I Just Called to Say...
Sometimes, a simple phone call becomes a person’s final act of love, fear, or closure. For these stars, their last words weren’t spoken to the world—they were spoken privately, in moments that now carry haunting weight. From confessions to calm goodbyes, these calls remind us that even icons reach out when the end feels near.
Marilyn Monroe
On the night of August 4, 1962, Marilyn Monroe made a series of phone calls—including one to actor Peter Lawford. She sounded disoriented and upset, reportedly saying, “Say goodbye to Pat, say goodbye to the President.” Lawford became alarmed when her voice began to fade. He tried calling back, but she never answered.
Dell Publications, Wikimedia Commons
Robin Williams
On August 10, 2014, hours before his passing, Robin Williams called his wife, Susan Schneider. She later said he was quiet but kind, ending the call with, “Goodnight, my love.” It was the last thing she ever heard him say.
Elvis Presley
In the early hours of August 16, 1977, Elvis called out to his fiancée Ginger Alden—from just another room in Graceland. (Okay, so this one isn’t technically a phone call—but it’s close enough for the King.) He said he was going to read in the bathroom and told her, “I’ll be right out.” They were the last words she ever heard from him.
John Lennon
The night before his death in December 1980, John Lennon phoned his Aunt Mimi from New York. He told her he was happy, working on music, and at peace with his life. Mimi said later, “He sounded so content.” Hours later, Lennon was shot outside The Dakota building, ending one of music’s most extraordinary lives.
Tony Barnard, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
John Belushi
In March 1982, just hours before his overdose, comedian John Belushi called his close friend Dan Aykroyd. They spoke about Ghostbusters, a film they planned to work on together. “He told me he loved me,” Aykroyd recalled later. It would be their final conversation before Belushi was found in his bungalow at the Chateau Marmont.
Richard E. Aaron, Getty Images
Heath Ledger
The night before his death in January 2008, Heath Ledger had a long phone call with his sister, Kate. She reminded him to be careful with his medications, and he replied, “Katie, Katie, I’ll be fine.” The next afternoon, he was found unresponsive in his New York apartment.
Janis Joplin
On October 3, 1970, Janis Joplin phoned her road manager, John Cooke, to confirm plans for a recording session the next day for her new album Pearl. She was upbeat and looking forward to finishing vocals. When she failed to arrive that morning, Cooke went to her hotel and discovered she had died overnight.
Albert B. Grossman Management (personal manager), New York., Wikimedia Commons
Princess Diana
On August 30, 1997, hours before the crash in Paris, Princess Diana phoned her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, at Balmoral Castle. They were busy playing and kept it brief. “If I’d known it was the last time I’d speak to her,” Harry later said, “I’d have said so much more.” That ordinary call became unforgettable.
Freddie Prinze
In January 1977, comedian Freddie Prinze called his estranged wife, Kathy Elaine, from his Los Angeles apartment. He told her he loved her and wanted to see their son, Freddie Jr. Moments after hanging up, he ended things. The police later confirmed that phone call as his final communication.
NBC Television, Wikimedia Commons
James Dean
Hours before his fatal crash on September 30, 1955, James Dean called his girlfriend, actress Pier Angeli. He told her he’d be heading north to race in Salinas and promised to call again soon. Angeli later claimed he sounded “excited and restless.” Whether fact or myth, that story became a lasting part of Hollywood’s tragic lore.
Steve Irwin
On September 4, 2006, while filming Ocean’s Deadliest on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, Steve Irwin called his wife, Terri. He was excited to come home and see their children after wrapping the shoot. Hours later, a stingray’s barb struck him in the chest. That cheerful call became the last time she ever heard his voice.
Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE, Wikimedia Commons
Michael Jackson
On June 24, 2009, just hours before his fatal cardiac arrest, Michael Jackson spoke by phone with choreographer Kenny Ortega. He was exhausted but optimistic about his upcoming This Is It shows. Ortega said later, “He just wanted to give love.” It was the last time anyone outside his home spoke to him.
Brittany Murphy
The night before her death on December 20, 2009, Brittany Murphy called her mother, Sharon. She said she felt lightheaded and was going to rest. Sharon later found her collapsed in their bathroom. The call was brief and routine—nothing that hinted at what would come.
