Famous people and celebrities who died in August 1980

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in August 1980. This month marked the loss of influential and beloved figures whose contributions spanned various fields and touched many lives. Explore our detailed list to remember and celebrate their enduring legacies and the remarkable impact they had on the world

• Aug. 1 Strother Martin

  Strother Martin was an American character actor best known for his memorable roles in classic Westerns and for his line 'What we've got here is failure to communicate' in the film 'Cool Hand Luke.' He appeared in over 175 film and television productions, often portraying supporting roles in movies during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. [bio]

• Aug. 1 Patrick Depailler

  Patrick Depailler was a talented French Formula One racing driver who competed in 95 world championship grands prix, making his debut on...

• Aug. 1 Michele Genovese
• Aug. 2 Donald Ogden Stewart
• Aug. 4 Duke Pearson

  Influential American jazz pianist and composer who made significant contributions to the jazz scene during the 1960s and 1970s, known for...

• Aug. 5 Harold L. Runnels

  American soldier and politician (b. 1924).

• Aug. 6 Marino Marini

  Marino Marini was a renowned Italian sculptor and artist known for his innovative sculptures of horses and riders, incorporating archaic...

• Aug. 8 Paul Triquet

  Canadian military hero who was awarded the Victoria Cross for exceptional bravery during World War II.

• Aug. 9 Jacqueline Cochran

  Jacqueline Cochran was a pioneering American aviator who broke numerous speed and altitude records, becoming the first woman to break the...

• Aug. 9 Ruby Hurley

  Ruby Hurley was a prominent civil rights activist who played a crucial role in the NAACP's efforts to combat racial discrimination and...

• Aug. 9 Elliott Nugent

  Actor (romance).

• Aug. 10 Yahya Khan

  Yahya Khan was a Pakistani military general and politician who served as the third President of Pakistan from 1969 to 1971, during a...

• Aug. 11 Willi Forst

  Prominent Austrian filmmaker of the mid-20th century who significantly contributed to German-language cinema during the interwar and...

• Aug. 11 Paul Robert

  Renowned French lexicographer and publisher who significantly contributed to French language documentation and publishing.

• Aug. 12 Patrick Pons
• Aug. 14 Dorothy Stratten

  Dorothy Stratten was a Canadian model, actress, and Playboy Playmate, who rose to fame in the late 1970s and early 1980s. She is best known as Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month for August 1979 and Playmate of the Year for 1980. Her promising career was tragically cut short when she was murdered at the age of 20. [bio]

• Aug. 19 Otto Frank

  Father of Anne Frank and co-founder of Opekta, a company that sold pectin.

• Aug. 20 Joe Dassin

  Renowned French-American singer-songwriter who was a major pop music figure in France during the 1960s and 1970s, known for hits like 'Les...

• Aug. 22 James Smith McDonnell

  American pilot, engineer, and businessman, founded mcdonnell aircraft (b. 1899).

• Aug. 23 Gerhard Hanappi
• Aug. 24 Yootha Joyce
• Aug. 25 Gower Champion

  Celebrated American choreographer, dancer, and Broadway director known for his innovative dance styles and significant contributions to...

• Aug. 26 Tex Avery

  Tex Avery was a pioneering American animator who revolutionized cartoon comedy, creating iconic characters and innovative animation...

• Aug. 26 Rosa Albach-Retty

  German-austrian actress (b. 1874).

• Aug. 27 Douglas Kenney

  American actor, producer, and screenwriter (b. 1947).