Evel Knievel
Motorbike stunt artist Evel Knievel (born Robert Craig Knievel) broke many world records and was famous for his death-defying stunts in the 1970s. Knievel was rumored to have broken or fractured more than 40 bones during his career, but he was a staunch advocate for safety helmets. Knievel’s organs weren’t as resilient as as his bones — he suffered from hepatitis C and needed a liver transplant. In 2005, he was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and required 24-hour oxygen therapy. He died in 2007 at the age of 69.

Peter Benchley
The New York-born author is most well-known for writing the book and screenplay, Jaws. The book was published in 1974 and remained a bestseller for 44 weeks. The book was then made into a film in 1977 and made more than $470 million worldwide. He died in 2006 following complications from pulmonary fibrosis at the age of 65.

Marlon Brando
Born in Nebraska in 1924, Marlon Brando Jr. went on to become one of Hollywood’s acting legends. Famous for starring in such iconic roles as Vito Corleone in The Godfather and Terry Malloy in On the Waterfront. Brando died from respiratory failure in 2004, following a long fight with pulmonary fibrosis and congestive heart failure. He was 80 years old.

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