Famous people and celebrities who died in 1947

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1947. This year saw the loss of many influential and beloved figures who left a lasting impact on the world. From entertainment icons and sports legends to renowned scholars and public figures, our comprehensive list pays tribute to their lives and legacies. Join us in honoring their contributions and celebrating their achievements as we reflect on their remarkable stories.

• Jan. 20 Josh Gibson

  Legendary Negro League baseball player known as the 'Black Babe Ruth', considered one of the greatest power hitters in baseball history who...

• Jan. 25 Al Capone

  Al Capone was a notorious American gangster who became the boss of the Chicago Outfit during the Prohibition era.

• Feb. 26 Ben Webster

  Legendary American jazz tenor saxophonist known as 'the brute' and 'frog', who significantly influenced jazz music in the mid-20th century.

• April 7 Henry Ford

  Henry Ford was an American industrialist and founder of the Ford Motor Company. He is best known for revolutionizing the automobile industry by introducing large-scale manufacturing of affordable cars using the moving assembly line. Ford's innovations transformed transportation and American industry, making automobiles accessible to millions and setting new standards for efficiency in production. [bio]

• April 16 Rudolf Höss

  Nazi SS officer and commandant of Auschwitz concentration camp, responsible for overseeing the systematic murder of over one million people...

• April 20 Christian X

  Christian X was the King of Denmark from 1912 to 1947 and the King of Iceland from 1918 to 1944. He is remembered for his role during World War II, becoming a symbol of Danish resistance against Nazi occupation. [bio]

• May 8 Harry Selfridge

  Harry Selfridge was an American retail magnate who founded the famous Selfridges department store in London.

• May 16 Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins

  Prize laureate for his discovery of the growth-stimulating vitamins.

• May 20 Philipp Eduard Anton von Lenard

  Prize laureate for his work on cathode rays.

• May 20 Philipp Lenard

  Slovak-german physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1862).

• June 20 Bugsy Siegel

  Notorious American mobster who played a significant role in organized crime during the mid-20th century, particularly in Las Vegas casino...

• July 12 Jimmie Lunceford

  Jimmie Lunceford was a prominent African American jazz bandleader and saxophonist during the Swing Era, known for his innovative big band...

• July 16 Raoul Wallenberg

  Swedish diplomat who heroically saved tens of thousands of Jews during the Holocaust by issuing protective passports and sheltering people...

• July 19 Aung San

  Burmese independence leader who played a pivotal role in Burma's struggle for freedom from British colonial rule.

• Aug. 21 Ettore Bugatti

  He was a french citizen naturalized, and was a designer and nmanufacturer high-performance automobiles.

• Aug. 28 Manolete

  Manolete was a legendary Spanish bullfighter considered one of the most famous and influential matadors of the 20th century.

• Sept. 1 Frederick Burnham

  American scout and world-traveling adventurer.

• Sept. 7 Warren Zevon

  Iconic American rock singer-songwriter known for his unique storytelling and hit song 'Werewolves of London'.

• Sept. 21 Harry Carey

  Harry Carey was an influential American actor known for his work in silent films and early Hollywood Westerns, often collaborating with director John Ford. He appeared in over 250 films and was a key figure in shaping the Western genre in American cinema. [bio]

• Oct. 4 Max Planck

  German physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1858).

• Oct. 4 Max Karl Ernst Ludwig Planck

  Prize laureate in recognition of the services he rendered to the advancement of Physics by his discovery of energy quanta.

• Nov. 20 Wolfgang Borchert

  Influential post-World War II German writer known for his anti-war literature and existentialist themes.

• Nov. 28 Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque

  Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque was a prominent French military leader during World War II, renowned for his crucial role in the liberation...

• Nov. 28 Jacques-Philippe Leclerc

  Jacques-Philippe Leclerc was a distinguished French military officer who served with valor in Morocco and during World War II, ultimately...

• Dec. 7 Nicholas Murray Butler

  Prize laureate for their assiduous effort to revive the ideal of peace and to rekindle the spirit of peace in their own nation and in the...

• Dec. 7 Tristan Bernard

  French novelist, playwright, journalist, lawyer and journalist.

• Dec. 13 Nicholas Roerich

  Russian aristocrat; artist, philosopher and archaeologist.

What happened in 1947?

Discover what the world looked like in 1947: