Famous people and celebrities who died in 1951

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1951. 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. 10 Sinclair Lewis

  American novelist, short-story writer, and playwright, nobel prize laureate (b. 1885).

• Jan. 22 Lawson Robertson

  Lawson robertson was a scottish-american athlete and track and field coach, known for his achievements in the high jump and long jump.

• Jan. 30 Ferdinand Porsche

  Legendary automotive engineer and founder of Porsche, famous for designing the iconic Volkswagen Beetle and establishing one of the world's...

• Feb. 13 Lloyd C. Douglas

  Famous for his novel 'The Robe' which was adapted into a successful film.

• Feb. 19 André Paul Guillaume Gide

  Prize laureate for his comprehensive and artistically significant writings, in which human problems and conditions have been presented with...

• Feb. 19 André Gide

  French novelist, essayist, and dramatist, nobel prize laureate (b. 1869).

• April 23 Charles Gates Dawes

  Prize laureate for his crucial role in bringing about the Dawes Plan.

• April 26 Arnold Sommerfeld

  German physicist, whose atomic model allowed the explanation of fine structure spectral lines.

• April 29 Ludwig Wittgenstein

  Austrian-British philosopher known for his work in logic and philosophy of language.

• May 7 Warner Baxter

  Warner Baxter was an American actor best known for his role as the Cisco Kid in the film 'In Old Arizona' (1928), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor. Baxter enjoyed a prolific career spanning both silent and sound films, becoming one of Hollywood's most prominent leading men during the 1920s and 1930s. [bio]

• May 26 Lincoln Ellsworth

  Pioneering explorer who made significant contributions to Antarctic exploration.

• May 29 Fanny Brice

  American comedian, genius at caricature and humor.

• May 29 Robert Kahn

  Robert Kahn is a pioneering computer scientist who co-invented the TCP/IP protocols, fundamental to the modern internet's communication...

• June 6 Olive Tell

  Olive Tell was an American stage and film actress active during the early 20th century, best known for her work in silent films and her appearances on Broadway. [bio]

• July 1 Tadeusz Borowski

  Polish writer and Holocaust survivor known for his powerful and harrowing accounts of life in Nazi concentration camps.

• July 9 Egbert Van Alstyne

  Egbert Van Alstyne was a renowned composer known for his contributions to American popular music.

• July 13 Arnold Schoenberg

  Austrian composer known for his innovative atonal and twelve-tone music.

• July 23 Philippe Pétain

  French statesman, military leader, and premier of the vichy government in ww i. he was also a collaborator with the nazis.

• July 31 Cho Ki-chon

  North Korean poet known for his contributions to modern Korean literature during the early 20th century, who died relatively young during...

• Aug. 16 Louis Jouvet

  Louis Jouvet was a renowned French actor, theater director, and filmmaker, considered one of the most influential figures in 20th-century French theater. He is celebrated for his innovative stagecraft, powerful acting style, and significant contributions to both stage and film. [bio]

• Aug. 21 Constant Lambert

  Constant Lambert was a prominent British composer, conductor, and music critic known for his significant contributions to 20th-century...

• Sept. 7 Maria Montez

  Maria Montez was a Dominican-born actress who achieved international fame in the 1940s for her roles in Technicolor adventure films produced by Universal Pictures. Known as 'The Queen of Technicolor,' she became an iconic figure of the era, particularly for her portrayals in exotic and fantasy films. [bio]

• Sept. 9 Gibson Gowland

  Gibson Gowland was a renowned actor known for his roles in silent films.

• Oct. 4 Henrietta Lacks

  Her immortal HeLa cells became a cornerstone of modern medical research, revolutionizing scientific understanding despite the unethical...

• Oct. 6 Otto Fritz Meyerhof

  German-american physician and biochemist, nobel prize laureate (b. 1884).

• Dec. 6 Harold Ross

  American journalist and publisher, the new yorker was founded in 1951.

• Dec. 12 Mildred Bailey

  Mildred Bailey was a pioneering jazz singer known for her distinctive vocal style and significant influence on early swing and popular music...

What happened in 1951?

Discover what the world looked like in 1951: