Celebs Who Never Reached Their Full Potential

Looking back at some celebrities who died before their time, you can't help but realize their power in capturing the hearts and minds of generations of today. I think about the potential lost and what they could have gone on to achieve if they were still here.

Let's take Princess Diana for example, the "People's Princess." Her life tragically cut short still for unclear reasons. Whether it was an assassination due to a royalty scandal or just a tipsy driver attempting to escape the paparazzi perhaps will never be answered. We, the public, mourned, and through the years have watched her two sons, Philip & Harry, carry on her legacy, however it never really felt quite the same. Princess Diana had a sort of elegance about her that charmed us, a celebrity with a unique humbleness that allowed people to connect, hence the "People's Princess". Her willingness to do good in the world was not an act, but a genuine concern for the world and its community. By no means am I claiming that Harry and Philip aren't true with their actions, however with Philip staying out of the limelight and Harry's antics of finding himself on the front cover after drunken nights in London, made it harder to feel what you felt for the Princess. A young heart that gave so much to the fight against AIDS, as well as campaigning against landmines, Diana, as she so often told others to call her, died at the age of 36.

"Herb? Herb is the healing of the nation, seen?" Marley. Fate caught up with the Rebellious Rasta after he pushed on doing shows across the US, and eventually gave in at a hospital in Germany, not long after his 36th birthday. Bob Marley was not only a Legend, he was a revolution. His compelling lyrics mixed with the new sounds of Reggae captured an audience, and has the youth of today still buying albums and downloading songs. Marley was a member of the Rastafari movement, whose culture was a key element in the development of Ragga, and his desire to start a movement in order to unite the people undoubtedly had its effect. "RASTA FOR THE PEOPLE! Rastafari! For the people, seen? Capitalism and communism are finished. It Rasta now!"

Tupac Amaru Shakur, killed in Vegas at the age of 25, and by his own sayings "live by the gun, die by the gun" eventually caught up to him. Arguably the greatest lyricist to this day, no other hip hop artist or rapper, in my mind, still comes close to Pac. There are many talented individuals who have had incredible success, however I believe it is to that level of artistry that lyricists try to rise up to. In every one of his songs there is a story and a meaning behind it, whether it be love, self-understanding, or the cruel injustices of American Society. Pac gave every song his heart, he meant what he said and he sang it from his gut. He indeed was a rebel, but his intelligence and poetic style of putting words together with music is a quality to admire and a talent to remember. His untimely death came at a point where many thought he was leaving the rap game, and start pursuing, through collaborations of music with other well known artists, to help young black females out of poverty and helping young kids in school achieve higher grades. Nobody really knows if he really wanted to leave Death Row after the success of All Eyez on Me, however the fact remains that he was an exceptional writer and performer, and predicting his own death is part of the reason why still so many fans are captivated by his music that keeps coming out. Below I have placed one of his many poems that were released after his death.

In the event of my Demise, when my heart can beat no more

I Hope I Die For A Principle, or A Belief that I had Lived 4

I will die Before My Time, Because I feel the shadow's Depth

So much I wanted 2 accomplish, before I reached my Death

I have come 2 grips with the possibility, and wiped the last tear from My eyes

I Loved All who were Positive, In the event of my Demise

Other names worth mentioning, but not elaborated on, include John F. Kennedy Jr., the beautiful R & B singer Aliyah, the talented River Phoenix, perhaps the ever busty Anna Nicole Smith (her potential though seemed doomed), and if going back a few more years the names Hendrix and Manroe seem to pop as well.