20 Badass Famous Last Words

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20 Badass Famous Last Words

July 27th, 2010 by Julian

Some of the grandest, most controversial men in history have ended their lives with a poignant, biting farewell. Some laugh

at death, others laugh at their killers, still others offer a culminating statement of wisdom. These colorful individuals ensured

their fateful last words eloquently summarized their existences.
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1. Augustus, AD 14

Caesar Augustus was the first ruler of the Roman Empire, leading Rome for 41 years. He would boast that he found Rome in

clay and left it in marble. So smug was he over his success that on his deathbed he facetiously asked:

Have I played the part well? Then applaud as I exit!
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2. Karl Marx, 1883

The author of The Communist Manifesto, Karl Marxs ideas, words, and writings would go on to influence generations. While

on his deathbed, Marxs housekeeper went to his side. She requested he tell her his last words, so that she could record

them for posterity. Marx scoffed:

Go on get out. Last words are for fools who havent said enough.
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3. Che Guevara, 1967

Up to his dying moment, Che Guevara proved his legacy as being worthy of gracing so many t-shirts. A Latin American

revolutionary, Guevara earned himself many enemies by plotting the downfall of governments and advocating for social

change. His activism made him a wanted man by the CIA and many other countries worldwide. Ultimately he was caught by

the Bolivians and the president ordered his execution. To his executioner Guevara shouted:

I know youve come to kill me. Shoot, coward, you are only going to kill a man.
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4. Tom Black Jack Ketchum, 1901

Tom Ketchum was a hole-in-the-wall gang member and notorious train robber. With comrades such as Butch Cassidy,

Ketchum was soon a wanted cowboy. After being shot in the arm, he was captured and sentenced to death by hanging. His

executioner tied the rope poorly, resulting in Ketchums decapitation on his way down. Before he was pushed off the platform,he laughed:

Ill be in hell before you start breakfast let her rip!
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5. Christine Chubbuck, 1974

Television reporter Christine Chubbuck was frustrated with her job. Too often her investigative reports were pushed aside for

stories of shock-value. Chubbuck suffered from depression and was determined to take her own life to end the pain. She

knew the perfect way to do it, which would double as revenge on her employer. During a live television broadcast on July 15,

before taking a gun to her head. she improvised:

In keeping with Channel 40s policy of bringing you the latest in blood and guts, and in living color, you are going to see

another first attempted suicide.
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6. John Maynard Keynes, 1946

John Maynard Keynes was a British economist who profoundly influenced economic thought of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Despite his extremely long and impressive resume, his greatest regret on his deathbed was not having had more fun:

I wish Id drunk more champagne.

7. George Engel, 1887
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A German anarchist and labor union activist living in America, George Engel often partook in and organized strikes, raids,

and riots. Convicted for having planted bombs at the Haymarket Square Riot in Chicago, he was sent to the gallows. From

the platform he shouted:

Hurrah for anarchy! This is the happiest moment of my life.

8. Giles Corey, 1692

False accusations and unreasonable executions were the primary characteristics of the Salem Witch Trials. One alleged

witch, Giles Corey, was not too pleased to be tortured for such frivolous reasons. Thus, as the authorities layered more and

more rocks upon his fragile old frame, they gave him one last chance to admit his suspected magic. Corey, stubbornly,

welcomed his death instead:

More weight!
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9. Christopher Houston Kit Carson, 1868

Kit Carson was an American frontiersman who ran a small militia during the Civil War. In the west, away from the feuding

between the north and the south, militias worked to force Native American tribes onto reservations. Carson brutally destroyed

the crops and villages of the Navajo in order to drive them onto government designated land. On his deathbed in Colorado,

rather than ask forgiveness for his crimes, Carson lamented:

I just wish I had time for one more bowl of chili.

10. George Appel, 1928

George Appel was convicted of first-degree murder for killing a police officer in New York City in 1928. The court sentenced

him to death by electric chair. While being strapped to the fatal device, he laughed to the officers:

Well, gentlemen, you are about to see a baked Appel.
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11. Humphrey Bogart, 1957

The Hollywood icon Humphrey Bogart was Americas leading man for decades. He stole hearts in classic movies like The

Maltese Falcon and Casablanca. Surprising then, is that Bogart, at the time of his death, weighed a mere 80 pounds. Though

suffering from cancer of the esophagus, he still joked as he fell into a coma:

I should never have switched from Scotch to Martinis.
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12. Joan Crawford, 1977

As a famous American dancer and actress who epitomized the flapper era, Joan Crawford had a reputation for sass and

unapologetic boldness. Later in life she developed pancreatic cancer, and while she was lying weak on her deathbed, her

housekeeper began to pray aloud. Crawford brashly interrupted:

Dammit Dont you dare ask God to help me.
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13. Voltaire, 1778

The French Enlightenment philosopher, Voltaire, was never a close-minded man. He entertained and carefully considered

every idea particularly on his deathbed. The priest giving him his last rites requested he renounce Satan. To this, Voltaire

responded:

Now, now, my good man, this is no time for making enemies.
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14. Ethan Allen, 1789

American Revolutionary general Ethan Allen was a stereotypically hard military man. Though surviving the war, he suffered

an apoplectic fit, which pushed him on to his deathbed. Allen was very hostile to the idea of death, and in an attempt to

comfort him, a doctor said, General, I fear the angels are waiting for you. Allen was quite annoyed:

Waiting are they? Waiting are they? Well let em wait.
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15. Richard Feynman, 1988

It takes a lot to keep a genius entertained, and Richard Feynman was certainly a genius. The MIT and Princeton graduates

work with quantum physics and electrodynamics earned him prestige in world academia. After developing two rare forms of

cancer, Feynman did not have the energy to make provocative scientific discoveries, thus prompting the thought:

Id hate to die twice. Its so boring.
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16. Dylan Thomas, 1953

Dylan Thomas was a famous Welsh poet with a reputation for heavy drinking. When accused of being an alcoholic, he would

say, An alcoholic is someone you dont like, who drinks as much as you do. Though suffering from intense breathing

problems, he spent his last nights in a bar. Proudly, he announced:

Ive had eighteen straight whiskies, I think thats the record
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17. Charlie Chaplin, 1977

Charlie Chaplin was a legend of the silent film era. A comedian until the very end, Chaplin was jovial in his last moments. A

priest dutifully counseling him said, May the Lord have mercy on your soul. Chaplin shrugged:

Why not? After all, it belongs to him.
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18. James French, 1966

James French was sentenced to life in prison for murder. He was afraid to commit suicide, so instead he murdered his

cellmate to prompt the court to give him a proper execution. The last man to be given the electric chair in the state of

Oklahoma, he told the correctional officers as they strapped him in:

Hows this for a headline? French fries.

19. John Barrymore, 1942

John Barrymore was a Hollywood actor best known for his roles in light comedies. He lived a very grand life, worthy of a star.

Thus, the idea of death was far too simple a concept to end his life:

Die? I should say not, dear fellow. No Barrymore would allow such a conventional thing to happen to him.
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20 Badass Famous Last Words