An artist has used AI to create images of celebrities who have passed away and has shown us what they might look like if they were still alive.

Seeing your favorite celebrity pass away can be an extremely difficult experience, especially if they had an impact on your life with their work.

Thanks to the modern technology and the incredibly talented photographer, Alper Yesiltas, we've been given a glimpse of what some celebs may have looked like, as part of his "As If Nothing Happened" photo series.

Heath Ledger

Heath Ledger tragically passed away in 2008 when he was just 28 years old. The actor had just received widespread acclaim for his role as the Joker in The Dark Knight, and his career looked like it was going from strength to strength.

As per the Mirror, Ledger became plagued by insomnia and was taking prescription medication in order to combat it. Coroners reported that he died of "acute intoxication" after he took a "cocktail" of drugs. His death was ruled as an accident.

Tupac Shakur

Arguably one of the most iconic people in the music scene in the '90s, Tupac was shot and killed in 1996.

The driveby shooting was carried out by an unknown assailant who shot him four times in the chest in LA. Tupac died six days later.

His murderer remains unknown, and according to Britannica, this is due to uncooperative witnesses and police not pursuing gang-related violence.

Michael Jackson

As the king of pop, Michael Jackson's death sent shockwaves across the world as one of the most iconic voices and dancers passed suddenly.

Jackson died in 2009 at the age of 50, and as per the Sun, his death was due to an overdose of the drugs propofol and benzodiazepine following a cardiac arrest.

Jackon's physician, Dr Conrad Murray, would later be charged with involuntary manslaughter because he supplied the pop star with the medication.

Princess Diana

On 31 August 1997, the world stood still as the beloved Princess Diana was declared dead following a horrific car accident in Paris.

Fleeing from the paparazzi, her driver turned into the Pont de l'Alma tunnel and sadly, the car wouldn't come out the other end. Diana was rushed to hospital, but her life could not be saved.

The Royal Family in the UK came under intense scrutiny for their treatment of Diana, and she did not receive a state funeral, but it was still perceived that way.

She is the mother of Prince William and Prince Harry, thus meaning that her bloodline will occupy the throne for decades to come.

Paul Walker

Paul Walker was a star in the Fast and Furious movie franchise and his death came as a massive shock to millions of fans.

In 2013, Walker lost his life in a car crash and a coroner revealed that his vehicle was travelling at over 100mph (160km/h), as per the Guardian.

Ayrton Senna

Senna was one of the greatest drivers to grace the sport of Formula One. The Brazilian was set to race in the Imola Grand Prix when Roland Ratzenberger crashed into a barrier and sadly lost his life.

Senna believed that the race should be cancelled, but it went ahead anyway. The driver took to the track where he himself collided with a concrete barrier, and he died as a result of catastrophic head injuries.

The world mourned who many believed to be the great racing driver of all time, and safety measures have come on leaps and bounds in the wake of his death.

Freddie Mercury

The leading man of the band Queen, Freddie Mercury was easily one of the greatest showmen to ever take to the stage, as he had a magical ability to transfix thousands of people at once.

The singer was diagnosed with aids in 1987 and he lost his battle with the disease in 1991. His voice lives on as one of the most iconic of all time.

John Lennon

Famed for his part in the Beatles, John Lennon was one of the most influential men in music as he, alongside his bandmates, proved that English bands could break the American market.

As one of the most famous men on the planet, Lennon drew widespread attention. It was on December 8 1980, when he was 40 years old, that Lennon was shot and killed by Mark David Chapman, who was allegedly jealous of the musician's rich lifestyle.

Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse lived a troubled life as she battled addiction throughout her illustrious music career. Releasing hits such as 'Back to Black' and 'Valerie', the singer was a household name.

As per the Mirror, Winehouse lost her life in 2011 when she died from alcohol poisoning at the age of just 27.

Other work by Yesiltas includes Philip Seymour Hoffman, James Gandolfini and River Phoenix, amongst other names.

His work can be found on his Instagram page, where he has since begun a series displaying what young celebrities might look like when they get older.

Featured image credit: dlxmedia.hu / Pexels

A digital artist has revealed what some of the most beloved celebrities would look like if they were still alive today.

Many singers, actors, and other celebrities have left fans heartbroken after leaving this world way too soon.

Prominent figures like Princess Diana, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Bruce Lee, and Michael Jackson may no longer be with us, but each one left a rich legacy that keeps their spirit alive.

What if they were alive today? How would they look? That's what online creator Hidreley Diao asked himself before he created portraits that provide an interesting glimpse into that fantasy.

Using the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Diao showcased a series that helps us see what would've happened if these celebrities had the opportunity to age gracefully.

Princess Diana: July 1, 1961 - August 31, 1997

The 36-year-old Princess of Wales - who became an international icon due to her activism and glamour - shocked the world when she tragically died in a car accident on August 31, 1997.

Despite her untimely death, her legacy is still being carried through charitable organizations such as the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, and the work of her two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.

Here's what Diana would look like if she were alive today: 

Marilyn Monroe: June 1, 1926 - August 5, 1962

Monroe was an actress/singer who became one of the world's most iconic figures. She is remembered both for being a sex symbol in Hollywood and for her tragic personal and professional struggles within the industry.

Born Norma Jeane Mortenson, she was one of the most marketable Hollywood stars, starring in several commercially successful films that grossed $200 million.

The late cultural icon sadly died at her Los Angeles home on August 5, 1962, at only 36 years old. An empty bottle of sleeping pills was found by her bed.

Here's what Monroe would look like if she were alive today: 

Freddie Mercury:  September 5, 1946 - November 24, 1991

The late British singer-songwriter - who was open about his bisexuality - achieved worldwide fame as the lead vocalist and pianist of the rock band Queen, alongside Brian May, Roger Taylor, and later John Deacon.

Regarded as one of the greatest singers in the history of rock music, he was known for his flamboyant stage persona, his impressive four-octave vocal range, and his operatic masterpiece 'Bohemian Rhapsody'.

The late rockstar tragically died from AIDS-related bronchial pneumonia at his London mansion on November 24, 1991, at the age of just 45 years old.

The day before his death, on November 23, 1991, Mercury released a statement, which read: "I wish to confirm that I have been tested HIV-positive and have AIDS. I felt it correct to keep this information private to date to protect the privacy of those around me."

"However, the time has come now for my friends and fans around the world to know the truth and I hope that everyone will join with my doctors and all those worldwide in the fight against this terrible disease," he added.

Here's what Mercury would look like if he were alive today: 

Elvis Presley: January 8, 1935 - August 16, 1977

Presley was a popular singer widely known as the "King of Rock and Roll" and one of rock music’s prevalent performers from the mid-1950s until his death.

Throughout his remarkable career, the late icon helped popularize rock 'n' roll music in the US and won three Grammy Awards for his gospel recordings.

A major musical force, he had 18 Number 1 singles, including 'Don’t Be Cruel,' 'Good Luck Charm,' and 'Suspicious Minds,' as well as numerous gold and platinum albums.

On the morning of August 16, 1977, Presley died of heart failure at the age of 42. It was later ruled that his death was related to his prescription drug abuse.

He was buried on the Graceland property, near the gravesites of his mother, father, and grandmother Minnie Mae Hood Presley.

Here's what Presley would look like if he were alive today: 

Tupac Shakur: June 16, 1971 - September 13, 1996

Considered one of the most influential hip-hop icons of all time, Tupac is among the best-selling music artists, having sold more than 75 million records worldwide.

Born in New York City to parents who were both political activists and Black Panther Party members, the late rapper's conscious rap lyrical content addressed social injustice, violence, and the marginalization of Black Americans.

During the later part of his career, Tupac signed to Marion "Suge" Knight's label Death Row Records, and became heavily involved in the East Coast-West Coast hip-hop rivalry.

On September 7, 1996, he was shot four times by an unidentified assailant in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas and succumbed to injuries six days later. He died at age 25.

Following his murder, rapper Notorious B.I.G. was at first considered a suspect due to their public feud but he was also murdered in another drive-by shooting six months later.

