Top 22 Celebrity Victims Of Medical Malpractice

The lives and careers of beloved entertainment and sports figures have been cut short as a result of medical negligence. Here are the top 22 tragic examples (each documented by a lawsuit and/or a medical board sanction).

1. Julie Andrews

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A negligent throat procedure caused her permanent damage, ending the Oscar-winning actress’ singing career.

2. Marty Balin

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Jefferson Airplane’s co-founder and lead singer entered a hospital for heart problems and left with half a tongue, a paralyzed vocal cord and an amputated thumb, ending his career.

3. Dana Carvey

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The comedian’s negligent heart surgeon operated on the wrong artery, causing serious illness and long-term recovery.

4. Glenn Frey

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The Eagles guitarist and co-founder died after numerous hospital mistakes surrounding his ulcerative colitis and other medical conditions.

5. Maurice Gibb

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The Bee Gees’ star died after a Florida hospital failed to notice that his bowel and intestine were twisted.

6. Pete Hamilton

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The Former NASCAR champion’s doctor left surgical equipment in his broken shoulder and committed other horrendous surgical errors, causing agonizing pain and multiple complications.

7. Hulk Hogan

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A Florida clinic aggravated and worsened the wrestling legend's spinal conditions, sidelining his career for nearly two years.

8. Michael Jackson

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The music icon died from a lethal dose of anesthesia administered by his doctor.

9. Ed McMahon

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A California hospital failed to diagnose the “Tonight Show” personality’s broken neck, necessitating two spine operations that caused excruciating pain.

10. Marilyn Monroe

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The Hollywood icon died from an overdose of deadly medications prescribed by her doctors.

11. Bill Paxton

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The actor died after high-risk, unconventional heart surgery caused multiple, untreated complications.

12. Elvis Presley

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The "king of rock and roll" died from a lethal mixture of drugs overprescribed by his doctor.

13. Prince

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The music superstar died from a fentanyl overdose after health providers failed to properly diagnose and treat a prior opiate overdose.

14. Freddie Prinze

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The comedian and “Chico and the Man” TV star committed suicide after doctors overprescribed quaaludes and returned a gun to him, which he used to shoot himself.

15. Dennis Quaid (children)

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The actor’s newborn twins received multiple lethal overdoses of medication in a hospital, causing them to bleed profusely while screaming in pain.

16. John Ritter

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After collapsing at work, the Emmy award-winning actor was misdiagnosed and improperly treated at a hospital, where he died.

17. Geraldo Rivera

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The TV personality’s foot was mangled following back surgery.

18. Joan Rivers

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The legendary comedian died at a New York endoscopy center after being subjected to numerous unauthorized and unsafe procedures.

19. Matt Roberts

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The 3 Doors Down guitarist died after overdosing on drugs overprescribed by his doctor.

20. Dick Schaap

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The legendary award-winning sports writer and broadcaster died after routine hip replacement surgery, when tests indicated the procedure would be too dangerous.

21. Anna Nicole Smith

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The model and TV personality overdosed on drugs illegally prescribed by her doctor.

22. Andy Warhol

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The prolific artist, director and producer died after gallbladder surgery when hospital personnel essentially drowned him with fluid.