Famous People Who Died Today

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 1 
Roger Moore
(Famous for His Portrayal as the Fictional British Secret Agent 'James Bond' in Seven Films)
Roger Moore
36
Birthdate: October 14, 1927
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Stockwell, London, England
Died: 2017

Widely regarded as one of the most popular actors to play the iconic secret agent James Bond in films, Roger Moore was more than just an actor. He was also well-known for his humanitarian work, so much so that he was knighted in 2003 by Queen Elizabeth II for services to charity.

 2 
John D. Rockefeller
(American Businessman and Founder of the 'Standard Oil Company')
John D. Rockefeller
48
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: July 8, 1839
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Richford, New York, United States
Died: 1937

Widely regarded as the richest person in modern history and the wealthiest American ever, John D. Rockefeller was a business magnate who founded the Standard Oil Company. He was America’s first billionaire. He also defined the structure of modern philanthropy as the foundations created by him had a major effect on scientific research, medicine, and education.

 3 
Owen Hart
(Professional Wrestler)
Owen Hart
26
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 7, 1965
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Calgary, Canada
Died: 1999
Owen Hart, also known as “The Golden Nugget” and “Blue Blazer,” was part of the Hart wrestling family. He had won several titles, such as the WWF Intercontinental Championship and the WWF World Tag Team Championship. He died in an equipment malfunction accident at the 1999 WWF Over the Edge.
 4 
John Forbes Nash Jr.
(Mathematician)
John Forbes Nash Jr.
47
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: June 13, 1928
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Bluefield, West Virginia, United States
Died: 2015
The inspiration behind the movie A Beautiful Mind, John F. Nash was a legendary mathematician whose work in the area of game theory earned him the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences. In his later years, he was riddled with mental illness. He later died in a car crash.
 5 
Anne Meara
(Actress & Comedian)
Anne Meara
9
Birthdate: September 20, 1929
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: New York City, United States
Died: 2015
Comedian and actor Anne Meara, mother of actor Ben Stiller, was part of the comedy duo Stiller and Meara, along with her husband, Jerry Stiller. She appeared in series such as Archie Bunker's Place and many films, too. She also earned a Writers Guild Award for co-writing The Other Woman.
 6 
Kit Carson
(Explorer & Soldier)
Kit Carson
7
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: December 24, 1809
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Madison County
Died: 1868

A frontiersman and a fur-trapper, Kit Carson played a major role in the US’s westward expansion. Mostly known for guiding explorer John C. Frémont, he was criticized for his contribution to the displacement of native Americans as an Indian agent. He became part of folk legend for his exploits as a fighter, too.

 7 
Sterling Hayden
(Actor, Author, Sailor and an Office of Strategic Services' Agent During World War II)
Sterling Hayden
12
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: March 26, 1916
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Montclair, New Jersey, United States
Died: 1986

Sterling Hayden mostly appeared in Westerns and film noir of the 1950s. He had also served in World War II. He gained fame with Stanley Kubrick's The Killing and Dr. Strangelove. He was also a sailor and once sailed to Tahiti to shoot a film that eventually remained unfinished.

 8 
Henrik Ibsen
(Norwegian-Danish Playwright and Theatre Director)
Henrik Ibsen
35
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: March 20, 1828
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Skien, Telemark, Norway
Died: 1906

Henrik Ibsen was a Norwegian theatre director and playwright. One of the most influential and popular playwrights of his generation, Ibsen is credited with co-founding modernism in theatre, for which he is often called the father of realism. After William Shakespeare, Henrik Ibsen is the world's most often performed dramatist. His works have influenced other playwrights like George Bernard Shaw.

 9 
Girolamo Savonarola
(Italian Preacher, Reformer and Martyr)
Girolamo Savonarola
11
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: September 21, 1452
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Ferrara, Italy
Died: 1498
Distingusihed for his clash against corrupt clergy and with tyrranical rulers, Girolamo Savonarola became a moral dictator of the city of Florence. He earned a reputation for austerity and detested every form of pleasure that earned him powerful enemies.
 10 
Sam Snead
(The First Golfer to Win the Grand Slam of Golf)
Sam Snead
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 27, 1912
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Ashwood, Virginia, United States
Died: 2002

Known to fans as The Slammer, American golfer Sam Snead ruled the PGA scene for decades and won more than 185 tournaments throughout his career. His record of 82 PGA tour victories remains unbroken. Cartoonist and golf lover Charles M. Schulz mentioned Snead often in his Peanuts strip.

 11 
Moms Mabley
(American Stand-up Comedian and Actress)
Moms Mabley
9
Birthdate: March 19, 1894
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Brevard, North Carolina, United States
Died: 1975
 12 
Cortez Kennedy
(American football player)
Cortez Kennedy
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 23, 1968
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Osceola, Arkansas, United States
Died: 2017
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
 13 
Augustin-Louis Cauchy
(Mathematician)
Augustin-Louis Cauchy
5
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: August 21, 1789
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Paris
Died: 1857

French mathematician Augustin-Louis Cauchy was initially a military engineer. In his early days, he and his family escaped the Reign of Terror and settled in Arcueil. He was one of the pioneers of mathematical analysis and made significant contributions to subjects such as error theory, calculus, and complex functions.

