# List of deaths from drug overdose and intoxication

Drug overdose and intoxication are significant causes of accidental death and can also be used as a form of suicide. Death can occur from overdosing on a single or multiple drugs, or from combined drug intoxication (CDI) due to poly drug use. Poly drug use often carries more risk than use of a single drug, due to an increase in side effects, and drug synergy. For example, the chance of death from overdosing on opiates is greatly increased when they are consumed in conjunction with alcohol. While they are two distinct phenomena, deaths from CDI are often misreported as overdoses. Drug overdoses and intoxication can also cause indirect deaths. For example, while marijuana does not cause fatal overdoses, being intoxicated by it can increase the chance of fatal traffic collisions.
Drug use and overdoses increased significantly in the 1800s due to the commercialization and availability of certain drugs. For example, while opium and coca had been used for centuries, their active ingredients, morphine and the cocaine alkaloid, were not isolated until 1803 and 1855 respectively. Cocaine and various opiates were subsequently mass-produced and sold openly and legally in the Western world, resulting in widespread misuse and addiction. Drug use and addiction also increased significantly following the invention of the hypodermic syringe in 1853, with overdose being a leading cause of death among intravenous drug users.
Efforts to prohibit various drugs began to be enacted in the early 20th century, though the effectiveness of such policies is debated. Deaths from drug overdoses are increasing. Between 2000 and 2014, fatal overdoses rose 137% in the United States, causing nearly half a million deaths in that period, and have also been continually increasing in Australia, Scotland, England, and Wales. While prohibited drugs are generally viewed as being the most dangerous, the misuse of prescription drugs is linked to more deaths in several countries. Cocaine and heroin combined caused fewer deaths than prescriptions drugs in the United Kingdom in 2013, and fewer deaths than prescription opiates alone in the United States in 2008. As of 2016, benzodiazepines were most likely to cause fatal overdose in Australia, with diazepam (Valium) being the drug most responsible. While fatal overdoses are highly associated with drugs such as opiates, cocaine and alcohol, deaths from other drugs such as caffeine are extremely rare.
This alphabetical list contains 634 people whose deaths can be reliably sourced to be the result of drug overdose or acute drug intoxication. Where sources indicate drug overdose or intoxication was only suspected to be the cause of death, this will be specified in the 'notes' column. Where sources are able to indicate, deaths are specified as 'suicide', 'accidental', 'undetermined', or otherwise in the 'cause' column. Where sources do not explicitly state intent, they will be listed in this column as 'unknown'. Deaths from accidents or misadventure caused by drug overdoses or intoxication are also included on this list. Deaths from long-term effects of drugs, such as tobacco-related cancers and cirrhosis from alcohol, are not included, nor are deaths from lethal injection or legal euthanasia.

## Deaths

List of deaths from drug overdose and intoxication :
| Name | Born | Died | Age | Profession | Drug(s) | Manner | Notes | Ref. |
| Louis Abolafia | 1941 | 1995 | 54 | Artist | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Herb Abrams | 1955 | 1996 | 41 | Wrestling promoter | Cocaine | Accidental | Drug-induced heart attack | [23] [24] |
| Janet Achurch | 1864 | 1916 | 52 | Actress | Morphine | Unknown | | [25] [26] |
| Trent Acid | 1980 | 2010 | 29 | Wrestler | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Arthur Adamov | 1908 | 1970 | 61 | Playwright | Barbiturates | Accidental | | |
| Brian Adams | 1964 | 2007 | 43 | Wrestler | Unspecified painkillers | Accidental | | |
| Nick Adams | 1931 | 1968 | 36 | Actor | Paraldehyde and promazine | Unknown | | |
| Ai Xia | 1912 | 1934 | 21 | Actress | Opium | Suicide | | |
| Ryūnosuke Akutagawa | 1892 | 1927 | 35 | Writer | Barbital | Suicide | | |
| Michael Alig | 1966 | 2020 | 54 | Club promoter | Heroin | Accidental | | |
| Lexii Alijai | 1998 | 2020 | 21 | Rapper | Fentanyl and alcohol | Unknown | | |
| Howard Alk | 1930 | 1982 | 51 | Filmmaker | Heroin | Accidental | Officially accidental though speculated suicide | [35] [36] |
| A. A. Allen | 1911 | 1970 | 59 | Evangelist | Alcohol | Unknown | | |
| Chet Allen | 1939 | 1984 | 45 | Child actor | Antidepressants | Suicide | | |
| William Barnsley Allen | 1892 | 1933 | 41 | Army officer | Unspecified narcotic | Accidental | | |
| GG Allin | 1956 | 1993 | 36 | Musician | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Frances Alsop | 1782 | 1821 | 38 | Actress | Laudanum | Accidental | | |
| Abraham Ángel | 1905 | 1924 | 19 | Artist | Cocaine | Accidental | | |
| Pier Angeli | 1932 | 1971 | 39 | Actress | Barbiturates | Accidental | | [43] [44] |
| Bridgette Andersen | 1975 | 1997 | 21 | Child actress | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Paul Y. Anderson | 1893 | 1938 | 45 | Journalist | Sleeping pills | Unknown | | |
| Chris Antley | 1966 | 2000 | 34 | Jockey | Methamphetamine | Blunt trauma | The coroner's report concluded that Antley's injuries were likely related to a fall caused by the overdose | [47] [48] |
| Jean Améry | 1912 | 1978 | 65 | Writer | Sleeping pills | Suicide | | |
| Diane Arbus | 1923 | 1971 | 48 | Photographer | Barbiturates | Suicide | Arbus also slit her wrists | |
| Reinaldo Arenas | 1943 | 1990 | 47 | Poet | Unspecified | Suicide | | |
| West Arkeen | 1960 | 1997 | 36 | Musician | Opiates | Accidental | | |
| Howard Arkley | 1951 | 1999 | 48 | Painter | Heroin | Accidental | | |
| James Lloyd Ashbury | 1834 | 1895 | 60–61 | Yachtsman | Chlorodyne | Suicide | Suspected overdose | |
| Avery Atkins | 1987 | 2007 | 20 | American football player | MDMA | Unknown | | |
| Kevyn Aucoin | 1962 | 2002 | 40 | Photographer, make-up artist | Unspecified painkillers | Accidental | Aucoin's addiction to painkillers, which were prescribed, caused kidney and liver failure due to paracetamol toxicity | |
| Kathy Augustine | 1956 | 2006 | 50 | Politician | Succinylcholine | Murder | | |
| Chet Baker | 1929 | 1988 | 58 | Musician | Cocaine and heroin | Accidental | Baker fell from a balcony while intoxicated | [58] [59] |
| Tom Baker | 1940 | 1982 | 42 | Actor | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Albert Ballin | 1857 | 1918 | 61 | Shipping magnate | Sleeping pills | Suicide | | |
| Lester Bangs | 1948 | 1982 | 33 | Music critic, musician | Multiple | Unknown | Dextropropoxyphene, diazepam and NyQuil | |
| Barbette | 1899 | 1973 | 74 | Trapeze artist | Methamphetamines | Unknown | | |
| R. H. Barlow | 1918 | 1951 | 32 | Author | Barbiturates | Suicide | | |
| Sid Barnes | 1916 | 1973 | 57 | Cricketer | Barbiturates and bromide | Undetermined | | |
| Jürgen Bartsch | 1946 | 1976 | 29 | Serial killer | Halothane | Accidental | Accidental overdose administered by nurse | |
| Skye McCole Bartusiak | 1992 | 2014 | 21 | Actress | Multiple | Accidental | Hydrocodone, difluoroethane and carisoprodol | |
| Jean-Michel Basquiat | 1960 | 1988 | 27 | Painter | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Pierre Batcheff | 1907 | 1932 | 24 | Actor | Barbital | Suicide | | |
| Michael Carl Baze | 1987 | 2011 | 24 | Jockey | Cocaine and oxymorphone | Accidental | | |
| Patricia Beck | 1924 | 1978 | 53 | Writer | Insulin | Suicide | | |
| Scotty Beckett | 1929 | 1968 | 38 | Child actor | Barbiturates | Unknown | | [72] [73] |
| Steve Bechler | 1979 | 2003 | 23 | Baseball pitcher | Ephedra | Heatstroke | The coroner stated the toxicity of ephedra played a significant role in his death | |
| Art Bell | 1945 | 2018 | 72 | Radio host | Multiple | Accidental | Bell's death was a combination of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, and carisoprodol, complicated by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and high blood pressure | |
| Gertrude Bell | 1868 | 1926 | 57 | Writer | Sleeping pills | Unknown | | |
| John Belushi | 1949 | 1982 | 33 | Actor | Speedball | Accidental | | [77] [78] |
| Walter Benjamin | 1892 | 1940 | 48 | Philosopher | Morphine | Suicide | | |
| Jay Bennett | 1963 | 2009 | 45 | Musician | Fentanyl | Accidental | | |
| Jill Bennett | 1931 | 1990 | 58 | Actress | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Wes Berggren | 1971 | 1999 | 28 | Musician | Multiple | Unknown | Benzodiazepines, cocaine and propoxyphene | |
