It is amazing how many young actors have died as their careers were taking off, Heath Ledger is just another in a line of the others before him.

• James Dean, 24, died Sept., 30, 1955, after an automobile crash on the highway near Paso Robles, Calif. He only made (3) Films, "Rebel without a Cause", "Giant" and "East of Eden".


• Sharon Tate, 26, was murdered Aug. 9, 1969, by followers of Charles Manson in Los Angeles.


• Freddie Prinze, 22, died Jan. 29, 1977, after shooting himself in Los Angeles. Can you believe it? His son has gotten further in his career and lived longer than his father.


• Jon-Erik Hexum, 26, died Oct. 18, 1984, after accidentally shooting himself with a
prop gun in Los Angeles.


• Rebecca Schaeffer, 21, was murdered July 18, 1989, by stalker Robert John Bardo in Los Angeles.


• Brandon Lee, 28, died March 31, 1993, after accidentally being shot on the set of “The Crow” in Wilmington, N.C.


• River Phoenix, 23, died Oct. 31, 1993, from a drug overdose outside of a night club in Los Angeles.


• David Strickland, 29, died March 22, 1999, after hanging himself in a hotel room in Las Vegas.


• Jonathan Brandis, 27, died Nov. 12, 2003, from injuries he suffered after hanging himself in Los Angeles.


• Brad Renfro, 25, died Jan. 15, 2008, the day after reportedly spending the previous evening drinking with friends

Why is Suicide so prevalent in their deaths? Is it Hollywood's fault? Is it the pedestal we put actors on that makes them realize they are only human? Is it the Media's fault for all the attention bad or good performances, instead of realizing they are only young adults trying to make it in a tough business. I find it quite sad. My heart goes out to the family and friends of Heath Ledger and Brad Renfro.