Famous people and celebrities who died in 1954

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1954. 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. 18 Sydney Greenstreet

  Actor (conflict of maltese falcon), died at 74

• Jan. 31 Florence Bates

  Actress (kismet. i remember mama), who dies at 65

• Feb. 13 Agnes Macphail

  First woman elected to the Canadian House of Commons.

• March 7 Otto Paul Hermann Diels

  Nobel Prize laureate for their discovery and development of the diene synthesis

• March 7 Otto Diels

  CHE - German chemist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1876)

• April 13 Samuel Jones

  Legendary Boston Celtics basketball player who was a five-time NBA All-Star during the 1960s, playing professionally for 12 seasons.

• April 28 Léon Jouhaux

  PEA - French union leader, nobel prize laureate (b. 1879)

• May 16 Werner Bischof

  Influential Swiss photojournalist who documented the human impact of World War II, capturing profound images of post-war devastation and human resilience.

• May 25 Robert Capa

  Renowned Hungarian-American war photographer who captured iconic images of conflicts like the Spanish Civil War and World War II, revolutionizing photojournalism.

• May 26 Lionel Conacher

  Legendary Canadian multi-sport athlete who excelled in football, hockey, and baseball, later becoming a prominent politician in Ontario.

• June 7 Alan Turing

  Alan Turing was a pioneering British mathematician, cryptanalyst, and computer scientist who played a crucial role in breaking Nazi Germany's Enigma code during World War II. He is considered the father of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence, with his groundbreaking work on computational theory fundamentally shaping modern computing. His tragic personal life, persecuted for his homosexuality, has made him …

• June 21 Gideon Sundback

  The zipper was invented by a swedish-american engineer (d. 1954).

• July 3 Reginald Marsh

  Reginald Marsh was an American painter known for his depictions of New York City life.

• July 13 Frida Kahlo

  Iconic Mexican artist known for her powerful, deeply personal paintings that explored themes of pain, identity, feminism, and self-expression. Her tumultuous life, marked by physical suffering and passionate relationships, profoundly influenced her groundbreaking artistic work. Kahlo became a global symbol of resilience, creativity, and feminist empowerment.

• July 13 Irving Pichel

  Dies at 63

• July 14 Jacinto Benavente

  LIT - Spanish author and playwright, nobel prize laureate (b. 1866)

• July 18 Machine Kelly

  Machine Gun Kelly (MGK) is a prominent American rapper, singer, and actor known for his dynamic rap style, crossover into rock music, and high-energy performances.

• Aug. 3 Colette

  French author known for her sensual and witty novels such as 'Gigi.'

• Aug. 17 Billy Murray

  Singer (denver nightengale), dies at 77

• Nov. 3 Henri Matisse

  French painter, sculptor, and lithographer. he is known for being one the most important and influential 1900s french painters. his simple, elegant line drawings are among the most important works of graphic art. but his abstract and intellectual use of color is what makes him stand out.

• Nov. 4 Stig Dagerman

  Stig Dagerman was a prominent Swedish journalist and author known for his existential and introspective literary works during the post-World War II period.

• Nov. 15 Lionel Barrymore

  American actor from the Barrymore family known for his role in 'It's a Wonderful Life.'

• Nov. 20 Clyde Cessna

  Cessna aircraft corporation was founded by an american businessman and pilot.

• Nov. 28 Enrico Fermi

  PHY - Italian-american physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (d. 1954)

• Dec. 8 Gladys George

  Prominent American stage and film actress of the 1930s and 1940s, known for her powerful performances in dramatic roles and her work in Hollywood's Golden Age.

• Dec. 20 James Hilton

  Renowned English-American novelist known for works like 'Lost Horizon' and 'Goodbye, Mr. Chips'. He was a successful writer in both literature and Hollywood screenwriting during the early 20th century.

• Dec. 25 Johnny Ace

  Johnny Ace was an influential American blues and R&B pianist and singer who tragically died at the height of his career, known for hits like 'Pledging My Love'.

What happened in 1954?

Discover what the world looked like in 1954: