Famous people and celebrities who died on August 26

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on August 26. On this day, we honor the lives and legacies of notable figures from various fields who left an indelible mark on the world. Explore our list to learn about their remarkable contributions and celebrate their enduring impact.

• 1910 William James

  Prominent American philosopher and psychologist, considered one of the most influential thinkers of the late 19th century.

• 1930 Lon Chaney

  Lon Chaney was a pioneering American actor best known for his groundbreaking work in silent horror films. Renowned as 'The Man of a Thousand Faces,' he gained fame for his transformative character portrayals and innovative makeup techniques, most notably in films like 'The Phantom of the Opera' and 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame.' [bio]

• 1937 Andrew Mellon

  Andrew Mellon was an American banker, businessman, and philanthropist who served as the Secretary of the Treasury.

• 1944 Adam von Trott zu Solz

  German diplomat and resistance member who opposed Nazi regime, involved in the July 20 plot to assassinate Hitler and subsequently executed.

• 1945 Franz Werfel

  Austrian author and playwright (b. 1890).

• 1956 Alfred Wagenknecht

  German-american politician and activist (d. 1956).

• 1968 Kay Francis

  Kay Francis was an American film and stage actress, considered one of the most prominent female stars of the 1930s, known for her roles in sophisticated dramas and comedies during the early sound era of Hollywood. [bio]

• 1972 Francis Chichester

  Renowned English aviator and sailor who became famous for being the first person to sail single-handedly around the world, making a...

• 1974 Charles Lindbergh

  American author and pilot, he is the most well-known hero of his time for his flight between new york city and paris on 20 mai 1927.

• 1975 Cullen Landis

  Silent film actor known for his roles in Hollywood.

• 1978 José Manuel Moreno

  José Manuel Moreno was a prominent Argentinian footballer and manager who played during the mid-20th century.

• 1979 Mika Waltari

  Renowned Finnish novelist and playwright, best known for his international bestseller 'The Egyptian', which was adapted into a Hollywood...

• 1980 Tex Avery

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

• 1986 Ted Knight

  Ted Knight was an American actor and comedian best known for his comedic role as Ted Baxter, the bumbling yet lovable news anchor on 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show.' His performances gained him widespread recognition and multiple Emmy Awards. [bio]

• 1987 Georg Wittig

  German chemist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1897).

• 1989 Irving Stone

  Renowned American biographical novelist famous for works like 'Love is Eternal' and 'Lust for Life', which explored the lives of historical...

• 1992 Bob de Moor

  Renowned Flemish comic strip artist famous for his collaboration with Hergé on Tintin and his own works like 'Lion of Flanders'.

• 1995 John Brunner

  Acclaimed English-Scottish science fiction author who won multiple Hugo Awards and was a key figure in the New Wave science fiction...

• 1998 Frederick Reines

  American physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (d. 1998).

• 2005 Denis D'Amour

  Canadian guitarist and songwriter (b. 1960).

• 2006 Rainer Barzel

  German political leader of the CDU-CSU party who played a significant role in post-war German politics.

• 2007 Gaston Thorn

  Prominent Luxembourgish politician who served as the 20th Prime Minister of Luxembourg and later became an important European Union...

• 2009 Dominick Dunne

  Dominick Dunne was an American writer, investigative journalist, and television producer best known for his coverage of high-profile trials and his novels centered on the rich and powerful. He became particularly prominent for his work as a special correspondent for Vanity Fair magazine. [bio]

• 2010 Raimon Panikkar

  Renowned Catalan Catholic priest, philosopher, and theologian who made significant contributions to interfaith dialogue and comparative...

• 2013 Hélie de Saint Marc

  French military officer and resistance fighter during World War II, known for his significant role in the French Foreign Legion and...

• 2015 Amelia Boynton Robinson

  Prominent civil rights activist who was a key figure in the Selma to Montgomery marches, fighting for African American voting rights during...

• 2017 Tobe Hooper

  Tobe Hooper was an influential American film director, screenwriter, and producer, best known for his work in the horror genre. He gained international acclaim for directing "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" (1974), a groundbreaking film that significantly influenced the slasher genre. Hooper also directed the acclaimed supernatural horror film "Poltergeist" (1982). [bio]

• 2018 Neil Simon

  Legendary American playwright and screenwriter who revolutionized comedy in theater and film.

• 2020 Joe Ruby

  American animator and television producer, co-founder of Ruby-Spears Productions and creator of numerous popular animated series like...

• 2023 Bob Barker

  Iconic American television game show host best known for hosting 'The Price is Right' for 35 years.