These geniuses deserved better. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down the instances of luminaries and visionaries whose careers or lives ended too soon.
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00:00 "Robert Johnson wakes up the genius in everyone, and his music speaks to all of us.
00:06 But with that genius also comes the devil."
00:10 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down the instances of luminaries and visionaries
00:14 whose careers or lives ended too soon. "Luke Garrick is a Yankee legend.
00:18 I think without argument he's the greatest first baseman to ever play the game."
00:25 Hypatia. Hypatia, born around 360 CE in Alexandria, Egypt, was a prominent Greek philosopher,
00:31 mathematician, and astronomer. Renowned for her intellect and eloquence, she became the head of
00:35 the Neoplatonic School in Alexandria, where she taught philosophy and mathematics. "As I move this
00:40 rod along the cord, as one segment increases, the other segment decreases, and vice versa.
00:45 Therefore, the sum of the two is always going to be constant. You see that?"
00:50 As a woman in a male-dominated society, Hypatia faced challenges, yet she gained admiration
00:55 for her scholarly pursuits. Unfortunately, her life took a terrible turn in 415 CE.
01:00 "And unfortunately for Hypatia, she'd come into conflict with one of the greatest
01:05 political operators of the day." Amidst political and religious tensions,
01:09 Hypatia fell victim to a violent mob associated with Cyril, the patriarch of Alexandria. She was
01:14 brutally murdered, marking the end of an era and the loss of a singular mind in the history
01:18 of ancient scholarship. Jim Henson, this brilliant American puppeteer, was the creative genius behind
01:28 the beloved Muppets. His whimsical and innovative puppetry brought joy and laughter to millions.
01:39 Henson's endearing characters like Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy became cultural icons,
01:43 fostering an emotional connection with fans of all ages.
01:46 But then, his life was cut short by a sudden and severe illness, Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome,
02:03 in 1990. After his passing, the world lost a visionary storyteller and puppeteer.
02:08 "He leaves behind a body of work that will be discovered by new generations.
02:12 The characters he created now have a life of their own."
02:16 Jim Henson's absence left a void in the hearts of many, a reminder of the incredible creativity
02:21 that was taken from us far too soon. Robert Johnson, hailing from Hazlehurst, Mississippi,
02:26 the enigmatic blues legend captivated listeners with his soulful voice and intricate guitar playing.
02:31 "Robert Johnson is considered one of the greatest blues artists of all time."
02:36 "There's just something sort of supernatural about Robert."
02:40 His ability to convey raw emotion through music left a huge mark on the blues scene.
02:44 Tragically, Johnson's creative brilliance was taken from us by his mysterious and premature
02:48 death at 27, which was attributed to poisoning. "The man gave Robert this poison whiskey.
02:53 The man got all free. They come to him, but they didn't arrest him. They do nothing."
03:00 Circumstances surrounding his demise remain shrouded in speculation,
03:04 leaving the world to ponder the unrealized potential of his talent.
03:07 Despite the brevity of his career, Robert Johnson's legacy persists, influencing generations
03:11 of musicians and ensuring the enduring resonance of his brilliance in the annals of musical history.
03:16 "Elmo James, B.B. King, there's a little bit of Johnson in all of them."
03:21 "But the world wasn't listening to Johnson directly. They were listening to other people
03:27 playing music influenced by Robert Johnson."
03:30 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, this musical prodigy of the classical era,
03:34 showcased astonishing genius in his prolific career.
03:37 Born in 1756, the Austrian composer and pianist composed symphonies, operas, and chamber music
03:42 with unmatched brilliance from an early age. His masterpieces, including the Magic Flute and
03:47 Requiem, remain timeless contributions to classical music. "Mozart wrote in every genre
03:52 he tackled flawlessly. He gave us over 600 pieces and he did it in half of a lifetime.
04:01 There is no one ever before or since like Mozart."
04:06 Tragically, Mozart's life ended at the age of 35, marked by both triumph and sorrow.
04:11 Despite achieving widespread recognition,
04:13 he faced financial struggles and health issues throughout his life.
04:15 "Stop for a moment and we'll finish the Lacrimosa."
04:21 "I can keep going, I assure you."
04:23 "Will you stay with me while I sleep a little?"
04:26 "I'm not leaving you."
04:30 The circumstances surrounding his death in 1791 remain uncertain,
04:34 adding an air of mystery to the untimely end of a musical genius.
04:37 Mozart's impact on the classical music landscape endures,
04:50 and his premature departure only deepens the poignancy of his too-short career.
04:54 Lou Gehrig, the Iron Horse of Baseball
04:56 Lou Gehrig achieved unparalleled success on the field in the 1920s and 1930s,
05:01 setting records and becoming a symbol of endurance.
05:04 "They called Gehrig the Iron Horse because he played more consecutive games than any other player.
05:08 He was there in the lineup every day. He performed his job brilliantly, effectively.
05:15 Gehrig hit these line drives and just chugged around the bases."
05:18 His career achievements included multiple All-Star selections,
05:21 World Series titles, and two American League Most Valuable Player MVP awards.
05:26 Gehrig's consecutive game streak, reaching 2,130, stood unbroken for over 50 years.
05:31 Tragically, in 1939, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS, struck him down,
05:37 ending his career and leaving him with profound physical limitations.
05:40 "What everybody can see in spring training in 1939, he's stumbling out in the field.
05:45 The reporters are all speculating about what's wrong with Gehrig."
05:49 "He pulls himself out of the lineup after 2,130 consecutive games."
05:54 He made his famous "Luckiest Man" speech at Yankee Stadium,
05:56 raising awareness of the disease that would later bear his name.
05:59 "Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth."
06:06 The world lost not only a sports legend, but a symbol of courage and fortitude,
06:14 forever missing the remarkable Lou Gehrig.
06:16 Vincent van Gogh
06:18 Vincent van Gogh, the renowned Dutch painter, left an indelible mark on the art world with
06:21 his masterpieces, which are celebrated for their emotional depth and unique style.
06:25 His work, like Starry Night and Sunflowers,
06:28 is beloved for its vivid colors and intricate portrayal of the human condition.
06:31 "I wanted to show real life, nature, the lives of farmers, what I saw as I felt it.
06:39 That's what I wanted to paint. Something good. Something with soul in it."
06:45 However, van Gogh's relentless dedication to his art took a toll on his mental health,
06:48 culminating in the infamous act of cutting off his own ear.
06:51 His struggles with mental illness persisted until his untimely death,
06:54 depriving us of the countless masterpieces he might have created.
06:58 "Vincent was 37. He'd been an artist for just nine years."
07:04 Oscar Wilde
07:06 Oscar Wilde was an Irish playwright, poet, and wit, known for his flamboyant style and sharp wit.
07:10 "It's perfectly monstrous how people say things behind one's back that are absolutely true."
07:14 A leading figure of the aesthetic movement,
07:16 he championed art for art's sake and challenged societal norms through his works.
07:20 "I'm delighted, of course, that you find my lines funny,
07:23 but please don't try and make the audience laugh with them.
07:25 They should sound completely spontaneous and natural, as though people spoke like that all the time."
07:30 Wilde's most famous plays include The Importance of Being Earnest and The Picture of Dorian Gray,
07:34 a novel exploring the consequences of indulgence and aestheticism.
07:38 His biting social comedies often satirized Victorian society,
07:42 earning him both acclaim and controversy.
07:43 "And I'm a challenging sort of man. That's why people don't like me.
07:47 I don't go along with the ordinary ways of thinking."
07:50 "Then we are exactly alike."
07:52 Despite his success, Wilde's career faced a horribly unjust downfall in his lifetime,
07:56 when he was imprisoned for gross indecency because of homophobia.
08:00 "Evidence of Oscar Wilde's double life had been exposed.
08:03 On April 5th, he was arrested and charged with gross indecency under the Criminal Law Amendment."
08:09 But he remains an enduring literary figure.
08:12 Michael Schumacher
08:13 This Formula One legend is revered not only for his seven world championships,
08:16 but also for his incredible work ethic and unmatched skill on the racetrack.
08:20 "Did you really believe you could win this one?"
08:22 "I knew it's going to be possible to drive certainly in the points and even probably on the rostrum.
08:26 But to be first? No, I didn't believe this."
08:30 His meticulous approach to racing, combined with his ability to make split-second decisions,
08:35 allowed him to dominate the sport in the 1990s and early 2000s,
08:38 setting numerous records and making him one of the greatest drivers in Formula One history.
08:42 "It's amazing. If anyone would have asked me how much I would bet on this,
08:46 I wouldn't have even bet a penny on it. We have not got a present from anyone.
08:50 I just pushed it to the victory and the car has been superb,
08:54 especially at the beginning and I was able to do the job."
08:58 However, tragedy struck in 2013 with a skiing accident leaving him in a prolonged coma.
09:03 Since that fateful day, Schumacher's complete public absence and uncertain health status
09:07 serves as a somber reminder of the brilliance we've lost.
09:09 Emily Bronte
09:12 Born in Thornton, Yorkshire, Emily was a novelist and poet who belonged to the
09:15 literary Bronte family, which included her sisters Charlotte and Nan.
09:19 Emily's work is characterised by its dark, passionate intensity and gothic elements.
09:23 "Wuthering Heights actually shocked all who came across it.
09:26 It was described as a strange, inartistic story, full of brutal cruelty and semi-savage love.
09:35 History would reverse this initial judgement."
09:39 She is venerated for her only novel, Wuthering Heights, which explores themes of love,
09:43 revenge and the destructive power of social class.
09:45 "Emily Bronte's masterpiece is a dark study of the wild extremes of human obsession."
09:52 Despite the novel's initial mixed reception, it's now considered a classic of English literature.
09:56 Emily, a reclusive and enigmatic figure, died at the young age of 30, leaving behind intense
10:01 and haunting storytelling that continues to influence and resonate with readers worldwide.
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10:20 Freddie Mercury
10:23 When it comes to musical icons, Freddie's at the top of the list.
10:26 "That's the way I want to perform, you know? It's taking, grasping a song and
10:31 delivering it the way I feel, you know? I don't mean, I mean, I don't like sitting on a stool
10:37 and doing a whole performance. At the same time, I don't want to sort of run around all the time.
10:40 I like to pace myself."
10:41 His charismatic stage presence and extraordinary vocal range made him an icon,
10:45 and his songwriting prowess and flamboyant performances are essentially unmatched in
10:49 rock and roll history. However, his astonishing life was horribly cut short by the scourge of AIDS.
10:54 "But he kept his illness from his public until the last moment."
10:57 "We should remember him for his music and not for his health and his AIDS diagnosis."
11:03 His death in 1991 left the world in mourning, with fans pondering the further heights his
11:07 career could have reached had it not been for his illness. But Freddie Mercury's unparalleled talent
11:12 and showmanship remain etched in history, and no one else can ever replace his unique glory.
11:17 "What an actor, what a performer, what a player, you know?
11:20 What a singer, too, but really what a presence on stage."
11:26 Which genius do you miss the most? Tell us in the comments below.
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11:46 [Music]