When we see our favorite actors on the big screen, we often forget they have real lives with real problems. We know about their marriages, their award wins, and sometimes even their run-ins with the law. But did you know some actors have actually been involved in incidents that resulted in someone’s death? These aren’t movie scenes with special effects—these are real-life tragedies that changed lives forever. Let’s take a look at some actors whose pasts include a deadly chapter most fans never knew about.
Matthew Broderick’s deadly car crash in Ireland
In 1987, when Matthew Broderick was just 25 years old and fresh off his success from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” he was involved in a terrible car accident while vacationing in Northern Ireland with his then-girlfriend Jennifer Grey. Broderick, who was driving on the wrong side of the road, crashed head-on into another vehicle, killing two people—a mother and daughter named Anna Gallagher and Margaret Doherty. This horrific accident happened just as Broderick’s career was taking off, making the tragedy even more shocking for his fans who knew him as the carefree teenager from his hit movie.
Broderick was initially charged with causing death by dangerous driving, which could have resulted in up to five years in prison. However, the charges were reduced to careless driving, and he was fined just $175—a punishment that the victims’ family found deeply unfair. The actor has rarely spoken publicly about the accident, though he did reach out to the victims’ family years later. The crash affected Jennifer Grey as well, who has said it changed her life and left her with survivor’s guilt. Despite this dark chapter, Broderick’s career continued to flourish with roles in “The Lion King,” “The Producers,” and many other successful projects.
Alec Baldwin’s tragic on-set accident
Alec Baldwin became the center of a terrible tragedy that shocked Hollywood. While filming the movie “Rust” in New Mexico, Baldwin discharged a prop gun that was supposed to be loaded with blanks. Instead, the gun contained a live round that struck and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza. The incident sparked major conversations about safety protocols on movie sets and how such a horrible mistake could have happened in the first place. The investigation into the incident lasted for months, with many questions about who was responsible for checking the weapon.
The aftermath of the incident was devastating for everyone involved. Baldwin maintained that he was told the gun was “cold,” meaning it contained no live ammunition. The tragedy resulted in multiple lawsuits and a complete shutdown of the production. For Baldwin, who had been acting for decades without such an incident, it became a defining moment in his career and personal life. The case highlighted the dangers that can exist even on professional movie sets and led many productions to reconsider their approaches to scenes involving weapons, with some choosing to handle gun effects through computer graphics rather than using real props.
Brandy Norwood’s fatal freeway collision
Singer and actress Brandy Norwood, known for her hit show “Moesha” and songs like “The Boy Is Mine,” was involved in a fatal car accident in December 2006. While driving on the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles, Brandy’s Land Rover struck the back of a Toyota driven by 38-year-old Awatef Aboudihaj. The collision caused Aboudihaj’s car to hit another vehicle before sliding sideways and being hit by yet another car. Aboudihaj, a mother of two, died from her injuries the next day at the hospital. The tragedy sent shockwaves through Brandy’s life and career just as she was working on a comeback album.
After the accident, Brandy was not charged with any crime as investigators could not find evidence of recklessness or negligence. The Los Angeles City Attorney determined there was “insufficient evidence” for a manslaughter charge. However, she faced multiple civil lawsuits from the victim’s family and others involved in the accident. Brandy settled most of these cases out of court for undisclosed amounts. In interviews years later, she admitted that she considered suicide after the accident and struggled with guilt and depression. The tragedy led to a hiatus in her career, though she eventually returned to music and acting, carrying the emotional weight of that day with her.
Ryan Grantham’s shocking family murder
Ryan Grantham’s case stands out as particularly disturbing because his actions were deliberate. The young actor, known for his roles in “Riverdale” and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 2022 for killing his mother, Barbara Waite, in 2020. Grantham, who was 21 at the time, shot his mother in the back of the head while she played piano in their home in Squamish, British Columbia. What made the case even more chilling were Grantham’s plans after the murder—he had loaded his car with guns, ammunition, and Molotov cocktails, intending to kill Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
During the trial, the court heard that Grantham had recorded a video confession and footage of his mother’s body. Instead of proceeding with his plan to kill the Prime Minister, he turned himself in to police. Grantham’s defense team argued that he had been suffering from clinical depression, and he expressed deep remorse for his actions. The judge sentenced him to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 14 years. This case shocked fans of shows like “Riverdale,” where Grantham had played a relatively minor role. His promising acting career, which began when he was just nine years old, came to an abrupt and tragic end through his own violent actions.
