Famous People Who Died Of AIDS.

Even though it’s been decades since AIDS surfaced the earth, it still remains as one of the frightening realities that the world just can’t cope with. There was a time when it was believed that AIDS would affect only a certain kind of people. But as the years flew by, it has proven that it shows no bias and will strike anyone with no discrimination when it comes to race or sexuality. Initially considered a stigma that needed to keep the victim aloof, now it is more open for acceptance and space to learn to live with the disease without the fear of disapproval from the masses. Now with a boom in technology, people have a better understanding and approach toward this life-altering disease and have even gone to spread awareness about its gravity. There are a number of agencies that are even related to the government that work tirelessly to support advocacy efforts that will help both the victims and the general public about HIV and AIDS. This gruesome disease didn’t spare the lives of the artists and game-changers in Hollywood either! Legendary singer Freddie Mercury fell victim to HIV which claimed his life at the age of 45. American actor Rock Hudson, model Gia Carangi, author Isaac Asimov, and singer/actor Antony Perkins are some of the many who succumbed to this deadly disease. Keep reading and you will probably be blown away by the number of artists you never knew were affected by HIV!

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 1 

Freddie Mercury

(One of the Greatest Rock Singers and the Lead Vocalist of the Rock Band 'Queen')

Birthdate: September 5, 1946

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Stone Town, Tanzania

Died: November 24, 1991

Legendary singer, songwriter and lead vocalist of the British rock band, Queen, Frederick Bulsara adopted the name Freddie Mercury which aptly suits his on-stage vibrant and exuberant persona. A four-octave vocal range musician, Mercury owned every stage he set foot on as much with his vivid performance as with his superhuman voice modulation.  

 2 

Eazy-E

(Rapper Known as the 'Godfather of Gangsta Rap')

Birthdate: September 7, 1964

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Compton, California, United States

Died: March 26, 1995

Widely regarded as the godfather of gangsta rap, Eazy-E was a rapper and record producer. He played a major role in popularizing gangsta rap and West Coast rap by forming N.W.A, which is considered one of the most influential and greatest hip hop groups of all time. Eazy-E died at the age of 30 after being diagnosed with AIDS.

 3 

Robert Mapplethorpe

(American Photographer Best Known for His Black-And-White Photographs)

Birthdate: November 4, 1946

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Floral Park, New York, United States

Died: March 9, 1989

Best known for his black and white photographs, Robert Mapplethorpe chose homoerotic themes to express himself. His male nudes reflected the gay BDSM subculture of New York. His works also included flowers, still lifes, and portraits of celebrities. The gay photographer-artist eventually died of aids.

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 4 

Halston

(Fashion Designer)

Birthdate: April 23, 1932

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Des Moines, Iowa, United States

Died: March 26, 1990

Designer Halston began his career designing hats for American milliner Lilly Daché. He is primarily remembered for pioneering cashmere, or Ultrasued, in the mid-1970s. Known for his party-loving personality, he popularized the halter dress for women. He was also known for his homosexual relationship with Victor Hugo.

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 5 

Robert Reed

(Actor)

Birthdate: October 19, 1932

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Highland Park, Illinois, United States

Died: May 12, 1992

Height: 6'3" (190 cm)

 6 

Howard Rollins

(Actor)

Birthdate: October 17, 1950

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Died: December 8, 1996

Height: 6'0" (183 cm)

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 7 

Sylvester

(Singer-songwriter)

Birthdate: September 6, 1947

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Watts, California, United States

Died: December 16, 1988

 8 

Derek Jarman

(Film director, Actor, Screenwriter, Diarist, Painter, Costume designer, LGBT rights activist)

Birthdate: January 31, 1942

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Northwood

Died: February 19, 1994

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 9 

Dan Hartman

(Singer)

Birthdate: December 8, 1950

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA

Died: March 22, 1994

 10 

Pedro Zamora

(Cuban-American HIV/AIDS Activist and Reality TV Personality )

Birthdate: February 29, 1972

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Havana, Cuba

Died: November 11, 1994

Birthdate: February 12, 1936

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

Died: October 11, 1989

Height: 6'1" (185 cm)

 12 

Howard Ashman

(Playwright, Lyricist & Stage Director)

Birthdate: May 17, 1950

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Died: March 14, 1991

 13 

Roy Cohn

(American Lawyer and Prosecutor)

Birthdate: February 20, 1927

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States

Died: August 2, 1986

Roy Cohn was an American lawyer who played a major role during the 1954 Army–McCarthy hearings where he served as Senator Joseph McCarthy's chief counsel. He also mentored Donald Trump during his early business career. After his death, Roy Cohn inspired the development of several fictional characters.

 14 

Kevin Peter Hall

(Actor)

Birthdate: May 9, 1955

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Died: April 10, 1991

Height: 7'3" (221 cm)

Birthdate: December 2, 1943

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA

Died: July 25, 1989

 16 

Brad Davis

(Actor)

Birthdate: November 6, 1949

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Tallahassee, Florida, United States

Died: September 8, 1991

 17 

Ian Charleson

(Scottish actor)

Birthdate: August 11, 1949

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Edinburgh, Scotland

Died: January 6, 1990

 18 

Dack Rambo

(Actor)

Birthdate: November 13, 1941

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Earlimart, California, United States

Died: March 21, 1994

 19 

Klaus Nomi

(German Countertenor Known for His Wide Vocal Range and an Unusual, Otherworldly Stage Persona)

Birthdate: January 24, 1944

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Immenstadt, Germany

Died: August 6, 1983

Klaus Nomi was a German countertenor with a wide vocal range. He wore heavy makeup, unusual costumes, and a highly stylized signature hairdo. He had an otherworldly stage persona that was unique to him. His music was also considered unusual. He suffered from AIDS and was one of the earliest musicians known to die of the illness.  

Birthdate: December 25, 1944

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Seaforth, Lancashire, England

Died: April 4, 1995

Height: 5'5" (165 cm)

 21 

Perry Ellis

(Fashion designer)

Birthdate: March 3, 1940

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Portsmouth, Virginia, United States

Died: May 30, 1986

 22 

Peter Allen

(Songwriter, Musician, Singer, Pianist)

Birthdate: February 10, 1944

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Tenterfield, New South Wales, Australia

Died: June 18, 1992

Peter Allen was an Australian musician, singer-songwriter, and entertainer. Best remembered for his flamboyant stage persona, Allen also enjoyed a concert and cabaret career. His life and career inspired a jukebox musical titled, The Boy from Oz ,which ran on Broadway. In 1993, Peter Allen was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

 23 

Frank Silva

(Actor)

Birthdate: October 31, 1950

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Sacramento, California, United States

Died: September 13, 1995

Height: 5'7" (170 cm)

 24 

Ricky Wilson (American Musician)

(American Musician, Guitarist and Founding Member of Rock Band 'The B-52's')

Birthdate: March 19, 1953

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Athens, Georgia, United States

Died: October 12, 1985

Height: 5'10" (178 cm)

 25 

Tim Richmond

(One of the First Drivers to Change from Open Wheel Racing to NASCAR Stock Cars Full-Time)

Birthdate: June 7, 1955

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Ashland, Ohio, United States

Died: August 13, 1989

 26 

Jacques Demy

(French Director, Lyricist and Screenwriter)

Birthdate: June 5, 1931

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Pontchâteau, France

Died: October 27, 1990

 27 

Leonard Frey

(Actor)

Birthdate: September 4, 1938

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: New York, New York, United States

Died: August 24, 1988

 28 

Marcelino Sánchez

(Puerto Rican Actor )

Birthdate: December 5, 1957

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Cayey, Puerto Rico

Died: November 21, 1986

 29 

Tina Chow

(Model)

Birthdate: April 18, 1950

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Lakeview

Died: January 24, 1992

 30 

Glenn Burke

(Baseball player)

Birthdate: November 16, 1952

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Oakland, California, United States

Died: May 30, 1995

 31 

Bruce Chatwin

(Writer)

