Famous people and celebrities who died in 1953

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1953. 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. 1 Hank Williams

  Legendary country music pioneer who revolutionized the genre with his raw, emotional songwriting and distinctive vocal style. He wrote approximately 125 songs without formal musical training and profoundly influenced modern country music. His short but impactful career established him as one of the most important musicians of the 20th century.

• Jan. 28 Derek Bentley

  Tragic figure in British legal history, Derek Bentley was a learning-disabled young man involved in a controversial murder case that led to significant legal reforms.

• Feb. 28 Jim Thorpe

  American professional athlete who won awards for over seven events: the 100 meter dash and the 1500 meter run, as well as the broad jump, broad jump, discuss, 100 meter hurdle, high jump, shot put, high jump, and the 100 meter hurdle. he was a football halfback and a head coach from 1915-1917. after that, he went on to play …

• March 5 Joseph Stalin

  Russian politician and marxist at the age of 15. he defeated trotsky to become the country's leader after the death of lenin. he founded "pravda", the communist party's newspaper, in 1911. he was eventually elected prime minister and leader of the communist party of the ussr. he was the author of numerous books about socialism and believed he was leading …

• March 23 Raoul Dufy

  French Fauvist painter known for his colorful and decorative style.

• May 1 Everett Shinn

  Everett Shinn was an American playwright and screenwriter who was known for his social commentary in his works.

• May 2 Wallace Bryant

  Wallace Bryant was a talented basketball player who made a mark in the sport.

• May 11 Jean Adair

  Dies at 80

• May 16 Django Reinhardt

  Django Reinhardt was a pioneering Belgian jazz guitarist who revolutionized gypsy jazz music despite losing the use of two fingers in a fire. He developed unique playing techniques that allowed him to become one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century. His innovative style and virtuosic performances made him a legendary figure in jazz history.

• June 19 Ethel Rosenberg

  Ethel Rosenberg was an American woman convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage during the Cold War, executed alongside her husband Julius for allegedly passing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union. Her case remains controversial, with many historians believing her conviction was unjust and politically motivated.

• June 19 Julius Rosenberg

  Julius Rosenberg was an American spy convicted of passing nuclear secrets to the Soviet Union during the Cold War, becoming the first US citizen executed for espionage.

• July 26 Nikolaos Plastiras

  A Greek general and politician who served as Prime Minister of Greece on several occasions.

• Oct. 8 Nigel Bruce

  British actor (d. 1953).

• Oct. 8 Kathleen Ferrier

  Renowned English contralto who was a celebrated classical singer, known for her exceptional vocal range and emotional depth in performances of opera and art songs.

• Oct. 29 William Kapell

  Renowned American classical pianist known for his exceptional interpretations of works by composers like Prokofiev and Rachmaninoff, who tragically died in a plane crash at the height of his career.

• Nov. 8 Ivan Alekseyevich Bunin

  Nobel Prize laureate for the strict artistry with which he has carried on the classical Russian traditions in prose writing

• Nov. 8 Ivan Bunin

  LIT - Russian author and poet, nobel prize laureate (b. 1870)

• Nov. 9 Dylan Thomas

  Dylan Thomas was a renowned Welsh poet and writer, famous for his lyrical and emotionally powerful poetry. He is best known for his iconic poem 'Do not go gentle into that good night' and his significant contributions to 20th-century literature.

• Nov. 21 Felice Bonetto

  Felice Bonetto was a prominent Italian racing driver who competed in Formula One during the 1950s. He was known for his skill and courage on the track, participating in several Grand Prix events. Bonetto tragically died in a racing accident in 1953.

• Nov. 27 Eugene O'Neill

  American journalist and playwright. he won the pulitzer prize four years running: "beyond the horizon," 1920; "anna christie," 1922; "strange interlude," 1928; and "long day's journey into night," 1956.

• Nov. 27 Eugene Gladstone O'Neill

  Nobel Prize laureate for the power, honesty and deep-felt emotions of his dramatic works, which embody an original concept of tragedy

• Dec. 5 Jorge Negrete

  Jorge Negrete was a legendary Mexican actor and singer known as the 'Charro Cantor' during the Golden Age of Mexican cinema. He was a pivotal figure in the film industry, helping establish the Film Production Union and leading the National Association of Actors (ANDA). His marriage to María Félix was one of the most famous celebrity unions of his time.

• Dec. 10 Abdullah Yusuf Ali

  Renowned for his translation of the Quran into English.

• Dec. 14 Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

  Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings was an American author and journalist who is best known for her novel 'The Yearling', for which she won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1939.

• Dec. 19 Robert Andrews Millikan

  PHY - American physicist and eugenicist, nobel prize laureate (b. 1868)

What happened in 1953?

Discover what the world looked like in 1953: