Famous people and celebrities who died on December 17

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on December 17. 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.

• 1833 Kaspar Hauser

  Mysterious foundling who claimed to have grown up in isolation, sparking much speculation.

• 1907 William Thomson

  Prominent music educator and researcher at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music, specializing in cognitive and...

• 1917 Elizabeth Garrett Anderson

  First woman to qualify as a physician and surgeon in Britain, and a pioneer in the medical education of women.

• 1962 Thomas Mitchell

  Thomas Mitchell was an Australian geographer, explorer, and surveyor who played a significant role in mapping and exploring inland Australia during the 19th century. [bio]

• 1964 Victor Franz Hess

  Prize laureate for his discovery of cosmic radiation.

• 1967 Harold Holt

  Australian Prime Minister who served from 1966 to 1967, known for increasing Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War and introducing...

• 1978 Don Ellis

  Innovative jazz musician known for his experimental big band and groundbreaking film scores, particularly for 'The French Connection'.

• 1987 Marguerite Yourcenar

  Belgian-born French novelist and essayist, the first woman to be elected to the Académie française.

• 1990 Don Draper

  Fictional protagonist of the critically acclaimed TV series 'Mad Men', representing the complex world of 1960s advertising in New York.

• 1992 Dana Andrews

  Dana Andrews was an American film actor, best known for his roles during the 1940s and 1950s, including performances in classic films such as 'Laura' and 'The Best Years of Our Lives.' [bio]

• 1999 C. Vann Woodward

  Pulitzer Prize-winning historian who revolutionized understanding of race relations and the American South through groundbreaking scholarly...

• 1999 Grover Washington Jr.

  Legendary jazz saxophonist who significantly influenced smooth jazz and crossover jazz genres, known for hits like 'Mister Magic' and 'Just...

• 2003 Otto Graham

  Legendary NFL quarterback who played for the Cleveland Browns, considered one of the most successful quarterbacks of his era and a Pro...

• 2004 Tom Wesselmann

  Tom Wesselmann was a prominent American pop artist known for his innovative and provocative artwork, particularly his 'Great American Nude'...

• 2005 Jack Anderson

  Pioneering investigative journalist known for his syndicated column 'Washington Merry-Go-Round' that exposed political corruption and...

• 2005 Marc Favreau

  Marc Favreau was a prominent Canadian actor, comedian, and poet known for his significant contributions to Quebec's cultural scene.

• 2006 Larry Sherry

  Professional baseball player who made history with the Los Angeles Dodgers, becoming the first player to appear in all four World Series...

• 2008 Sammy Baugh

  Legendary NFL quarterback who played for the Washington Redskins and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

• 2009 Jennifer Jones

  Jennifer Jones was an acclaimed American actress known for her distinguished film career during Hollywood's Golden Age. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in 'The Song of Bernadette' (1943) and appeared in several other notable films. [bio]

• 2009 Alaina Reed Hall

  Beloved American actress best known for her iconic role as Olivia Robinson on the children's educational program 'Sesame Street', who passed...

• 2010 Captain Beefheart

  Captain Beefheart was an innovative American musician and visual artist known for his avant-garde rock music and groundbreaking experimental...

• 2012 Daniel Inouye

  Prominent American politician and long-serving Democratic Senator from Hawaii, who was a decorated World War II veteran and played...

• 2012 Laurier LaPierre

  Prominent Canadian historian, journalist, and politician who made significant contributions to Canadian media and public discourse.

• 2013 Janet Rowley

  Pioneering American geneticist who made groundbreaking discoveries in cancer research, particularly in understanding the genetic basis of...

• 2014 Dieter Grau

  German-American aerospace engineer who made significant contributions to NASA's early space programs, particularly during the Apollo...

• 2016 Benjamin A. Gilman

  American politician who served in Congress, representing New York's 20th congressional district from 1973 to 2003.

• 2016 Henry Heimlich

  Henry Heimlich was a renowned American physician who developed the famous Heimlich maneuver, a life-saving technique for choking victims.

• 2018 Penny Marshall

  Iconic American actress and director best known for her role in 'Laverne & Shirley' and for directing successful films like 'Big' and...