 14 
Eric Carle
(Author)
Eric Carle
9
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: June 25, 1929
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Syracuse, New York, United States
Died: 2021
Height: 5'0" (152 cm)
 15 
Giovanni Falcone
(Magistrate, Judge, Lawyer)
Giovanni Falcone
6
Listed In: Lawyers & Judges
Birthdate: May 18, 1939
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Palermo
Died: 1992

Giovanni Falcone was an Italian judge, who spent several years of his professional life trying to overthrow the power of the Sicilian Mafia. He studied law at the University of Palermo and had a brilliant career. He eventually became a prosecuting magistrate and was involved in a long legal battle with the Sicilian Mafia. He was assassinated in 1992. 

 16 
Leopold von Ranke
(German Historian and a Founder of Modern Source-Based History)
Leopold von Ranke
1
Birthdate: December 21, 1795
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Wiehe, Roßleben-Wiehe, Germany
Died: 1886

Leopold von Ranke was a German historian who had a major influence on Western historiography. A respected historian, Ranke is credited with founding modern source-based history. When he was ennobled in 1865, honors poured in from several historians and scholars across the world.

 17 
Joe Pass
(Jazz guitarist who performed with George Shearing in 1965 and worked as a session musician in Los Angeles.)
Joe Pass
2
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: January 13, 1929
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
Died: 1994
 18 
George Jessel
(Actor)
George Jessel
0
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: April 3, 1898
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States
Died: 1981
 19 
Patrick Cargill
(Actor)
Patrick Cargill
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: June 3, 1918
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex, England
Died: 1996
 20 
Henry Lascelles, 6th Earl of Harewood
(Military personnel)
Henry Lascelles, 6th Earl of Harewood
3
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: September 9, 1882
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: London, England
Died: 1947
 21 
Paul Fussell
(Historian)
Paul Fussell
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: March 22, 1924
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Pasadena, California, United States
Died: 2012

Literary historian Paul Fussell had been part of the infantry in World War II. He had also taught at various institutes, such as Rutgers University and the University of Pennsylvania. Best known for his books such as The Great War and Modern Memory, he was a World War expert.

 22 
Alicia Nash
(Wife of Mathematician John Forbes Nash Jr.)
Alicia Nash
18
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: January 1, 1933
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: San Salvador, El Salvador
Died: 2015

Born in El Salvador, Alicia Nash later moved to the U.S., where she became one of the first women to join MIT as a student. The physicist met her husband, renowned mathematician John Nash at MIT. Both Alicia and John were killed in car crash while returning home from Norway.

 23 
Hana Kimura
(Japanese Professional Wrestler)
Hana Kimura
6
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 3, 1997
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Died: 2020
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
 24 
Wilhelm Kempff
(German Pianist and Composer Known for His Interpretations of the Music of 'Ludwig Van Beethoven' and 'Franz Schubert')
Wilhelm Kempff
1
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: November 25, 1895
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Jüterbog, Germany
Died: 1991

One of the greatest German composers of the 20th century, Wilhelm Kempff specialized in interpretations of legends such as Beethoven and Chopin. Born into a family of church musicians, he began learning the piano at age 9. He had also played for the Nazi officers, once a short distance away from Auschwitz.

 25 
Utah Phillips
(Former folk singer known for Goodnight-Loving Trail and Daddy, What's a Train?)
Utah Phillips
3
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: May 15, 1935
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Died: 2008
 26 
Hazel Hawke
(Social worker, Pianist)
Hazel Hawke
0
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: July 20, 1929
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Died: 2013
 27 
Georges Claude
(French Engineer and Inventor)
Georges Claude
0
Listed In: Engineers
Birthdate: September 24, 1870
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: 1960

French engineer and inventor Georges Claude was often referred as the Edison of France. He is most noted for inventing and commercializing neon lighting and having a near monopoly on the new technology, for conducting an experiment to generate thermal energy of the ocean and building the first Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) plant, and for the Claude cycle.  

 28 
Francesca Morvillo
(Magistrate)
Francesca Morvillo
1
Listed In: Lawyers & Judges
Birthdate: December 14, 1945
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Palermo, Italy
Died: 1992

Francesca Morvillo was an Italian magistrate. In 1992, Morvillo became the first and only woman magistrate to be assassinated in Italy; she was killed alongside her husband Giovanni Falcone by the Sicilian Mafia. Her funeral was aired live on national television and a day of mourning was declared by the Parliament.

 29 
James Otis, Jr.
(Lawyer)
James Otis, Jr.
0
Listed In: Activists
Birthdate: February 5, 1725
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States
Died: 1783
 30 
Antipope Benedict XIII
(Spanish Antipope and Nobleman)
Antipope Benedict XIII
2
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: November 25, 1328
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Illueca, Spain
Died: 1423

Antipope Benedict XIII, or Pope Luna, initially served as a university professor of canon law and later became a cardinal. He was made the pope after Clement VII’s death, on the grounds that he would resign to end the Western Schism later, but he didn’t and was thus deposed.

 31 
William Aberhart
(7th Premier of Alberta, founder and first leader of the Alberta Social Credit)
William Aberhart
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: December 30, 1878
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Ontario, Canada
Died: 1943
 32 
Telford Taylor
(Lawyer)
Telford Taylor
0
Listed In: Activists
Birthdate: February 24, 1908
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Schenectady, New York, United States
Died: 1998
 33 
Georges Moustaki
(Singer-songwriter)
Georges Moustaki
2
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: May 3, 1934
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Alexandria, Egypt
Died: 2013
 34 
Terry Furlow
(Basketball player)
Terry Furlow
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 18, 1954
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Flint, Michigan, United States
Died: 1980
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 35 
Bill Yoast
(American Football Coach)
Bill Yoast
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 16, 1924
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Florence, Alabama, United States
Died: 2019
 36 
Cyprian Norwid
(Poet Known for His Work 'Vade-mecum' & 'Promethidion')
Cyprian Norwid
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: September 24, 1821
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Głuchy, Poland
Died: 1883

Cyprian Norwid was a Polish poet, painter, dramatist, and sculptor. Although he did not find much success and monetary gains during his lifetime, Norwid is now regarded as a nationally esteemed poet. His works were rediscovered and popularized by the members of the Young Poland art movement. Cyprian Norwid is now counted among the four most prominent Polish Romantic poets.

 37 
Roberto Sosa
(Author)
Roberto Sosa
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: April 18, 1930
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Yoro, Honduras
Died: 2011
 38 
Henry Dumas
(Writer)
Henry Dumas
4
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: July 20, 1934
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Sweet Home, Arkansas, United States
Died: 1968
 39 
Simon Monjack
(Film Director, Screenwriter, Producer)
Simon Monjack
9
Birthdate: March 9, 1970
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: London Borough of Hillingdon
Died: 2010

Simon Monjack was an English filmmaker, screenwriter, and make-up artist. Much of his professional life was overshadowed by his personal life, which included his marriage to American actress Brittany Murphy. Monjack's death attracted the attention of media as he died five months after Murphy's death due to complications similar to Murphy's undoing. 

 40 
José de Espronceda y Delgado
(Poet)
José de Espronceda y Delgado
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: March 25, 1808
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Almendralejo, Spain
Died: 1842

Remembered as the "Spanish Lord Byron," Romantic poet José de Espronceda y Delgado became famous for his affair with Teresa Mancha. Initially imprisoned in a monastery for his revolutionary activities, he fled Spain and later lived in England and France. El estudiante de Salamanca remains one of his notable works.

 41 
Henry Cort
(Ironmaster)
Henry Cort
0
Birthdate: 1740 AD
Birthplace: Lancaster, England
Died: 1800
 42 
Demchugdongrub
(Mongolian Military Leader)
Demchugdongrub
3
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: February 8, 1902
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Sonid Right Banner, China
Died: 1966
 43 
Yevgeny Rodionov
Yevgeny Rodionov
5
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: May 23, 1977
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Kuznetsky District, Penza Oblast
Died: 1996
 44 
David Smith
(Sculptor)
David Smith
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: March 9, 1906
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Decatur, Indiana, United States
Died: 1965

Abstract expressionist sculptor David Smith is best known for his pioneering work with welded metal sculpture. He was also fascinated with paintings of huge geometric forms. A great influence on the minimal art movement, he produced masterpieces such as the Zig, Albany, and Cubi series of sculptures.

 45 
Mary Livermore
(Journalist)
Mary Livermore
0
Listed In: Activists
Birthdate: December 19, 1820
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Died: 1905
 46 
Dolores Veintimilla
(Ecuadorian Poet Best Remembered for Her Poem, 'Quejas')
Dolores Veintimilla
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: 1829 AD
Birthplace: Quito, Ecuador
Died: 1857

Dolores Veintimilla was an Ecuadorian poet best remembered for her poem, Quejas. Veintimilla committed suicide at the age of 27 and some of her works were published posthumously. Although her works were never fully appreciated during her lifetime, Dolores Veintimilla achieved posthumous fame when her works reached the hands of subsequent generation of readers.

 47 
José Asunción Silva
(Colombian Poet and One of the Most Prominent Forerunners of Modernism)
José Asunción Silva
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: November 27, 1865
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Bogotá, Colombia
Died: 1896

José Asunción Silva was a Colombian poet who is often counted among the most prominent forerunners of modernism. Among his most important work is The Book of Verses. Jose Asuncion Silva's works were recognized and appreciated only after his death as he committed suicide at the age of 30 due to poverty.

 48 
Mason Locke Weems
(Author)
Mason Locke Weems
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: October 11, 1759
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States
Died: 1825
 49 
Herbert Austin, 1st Baron Austin
(Automobile Designer)
Herbert Austin, 1st Baron Austin
0
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: November 8, 1866
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Little Missenden, England
Died: 1941
 50 
Pierre-Jean de Smet
(Priest)
Pierre-Jean de Smet
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: January 30, 1801
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Termonde, Belgium
Died: 1873