1

Whitney Houston (1963–2012)

Six Grammys, 25 Grammy nominations, a No. 1 debut album, three No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 singles, and over 220 million records sold worldwide—and she did it all before she turned 49. Born in 1963, Whitney Houston had a unique power to captivate fans and critics alike with her once-in-a-generation voice, with songs like "How Will I Know," "I Will Always Love You," and much more, becoming one of the most-awarded female artists of all time .

But in February 2012, after years of substance abuse and personal struggles, she was found unconscious in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton and died shortly after. Houston was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2020, eight years after her death.

2

Freddie Mercury (1946–1991)

Freddie Mercury’s career lasted barely two decades, but his voice and iconic stage presence still live on today. He was born in 1946 in Zanzibar, then a British protectorate. He became the lead singer of Queen in 1970 and immediately stood out for his incredible vocal range and songs like "Bohemian Rhapsody," "We Will Rock You," and "Somebody to Love," among many others.

Mercury died in November 1991 at age 45 from bronchial pneumonia caused by AIDS. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted Queen in 2001.

3

Jimi Hendrix (1942–1970)

It’s impossible not to wonder how much more we could have seen from Jimi Hendrix. Born in Seattle in 1942, Hendrix became one of the most influential electric guitarists ever in less than five years. His 1967 debut album Are You Experienced reached No. 5 on the U.S. Billboard 200, and his 1969 performance at Woodstock is still burned into the memory of rock fans. Some of his most memorable songs include "All Along the Watchtower," "Purple Haze," "Hey Joe," and "Little Wing."

In September 1970, Hendrix died at just 27 after being found unconscious following the consumption of sleeping pills and alcohol. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.

4

Jim Morrison (1943–1971)

How could we ever forget Jim Morrison’s unpredictable performances and rebellious behavior on stage? He was born in Florida in 1943 and rose to stardom as the frontman and primary lyricist of the rock band The Doors.

In just a few short years, he became a defining figure of 1960s rock thanks to songs like "Light My Fire," "Break On Through," and "People Are Strange." Morrison suffered heart failure in 1971 and died at age 27. No autopsy was performed, so the exact causes of what happened are still subject to speculation among fans.

5

Carrie Fisher (1956–2016)

Carrie Fisher won everyone’s hearts playing Princess Leia in the first three Star Wars films and became part of pop culture history at just 19. In addition to her acting career, Fisher was a successful writer and screenwriter who worked on the scripts for The Blues Brothers , Sister Act (1992), and The Last Jedi (2017). She was also an accomplished author, best known for her novel Postcards from the Edge (1987), which was adapted for a 1990 film starring Meryl Streep, and was frank about her struggles with substance abuse and mental health.

Fisher came back to the Star Wars franchise as Leia in The Force Awakens (2015) and The Last Jedi . She was also set to appear in The Rise of Skywalker (2019), but suffered a cardiac arrest during a flight to Los Angeles and passed away at age 60. Her mother, legendary actress Debbie Reynolds, died just one day later from a hemorrhagic stroke.

6

Selena (1971–1995)

Selena’s story is perhaps one of the most tragic and disturbing on this list. Hailing from Texas, she was born in 1971 and was already a superstar by age 15. Selena Quintanilla-Pérez was nicknamed the "Queen of Tejano" and helped bring Mexico’s Tejano genre to a much wider audience. Her 1994 album Amor Prohibido became one of the most successful in the genre.

Selena’s 1994 album Live! earned her a Grammy for Best Mexican-American Album. In March 1995, when Selena was only 23, she was shot and killed by Yolanda Saldívar, the former president of her fan club. Her album Dreaming of You was released after she died in 1995 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Saldívar received a life sentence and remains in prison.

7

Kurt Cobain (1967–1994)

Kurt Cobain’s story began in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1967. He shot to stardom as the lead singer, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the hit 1990s rock band Nirvana . The band became a massive mainstream success following the release of its 1991 album Nevermind , which sold more than 30 million copies.

At the peak of his career, Cobain died by suicide at his Seattle home in 1994, at age 27. Nirvana was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.

8

Amy Winehouse (1983–2011)

Amy Winehouse took the music world by storm as a young star blending soul, jazz, R&B, and pop. Born in England in 1983, Winehouse launched her music career at the age of 20 with the release of her debut album, Frank, in 2003.

By 2008, she had released two albums, becoming a global sensation with songs like "Rehab" and "Back to Black," and won five Grammys , including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Sadly, Winehouse died in July 2011, at the young age of 27, due to alcohol poisoning.

9

Paul Walker (1973–2013)

Paul Walker was born in 1973 and became a major Hollywood star playing Brian O'Conner in the Fast & Furious franchise . He first appeared in the series’ 2001 debut, The Fast and the Furious, and went on to appear in five more installments.

Walker also starred in other popular movies like Varsity Blues (1999) and Into the Blue (2005). In 2013, he died in a car accident at the age of 40 alongside his business partner Roger Rodas. His final scenes in Furious 7 (2015) were completed after his death with the help of his brothers and visual effects.

10

Brittany Murphy (1977–2009)

Brittany Murphy had a thriving career as an actress and voice actress before her sudden death at 32. She broke through playing Tai Frasier in the rom-com Clueless (1995) and later appeared in other films like Girl , Interrupted (1999), 8 Mile (2002), Just Married (2003) , and Sin City (2005). Murphy was also famous for voicing Luanne Platter on the animated sitcom King of the Hill .

In December 2009, she collapsed at her home in Los Angeles and was pronounced dead shortly after. Her death was attributed to pneumonia , anemia, and multiple drug intoxication.

1

Choose your destination

Image: Annie Spratt

Unless they have a specific destination in mind, narrowing down the large list of national parks should be the first item on the list of any aspiring visitor. Fortunately, the National Park Service has a helpful section on its website called 'Find A Park,' which allows users to select a park from the list or search for parks by state, activity, or topic.

Once you've decided where you're headed, check for maps, calendars, directions, hiking trails, and operating hours. Additionally, when choosing your perfect destination, consider exploring some under-the-radar parks, which might offer more solitude and less crowded experiences.

2

Check the weather

Image: Inge Maria

Almost nobody wants to be caught off guard by rain when spending time outdoors. Therefore, always check the weather conditions in advance so you can prepare accordingly or reschedule if necessary.

Even if the weather seems favorable in the morning, a thunderstorm could roll in during the afternoon, so it’s best to be prepared.

3

Pack smart

Image: Alice Donovan Rouse

Life in nature is not the same as life in the city. As basic as that statement might seem to most, watching people attempt to hike through rocky trails in impractical footwear reminds us that perhaps it isn’t so obvious.

Therefore, when exploring nature, make sure to bring durable, comfortable gear . Essentials include hiking boots, sunscreen, waterproof jackets, and layered clothing. Even if you don't plan to be out for long, always bring essential supplies like a first aid kit, water, and snacks whenever you visit a national park.

4

Link parks together

Image: John Matychuk

Many parks in the U.S. are within a short driving distance of each other , so it is always a good idea to visit several national parks in the same area. This way, you’ll experience a bunch of different landscapes in one single trip.

5

Historic accommodations

Image: Igor Chitz

Many national parks have historic lodges within their grounds . Featuring natural materials and stunning designs, these accommodations offer a unique experience worth staying in for a night or two. Keep in mind that booking a room can be challenging, and availability may be limited.

6

Free nature

Image: Kalen Emsley

In a world where almost everything comes with a price, it’s refreshing to know that most national parks are free . And the ones that do, charge a modest fee, ranging from $5 to $35, which typically covers up to seven days for an entire carload of people.

7

Pets

Image: Jamie Street

Our furry friends aren’t always welcome in national parks. If you're traveling with pets, be sure to check the park’s policies. Many parks allow pets on leashes in certain areas , such as campgrounds, and some even offer kennels. However, it’s important to research this in advance.

8

Try to avoid peak seasons

Image: Sebastian Enrique

The summer months are typically the busiest time of year at national parks . Visiting popular parks during the off-season means fewer crowds and lower rates. October is considered an ideal time to visit most national parks, as it’s quieter and the weather is pleasant.

Even if you visit a national park during the high season, you can still avoid crowds by arriving early in the morning before most tourists or visiting in the middle of the week to avoid the weekend rush.

9

Tours and campground reservations

Image: Yuriy Rzhemovskiy

In the same vein as the peak season commentary, making tour and campground reservations is always a good idea. Accommodations tend to fill up early, but online reservations are easy to make . Booking in advance will ensure you get the accommodations and experiences you want.

10

Check out the visitor center

Image: Blake Wisz

While many people tend to pass by the visitor center kiosk without giving it a second glance, doing so at a national park can be a very useful stop. You can pick up maps, guides, and up-to-the-minute information on everything from road conditions to hiking trails, as well as learn about special programs offered at the park.

11

Ask the locals

Image: Taylor Flowe

Nobody knows more about the parks than the park rangers who work there every day. They are highly knowledgeable about everything there is to know about their park and are always ready to assist visitors in any way they can.

12

Keep your distance from animals

Image: Elizabeth Meyers

This should be a no-brainer, but it's worth repeating: be respectful of wild animals and keep your distance. The animals you may encounter in some national parks are not captive in a zoo. These animals are in their natural habitat and behave accordingly .

13

Respect nature

Image: harun asrori

Another simple tip: national parks are protected areas where the preservation of nature and entire ecosystems is critical. Therefore, it's essential to follow all park rules during your visit , including staying on designated trails, respecting wildlife, not littering, and being considerate of fellow travelers. This way, national parks will continue to thrive for generations to come.

14

Be mindful of campfires

Image: roya ann miller

Continuing with the obvious tips, we can't leave this one out: unattended campfires pose a serious threat. Help prevent forest fires by never lighting campfires in prohibited areas and always ensuring that authorized fires are properly extinguished.

15

Embrace the digital disconnect

Image: Philip Smart

National parks are places where visitors go to connect with nature, not with their cell phones. Besides, cell service in these areas is often limited. The last tip on this list is always an obvious one, at least for us: put your phone aside and experience the world with your own eyes , which have a much better quality than the best phone ever built.

1

Kathleen Kennedy

Image: Thea Hdc

Kathleen Kennedy has been a part of many of the greatest movies of the last 35 years. She’s been involved with almost every Steven Spielberg movie since Raiders of the Lost Ark, but also Back to the Future, The Goonies, The Sixth Sense, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button , to name a few. Also, she is the president of Lucasfilm following its sale to Disney.

2

Reed Hastings

Image: Jakob Owens

Netflix’s co-founder Reed Hastings is a big name in the entertainment business, helping distribute some of the world’s most-viewed television shows over the last years.

With a background in technology and software, Hastings capitalized on the changing media consumption behaviors and created something that took the media business by storm.

3

Bob Iger

Image: Clyde He

Quite probably the most influential person in Hollywood, Bob Iger presides over the industry’s largest and most influential entertainment business, the Disney brand. Add 21st Century Fox, Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar , and a few other things, and you have a modern-day media empire.

4

Kevin Feige

Image: Brands&People

Arguably the most successful film producer of all time, Kevin Feige has championed the superhero cinematic universe that has swept over Hollywood in the last decades, whether you like it or not.

5

Dana Walden

Image: J. Schiemann

Dana Walden was a key figure in Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox TV , which she built into a powerhouse over two decades. She is also in charge of ABC Studios, ABC Entertainment, Freeform, and Hulu .

6

Oprah Winfrey

Image: Ioann-Mark Kuznietsov

A true household name, Oprah Winfrey is one of America’s most trusted stars . She also writes bestsellers, has her own cable network (OWN), and is involved in infinite ventures in the entertainment landscape.

7

J.J. Abrams

Image: Billy Freeman

The name behind some of the biggest blockbusters of the last 30 years, J.J. Abrams, is one of the most sought-after directors and producers in all of Hollywood. He is responsible for movies like Armageddon, several Mission: Impossible installments, and a couple of Star Wars films , to name a few.

8

Shonda Rhimes

Image: Jakob Owens

As the creator and showrunner of Grey’s Anatomy, Bridgerton, Scandal, Private Practice, How to Get Away with Murder , and many other series, Shonda Rhimes has been a strong presence in Hollywood since the early 2000s and has been featured multiple times in the Times 100 Most Influential People on the World list.

9

Steven Spielberg

Image: Mirko Fabian

Probably the person most of us would expect to be on this list, Steven Spielberg has shaped America and the world’s pop culture with some of the most successful and influential films ever made . His presence has been a force to be reckoned with and a strong influence in Hollywood since the mid-1970s.

10

James Cameron

Image: Kyle Loftus

The man behind blockbusters like Titanic, Terminator, and Avatar , among many others, has kept himself busy diving to the deepest point in the ocean, creating documentaries, series, producing, directing, writing, and more for a few decades now and his work is embedded in pop culture, in a similar way to Spielberg and our next entry.

11

Stephen King

Image: Vitalii Onyshchuk

The man responsible for some of the biggest film classics, not just in the horror genre but in many others as well, didn’t even intend to go into the movie business in the first place.

As one of America’s more successful contemporary writers, Stephen King has created stories that started as bestsellers and eventually found their way into Hollywood. From Carrie, Cujo, Pet Sematary, The Shining, to Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, Stand By Me , and countless others, his stories are the basis for some of the biggest blockbusters that Hollywood has ever seen.