| William Lee Bergstrom | 1951 | 1985 | 33 | Gambler | Unspecified | Suicide | | |
| Bruce Berry | 1950 | 1973 | 22 | Roadie | Cocaine and heroin | Unknown | | |
| Don Bessent | 1931 | 1990 | 59 | Baseball pitcher | Alcohol | Unknown | | |
| Leah Betts | 1977 | 1995 | 18 | Student | MDMA | Water intoxication | Died from water intoxication secondary to use of MDMA | |
| Len Bias | 1963 | 1986 | 22 | Basketball player | Cocaine | Accidental | | |
| Big George | 1957 | 2011 | 53 | Presenter, broadcaster | Mephedrone | Unknown | Drug-induced heart attack. | |
| Big Moe | 1974 | 2007 | 33 | Musician | Unspecified | Unknown | Drug-induced heart attack | |
| Bam Bam Bigelow | 1961 | 2007 | 45 | Wrestler | Cocaine | Unknown | Other unspecified drugs were involved | |
| Robert Bingham | 1966 | 1999 | 33 | Writer | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Ted Binion | 1943 | 1998 | 54 | Gambling executive | Alprazolam and heroin | Suicide (suspected) | | |
| Laurie Bird | 1953 | 1979 | 26 | Actress | Diazepam | Suicide | | |
| Gottfried von Bismarck | 1962 | 2007 | 44 | Aristocrat | Cocaine and morphine | Unknown | | |
| Patrick Bissell | 1957 | 1987 | 30 | Ballet dancer | Multiple | Unknown | Cocaine, codeine, methadone and other unspecified drugs | |
| Clara Blandick | 1876 | 1962 | 85 | Actress | Sleeping pills | Suicide | Drug-induced asphyxiation | |
| Erica Blasberg | 1984 | 2010 | 25 | Golfer | Multiple | Suicide | Drug-induced asphyxiation caused by butalbital, temazepam, alprazolam, codeine, hydrocodone and tramadol | |
| Mattie Blaylock | 1850 | 1888 | 38 | Prostitute | Opiates | Suicide | | |
| Mike Bloomfield | 1943 | 1981 | 37 | Musician | Cocaine and methamphetamine | Unknown | | |
| Tommy Bolin | 1951 | 1976 | 25 | Musician | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| John Bonham | 1948 | 1980 | 32 | Musician | Alcohol | Unknown | Bonham choked on his own vomit while intoxicated | |
| Stephan Bonnar | 1977 | 2022 | 45 | Mixed martial artist | Fentanyl | Accidental | | |
| Derek Boogaard | 1982 | 2011 | 28 | Ice hockey player | Oxycodone and alcohol | Accidental | | |
| Jennie Bosschieter | 1882 | 1900 | 18 | Factory worker | Chloral hydrate | Murder | | [104] [105] |
| Christopher Bowman | 1967 | 2008 | 40 | Ice skater | Multiple | Accidental | Cocaine, diazepam, alcohol and cannabis | |
| Charles Boyer | 1899 | 1978 | 78 | Actor | Barbiturates | Suicide | | |
| Billy Lee Brammer | 1929 | 1978 | 48 | Author | Methamphetamines | Unknown | | |
| Elisa Bridges | 1973 | 2002 | 28 | Model | Multiple | Unknown | Heroin, methamphetamines, meperidine and alprazolam | [109] [110] |
| Diane Brimble | 1960 | 2002 | 42 | Mother | Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid and alcohol | Unknown | | |
| William Brinkley | 1917 | 1993 | 76 | Writer | Barbiturates | Suicide | | |
| Dave Brockie | 1963 | 2014 | 50 | Musician | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Branwell Brontë | 1817 | 1848 | 31 | Painter, writer | Opiates | Unknown | Died of drug-aggravated tuberculosis | |
| Bobbi Kristina Brown | 1993 | 2015 | 22 | Media personality | Multiple | Unknown | Drowned while intoxicated by marijuana, alcohol and an unspecified anti-anxiety medication | |
| Lenny Bruce | 1925 | 1966 | 40 | Comedian | Morphine | Accidental | | |
| Patrick Henry Bruce | 1881 | 1936 | 55 | Painter | Barbital | Suicide | | |
| Julia Bruns | 1895 | 1927 | 32 | Actress | Alcohol | Accidental | | |
| Tim Buckley | 1947 | 1975 | 28 | Musician | Multiple | Unknown | Heroin, morphine and alcohol | |
| Paul Butterfield | 1942 | 1987 | 44 | Musician | Unspecified | Unknown | Drug-induced heart failure | [120] [121] |
| Andrés Caicedo | 1951 | 1977 | 25 | Writer | Secobarbital | Suicide | | |
| Ken Caminiti | 1963 | 2004 | 41 | Baseball player | Cocaine and opiates | Accidental | | |
| Max Cantor | 1959 | 1991 | 32 | Actor, journalist | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Truman Capote | 1924 | 1984 | 59 | Writer | Multiple | Unknown | Cause of death was liver disease complicated by phlebitis and multiple drug intoxication | |
| Billie Carleton | 1896 | 1918 | 22 | Actress | Cocaine | Accidental | Suspected overdose | |
| Edward John Carnell | 1919 | 1967 | 47 | Pastor | Barbiturates | Unknown | Suspected overdose | |
| Aaron Carter | 1987 | 2022 | 34 | Singer | Difluoroethane and alprazolam | Accidental | Carter drowned in the bath after inhaling the drugs | |
| Leslie Carter | 1986 | 2012 | 25 | Singer | Multiple | Unknown | Olanzapine, cyclobenzaprine and alprazolam | |
| Greg Centauro | 1977 | 2011 | 34 | Pornographic actor | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Spencer Charters | 1875 | 1943 | 67 | Actor | Sleeping pills | Suicide | | |
| Richard Chase | 1950 | 1980 | 30 | Serial killer | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Vic Chesnutt | 1964 | 2009 | 45 | Musician | Unspecified muscle relaxant | Suicide | | |
| Tai Chi-tao | 1891 | 1949 | 58 | Journalist | Sleeping pills | Suicide (suspected) | | |
| Diana Churchill | 1909 | 1963 | 54 | Naval officer | Barbiturates | Suicide | | |
| Sally Clark | 1964 | 2007 | 42 | Solicitor | Alcohol | Unknown | | |
| Sonny Clark | 1931 | 1963 | 31 | Pianist | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Steve Clark | 1960 | 1991 | 30 | Musician | Multiple | Accidental | Codeine, diazepam, morphine and alcohol | [138] [139] |
| Charmian Clift | 1923 | 1969 | 45 | Writer | Unspecified | Suicide | | |
| Angus Cloud | 1998 | 2023 | 25 | Actor | Multiple | Accidental | Methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl and benzodiazepines | |
| Bob Collins | 1946 | 2007 | 61 | Politician | Unspecified prescription drugs and alcohol | Suicide | | |
| Natasha Collins | 1976 | 2008 | 31 | Actress | Cocaine | Accidental | | |
| Brian Cole | 1942 | 1972 | 29 | Musician | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Roberta Collins | 1944 | 2008 | 63 | Actress | Unspecified drugs and alcohol | Accidental | | |
| Coolio | 1963 | 2022 | 59 | Rapper | Multiple | Accidental | Fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine | |
| Elizabeth Cooper | 1914 | 1960 | 46 | Actress | Barbiturates | Suicide | | |
| Michael Cooper | 1941 | 1973 | 31 | Photographer | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Megan Connolly | 1974 | 2001 | 27 | Actress | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Sean Costello | 1979 | 2008 | 28 | Musician | Multiple | Unknown | Heroin, chlordiazepoxide, ephedrine and amphetamine | |
| Pamela Courson | 1946 | 1974 | 27 | Boutique manager | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Carl Crack | 1971 | 2001 | 30 | Musician | Unspecified pills and alcohol | Unknown | | |
| Ed Crane | 1862 | 1896 | 34 | Baseball player | Chloral hydrate | Suicide (suspected) | | |
| Darby Crash | 1958 | 1980 | 22 | Musician | Heroin | Suicide | | [154] [155] |
| Nicholas C. Creede | 1843 | 1897 | 53–54 | Prospector | Morphine | Accidental | | [156] [157] |
| Tim Crews | 1961 | 1993 | 31 | Baseball pitcher | Alcohol | Accidental | Crews was legally drunk when he crashed a boat, killing himself and Steve Olin | |
| Stephen Crohn | 1946 | 2013 | 66 | Chef | Benzodiazepine and oxycodone | Suicide | | |
| David Croudip | 1958 | 1988 | 30 | American football player | Cocaine | Unknown | | |
| Robbin Crosby | 1959 | 2002 | 42 | Musician | Heroin | Unknown | | [161] [162] |
| Isaac Cruikshank | 1764 | 1811 | 46–47 | Painter | Alcohol | Unknown | | |
| Bartley Crum | 1900 | 1959 | 59 | Lawyer | Secobarbital and alcohol | Suicide | | |
| Will Cuppy | 1884 | 1949 | 65 | Literary critic | Sleeping pills | Suicide | | |
| Jackie Curtis | 1947 | 1985 | 38 | Actor | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Patricia Cutts | 1926 | 1974 | 48 | Actress | Barbiturates | Suicide | | |
| Chyna | 1969 | 2016 | 46 | Wrestler | Multiple | Accidental | Oxymorphone, oxycodone, temazepam, diazepam, and alcohol | [168] [169] |
| Lin Dai | 1934 | 1964 | 29 | Actress | Sleeping pills | Unknown | | |
| Jacques d'Adelswärd-Fersen | 1880 | 1923 | 43 | Writer | Cocaine and alcohol | Unknown | | |
| Dalida | 1933 | 1987 | 54 | Singer | Barbiturates | Suicide | | [172] [173] |
| Jacques Damala | 1855 | 1889 | 34 | Actor | Cocaine and morphine | Unknown | | |
| Dorothy Dandridge | 1922 | 1965 | 42 | Actress, singer | Imipramine | Accidental | | |
| Mike Darr | 1976 | 2002 | 25 | Baseball player | Alcohol | Accidental | Motor-vehicle collision while intoxicated | |
| Jesse Ed Davis | 1944 | 1988 | 43 | Musician | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Elmyr de Hory | 1906 | 1976 | 70 | Art forger | Barbiturates | Suicide (suspected) | | |
| Ed Delahanty | 1867 | 1903 | 35 | Baseball player | Alcohol | Unknown | Delahanty was intoxicated when he drowned in the Niagara River. | |
| Anestis Delias | 1912 | 1944 | 31–32 | Musician | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Paul DeMayo | 1967 | 2005 | 37 | Bodybuilder | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Ted Demme | 1963 | 2002 | 38 | Director | Cocaine | Accidental | Suspected drug-induced heart attack | |
| René-Thierry Magon de la Villehuchet | 1943 | 2008 | 65 | Businessman | Sleeping pills | Suicide | | |
| Edwin Denby | 1903 | 1983 | 80 | Poet | Sleeping pills | Unknown | | |
| Margaret De Patta | 1903 | 1964 | 60 | Jewelry designer | Unspecified pills | Suicide | | |
| Patterson Dial | 1902 | 1945 | 42 | Writer, actress | Barbiturates | Unknown | | |
| Philip Dimmitt | 1801 | 1841 | 39–40 | Texian Army officer | Morphine | Suicide | | |
| DJ Screw | 1971 | 2000 | 29 | Disc jockey | Codeine | Accidental | | |
| DMX | 1970 | 2021 | 50 | Rapper | Cocaine | Unknown | Drug-induced heart attack | |
| Jimmy Donahue | 1915 | 1966 | 51 | Socialite | Alcohol and barbiturates | Accidental | Possible suicide | |
| Desmond Donnelly | 1920 | 1974 | 53 | Politician | Barbiturates and alcohol | Suicide | | |
| Michael Dorris | 1945 | 1997 | 52 | Writer | Unspecified drugs and alcohol | Suicide | | |
| Tommy Dorsey | 1905 | 1956 | 51 | Musician | Sleeping pills | Accidental | Choked to death while intoxicated | |
| Eric Douglas | 1958 | 2004 | 46 | Comedian | Multiple | Unknown | Unspecified tranquilizers, painkillers and alcohol | |
| Nick Drake | 1948 | 1974 | 26 | Musician | Antidepressants | Suicide (suspected) | | |
| Jonathan Drummond-Webb | 1959 | 2004 | 45 | Pediatric heart surgeon | Unspecified prescription drugs | Suicide | | |
| Kevin DuBrow | 1955 | 2007 | 52 | Singer | Cocaine | Accidental | | [138] [197] |
| Bobby Duncum Jr. | 1965 | 2000 | 34 | Wrestler | Unspecified painkillers and alcohol | Unknown | | |
| Kenne Duncan | 1903 | 1972 | 68 | Actor | Barbiturates | Suicide | | |
| Theresa Duncan | 1966 | 2007 | 40 | Video game designer | Paracetamol and alcohol | Suicide | | |
| Ryan Dunn | 1977 | 2011 | 34 | Actor, stunt man | Alcohol | Accidental | Motor-vehicle collision while intoxicated | |
| Anthony Durante | 1967 | 2003 | 36 | Wrestler | Fentanyl | Unknown | | |
| Buddy Duress | 1985 | 2023 | 38 | Actor | Unspecified | Unknown | Cardiac arrest from a drug cocktail | |
| Guru Dutt | 1925 | 1964 | 39 | Actor | Sleeping pills and alcohol | Unknown | | |
| John Dye | 1963 | 2011 | 47 | Actor | Methamphetamines | Accidental | | |
| Jeanne Eagels | 1890 | 1929 | 39 | Actress | Chloral hydrate | Unknown | | [206] [207] |
| Justin Townes Earle | 1982 | 2020 | 38 | Singer-songwriter | Fentanyl and cocaine | Accidental | | |
| Jamal Edwards | 1990 | 2022 | 31 | Entrepreneur and DJ | Cocaine | Cardiac arrhythmia | | [209] [210] |
| Bernie Elsey | 1906 | 1986 | 79–80 | Property developer | Unspecified | Suicide | | |
| John Entwistle | 1944 | 2002 | 57 | Musician | Cocaine | Accidental | Drug-induced heart attack | |
| Brian Epstein | 1934 | 1967 | 32 | Music entrepreneur | Sleeping pills | Accidental | | [213] [214] |
| Howie Epstein | 1955 | 2003 | 47 | Musician | Heroin and unspecified prescription drugs | Unknown | Suspected overdose | |
| Paul Epstein | 1871 | 1939 | 68 | Mathematician | Barbital | Suicide | | |
| Blanca Errázuriz | 1894 | 1940 | 45 | Socialite | Barbiturates | Suicide | | |
| Austin Eubanks | 1981 | 2019 | 37 | Motivational speaker | Heroin | Accidental | | |
| Eyedea | 1981 | 2010 | 28 | Musician | Unspecified | Accidental | | [219] [220] |
| Chris Farley | 1964 | 1997 | 33 | Actor | Cocaine and morphine | Accidental | | [221] [222] |
| Pete Farndon | 1952 | 1983 | 30 | Musician | Heroin | Unknown | Drowned after overdosing | |
| Rainer Werner Fassbinder | 1945 | 1982 | 37 | Playwright, director | Barbiturates and cocaine | Unknown | | |
| Brenda Fassie | 1964 | 2004 | 39 | Singer | Cocaine | Unknown | | |
| José Fernández | 1992 | 2016 | 24 | Baseball pitcher | Cocaine and alcohol | Accidental | Fernández was under the influence when he died in a boating accident | |
| Lolo Ferrari | 1963 | 2000 | 37 | Pornographic actress | Unspecified | Suicide (suspected) | Officially ruled as "most likely suicide", though previously speculated as murder | |
| Paul Ferris | 1941 | 1995 | 54 | Film composer | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Vincent Flemmi | 1935 | 1979 | 44 | Gangster | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Antonio Flores | 1961 | 1995 | 33 | Singer, actor | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Bernard Floud | 1915 | 1967 | 52 | Politician | Sleeping pills | Unknown | Suspected overdose | |
| Althea Flynt | 1953 | 1987 | 33 | Co-publisher of Hustler | Heroin | Undetermined | Drowned after overdosing; whether her death was intentional or not was unclear | [232] [233] |
| Steve Foley | 1959 | 2008 | 49 | Musician | Unspecified | Accidental | Suspected overdose | |
| Seán Fortune | 1954 | 1999 | 45 | Priest | Unspecified drugs and alcohol | Suicide | | |
| Sidney Fox | 1911 | 1942 | 30 | Actress | Sleeping pills | Suicide (suspected) | | |
| Henry Stephen Fox | 1791 | 1846 | 55 | Diplomat | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| J. Herbert Frank | 1885 | 1926 | 40 | Actor | Chloroform | Suicide | Frank used a combination of chloroform and natural gas. | |
| Rosemarie Frankland | 1943 | 2000 | 57 | Actress | Unspecified prescription drugs | Suicide | | |
| Katy French | 1983 | 2007 | 24 | Model, socialite | Cocaine and ephedrine | Accidental | Official cause of death was hypoxic ischemic brain injury caused by cocaine and ephedrine | [240] [241] |
| Gary Frisch | 1969 | 2007 | 38 | Website founder | Ketamine | Misadventure | Frisch jumped from a balcony while intoxicated | |
| Gangsta Boo | 1979 | 2023 | 43 | Rapper | Cocaine, alcohol and fentanyl | Accidental | | |
| Danny Gans | 1956 | 2009 | 52 | Impressionist, entertainer | Hydromorphone | Accidental | Gans was killed by a combination of the prescription drug and a pre-existing heart condition | |
| Paul Gardiner | 1958 | 1984 | 25 | Musician | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Judy Garland | 1922 | 1969 | 47 | Singer, actress | Secobarbital | Accidental | Officially accidental though speculated suicide | [246] [247] |
| Paul Gauguin | 1848 | 1903 | 54 | Painter | Morphine | Unknown | | |
| Gidget Gein | 1969 | 2008 | 39 | Musician | Unspecified | Unknown | Suspected overdose | [249] [250] |
| Peaches Geldof | 1989 | 2014 | 25 | Writer, model | Heroin | Accidental | Overdose due to diminished tolerance after drugs treatment. | [251] [252] |
| Martha Gellhorn | 1908 | 1998 | 89 | Writer | Cyanide poisoning | Suicide | | |
| Lowell George | 1945 | 1979 | 34 | Musician | Unspecified | Accidental | | [254] [255] |
| Talitha Getty | 1940 | 1971 | 30 | Actress | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Harold Gimblett | 1914 | 1978 | 63 | Cricketer | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Michèle Girardon | 1938 | 1975 | 36 | Actress | Sleeping pills | Suicide | | |
| Billy Glide | 1970 | 2014 | 43 | Pornographic actor | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Trevor Goddard | 1962 | 2003 | 40 | Actor | Multiple | Accidental | Heroin, cocaine, diazepam and hydrocodone/paracetamol | |
| Denis Goodwin | 1929 | 1975 | 45 | Writer | Sleeping pills and alcohol | Unknown | | |
| Greg Giraldo | 1965 | 2010 | 44 | Comedian | Unspecified prescription drugs | Accidental | | |
| Dwayne Goettel | 1964 | 1995 | 31 | Musician | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Adam Goldstein | 1973 | 2009 | 36 | Disc jockey | Multiple | Accidental | Cocaine, levamisole, oxycodone, hydrocodone, lorazepam, clonazepam, alprazolam and diphenhydramine | |
| Paul Gray | 1972 | 2010 | 38 | Musician | Fentanyl and morphine | Accidental | | |
| Lucy Grealy | 1963 | 2002 | 39 | Poet | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| William Lindsay Gresham | 1909 | 1962 | 53 | Author | Sleeping pills | Suicide | | |
| Gribouille | 1941 | 1968 | 26 | Singer | Unspecified medication and alcohol | Unknown | | |
| Eddie Griffin | 1982 | 2007 | 25 | Basketball player | Alcohol | Accidental | Motor-vehicle collision while intoxicated | |
| Emmett Grogan | 1942 | 1978 | 35 | Activist | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Gustaf Gründgens | 1899 | 1963 | 63 | Actor | Sleeping pills | Suicide (suspected) | | |
| Clinton Haines | 1976 | 1997 | 21 | Computer hacker | Heroin | Accidental | | [272] [273] |
| Kenneth Halliwell | 1926 | 1967 | 41 | Actor | Pentobarbital | Suicide | | |
| Ollie Halsall | 1949 | 1992 | 43 | Musician | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Lois Hamilton | 1952 | 1999 | 47 | Model, actress | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Marthe Hanau | 1890 | 1935 | 44–45 | Fraudster | Sleeping pills | Unknown | | |
| Tony Hancock | 1924 | 1968 | 44 | Actor | Amphetamines and alcohol | Suicide | | |
| Edward A. Hannegan | 1807 | 1857 | 51 | Senator | Morphine | Unknown | | |
| Tommy Hanson | 1986 | 2015 | 29 | Baseball pitcher | Cocaine and alcohol | Accidental | | |
| Malcolm Hardee | 1950 | 2005 | 55 | Comedian | Alcohol | Accidental | Drowned after he fell into the water while intoxicated | |
| James Harden-Hickey | 1854 | 1898 | 43 | Author, adventurer | Morphine | Suicide | | |
| Tim Hardin | 1941 | 1980 | 39 | Musician | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Eric Harroun | 1982 | 2014 | 31 | Free Syrian Army fighter | Heroin and sertraline | Accidental | | |
| Domino Harvey | 1969 | 2005 | 35 | Bounty hunter | Fentanyl | Unknown | | |
| Rodney Harvey | 1967 | 1998 | 30 | Actor, model | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Walter Hasenclever | 1890 | 1940 | 49 | Poet, playwright | Barbital | Suicide | | |
| Imogen Hassall | 1942 | 1980 | 38 | Actress | Tuinal | Unknown | | |
| Bobby Hatfield | 1940 | 2003 | 63 | Musician | Cocaine | Unknown | Drug-induced heart attack | |
| James Hatfield | 1958 | 2001 | 43 | Author | Unspecified prescription pills | Suicide | | |
| Felix Hausdorff | 1868 | 1942 | 73 | Mathematician | Barbital | Suicide | | |
| Phyllis Haver | 1899 | 1960 | 61 | Actress | Barbiturates | Suicide (suspected) | | |
| Taylor Hawkins | 1972 | 2022 | 50 | Musician | Multiple | | | |
| James Hayden | 1953 | 1983 | 29 | Actor | Heroin | Unknown | Suspected overdose | |
| Ira Hayes | 1923 | 1955 | 32 | United States Marine | Alcohol | Accidental | Hayes was killed by a combination of exposure and intoxication | |
| Rory Hayes | 1949 | 1983 | 34 | Cartoonist | Multiple | Unknown | Died from polypharmacy of unspecified drugs | |
| Paul Hayward | 1954 | 1992 | 38 | Rugby league player | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Mitch Hedberg | 1968 | 2005 | 37 | Comedian | Cocaine and heroin | Unknown | | |
| Thomas Heggen | 1918 | 1949 | 30 | Writer | Barbiturates | Suicide (suspected) | | |
| Tim Hemensley | 1972 | 2003 | 31 | Musician | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Margaux Hemingway | 1954 | 1996 | 42 | Actress | Phenobarbital | Suicide | | |
| Jimi Hendrix | 1942 | 1970 | 27 | Musician | Barbiturates | Accidental | Hendrix aspirated his own vomit and died of asphyxia while intoxicated | [302] [303] |
| Curt Hennig | 1958 | 2003 | 44 | Wrestler | Cocaine | Unknown | | |
| Gregory Herbert | 1947 | 1978 | 30 | Musician | Heroin | Suicide | | |
| James Leo Herlihy | 1927 | 1993 | 66 | Novelist, actor | Sleeping pills | Suicide | | |
| Gino Hernandez | 1957 | 1986 | 28 | Wrestler | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| George Hickenlooper | 1963 | 2010 | 47 | Documentary filmmaker | Oxymorphone and alcohol | Accidental | | |
| Ureli Corelli Hill | 1802 | 1875 | 72–73 | Conductor | Morphine | Suicide | | |
| Virginia Hill | 1916 | 1966 | 49 | Courier | Sleeping pills | Unknown | | |
| Ashihei Hino | 1907 | 1960 | 49 | Soldier, author | Sleeping pills | Suicide | | |
| Bob Hite | 1943 | 1981 | 38 | Singer | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Roger Hobbs | 1988 | 2016 | 28 | Writer | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Jane Aiken Hodge | 1917 | 2009 | 91 | Writer | Unspecified | Suicide | | |
| Abbie Hoffman | 1936 | 1989 | 52 | Activist | Phenobarbital | Suicide | | |
| Philip Seymour Hoffman | 1967 | 2014 | 46 | Actor | Multiple | Accidental | Heroin, cocaine, benzodiazepines and amphetamines | [316] [317] |
| William Holden | 1918 | 1981 | 63 | Actor | Alcohol | Accidental | Holden fell and bled to death while intoxicated | |
| Michael Holliday | 1924 | 1963 | 38 | Singer | Unspecified | Suicide | | |
| Crash Holly | 1971 | 2003 | 32 | Wrestler | Carisoprodol | Suicide | Suspected overdose | |
| Hollywood Fats | 1954 | 1986 | 32 | Musician | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Gary Holton | 1952 | 1985 | 33 | Actor, musician | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| James Honeyman-Scott | 1956 | 1982 | 25 | Musician | Cocaine | Unknown | Drug-induced heart attack | |
| Shannon Hoon | 1967 | 1995 | 28 | Musician | Cocaine | Unknown | | |
| Russell Hopton | 1900 | 1945 | 45 | Actor | Sleeping pills | Unknown | Suspected overdose | |
| Paul Horner | 1978 | 2017 | 39 | Comedian | Multiple | Accidental | Clonazepam, diazepam, alcohol and furanylfentanyl | |
| Sebastian Horsley | 1962 | 2010 | 47 | Artist | Cocaine and heroin | Unknown | | |
| Tim Horton | 1930 | 1974 | 44 | Ice hockey player | Dexamyl and alcohol | Accidental | Motor-vehicle collision while intoxicated | |
| Whitney Houston | 1963 | 2012 | 48 | Singer, actress | Cocaine | Accidental | Houston drowned, with heart disease and cocaine listed as contributing factors | |
| Tim Hovey | 1945 | 1989 | 44 | Child actor | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Andrée Howard | 1910 | 1968 | 57 | Ballet dancer | Unspecified | Unknown | Suspected overdose | |
| Dick Howard | 1935 | 1967 | 32 | Athlete | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Lisa Howard | 1930 | 1965 | 35 | Reporter | Phenobarbital | Suicide | Officially suicide though speculated as murder | |
| Howard Hughes | 1905 | 1976 | 70 | Aviator, businessman | Codeine | Unknown | Hughes died of liver failure after his physician administered an overdose of codeine | |
| Mark R. Hughes | 1956 | 2000 | 44 | Businessman | Doxepin and alcohol | Accidental | | |
| Gertrude Hullett | 1906 | 1956 | 49–50 | Wife | Sodium barbital | Suicide | Officially ruled as suicide by an inquest which received criticism; John Bodkin Adams was charged with her murder, though never tried for it | |
| Harold Hunter | 1974 | 2006 | 31 | Skateboarder, actor | Cocaine | Unknown | Drug-induced heart attack | |
| Leona Hutton | 1892 | 1949 | 56 | Actress | Codeine | Unknown | | |
| Phyllis Hyman | 1949 | 1995 | 45 | Singer | Pentobarbital and secobarbital | Suicide | | |
| Fanny Imlay | 1794 | 1816 | 22 | Wife | Laudanum | Suicide | | |
| Andy Irons | 1978 | 2010 | 32 | Surfer | Multiple | Unknown | Died from cardiac arrest, with secondary cause of death as acute mixed drug ingestion of cocaine, methamphetamines, alprazolam and methadone | |
| Bruce Edwards Ivins | 1946 | 2008 | 62 | Microbiologist | Paracetamol | Suicide | | |
| Barnaby Jack | 1977 | 2013 | 35 | Hacker, security expert | Multiple | Unknown | Cocaine, heroin and other unspecified drugs | |
| Charles R. Jackson | 1903 | 1968 | 65 | Author | Barbiturates | Suicide | | |
| Jennifer Lyn Jackson | 1969 | 2010 | 40 | Playboy Playmate | Heroin | Unknown | Suspected overdose | [344] [345] |
| Michael Jackson | 1958 | 2009 | 50 | Singer | Lorazepam and propofol | Involuntary manslaughter | Jackson was killed by an accidental overdose administered by his physician | |
| Peter Jackson | 1964 | 1997 | 33 | Rugby league player | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Steve Jagielka | 1978 | 2021 | 43 | Football player | Methadone | Unknown | "Moderate" levels of cocaine were also present | |
| Joyce Jameson | 1932 | 1987 | 54 | Actress | Unspecified | Suicide | | |
| Jimi Jamison | 1951 | 2014 | 63 | Musician | Methamphetamine | Unknown | "Acute methamphetamine intoxication" was a contributing factor | |
| Tom Jans | 1948 | 1984 | 36 | Singer | Unspecified | Unknown | Suspected overdose | |
| Jóhann Jóhannsson | 1969 | 2018 | 48 | Artist | Cocaine and cold medicine | Unknown | The "likely cause of death" was found to be a combination of the two drugs | |
| Dean Johnson | 1961 | 2007 | 46 | Entertainer | Oxycodone | Unknown | | |
| Randy Johnston | 1988 | 2008 | 20 | Model | Unspecified | Accidental | | |
| Ragnhild Jølsen | 1875 | 1908 | 32 | Author | Morphine | Suicide | | |
| Anissa Jones | 1958 | 1976 | 18 | Actress | Methaqualone and alcohol | Accidental | | [356] [357] |
| Chloe Jones | 1975 | 2005 | 29 | Pornographic actress | Unspecified prescription drugs | Accidental | | |
