Drug Overdoses: Notable Black People Who Have Died From ODing

Throughout history, drug addictions have plagued the lives of so many celebrities. Drugs have always been a part of celebrity culture. Actors, singers, politicians, even social media influencers have all abused drugs, which has led to the deaths of some of our favorite celebrities. Imagine being poor, then one day you wake up with access to millions of dollars. Your fame and fortune can get you whatever you want, including drugs. For many Americans, a drug habit can set you back financially, but not celebrities. They have access to substances the average person can’t get their hands on. Many entertainers feel the only way to escape is to numb their world by heavy drug use, which leads to overdoses. Highly addictive substances like heroin and fentanyl have been drugs of choice by celebrities for decades. They also happen to be the most lethal. MORE: Prayers Up: Notable Black Folks Who Have Contracted COVID-19 Cocaine, which is also known as the “party drug” is also very popular among entertainers. Although not as lethal as the opioids, it is extremely addictive. Since it can be mixed with an opioid-like fentanyl undetected some celebrities are unintentionally taking the opioid and overdosing. Comedian Fuquan Johnson died September 2, 2021, after overdosing on cocaine laced with fentanyl. His recent death has many concerned that more celebrities could be at risk because so many of them use cocaine. Actor Michael K. Williams was found dead in his Brooklyn penthouse on September 6 from an apparent heroin overdose, although an autopsy has not yet been performed. Williams’ fight with drug abuse is well documented and his death caught many by surprise. These two recent celebrity deaths have shocked the entertainment community and many folks are asking questions.

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Drug overdoses aren’t a new phenomenon to entertainers. Michael Jackson and Prince both overdosed on opioids, but they aren’t the only deaths. With the recent overdose and death of comedian Fuqauan Johnson and actor Michael K. Williams, we decided to take a look at black celebrities who have died from a drug overdose. This is a running list, but hopefully we won’t have to do too many more updates. Check out the list below. SEE ALSO:  Why Are People Lacing Cocaine With Fentanyl And How Dangerous Is It? Rest In Power: Notable Black Folks Who We’ve Lost In 2021 OMAR COMIN: The Very Best Of Michael K. Williams On ‘The Wire’  

1. Celebrity Sightings In Los Angeles – May 15, 2018

LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 15: Fuquan Johnson is seen on May 15, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by gotpap/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images) vertical,photography,celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,usa,adult,california,city of los angeles,relaxation,casual clothing,candid,celebrity sightings,jacket,hair loss

2. Photo of Frankie Lymon and Teenagers

Photo of Frankie Lymon and Teenagers UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1970: Photo of Frankie Lymon and Teenagers Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images photo of frankie lymon and teenagers

3. Dinah Washington Performs

NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 5: Jazz and blues and R and B singer Dinah Washington performs at the Chateau Gardens on September 5, 1952 in New York City, New York. (Photo by PoPsie Randolph/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,topics,topix,bestof,new york city,waist up,music,performance,singer,archival,jazz music,blues music,1950-1959,dinah washington

4. Millii Vanilli

Rob Pilatus von “Milli Vaniili”, Discopop Duo, in Dortumund, Deutschland 1988. Rob Pilatus of Disco pop band “Milli Vanili”, at Dortmund, Germany 1988. (Photo by Fryderyk Gabowicz/picture alliance via Getty Images) photography,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,adult,music,men,nightclub,fashion,1980-1989,germany,headscarf,archival,north rhine westphalia,rob pilatus

5. David Ruffin Of The Temptations

CIRCA 1975: Singer David Ruffin of the R&B group “The Temptations” poses for a portrait in circa 1975. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,waist up,portrait,music,singer,1970-1979,black and white,archival,the temptations,david ruffin

6. Pimp-C Video Shoot

Pimp-C Video Shoot HOUSTON – APRIL 3: Rapper Pimp-C of the rap group UGK during the video shoot for the lead off street anthem Pourin Up from Pimp-C’s highly anticipated solo album Pimpalation on April 3, 2006 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bill Olive/Getty Images) pimp-c video shoot

7. Kris Kross (Chris Mac Daddy Kelly)

Kris Kross (Chris Mac Daddy Kelly) on 29.06.1992 in München / Munich. (Photo by Fryderyk Gabowicz/picture alliance via Getty Images) photography,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,musician,portrait,music,headshot,1990-1999,germany,rap,munich,kris kross

8. Premiere Of Lionsgate's "All Eyez On Me" – Arrivals

LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 14: Music artist Shock G attends the premiere of Lionsgate’s “All Eyez On Me” at the Westwood Village Theatres on June 14, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/WireImage) photography,celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,attending,horizontal,usa,music,film industry,california,city of los angeles,artist,film premiere,red carpet event,lions gate films,all eyez on me – film,premiere event,shock g

9. Ol' Dirty Bastard Shoots "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" Video

QUEENS, NEW YORK–April 21: Rapper Ol’ Dirty Bastard (Russell Jones) is seen filming video for “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” in the Queens borough of New York City on April 21, 1995. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images/Michael Ochs Archives). vertical,photography,arts culture and entertainment,usa,new york city,music,borough – district type,1990-1999,black and white,queens – new york city,setting,filming,ol dirty bastard,wu-tang clan

10. Billie Holiday (1915-1959, born Eleanora Fagan) African American jazz singer and songwriter.

UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1754: Billie Holiday (1915-1959, born Eleanora Fagan) African American jazz singer and songwriter. (Photo by Universal History Archive/Getty Images) vertical,people,one person,arts culture and entertainment,adult,one woman only,adults only,headshot,singer,black and white,jazz music,human interest,songwriter,billie holiday

11. Eugene Lipscomb

African-American football player for the National Football League (NFL) Eugene Lipscomb, 1959. (Photo by Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images) people,horizontal,african-american ethnicity,black and white,archival,nfl,human interest,1950-1959

12. march 3 , 1985 ,,, photo of University of Maryland basketbal

march 3 , 1985 ,,, photo of University of Maryland basketball star Len Bias , taken at the un of Virginia FOR FILE INTO MERLIN (Photo by Joel Richardson/The The Washington Post via Getty Images) people,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,1980-1989,basketball – sport,archival,human interest,charlottesville,virginia – us state,university of maryland baltimore

13. 2005 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival – Day 3

Ike Turner and the Kings of Rhythm during 2005 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival – Day 3 at Racecourse Fairgrounds in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc) people,one person,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,music,performance,new orleans,gulf coast states,day 3,louisiana,new orleans jazz festival,ike turner,kings of rhythm

14. Prince performs on stage at the 36th NAACP Image Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on March 19, 2005 in Los Angeles, California. Prince was honored with the Vanguard Award.

36th NAACP Image Awards – Show LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 19: Musician Prince performs on stage at the 36th NAACP Image Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on March 19, 2005 in Los Angeles, California. Prince was honored with the Vanguard Award. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) prince performs on stage at the 36th naacp image awards at the dorothy chandler pavilion on march 19,2005 in los angeles,california. prince was honored with the vanguard award.

15. US popstar Michael Jackson addresses a p

US popstar Michael Jackson addresses a press conference at the O2 arena in London, on March 5, 2009. Pop megastar Michael Jackson announced Thursday he will play a series of comeback concerts in London in July, his first major shows for over a decade. Four years after his infamous child abuse trial, the 50-year-old eccentric singer confirmed he will play 10 gigs at the giant London O2 arena starting on July 8. AFP PHOTO/Carl de Souza (Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty Images) photography,people,one person,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,adult,adults only,portrait,music,uk,smiling,singer,one man only,sunglasses,stadium,michael jackson,press conference,pop musician,speech,greater london,the o2 – england,child abuse,waving – gesture

16. 2019 Billboard Music Awards – Press Room

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 01: Juice Wrld poses with the award for Best New Artist in the press room during the 2019 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 01, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) photography,celebrities,people,one person,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,portrait,music,headshot,fashion,award,nevada,las vegas,awards ceremony,press room,mgm grand garden arena,billboard music awards,best new artist,music award,juice wrld

17. Los Angeles Premiere Of MGM's "Respect" – Arrivals

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 08: Michael K. Williams attends the Los Angeles Premiere of MGM’s “Respect” at Regency Village Theatre on August 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic) photography,celebrities,people,one person,arts culture and entertainment,attending,horizontal,usa,topix,music,film industry,headshot,smiling,california,city of los angeles,regency village theater,respect,michael k. williams – american actor

18. Jimi Hendrix Live At The Royal Albert Hall

American rock guitarist and singer Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970) performs live on stage playing a white Fender Stratocaster guitar with The Jimi Hendrix Experience at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 24th February 1969. Image is part of David Redfern Premium Collection. (Photo by David Redfern/Redferns) vertical,photography,people,one person,arts culture and entertainment,adult,adults only,waist up,music,uk,london – england,performance,singer,one man only,archival,1960-1969,guitarist,royal albert hall,jimi hendrix experience,stratocaster,jimi hendrix,stage – performance space