This mysterious disease caused Hollywood stars to drop dead out of nowhere

Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum, the tissue lining the inner wall of the abdomen. While it's still risky today, it was once extremely deadly. Especially hard-living stars would succumb to the illness. Risk factors include alcoholism, liver disease, a weakened immune system, fluid accumulation in the abdomen, or a variety of other conditions.

Advancements in medical hygiene, antibiotics, and surgical techniques have greatly reduced peritonitis fatalities. Early diagnosis and treatment now prevent complications that previously led to death. Even so, peritonitis can still kill if not treated quickly... As you'll see at the end.

The legendary magician and escape artist whose stunts amazed audiences worldwide died on October 31, 1926. Houdini's death was the result of peritonitis, caused by appendicitis that he ignored to perform his last show — a sad end for a man who seemed to cheat death at every turn. His passing on Halloween only contributed to the myths surrounding his life, which was filled with illusion, mystique, and daring feats.

Gladys Brockwell, once a chorus girl, had seamlessly transitioned to the silver screen. As she geared up to embrace the new era of talkies, her life was tragically cut short at 34 due to peritonitis following a car accident in 1929.

Image: Fred Hartsook, circa 1924 / Wikimedia

Known for dual careers as a Major League Baseball player and a licensed physician earned him the nickname "Doc," had a fatal accident during a game. In 1909, Powers collided with a wall while chasing a foul ball, sustaining severe internal injuries. Despite undergoing three surgeries, he succumbed to peritonitis from post-operative infections, marking one of the earliest recorded on-field injuries leading to a Major League player's death.

Image: Oscar Winter circa 1902, US Library of Congress / Wikimedia

The silver screen's quintessential 'Latin Lover' bewitched audiences with his smoldering gaze and charismatic presence in the 1920s. His untimely demise came just as suddenly as his meteoric rise to fame. On August 15, 1926, Valentino collapsed in Manhattan and was hospitalized. Despite surgery for appendicitis and gastric ulcers, he succumbed to peritonitis, passing away at 31. It shocked his fans so much that they even rioted at his funeral.

Her beauty and charm took her from her humble Basque village to the pinnacle of pageantry as the first Miss France in 1920. Her radiance captivated hearts, but her aspirations led her far from home. It was in Argentina, during a tour in 1928, that Souret's bright future dimmed when she died of peritonitis at the tragically young age of 26.

Image: 1 Jan 1921, Unknown author / Wikimedia

A distinguished figure in American theatre and silent films, Edmund Breese's life was cut short. After a gripping performance in the play ‘Night of January 16th,’ Breese was struck by peritonitis, from which he died in 1936 at age 64.

A figure of elegance and allure, Urquhart was a cherished model of her time, her image gracing the promotional cabinet cards of the late 19th century. Known for her grace on the stage, roles in comic opera, and her short-lived marriage to actor Guy Standing, her life was cut short by peritonitis in 1907, at the age of 41.

Image: Circa 1892, Internet Archive Book Images / Wikimedia

This silent film actress's death put her at the center of one of Hollywood's most notorious scandals. During a party in 1921, Rappe sustained injuries that led to a ruptured bladder and subsequent peritonitis, which killed her. The ensuing scandal implicated the famous comedian Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle, who was accused of killing her with his weight while he assaulted her. Arbuckle was ultimately acquitted after three trials, but the scandal irrevocably tarnished his career.

Known as 'The King of the Stroll' for his smooth R&B tunes that charmed the 1950s, he faced a personal health struggle away from the limelight. Having suffered from stomach ulcers for many years, Willis' condition was exacerbated by his drinking habits. His vibrant career was cut short when he succumbed to peritonitis following surgery in Chicago, passing away in 1958 at the age of 32.

Image: Chuck Willis, My Story, Linyl LP, 1980 / Columbia

This Australian actress renowned for her intelligence and artistry, captivated theatergoers with her performances. Her promising career was abruptly halted by peritonitis following childbirth in 1874. Shepparde's tragic death at the age of 28 marked a profound loss to the arts, a poignant reminder of the fragility of life in the era.

Image: By Charles Hewitt, 1873 / Wikimedia

The world-renowned Italian opera singer Enrico Caruso's life was cut short when he died in 1921. Caruso was a true virtuoso whose voice captivated audiences around the globe. Sadly, his illustrious career was halted by peritonitis caused by a burst subphrenic abscess. His passing was a significant loss to the arts, and his funeral in Naples was a testament to his impact, drawing thousands of mourners and the personal involvement of the King of Italy, Victor Emmanuel III.

An American actor who shone briefly but brightly in the Hollywood firmament is best remembered for his performance in ‘Platinum Blonde’ (1931). His promising career was tragically abbreviated when he died of peritonitis, just three days after the film's premiere in 1931. His death followed two operations for acute appendicitis and left fans and colleagues mourning the loss of talent in its prime​.

Image: Jean Harlow and Robert Williams in Platinum Blonde (1931), Columbia Pictures

A celebrated Japanese-American actress, Tsuru Aoki, reached a significant milestone as a top-billed actress in American films. Her life, rich with cinematic achievements alongside her husband, Sessue Hayakawa, ended abruptly. Aoki succumbed to acute peritonitis at the age of 69 in 1961.

Jack Darragh, a Canadian professional ice hockey player who skated into the hearts of many as a member of the Ottawa Senators, died from peritonitis resulting from a ruptured appendix just months after his retirement following the 1923-24 season. At only 33 years old, his untimely death in 1924 shocked the sports world and left behind a legacy as a Stanley Cup champion.

Image: Via Jambornik / Wikimedia

A British socialite, television personality, and model, she graced the media with her vibrant persona and aristocratic flair. Her public life included a disclosure of drug addiction and a non-malignant pituitary tumor diagnosis in 2016. Despite successful treatment for the tumor, she was found dead on February 8, 2017. The immediate cause of her untimely death at the age of 45 was peritonitis and a perforated ulcer.

While the host of BBC Gardners’ World didn’t die, Monty Don told Amateur Gardening magazine that he got it during a grueling round-the-world trip filming gardens. He had worked two years without a holiday. "I said to my director 'I feel really tired' and then woke up in the middle of the night feeling dreadful. My wife found me collapsed. If she had not found me I would have died," he explained.

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