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slide show
May 4, 2012

A Look Back at Adam ‘MCA’ Yauch, From Beastie Boy to Filmmaker

By Kyle Buchanan

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Photo: Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

The passing of Beastie Boys member Adam Yauch hits hard because he was so young — only 47 years old — but also because he managed to pack that short lifetime with so many indelible accomplishments and outlandish experiences. Vulture has put together a photo slideshow of some of MCA’s best moments; click through to relive Yauch’s amazing journey, from his early days with the Beasties and Run DMC, all the way up to his more recent triumphs as an independent film producer and activist.

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1 / 24 Photos
On Eighteenth Street, in New York. On Eighteenth Street, in New York.

On Eighteenth Street, in New York.

With Keith Haring at Madison Square Garden. With Keith Haring at Madison Square Garden.

With Keith Haring at Madison Square Garden.

Photo: ? Chase Roe / Retna Ltd./? Chase Roe / Retna Ltd.
At the Palladium in Los Angeles, during the Licensed to Ill tour. At the Palladium in Los Angeles, during the Licensed to Ill tour.

At the Palladium in Los Angeles, during the Licensed to Ill tour.

Photo: ? Paul Rider
Photo: Ebet Roberts
At the 29th Annual Grammy Awards. At the 29th Annual Grammy Awards.

At the 29th Annual Grammy Awards.

Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd.
Photo: Time & Life Pictures/Time & Life Pictures
During the "She's On It" video shoot. During the "She's On It" video shoot.

During the "She's On It" video shoot.

Photo: Josh Cheuse / Retna
Photo: Paul Natkin/Paul Natkin
At a portrait session in New York. At a portrait session in New York.

At a portrait session in New York.

Photo: Catherine McGann/2008 Catherine McGann
Photo: Fred Duval
At the MTV Video Music Awards. At the MTV Video Music Awards.

At the MTV Video Music Awards.

Photo: Jeff Kravitz
At the MTV Video Music Awards. At the MTV Video Music Awards.

At the MTV Video Music Awards.

Photo: Jeff Kravitz/@2005 Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic.com
At the MTV Video Music Awards. At the MTV Video Music Awards.

At the MTV Video Music Awards.

Photo: Jeff Kravitz/@2005 Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic.com
Photo: Mick Hutson
Photo: Mick Hutson
Performing. Performing.

Performing.

Photo: Mick Hutson/Mick Hutson
At the Amnesty International Awards. At the Amnesty International Awards.

At the Amnesty International Awards.

Photo: KMazur
In Paris, France. In Paris, France.

In Paris, France.

Photo: BERTRAND GUAY/2004 AFP
At the KROQ Weenie Roast. At the KROQ Weenie Roast.

At the KROQ Weenie Roast.

Photo: Frazer Harrison/2004 Getty Images
Filming a video in New York. Filming a video in New York.

Filming a video in New York.

Photo: New York Daily News Archive/2004/Daily News, L.P. (New York)
At the MTV2 Presents: A LIFEbeat Benefit. At the MTV2 Presents: A LIFEbeat Benefit.

At the MTV2 Presents: A LIFEbeat Benefit.

Photo: John Parra
At the Live Earth London show. At the Live Earth London show.

At the Live Earth London show.

Photo: Dave Hogan/2007 Getty Images
At the 82nd Annual Academy Awards. At the 82nd Annual Academy Awards.

At the 82nd Annual Academy Awards.

Photo: Frazer Harrison/2010 Getty Images
1 / 24

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  • rip mca
  • slide show
  • adam yauch
  • mca
  • beastie boys
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