Jeff Vespa/WireImage, Getty Images
Whitney Houston
On February 11, 2012, Whitney Houston phoned her mother, Cissy, from her suite at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. She told her, “I just want to see Jesus.” Hours later, Houston drowned in her bathtub. Cissy said later, “That was the last time I ever spoke to my baby.”
Asterio Tecson, Wikimedia Commons
Cory Monteith
On July 12, 2013, Glee star Cory Monteith called his girlfriend, Lea Michele, from his hotel in Vancouver. They talked about future plans and said “I love you.” When he didn’t answer her messages the next day, she knew something was wrong.
vagueonthehow, Wikimedia Commons
James Gandolfini
In June 2013, while in Rome with his family, James Gandolfini called his 13-year-old son, Michael, to plan dinner. They talked about sightseeing and gelato. Later that evening, Gandolfini suffered a heart attack in his hotel. That simple, happy call was their final conversation.
Joan Rivers
Before her routine surgery on August 28, 2014, Joan Rivers called her daughter, Melissa. “I love you,” she said before heading into the clinic. Melissa thought it was just a normal goodbye. Complications during the procedure would make it their last.
Chester Bennington
On July 19, 2017, Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington called a close friend to talk about upcoming vacation plans. He was laughing and in a good mood. Hours later, he was gone. His friends said later that he sounded “so normal—it’s what makes it so hard.”
Dimitrios Kambouris, Getty Images
Chris Cornell
On May 17, 2017, just after a Soundgarden concert in Detroit, Chris Cornell called his wife, Vicky. She said he sounded groggy and told her, “I’m just tired.” Concerned, she asked hotel security to check on him. When they did, it was too late.
Anthony Bourdain
On June 7, 2018, Anthony Bourdain spoke by phone with his partner, Asia Argento. The conversation reportedly involved tension, but friends said he’d been upbeat earlier that week, making plans for upcoming episodes of Parts Unknown.
Peabody Awards, Wikimedia Commons
Avicii
In April 2018, Swedish DJ Avicii called his family from Oman. His father said he sounded calm and grateful, talking about upcoming projects and saying he loved them. “He was at peace,” they later recalled. That call was the last time they heard from him.
Chadwick Boseman
In August 2020, Chadwick Boseman called director Ryan Coogler and several close friends. He thanked them for believing in him and spoke about future projects. None of them knew he was in the final stage of cancer.
Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Naya Rivera
On July 8, 2020, before taking a rented boat out on Lake Piru with her young son, Glee star Naya Rivera called her mother. She promised she’d be back soon. Later that day, her son was found safe—but Naya never returned.
Carrie Fisher
After suffering a heart attack on a December 2016 flight, Carrie Fisher called her mother, Debbie Reynolds, from the hospital. She reassured her, saying, “I’ll be okay, Mom.” Reynolds died the next day, reportedly saying she wanted to “be with Carrie.”
Betty White
On December 31, 2021, Betty White spoke by phone with her longtime friend Carol Burnett. They exchanged jokes and “I love yous.” Hours later, White passed away peacefully in her sleep—just weeks before her 100th birthday.
Bob Saget
On January 8, 2022, Bob Saget called his wife, Kelly Rizzo, after performing in Jacksonville. He was in high spirits, telling her, “I’m so happy—love the show tonight.” The next day, he was found in his hotel room.
Paul Walker
On November 30, 2013, just before heading to a charity car show, Paul Walker called his mother to plan dinner and confirmed his daughter, Meadow, would join. The call ended with laughter and an “I love you.” Minutes later, he left for the event where the crash occurred.
Andre Luis at https://www.flickr.com/photos/35982589@N07/, Wikimedia Commons
Anna Nicole Smith
On February 8, 2007, Anna Nicole Smith phoned her friend and lawyer, Howard K. Stern, from her hotel room in Florida. She was emotional, still grieving her son’s recent death, and told him she wanted to “be with him.” Hours later, she was found unresponsive.
Philip Seymour Hoffman
In February 2014, Philip Seymour Hoffman spoke with his partner, Mimi O’Donnell. He told her he loved her and their children. She said his voice sounded “tired but kind.” It was his final call before he was found in his New York apartment.
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