With the Help of A.I., Here’s What These 40+ Celebrities Would Look Today if They Were Alive

Although he was only 23 when he passed away in 1993, River Phoenix (younger brother of acclaimed actor Joaquin Phoenix) left quite an impression on the acting world. The young Phoenix made waves in his break-out role in Stand by Me.

After that, he stood out in several roles and was even nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He was also slated to be part of the star-studded cast of Interview With the Vampire. Unfortunately, he passed before filming began. Christian Slater took his place and donated his entire salary to River’s favorite charities.

James Dean was the actor who turned teen rebel into an art form. The young actor ruled the ‘50s with his suave looks and magnetic talent. His most well-known movies have been Rebel Without a Cause and East of Eden.

Unfortunately, his life was taken in a car crash when he was just 24. To honor his great talent, though, he was awarded two Academy Award nominations posthumously — both for Best Actor in East of Eden and in Giant.

“One of the greatest Latino artists of all time” is an understatement when it comes to talking about the great Selena. The “Queen of Tejano music” was an incredibly talented Mexican-American musician with a bright future, before her life was horribly cut short.

Having already been one of the most influential Latina artists in the world at the young age of 23, we can hardly imagine how much brighter she would have shone if she had lived on to today. All that’s left to do is enjoy the music she left behind for us!

Although the world only got to enjoy his musical talent for a few short years, Tupac Shakur (a.k.a. 2Pac or Makaveli) is, to this day, one of the most influential rappers in history. Despite his early demise, he’s one of the best-selling artists, with more than 75 million records sold.

Born in New York to two vocal advocates, Tupac’s music followed his parents’ example and it mainly had to do with shining a light on social issues and inequality. He was also quite a talented actor and starred in a few movies before his untimely passing.

Sadly, although she was quite talented and had a bright future ahead of her, Sharon Tate might be more famous for the way she was taken from this world than her skills as an actress and model.

Married to controversial director Roman Polanski and pregnant with his child at the time, Sharon was killed by the Manson Family in 1969. Due to the success of her role in Valley of the Dolls, had she lived, she would have had a great career ahead of her.

This AI-generated image of an older Jimi Hendrix really makes us realize how much the world lost when the gifted musician passed away at just 27. At least we have the amazing music he created before his passing.

Described by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as “arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock,” Jimi has been one of the most influential electric guitarists to ever walk this earth. To this day, he’s a source of inspiration for young musicians.

Though she only released three albums before her demise in 1970 (with another released a year after), Janis Joplin still managed to leave an incredible legacy behind her. Her powerful voice and charismatic presence made her one of the most popular rock stars of her time.

While she started out as part of a band, her uniqueness quickly shined through and she began her successful solo career (including appearing in the famous Woodstock festival). Her cover songs alongside her original singles will forever be remembered.

Founding member and lead vocalist and guitarist of Nirvana, Kurt Cobain might have passed away at a young age, but the musical legacy he left behind doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. As a founding influence on alternative rock, Kurt will forever be revered by music lovers.

Although Kurt himself was cynical toward the band’s massive success, Nirvana being hailed as the voice of a generation is a title that’s hard to shake. Sadly, the pressure of fame might have been a contributing factor in his ultimate demise, which is why we never got to see him age.

Younger generations might only know him from song lyrics (“Let’s Marvin Gaye and get it on…”), but long before that, Marvin Gaye was an incredible artist whose influence on music can still be felt.

Being on the cutting edge of R&B, soul, and funk music, he was a leader of Motown music in the ‘60s, leading to him being called the “Prince of Motown.” Although he passed in his 40s, we’re sure that had he lived on, the world would have been better for it.

Jim Morrison wasn’t just an incredibly talented and influential musician and vocalist. He was also a serious reader and poet, influenced by some of the greatest writers in history. His intelligence was even tested in high school and he came out with an IQ of 149.

What Jim is most known for, of course, is his position as lead vocalist of The Doors, who he joined after completing his bachelor’s degree in film. Clearly, the arts were his passion. If he had lived past the age of 27, there’s no telling how he would have shaped the future of music.

Another sad member of the 27 Club, Amy Winehouse was especially recent. Before her untimely demise in 2011, the talented musician was making waves in soul, R&B, and jazz.

It was mostly thanks to her album Back to Black that the British singer became an international success. In the 2008 Grammy Awards, she ended up winning five awards, including Best New Artist and Record of the Year.

Had she not passed away in 2009, Brittany Murphy would have been in her mid-40s now, with probably an even more impressive resume behind her. Still, she accomplished quite a few memorable and iconic roles in her too-short time.

Her breakout role was, of course, her incredible iconic character in the cult classic Clueless. From there, she continued to act in some pretty diverse projects, like 8-Mile, Uptown Girls, and even voice acted and sang in Happy Feet.

While she was not the original “Blonde Bombshell” (that honor goes to Jean Harlow), Marilyn Monroe might just be the most famous actress to be labeled as such. Beginning her career as a pin-up model, she was quickly discovered by the acting world.

By 1950, she was quite a popular comedic actress. That led to her becoming one of Hollywood’s hottest leading ladies with iconic roles in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Some Like it Hot, and many more.

As part of the most popular band of all time, The Beatles, John Lennon had one of the most successful music careers ever. But that fame came with a heavy price, as he was fatally shot by a mega fan in 1980.

With both his songwriting partners, Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono, John was responsible for some of the most influential and beloved songs ever. We can only “Imagine” what his future would have been like if he had lived past the age of 40.

Paul Walker was a part of showbiz since he was practically a baby, appearing in commercials and shows from the age of two. He began gaining fame though through his role in the long-running soap opera The Young and the Restless.

Despite acting in many films and shows, he’s best remembered for his role in the Fast and Furious franchise and his close relationship with his co-star Vin Diesel. He was actually in the middle of filming the next installment when he tragically passed.

The world irrevocably changed the first time Elvis Presley took to the stage and began gyrating. “The King of Rock and Roll” became one of the most culturally significant and influential stars in history.

In fact, he’s credited with being the catalyst for “fan culture” — his fans were known to “riot” every time he went on stage. Elvis was a star, like no other, that was taken too soon.

Born as Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar, Freddie Mercury grew up to be one of the most successful and influential rock icons in the world. The songs he wrote for his band, Queen, are some of the most beloved rock anthems to this day.

He was also a vocal LGBTQ+ advocate (being himself a proud bisexual man), in a time when being one was quite dangerous. Sadly, he passed away from an illness in 1991 and the world never got to enjoy more of his talent.

Though she’s probably most remembered for her extraordinary and enchanting voice, Whitney Houston was quite a well-rounded star, singing, acting, producing, and modeling over the years. To this day, she’s one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

Sadly, she passed away under tragic circumstances in 2012 at age 48 (just a year before her daughter did). She left behind a touching legacy, but we can’t help but wonder what else she would have accomplished had she lived on.

Michael Jackson’s career in the limelight has been fraught with controversy and drama. From his days as part of the Jackson Five to his solo career, though, he created some of the most iconic and beloved songs ever.

He was also a dance genius, coining some of the world’s most beloved dance moves like the Moonwalk and the Robot. He also holds the title of the most-awarded musician in history.

The passing of the talented Australian actor, Heath Ledger, was truly tragic news when it broke in 2008 shortly after finishing the filming of his most taxing role as the Joker in The Dark Knight.

First becoming successful in his home country, Heath became a household name around the world thanks to his heartthrob role on 10 Things I Hate About You. Throughout his brief career, he played many versatile roles.

Price wasn’t just an incredible vocalist with an impressive and unique vocal range, he was a talented musician, often choosing to record the instrumental parts of his songs too. His music, which consisted of many different genres, is still beloved and admired by many.

He was especially known for his sixth album, Purple Rain — which served as the soundtrack for the movie that came out with the same name. The album spent six months atop the Billboard 200 chart. Sadly, he departed from this world in 2016.

Probably best known for his iconic role as Superman in the ‘70s and ‘80s, Christopher Reeve was a man of many talents. For example, his hobby of being a glider pilot came in handy when creating Superman’s iconic flying pose.

After falling off his horse in 1995, he became paralyzed. That, however, did not stop him from living. He had his wife and their children, and he even kept acting a little — even appearing in Smallville, the show about Superman’s origin.

Though he was introduced to acting first, Bruce Lee’s first passion was martial arts. In fact, he’s considered the most influential martial artist of all time. It’s also thanks, in large part, to him that martial arts became popular in the USA.

