7 Fan-Favorite 90s and 00s Hollywood Stars Who Died Too Early (4 of 4)

6. Annie Wersching (1977-2023)

Annie Wersching, born March 28, 1977, was a familiar face on TV throughout the 2000s, best known for roles in 24, The Vampire Diaries, Bosch, and Star Trek: Picard (as the Borg Queen). She married actor Stephen Full in 2009, and they had three sons. In June 2020, Annie was diagnosed with a rare cancer called adenoid cystic carcinoma. She kept the diagnosis private and continued acting as long as she could, showing incredible dedication and strength.

On January 29, 2023, Annie passed away at the age of 45. Her husband remembered her as someone who found joy in the little things and lived life to the fullest.

7. Heath Ledger (1979-2008)

Heath Ledger had that rare kind of screen presence that felt effortlesslike he wasnt acting, justbeing. In the late 90s and early 2000s, he quickly became a fan favorite, whether he was singing Cant Take My Eyes Off You on the bleachers in10 Things I Hate About Youor charging through medieval battlefields inA Knights Tale. He brought a certain charm and mischief to every role, but beneath it, there was always depth. You couldfeelit.

What made Heath so captivating wasnt just his talentit was his hunger to go deeper. He never settled for being the good-looking lead. When he played Ennis in Brokeback Mountain, he showed a side of himself that was quiet, conflicted, and incredibly vulnerable. And then came his Jokerchaotic, haunting, unforgettable. It was the kind of performance that stays with you long after the credits roll.

He died in 2008, just 28 years old. It still doesnt feel real. Heath had so much more to givestories, art, emotion. He was an artist whose life ended far too soon.