Famous people and celebrities who died in 1955

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1955. 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. 15 Yves Tanguy

  Yves Tanguy was a prominent French surrealist painter known for his unique, dreamlike landscapes that challenged traditional artistic representation. Born in Paris to Breton parents, he was deeply influenced by the surrealist movement and became a key figure alongside artists like Salvador Dalí and André Breton. His distinctive style featured biomorphic forms and enigmatic, otherworldly scenes that explored the subconscious.

• Jan. 18 Saadat Hasan Manto

  Renowned Urdu writer and playwright who is considered one of the most significant literary figures in South Asian literature, known for his powerful and controversial short stories about partition.

• Jan. 24 Ira Hayes

  Ira Hayes was a Native American Marine famous for being one of the six soldiers who raised the American flag during the iconic Iwo Jima photograph in World War II, symbolizing American military heroism.

• Jan. 31 John Raleigh Mott

  Nobel Prize laureate for his contribution to the creation of a peace-promoting religious brotherhood across national boundaries

• Jan. 31 John Mott

  PEA - American activist, nobel prize laureate (b. 1865)

• March 9 Matthew Henson

  Matthew henson was an american explorer known for being the first african-american arctic explorer and for his expeditions to the north pole with robert peary.

• March 11 Alexander Fleming

  MED - Scottish biologist, pharmacologist, and botanist, nobel prize laureate (b. 1881)

• March 16 Nicolas de Staël

  Renowned Russian-French painter and illustrator known for his abstract and expressive artistic style. A significant figure in post-war European art who tragically died young.

• April 7 Theda Bara

  American actress (b. 1885)

• April 18 Albert Einstein

  German-swiss-american scientist, a physicist who developed the theory of relativity in 1905, and the general theory in 1916, laying the groundwork for 20th century physics and providing the essential structure of the cosmos. for his contributions to theoretical physics, particularly his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect, he was awarded the nobel prize in 1922. his name is …

• May 16 James Agee

  James Agee was a renowned American writer, film critic, journalist, and poet known for his influential works like 'Let Us Now Praise Famous Men' and his film criticism.

• May 26 Alberto Ascari

  Legendary Italian Formula One racing driver who won two consecutive World Championships in 1952 and 1953. He was tragically killed during a test drive at Monza Circuit, becoming one of motorsport's most iconic figures.

• June 11 Walter Hampden

  American actor. he is known as the dean of shakespearean actors. in 1905, he played hamlet's first performance. the star was ill and he assumed the role. he was a success for 24 years.

• July 13 Ruth Ellis

  The last woman to be executed in the United Kingdom, Ruth Ellis became infamous for murdering her abusive lover David Blakeley in 1955. Her case sparked significant debate about domestic violence and capital punishment.

• July 23 Cordell Hull

  PEA - American captain, lawyer, and politician, 47th united states secretary of state, nobel prize laureate (b. 1871)

• Aug. 5 Carmen Miranda

  Iconic Brazilian-Portuguese actress and singer who became a Hollywood sensation in the 1940s, known for her vibrant performances, exotic costumes, and unique musical style that brought Latin American flair to American entertainment.

• Aug. 12 Thomas Mann

  German writer. he is the author of novels and plays as well as essays. in 1929, mann was awarded the nobel prize for literature for his novel "buddenbrooks", which was based on his family. mann was respected by critics throughout his career and a popular figure among the public. mann was able to transform personal stories into literary works. his …

• Aug. 12 James B. Sumner

  CHE - American chemist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1887)

• Aug. 12 James Batcheller Sumner

  Nobel Prize laureate for his discovery that enzymes can be crystallized

• Aug. 28 Emmett Till

  Emmett Till was a 14-year-old African American whose brutal murder in 1955 became a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement, exposing the brutal racism of the Jim Crow era.

• Aug. 31 Willi Baumeister

  German abstract painter, during the 1930s. he used deep images of the unconscious mass to portray common themes.

• Sept. 30 James Dean

  Iconic American actor who became a cultural symbol of teenage rebellion in the 1950s. He starred in legendary films like 'Rebel Without a Cause' and 'East of Eden', and tragically died in a car accident at the age of 24. His brief but impactful career made him a lasting Hollywood legend.

• Oct. 15 Fumio Hayasaka

  Renowned Japanese film composer who significantly contributed to the golden age of Japanese cinema, working with notable directors like Akira Kurosawa.

• Oct. 19 John Hodiak

  John Hodiak was a notable American actor who transitioned from radio to film, gaining prominence with Alfred Hitchcock's 'Lifeboat' in 1943. He appeared in several significant films during the 1940s, including adaptations of John Hersey's works like 'Marriage is a Private Affair' and 'A Bell for Adano'.

• Nov. 22 Shemp Howard

  American comedian and actor (heart attack). 1895)

• Nov. 25 Louis Lachenal

  Renowned French mountaineer known for his significant alpine climbing achievements during the mid-20th century.

• Dec. 13 António Caetano de Abreu Freire Egas Moniz

  Nobel Prize laureate for his discovery of the therapeutic value of leucotomy in certain psychoses

What happened in 1955?

Discover what the world looked like in 1955: