Celebrities understand that living the life of a famous person means having every moment of your life under the spotlight. Being watched simply comes along with the life of a celebrity, and sometimes those who are watching have the worst of intentions.
The major downside of celeb status are the stalkers, and we all know there have been some pretty crazy stalkers in the past few decades. You know you are a next-level stalker when your escapades end in injury or death. Refresh your memories with this fun list of a few of the stalkers who actually made a mark on their target.
John Hinckley, Jr.
Mr. John Hinckley, Jr. got a not so wise idea after watching the popular movie, “Taxi Driver.” He had nurtured a longstanding obsession with Jodie Foster, and even enrolled in Yale while she was a student there (so he was a smart psychopath).
“Taxi Driver” gave him the idea that if he were to do something big to impress Jodie, that she would finally see his love for her. Hinckley thought the best way to show her his love was to assassinate the President of the United States.
In March of 1981, John Hinckley, Jr. shot President Ronald Reagan six times in an attempt to take his life. At trial, he was found not guilty by reason of insanity and confined to a mental hospital.
Yolanda Saldivar
Yolanda Saldivar is the famed stalker of deceased pop star, Selena. Saldivar worked her way into the head of Selena’s fan club, only to be found out for embezzling tons of money from the organization.
After she was fired from her position, she somehow convinced Selena to meet with her in private to discuss the matter. The meeting ended in Selena’s death, and Saldivar now sits in prison. She will be eligible for parole in the year 2025.
Robert John Bardo
This crazy dude had an unhealthy obsession with Rebecca Schaeffer (a television series from the 1980’s). When the young star appeared in an intimate sex scene, Bardo felt like his love had been defiled.
He went to Schaeffer’s home to share with her his anger over the situation, and ended up fatally shooting her. She even reportedly signed an autograph for him before he shot her.
Mark David Chapman
One of the most hated dudes in the history of stalkers, Mark David Chapman, murdered John Lennon in cold blood over some dumb stuff. Following firing five shots at Lennon, Chapman sat at the scene reading “The Catcher and the Rye” to make an admitted “statement.”
Chapman’s lawyers asked him to plead insanity at the trial, but he decided to plead guilty. The judge sentenced him to 20 years to life.
