Trending badgeTrendingPosted 55 minutes agoSubscribe to BuzzFeed Daily NewsletterCaret Down11 Dark, Sad, And Tragic Examples Of The "Rule Of Three" Celebrity DeathsWhen a couple of famous people pass away close together, we tend to look for a third...by Crystal RoBuzzFeed StaffFacebookPinterestLink Are you a fan macabre content? Subscribe to the That Got Dark newsletter to get your weekly dopamine fix of the macabre delivered RIGHT to your inbox! BuzzFeed You've probably heard people say that celebrity deaths come in threes - it's what's commonly referred to as the celebrity death "Rule of Three." This pop culture belief isn't based on anything scientific, but more on how our brains like to spot patterns, especially during emotional or shocking events. When a couple of famous people pass away close together, we tend to look for a third. In reality, it's just a coincidence, but because it happens often enough - and we remember it when it does - it feels like a real thing. Here are some popular examples: 1. July 2025 - Malcolm‑Jamal Warner, Ozzy Osbourne, and Hulk Hogan Santiago Felipe / Getty Images, Scott Dudelson / Getty Images, Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC / Getty Images Malcolm‑Jamal Warner, best known for playing Theo on The Cosby Show, died of accidental drowning on July 20, 2025, at the age of 54, while on vacation in Costa Rica. Warner was swimming in the sea when he got caught in a strong rip current. He was brought to shore by bystanders, received care from the Red Cross, but was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene. NBC / NBCUniversal via Getty Images Ozzy Osbourne (born John Michael Osbourne) died on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76, after decades of complications with Parkinson's disease, which he was diagnosed with in 2003, and other health issues. He reportedly died peacefully at home in England with his family by his side. Paul Natkin / Getty Images Hulk Hogan (real name Terry Gene Bollea) died on July 24, 2025, at the age of 71, of cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida. Paramedics performed CPR at the scene for over 30 minutes, but he could not be revived. WWE / WWE via Getty Images 2. June 2009 - Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson Frazer Harrison / Getty Image, Hulton Archive / Getty Images, Tiffany Rose / WireImage / Getty Images Ed McMahon - best known as Johnny Carson's longtime sidekick on The Tonight Show with his iconic line, "Heeeeere's Johnny!"- died on June 23, 2009, at the age of 86, of multiple health complications, including bone cancer and pneumonia. He passed away peacefully at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, surrounded by family. Raimondo Borea / Getty Images Farrah Fawcett died on June 25, 2009, at the age of 62, of anal cancer in Santa Monica, California. After an initial diagnosis in 2006 and a brief remission in 2007, the cancer returned and spread to her liver despite treatment. She spent her final days at St. John's Health Center with close friends and partner Ryan O'Neal by her side. ABC Photo Archives / Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009, at the age of 50, of cardiac arrest caused by an accidental overdose of a powerful sleep medication called propofol, along with other sedatives. His personal doctor, Conrad Murray, had given him the drugs to help him sleep, but they ended up stopping his heart. Michael was found unresponsive at his home in Los Angeles and couldn't be revived. Murray was later found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for his role in Michael's death. KMazur / WireImage 3. July, August, and September 1997 - Gianni Versace, Princess Diana, Mother Teresa Rose Hartman / Getty Images, Antony Jones/UK Press via Getty Images, Tim Graham / Getty Images Gianni Versace was shot and killed on July 15, 1997, at the age of 50, outside his home in Miami by a man named Andrew Cunanan. Cunanan, who was already wanted for several other murders, shot Versace twice in the back of the head on the steps of his mansion. Versace died instantly, and Cunanan died by suicide days later after a nationwide manhunt. Mondadori Portfolio / Mondadori via Getty Images Princess Diana died on Aug. 31, 1997, at the age of 36, in a car crash in a tunnel in Paris while being chased by paparazzi. She was in the car with her boyfriend Dodi Fayed, their driver, and a bodyguard. An official investigation later ruled her death as "unlawful killing" due to reckless driving by both the driver and the paparazzi. Julian Parker / UK Press via Getty Images Mother Teresa died on Sept. 5, 1997, at the age of 87, after years of struggling with heart problems. She had suffered several heart attacks and other health issues, and her death was caused by heart failure. Despite her illness, she continued to serve the poor and sick until shortly before her passing. Bettmann / Bettmann Archive 4. December 2016 - George Michael, Carrie Fisher, and Debbie Reynolds Samir Hussein/Redferns via Getty Images, Paul Archuleta / FilmMagic /