Birthdate: May 13, 1940

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, UK

Died: January 18, 1989

Height: 6'0" (183 cm)

 32 

Leigh Bowery

(Contemporary Artist & Fashion Designer Known for His Flamboyant & Outlandish Costumes & Makeup)

Birthdate: March 26, 1961

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Died: December 31, 1994

Height: 6'3" (190 cm)

Birthdate: May 4, 1958

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Reading

Died: February 16, 1990

Keith Haring was an American artist whose pop art contained sexual images, which he used to advocate for AIDS awareness and safe sex. In 1989, he set up the Keith Haring Foundation to provide imagery and funding to AIDS organizations. In 2019, 29 years after his death from AIDS-related complications, Haring was inducted into the National LGBTQ Wall of Honor.

Birthdate: September 14, 1930

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Indianapolis

Died: October 7, 1992

 35 

Félix González-Torres

(American Visual Artist Known for His Quiet, Minimal Installations and Sculptures)

Birthdate: November 26, 1957

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Guáimaro, Cuba

Died: January 9, 1996

Félix González-Torres was an American visual artist best remembered for his sculptures and minimal installations made out of everyday objects like lightbulbs, stacks of paper, clocks, and packaged hard candies. In 2010, his 1992 piece Untitled sold for $4.6 million at an auction. Félix González-Torres died at the age of 38 due to complications from AIDS.

 36 

Max Robinson

(Broadcaster)

Birthdate: May 1, 1939

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Richmond, Virginia, U.S.

Died: December 20, 1988

 37 

Nkosi Johnson

(Activist)

Birthdate: February 4, 1989

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Daveytown, South Africa

Died: June 1, 2001

 38 

Michael Peters

(Choreographer)

Birthdate: August 6, 1948

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Brooklyn

Died: August 29, 1994

 39 

David Wojnarowicz

(Painter)

Birthdate: September 14, 1954

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Red Bank, New Jersey, United States

Died: July 22, 1992

Height: 6'0" (183 cm)

 40 

Esteban de Jesús

(Puerto Rican Boxer)

Birthdate: August 2, 1951

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Carolina, Puerto Rico

Died: May 12, 1989

Height: 5'5" (165 cm)

 41 

Jerry Smith

(American Football Player)

Birthdate: July 19, 1943

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Eugene, Oregon, United States

Died: October 15, 1986

Height: 6'3" (190 cm)

 42 

Cazuza

(Singer-songwriter, Singer, Composer, Songwriter, Poet, Writer)

Birthdate: April 4, 1958

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Died: July 7, 1990

Cazuza was a Brazilian singer-songwriter remembered as one of the greatest exponents of Brazilian rock music. Over the course of his nine-year career, Cazuza sold over five million albums and achieved 18 Top 10 singles in Brazil. He died due to a septic shock triggered by AIDS at age 32. His life inspired the 2004 biopic Cazuza–O Tempo Não Pára.

 43 

Sirpa Lane

(Actress)

Birthdate: 1952 AD

Birthplace: Turku, Finland

Died: 1999 AD

 44 

René Enríquez

(Actor)

Birthdate: November 24, 1933

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Granada, Nicaragua

Died: March 23, 1990

Height: 5'10" (178 cm)

 45 

Nestor Almendros

(Cinematographer)

Birthdate: October 30, 1930

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Barcelona, Spain

Died: March 4, 1992

 46 

John Boswell

(Historian, Philologist)

Birthdate: March 20, 1947

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Died: December 24, 1994

 47 

Franco Luambo

(Musician)

Birthdate: July 6, 1938

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Democratic Republic of the Congo

Died: October 12, 1989

 48 

Paul Monette

(Author)

Birthdate: October 16, 1945

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Lawrence, Massachusetts, United States

Died: February 10, 1995

 49 

Herve Guibert

(Journalist)

Birthdate: December 14, 1955

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Saint-Cloud, France

Died: December 27, 1991

 50 

Yvonne Vera

(Author)

Birthdate: September 19, 1964

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Died: April 7, 2005