| Rob Jones | 1975 | 2005 | 29 | Musician | Heart attack | Suspected to have been caused by a heroin overdose | | |
| Janis Joplin | 1943 | 1970 | 27 | Musician | Heroin | Accidental | | |
| Juice WRLD | 1998 | 2019 | 21 | Rapper | Oxycodone and codeine | Accidental | Official cause of death was seizures induced by acute oxycodone and codeine intoxication | |
| Kazuo Kageyama | 1927 | 1965 | 38 | Baseball player | Sleeping pills | Unknown | | |
| Frida Kahlo | 1907 | 1954 | 47 | Artist | Opiates | Suicide (suspected) | Official cause of death was pulmonary embolism, though no autopsy was performed; modern biographers believe that she committed suicide with opiates | [363] [364] |
| John Kahn | 1947 | 1996 | 48 | Musician | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Chris Kanyon | 1970 | 2010 | 40 | Wrestler | Unspecified pills | Suicide | | |
| Lisa Robin Kelly | 1970 | 2013 | 43 | Actress | Multiple | Accidental | Combined drug intoxication of unspecified drugs | |
| Beverly Kenney | 1932 | 1960 | 28 | Singer | Secobarbital and alcohol | Suicide | | |
| Bernard Kettlewell | 1907 | 1979 | 72 | Lepidopterist, medical doctor | Unspecified | Accidental | | |
| David Kelly | 1944 | 2003 | 59 | Weapons expert | Dextropropoxyphene | Suicide | Evidence indicated Kelly consumed 29 dextropropoxyphene pills | |
| Dorothy Kilgallen | 1913 | 1965 | 52 | Journalist | Barbiturates and ethannol | Unknown | | |
| Margot Kidder | 1948 | 2018 | 69 | Actress | Unspecified painkillers and alcohol | Suicide | | |
| Rodney King | 1965 | 2012 | 47 | Taxi driver | Multiple | Accidental | Drowned due to the combined effects of a heart condition, alongside alcohol, cocaine, marijuana and phencyclidine intoxication | |
| Thomas Kinkade | 1958 | 2012 | 54 | Painter | Diazepam and alcohol | Unknown | | |
| Ben Klassen | 1918 | 1993 | 75 | Founder of Creativity | Sleeping pills | Suicide | | [375] [376] |
| Fletcher Knebel | 1911 | 1993 | 81 | Author | Sleeping pills | Suicide | | |
| Arthur Koestler | 1905 | 1983 | 77 | Author | Tuinal and alcohol | Suicide | | |
| Hannelore Kohl | 1933 | 2001 | 68 | Wife | Unspecified painkillers and sleeping pills | Suicide | | |
| John Kordic | 1965 | 1992 | 27 | Ice hockey player | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Joey Kovar | 1983 | 2012 | 29 | Reality TV star | Opiates | Unknown | | |
| Seymour Krim | 1922 | 1989 | 67 | Writer | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Deborah Laake | 1953 | 2000 | 47 | Writer | Unspecified pills | Suicide | | |
| Alan Ladd | 1913 | 1964 | 50 | Actor | Unspecified drugs and alcohol | Accidental | | |
| Karen Lancaume | 1973 | 2005 | 32 | Pornographic actress | Temazepam | Suicide | | |
| Carole Landis | 1919 | 1948 | 29 | Actress | Secobarbital | Suicide | | |
| Jani Lane | 1964 | 2011 | 47 | Singer | Alcohol | Unknown | | |
| Guttman Landau | 1877c. 1877 | 1942 | 63–65 | Community leader | Morphine | Unknown | | |
| Heath Ledger | 1979 | 2008 | 28 | Actor | Multiple | Accidental | Oxycodone, hydrocodone, alprazolam, diazepam, temazepam and doxylamine | |
| David Lerner | 1951 | 1997 | 45 | Poet | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Gerald Levert | 1966 | 2006 | 40 | Singer | Multiple | Accidental | Oxycodone/paracetamol, hydrocodone/paracetamol, dextropropoxyphene, alprazolam and two antihistamines | |
| Ronald Lewis | 1928 | 1982 | 53 | Actor | Sleeping pills | Unknown | | |
| Rudy Lewis | 1936 | 1964 | 27 | Singer | Unspecified | Disputed | Some sources state he died from an unspecified drug overdose while others state he choked | |
| Frank Xavier Leyendecker | 1877 | 1924 | 48 | Illustrator | Unspecified | Suicide | Suspected only | [394] [395] |
| Lil Peep | 1996 | 2017 | 21 | Musician | Fentanyl and Xanax | Accidental | Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone (Dilaudid), Oxycodone and Oxymorphone | |
| Debbie Linden | 1961 | 1997 | 36 | Model, actress | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Max Linder | 1883 | 1925 | 41 | Actor | Barbital and morphine | Suicide | Linder and his wife both took the drugs then cut open veins in their arms | |
| Ruan Lingyu | 1910 | 1935 | 24 | Actress | Sleeping pills | Disputed suicide | | [399] [400] |
| Gene Lipscomb | 1931 | 1963 | 31 | American football player | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Athina Livanos | 1929 | 1974 | 45 | Socialite | Barbiturates | Undetermined | | |
| Eugenia Livanos | 1927 | 1970 | 42–43 | Wife | Barbiturates | Unknown | | |
| Kevin Lloyd | 1949 | 1998 | 49 | Actor | Alcohol | Accidental | Lloyd was heavily intoxicated when he choked on his own vomit | |
| David Lochary | 1944 | 1977 | 32 | Actor | Phencyclidine | Unknown | Lochary bled to death while intoxicated | |
| Philip Loeb | 1891 | 1955 | 64 | Actor | Sleeping pills | Suicide | Suspected overdose | |
| Malcolm Lowry | 1909 | 1957 | 47 | Poet, novelist | Barbiturates and alcohol | Suicide (suspected) | | |
| Zoe Lund | 1962 | 1999 | 37 | Model, actress | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Donyale Luna | 1945 | 1979 | 33 | Model, actress | Heroin | Accidental | | [409] [410] |
| Frankie Lymon | 1942 | 1968 | 25 | Singer | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Phil Lynott | 1949 | 1986 | 36 | Musician | Disputed | Unknown | Conflicting sources report various causes of death, including heart and liver failure, heart failure and pneumonia after a drug overdose, and blood poisoning from heroin addiction |
| Billy Mackenzie | 1957 | 1997 | 39 | Musician | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Jim Magnuson | 1946 | 1991 | 44 | Baseball pitcher | Alcohol | Unknown | | |
| Jesse Mahelona | 1983 | 2009 | 26 | American football player | Alcohol | Accidental | Motor-vehicle collision while intoxicated | |
| Chris Mainwaring | 1965 | 2007 | 41 | Australian football player | Cocaine | Accidental | | [418] [419] |
| Bibek Maitra | 1965 | 2006 | 40 | Politician | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Thomas Manby | 1769 | 1834 | 65 | British naval officer | Opium | Unknown | | |
| Klaus Mann | 1906 | 1949 | 42 | Writer | Sleeping pills | Unknown | | |
| Dmitry Markov | 1982 | 2024 | 41 | Photographer | Methadone | Unknown | | |
| Sherri Martel | 1958 | 2007 | 49 | Wrestler | Oxycodone | Accidental | Other unspecified drugs were involved | |
| J. Sella Martin | 1832 | 1876 | 43 | Abolitionist | Laudanum | Suicide | | |
| Virginia Maskell | 1936 | 1968 | 31 | Actress | Barbiturates | Unknown | | |
| Thalia Massie | 1911 | 1963 | 52 | Wife | Barbiturates | Unknown | | |
| Lisa Matsumoto | 1964 | 2007 | 43 | Author | Alcohol | Accidental | Motor-vehicle collision while intoxicated | |
| John Matuszak | 1950 | 1989 | 38 | American football player | Dextropropoxyphene | Accidental | | |
| Billy Mays | 1958 | 2009 | 50 | Salesperson | Cocaine | Heart disease | Cocaine use was listed as a contributory cause of death | [430] [431] |
| David McComb | 1962 | 1999 | 36 | Musician | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Kid McCoy | 1872 | 1940 | 67 | Boxer | Sleeping pills | Suicide | | [433] [434] |
| Jimmy McCulloch | 1953 | 1979 | 26 | Musician | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Marie McDonald | 1923 | 1965 | 42 | Actress | Unspecified multiple drugs | Unknown | | [436] [437] |
| Jim McElroy | 1862 | 1889 | 26 | Baseball player | Morphine | Suicide | | |
| Robbie McIntosh | 1950 | 1974 | 24 | Musician | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Stephen McKeag | 1970 | 2000 | 30 | Ulster Defence Association member | Cocaine and unspecified painkillers | Unknown | | |
| Maggie McNamara | 1928 | 1978 | 49 | Actress | Sleeping pills | Suicide | | |
| Lance McNaught | 1981 | 2010 | 29 | Wrestler | Unspecified | Accidental | Intoxication from mixed drugs complicated a cardiomyopathy | |
| Aimee Semple McPherson | 1890 | 1944 | 53 | Evangelist | Sleeping pills | Unknown | | |
| Jonathan Melvoin | 1961 | 1996 | 34 | Keyboardist | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Mayo Methot | 1904 | 1951 | 47 | Actress | Alcohol | Unknown | | |
| Alfred Métraux | 1902 | 1963 | 60 | Anthropologist | Unspecified | Suicide | | |
| Robin Milford | 1903 | 1959 | 56 | Composer | Aspirin | Suicide | | [447] [448] |
| Mac Miller | 1992 | 2018 | 26 | Rapper | Fentanyl, cocaine, and alcohol | Accidental | | |
| Mary Millington | 1945 | 1979 | 33 | Model, pornographic actress | Paracetamol | Suicide | | |
| Miss Elizabeth | 1960 | 2003 | 42 | Wrestling manager | Multiple | Unknown | Painkillers, nausea medication, tranquilizers and alcohol | |
