Celebrity Rule of Threes and the Massacre That was 2016
May 12, 2017
Celebrity Rule of Threes and the Massacre That was 2016
By: Emma Coons
Everyone’s heard of the celebrity “rule of threes,” but did you know how many times this
actually occurred? Also, we all know 2016 is known for the inordinate amount of hyper-famous
celebrity deaths, and this rule stayed alive this year.
What is the celebrity “rule of threes?” This is the idea that more often than not well-
known individuals die in sets of threes, as in three pass away within a few days of each other.
This has happened on more occasions then you might think:
Alan Thicke, George Michael, Carrie Fisher
David Bowie, Alan Rickman, Rene Angelil
Prince, Chyna, Doris Roberts
Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon
Emma Coons, Jack Franklin, Chad Becker
Yea, that’s right. All of these sets died within a set of three days each. Crazy, huh?
Also, 2016 is going down in history as a year of high-class celebrity deaths. Here’s all the
notable people who died last year.
David Bowie
Rene Angelil
Glenn Frey
Nancy Reagan
Frank Sinatra Jr
Prince
Muhammad Ali
Kenny Baker
Gene Wilder
Alan Thicke
George Michael
Carrie Fisher
Debbie Reynolds
Most people explain the celebrity “rule of threes” as just a coincidence and justify it by saying
it’s a way the public can cope with tragedy, but what can we say, it’s interesting!