Celebs Involved in Murder
Feb. 6 2015, Updated 4:42 p.m. ET
These stars have either been involved in murder trials or been the victim of murder.
1. George Reeves: Best known as “Superman” on 1940’s-1950’s television George Reeves was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head in his Los Angeles home. There is still controversy surrounding his death as some believe it was suicide while others believe it was murder. In 2006 Reeves’ story was dramatized in the film Hollywoodland with Ben Affleck playing George Reeves.
George Reeves: Best known as "Superman" on 1940's-1950's television George Reeves was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head in his Los Angeles home. There is still controversy surrounding his death as some believe it was suicide while others believe it was murder. In 2006 Reeves' story was dramatized in the film Hollywoodland with Ben Affleck playing George Reeves.
2. Fatty Arbuckle: Multi-talented silent and early sound film pioneer Roscoe “Fatty Arbuckle” was one of the highest paid actors earning $1 million a year in 1918. In 1921 it all came to a crashing halt. Arbuckle, threw a party over Labor Day weekend where aspiring actress Virginia Rappe was in attendance. After attending the party Rappe was found dead. Arbuckle was accused of sexual assault and manslaughter. As a huge star, literally and figuratively, Arbuckle’s three trials were big news. Arbuckle was found not guilty but his career never recovered from the scandal.
Fatty Arbuckle: Multi-talented silent and early sound film pioneer Roscoe "Fatty Arbuckle" was one of the highest paid actors earning $1 million a year in 1918. In 1921 it all came to a crashing halt. Arbuckle, threw a party over Labor Day weekend where aspiring actress Virginia Rappe was in attendance. After attending the party Rappe was found dead. Arbuckle was accused of sexual assault and manslaughter. As a huge star, literally and figuratively, Arbuckle's three trials were big news. Arbuckle was found not guilty but his career never recovered from the scandal.
3. Bob Crane: Best known as Colonel Hogan from “Hogan’s Heroes,” Crane was found bludgeoned to death in his Scottsdale, Arizona home in 1978. Crane’s unsolved murder went cold and the case was officially reopened in 1990. Crane’s acquaintance John Henry Carpenter was tried for Crane’s murder but was acquitted because of a lack of evidence. Carpenter, maintaining his innocence, died in 1998. Bob Crane’s murder remains unsolved. In 2002 Crane’s story was dramatized in “Auto Focus” with Greg Kinnear playing Bob Crane.
Bob Crane: Best known as Colonel Hogan from "Hogan's Heroes," Crane was found bludgeoned to death in his Scottsdale, Arizona home in 1978. Crane's unsolved murder went cold and the case was officially reopened in 1990. Crane's acquaintance John Henry Carpenter was tried for Crane's murder but was acquitted because of a lack of evidence. Carpenter, maintaining his innocence, died in 1998. Bob Crane's murder remains unsolved. In 2002 Crane's story was dramatized in "Auto Focus" with Greg Kinnear playing Bob Crane.
4. Sam Cooke: Known as the King of Soul, Sam Cooke was famous for singing “You Send Me” and “A Change Is Gonna Come”. Cooke was shot at the Hacienda Motel in LA by its manager. The shooting was ruled a justifiable homicide however controversy still surrounds the events that lead up to the shooting.
Sam Cooke: Known as the King of Soul, Sam Cooke was famous for singing "You Send Me" and "A Change Is Gonna Come". Cooke was shot at the Hacienda Motel in LA by its manager. The shooting was ruled a justifiable homicide however controversy still surrounds the events that lead up to the shooting.
5. Carl Switzer: Famous as Alfalfa from the ‘Our Gang’ series Carl Switzer was killed at age 31 in a drunken argument regarding a minor debt for a lost hunting dog.
Carl Switzer: Famous as Alfalfa from the 'Our Gang' series Carl Switzer was killed at age 31 in a drunken argument regarding a minor debt for a lost hunting dog.
6. Brian Jones: One of the founding members of the Rolling Stones, Jones was a talented musician. Drugs and other troubles drove a wedge between him and the other members of the Rolling Stones. In 1969 Jones was found at the bottom of his swimming pool. In the following years more questions than answers have followed his tragic end.
Brian Jones: One of the founding members of the Rolling Stones, Jones was a talented musician. Drugs and other troubles drove a wedge between him and the other members of the Rolling Stones. In 1969 Jones was found at the bottom of his swimming pool. In the following years more questions than answers have followed his tragic end.
7. Christian Brando: Being the child of Hollywood royalty isn’t always a cakewalk. Christian Brando plead guilty to manslaughter in the death of Dag Drollet his sister Cheyenne’s boyfriend. Reportedly Christian was drunk at the time of the incident. Christian spent five years in jail. In 1995 Cheyenne committed suicide. Christian died of pneumonia in 2008.
Christian Brando: Being the child of Hollywood royalty isn't always a cakewalk. Christian Brando plead guilty to manslaughter in the death of Dag Drollet his sister Cheyenne's boyfriend. Reportedly Christian was drunk at the time of the incident. Christian spent five years in jail. In 1995 Cheyenne committed suicide. Christian died of pneumonia in 2008.
8. Robert Blake: Blake began his career as a child actor however he gained adult acclaim in “In Cold Blood” and as “Baretta” on television. Things changed when in 2001 Blake’s then wife, Bonnie Lee Bakley was shot in front of a restaurant in Studio City, California. Blake was arrested for being involved in the murder in 2002.
Robert Blake: Blake began his career as a child actor however he gained adult acclaim in "In Cold Blood" and as "Baretta" on television. Things changed when in 2001 Blake's then wife, Bonnie Lee Bakley was shot in front of a restaurant in Studio City, California. Blake was arrested for being involved in the murder in 2002.
9. O. J. Simpson: All we’re going to say is “If the glove does not fit, you must acquit”
O. J. Simpson: All we're going to say is "If the glove does not fit, you must acquit"
10. Phil Spector: Creator of the “Wall of Sound” producer Phil Spector was tried for the murder of Lana Clarkson and found guilty in 2009. Spector has been sentenced to 19 years to life and will be eligible for parole in 2028 at the age of 88.
Phil Spector: Creator of the "Wall of Sound" producer Phil Spector was tried for the murder of Lana Clarkson and found guilty in 2009. Spector has been sentenced to 19 years to life and will be eligible for parole in 2028 at the age of 88.
11. Sal Mineo: Best known for his role in “Rebel Without a Cause” Mineo was cut down at the age of 37 when he was stabbed to death behind his home in West Hollywood. Lionel Ray Williams was sentenced to 57 years for Mineo’s death.
Sal Mineo: Best known for his role in "Rebel Without a Cause" Mineo was cut down at the age of 37 when he was stabbed to death behind his home in West Hollywood. Lionel Ray Williams was sentenced to 57 years for Mineo's death.
12. Marvin Gaye: One of the greatest singers of all time, Marvin Gaye was one of the original voices that defined the Motown Sound. In Gaye’s personal life there was considerable strife between him and his father. Ultimately it ended in tragedy with Marvin Gaye, Sr. shooting his son to death in 1984 during an argument.
Marvin Gaye: One of the greatest singers of all time, Marvin Gaye was one of the original voices that defined the Motown Sound. In Gaye's personal life there was considerable strife between him and his father. Ultimately it ended in tragedy with Marvin Gaye, Sr. shooting his son to death in 1984 during an argument.
13. Sid Vicious: Bassist for the Sex Pistols, Sid Vicious was involved in a volatile relationship with Nancy Spungen. In 1978 Sid Vicious found Nancy dead on the bathroom floor after a night of using drugs. Vicious was implicated in her death and was arrested in 1978. He served 55 days before being released on bail in early 1979. While out on bail Sid Vicious overdosed on heroin and died. Sid and Nancy’s story was dramatized in 1986 with Gary Oldman playing Sid Vicious.
Sid Vicious: Bassist for the Sex Pistols, Sid Vicious was involved in a volatile relationship with Nancy Spungen. In 1978 Sid Vicious found Nancy dead on the bathroom floor after a night of using drugs. Vicious was implicated in her death and was arrested in 1978. He served 55 days before being released on bail in early 1979. While out on bail Sid Vicious overdosed on heroin and died. Sid and Nancy's story was dramatized in 1986 with Gary Oldman playing Sid Vicious.
14. Mark Wahlberg: Before finding fame as a rapper, model and actor Mark Wahlberg was a delinquent youth. At 16 Wahlberg was involved in a robbery. He was charged with attempted murder, was tried as an adult but plead guilty to a lesser charge of assault. ended up serving 45 days in an adult prison. Wahlberg credits his jail time as being instrumental in turning his life around.
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Mark Wahlberg: Before finding fame as a rapper, model and actor Mark Wahlberg was a delinquent youth. At 16 Wahlberg was involved in a robbery. He was charged with attempted murder, was tried as an adult but plead guilty to a lesser charge of assault. ended up serving 45 days in an adult prison. Wahlberg credits his jail time as being instrumental in turning his life around.
15. C-Murder: Master P’s brother C-Murder (Corey Miller) has unfortunately lived up to his name. C-Murder was convicted of second degree murder in the 2002 beating and murder of 16-year-old Steve Thomas. C-Murder is currently serving a sentence of life.
C-Murder: Master P's brother C-Murder (Corey Miller) has unfortunately lived up to his name. C-Murder was convicted of second degree murder in the 2002 beating and murder of 16-year-old Steve Thomas. C-Murder is currently serving a sentence of life.
16. Snoop Dogg: The Snoop D-O-Double G may rap about the gangsta life but that life almost cost him the successful one that he leads now. In 1993 Snoop was arrested regarding the death of gang member Philip Woldemariam. Snoop’s bodyguard McKinley Lee was identified as the shooter while Snoop was implicated as the getaway driver. Johnnie Cochran represented Lee and Snoop and both were acquitted.
Snoop Dogg: The Snoop D-O-Double G may rap about the gangsta life but that life almost cost him the successful one that he leads now. In 1993 Snoop was arrested regarding the death of gang member Philip Woldemariam. Snoop's bodyguard McKinley Lee was identified as the shooter while Snoop was implicated as the getaway driver. Johnnie Cochran represented Lee and Snoop and both were acquitted.
17. Larry Flynt: Pornographer and outspoken First Amendment advocate Larry Flynt and his lawyer Gene Reeves, Jr were shot outside of a courthouse in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Flynt was left in a wheelchair and the would-be assassin, white supremacist Joseph Paul Franklin was never brought to trial for the attempted murders of Flynt or Reeves. Flynt’s story was dramatized in 1996 in “The People vs. Larry Flynt” with Woody Harrelson playing Flynt.
Larry Flynt: Pornographer and outspoken First Amendment advocate Larry Flynt and his lawyer Gene Reeves, Jr were shot outside of a courthouse in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Flynt was left in a wheelchair and the would-be assassin, white supremacist Joseph Paul Franklin was never brought to trial for the attempted murders of Flynt or Reeves. Flynt's story was dramatized in 1996 in "The People vs. Larry Flynt" with Woody Harrelson playing Flynt.
