Famous People Who Die at 27 Gain More Fame, Study Finds
- The 27 Club myth suggests musicians and artists are more likely to die at 27, stemming from high-profile deaths from 1969 to 1971.
- Dunivin's research indicates that those in the public eye who die at this age receive increased attention and fame posthumously.
- The findings reveal the impact of cultural beliefs on the perception of celebrity deaths and ongoing folklore.
Zackary Dunivin, a sociologist at the University of California, Davis, examined the phenomenon of the 27 Club, a myth suggesting famous individuals, particularly musicians, often die at the age of 27. The myth gained traction following a series of notable deaths in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including rock icons Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. Using a comprehensive database of notable individuals, Dunivin and his co-author analyzed the fame of 344,156 people who died before 2015. Their research confirmed that there is no statistical evidence to support an increased mortality risk at 27 among famous individuals. However, they discovered that those who died at this age experienced a significant boost in posthumous fame, suggesting that the 27 Club’s legend contributes to the heightened notoriety. This research highlights the interplay of mythology and celebrity culture and how it shapes public perception, underscoring the social and cultural implications of belief in such phenomena.