Amy Locane’s drunk driving fatality
Amy Locane, best known for her role in the first season of “Melrose Place” and for starring alongside Johnny Depp in “Cry-Baby,” was involved in a deadly drunk driving crash in 2010. After spending the day drinking at several venues, Locane crashed her SUV into the side of a car that was turning into a driveway in Montgomery Township, New Jersey. The crash killed 60-year-old Helene Seeman and seriously injured her husband, Fred. Tests showed Locane’s blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit at the time of the accident. Witnesses reported she had been driving erratically and at high speeds before the crash.
Locane was convicted of vehicular homicide and assault by auto in 2012 and initially sentenced to three years in prison—a term that many, including the victim’s family, felt was too lenient. Her case went through multiple appeals and resentencings, with judges disagreeing about the appropriate punishment. In 2020, she was resentenced to eight years in prison. The case dragged on for over a decade, with Locane serving about two and a half years before being released on parole, then returning to prison after the resentencing. Her acting career effectively ended after the accident, and she has spoken about her struggles with alcoholism and the remorse she feels for causing Helene Seeman’s death.
Charles S. Dutton’s manslaughter conviction
Charles S. Dutton’s story is different from many others on this list because his involvement in a killing happened before he became famous. In 1967, when Dutton was 17 years old, he got into a fight with another man who he claimed had attacked him. During the altercation, Dutton stabbed the man, who later died from his injuries. Dutton was convicted of manslaughter and served seven years in prison. This wasn’t his only brush with the law—he had previously been incarcerated for possession of a deadly weapon and later returned to prison for violating his parole.
What makes Dutton’s story remarkable is what happened after these events. While in prison, he discovered a passion for acting after reading a play. Upon his release, he pursued education, eventually earning a master’s degree from the Yale School of Drama. He went on to create and star in the popular sitcom “Roc” and appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including “Alien 3” and “Gothika.” Dutton transformed his life completely, becoming a respected actor, director, and producer. His journey from convicted felon to successful actor shows the possibility of rehabilitation and second chances, though it doesn’t erase the tragedy of his earlier actions.
Lane Garrison’s teenage passenger death
Lane Garrison, who played Tweener on the popular TV show “Prison Break,” was involved in a tragic car accident in December 2006 that killed a 17-year-old passenger. Garrison had met the teenager, Vahagn Setian, and two 15-year-old girls at a grocery store and agreed to go to a party with them. After leaving the party, with Garrison behind the wheel of his Land Rover, he crashed into a tree. The crash killed Setian and injured the two girls. Tests showed Garrison had a blood alcohol level of 0.20 and cocaine in his system at the time of the accident.
Garrison pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence, driving under the influence, and providing alcohol to a minor. He was sentenced to 40 months in prison but served less than half that time before being released on parole. The actor paid an undisclosed settlement to the Setian family and publicly apologized for his actions. After his release, Garrison struggled to rebuild his acting career, though he eventually secured roles in projects like “Camp X-Ray” and “NCIS.” In interviews, he has spoken about his remorse and how the accident changed his perspective on life, saying he hopes to prevent others from making the same mistakes he did.
Michael Massee and the death of Brandon Lee
Michael Massee became unwittingly involved in one of Hollywood’s most notorious on-set accidents. While filming “The Crow” in 1993, Massee, who played the character Funboy, was supposed to shoot Brandon Lee (son of martial arts legend Bruce Lee) with a prop gun in a scene. Unknown to anyone on set, the gun contained a real bullet that had become lodged in the barrel during a previous scene using improperly made dummy rounds. When Massee fired the blank, it pushed out the real bullet, which struck Lee in the abdomen. Despite emergency surgery, Lee died from his injuries. The incident was ruled an accident, and Massee was cleared of any wrongdoing.
Though he was not at fault, Massee was deeply traumatized by the incident. He took a year off from acting and later said he had nightmares about it for years. In a rare interview about the tragedy, he stated, “I don’t think you ever get over something like that.” Despite this trauma, Massee continued his acting career, appearing in films and TV shows like “24,” “The Amazing Spider-Man,” and “Supernatural.” His case highlights the psychological impact that accidental deaths can have even on those who bear no legal responsibility. Massee passed away in 2016 at the age of 64, having never fully escaped the shadow of that tragic day on the set of “The Crow.”
These tragic stories remind us that actors are human beings who make mistakes and face consequences just like anyone else. Some, like Charles Dutton, found redemption and built successful careers despite their past. Others, like Ryan Grantham, lost everything because of their actions. While we may enjoy these performers’ work on screen, these real-life tragedies affected real families and changed lives forever—something far more significant than any role they ever played.
