Some work to live while others live to work and the difference lies in the passion behind the job. While some celebs are happy to throw in the towel after a number of years in business to coast on their earnings, others live for the excitement surrounding their jobs and keep up the act until their dying day. These eight celebs kept working right up until their last day.
8 Mickey Rooney Played Both Parts At The End
Mickey Rooney made his name in film starting in 1926. Going from playing a cheeky brother to a leading man, Rooney spent decades in the business, bringing his name to hundreds of films, both in background and taking the lead. Rooney’s death in 2014 at the age of 93 came as a shock to some, however, his work was far from done. At the time of his death, Rooney was involved in two films: Night at the Museum, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. While Night at the Museum released in 2014, his work as Mr. Louis in Jekyll and Hyde aired in 2017, three years after his passing.
7 Freddie Mercury Kept Love Alive
The frontman of Queen underwent a painful and lengthy sickness prior to his final days. While the singer battled AIDS, he kept his work going, staying in the recording booth for as long as he was able to. His final time in the studio was assisted by a cane as Mercury was no longer able to stand for lengthy periods of time. His last recorded track, “Mother Love” was done in studio in May 1991 with bandmate and songwriter Brian May filling in on the last verse as Mercury was unable to do so. The singer passed only months later on November 24, 1991.
6 Christopher Plummer Kept Up With His Passion
Few actors maintain their health and passions long enough to keep going in their older age. Christopher Plummer worked through to age 91 and was mid-project with Canadian drama Departure when he passed away. The actor saw an astonishing three film releases in the year leading up to his death and, when asked why he continued working, was always quick to say “No, never retire. Don’t want to. There’s too many wonderful things to do."
5 George Burns Kept The Jokes Coming
Not many reach the milestone of 100, but George Burns defied the odds by celebrating the marker of 100 just months before passing away. The comedian, born in 1896, worked steadily with his partner in stage and life, Gracie Allen, working from stand-up to television and film. The actor’s final film, Radioland Murders, aired in 1994, but Burns kept up his appearances in TV commercials and clubs right up until the end in 1996.
4 Michael Jackson Was Working On A Release
The death of Michael Jackson in 2009 seemed to shock the nation as the then-50-year-old seemingly went overnight. The public outcry at the sudden loss hit hard as, while the singer hadn’t been as prevalent in the press prior to his death, he was working on two albums at the time of his passing. Working on both a pop and an instrumental classical album, his estate went on to release his documentaryThis Is It as well as additional new tracks the artist had been working on at the time.
3 Elvis Presley Left The Building Mid-Tour
Since the release of Elvis, Presley’s name has seen the spotlight more as his life story became public knowledge. While his struggles during life were his own to deal with, his death came during a time of sporadic performances. The singer rested in his home at Graceland the night of August 15th, meant to fly out to Portland, Maine the following day for a show. Instead, Presley was found to have passed away due to a heart attack, leaving his fans around the world in shock at the sudden passing.
2 Burt Reynolds Never Rested
Icon Burt Reynolds passed away at age 82 without having taken a pause in his acting career. The Smokey and the Bandit actor was actually on set and rehearsing his lines with his assistant moments before his heart attack struck. Working on Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, co-star Brad Pitt has stated that some of the greatest days in his life were working alongside his idol Reynolds.
1 Nichelle Nichols Lived Long And Prospered
It didn’t take a science fiction fan to understand the impact that Nichelle Nichols left on pop culture through her involvement in Star Trek. Joining the original series as Nyota Uhara, Nichols played a part in becoming one of the first Black women to hold a leading role in television. She continued making history, joining William Shatner in one of the first interracial kisses aired on television. Her work in the Star Trek universe continued throughout her life and, though she did see a variety of roles throughout her career, her final work before passing rounded out as a voice role in Star Trek: Prodigy as Uhara one last time.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTErZ%2Bippeoe6S7zGianqSVl8Buw8eoZKSdoKl6uLvRpKCnn12qu7W1y2aroZ2Zp3qntc2ao2acka7AcA%3D%3D