Famous people and celebrities who died in 1960

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1960. 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. 1 Margaret Sullavan

  Margaret Sullavan was an acclaimed American stage and film actress, best known for her performances during the 1930s and 1940s. Renowned for her distinctive husky voice and emotional intensity, Sullavan left a significant mark on both Broadway and Hollywood before her untimely death. [bio]

• Jan. 2 Fausto Coppi

  Legendary Italian cyclist considered one of the greatest champions in the history of road bicycle racing.

• Jan. 2 Paul Sauvé

  Canadian lawyer and politician who served as the 17th Premier of Quebec from 1959 to 1960, playing a significant role in Quebec's political...

• Jan. 4 Albert Camus

  Albert Camus was a celebrated French philosopher, author, and journalist known for his significant contributions to modern existential and absurdist thought. He is best known for his philosophical essays and novels such as 'The Stranger', 'The Plague', and 'The Myth of Sisyphus'. Camus was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1957 in recognition of his literary production which, according … [bio]

• Jan. 18 Gladys Bentley

  Gladys Bentley was a pioneering African American blues singer and performer known for her groundbreaking LGBTQ+ representation during the...

• Jan. 20 Matt Moore

  Actor (deluge and coquette), passes away at 72.

• Jan. 25 Diana Barrymore

  Diana Barrymore was an American film and stage actress, part of the renowned Barrymore family of actors. Despite a promising start, her career and life were marked by personal struggles. [bio]

• Feb. 3 Fred Buscaglione

  Iconic Italian singer and performer who pioneered a unique 'gangster' persona in 1950s Italian entertainment, blending music and comedic...

• Feb. 7 Igor Kurchatov

  Soviet nuclear physicist and scientific leader of the Soviet atomic bomb project.

• Feb. 27 Adriano Olivetti

  Visionary Italian industrialist who transformed Olivetti into a pioneering company known for technological innovation and progressive worker...

• March 22 José Antonio Aguirre

  Spanish lawyer and politician who served as the first president of the Basque Country during a critical period of Spanish history, leading...

• April 17 Eddie Cochran

  Influential rock and roll musician of the late 1950s known for hits like 'Summertime Blues' and 'C'mon Everybody'.

• April 24 Max von Laue

  German physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1879).

• May 2 Caryl Chessman

  Caryl Chessman was an American author and convicted criminal who gained worldwide attention for his long and controversial time on death row, during which he became an advocate for criminal justice reform and the abolition of capital punishment. [bio]

• May 30 Boris Leonidovich Pasternak

  Prize laureate for his important achievement both in contemporary lyrical poetry and in the field of the great Russian epic tradition.

• May 30 Boris Pasternak

  Russian poet, novelist, and literary translator, nobel prize laureate (b. 1890).

• July 15 Lawrence Tibbett

  Lawrence Tibbett was an American opera singer and actor renowned for his rich baritone voice and charismatic stage presence. He became one of the leading baritones at the Metropolitan Opera in the early 20th century and was influential in popularizing opera and crossover performances in the United States. [bio]

• July 29 Clyde Kluckhohn

  Renowned American anthropologist and social scientist who made significant contributions to understanding cultural diversity and comparative...

• Aug. 10 Frank Lloyd

  Scottish-american film director, producer and scriptwriter.

• Sept. 9 Jussi Björling

  Jussi Björling was a celebrated Swedish tenor, renowned for his exceptional vocal technique and beautiful tone. Recognized as one of the greatest operatic tenors of the 20th century, Björling achieved international acclaim with performances at leading opera houses and concert venues worldwide. [bio]

• Oct. 11 Richard Cromwell

  Richard Cromwell was the son of Oliver Cromwell and briefly served as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1658 to 1659 following his father's death. [bio]

• Oct. 15 Henny Porten

  Henny Porten was a pioneering German film actress and producer, widely regarded as one of the most prominent stars of German silent cinema. She appeared in over 170 films between 1906 and 1955 and was known for her expressive acting style and versatility. Porten was also a film producer and played a significant role in shaping early German film history. [bio]

• Oct. 19 George Wallace

  George Wallace was an American politician who served as the Governor of Alabama for four terms and was a prominent figure in mid-20th century American politics, known especially for his pro-segregationist stance during the Civil Rights Era. [bio]

• Nov. 5 Johnny Horton

  Influential American country and rockabilly singer-songwriter known for hits like 'The Battle of New Orleans' and tragically killed in a car...

• Nov. 5 Mack Sennett

  Canadian-american actor, producer (d. 1960).

• Nov. 16 Clark Gable

  Clark Gable was an acclaimed American film actor, widely regarded as one of the most iconic male movie stars of classic Hollywood. He is best remembered for his role as Rhett Butler in 'Gone with the Wind' (1939), which cemented his legacy as 'The King of Hollywood.'[1][2] [bio]

• Nov. 28 Richard Wright

  Richard Wright was a founding member and keyboardist of the legendary rock band Pink Floyd, contributing significantly to their unique sound...

What happened in 1960?

Discover what the world looked like in 1960: