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 and can provide not just closure but also memories that last years and years. Occasionally, the last words of a loved one are haunting, touching, or even profound. 

Though celebrities are frequently treated like they are larger than life, the reality of our mortality is no easier on them than on any of us. Many actors and actresses have tragically passed well before their time. Their deaths not only have an impact on their families, friends, and fans around the world but also on their co-stars. Below are some of the most heartbreaking final words from icons — including Natasha Richardson, Humphrey Bogart, Chadwick Boseman, and John Ritter — whose deaths deeply affected their closest co-workers.  

Most famous for performing ridiculous daredevil acts as a regular cast member on "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.

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 guy 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 died 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 away in similar circumstances, John Belushi.

Farley's over-the-top energy was the perfect contrast to co-stars like Adam Sandler and David Spade. Farley and Spade especially built a friendship that saw them collaborate on such big-screen movies as "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'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 plotted a television comeback and began work on a new sitcom called "The Royal Family." However, he died before the series could air under 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 winner Vanessa Redgrave and a member of England's Redgrave family dynasty. 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 production of "Anna Christie" in 1993. Their relationship quickly flourished and they would go on to collaborate on further projects and welcome two children. Unfortunately, in 2009, the actress suffered an ultimately fatal head injury during a skiing accident in Quebec, Canada. 

Years later, during an episode of "60 Minutes," 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 last words to his wife and former co-star were, "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 devastated the community that he is credited with creating. However, 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."

A pure film and music dynamo, Olivia Newton-John had a fruitful career in both industries. As a singer-songwriter, she scooped up four Grammy Awards, dished out a collection of Top 100 singles, and landed the top entry of Billboard's Greatest of All Time Songs of the 80s with "Physical." Meanwhile, in Hollywood, she most memorably starred as leading lady Sandy Olsson in the 1978 musical sensation "Grease" opposite a young John Travolta.

Sadly, the superstar passed away in August 2022, and the impact could be felt worldwide, with the Sydney Opera House from her home country of Australia lighting up in pink as a memorial. Still, her former "Grease" castmates felt the loss most significantly, as showcased by a touching tribute from Travolta. However, it was her Pink Lady cohort Edith "Didi" Conn, who played the iconic Frenchie, who had a heartfelt last conversation with Newton-John.

The pair had remained in contact throughout the years, speaking almost once a month, including in her final few weeks. "She was in the hospital at the time," Conn said in an interview with Page Six. Touchingly, despite her condition, Newton-John thoughtfully spent most of the chat concerned about Conn's own recent illness. "The next day, I got this beautiful orchid plant," Conn recalled. "Three days before she died one of the orchid flowers fell down and my heart stopped. I said, 'I hope that's not a sign.'"

One of the most difficult deaths in Hollywood in recent years was the passing of Robin Williams in August 2014. Entertaining audiences of all ages, Williams collected a trove of awards, including an Oscar, as he built an astounding filmography. From his groundbreaking work on the ABC sitcom "Mork & Mindy," iconic voice performances in animations like "Aladdin," to heartfelt dramatic roles like in "Good Will Hunting," Williams did it all while being widely beloved by fans. Sadly, audiences knew nothing of the depression Williams faced in his final days — alongside his diagnosis of the degenerative disease Lewy body dementia.

Despite Williams keeping his problems private, he kept dear friends close. Notably staying in touch was fellow comedy legend, Billy Crystal, who co-starred in many projects alongside Williams, including the feature film "Father's Day" and an impromptu cameo on "Friends." "He's my closest friend," remembered Crystal during an interview on "Today" (via E Online). "We'd talk three, four times a day sometimes." Heartbreakingly, Crystal was deeply concerned for his friend near the end. In a biography titled "Robin," Crystal recalls attempting to find help for Williams following his LBD diagnosis. "I didn't miss a beat. Because of my relationship with Muhammad Ali, I knew a lot of really good Parkinson's research doctors," said Crystal. "I never heard him afraid like that before. This was the boldest comedian I ever met — the boldest artist I ever met. But this was just a scared man."

Without question, Elvis Presley ranks as the biggest rock star of his time, and is often regarded as "the greatest cultural force of the 20^th century." The hip-shaking singer became an international sensation for his groundbreaking, best-selling music that crossed multiple genres. Launching to stardom in the mid-1950s, Presley dominated the charts until his shocking death in August 1977 – although, his influence is still felt today. During Presley's revolutionary career, audiences all over the world clamored to see the King of Rock and Roll perform. His prominence and natural charisma helped him make the transition into acting, and he quickly emerged as one of Hollywood's biggest movie stars.

Between 1956 and 1969, Presley starred in 31 feature films ranging from westerns to romances that almost always included original musical numbers. Some of his most famous roles involved the utopian island backdrop of Hawaii, which is where he met co-star Irene Tsu on the set of 1966's "Paradise, Hawaiian Style." "He smelled like baby powder and milk," a starstruck Tsu recalled in an interview with Fox News (via Elvis Australia). The pair became quite close, bonding over spirituality and a mutual love for martial arts. However, it was her last interaction with The King that resonates most for Tsu. "He just looked at me and said, 'Keep that light burning, baby'. And that was it," she said. "I guess he lost his light. Couldn't find his way home, you know? I truly feel he just worked himself to death. It was very tragic."

An icon of classic cinema, Humphrey Bogart helped Hollywood become what it is today thanks to performances in timeless films such as "Casablanca," "The Maltese Falcon," and "The African Queen." However, as important as he was to the film industry, the same attention could be given to his longtime wife and superstar actress Lauren Bacall. The pair met on the set of Bacall's first film, "To Have and Have Not," and despite a significant age gap (Bacall was 19, Bogart was 44), they hit it off. They married soon after and went on to co-star in several movies, including "The Big Sleep" and "Key Largo."

Bogart and Bacall's marriage remains one of Hollywood's truest love stories. The hardened Bogart — with a reputation of spitting bullets — reportedly shed tears the day he wed his young bride, and they remained happily together until his health deteriorated. Bogart was ill for the last few years of his life, with Bacall and many celebrity friends at his side. A longstanding rumor suggests that Bogart's final words were "I should never have switched from scotch to martinis," which sounds like the witty vernacular of the classic actor. However, it is better documented that Bogart spoke last to his wife, telling Bacall "Goodbye, kid. Hurry back." Mournfully, the actress left his bedside to attend to their children, but Bogart had slipped into a fatal coma before she could return.

One of Hollywood's biggest tragedies involved Vic Morrow, who died while filming "Twilight Zone: The Movie" in the early 80s. A veteran actor with decades of experience, Morrow's most notable performance was the lead role in the ABC 60s drama series "Combat!" Additionally, he appeared in many popular television programs, including "Hawaii Five-O," "Charlie's Angels," and "Fantasy Island." However, it is Morrow's final role in a segment of the "Twilight Zone" feature that cemented his legacy in Hollywood history books.

In what may be the biggest disaster to ever take place while filming a movie, Morrow and two child actors (ages six and seven) died in a helicopter accident in July 1982. The aftermath saw Hollywood mourning while years of civil and criminal court cases tormented the studio and director John Landis. The most disheartening news to come out of the catastrophe was that Morrow was reportedly quite concerned about filming around the chopper. From reports that were released after the accident, there were multiple concerns raised by cast and crew surrounding the stunt, including from Morrow himself. Remaining timid around the flying machine, the actor was overheard by cast and crew on the morning of the tragic accident uttering his last words: "I must be out of my mind to be doing this. I should've asked for a stunt double."

No one can deny Sean Connery's impact on cinema. The longstanding James Bond actor's monumental career spanned almost half of a century. He collected plenty of awards and acclaim while performing in numerous beloved films, including "Highlander," "The Hunt for Red October," and "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade." The celebrated actor retired in the mid-2000s, turning down substantial roles in both "The Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter" franchises. Thankfully, Connery reportedly enjoyed retirement until his fateful passing in October 2020 at the age of 90.

Connery's legacy made a lasting impression on many performers. Notably, Andy Garcia, who co-starred with Connery in "The Untouchables" wrote an article for The Hollywood Reporter to remember the legend days after his passing. Garcia, whose own filmography includes "Ocean's Eleven," "Internal Affairs," and "The Godfather Part III," called Connery his inspiration for becoming an actor. Regrettably, Garcia notes that it pains him that he had not seen his co-star and hero for many years before Connery passed, despite an open invitation. "We had a cocktail or two, and it was a beautiful thing," Garcia said about his last chat with Connery in 2009. "He lived in the Bahamas. He said, 'Come to Nassau. We'll play some golf.' I thought to myself, 'Yeah, I gotta go do that.' I never did. It's a regret I have."

A personality larger than the characters that he portrayed on television, Leslie Jordan was a beloved celebrity until his unexpected death in October 2022. Small in stature and speaking with a thick Southern drawl, Jordan was easily recognizable in his onscreen appearances. Some of his most notable work includes appearances in the "American Horror Story" franchise, a recurring role on "Boston Legal," an Emmy Award-winning guest spot on the NBC sitcom "Will & Grace," and the show he co-starred on at the time of his death, "Call Me Kat." The performer gained a significant social media following thanks to his comedic posts during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jordan's passing at the age of 67 shocked his fans, friends, and co-stars. Actor Max Greenfield, best known for the sitcom "New Girl," shared a long friendship with Jordan after the pair met on the set of "Will & Grace" in 2017. Greenfield missed his last opportunity to see his former co-star just days before Jordan died. In an interview with "E! News," Greenfield explained that Jordan attempted to visit him during a book signing. "He tried to get in, but the event was sold out, and they didn't let him in," said Greenfield. "He texted me during, he was like, 'I tried to get in. I saw that you were so famous, they wouldn't let me in. They turned my little a** away.'"

For anyone who owned a television in the 90s and early 2000s, Steve Irwin is an unforgettable figure. Suited up in his tan shirt and shorts and readying his famous catchphrase "Crikey!" Irwin was the premier wildlife educator and television personality called the Crocodile Hunter. With a heart of gold for all animals, Irwin especially focused on the conservation of Australian wildlife as a zookeeper and longtime host of environmental documentaries. Often sharing the screen with his wife Terri Irwin, the pair became international celebrities hosting a slew of zoology programs and specials.

Irwin brought zealous enthusiasm and unadulterated passion to everything he accomplished. That continued until September 2006, when he died during an accident involving a stingray while filming a new documentary. Although his admiration for reptiles was evident from his presentations, so was his love for his family, especially his wife Terri and their children, Bindi and Robert. Sadly, the Crocodile Hunter knew time was short and was considering retirement in his final days. "He never thought he would have a long life," Terri Irwin said in an interview on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's "Brush With Fame." "I remember him saying to me, 'I don't think I am going to film anymore; I think I am just going to spend time with my kids.'" The last thing Irwin said to his beloved family was "Goodbye," as he waved to them as they boarded a flight to Tasmania and he remained in Australia to begin filming his final series.