The world has lost one of rock’s most iconic figures. Ozzy Osbourne, "The Prince of Darkness," passed away on July 22, 2025, leaving behind a monster legacy.
When people hear the name Ozzy Osbourne, they may think of wild stage antics, heavy metal madness, and one unforgettable bat. Others might recall the eyeliner, the raspy voice, or his reality TV reign on The Osbournes.
But there’s more to the madman behind the microphone than just dark lyrics and darker fashion. With the world mourning his recent passing, we here at Ripley's Believe It or Not! are taking a moment to look back at the unbelievable life of the legendary musician.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame has over 2,700 names, but none scream louder than Ozzy’s.
His star shines just steps from Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Hollywood , an eerie coincidence for a man whose life was always just a little stranger than fiction.
Believe It or Not!, inside Ripley’s ever-growing collection is a jaw-dropping 1965 white Chevrolet Corvette signed by the biggest legends in music, including Ozzy Osbourne himself!
Other rock royalty who left their mark on the car include
Elton John
Eric Clapton
Slash
AC/DC, ZZ Top, Judas Priest, and more
It’s basically Woodstock on wheels, and Ozzy’s signature is front and center.
Ozzy didn’t just sing heavy metal; he helped create it. As the frontman of Black Sabbath, Ozzy pioneered the doom-filled, guitar-heavy sound that defined an entire genre.
His voice became the battle cry for generations of headbangers, and the sound of Black Sabbath has been the inspiration for legendary artists, including Metallica, Slayer, and newer acts, such as YUNGBLUD.
In 1982, during a live show, Ozzy bit the head off what he thought was a rubber bat. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. The stunt became one of the most shocking and iconic moments in rock history.
Believe It or Not!, Ozzy had to be rushed to the hospital afterward to get rabies shots. All in a day’s work for "The Prince of Darkness."
Long before TikTok and streaming, Ozzy was a reality TV pioneer. The Osbournes debuted in 2002 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Fans couldn’t get enough of Ozzy’s lovable personality, Sharon’s sass, and the family’s wildly unfiltered home life.
It proved once and for all: Ozzy could rock the mic, or mumble through breakfast, and the world would watch.
Ozzy earned his place among music’s greatest when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 as a member of Black Sabbath.
It was the kind of recognition that doesn’t come easily unless, of course, you redefine an entire genre.
In 1982, Ozzy was arrested in San Antonio, Texas, for relieving himself on the Alamo Cenotaph Monument, all while wearing one of Sharon’s dresses, no less. The city banned him for a full decade.
But in true Ozzy fashion, he later returned to apologize and even donated $10,000 to the Alamo restoration fund.
Despite health scares, public controversies, and years of living at full throttle, Ozzy never gave up music. He kept performing, recording, and collaborating with artists until the very end.
In 2019, Ozzy secured a Top 10 hit alongside Post Malone on “Take What You Want.” Just a few years later, he even claimed a number 1 rock radio single in 2022 with "Patient Number 9."
One thing Ozzy Osbourne proved, you can’t kill rock and roll.
Ozzy may be gone, but his legacy will live forever in guitar riffs, Walk of Fame stars, and museum collections, including right here at Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
So the next time you’re at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Hollywood, be sure to swing by Ozzy Osbourne’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and pay your respects to a cultural icon.
When it comes to music, madness, and mystery… Ozzy Osbourne was the whole package!
"Times have changed, and times are strange
Here I come, but I ain't the same
Mama, I'm coming home."― Ozzy Osbourne, Ozzy Osbourne - No More Tears
Jordan Neese
Lover of all things weird and odd, Jordan is a Junior Editor for Ripley Publishing. From curating co…
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