Famous people and celebrities who died in 1948

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1948. This year saw the loss of many influential and beloved figures who left a lasting impact on the world. From entertainment icons and sports legends to renowned scholars and public figures, our comprehensive list pays tribute to their lives and legacies. Join us in honoring their contributions and celebrating their achievements as we reflect on their remarkable stories.

• Jan. 2 Vicente Huidobro

  A Chilean poet, playwright, and novelist who was a pioneer of the avant-garde movement in Latin American literature.

• Jan. 8 Kurt Schwitters

  German artist who was influential in the Dada movement, known for his collages and sound poetry.

• Jan. 24 Maria Mandel

  Notorious SS-Oberaufseherin (Senior Overseer) at Auschwitz concentration camp, known for her extreme cruelty and involvement in the Holocaust. She was responsible for the murder and abuse of thousands of female prisoners and was executed for war crimes.

• Jan. 26 John Lomax

  Noted folklorist and musicologist who collected and preserved American folk songs.

• Jan. 30 Orville Wright

  American aviation pioneer who built the first successful plane with his brother wilbur. he flew the first flight 120 feet in 12 seconds, at kill devil hill, kittyhawk, nc, after tossing a coin.

• Jan. 30 Mahatma Gandhi

  Mahatma gandhi was a prominent civil rights leader known for his nonviolent resistance to british rule in india and his role in india's independence movement.

• Feb. 6 Robert Brasillach

  French right-wing journalist and intellectual who was a prominent collaborationist during World War II. He was a key figure in the pro-Nazi press and was executed for his collaboration after the liberation of France. His controversial life and execution remain significant in discussions of French intellectual history during the Nazi occupation.

• Feb. 14 Mordecai Brown

  Mordecai Brown was a legendary baseball pitcher known for his exceptional pitching skills.

• March 4 Antonin Artaud

  French poet, theoretician, and playwright. his ideals were poe and baudelaire. he started a magazine with his friends at the age of 14. he founded theatre of life/theater of cruelty as an adult. artaud suffered from mental and physical hardships all his life. artaud nearly died of meningitis when he was five years old. he suffered from severe headaches and …

• March 6 Ross Lockridge

  American novelist best known for his epic historical novel 'Raintree County', published in 1948 after seven years of dedicated writing. Tragically, he died by suicide shortly after the book's publication.

• March 10 Zelda Fitzgerald

  Zelda Fitzgerald was a prominent figure of the Jazz Age, known for her vibrant personality, literary talents, and tumultuous relationship with her husband F. Scott Fitzgerald. She was a writer, artist, and cultural icon who embodied the spirit of the 1920s, challenging traditional gender roles and societal norms.

• March 10 Jan Masaryk

  Czech soldier and politician (b. 1886)

• April 2 Sabahattin Ali

  Prominent Turkish writer known for his critical social realism and significant contributions to modern Turkish literature. He was a journalist, novelist, and poet who challenged political oppression through his works. Ali was tragically murdered, likely due to his political views.

• April 9 Jorge Eliécer Gaitán

  Prominent Colombian political leader and lawyer who served as the 16th Minister of National Education, assassinated in 1948 which triggered significant political upheaval in Colombia.

• April 21 Aldo Leopold

  American scientist, author, ecologist and forester. he was a professor at the university of wisconsin. his book, a sand county almanac (1949), has been sold over two million times.

• May 24 Jacques Feyder

  Belgian screenwriter and actor (d. 1948).

• May 25 Witold Pilecki

  A heroic Polish resistance fighter during World War II who voluntarily entered Auschwitz concentration camp to gather intelligence about Nazi atrocities. He was the first to provide detailed reports about the Holocaust to the Western Allies. After the war, he was executed by the communist regime for his resistance activities.

• June 13 Osamu Dazai

  Renowned Japanese novelist known for influential works like 'No Longer Human', a key figure in post-war Japanese literature who explored themes of alienation and existential despair.

• July 5 Carole Landis

  Carole Landis was a prominent Hollywood actress and pin-up model during World War II, known for her roles in comedies and dramas, who tragically died by suicide at age 29.

• July 11 King Baggot

  Actor (tish san francisco), died at 68

• July 21 Arshile Gorky

  Arshile Gorky was a pioneering Armenian-American abstract expressionist painter who significantly influenced modern art. He bridged European modernist techniques with American avant-garde movements, creating deeply personal and emotionally charged artworks. His style evolved from surrealism to abstract expressionism, making him a crucial figure in 20th-century art history.

• Aug. 13 Elaine Hammerstein

  American actress (born 1897).

• Aug. 16 Babe Ruth

  Iconic baseball player who set numerous records in his career.

• Sept. 13 Paul Wegener

  German writer, actor, and film director. he is well-known for his pioneering role within german expressionist cinema.

• Sept. 24 Warren William

  Actor (fear wolf man, madame x), is killed at 53

• Sept. 28 Gregg Toland

  Legendary Hollywood cinematographer famous for his innovative deep-focus techniques, most notably in Orson Welles' 'Citizen Kane'.

• Oct. 10 Mary Eaton

  Mary Eaton was a prominent American actress during the transition from silent films to talkies, appearing in numerous productions during the 1920s and early 1930s.

• Oct. 10 Ted Horn

  Accomplished American race car driver who won national championship titles in 1946 and 1947, and was posthumously inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1993.

• Nov. 9 Edgar Kennedy

  Actor (little orphan annie), passes away at 58

• Nov. 23 Hack Wilson

  Hack Wilson was a notable American baseball player known for his powerful hitting and significant contributions to the sport during the early 20th century.

What happened in 1948?

Discover what the world looked like in 1948: