1 / 10
Charlize Theron's mother, Gerda, shot and killed Charlize's father, Charles, in 1991. Gerda was not prosecuted, as it was determined that she had acted in self-defense to protect herself and her daughter.
2 / 10
Jennifer Hudson experienced a devastating loss in 2008 when her mother, Darnell Donerson, brother Jason Hudson, and nephew Julian King were shot and killed. Hudson's estranged brother-in-law, William Balfour, was convicted of the murders and received three life sentences.
3 / 10
Dylan McDermott, faced a true horror in his childhood. In 1967, at the age of 5. His mother's boyfriend, John Sponza, falsely claimed that her death was a suicide, but Dylan heard a gunshot. Years later, in 2011, Dylan began seeking answers and the case was reopened. A medical examiner found evidence of foul play, and Sponza was connected to other unsolved crimes before his death in 1972, shedding light on the truth about Dylan's mother's tragic demise.
4 / 10
Dave Navarro's mother, Constance, was fatally shot in 1983, along with her friend, Sue Jory, in her West LA apartment. Constance's ex-boyfriend, John Riccardi, was apprehended in 1991, partly thanks to 'America's Most Wanted.'
5 / 10
Sean "Diddy" Combs revealed in 2013 that his father, Melvin Combs, was killed when he was just 3 years old. Melvin, a drug dealer, was shot and killed at the age of 33. Diddy discussed how his father's life choices influenced his own determination to succeed.
6 / 10
Retired MLB player Melvin Mora witnessed his father Gregorio's murder in Venezuela when he was only 6 years old. The killer mistook Gregorio for his brother.
7 / 10
Jake Zyrus, formerly known as a 'Glee' star, lost his father, Ricky Pempengco, in 2011 when he was fatally stabbed in the Philippines during an altercation. Zyrus expressed love for his father despite the tragic circumstances.
8 / 10
In 1993, Michael Jordan's father, James Jordan, was tragically killed in an apparent carjacking. The perpetrators also took two NBA championship rings that Michael had given as gifts. Daniel Green and Larry Demery were later sentenced to life in prison for their involvement.
9 / 10
Chuck Palahniuk, the celebrated author of 'Fight Club,' began writing his novel 'Lullaby' in 2003 after his father's 1999 murder. Fred Palahniuk and his girlfriend were shot and burned by Dale Shackleford, who was initially sentenced to death but later had his sentence commuted to life imprisonment on a technicality
10 / 10
Kelsey Grammer, famous for 'Cheers,' faced multiple family tragedies. His father, Frank Allen Grammer, was fatally shot in 1968 when Kelsey was just 13. In 1975, Kelsey's sister, Karen Grammer, was sexually assaulted and murdered.
Well-known individuals who, despite their fame and success, have also had to face the devastating loss of their parents due to horrific acts of violence.
These celebrities have endured not only the challenges of the limelight but also the profound grief of losing their parents in tragic circumstances. These stars range from having witnessed the murders themselves at a very young age to having to deal with their shocking loss as an adult.
