12. Laird Cregar - Heaven Can Wait (1943)
This is NOT an earlier version of the Julie Christie and Warren Beatty film from 1978. In the 1943 version of Heaven Can Wait, Henry Van Cleve (Don Ameche) arrives at the gates of hell to discuss his life with His Excellency (Laird Cregar). Ultimately, the morally bankrupt Van Cleve is somehow allowed to go to heaven - an outcome you are somehow manipulated into desiring even though Van Cleve is not a nice person. Add in Gene Tierney, and this is definitely a movie you want to see. While Cregar's portrayal of Satan is not all that unusual, the back story of Cregar's life qualifies him for this article. Tired of his typecast roles of extra-large villains, when given the role of a slightly-psychotic pianist in Hangover Square (1945) the 135+ kilo, or 300+ pound, Cregar decided to improve his body image. He embarked on an ill-advised crash diet and lost over 45 kilos (100 pounds). The strain on his system lead to abdominal problems and an eventual heart attack. Laird Cregar died at the age of 28.
Weird or Wonderful? - Weird. Cregar's death was weird.