| Marilyn Monroe | 1926 | 1962 | 36 | Actress | Barbiturates | Suicide (suspected) | Officially ruled as a probable suicide though several conspiracy theories exist | [452] [453] |
| Haoui Montaug | 1952 | 1991 | 38–39 | Bouncer | Secobarbital | Suicide | | |
| Cory Monteith | 1982 | 2013 | 31 | Actor, musician | Heroin and alcohol | Accidental (suspected) | | [455] [456] |
| Alain Montpetit | 1950 | 1987 | 36 | Media personality | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Teresa Wilms Montt | 1893 | 1921 | 28 | Writer | Barbital | Suicide | | |
| Keith Moon | 1946 | 1978 | 32 | Musician | Anti-seizure medication | Accidental | The medication had been prescribed for alcoholism | |
| Ashleigh Aston Moore | 1981 | 2007 | 26 | Actress | Unspecified | Unknown | Suspected overdose | |
| Perry Moore | 1971 | 2011 | 39 | Director | Multiple | Accidental | Methadone, morphine and benzodiazaprine | |
| Dennis Moran | 1982 | 2013 | 30 | Security hacker | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Susan Morgan | 1957 | 2009 | 52 | Author | Unspecified painkillers | Suicide | | |
| Erick Morillo | 1971 | 2020 | 49 | Disk jockey | Ketamine | Accidental | Cause of death was "acute ketamine toxicity" with MDMA and cocaine listed as contributing causes | |
| Chester Morris | 1901 | 1970 | 69 | Actor | Barbiturates | Unknown | | |
| Jim Morrison | 1943 | 1971 | 27 | Musician | Heroin | Heart failure | Official cause of death was heart failure, though no autopsy was performed; strongly suspected to have been a heroin overdose | [466] [467] |
| Chuck Mosley | 1959 | 2017 | 57 | Musician | Heroin | Unknown | Suspected | |
| David James Mossman | 1926 | 1971 | 44 | Journalist | Sleeping pills | Suicide | | |
| Billy Murcia | 1951 | 1972 | 21 | Musician | Methaqualone and alcohol | Unknown | | |
| Ona Munson | 1903 | 1955 | 51 | Actress | Sleeping pills | Suicide | | |
| Brittany Murphy | 1977 | 2009 | 32 | Actress | Unspecified | Multiple | Cause of death was a combination of pneumonia, an iron deficiency and combined drug intoxication of legal drugs for influenza treatment | |
| Brent Mydland | 1952 | 1990 | 37 | Musician | Cocaine and morphine | Unknown | | |
| Valerie Grosvenor Myer | 1935 | 2007 | 72 | Writer | Sleeping pills | Suicide | | |
| Yves Navarre | 1940 | 1994 | 53 | Writer | Barbiturates | Suicide | | |
| Scott Newman | 1950 | 1978 | 28 | Actor | Multiple | Accidental | Diazepam, alcohol and other unspecified drugs | |
| Tina Onassis Niarchos | 1929 | 1974 | 45 | Wife | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Ruth Rowland Nichols | 1901 | 1960 | 59 | Aviator | Barbiturates | Suicide | | |
| Joachim Nielsen | 1964 | 2000 | 36 | Musician, poet | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Filip Nikolic | 1974 | 2009 | 35 | Singer | Sleeping pills | Undetermined | | [480] [481] |
| Cranford Nix | 1969 | 2002 | 33 | Musician | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Mary Nolan | 1902 | 1948 | 45 | Actress | Secobarbital | Unknown | | |
| Bradley Nowell | 1968 | 1996 | 28 | Musician | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| John Odom | 1982 | 2008 | 26 | Baseball player | Multiple | Accidental | Heroin, methamphetamines, benzylpiperazine and alcohol | |
| Lani O'Grady | 1954 | 2001 | 46 | Actress | Fluoxetine and hydrocodone/paracetamol | Unknown | | |
| Johnny O'Keefe | 1935 | 1978 | 43 | Singer | Unspecified | Suicide | | [487] [488] |
| Pascale Ogier | 1958 | 1984 | 25 | Actress | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Ol' Dirty Bastard | 1968 | 2004 | 35 | Musician | Cocaine and tramadol | Accidental | | |
| Charlie Ondras | 1966 | 1992 | 25 | Musician | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Dolores O'Riordan | 1971 | 2018 | 46 | Singer | Alcohol | Accidental | Drowned as a result of alcohol intoxication | |
| Alice Ormsby-Gore | 1952 | 1995 | 42 | Socialite | Heroin | Misadventure | | |
| Matt Osborne | 1957 | 2013 | 55 | Wrestler | Hydrocodone and morphine | Accidental | | |
| Brian Ottney | 1980 | 2003 | 23 | Football player | Unspecified medication and alcohol | Suicide | | |
| Liam O'Sullivan | 1981 | 2002 | 20 | Football player | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Leila Pahlavi | 1970 | 2001 | 31 | Princess, model | Secobarbital | Unknown | | |
| Helen Palmer | 1898 | 1967 | 69 | Writer | Barbiturates | Suicide | | |
| Marco Pantani | 1970 | 2004 | 34 | Cyclist | Cocaine | Accidental | | |
| Fran Papasedero | 1969 | 2003 | 34 | American football coach | Alcohol | Accidental | Motor-vehicle collision while intoxicated | |
| Gram Parsons | 1946 | 1973 | 26 | Singer | Morphine and alcohol | Unknown | | |
| Robert Pastorelli | 1954 | 2004 | 49 | Actor | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Jenny Pat | 1981 | 2014 | 33 | Art dealer | Unspecified prescription drugs | Unknown | | |
| Cesare Pavese | 1908 | 1950 | 41 | Poet, novelist | Barbiturates | Suicide | | |
| Andrea Pazienza | 1956 | 1988 | 32 | Comics artist | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Harvey Pekar | 1939 | 2010 | 70 | Comic writer | Bupropion and fluoxetine | Accidental | | |
| D.H. Peligro | 1959 | 2022 | 63 | Drummer | Heroin and fentanyl | Unknown | | |
| Carl Perkins | 1928 | 1958 | 29 | Pianist | Heroin | Unknown | Suspected overdose | [508] [509] |
| Matthew Perry | 1969 | 2023 | 54 | Actor | Ketamine | Accidental | Contributing factors were listed as drowning, coronary artery disease, and buprenorphine effects | |
| Amanda Peterson | 1971 | 2015 | 43 | Actress | Morphine | Accidental | | |
| Christopher Pettiet | 1976 | 2000 | 24 | Actor | Unspecified | Accidental | | |
| Tom Petty | 1950 | 2017 | 66 | Musician, actor | Multiple | Accidental | Fentanyl, oxycodone, temazepam, alprazolam, citalopram, acetylfentanyl, and despropionyl fentanyl | |
| William Petzäll | 1988 | 2012 | 24 | Politician | Benzodiazepine and pregabalin | Unknown | | |
| Kristen Pfaff | 1967 | 1994 | 27 | Musician | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| River Phoenix | 1970 | 1993 | 23 | Actor | Cocaine and heroin | Accidental | | [516] [517] |
| Rob Pilatus | 1965 | 1998 | 32 | Musician | Unspecified prescription drugs and alcohol | Unknown | | [518] [519] |
| Pimp C | 1973 | 2007 | 33 | Musician | Codeine and promethazine | Unknown | | |
| Alejandra Pizarnik | 1936 | 1972 | 36 | Poet | Unspecified sedatives | Unknown | | |
| Dana Plato | 1964 | 1999 | 34 | Actress | Carisoprodol and hydrocodone/paracetamol | Suicide | | [522] [523] |
| Silvo Plut | 1968 | 2007 | 38 | Serial killer | Sleeping pills | Suicide | | |
| Edgar Allan Poe | 1809 | 1849 | 40 | Poet | Disputed | Disputed | The cause of Poe's death is disputed, but many theories exist. It has been attributed to laudanum, dipsomania and delerium tremens, though also to apoplexy, epilepsy and meningitis | |
| Jackson Pollock | 1912 | 1956 | 44 | Painter | Alcohol | Accidental | Motor-vehicle collision while intoxicated | |
| Darrell Porter | 1952 | 2002 | 50 | Baseball catcher | Cocaine | Unknown | | |
| Marin Preda | 1922 | 1980 | 57 | Writer | Alcohol | Unknown | | |
| Elvis Presley | 1935 | 1977 | 42 | Singer | Multiple | Disputed | Fourteen drugs were involved; it is accepted they played a factor in his death, though to what degree is debated | |
| Marie Prevost | 1896 | 1937 | 38 | Actress | Alcohol | Unknown | | |
| Dickie Pride | 1941 | 1969 | 27 | Singer | Sleeping pills | Unknown | | |
| Gary Primich | 1958 | 2007 | 49 | Singer | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Prince | 1958 | 2016 | 57 | Musician | Fentanyl | Accidental | | |
| Fritz Pröll | 1915 | 1944 | 29 | Resistance fighter | Cyanide poisoning | Suicide | | |
| Geoffrey Pyke | 1893 | 1948 | 54 | Journalist | Phenobarbital | Suicide | | |
| Robert Quine | 1942 | 2004 | 61 | Musician | Heroin | Suicide | | |
| Glenn Quinn | 1970 | 2002 | 32 | Actor | Unspecified | Accidental | | |
| Dee Dee Ramone | 1951 | 2002 | 50 | Musician | Heroin | Accidental | | |
| Nicola Ann Raphael | 1985 | 2001 | 15 | Student | Dextropropoxyphene | Suicide | | |
| DJ Rashad | 1979 | 2014 | 34 | Disc jockey | Multiple | Accidental | Heroin, cocaine, and alprazolam | |
| James Ray | 1941 | 1963c. 1963 | 21–23 | Singer | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Amber Rayne | 1984 | 2016 | 31 | Pornographic actress | Cocaine | Accidental | | |
| Richard Realf | 1832 | 1878 | 46 | Poet | Morphine | Unknown | | |
| Jay Reatard | 1980 | 2010 | 29 | Musician | Cocaine and alcohol | Unknown | | |
| Michael Reeves | 1943 | 1969 | 25 | Film director | Barbiturates and alcohol | Unknown | | |
| Wallace Reid | 1891 | 1923 | 31 | Actor | Morphine | Unknown | The morphine was prescribed | |
