Since the death of Philip Seymour Hoffman, an American actor who most recently starred in the “Hunger Games” series, other stars who passed away due to drug or alcohol abuse have attracted the media spotlight once more.

1. Cory Monteith, 31, (May 11, 1982 - July 13, 2013)

Monteith, a Canadian actor who starred in TV series “Glee,” was found dead in a Toronto hotel room after a heart attack caused by an overdose of heroin and alcohol.

2. Whitney Houston, 48, (Aug. 9, 1963 - Feb. 11, 2012)

The queen of R&B hit bottom after her divorce in 2007 and continued to battle drug abuse until she died shortly before the Grammys when she accidentally drown in her hotel bathroom after using cocaine and a mix of other drugs.

3. Amy Winehouse, 27, (Sept. 14, 1983 - July 23, 2011)

Winehouse, who gained popularity by singing about her own fight with drugs and alcohol, died of alcohol poisoning with a blood alcohol level of 0.4. The legal driving level of alcohol in Korea is 0.05.

4. Michael Jackson, 50, (Aug. 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009)

The king of pop was found dead 10 days before his world tour was to start due to a heart attack that resulted from the misuse of propofol by his doctor.

5. Heath Ledger 30, (April 4, 1979 - Jan. 22, 2008)

Australian actor Ledger was facing superstardom after starring as the Joker in the movie “Dark Knight” when he died of an accidental prescription drug overdose at his apartment.

By Ha Ji-won, Intern reporter (jiwonha@heraldcorp.com)