Famous people and celebrities who died in 1955

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1955. 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. 15 Yves Tanguy

  Yves Tanguy was a prominent French surrealist painter known for his unique, dreamlike landscapes that challenged traditional artistic...

• Jan. 18 Saadat Hasan Manto

  Renowned Urdu writer and playwright who is considered one of the most significant literary figures in South Asian literature, known for his...

• Jan. 24 Ira Hayes

  Ira Hayes was a Native American Marine famous for being one of the six soldiers who raised the American flag during the iconic Iwo Jima...

• Jan. 31 John Raleigh Mott

  Prize laureate for his contribution to the creation of a peace-promoting religious brotherhood across national boundaries.

• Jan. 31 John Mott

  American activist, nobel prize laureate (b. 1865).

• March 9 Matthew Henson

  Matthew henson was an american explorer known for being the first african-american arctic explorer and for his expeditions to the north pole...

• March 11 Sir Alexander Fleming

  Prize laureate for the discovery of penicillin and its curative effect in various infectious diseases.

• March 16 Nicolas de Staël

  Renowned Russian-French painter and illustrator known for his abstract and expressive artistic style.

• April 7 Theda Bara

  Theda Bara was a pioneering American silent film actress, best known for her roles as a femme fatale in early 20th-century cinema. She became one of the most popular actresses of the silent era and is often considered one of cinema’s earliest sex symbols. [bio]

• April 18 Albert Einstein

  Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist, regarded as one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century. He developed the special theory of relativity in 1905 and the general theory of relativity in 1915, fundamentally transforming the understanding of physics. Einstein was awarded the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics for his explanation of the photoelectric effect, which was … [bio]

• May 16 James Agee

  James Agee was a renowned American writer, film critic, journalist, and poet known for his influential works like 'Let Us Now Praise Famous...

• May 26 Alberto Ascari

  Legendary Italian Formula One racing driver who won two consecutive World Championships in 1952 and 1953.

• June 11 Walter Hampden

  Walter Hampden was a renowned American actor and theatre manager, celebrated for his performances in classical theatre, particularly in Shakespearean roles, and for his leadership of New York's Hampden's Theatre. Over a career spanning several decades, he became a prominent figure on Broadway and later appeared in notable films. [bio]

• June 17 Carlyle Blackwell

  Carlyle Blackwell was a prominent American silent film actor.

• July 13 Ruth Ellis

  The last woman to be executed in the United Kingdom, Ruth Ellis became infamous for murdering her abusive lover David Blakeley in 1955.

• July 23 Cordell Hull

  American captain, lawyer, and politician, 47th united states secretary of state, nobel prize laureate (b. 1871).

• Aug. 5 Carmen Miranda

  Carmen Miranda was a Portuguese-born Brazilian singer, dancer, and actress, best known for her signature fruity hats, samba performances, and major role in popularizing Brazilian culture in the United States through her film, music, and stage appearances in the 1940s and 1950s. [bio]

• Aug. 12 James Batcheller Sumner

  Prize laureate for his discovery that enzymes can be crystallized.

• Aug. 12 James B. Sumner

  American chemist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1887).

• Aug. 12 Thomas Mann

  German author and critic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1875).

• Aug. 28 Emmett Till

  Emmett Till was a 14-year-old African American whose brutal murder in 1955 became a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement, exposing...

• Aug. 31 Willi Baumeister

  German abstract painter, during the 1930s.

• Sept. 30 James Dean

  James Dean was an iconic American actor who emerged as a cultural symbol of youthful rebellion in the 1950s. Best known for his performances in 'Rebel Without a Cause' (1955), 'East of Eden' (1955), and 'Giant' (1956), Dean's tragic death at the age of 24 cemented his status as a Hollywood legend. His portrayal of alienated and troubled young men … [bio]

• Oct. 15 Fumio Hayasaka

  Renowned Japanese film composer who significantly contributed to the golden age of Japanese cinema, working with notable directors like...

• Oct. 19 John Hodiak

  John Hodiak was an American actor known for his work in film and radio during the 1940s and early 1950s. He gained recognition for roles in movies like 'Lifeboat' (1944) and 'Battleground' (1949). [bio]

• Nov. 22 Shemp Howard

  Shemp Howard was an American actor and comedian best known as a member of the famous comedy team, The Three Stooges. He was noted for his slapstick humor and improvisational skills, contributing significantly to the group's films and legacy. [bio]

• Nov. 25 Louis Lachenal

  Renowned French mountaineer known for his significant alpine climbing achievements during the mid-20th century.

• Dec. 13 António Caetano de Abreu Freire Egas Moniz

  Prize laureate for his discovery of the therapeutic value of leucotomy in certain psychoses.

What happened in 1955?

Discover what the world looked like in 1955: