The Most Devastating Final Words Actors Said To Their Co-Stars

The death of someone close is one of the most difficult things people can face in life. Anyone who has lost a friend or family member knows that those final moments together are often some of the most cherished. Often the last words of a loved one are haunting, touching, or even profound. 

Though celebrities are often treated like they are larger than life, the reality of our mortality is no easier on them. Many actors and actresses have tragically passed before their time. Their deaths not only have an impact on their families, friends, and fans but also on their co-stars. Below are some of the most heartbreaking final words from icons whose deaths deeply affected their closest co-workers.  

Most famous for performing ridiculous daredevil acts as a regular cast member of "Jackass," Ryan Dunn was described as the "go-to guy for outrageous stunts that even such stalwarts as Steve-O weren't willing to try" (per MTV). A longtime member of the troop, Dunn was undeniably closest with star Bam Margera, since the pair had worked alongside each other in the "Jackass" predecessor series "CKY." Unfortunately, in 2011, Dunn and his production assistant Zachary Hartwell died in an alcohol-involved vehicular accident in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Understandably torn up about the loss of his friend, Bam Margera spoke about the accident with E! News a short time later. "He was my best f–king friend in the world. It's been five days now and I can't stop crying," said the heartbroken Margera. Sadly, the former co-star then revealed the troubling final text message that he received from Dunn on the night of the fateful crash, it read, "stopping for a beer, be there when I can." Weighing on Margera even further is the fact that he had been in a similar accident with Dunn 15 years prior: "He flipped me in a car eight times at the same exact spot in 1996. Thank God I had my seat belt on."

"Saturday Night Live" alum Chris Farley was one of the funniest men to ever hit Hollywood. Best known for being a heavyset man who would put his body on the line for a good laugh, he split the audience's sides in movies like "Beverly Hills Ninja." Unfortunately, Farley passed away in December 1997 after nearly completing voice actor work as the main character in the animated movie "Shrek." His legacy had a significant impact on the comedian community, and he's often compared to another "SNL" star who passed in similar circumstances, John Belushi.

Gone too early, Farley's over-the-top energy was the perfect contrast to many of his co-stars like Adam Sandler and David Spade. Farley and Spade especially built a friendship that saw them collaborate on big-screen movies like "Tommy Boy" and "Black Sheep." Despite their success together, Farley began spreading his wings into new projects. However, Spade recently revealed in an interview with Esquire how close they were to making a new comedy. "I ran into him two months before [he died]," said Spade. "He was like, 'Everyone always talks about 'Tommy Boy' and 'Black Sheep.' It's not as much fun out there. Let's try to get one going again ...' I think about Farley every day."

Redd Foxx was a celebrated comedian best known for his 1970s sitcom "Sanford and Son." The prominent stand-up comedian's influence can still be seen in comedy today thanks to his long, illustrious career and many catchphrases. In 1991, the seasoned 68-year-old actor was intending on a television comeback and began work on a new sitcom "The Royal Family." However, he would die before the series would air in extremely unfortunate and ironic circumstances.

Foxx suffered a massive heart attack while rehearsing for the upcoming sitcom. His co-star and friend of over four decades, Della Reese, was caught off guard by the genuine health troubles, as it was the senior actor's regular bit. Reportedly, Foxx would often fake heart troubles while grabbing his chest and yelling, "This is the big one." Reese told news outlets, "Redd was always doing something funny. I thought he took a pratfall." "When he dropped to the floor, Della said 'get up, Redd'" noted another witness, "He said, 'I can't breathe.' Those were the last words he said."

Famed actress Natasha Richardson was the daughter of Emmy Award-winning actress Vanessa Redgrave and a member of the English family dynasty of performers the Redgrave family. Richardson made a name for herself in films such as "Gothic" and "The Handmaid's Tale," before meeting the love of her life Liam Neeson during a Broadway rendition of "Anna Christie" in 1993. Their relationship quickly flourished as they would go on to collaborate on further projects and welcome two children. Unfortunately, in 2009, the actress suffered a head injury during a skiing accident in Quebec, Canada. 

Years later, during an episode of "60 Minutes," Liam Neeson shared the harrowing final moments he spent with his wife. "Oh darling, I've taken a tumble in the snow," was the last thing Richardson told him before being rushed to the hospital with a significant blood clot. When Neeson arrived to be beside his wife, he realized the true extent of her injuries. Unfortunately, at this point, Richardson was no longer conscious and Neeson was forced to make a difficult decision. "She and I had made a pact. If any of us got into a vegetative state that we'd pull the plug," said Neeson. Meanwhile, his final words to his wife and former co-star were a heartbreaking truth, "Sweetie, you're not coming back from this. You've banged your head. It's — I don't know if you can hear me, but that's — this is what's gone down."

An icon for his contributions to animation and puppeteering, Jim Henson was the creative mastermind behind franchises such as "The Muppets" and "Sesame Street," as well as feature-length films like "Labyrinth." The voice and performer behind Kermit the Frog and a collection of other characters, Henson hand-built a production company that made people smile all over the world. Tragically, Henson died abruptly and unexpectedly from a common bacterial infection in May 1990. His death was devastating for the community that he is credited with creating. The Muppet-man did leave some final words for his friends and family in the form of two letters.

"I'm not at all afraid of the thought of death and in many ways look forward to it with much curiosity and interest," reads a letter Henson left for his closest friends and co-stars. "Please watch out for each other and love and forgive everybody. It's a good life, enjoy it." The note goes on to detail his wishes for his funeral, including asking his Muppet family to sing "happy and joyful" songs. Always the jokester, Henson's final words are the most fitting, "Have a wonderful time in life, everybody; it feels strange writing this kind of thing while I'm still alive, but it wouldn't be easy to do after I go."

Award-winning actor John Ritter was a star of movies and television. In the lead role of "Three's Company," Ritter played the role of Jack Tripper for over 170 episodes. Alongside a slew of other television appearances, the actor was still at the top of his game in the early 2000s as the patriarchal figure in "8 Simple Rules... For Dating My Teenage Daughter." Tragically, Ritter died abruptly in 2003 while filming the sitcom, much to the shock of co-star Kaley Cuoco, who would later go on to perform as Penny on "The Big Bang Theory."

Remembering her on-screen father, Cuoco spoke about her time filming "8 Simple Rules" with Ritter on the 15th anniversary of his passing. "To this day, if anyone asks me about John Ritter, I get this chill because I love him so much," the actress emotionally revealed to ET. In her final moments with the sitcom veteran, Cuoco attempted to check on his illness when he did something completely fatherly. "He sat down on the couch, and he goes, 'I love you,'" Cuoco said. "And I was like, 'I love you, too, silly man.' He goes, 'No, I want you to know, I love you.' And I said, 'I love you too.' And he goes 'That's it!' And he gave me a hug... and that was the last I saw of him."