Whenever several famous names pass away close together, the idea of the “rule of three” quickly resurfaces. The belief suggests that celebrities often die in trios, sparking both fascination and unease. In late July, actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, musician Ozzy Osbourne, and wrestling icon Hulk Hogan all died, leading to a surge in online searches for the phrase.
This notion is not new. Popular culture has played a role in keeping it alive. The “30 Rock” episode “Stone Mountain” humorously addressed the idea by showing Tracy Jordan panic when two other celebrities had recently died, worrying he might be next.
Defining the Celebrity “Rule of Three”
The “rule of three” refers to the belief that celebrity deaths occur in sets of three within a short timeframe. Several past events have reinforced this perception:
1. Big Bopper, Ritchie Valens, and Buddy Holly died in a terrible plane crash in 1959.
2. In June 2009, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson all passed away within three days.
3. In December 2016, George Michael, Carrie Fisher, and Debbie Reynolds died within three days of each other.
4. Regis Philbin, Kelly Preston, and Naya Rivera all passed away in July 2020.
Each of these moments renewed public discussion about whether the “rule of three” is coincidence or something deeper.
Why the Pattern Feels Real
Experts agree that no scientific evidence supports the “rule of three.” Still, psychology offers clues as to why this belief continues. Psychiatrist Bernard Beitman, author of “Meaningful Coincidences: How and Why Synchronicity and Serendipity Happen,” believes that people have the capacity to recognize patterns in chaos. This tendency, called apophenia, helps people process loss and bring order to events that feel chaotic.
As Beitman notes, when three famous people die in close succession, it seems like more than a coincidence. People begin to wonder if a hidden force or meaning exists.
Celebrity Loss and Collective Grief
The “rule of three” story is further reinforced by the emotional impact of celebrity deaths. Psychiatrist Dr. Lauro Amezcua-Patino highlights that fans grieve public figures as if they were part of a shared community. Although there is no personal relationship, celebrities hold symbolic meaning, and their passing feels like the loss of a member of a collective tribe.
By framing them as members of this “tribe,” Amezcua-Patino shows how grief for celebrities mirrors the grief experienced for loved ones. This powerful emotional response keeps the conversation about the “rule of three” alive.
Why the Number Three Matters
Numbers shape the way we remember. Professor Michael Eck, author of Book of Threes, notes that the number three holds a special pull on human memory and storytelling. He points to countless examples:
Gold, silver, and bronze medals
The Three Musketeers
Primary colors
“Rock, Paper, Scissors”
Snap, Crackle, and Pop
Religious symbols like the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
According to Eck, three strikes the right balance—it creates a sense of closure without feeling too sparse or too crowded. Pairs often feel unfinished, while fours can feel excessive. That’s why threes carry such weight—even in the way people frame clusters of celebrity deaths. Three feels like a cycle that has reached its natural end.
The “Rule of Three”
Even without scientific proof, the “rule of three” endures through cultural traditions and personal belief. People are comforted by patterns, and three provides a symmetry that helps bring meaning to loss.
Each time a trio of celebrity deaths captures attention, it sparks discussion about the interplay of psychology, culture, and storytelling. Grouping losses into threes offers rhythm to grief and makes space for celebrating the lives that left an impact.
Though unproven, the rule speaks to a deeper truth: humans have always looked for patterns to make sense of the unpredictable.