Famous last meals, On death row, a prisoner's last meal is up to the inmate. In all other cases, it's up to fate. And whether it's a burger and fries, a bowl of ice cream or New York strip steak, it will be what the public forever remembers. Read on to discover the final repasts of some famous – and infamous – actors, world leaders and criminals.
JOHN BELUSHI
Comedian John Belushi (watch him on "Saturday Night Live") had a nourishing light supper at famous Hollywood restaurant, Rainbow Bar & Grill, the night of his death (what was the cause?) in 1982.
TED BUNDY
Notorious serial killer Ted Bundy murdered dozens of young women in the 1970s (how many did he admit to killing?). Before his execution in 1989, he chose not to make a final food request.
Celebrated chef Julia Child (see photos) stayed true to her own cooking specialty of French cuisine by dining on a cheese and crouton-topped soup before she died in 2004.
CLEOPATRA
There are many stories as to how Cleopatra, also known as Ancient Egypt's last pharaoh, died. According to some legends, she killed herself by making a venomous snake bite her (what kind?), while others argue she was poisoned.
JAMES DEAN
"Rebel Without a Cause" hunk James Dean died young (how old?) when he crashed his Porsche Spyder on a California highway. Shortly before the crash, Dean reportedly stopped at a roadside diner to enjoy an all-American dessert.
PRINCESS DIANA
Princess Diana died in 1997 (how old was she?) following injuries suffered in a car accident in Paris (who was with her?). Her final meal included an egg-based dish and fish.
Rock 'n' roll legend Elvis Presley was found dead at his Graceland home in 1977. On the eve of his death (what was the cause?), Elvis is said to have indulged in something sweet.
Serial killer John Wayne Gacy was executed at an Illinois prison in 1994 for the rape and murder of at least 33 young boys. For his final meal, officials ordered from a popular fast food chain.
MAHATMA GANDHI
Known as a non-violent leader for independence in India, Mahatma Gandhi reportedly ate a modest and healthy last meal before he was killed (what happened to him?) while on his way to a prayer meeting in 1948.
JAMES GANDOLFINI
Before "The Sopranos" star James Gandolfini died in June 2013 (his cause of death?), he dined on fried seafood and a French delicacy at a restaurant in Rome.
In 1977, Gary Gilmore was the first person to be executed in the U.S. after the Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty (when was it brought back?). He was also well-known for insisting on his own death sentence after committing two murders in Utah.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY
Nobel Prize winner and acclaimed author (one of his most popular books?) Ernest Hemingway reportedly ate one of his favorite dinners the night before he took his own life in 1961.
ADOLF HITLER
Nazi leader and vegetarian Adolf Hitler dined on a pasta dish before he took his own life in his bunker (in what city?) in the spring of 1945. His wife, Eva, also committed suicide that day.
WHITNEY HOUSTON
The world was stunned when renowned singer and actress (her last role?) Whitney Houston suddenly died in early 2012. (her cause of death) The 48-year-old reportedly consumed a very American meal before she died.
SADDAM HUSSEIN
Longtime Iraqi president (when was he in office?) and convicted murderer Saddam Hussein requested a very simple meal along with a cup of hot water and honey before he was executed on Dec. 30, 2006.
MICHAEL JACKSON
The unexpected passing of Michael Jackson in 2009 shocked the world (his cause of death?). The King of Pop (watch his videos), 50 years old at the time of his death, reportedly ate a healthy meal with his kids that afternoon.
JOHN F. KENNEDY
Former U.S. president John F. Kennedy (when was he in office?) had his last meal at his hotel in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1963. The politician, just 46 at the time, then flew to Dallas, where he was fatally shot by Lee Harvey Oswald.
Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. reportedly dined on a classic Southern meal before he was assassinated in 1968 in Memphis. Fugitive James Earl Ray (see photos) was convicted of the crime, but others believe there was more to the story.
KIDD KRADDICK
Radio host Kidd Kraddick's passing (when did he die?) shocked listeners across the nation. The host of a syndicated morning show was attending a fundraiser for his charity at the time and had recently eaten fast food.
BRITTANY MURPHY
"Clueless" star Brittany Murphy was only 32 when she suddenly died in late 2009 (her cause of death?). The actress (her final film?) reportedly dined on leftovers and Gatorade the night before her premature death.
JOHN LENNON
The Beatles star John Lennon was just 40 when he was killed by Mark David Chapman, a man he had granted an autograph only hours before (what was his sentence for the crime?). Earlier in the day, the songwriting legend had a sandwich for lunch before heading to the recording studio.
Flamboyant entertainer Liberace's last dish before his death (what was the cause?) in 1987 was a little more mundane than you might expect.
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States (when was he in office?), had an elaborate meal with multiple courses before he was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth in Ford's Theatre in 1865.
TIMOTHY MCVEIGH
Timothy McVeigh killed 168 people and injured hundreds more when he bombed a federal government building in Oklahoma City in 1995. The terrorist requested something very sweet before he was executed in 2001.
FRANCOIS MITTERRAND
Francois Mitterrand – France's longest-serving president (how long was he in office?) – indulged in a now-legendary last meal before succumbing to prostate cancer in 1996.
MARILYN MONROE
Glamour icon Marilyn Monroe reportedly ate a not-so-glamorous meal before she suddenly died (what was the cause?) in 1962. The Golden Globe winner (for what film?) was just 36 when she passed away.
DYLAN THOMAS
Renowned Welsh poet (one of his poems?) Dylan Thomas lived a somewhat controversial life before his death in 1953, at the age of 39. His passing was said to have been caused by an illness (which one?), but many believe drinking caused his demise.
