Famous people and celebrities who died on January 17

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

• 1961 Patrice Lumumba

  Patrice Lumumba was a Congolese independence leader and the first democratically elected prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the...

• 1962 Gerrit Achterberg

  Renowned Dutch poet known for his profound and introspective poetry, who lived a relatively short life but made significant contributions to...

• 1964 TH White

  British author renowned for his seminal work 'The Once and Future King', a comprehensive retelling of the King Arthur legend that inspired...

• 1967 Evelyn Nesbit

  Evelyn Nesbit was an American model, chorus girl, and actress who became famous as one of the most prominent artists’ models of the early 20th century. She gained widespread notoriety due to her involvement in a sensational murder trial in 1906 when her husband, Harry K. Thaw, killed architect Stanford White. [bio]

• 1977 Gary Gilmore

  Gary Gilmore was a notorious American criminal known for his controversial execution in 1977, which restarted capital punishment in the...

• 1980 Barbara Britton

  Barbara Britton was an American film and television actress, best remembered for her roles in popular films of the 1940s and as the female lead in the early television series 'Mr. and Mrs. North.' [bio]

• 1988 Percy Qoboza

  Prominent South African journalist who fought against apartheid and was a significant voice in challenging racial oppression.

• 1990 Charles Hernu

  French Defense Minister from 1981-1985 who was involved in the controversial Rainbow Warrior bombing, where a Greenpeace activist was killed...

• 1993 Albert Hourani

  Prominent English-Lebanese historian and academic specializing in Middle Eastern studies, known for his influential works on Arab history...

• 1996 Barbara Jordan

  Barbara Jordan was a pioneering African American politician who made significant contributions to the Civil Rights Movement.

• 1997 Clyde Tombaugh

  American astronomer who discovered the dwarf planet Pluto in 1930, a groundbreaking astronomical achievement that significantly expanded our...

• 2002 Camilo José Cela

  Spanish author and politician, nobel prize laureate (b. 1916).

• 2003 Richard Crenna

  Richard Crenna was an American film, television, and radio actor known for his versatile performances over a career spanning more than six decades. He is recognized for his roles in 'The Sand Pebbles,' 'The Real McCoys,' 'The Rambo' film series, and 'Hot Shots! Part Deux.' [bio]

• 2004 Ray Stark

  Prominent Hollywood film producer known for creating numerous successful movies across multiple decades.

• 2005 Virginia Mayo

  Virginia Mayo was an American actress and dancer best known for her roles in classic films of the 1940s and 1950s, including 'The Best Years of Our Lives' and 'White Heat.' She became one of Hollywood's most popular leading ladies during this era. [bio]

• 2005 Zhao Ziyang

  Influential Chinese political leader who served as Premier of the People's Republic of China and was a key figure during the Tiananmen...

• 2007 Art Buchwald

  Art Buchwald was a Pulitzer Prize-winning American humorist best known for his long-running newspaper column that satirized political and social events. Renowned for his sharp wit and incisive commentary, Buchwald was a leading figure in American journalism and humor throughout the mid-20th century. [bio]

• 2008 Bobby Fischer

  Legendary American chess grandmaster who became world champion during the Cold War, revolutionizing chess and becoming a global icon of...

• 2010 Erich Segal

  Renowned American educator, writer, and classics scholar who was a distinguished professor at Yale University and made significant...

• 2010 Jyoti Basu

  Prominent Indian communist politician who served as the Chief Minister of West Bengal for over two decades, making him one of the...

• 2011 Don Kirshner

  Influential American music producer and songwriter who played a crucial role in the music industry, particularly in rock and pop music...

• 2012 Johnny Otis

  Influential American R&B musician, bandleader, and record producer known for his significant contributions to rhythm and blues and rock and...

• 2014 Suchitra Sen

  Suchitra Sen was a renowned Indian actress known for her work in Bengali and Hindi cinema. She is celebrated as one of the greatest actresses of Indian cinema, especially for her iconic performances in films like 'Devdas' and 'Saat Pake Bandha.' [bio]

• 2015 Faten Hamama

  Faten Hamama was a legendary Egyptian film and television actress, revered as one of the most influential figures in Arab cinema. Her prolific career spanned over six decades, and she was often referred to as 'The Lady of the Arabic Screen.' [bio]

• 2019 Mary Oliver

  Mary Oliver was a renowned American poet celebrated for her profound and contemplative works exploring nature, humanity, and spirituality.

• 2022 Birju Maharaj

  Legendary Indian classical dancer and artist, renowned worldwide for his mastery of Kathak dance and significant contributions to Indian...