Best Films Featuring an Actor Who Died Before it Opened
List activity
222 views
• 0 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
14 titles
- DirectorNicholas RayStarsJames DeanNatalie WoodSal MineoA rebellious young man with a troubled past comes to a new town, finding friends and enemies.James Dean died Sept 30, 1955. The film was released Oct 27, 1955
- DirectorRobert ClouseStarsBruce LeeJohn SaxonJim KellyA Shaolin martial artist travels to an island fortress to spy on an opium lord - who is also a former monk from his temple - under the guise of attending a fighting tournament.Bruce Lee died July 20, 1973. The film was released Aug 19, 1973.
- DirectorJohn HustonStarsClark GableMarilyn MonroeMontgomery CliftA divorcée falls for an over-the-hill cowboy who is struggling to maintain his romantically independent lifestyle.Clark Gable died Nov 16, 1960. The film was released Feb 1, 1961.
- DirectorJack ConwayStarsClark GableJean HarlowLionel BarrymoreAfter winning a stud farm in lieu of gambling debts, bookie Duke Bradley turns an eye to the daughter of the now deceased gambler and her millionaire fiancée.Jean Harlow died June 7, 1937. The film was released July 23, 1937. Some scenes in the film were finished with a stand-in after she died.
- DirectorGeorge FitzmauriceStarsRudolph ValentinoVilma BánkyGeorge FawcettThe son of the sheik and a dancing girl fall in love, but when he is made to believe she has betrayed him he seeks revenge.Rudolph Valentino died Aug 23, 1926. The film was released on Sept 5, 1926.
- DirectorStanley KramerStarsSpencer TracySidney PoitierKatharine HepburnA couple's attitudes are challenged when their daughter introduces them to her African-American fiancé.Spencer Tracy died June 10, 1967. The film was released Dec 12, 1967.
- DirectorDouglas TrumbullStarsChristopher WalkenNatalie WoodLouise FletcherResearchers develop a system where they can jump into people's minds. But when people involved bring their personal problems into the equation, it becomes dangerous - perhaps deadly.Natalie Wood died Nov 29, 1981. The film was released on Sept 30, 1983. She died while the film was still being made and although studio execs wanted to can the film, the director (Douglas Trumbull) insisted on finishing the film with a stand-in.
- DirectorSalim AkilStarsJordin SparksCarmen EjogoWhitney HoustonIn the 1960s, three sisters form a girl group and soon become local sensations with major label interest, but fame becomes a challenge as the close-knit family begins to fall apart.Whitney Houston died Feb 11, 2012. The film was released Aug 17, 2012.
- DirectorPaul FeigStarsKristen WiigMaya RudolphRose ByrneCompetition between the maid of honor and a bridesmaid, over who is the bride's best friend, threatens to upend the life of an out-of-work pastry chef.Jill Clayburgh died Nov 5, 2010. The film was released May 13, 2011.
- DirectorMichael AndersonStarsGary CooperDeborah KerrEric PortmanFive years after George Radcliffe was the chief witness in a high profile murder case, his wife receives a blackmailing letter accusing him of the crime.Gary Cooper died May 13, 1961. The film was released later that month.
- DirectorAlex ProyasStarsBrandon LeeMichael WincottRochelle DavisA man brutally murdered comes back to life as an undead avenger of his and his fiancée's murder.Brandon Lee died Mare 31, 1993. The film was released May 11, 1994. Some scenes in the film were finished with a stand-in after he died.
- DirectorSteven E. de SouzaStarsJean-Claude Van DammeRaul JuliaMing-Na WenIn the midst of a civil war in South East Asia, a general intensifies the climate of violence by kidnapping 63 UN delegates. To free the hostages, a colonel leads a group of fighters, who will have to use all their skills to be successful.Raul Julia died Oct 24, 1994. The film was released Dec 23, 1994.
- DirectorPeter MarkleStarsJohn CandyJoe BaysAbraham BenrubiIn the 1860s Wild West, a ragged bunch of misfit settlers decides they cannot stand living in their current situation and they hire a grizzled cowboy to take them on a journey back East to their hometowns.John Candy died Mar 4, 1994. The film was released Aug 26, 1994.
- DirectorDennis DuganStarsChris FarleyNicollette SheridanRobin ShouA man tries to rescue a woman with a little help from his half brother.Chris Farley died Dec 18, 1997. The film was released Jan 17, 1998.