He even taught Chuck Norris how to fight in the ‘60s! Sadly, he died at the early age of 32, leaving behind his loving wife and two children. His roles in Hong Kong martial arts films changed the face of fighting movies forever.

Some actors are known for their comedic timing, others for their unique looks, but Philip Seymour Hoffman was best known for bringing thought-provoking and interesting characters to life with exceptional skill. As such, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor thanks to his leading role in Capote.

He was also a gifted stage actor, appearing in several Broadway productions which all gave him Tony Award nominations. Unfortunately, as he was in the midst of filming part two of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, he passed away at the age of 46.

TV lovers of the ‘80s and ‘90s will undoubtedly recognize Michelle Thomas right away thanks to her roles in some of the most popular shows of the time. Those include Theo’s girlfriend on The Cosby Show, Myra Monkhouse on Family Matters, and a short stint on The Young and the Restless.

Tragically, she was diagnosed in her 20s with a rare form of cancer. Despite undergoing treatment and several surgeries, she passed away from the disease the day before Christmas, 1998. She was only 30 at the time.

Beginning his career alongside his friend Andrew Ridgeley with the band Wham!, George Michael built an impressive music empire in his life. His song, beloved by the MTV generation, also led to unique international success — as Wham! was the first Western group to tour China at the time.

Alongside his catchy songs like “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go”, “Freedom”, and “Careless Whisper”, George was also an advocate of the LGBTQ+ community. He himself came out as gay in 1998. After his passing in 2016, Elton John said of him that “he was the kindest, sweetest, most generous person.”

To this day, Judy Garland is probably best known for her truly timeless role as the young Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz. But, while it was her biggest role, it was far from her only one.

In fact, before her passing at the age of 47, Judy created quite an impressive career as an actress, singer, and all-around entertainer. She was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in A Star Is Born — and her show, The Judy Garland Show was nominated for an Emmy.

Before her tragic demise in a plane crash when she was just 22, Aaliyah went from being a promising young talent to a major player in contemporary R&B, pop, and hip-hop. Her music is still recognized as having redefined those genres.

She even got the chance to begin her acting career with the movies Romeo Must Die and Queen of the Damned. The “princess of R&B,” though, lives on through the continued popularity of her music.

Farrah Fawcett was best known for her roles in Charlie’s Angels, The Burning Bed, and Small Sacrifices. But, for many people, she was the object of their desires, fueled by the famous red swimsuit poster.

Her acting career was quite prolific, starting in the ‘60s with commercials, followed by recurring roles on several TV shows, and spanning all the way to her final roles in 2009 shortly before she passed away from cancer.

Although nowadays she’s mainly remembered for her on-screen acting career — including roles in Gothic, The Handmaid’s Tale (1990), and beloved kid’s classic The Parent Trap — her biggest contributions were to the stage on Broadway and the West End.

In fact, her theater roles led to her receiving a Tony Award for Best Leading Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Sally Bowles in Cabaret on Broadway in 1998. Tragically, she passed from an accident, leaving behind her husband Liam Neeson, as well as their two children.

The handsome Partick Swayze wasn’t just a pretty face, he was also an incredibly talented performer who managed to take his great love for both dancing and acting and create a lucrative and successful career out of it.

Among his biggest hits are, of course, the films Dirty Dancing and Ghost in which he played the romantic leading man. He also enjoyed appearing in stage performances on Broadway. Sadly, he passed away from cancer in 2009.

Sadly, Cory Monteith’s demise, though tragically young, didn’t come as much of a surprise to longtime fans of the Canadian actor. He often spoke of his struggles with illegal substances and was, in fact, in a treatment facility a few months before his passing.

Still, he left quite a legacy with Glee fans all over the world. In the show, he played the lead male character Finn, a high school football player who goes against expectations and joins the glee club to pursue his love of music.

Playboy model and actress, Anna Nicole Smith’s life in the limelight was certainly filled with drama and controversy. Though her acting career never quite picked up, she was quite successful in her modeling.

Tragically, a few months after her son passed, in 2007 she lost her life. Thanks to AI, we can be fairly certain that if she had aged past the age of 39, she would have retained her looks and continued her modeling career.

Son of martial arts legend Bruce Lee, Brandon’s life was cut even shorter than his father’s. Thanks to his father, Brandon trained in martial arts himself, which led to his first acting roles in action movies, Kung Fu: The Movie and Legacy of Rage.

His life came to an end after a fatal accident happened on the set of The Raven — which was to be his breakout Hollywood role. The movie was finished with his family’s blessing and became a hit.

After acting in his school’s drama production at the age of 10, Lee Thompson Young knew that acting was what he wanted to do with his life. His dream came true when he was cast in The Famous Jett Jackson on the Disney Channel.

He also managed to make the transition into more adult productions pretty seamlessly with roles in Friday Night Lights, Scrubs, and Rizzoli & Isles, among others. Tragically, he took his own life at the age of 29 in 2013.

John Belushi was probably one of the world’s funniest professional funny people. After all, he was part of the original cast of the beloved show Saturday Night Live. Alongside his long-time partner, Dan Akroyd, they redefined comedy.

He was also responsible for the classics, National Lampoon’s Animal House and the ageless The Blues Brothers. It was a great loss to the entertainment industry and the world when he passed in 1982 at the age of 33.

From the moment Diana Spencer began seeing King Charles III (then Prince Charles), all eyes in both the British Commonwealth and the world, in general, were on her. Her life among the British royal family was endlessly scrutinized and reported on.

While her publicized divorce and unconventional life (for a princess) were often commented on by the media at the time, it looks like two things were her focus — her impressive and revolutionary charity work, and her two boys. Her life was cut short in 1997 at the age of 36.

As absolutely brilliant of a talent as Robin Williams was, he also had a complicated and often difficult inner life. Due to a neurological condition, he took his own life in 2014. To this day, though, he’s remembered for the joy he brought to the world.

Breaking out as a stand-up comedian, Robin’s first major role in TV was as the lead in the sitcom Mork & Mindy. From there, he built a career of countless classics. A few of his most beloved works were Dead Poets Society, Hook, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Disney’s Aladdin.

A member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Alan Rickman was one of the most beloved and memorable British actors of the last few decades. While many remember him for his deep voice, his acting talent was incredibly diverse.

From Hans Gruber in Die Hard to an Angel in the comedic Dogma (and many more), he was probably best known for his role as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films. Heartbreakingly, he passed from terminal cancer in 2016.

As part of the “Two Coreys” alongside Corey Feldman, Corey Haim ruled the world of child actors in the ‘80s. His roles in both Lucas and The Lost Boys won him fame and accolades.

Unfortunately, Cory found it challenging to deal with the sudden fame and success. To deal with the stress, he turned to illegal substances and built up a dependency, which he then suffered from for the remainder of his life. In 2010, he passed away from an illness.

Although he only lived to the age of 24, Christopher George Latore Wallace (a.k.a the Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls) managed to leave quite an impressive musical legacy behind. He was a major player in the East Coast hip-hop scene.

He only released two albums during his life, with the rest of his albums being released posthumously. Biggie’s influence is undeniable — both Billboard and Rolling Stone named him the greatest rapper ever.

As “everything in punk that was dark, decadent, and nihilistic,” Sid Vicious, though only 21 years old when he passed, is still remembered as one of the most iconic punk artists of all time.

Sid Vicious (born John Simon Ritchie) was the bass player of the beloved punk band Sex Pistols. But, before that, he was a massive fan of the group. In fact, he never missed a single concert even before he joined.

A five-album country singer, Mindy McCready seemed to always want to be a singer. She even finished high school early to be able to start her music career at the age of 16. Her song “Guys Do it All the Time” was a No. 1 hit on the Billboard country chart.

About a month after her partner and the father of her second child took his own life, Mindy followed in his footsteps. She was known to have struggled with depression and had a dependence on illicit substances.

Karen Carpenter wasn’t just famous for her incredible three-octave vocal range and beautiful deep voice, she was also the other half of the beloved duo the Carpenters alongside her brother Richard. Her difficulties began when she became the group’s frontwoman.

Being constantly scrutinized by the media, Karen developed an eating disorder that followed her throughout her short adult life and ultimately was part of the cause of her passing. She will forever be remembered for the wonderful music she gave to the world.

Though interested in the performing arts from a young age, it was in 2011 when she made it onto The X Factor that she found fame, with Simon Cowell reportedly saying that she was one of his favorite contestants he ever mentored.

Fittingly, after covering their song in the TV competition, Simone was added to The Pussycat Dolls in 2012, who soon changed their name to G.R.L. At the young age of 25 in 2014, she took her own life.