Famous people and celebrities who died on August 31

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on August 31. 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.

• 1688 John Bunyan

  English preacher, theologian, and author (d. 1688).

• 1867 Charles Baudelaire

  French poet, tortured by religion and the struggle for good and bad in man, was infused with his deep catholic sense of sinfulness and...

• 1945 Stefan Banach

  Polish mathematician known for his work in functional analysis.

• 1955 Willi Baumeister

  German abstract painter, during the 1930s.

• 1967 Ilya Ehrenburg

  Prominent Soviet writer and journalist known for his novels and wartime propaganda.

• 1969 Rocky Marciano

  Legendary American boxer who held the world heavyweight championship from 1952 to 1956.

• 1974 Norman Kirk

  Influential New Zealand Labour Party politician who served as the 29th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1972 until his unexpected death in...

• 1979 Sally Rand

  Sally Rand was an American burlesque dancer and actress, best known for popularizing the fan dance and bubble dance in the 1930s. She became a symbol of the era's risqué stage entertainment and was a celebrated figure in vaudeville and nightclubs. [bio]

• 1985 Frank Macfarlane Burnet

  Australian virologist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1899).

• 1986 Henry Moore

  Henry Moore was a world-renowned British artist and sculptor, best known for his monumental bronze and stone sculptures often inspired by the human form. He became one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th century, with a body of work that achieved international recognition, particularly after World War II. [bio]

• 1994 Artur Balsam

  Renowned Polish-American classical pianist who accompanied and collaborated with famous violinists Yehudi Menuhin and Nathan Milstein during...

• 1995 David Farrar

  David Farrar was a British actor known for his roles in films during the 1940s and 1950s, especially acclaimed for his collaborations with director Michael Powell in movies such as 'Black Narcissus' and 'The Small Back Room.' [bio]

• 1996 David Scott (astronaut)

  Prominent NASA astronaut who commanded the Apollo 15 mission and was the seventh person to walk on the moon, making significant...

• 1997 Diana Princess of Wales

  Diana, Princess of Wales (born Diana Frances Spencer), was a member of the British royal family, most famous as the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales (now King Charles III). Revered globally for her philanthropy, humanitarian work, and influential public presence, she was often noted for her compassion, style, and efforts to raise awareness about AIDS, landmines, and homelessness. … [bio]

• 1997 Dodi Fayed

  Egyptian-born film producer and romantic partner of Princess Diana, tragically killed in a fatal car crash in Paris alongside her.

• 2002 Lionel Hampton

  Legendary jazz vibraphonist, bandleader, and musician who significantly influenced jazz music in the 20th century.

• 2002 George Porter

  English chemist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1920).

• 2005 Joseph Rotblat

  Renowned physicist who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts against nuclear weapons and promoting global peace.

• 2007 Gay Brewer

  Professional American golfer who was a notable PGA Tour player, winning multiple tournaments including the Masters Tournament in 1967.

• 2010 Laurent Fignon

  A legendary French cyclist who won the Tour de France twice (1983 and 1984), famously losing the 1989 Tour by just eight seconds.

• 2012 Max Bygraves

  Max Bygraves was an English singer, comedian, actor, and variety performer, renowned for his long career in show business, especially in postwar Britain. He became a household name through his work on stage, television, and radio. [bio]

• 2012 Sergey Sokolov

  Prominent Soviet military commander and politician who served as the 6th Minister of Defence of the Soviet Union, with a significant role in...

• 2012 Joe Lewis

  American martial artist and actor known for his contributions to martial arts cinema.

• 2015 Edward Douglas-Scott-Montagu

  3rd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu, a prominent English nobleman who was instrumental in preserving automotive heritage by founding the National...

• 2020 Tom Seaver

  Legendary Major League Baseball pitcher known as 'Tom Terrific', who played primarily for the New York Mets.

• 2021 Michael Constantine

  Michael Constantine was an American actor best known for his role as Kostas "Gus" Portokalos in the film 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' and its sequel. He had a prolific career in film, television, and stage, spanning over six decades. [bio]