed with Parkinson’s syndrome in 1984, having already shown symptoms years before. Three days before he died, Ali’s account posted a photo of him in his prime, signing autographs for children. It was captioned, “Ringside seats to see the champ.”
Paul Walker
The death of Paul Walker shook everyone, including his co-stars, to the core. The veteran actor who had been with the Fast and the Furious franchise alongside Vin Diesel since 2001 was a car fanatic with a need for speed like his character.
He was in the middle of shooting the seventh Fast and Furious film and hyped up the movie with a tweet to his fans. The next day, Walker was killed when he and his friend were racing and he crashed into a pole. They finished the film with a tribute to the late actor.
Carrie Fisher
Known for playing Princess Leia in five Star Wars films, Carrie Fisher was a legend. The actress and dog mom to Gary the French Bulldog wrote many tweets in emojis, so it was hard to decipher. In 2016, she passed away from a heart attack.
In her final tweet, Fisher poked fun at not being cast in the new Star Wars film because of her age. She wrote, “‘People have aged so much, U can’t even get them to do motion capture’- as though these folks are disobedient. Auditions are held. Gary didn’t get cast.”
Joan Rivers
In true Joan Rivers fashion, the Fashion Police host went out with one last shady tweet about Jay-Z’s apparent infidelity. The day after she sent out her zinger, Rivers suffered severe brain damage during what was supposed to be a minor throat operation.
She was well known for her plastic surgeries and scathing one-liners. Rivers was just 81 when she passed away in 2014 after almost six decades in the entertainment business. At least she will be remembered for always being her cheeky and sarcastic self.
Whitney Houston
The incredibly talented singer Whitney Houston lived by the motto, “Live fast, die young.” At just 48, she left behind an unmatchable legacy when she died in 2012. With iconic songs like “I Will Always Love You” and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” her voice was incredible.
Sadly, Houston struggled with addiction in her final years and passed away from the effects of heart disease and cocaine use. A year before she died, her final tweet was a reply to a fan who doubted that she was the real Whitney Houston.
Mac Miller
The young rapper Mac Miller was best known for his breakthrough music and acclaimed 2018 album, Swimming. Miller was known in mainstream media for his tragic relationship with Ariana Grande, whom he dated from 2016 to 2018. He was only 26 when he passed away.
Miller’s sudden death in 2018 shook his fans. He hadn’t reached his full star potential, but he had many devoted followers. Not even 12 hours before he overdosed on alcohol, cocaine, and fentanyl, Miller tweeted, “I just wanna go on tour.” He is greatly missed.
Avicii
Born Tim Bergling, Avicii was an EDM pioneer. His top singles “I Could Be the One,” “Levels,” and “Wake Me Up” made him one of the most sought-after musicians in the world. At his peak, he earned six figures for every performance. However, he decided to take a break.
Avicii was out of the spotlight, but he was still winning awards during his downtime. Three days before his death in 2018, Avicii thanked fans for an award nomination. Due to the pressures of fame and alcoholism, he was found dead from an apparent suicide.
Chester Bennington
Lead singer of Linkin Park, Chester Bennington, led the group to become one of the best-selling bands of the 21st century. From 1999 to 2017, Bennington’s signature vocals were featured on Linkin Park’s tracks, including “Numb” and “In the End.”
Apart from retweets, Bennington’s last message to his fans expressed gratitude for their adoration. He posted a photo of himself facing a massive crowd of people singing along to Linkin Park’s songs. On July 20, 2017, Bennington was found dead at home from an apparent suicide.
Gene Wilder
Some people know him best for playing Willy Wonka or starring in The Producers, Blazing Saddles, or Young Frankenstein. Gene Wilder was one of the greatest on-screen comedians. He was a regular on-screen partner of Richard Pryor who brought laughter to everyone.
In 2016, Wilder passed away from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. He had only had a Twitter for three years and posted four tweets. Wilder went inactive to keep his condition private, but one of his last tweets was, “I had a fruit salad as a mid-morning snack.” He was so wholesome.
Maya Angelou
American writer, poet, singer, and civil rights activist who worked alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, Maya Angelou was an icon. She was best known for her series of seven autobiographies, with the most prominent being the first, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.
Five days before she passed in 2014, the 86-year-old had one last message for her followers. Angelou tweeted, “Listen to yourself, and in that quietude, you might hear the voice of God.” Her son said she passed away peacefully on May 28, 2014.
