10 famous people who took their final breath in Florida

02/14/2005 - Hollywood - Anna Nicole Smith at the "Be Cool" Premiere Red Carpet at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood. (Tinseltown/Shutterstock)

By Good Info News Wire

From sitcom stars to serial killers, these 10 famous people died in Florida. Here’s some background about each one, including information about their final days.

The Sunshine State is known for its beautiful beaches, bustling cities, and vibrant cultural scene. But it’s also the final resting place for many notable figures who left a lasting impact on history, entertainment, and culture.

From the swaying palms of Miami to the tranquil shores of Key West, Florida has seen the last moments of some truly remarkable individuals. Whether they were drawn by the warm climate and serene landscapes or were sent here for a prison stay (we’ll get to that), these famous personalities spent their final days here, leaving behind legacies that continue to inspire and intrigue.

So, let’s take a journey through time and explore the stories of ten famous people who took their last breath in Florida. You might be surprised by who made this sunny state their final home.

BTW, we organized this list in alphabetical order. We should also add a trigger warning as this content contains mention of violence, sexual assault, and drug use.

Aileen Wuornos (1956-2002)

Aileen Carol Wuornos was an infamous American serial killer who gained notoriety for her violent crimes between 1989 and 1990. During this period, while working as a sex worker along Florida highways, she murdered seven male clients, claiming that she acted in self-defense against rape or attempted rape.

Wuornos was convicted and sentenced to death for six of these murders and spent over a decade on death row at the Florida Department of Corrections Broward Correctional Institution before being transferred to Florida State Prison for her execution.

On October 9, 2002, Wuornos was executed by lethal injection, marking her as the second woman in Florida and the tenth in the United States to be executed since the reinstatement of capital punishment in 1976. In her final days, she displayed erratic behavior, accusing prison staff of various abuses and expressing a desire to end her legal appeals, stating she would kill again if given the chance.

Wuornos declined a traditional last meal, opting instead for a single cup of coffee. Her final words were cryptic, referencing a return “like Independence Day, with Jesus” and a “big mother ship.” After her death, her ashes were scattered in Michigan by her childhood friend, Dawn Botkins. Wuornos’ tragic and tumultuous life was notably depicted in the film “Monster,” with Charlize Theron earning an Academy Award for her portrayal.

Anna Nicole Smith (1967-2007)

Born Vickie Lynn Hogan, Anna Nicole Smith was a model, actress, and television personality who captivated the public with her larger-than-life persona and tumultuous personal life. She first gained fame as a Playboy magazine centerfold in May 1992 and was named Playmate of the Year in 1993. Smith’s modeling career included high-profile campaigns for Guess, H&M, Lane Bryant, Conair, and Heatherette, making her a recognizable face in the fashion world.

Smith’s personal life was equally high-profile, marked by her marriage to 89-year-old billionaire J. Howard Marshall in 1994, which sparked widespread speculation about her motives. After Marshall’s death in 1995, Smith became embroiled in a lengthy legal battle over his estate, a saga that reached the U.S. Supreme Court. Her legal and personal struggles were often front-page news, keeping her in the public eye until her untimely death.

On February 8, 2007, Anna Nicole Smith was found unresponsive in her room at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Despite efforts to revive her by her bodyguard and his wife, who was a registered nurse, Smith was pronounced dead. An investigation led by the Broward County Medical Examiner concluded that she died from “combined drug intoxication,” with the sedative chloral hydrate being the primary cause, compounded by other prescription drugs.

Smith’s death was ruled accidental, and her funeral was held on March 2, 2007, in the Bahamas. Her will, prepared in 2001, named her son Daniel as the sole beneficiary, but he had tragically died the previous year. The legal and personal complexities of her life continued to make headlines even after her death, solidifying her legacy as a figure of both glamour and tragedy.

Billy Mays (1958-2009)

William Darrell Mays Jr., known to many as the energetic and charismatic pitchman Billy Mays, was a prominent American television direct-response advertisement salesperson. Born on July 20, 1958, Mays became famous for his loud voice, distinctive beard, and impassioned sales pitches, promoting a variety of household products like OxiClean, Orange Glo, Kaboom, Zorbeez, and Mighty Mendit. His enthusiastic and memorable style made him a recognizable figure on the Home Shopping Network and other syndicated networks.

