Saoirse Ronan Leads Irish Actors in On-Screen Deaths, But Trejo Tops Global Tally

CARLOW, Ireland — Saoirse Ronan, the acclaimed Irish actor, has become a standout in the world of cinematic deaths, enduring a staggering number of on-screen demises. From heatstroke to beheadings, Ronan has died in at least six films, according to the Cinemorgue wiki page, which tracks actors’ on-screen deaths.

The 30-year-old Carlow native has faced a litany of fictional fates, including poisoning, vampirism, and even a rare fictional disease called Prussian Gripe. Her small-screen deaths add to her tally, though Cinemorgue focuses primarily on film. Despite her impressive record, Ronan is not the most frequently killed Irish actor. That title goes to Liam Neeson, who has died 31 times on screen, including being impaled, shot, and vaporized.

Globally, however, no one comes close to Danny Trejo, the legendary tough-guy actor who has been killed in a staggering 80 films. Trejo’s deaths range from being blown up by a wine bottle bomb to decapitation by a zombie. His most infamous demise, involving a tortoise in *Breaking Bad*, remains etched in fans’ memories.

The fascination with on-screen deaths isn’t new. One of the most iconic moments in television history was the 1980 shooting of JR Ewing in *Dallas*. The mystery of who shot JR captivated audiences worldwide, with 83 million viewers tuning in for the reveal—more than voted in that year’s U.S. presidential election. The storyline even made its way into Irish politics, with a Cork schoolchild reportedly mistaking JR for then-Taoiseach CJ Haughey.

Irish songwriter Rocky Stone, born David McCarthy, immortalized the JR Ewing mystery in his hit song *Who Shot JR Ewing?*, which topped charts in Ireland and even found success in Sweden. Stone, who also wrote for Brendan Grace and the Dixies, remains a lesser-known figure despite his cultural impact.

As for Ronan, her career shows no signs of slowing down. With her penchant for dramatic roles, she may soon surpass Larry Hagman, who played JR Ewing and died in six films—the same number as Ronan. Whether she continues to rack up fictional deaths or pivots to lighter fare, Ronan’s legacy as one of cinema’s most resilient—and frequently deceased—actors is secure.