Cory Monteith
Canadian actor and musician Cory Monteith was just gaining fame when he suddenly died. He starred on the hit series Glee as Finn Hudson and hid his struggles with drug addiction from the public. Monteith had been dealing with addiction since he was 12.
The night before he died, Monteith spent the evening watching Sharknado and tweeted about it. He was then found dead from an overdose of heroin and alcohol in a Vancouver hotel room. The actor was only 31 when he passed away. Glee dedicated an episode to him.
Kobe Bryant
As one of the greatest basketball players, Kobe Bryant’s unexpected death was just one of many horrible events to occur in 2020. Bryant, his daughter, and others perished in a helicopter accident on their way to a basketball game in January 2020.
It was hard to believe the headlines were true because he had been pictured at a Lakers game the day before. Bryant sent his last tweet to congratulate Lebron James on his success the night before his fatal flight. James continues to honor his longtime friend.
Patty Duke
Academy Award-winning actress Patty Duke first got her big break when she was 16 in The Miracle Worker. She played a role she had originated on Broadway. Duke acted for decades on the stage and screen until her retirement in 2015. She then suddenly passed away a year later.
Two weeks before she died of sepsis from a ruptured intestine, Duke tweeted to celebrate her 30th wedding anniversary with her husband, Michael Pearce.
Prince
The legendary Minnesota-born recording artist Prince was a music legend who changed the industry. He was a trailblazer who wasn’t afraid to do things outside of social norms. At 57, the singer died of an accidental fentanyl overdose at his Paisley Park compound.
Prince was dedicated to his music until the day he died in 2016. His last tweet was a link to where fans could buy his latest album, Hitnrun Phase Two, on April 18. He died two days later. Prince was in the midst of a tour at the time.
Betty White
As one of the most beloved women in Hollywood, Betty White’s death shook everyone in Hollywood. The actress was just weeks short of her 100th birthday when she passed away from natural causes on December 31, 2021. White had an upcoming People magazine cover in honor of her birthday.
She was very excited about her milestone birthday. In her final tweet three days before she died, White told everyone to pick up an issue of People magazine. She couldn’t believe she was turning 100. No one will ever replace her.
Larry King
Legendary TV host and journalist Larry King spent decades interviewing the most notable people in the world. From politicians and business people to celebrities and world leaders, King was never afraid to ask the tough questions. Shortly before he died in 2021, he lost two of his children.
On Thanksgiving, 2020, King shared a photo of himself with two of his sons. He shared how grateful he was to be with his family. King started experiencing COVID symptoms at the end of 2020 and died in January 2021 because of the virus.
Michael Clarke Duncan
The massive actor with an even bigger personality was best known for his roles in movies like The Green Mile, Daredevil, Armageddon, and Talladega Nights. Michael Clarke Duncan was a happy man who shared his moments of joy with his followers.
Two months before he died, Duncan tweeted, “Silva Wins!” While we don’t know what he was referring to, he was just happy. The actor suffered a heart attack shortly after the tweet in July and passed away two months later in September from complications.
Reeva Steenkamp
South African model and the face of Avon in South Africa, Reeva Steenkamp, appeared in ads for Toyota and Clover. The stunning model had been dating Paralympian Oscar Pistorius for four months when she was tragically killed in 2013. Pistorius shot her four times.
She was staying at his home for Valentine’s Day when he shot her through the door of his bathroom. The day before her death, Steenkamp eerily tweeted, “What do you have up your sleeve for your love tomorrow?” He claimed that he thought she was an intruder.
Peaches Geldof
You might not know her well, but Peaches Geldof is the daughter of ‘80s celebrity couple Bob Geldof and Paula Yates. She was a model and TV personality who was taken too soon. Geldof was found dead in her home on April 7, 2014, due to an apparent overdose.
Geldof had struggled for years with addiction. In her last tweet, she posted a link to an Instagram post of her and her mom when she was a child. She posted it hours before she died. Sadly, her mom also died of a heroin overdose 14 years prior.
Garry Shandling
Garry Shandling gave the world incredible stand-up sets and TV shows that inspired generations of comedians. As an actor, producer, and writer, Shandling was behind It’s Garry Shandling’s Show and The Larry Sanders Show. He masterminded some groundbreaking shows and always had one-liners up his sleeve.
On March 24, 2016, Shandling died at 66 due to a pulmonary embolism. The comedian shared one last tweet a week before his death. He cracked a joke about Kanye West’s intentions to run for president, saying he should make a deal with Mitt Romney.
Mitch Lucker
Unless you are into deathcore music, you might not have heard of the Suicide Silence lead singer, Mitch Lucker. His music attracted a special group of fans, but he never got into mainstream media. Unfortunately, the young singer crashed his bike on the night of Halloween 2012.
Lucker was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries early the next morning. Just a few hours before the fatal crash, Lucker tweeted an Instagram link with the caption, “The dead are living.” The picture showed him in a skeleton Halloween costume.
Stevie Ryan
After rising to fame as a YouTube personality, Stevie Ryan was offered her own show on VH1 called Stevie TV. The comedian’s show was canceled after a single season, and Ryan suffered from depression following the loss. She also lost her grandfather around the same time.
On June 30, 2017, Ryan shared a photo of her late grandfather with loving words about him. Everything piled on, and Ryan had recently stopped taking her antidepressants. The day after she posted the photo, Ryan was found dead from suicide.
Roy Halladay
Baseball fans everywhere will remember Roy Halladay for his time on the Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies. He had a terrific career that earned him a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame after his death. He had already retired when he crashed his plane into the Gulf of Mexico.
Two days before the crash, Halladay posted a picture of himself with the youth baseball team he coached. He had a passion for working with children and flying. Unfortunately, the latter ended his life. Many mourned his death, including the children he worked with.
Misty Upham
Native American actress Misty Upham got her big break in the 2008 crime drama Frozen River, earning an Independent Spirit Award nomination. Frozen River helped her make her way into high-profile films such as Django Unchained and August: Osage County, and Cake.
While visiting her sister on the Muckleshoot reservation in Washington in October 2014, Upham tweeted a photo of a bird that had been tied up by its leg. Four days later, Upham disappeared. Her body was found on October 16 at the bottom of a cliff. No one knows how she died.
Dolores O’Riordan
The Irish singer-songwriter was known as the vocalist for The Cranberries from 1990 to 2003. Dolores O’Riordan continued on with her incredible career, reforming the Linger and Zombie outfit in 2009. She performed and toured until her unfortunate death in 2018.
A few days before she died, O’Riordan shared a funny photo of herself and her cat as they traveled to Ireland. In her final years, the singer struggled with alcoholism and died at age 46 after accidentally drowning in the bath while drunk. She had just arrived in Ireland.
Roger Ebert
You might not know his face, but you surely have heard his opinions. Robert Ebert was one of the most famous film critics whose opinion could make or break a film. Sadly, surgery for his cancer left him unable to speak in his later years, but that didn’t stop him from writing.
Before he passed, Ebert continued to battle cancer. He slowly reduced his workload due to illness but shared a tweet two days before he passed. He shared an update about his condition to let fans know he would be writing less.
Harris Wittels
As the inventor of the word “humblebrag,” Harris Wittels was an up-and-coming comedy writer and producer. He wrote for shows like The Sarah Silverman Program and Parks and Recreation. His final project was Master of None, which he wrote and produced with Aziz Ansari.
He became a head writer and producer on Parks and Rec in his mid-20s and had a promising career. He was hungry for more work when he sent his final tweet. A day later, Wittels was found dead from a heroin overdose in his home. Ansari dedicated Master of None to him.
Sean Edwards
British racing driver Sean Edwards had a need for speed since he was a child. He was well-known for being part of 2013’s winning 24 Hours Nürburgring team. Besides racing towards the checkered flag, Edwards also worked as a stunt driver on the 2012 film Rush.
On October 15, 2013, Edwards took a test drive around Australia’s Queensland Raceway track. He tweeted his excitement with his fans, saying, “hope there aren’t too many kangaroos like at Bathurst.” Unfortunately, he was killed moments later when his car crashed due to mechanical failures.
Mindy McCready
The country singer, whose albums included her two-time platinum debut “Ten Thousand Angels,” was loved by many. Sadly, Mindy McCready struggled privately with her mental health throughout the 2000s. She made many suicide attempts in her final years, and fans expressed their concerns for McCready.
She addressed her fans on Twitter, telling them she was still around but busy. However, things didn’t improve for McCready. She gave birth to her second child, Zayne, in April 2012, and his father committed suicide in January 2013. McCready then killed herself a month later.
August Ames
While it might be easy to hide behind a screen, people’s words on the internet can cause terrible damage. Canadian model-turned-adult film star August Ames was just 23 when she took her life due to cyberbullying. A few days before her death, she was bombarded with online hate.
Ames shared her decision to withdraw from a film because the man she was shooting with had previously filmed same-sex adult videos. She received a lot of negative backlash, with people labeling her horrible names. She tweeted, “F*** y’all” before committing suicide.
Will Smith
Not to be confused with the famous actor who is still very much alive, the other Will Smith played for the New Orleans Saints. He played nine seasons and went to the Super Bowl before a fatal accident took his life in 2016.
On April 9, 2016, Smith got into a drunk accident that led to an altercation. He was fatally shot in his car, and his wife was wounded. Hours before he died, he posted a selfie with his wife sharing their fun at the French Quarter Fest.
Joe McKnight
The NFL star known for playing with the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs, Joe McKnight, had to retire due to several injuries. McKnight shared that he was determined to return to good health to play football again in his final tweet.
McKnight wasn’t active on Twitter, so his last words were two years before his 2016 death. He passed away after a confrontation during a road rage incident in Louisiana. Before he died, he got back on the field in 2016 with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, a CFL team.
Chadwick Boseman
Beloved Black Panther star, Chadwick Boseman was a gamechanger in the acting world. His death shocked everyone because he kept his battle with colon cancer hidden for four years. He even filmed Marvel movies while undergoing treatment, and no one knew until he died in 2020.
A few weeks before his family publicly announced Boseman’s death, he tweeted about the 2020 presidential elections. He never gave any indication that he was not doing well and continued to film until a month before his death. Boseman was a hardworking man who never stopped fighting.
Regis Philbin
“17,000 hours on TV and counting, just try and stop me!” Twitter users were greeted by this when they searched for famed television host Regis Philbin. The former host of Live with Regis and Kelly and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire wasn’t active on social media before he died in 2020.
The 88-year-old passed away from natural causes, and there was an outpouring of love for Philbin online. In 2016, he posted his last tweet to wish Tony Bennett a happy 90th birthday. However, he stopped using the platform in 2017.
Naya Rivera
One of the most shocking deaths in 2020 was of the former Glee star, Naya Rivera. The 33-year-old drown while saving her son during their boat day. She was missing for five days until police located her body. Rivera was loved by many for her years on the Fox series.
A day before she disappeared, Rivera replied to fan tweets and posted a selfie on Twitter. She also shared a sweet snap on Instagram of her with her son. The news sent shockwaves through Hollywood, with many of her former co-stars aiding in the search for Rivera.
Tom Clancy
Famed American novelist Tom Clancy was best known for his detailed military-science storylines. He sold more than 100 million copies of his books during his lifetime and always left readers wanting more. Clancy was just 66 when he passed away from heart failure.
In May 2013, a few months before his death, Clancy left his Twitter followers with one last cliffhanger. He wrote, “Oh, by the way.” He knew how to keep everyone intrigued, but no one ever found out what he was talking about.
Ryan Knight
He started his reality TV journey on The Real World: New Orleans in 2010 and competed on several seasons of MTV’s The Challenge. Many fans loved Ryan Knight, but he dealt with many personal struggles, including addiction. He was only 29 when he accidentally overdosed.
Hours before he took a lethal cocktail of alcohol, Xanax, cocaine, and other drugs, Knight tweeted a cryptic message about someone he used to love. Knight’s death was a sad reminder of the pressures of fame and how addictions can push you to the edge.
Stephanie Moseley
The accomplished actress and dancer Stephanie Moseley had parts in movies like Twilight: Breaking Dawn, Mirror Mirror, and Catwoman. Her life was cut short in 2016 when her husband killed her in a murder-suicide on December 8. She was only 30.
Moseley tweeted two short messages for her followers two days before her death. She had been married for six years, and they reportedly were having problems when the fatal incident occurred. Moseley’s husband was on FaceTime with Floyd Mayweather during the shooting. Mayweather begged him not to do it.
John Pinette
Beloved comedian, actor, and Broadway performer John Pinette was a cheerful guy who had been performing in the comedy club circuit since the 1980s. He had been planning to get back on stage shortly before his death on April 5, 2014.
Pinette tweeted about his upcoming tour dates on April 4 but never got to see his adoring fans again. He suffered from a pulmonary embolism and passed away at age 50. Pinette was described as an “entertainer, comic, and friend to all.” His team thanked fans for their support through the years.
David Bowie
Legendary musician David Bowie was someone the world will never forget. He changed music forever and refused to conform to society’s expectations. He explored gender through various stage personas and created iconic hits like “Space Oddity” and “Ziggy Stardust.” He inspired musicians and artists alike.
While this is supposed to be about Bowie’s last tweet, the more interesting thing about his final days on Twitter is who the singer followed. Bowie passed away on January 10, 2016, from cancer, and a few days earlier, he followed a parody account claiming to be God.