Famous People Who Died Today

The former Prime Minister of the United Kingdoms, Winston Churchill, is known for successfully leading his country during the Second World War against the Nazi Germany. An officer in the British army, he also served as a war correspondent before venturing into politics. One of the most influential peoples in British history, Churchill was also an accomplished painter.

The first African-American member of the US Supreme Court, Thurgood Marshall was an associate justice from 1967 to 1991. Earlier as an attorney, he fought for the abolishment of racial segregation in American public schools. He was also a strong proponent of individual rights. A symbol of black icon, there are numerous memorials in America to honour his legacy.

Amedeo Modigliani was an Italian Jewish painter and sculptor. He is remembered for his surrealist and modern-style depiction of nudes in his portraits. Even though he spent his youth in Italy, he worked mainly in France. He enjoyed little success while he was alive. He died young at the age of 35 and received massive posthumous appreciation for his works.

Padma Bhushan-winning physicist Homi Bhabha revolutionized the Indian nuclear program singlehandedly. Born into an affluent family, he was educated at Cambridge. Initially geared toward a career in mechanical engineering, he later drifted to physics, eventually contributing to the formation of TIFR. The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre is named after him.

William Griffith Wilson was an American social worker who co-founded Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). An international fellowship that requires no membership fees, Alcoholics Anonymous aims at helping alcoholics through its Twelve Steps program. In 1999, William Griffith Wilson was named in Time 100: The Most Important People of the Century list. His life and career inspired the 2012 documentary Bill W.

Aloysius Pang was a Singaporean actor best remembered for his association with multiple Mediacorp dramas. In 2015, he was honored with the Star Award for Best Newcomer. Aloysius Pang died at the age of 28 while training as part of the Singapore Army.

Writer, lecturer, suffragist, reformer, feminist, politician and slave-owner Rebecca Latimer Felton was the first woman who served in the United States Senate. The most distinguished woman in Georgia during the Progressive Era, Felton was appointed Senator from Georgia as a mark of respect. With this she became the oldest freshman-senator who entered the Senate and served for just 24 hours.    

William Alexander was a German painter, television host, and art instructor. He is credited with creating the popular television series, The Magic of Oil Painting, which he hosted from 1974 to 1982 on PBS in the USA. Bill Alexander is also credited with teaching Bob Ross his signature wet-on-wet technique.

Gregory of Nazianzus was a theologian and Archbishop of Constantinople. He is widely regarded as the most renowned and talented rhetorical stylist of the patristic age. Much of Gregory of Nazianzus' theological work continues to have a significant impact on modern theologians. 

Italian painter and mosaicist Cimabue was one of the last Byzantine artists. His frescoes adorn the upper church of S. Francesco, Assisi. Though not much is known about his life, Cimabue found a mention in Dante’s Purgatorio, the second part of the iconic narrative poem The Divine Comedy.

Elie Hobeika gained notoriety for his ruthlessness and involvement in Sabra and Shatila massacre as commander of Lebanese Forces militia during Lebanese Civil War. He later served as president of Lebanese Forces until the January 1986 Lebanese Forces coup when he was ousted from the position. Thereafter he formed Promise Party and served two terms in the Parliament of Lebanon.

Pope Stephen III served as the bishop of Rome from 768 until his death in 772. As the ruler of the Papal States, Pope Stephen III called for the Lateran Council of 769, which is widely regarded as the most prominent Roman council of the 8th century.

Greek filmmaker, producer, and screenwriter Theo Angelopoulos is remembered for his Palme d'Or-winning film Eternity and a Day. He dropped out of law school to study film and later became known for his signature slow narratives and long takes. He died after being hit by a motorcycle while shooting the film The Other Sea.

One of the greatest 20th-century pianists, Edwin Fischer is best remembered for his renditions of German legends such as Bach, Brahms, and Beethoven. He not only established his own chamber orchestra, but also taught in Lucerne and launched a foundation to help young and underprivileged musicians.

Robert Mosbacher had initially won many national and international sailing competitions and also graced the cover of Sports Illustrated once. At 21, advised by his father, he launched an oil and gas company. He later ventured into politics and also served as the United States Secretary of Commerce.

Japanese socialist leader Kōtoku Shūsui initially worked as a houseboy for Tokyo politician Hayashi Yūzō. He later educated himself and began writing for newspapers, eventually spearheading the Social Democratic Party. Later accused of conspiring against the Emperor, he was executed, spelling the end of the socialist movement in Japan temporarily.

Fredrik Barth was a Norwegian social anthropologist and professor. He is credited with founding the Department of Social Anthropology at the University of Bergen where he also served as a professor. He also held professorships at the Emory University, University of Oslo, and Harvard University. In 1985, Fredrik Barth was chosen as a government scholar.