LGBTQ+ Celebs Who Unfortunately Died From AIDS

While many people with AIDS live long and healthy lives, AIDS is a disease that affects an individual's immune system and has no known cure. HIV and AIDS do not discriminate based on money, color, or sexual orientation, contrary to popular belief. The truth is that anyone can get HIV, even the world's wealthiest and most famous people. The world was horrified when the AIDS epidemic first became known. A horrible and lethal disease, it infected some of the world's most famous actors, musicians, and other celebrities.
Here are 12 renowned people who died as a result of HIV infection, as well as celebrities who kept their sickness hidden. Many of these celebrities have made it their duty to educate the public about HIV's global threat.

#1 Stephen Stucker

Source: Airplane! / Paramount Pictures

Stephen Stucker, the actor from "Airplane," was diagnosed with AIDS in 1984. On April 13, 1986, he died as a result of AIDS-related complications. He was one of the first actors to publicly admit to having AIDS.

#2 Brad Davis

Source: CBS Network / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

Brad Davis, the actor from "Midnight Express," was diagnosed with HIV in 1985. On September 8, 1991, he died as a result of an intentional overdose. In an interview with Boze Hadleigh, he revealed his connections with males.

#3 Ondrej Nepela

Source: Friedrich Gahlbeck / Wikimedia Commons

In February 1989, figure skater Ondrej Nepela died of AIDS-related complications.

#4 Pedro Zamora

Source: Callelinea / Wikimedia Commons

Pedro Zamora, star of "The Real World," was diagnosed with HIV in 1989. He died of AIDS-related complications on November 11, 1994. Zamora was coming out as gay, and his appearance on "The Real World" helped to raise awareness about gay rights and AIDS.

#5 Keith Haring

Source: Unknown / Wikimedia Commons

Keith Haring, an artist, was diagnosed with AIDS in 1987. He died in 1990 as a result of AIDS-related complications. Haring's paintings frequently reflected his feelings regarding homosexual rights and AIDS awareness.

#6 Liberace

Source: Allan warren / Wikimedia Commons

Liberace died of AIDS-related complications on February 4, 1987. He concealed his illness from the public, and there was even an attempt to falsify his autopsy report in order to conceal the fact that he had AIDS. Liberace was never openly gay, but his sexuality was documented by biographers and intimate associates.

#7 Denholm Elliott

Source: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark / Paramount Pictures

Denholm Elliot, the actor from "Trading Places," was diagnosed with HIV in 1987. In 1992, he died of AIDS-related complications. Elliot had an open marriage and multiple encounters with men during his life.

#8 Robert Reed

Source: ABC Television / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

Robert Reed, the "Brady Bunch" actor, was diagnosed with HIV, and it is thought that HIV played a significant role in his death. He was also suffering from colon cancer. Reed passed away on May 12, 1992. Reed was gay, but he kept his sexuality a secret to protect his profession.

#9 Rock Hudson

Source: Film studio / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

In 1984, Rock Hudson was diagnosed with HIV. He passed away on October 2, 1985. Hudson and his publicist worked hard to keep his personal life private, but numerous of his co-stars have come out about Hudson's sexuality, claiming that he was gay.

#10 Roy Cohn

Source: Herman Hiller / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

In 1984, Roy Cohn was diagnosed with AIDS. He passed away on August 2, 1986. He was thought to be having an affair with his consultant, G. David Schine.

#11 Anthony Perkins

Source: NL-HaNA, ANEFO / Wikimedia Commons

On September 12, 1992, "Psycho" star Anthony Perkins died of AIDS-related illness. He was linked to various guys, including Stephen Sondheim, Tab Hunter, and Christopher Makos.

#12 Freddie Mercury

Source: Carl Lender / Wikimedia Commons

In 1987, Queen frontman Freddie Mercury was diagnosed with AIDS. He did not reveal his condition publicly until November 22, 1991, when he issued a statement confirming his sickness. Mercury died two days later as a result of complications from the condition. His lifelong partner Jim Hutton, who had also been diagnosed with HIV, was by his side when he died.