Despite his short career, the rap icon was inducted into the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame in 2002 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017. Rolling Stone ranked him among the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, and he was also awarded a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Here's what Tupac would look like if he were alive today: 

Bruce Lee: November 27, 1940 - July 20, 1973

Lee was an American-born actor who was known for his martial arts skills that helped popularize martial arts films in the 1970s. He became renowned throughout the world due to the portrayal of Cantonese culture in his movies and for fighting against Asian stereotypes in the United States.

With a career spanning Hong Kong and the United States, Lee starred in feature-length Hong Kong martial arts films in the early 1970s: Lo Wei's The Big Boss (1971), Fist of Fury (1972), Golden Harvest's The Way of the Dragon (1972), Golden Harvest and Warner Brothers' Enter the Dragon (1973) and The Game of Death (1978).

On July 20, 1973, just one month before the premiere of Enter the Dragon, Lee sadly passed away in Hong Kong, China, at the age of 32.

The official cause of his unexpected death was a brain edema discovered in an autopsy to have been caused by a strange reaction to a prescription painkiller he was reportedly taking for a back injury.

Here's what Lee would look like if he were alive today:

Michael Jackson: August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009

Known as the "King of Pop," Michael Jackson was a best-selling American singer, songwriter, and dancer.

He began his career as the lead singer of his family’s popular group, the Jackson 5, alongside brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Randy. The group scored four consecutive number-one pop hits with 'I Want You Back,' 'ABC,' 'The Love You Save,' and 'I’ll Be There'.

Jackson went on to embark on a solo career of extraordinary worldwide success, delivering hits from the albums Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), and Bad (1987).

Thriller remains one of the best-selling albums in history, having sold 67 million copies worldwide and 34 million units in the United States. The album stayed on the charts for 80 weeks and spawned seven Top 10 hits, including 'Thriller,' 'Billie Jean,' 'Beat It,' 'Human Nature,' 'Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'' and 'P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing).'

Throughout his career, Jackson garnered 38 Grammy Award nominations and 13 wins. He was also honored with the 1993 Grammy Legend Award, his 2001 induction to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and The Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

The late icon tragically died on June 25, 2009, at the age of 50, after suffering a cardiac arrest in his Los Angeles home. An official coroner’s report revealed the father-of-three's cause of death was acute propofol intoxication.

Here's what Jackson would look like if he were alive today:

To see more of Hidreley Diao's work, check out his Instagram page.

Featured image credit: Rob Verhorst / Getty

1. Britney Spears 

2. Sarah Jessica Parker 

3. Tom Cruise 

4. Nicole Kidman 

5. Madonna

6. Jon Hamm 

7. Cameron Diaz 

8. The Olsen twins 

9. Anna Wintour 

10. Rihanna

11. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West 

12. Gwyneth Paltrow 

13. The Kardashians 

14. Lana Del Rey 

15. Jennifer Lopez 

16. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie 

17. Johnny Depp 

18. Scarlett Johansson 

There's nothing cooler than a total body transformation; when somebody totally changes their appearance, just as easily as if they were renovating their house. We've covered plenty of stories about people who have decided to make a radical change in their appearance, and who (in most cases) ended up changing for the better. However, when it's celebrities who are doing the transforming, then it's even more impressive. After all, these people have some of the most recognisable faces in the world, and so if they change their physique, for any reason, then it's a big deal.

Of course, plenty of celebrities are actors, and thus they have to make themselves look radically different to suit a new role from time to time. But sometimes it's just a consequence of their fame increasing over time, so by the time they've reached their prime, they look almost unrecognisable from when they started out. If you want proof, then scroll down to check out a few of our favourite examples.

1. Calvin Harris

2. James McAvoy 

3.  Josh Peck

4. Christian Bale 

5. Tom Hardy 

6. Jonah Hill 

7. Kevin Smith 

8. Chris Hemsworth 

If you enjoyed this list then why not take a trip back to the past with us, and check out these 12 super-rare celebrity throwback photographs.