7 awesomely shocking “big name” deaths in Hollywood films

SPOILER WARNING: All films on the list are at least four years-old, so be warned of spoilers if you are seriously way behind on your movies.

A lot of big names also come with big egos, so agreeing to do a film in which they barely have a part in is a rarity. That’s why a shocking death of a big name celebrity early in a film is always entertaining. There are a lot of similar “Best Death Scene” lists out there, so here are the criteria for this one:

1. The death has to come at sometime during the first half of the film. (Everyone’s willing to die at the end of movies)
2. The death has to be a big name celebrity or someone who was one when the film was released. (Not an actor whose career took off after the film came out)
3. The death has to be over the top and entertaining. (No one goes to a movie to watch someone die peacefully in his or her sleep)
4. The character cannot reappear throughout the film as a ghost. (Sorry, Patrick Swayze)
5. Sequels don’t count. (Lots of big names are killed in sequels)

7 Janet Leigh in Psycho (1960)
The original shocker. Alfred Hitchcock’s decision to have this leading lady knocked off early on in the film was absolutely unheard of back in 1960. Hitchcock has given us endless classic film moments, but this is easily one of the most memorable scenes in the history of film.

6 Samuel L. Jackson in Deep Blue Sea (1999)
Definitely not one of the better movies on this list. However, having Sam Jackson’s inspirational speech cut short by being completely devoured by a genetically altered mutant CGI shark is pure entertainment. Little did we know that eventually Snakes on a Plane would come along and make Deep Blue Sea look like an Academy Award winner.

5 Steven Seagal in Executive Decision (1996)
As much as we hate to admit it now, Steven Seagal was once a hot commodity in the action film community. Fresh off a slew of successful action films, Seagal’s name was used heavily in promotion for Executive Decision. Seagal played a commander of an elite team attempting to intercept a hijacked 747. Early in the film, he sacrifices himself so the mission could carry on. It’s too bad he couldn’t do the same in real life before he made that reality show of his.

4 John Travolta in Pulp Fiction (1994)
This one isn’t exactly in the first half of the film, but the film is shown out of sequence…so, I’m going to let it slide since we don’t actually know where it’s supposed to be in the actual timeline of the film. Plus, it’s always really enjoyable to watch John McClane completely blow Vinnie Barbarino away.

3 Ben Affleck in Smokin’ Aces (2006)
In a perfect world, Ben Affleck would be killed early in any movie he’s in. It would be only fair since he’s single-handedly responsible for the death of many other films. Nevertheless, whether we like it or not, Affleck is a big name. So, when he and his crew were taken out by Chris Pine and Co. (without evening getting a chance at knocking off Jeremy Piven), it was pretty awesome. The scene between Pine and a dead Affleck (starting at the 1:27 mark) is easily the best acting Affleck’s ever done.

2 James Earl Jones in The Lion King (1994)
Leaving children everywhere traumatized was the surprisingly graphic death of Mufasa in The Lion King. Parents thoroughly enjoyed having to explain to their kids why one family member would want to kill another. Yes…I’m aware he reappears later in the film for a minute or two as a deep-voiced talking cloud of wisdom, but other than that, James Earl Jones doesn’t get much screen (or voice) time. Which is surprising since three words out of James Earl Jones’ mouth are worth more than your house. Another big name…taking one for the team.

1 Drew Barrymore in Scream (1996)
A sort of tribute to Janet Leigh in Psycho. Barrymore was touted as one of the stars of this film. They even promoted the film with a poster of her face and listing her as one of the stars. She is only in the film for the first 12 minutes or so, but it still stands as one of the most chilling sequences in film history. Almost as terrifying as that romantic comedy she did with Hugh Grant.

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