Do Celebrities Really Die in Groups of Three?
The myth that famous people die in threes is thought to have started with the deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the "Big Bopper," who died together in a plane crash in 1959. Since that time there have been many examples of celebrities dying in groups of three. In a similar hit to the music community in 1970, Janice Joplin, Jimmy Hendrix and Jim Morrison all died within weeks of one another. In early 2006, Hollywood lost Don Knotts, Darren McGavin, and Dennis Weaver.
I, however, am a celebrity trio skeptic. When deciding who to place in a group of three, sometimes the trio seems forced. For example, Princess Diana, Mother Theresa and Gianni Versace all died closely together and are viewed as being part of a group of three. However, Gianna Versace died in July, Princess Diana in August, and Mother Theresa in September.
There is also a question as to how famous one has to be in order to be considered part of a celebrity death trio. Comedian Rodney Dangerfield, actor Christopher Reeve and major league baseball player Ken Caminiti all died in a one-week span. Most people on the street know Rodney Dangerfield and Christopher Reeve well, but would have to ask who Ken Caminiti was. In 2003, Johnny Cash, John Ritter, and Warren Zevon all died within the same week. I know Johnny and John well, but had to google Warren Zevon (although admittedly, he looks pretty famous).
Do true celebrity trios have to be made of people having something in common? If so, the deaths of Brad Renfro, Suzanne Pleshette and Heath Ledger would qualify. As would the trio of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper and that of Janice Joplin, Jimmie Hendrix and Jim Morrison. However the 2006 trio of Sadaam Hussein, Gerald Ford and James Brown makes much less sense.
Naysayers would say that when the number of people that are famous is coupled with the number of people that die on a weekly basis, the odds of famous people dying soon after one another are pretty good. Mathematically speaking, random things tend to cluster in some areas and leave voids in other areas. Thus it is likely that celebrity deaths, however defined, are nothing more than random events. Sorry Granny.
Published by Frogdoc
I work as a biologist, researching the effects of environmental change (contaminants, ultraviolet radiation, etc) on amphibians. I have a wonderful husband and two babies that I love to spend time with. View profile
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27 Comments
Post a CommentYes, who could ever forget that terrible week when Sir Johnny Buttecracke ESQ. , Howie Feltersnatch and the unforgettable Lizzie Sluttenstein all died as a result of extreme and uncontrollable flatulence. It was a truly bad week and a god awful assault on the olfactory senses.
I think that they do not have to have something in common i think that it is true but i take it a step further i think that all deaths happen in 3s and another one that you forgot was when michael jackson died and then there were two sets of three so yes it does happen however it is probably just a coincedence
As for Warren Zevon, he was the rock star who was best known for his 1978 hit song "Werewolves of London".
As far as celebrities leaving this mortal coil within a very short time of one another having had something in common is concerned, there was (in addition to, say,
McMahon/Fawcett/Jackson) another example of that about two months earlier. This common denominator was Major League Baseball. Within a week, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitcher Nick Aderhart (sp?), '70s Detroit Tigers pitcher Mark "The Bird" Fidrych, and Philadelphia Phillies announcer Harry Kalas (of "That ball is OUTTA HERE!" fame) died, with the latter two having died the same day.
Andrew... Gale Storm recently died... she was a star in the 50s.
Now we have David Carradine, Ed McMahan, and Farrah Fawcet.. That is one group of three,
THEN Micheal Jackson, Billy Mays, and ?
ONE MORE WILL DIE!!! 2 groups of 3!
billy mays
I totally believe this theory. However, while Janice Joplin and Jimi Hendrix did die within a few weeks of each other in late 1970, Jim Morrison didn't die until July of 1971, so they do not count as a three set. BUT they did all die at the age of 27.
Where does David Carradine fit in to the 3?
Interesting article. My parents, like your granny, are also firm believes in the "three's" theory. Personally, I love these kinds of theories. Especially with the recent deaths of Ed McMahan, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson.
However... I'm not sure I can take you very seriously when you say you don't know who Warren Zevon is.