| Elis Regina | 1945 | 1982 | 36 | Singer | Multiple | Accidental | Cocaine, alcohol, and temazepam | |
| The Rev | 1981 | 2009 | 28 | Musician | Multiple | Accidental | Oxycodone, oxymorphone, diazepam, nordiazepam and alcohol | |
| Willy Rey | 1949 | 1973 | 23 | Model | Barbiturates | Unknown | | |
| Helen Richey | 1909 | 1947 | 38 | Aviator | Sleeping pills | Suicide | | |
| Brad Renfro | 1982 | 2008 | 25 | Actor | Heroin and morphine | Accidental | | |
| Lucha Reyes | 1906 | 1944 | 38 | Singer | Sleeping pills | Suicide | | |
| Adam Rich | 1968 | 2023 | 54 | Actor | Fentanyl | Accidental | | |
| Frank Ringo | 1860 | 1889 | 28 | Baseball player | Morphine | Suicide | | [554] [555] |
| Chynna Rogers | 1994 | 2020 | 25 | Model, musician | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Rachel Roberts | 1927 | 1980 | 53 | Actress | Barbiturates | Suicide | | |
| Don Rogers | 1962 | 1986 | 23 | American football player | Cocaine | Unknown | Drug-induced heart attack | |
| Steve Rogers | 1954 | 2006 | 51 | Rugby league player | Antidepressants and alcohol | Accidental | | |
| Giles Romilly | 1916 | 1967 | 50 | Journalist | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Monica Rose | 1948 | 1994 | 45 | TV show hostess | Antidepressants and tranquilizers | Suicide | | |
| Edgar Rosenberg | 1925 | 1987 | 62 | Film producer | Diazepam | Suicide | | [562] [563] |
| Clinton Rossiter | 1917 | 1970 | 52 | Historian | Barbiturates | Suicide | | |
| Mark Rothko | 1903 | 1970 | 66 | Painter | Barbiturates | Suicide | Rothko also slit his wrists | |
| Axl Rotten | 1971 | 2016 | 44 | Wrestler | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Dave Rubinstein | 1964 | 1993 | 28 | Singer | Unspecified | Suicide | | |
| Rick Rude | 1958 | 1999 | 40 | Wrestler | Unspecified painkillers | Unknown | | [568] [569] |
| David Ruffin | 1941 | 1991 | 50 | Musician | Crack cocaine | Accidental | | |
| Gerry Ryan | 1956 | 2010 | 53 | Radio personality | Cocaine | Heart attack | Heart attack was suspected to be triggered by cocaine | |
| Johanna Sällström | 1974 | 2007 | 32 | Actress | Unspecified | Suicide | | |
| Ananda Samarakoon | 1911 | 1962 | 51 | Composer, musician | Sleeping pills | Unknown | | |
| George Sanders | 1906 | 1972 | 65 | Actor | Pentobarbital | Suicide | | |
| Tyler Sash | 1988 | 2015 | 27 | American football player | Hydrocodone and methadone | Accidental | | |
| John Baker Saunders | 1954 | 1999 | 44 | Musician | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Catya Sassoon | 1968 | 2002 | 33 | Model, actress | Cocaine and hydromorphone | Unknown | | |
| Sonja Savić | 1961 | 2008 | 47 | Actress | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Sybille Schmitz | 1909 | 1955 | 45 | Actress | Sleeping pills | Suicide | | |
| Donald Sinclair | 1911 | 1995 | 84 | Veterinary surgeon | Barbiturates | Suicide | | |
| Gia Scala | 1934 | 1972 | 38 | Actress, model | Unspecified drugs and alcohol | Accidental | | |
| Frederick Schwatka | 1849 | 1892 | 43 | Army officer | Opiates | Suicide | Conflicting sources report morphine or laudanum as causing the overdose | [582] [583] |
| Bon Scott | 1946 | 1980 | 33 | Musician | Alcohol | Unknown | | |
| Ronnie Scott | 1927 | 1996 | 69 | Musician | Barbiturates | Accidental | The barbiturates were prescribed | |
| George Scott III | 1953 | 1980 | 26 | Bass player | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Pat Screen | 1943 | 1994 | 51 | American football player | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Dave Schulthise | 1956 | 2004 | 47 | Musician | Unspecified pills | Suicide | | |
| Rod Scurry | 1956 | 1992 | 36 | Baseball pitcher | Cocaine | Unknown | Drug-induced heart attack | |
| William Seabrook | 1884 | 1945 | 61 | Writer | Sleeping pills | Suicide | | [590] [591] |
| Jean Seberg | 1938 | 1979 | 40 | Actress | Barbiturates and alcohol | Suicide | | |
| Edie Sedgwick | 1943 | 1971 | 28 | Actress | Barbiturates and alcohol | Undetermined | Her death certificate states the immediate cause of death was "probable acute barbiturate intoxication" due to alcohol intoxication | |
| Muudea Sedik | 2000 | 2024 | 23 | YouTuber | Morphine | Accidental | | |
| Eddy Shaver | 1962 | 2000 | 38 | Musician | Heroin | Accidental | | |
| Mark Shaw | 1921 | 1969 | 47 | Photographer | Amphetamines | Unknown | | [596] [597] |
| Bobby Sheehan | 1968 | 1999 | 31 | Musician | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Toby Sheldon | 1980 | 2015 | 35 | Songwriter | Multiple | Accidental | Hydrocodone/paracetamol, alprazolam, alcohol and temazepam | |
| Shifty Shellshock | 1974 | 2024 | 49 | Musician | Unknown | Accidental | | |
| Shock G | 1963 | 2021 | 57 | Rapper | Fentanyl, alcohol and methamphetamine | Accidental | | |
| Eric Show | 1956 | 1994 | 37 | Baseball player | Cocaine and heroin | Unknown | | |
| Dakota Skye | 1994 | 2021 | 27 | Pornographic actress | Multiple | Accidental | Coroner's report concluded death was from "acute multidrug intoxication" | |
| Elizabeth Siddal | 1829 | 1862 | 32 | Model, poet | Laudanum | Unknown | | |
| Judee Sill | 1944 | 1979 | 35 | Musician | Cocaine and heroin | Unknown | | |
| Don Simpson | 1943 | 1996 | 52 | Film producer | Cocaine and unspecified prescription drugs | Unknown | Drug-induced heart failure | |
| The Singing Nun | 1933 | 1985 | 51 | Nun | Barbiturates and alcohol | Suicide | | [607] [608] |
| Vera Sisson | 1891 | 1954 | 63 | Actress | Barbiturates | Suicide | | |
| Tyler Skaggs | 1991 | 2019 | 27 | Baseball pitcher | Multiple | Accidental | Choked on his own vomit while under the influence of alcohol, fentanyl and oxycodone | |
| Everett Sloane | 1909 | 1965 | 55 | Actor | Barbiturates | Suicide | | |
| Hillel Slovak | 1962 | 1988 | 26 | Musician | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Alvin Smith | 1798 | 1823 | 25 | Carpenter's assistant | Mercury poisoning | Accidental (Disputed) | Officially administered to cure bilious colic, though speculated as murder | |
| Anna Nicole Smith | 1967 | 2007 | 39 | Model | Multiple | Accidental | Unspecified anti-depressants, diazepam, chloral hydrate, oseltamivir, methadone, sleeping pills, anti-anxiety medication and human growth hormone | [614] [615] |
| Christine Smith | 1946 | 1979 | 32 | Skier | Multiple | Suicide | Chloralhydrate, paracetamol and salicylic acid | |
| Daniel Wayne Smith | 1986 | 2006 | 20 | Student | Multiple | Accidental | Cardiac dysrhythmia caused by methadone, escitalopram and sertraline | |
| Lauren Smith-Fields | 1998 | 2021 | 23 | Student | Fentanyl and alcohol | Unknown | | |
| Dash Snow | 1981 | 2009 | 27 | Artist | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Robert Soblen | 1900 | 1962 | 61 | Psychiatrist | Barbiturates | Unknown | | |
| Freddy Soto | 1970 | 2005 | 35 | Comedian | Fentanyl | Accidental | | [621] [622] |
| Erin Spanevello | 1987 | 2008 | 21 | Model | Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid and MDMA | Unknown | | |
| Louie Spicolli | 1971 | 1998 | 27 | Wrestler | Unspecified | Unknown | Conflicting sources state drug overdose or coronary disease that might have been impacted by drug use | [304] [624] |
| Oscar Spirescu | 1874 | 1918 | 43–44 | Composer | Chloroform | Suicide | | |
| Mark St. John | 1956 | 2007 | 51 | Musician | Methamphetamine | Accidental | The Coroner found the cause of death was a brain hemorrhage bought on by an accidental overdose of methamphetamines | |
| Layne Staley | 1967 | 2002 | 34 | Musician | Multiple | Unknown | Cocaine, heroin and codeine | |
| Mike Starr | 1966 | 2011 | 44 | Musician | Unspecified prescription drugs | Unknown | | |
| Wayne Static | 1965 | 2014 | 48 | Musician | Multiple | Accidental | Ooxycodone, hydromorphone, alprazolam and with alcohol | |
| Jahna Steele | 1958 | 2008 | 49 | Showgirl | Multiple | Unknown | Cocaine, hydromorphone and morphine | |
| Joey Stefano | 1968 | 1994 | 26 | Pornographic actor | Multiple | Unknown | Cocaine, morphine, heroin and ketamine | [631] [632] |
| Miroslava Stern | 1926 | 1955 | 29 | Actress | Sleeping pills | Suicide | | |
| Avram Steuerman-Rodion | 1872 | 1918 | 45 | Poet, physician | Morphine | Suicide | | |
| Carl Steven | 1974 | 2011 | 36 | Actor | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Inger Stevens | 1934 | 1970 | 35 | Actress | Barbiturates | Suicide | | |
| Cathy Stewart | 1956 | 1994 | 38 | Pornographic actress | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Albert Stinson | 1944 | 1969 | 24 | Musician | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Rory Storm | 1939 | 1972 | 34 | Musician | Sleeping pills and alcohol | Unknown | | |
