Famous people and celebrities who died in August 1985

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in August 1985. 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 Fernando Previtali
• Aug. 1 Helene Engelmann
• Aug. 1 Jules Moch
• Aug. 5 Theodore Sturgeon

  Theodore Sturgeon was a pioneering American science fiction author known for his innovative and influential works, including the...

• Aug. 5 Arnold Horween

  American football coach and player (d. 1985).

• Aug. 6 Forbes Burnham

  Forbes Burnham was a pivotal political leader in Guyana, serving as the country's second president and playing a crucial role in its...

• Aug. 6 Ninni Cassarà
• Aug. 8 Louise Brooks

  Louise Brooks was an American actress and dancer best known for her work in silent films during the 1920s and early 1930s. Her iconic bob haircut and performances in films such as 'Pandora's Box' made her a symbol of the Jazz Age and a continuing influence on fashion and cinema. [bio]

• Aug. 9 Fred Åkerström
• Aug. 10 Nate Barragar

  American football player and sergeant (b. 1906).

• Aug. 12 Kyū Sakamoto
• Aug. 12 Antonio Innocenti
• Aug. 13 Shiva Naipaul
• Aug. 14 Gale Sondergaard

  Gale Sondergaard was an American actress known for her distinctive supporting roles in Hollywood films, particularly during the 1930s and 1940s. She was the first recipient of the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. [bio]

• Aug. 20 Donald O. Hebb

  Canadian psychologist and academic (b. 1904).

• Aug. 20 Wilhelm Meendsen-Bohlken

  German admiral (b. 1897).

• Aug. 22 Charles Gibson (historian)

  Historian of mexico and its indians, president of the american historical association (b. 1920).

• Aug. 24 Paul Creston

  Paul Creston was a notable American composer and music educator who made significant contributions to 20th-century classical music.

• Aug. 25 Samantha Smith

  Samantha Smith was an American schoolgirl, peace activist, and child actress who became famous in the early 1980s for her letter to Soviet leader Yuri Andropov, seeking to understand why Soviet-American relations were so tense during the Cold War. Her subsequent visit to the Soviet Union was widely covered in the media, and she became a symbol of youthful hope … [bio]

• Aug. 28 Ruth Gordon

  Ruth Gordon was an acclaimed American actress, screenwriter, and playwright known for her distinctive performances and significant contributions to stage and film throughout the 20th century. [bio]

• Aug. 29 Patrick Barr
• Aug. 30 Taylor Caldwell

  Prolific American novelist and writer known for her historical fiction and bestselling books.

• Aug. 30 Philly Joe Jones
• Aug. 31 Sir Frank Macfarlane Burnet

  Prize laureate for discovery of acquired immunological tolerance.