Mays also starred alongside his business partner, Anthony Sullivan, in the Discovery Channel series “PitchMen,” which documented their work and gave viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the world of product promotion.

His sudden death on June 28, 2009, at his home in Tampa, Florida, shocked fans and colleagues alike. Mays was found unresponsive by his wife and was pronounced dead later that morning. Initial speculation linked his death to a head injury from a rough airplane landing the day before, but this was quickly dismissed.

The official autopsy report revealed that Mays died of hypertensive heart disease, with cocaine use identified as a contributory factor. The Mays family contested these findings, emphasizing his chronic, untreated hypertension as the primary cause. Despite the controversy, it was clear that Mays’ vibrant personality and unique sales techniques left a lasting impact on the world of advertising.

Mays’ funeral took place on July 3, 2009, in his hometown of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. In a nod to his signature look, pallbearers wore blue shirts and khaki pants, reminiscent of his on-screen attire. Following his death, many of his commercials were temporarily pulled from the air, but with his family’s consent, they eventually returned, allowing his legacy to continue influencing the world of direct-response advertising.

George Steinbrenner (1930-2010)

George Michael Steinbrenner III was a major figure in Major League Baseball, best known for his role as the principal owner and managing partner of the New York Yankees from 1973 until his death in 2010.

Born on July 4, 1930, Steinbrenner’s tenure with the Yankees was marked by both unprecedented success and considerable controversy. Under his leadership, the Yankees secured seven World Series championships and 11 American League pennants, making him the longest-serving owner in the club’s storied history.

Steinbrenner earned the nickname “The Boss” due to his hands-on management style and frequent involvement in team decisions. Known for his fiery temperament, he often meddled in on-field affairs, hiring and firing managers at a rapid pace, a habit that led former Yankees manager Dallas Green to dub him “Manager George.” Despite his contentious methods, his passion for the team was undeniable, and his influence on the sport, particularly in driving up player salaries, was significant.

In the later years of his ownership, starting in the early 1990s, Steinbrenner stepped back from day-to-day operations, allowing the baseball operations staff to take the lead. He officially retired in 2008, but his legacy continued to loom large over the Yankees.

Steinbrenner passed away from a heart attack on July 13, 2010, at his home in Tampa, Florida. His death came just nine days after his 80th birthday and on the morning of the 81st Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

Following his passing, the Yankees honored him with a commemorative patch on their uniforms and a special mural at Yankee Stadium. The Steinbrenner family further immortalized his legacy with a monument in Monument Park, unveiled on September 20, 2010. George Steinbrenner was laid to rest at Trinity Memorial Gardens in Trinity, Florida.

Actress Hedy Lamarr in a scene from the movie "Ziegfeld Girl" which was released on April 25, 1941. (Photo by Donaldson Collection/Getty Images)

Actress Hedy Lamarr in a scene from the movie “Ziegfeld Girl” which was released on April 25, 1941. (Donaldson Collection/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Hedy Lamarr (1914-2000)

Hedy Lamarr, born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler on November 9, 1914, was a remarkable Austrian-born American actress and inventor.

After starting her film career in Czechoslovakia, where she starred in the controversial film Ecstasy (1933), Lamarr fled her controlling first husband, Friedrich Mandl, and eventually moved to Paris and then London. In London, she caught the attention of Hollywood mogul Louis B. Mayer, who offered her a film contract. Lamarr rose to fame in Hollywood with her performance in Algiers (1938) and went on to star in successful films like Boom Town (1940), White Cargo (1942), and the epic Samson and Delilah (1949). She was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.

Lamarr was also an inventor and co-created a radio guidance system for Allied torpedoes during World War II, alongside composer George Antheil. Their invention used spread spectrum and frequency hopping technology to prevent the jamming of torpedo signals by Axis powers. Although not utilized during the war, this technology later became foundational for modern wireless communications, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

In her personal life, Lamarr faced numerous challenges. She became estranged from her older son, James Lamarr Loder, and their relationship ended abruptly when he was 12 years old. They did not reconnect until almost 50 years later. Despite this reconciliation, Lamarr excluded James from her will, leading to a legal battle over her estate.

In her later years, Lamarr became reclusive, communicating with the outside world primarily through lengthy phone calls, often talking for six to seven hours a day. She spent little time in person with others, including her children and close friends.

Lamarr passed away on January 19, 2000, in Casselberry, Florida, at the age of 85 due to heart disease. In accordance with her wishes, her son Anthony Loder spread part of her ashes in Vienna Woods, Austria. A memorial in her honor was unveiled in Vienna’s Central Cemetery in 2014, where the remainder of her ashes were interred.

Jackie Gleason (1916-1987)

John Herbert Gleason, known to the world as Jackie Gleason, was an iconic American actor, comedian, writer, and composer, famously dubbed “The Great One.”

Born on February 26, 1916, Gleason grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where he developed his distinctive comedic style and characters. He became a household name with his portrayal of the brash and lovable city bus driver Ralph Kramden in the television series The Honeymooners. Gleason also created The Jackie Gleason Show, which enjoyed high ratings from the mid-1950s through 1970. In 1964, he moved the production to Miami Beach, Florida, where he had taken up permanent residence.

Gleason’s grand personality was matched by his prodigious smoking habit, reportedly going through six packs of cigarettes a day by the time his show captured Saturday night audiences for CBS in 1952. Despite health challenges, including a triple-bypass surgery in 1978 following chest pains while touring in the lead role of Sly Fox, Gleason continued to work. He delivered a critically acclaimed performance in his final film role in Nothing in Common (1986) alongside Tom Hanks, even while privately battling colon cancer, phlebitis, and diabetes.

Jackie Gleason passed away on June 24, 1987, at the age of 71, in his Florida home. Following a funeral Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Mary, he was entombed in a sarcophagus at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Cemetery in Miami. The sarcophagus bears the inscription “And Away We Go,” a nod to his famous catchphrase.

In addition to his television and film success, Gleason had a notable music career in the 1950s and 1960s, producing a series of bestselling “mood music” albums. His first album, Music for Lovers Only, set a record for the longest stay on the Billboard Top Ten Charts, and his first ten albums each sold over a million copies. Gleason’s legacy as a multi-talented entertainer endures.

(Original Caption) 9/24/1942-New York, NY Joe DiMaggio, ace batter and outfielder of the New York Yankees, should be happy because his team won the American League pennant, but he doesn’t look it. Maybe he’s reflecting on the confusing affairs of the National Leaguers, whom he’ll have to battle in the World Series. (Bettmann/Bettmann/Getty Images)

Joe DiMaggio (1914-1999)

Joseph Paul DiMaggio, born Giuseppe Paolo DiMaggio on November 25, 1914, was an iconic American baseball center fielder, widely known by his nicknames “Joltin’ Joe,” “The Yankee Clipper,” and “Joe D.” DiMaggio played his entire 13-year career for the New York Yankees and is considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time. He set the record for the longest hitting streak in baseball, achieving hits in 56 consecutive games from May 15 to July 16, 1941, a record that still stands.

DiMaggio’s stellar career included being a three-time American League (AL) Most Valuable Player Award winner and an All-Star in each of his 13 seasons. Under his tenure, the Yankees won ten AL pennants and nine World Series championships. At the time of his retirement in 1951, he ranked fifth in career home runs (361) and sixth in career slugging percentage (.579). His contributions to the sport were honored with his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955 and being named the sport’s greatest living player during baseball’s centennial year in 1969.

Beyond his baseball achievements, DiMaggio is also remembered for his marriage and enduring devotion to Marilyn Monroe. DiMaggio was a heavy smoker, which eventually led to his hospitalization for lung cancer surgery in Hollywood, Florida, on October 12, 1998. After a 99-day hospital stay, he returned to his home in Hollywood, where he passed away on March 8, 1999, at the age of 84. His attorney, Morris Engelberg, reported that DiMaggio’s last words were, “I’ll finally get to see Marilyn,” reflecting his deep connection to Monroe.

DiMaggio’s funeral was held on March 11, 1999, at Saints Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco, and he was interred three months later at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, California.

John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937)

John Davison Rockefeller Sr., born on July 8, 1839, was a towering figure in American business and philanthropy.

Known as one of the wealthiest Americans of all time, Rockefeller’s influence extended far beyond his vast fortune. He began his career as an assistant bookkeeper at age 16 and quickly moved into the oil refining business, founding the Standard Oil Company in 1870. Under his leadership, Standard Oil grew to control 90% of all oil in the United States at its peak in 1900, making Rockefeller the richest person in the country.

Rockefeller’s business practices, which included creating a monopoly through the Standard Oil Trust, drew significant criticism and legal challenges. In 1911, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the breakup of Standard Oil into 34 separate companies for violating federal antitrust laws. Despite this, Rockefeller’s wealth continued to grow, and he became the country’s first billionaire. His personal fortune was estimated at $900 million in 1913, nearly 3% of the U.S. GDP at that time.

In his later years, Rockefeller focused on philanthropy, using his wealth to support education, medical research, and public health. He founded the University of Chicago and Rockefeller University and funded numerous other institutions. His philanthropic efforts led to significant advancements, including the near-eradication of hookworm in the American South and yellow fever in the United States.

Rockefeller was a devout Northern Baptist and a supporter of many church-based institutions. He adhered to a strict abstinence from alcohol and tobacco throughout his life. He spent his final years at his estate, The Casements, in Ormond Beach, Florida. Rockefeller passed away there on May 23, 1937, at the age of 97. He was buried in Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio. His legacy as both a business magnate and a philanthropist continues to influence American society and industry.

Leslie Nielsen (1926-2010)

Leslie William Nielsen OC, born on February 11, 1926, in Regina, Saskatchewan, was a beloved Canadian-American actor and comedian whose career spanned 60 years. Nielsen appeared in over 100 films and 150 television programs, playing more than 220 characters. After enlisting in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II, he later studied theatre at the Neighborhood Playhouse, making his acting debut in 1950 and appearing in 46 live television programs a year.

Nielsen initially gained recognition as a serious actor with notable performances in Forbidden Planet and The Poseidon Adventure. However, it was his deadpan comedic roles in the 1980s and 1990s that cemented his legacy. His performance in the 1980 film Airplane! marked a significant turning point, showcasing his talent for playing oblivious characters in absurd situations. Film critic Roger Ebert dubbed him “the Olivier of spoofs,” and Nielsen went on to achieve further success with The Naked Gun film series, which was based on his earlier TV series Police Squad! His contributions to comedy earned him various awards and inductions into Canada’s Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In November 2010, Nielsen was admitted to Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with pneumonia. He passed away in his sleep on November 28, 2010, at the age of 84, surrounded by family and friends. As a final humorous touch, Nielsen’s epitaph reads “Let ‘er rip.” His funeral was held in Fort Lauderdale on December 7, 2010, with the Naked Gun theme playing in his honor. Nielsen’s body was interred in Fort Lauderdale’s Evergreen Cemetery, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and memorable performances.

Ted Bundy (1946-1989)

Theodore Robert Bundy, born on November 24, 1946, was an American serial killer whose crimes have left an indelible mark on criminal history.

Bundy kidnapped, raped, and murdered dozens of young women and girls during the 1970s. After years of denials, he eventually confessed to 30 murders across seven states from 1974 to 1978, though the actual number of his victims remains unknown.

Bundy’s modus operandi involved feigning injury or posing as an authority figure to lure his victims to a secluded location. There, he would bludgeon them unconscious, restrain them with handcuffs, and then drive them to a remote site where he would sexually assault and kill them. He was known to revisit the corpses to perform sex acts until decomposition made this impossible. Bundy decapitated at least twelve victims, keeping their severed heads as macabre mementos.

In 1975, Bundy was arrested in Utah for aggravated kidnapping and attempted assault. As his list of suspected murders grew, he faced multiple charges in various states. While awaiting trial in Colorado, he managed two dramatic escapes and continued his killing spree in Florida, committing three murders before being recaptured in 1978. For his Florida crimes, Bundy was sentenced to death three times and was executed in the electric chair at Florida State Prison on January 24, 1989.

Bundy was described by those who knew him, including biographer Ann Rule and attorney Polly Nelson, as a sadistic sociopath devoid of empathy and consumed by a need for control and possession over his victims. He once described himself as “the most cold-hearted son of a b**** you’ll ever meet,” a sentiment echoed by those who interacted with him.

Bundy’s final days were spent in a series of interviews where he divulged details of his crimes and offered insights into his twisted psyche. He sought to leverage information about additional undisclosed victims to delay his execution but ultimately failed.

Bundy was executed on January 24, 1989, his last words expressing love to his family and friends. His remains were cremated, and his ashes were scattered in an undisclosed location in the Cascade Range of Washington State.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.