| Rose Stradner | 1913 | 1958 | 45 | Actress | Unspecified | Suicide | | |
| Margaret Sullavan | 1909 | 1960 | 50 | Actress | Barbiturates | Suicide | | |
| Paige Summers | 1976 | 2003 | 27 | Pornographic actress | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| R. G. Surdam | 1835 | 1891 | 56 | Real-estate agent | Laudanum | Accidental | | |
| Marek Svatoš | 1982 | 2016 | 34 | Ice hockey player | Multiple | Unknown | Codeine, morphine and alprazolam | |
| Jennifer Syme | 1972 | 2001 | 28 | Actress | Multiple | Accidental | Motor-vehicle collision while intoxicated by cocaine, clonazepam and cyclobenzaprine | |
| Joan Tabor | 1932 | 1968 | 36 | Actress | Unspecified influenza medication | Accidental | | |
| Hidemitsu Tanaka | 1913 | 1949 | 36 | Writer | Sleeping pills | Suicide | | |
| Warren Tartaglia | 1944 | 1965 | 22 | Musician | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Chase Tatum | 1973 | 2008 | 34 | Wrestler | Unspecified | Unknown | Suspected overdose; Tatum was addicted to painkillers for years | |
| Mackenzie Taylor | 1978 | 2010 | 32 | Comedian | Unspecified | Suicide | | |
| Vincent Taylor | 1949 | 1974 | 25 | Musician | Heroin | Unknown | | [651] [652] |
| Sara Teasdale | 1884 | 1933 | 48 | Poet | Sleeping pills | Suicide | | |
| Test | 1975 | 2009 | 33 | Wrestler | Oxycodone | Accidental | | |
| Gary Thain | 1948 | 1975 | 27 | Musician | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| John Thompson | 1938 | 1976 | 38 | Poet | Barbiturates and alcohol | Unknown | | |
| Linda Thompson | 1953 | 2009 | 56 | Conspiracy theorist | Unspecified painkillers | Suicide | The painkillers were prescribed | |
| Jotie T'Hooft | 1956 | 1977 | 21 | Poet | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Johnny Thunders | 1952 | 1991 | 38 | Musician | Disputed | Unknown | Autopsy results were inconclusive, though it is generally believed to be drug-related, and has been attributed to methadone and cocaine overdose | |
| James Timberlake | 1846 | 1891 | 44 | Lawman | Morphine | Unknown | | |
| Sammee Tong | 1901 | 1964 | 63 | Actor | Barbiturates | Suicide | Suspected overdose | |
| Georg Trakl | 1887 | 1914 | 27 | Poet | Cocaine | Suicide | | |
| William Trimmer | 1822c. 1822 | 1867 | 54–56 | Vigneron | Laudanum | Suicide | | |
| Kurt Tucholsky | 1890 | 1935 | 45 | Journalist | Barbital | Unknown | | |
| Mark Tuinei | 1960 | 1999 | 39 | American football player | Heroin and MDMA | Unknown | | |
| Nick Traina | 1978 | 1997 | 19 | Singer | Morphine | Suicide | | |
| Norman Treigle | 1927 | 1975 | 48 | Singer | Sleeping pills | Accidental | | |
| Verne Troyer | 1969 | 2018 | 48 | Actor | Alcohol | Suicide | | |
| Amy Tryon | 1970 | 2012 | 42 | Equestrian | Oxycodone and other opiates | Accidental | | |
| Alan Turing | 1912 | 1954 | 41 | Computer scientist | Cyanide poisoning | Disputed suicide | | |
| D. M. Turner | 1962 | 1996 | 34 | Author | Ketamine | Unknown | Drowned while intoxicated | |
| Lynn Turner | 1968 | 2010 | 42 | Murderer | Propranolol | Suicide | | |
| Ike Turner | 1931 | 2007 | 76 | Musician, producer | Cocaine | Unknown | Hypertensive cardiovascular disease and emphysema were contributing factors | |
| Dick Twardzik | 1931 | 1955 | 24 | Pianist | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Helen Twelvetrees | 1908 | 1958 | 49 | Actress | Unspecified | Suicide | | |
| John Tyndall | 1820 | 1893 | 73 | Physicist | Chloral hydrate | Accidental | | |
| Dorothy Uhnak | 1930 | 2006 | 76 | Author | Unspecified | Suicide | | |
| Umaga | 1973 | 2009 | 36 | Wrestler | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Mary Ure | 1933 | 1975 | 42 | Actress | Barbiturates and alcohol | Accidental | | |
| Enrique Urquijo | 1960 | 1999 | 39 | Singer | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Luna Vachon | 1962 | 2010 | 48 | Wrestler | Benzodiazepine and oxycodone | Accidental | | |
| Paul Vaessen | 1961 | 2001 | 39 | Football player | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Brandon Vedas | 1981 | 2003 | 21 | Computer expert | Multiple | Unknown | Alcohol, cannabis, psilocybin mushroom, clonazepam, temazepam, methadone, hydrocodone and propranolol | [683] [684] |
| Lupe Vélez | 1908 | 1944 | 36 | Actress | Secobarbital | Suicide | | |
| Michael VerMeulen | 1956 | 1995 | 38 | Magazine editor | Cocaine | Unknown | | |
| Jon Vincent | 1962 | 2000 | 38 | Pornographic actor | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Sid Vicious | 1957 | 1979 | 21 | Musician | Heroin | Suicide (suspected) | | |
| The Vivienne | 1992 | 2025 | 32 | Drag queen | Ketamine | Unknown | Ketamine-induced cardiac arrest | |
| Mike Von Erich | 1964 | 1987 | 23 | Wrestler | Tranquilizer | Suicide | | |
| Marie Walcamp | 1894 | 1936 | 42 | Actress | Unspecified painkillers | Suicide | | |
| Robert Walker | 1918 | 1951 | 32 | Actor | Unspecified sedatives | Accidental | | |
| Jeremy Ward | 1976 | 2003 | 27 | Sound technician | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Stephen Ward | 1912 | 1963 | 50 | Osteopathic physician | Sleeping pills | Suicide | Death was officially ruled a suicide but it has been speculated as murder | |
| Dinah Washington | 1924 | 1963 | 39 | Singer | Secobarbital and amobarbital | Unknown | | |
| Kazuki Watanabe | 1981 | 2000 | 19 | Musician | Unspecified sedatives | Suicide | | |
| Peter Watts | 1946 | 1976 | 30 | Road manager | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Dave Waymer | 1958 | 1993 | 34 | American football player | Cocaine | Accidental | Drug-induced heart attack | |
| Mikey Welsh | 1971 | 2011 | 40 | Musician | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Scott Weiland | 1967 | 2015 | 48 | Musician | Multiple | Accidental | Cocaine, alcohol and MDA | |
| Jaromír Weinberger | 1896 | 1967 | 71 | Composer | Unspecified sedatives | Unknown | | |
| Assia Wevill | 1927 | 1969 | 41 | Poet | Sleeping pills | Suicide | Wevill took the pills then exposed herself to carbon monoxide | |
| Rachel Whitear | 1979 | 2000 | 21 | Student | Heroin | Accidental | | |
| Brett Whiteley | 1939 | 1992 | 53 | Artist | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Keith Whitley | 1955 | 1989 | 33 | Singer | Alcohol | Unknown | | |
| Danny Whitten | 1943 | 1972 | 29 | Musician | Diazepam and alcohol | Unknown | | |
| David Widgery | 1947 | 1992 | 45 | Writer | Multiple | Unknown | Alcohol, barbiturates and pethidine | |
| Ellen Wilkinson | 1891 | 1947 | 55 | Politician | Barbiturates | Unknown | | |
| Kenneth Williams | 1926 | 1988 | 62 | Actor | Barbiturates | Unknown | | [709] [710] |
| Michael K. Williams | 1966 | 2021 | 54 | Actor | Multiple | Accidental | Fentanyl, p-fluorofentanyl, heroin and cocaine | |
| Ricky Williams | 1956 | 1992 | 36 | Musician | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Alan Wilson | 1943 | 1970 | 27 | Musician | Barbiturates | Accidental | Death was officially ruled accidental though has been speculated as suicide | |
| Amy Winehouse | 1983 | 2011 | 27 | Singer | Alcohol | Unknown | | |
| Sheree Winton | 1935 | 1976 | 39 | Singer | Barbiturates | Suicide | | |
| Grant Withers | 1905 | 1959 | 54 | Actor | Sleeping pills | Suicide | | |
| Harris Wittels | 1984 | 2015 | 30 | Comedian | Heroin | Accidental | | |
| Carl Wittman | 1943 | 1986 | 42 | Activist | Unspecified | Suicide | | |
| Linda Wong | 1951 | 1987 | 36 | Pornographic actress | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Andrew Wood | 1966 | 1990 | 24 | Singer | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Anna Wood | 1980 | 1995 | 15 | Student | MDMA | Water intoxication | Died from water intoxication secondary to use of MDMA | |
| Natalie Wood | 1938 | 1981 | 43 | Actress | Multiple | Accidental | Drowned while intoxicated by alcohol; there were traces of a motion-sickness pill and a painkiller in her blood, both of which would have increased the effects of alcohol | [722] [723] |
| Corissa Yasen | 1973 | 2001 | 27 | Athlete | Multiple | Unknown | Diazepam, hydrocodone, lorazepam, fluoxetine and other drugs including anti-depressants, painkillers and anxiety medications | |
| Paula Yates | 1959 | 2000 | 41 | TV presenter | Heroin | Accidental | | |
| Kelly Yeomans | 1984 | 1997 | 13 | Student | Dextropropoxyphene | Suicide | | [726] [727] |
| Elvis Yero | 1965 | 2001 | 36 | Boxer | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Philip Van Zandt | 1904 | 1958 | 53 | Actor | Unspecified | Unknown | | |
| Zeke Zettner | 1948 | 1973 | 25 | Musician | Heroin | Unknown | | |
| Stefan Zweig | 1881 | 1942 | 60 | Playwright | Sleeping pills | Suicide | | |