Famous people and celebrities who died in 1962

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1962. 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. 13 Ernie Kovacs

  Pioneering television comedian known for his innovative and surreal comedy style, tragically killed in a car accident in West Los Angeles at the age of 42.

• Jan. 24 Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar

  Prominent Turkish novelist, poet, and literary scholar who significantly influenced modern Turkish literature through works exploring cultural transformation and identity.

• Feb. 6 Candido Portinari

  Celebrated Brazilian painter who masterfully captured the essence of Brazilian life and culture through his distinctive artistic style, becoming one of Brazil's most important artists of the 20th century.

• March 15 Arthur Compton

  American physicist, joint winner with c.t.r. wilson, england, was awarded the nobel prize for physics 1927 for explaining the wavelength change of x-rays caused by collisions with electrons in metals. the compton effect, also known as the "transfer of energy from an electron to an aphoton", is caused by this phenomenon. it was discovered in 1922 and confirmed that electromagnetic …

• April 10 Stuart Sutcliffe

  Original bassist of The Beatles and a talented artist who played a crucial role in the band's early formation before pursuing his artistic career.

• April 15 Esther Minciotti

  Dies at 74

• April 15 Arsenio Lacson

  Prominent Filipino journalist and politician who served as Mayor of Manila during the mid-20th century, known for his significant contributions to Philippine public life.

• April 23 Stirling Moss

  Legendary British racing driver considered one of the greatest Formula One drivers who never won a world championship. He was known for his exceptional skill and sportsmanship during the 1950s and early 1960s.

• April 24 Emilio Prados

  Emilio Prados was a Spanish poet and a member of the Generation of '27, a group of influential Spanish poets and intellectuals.

• May 13 Franz Kline

  Prominent American abstract expressionist painter known for his powerful black and white gestural paintings that were influential in the post-World War II art movement.

• May 31 Adolf Eichmann

  A high-ranking Nazi SS officer who was a key architect of the Holocaust, responsible for organizing the systematic deportation and extermination of millions of Jews during World War II. He played a crucial role in implementing the 'Final Solution' and was later captured in Argentina, put on trial in Israel, and executed for war crimes.

• June 6 Yves Klein

  Influential French artist considered a pivotal figure in post-war European art. Leader of Nouveau Réalisme, he was a pioneer in performance art and an inspiration for minimal and pop art movements.

• June 11 Chhabi Biswas

  Prominent Indian actor and director from the Bengali film industry, known for significant contributions to early 20th-century cinema.

• June 28 Mickey Cochrane

  Renowned Major League Baseball catcher and manager who played primarily for the Detroit Tigers, known for his exceptional leadership and playing skills during the 1920s and 1930s.

• July 6 William Faulkner

  LIT - American novelist and short story writer, nobel prize laureate (b. 1897)

• July 24 Victor Moore

  At 86, comedian dies from a heart attack

• Aug. 5 Marilyn Monroe

  Iconic Hollywood actress and sex symbol who became a global cultural phenomenon, known for her beauty, charisma, and memorable film roles in the 1950s and early 1960s.

• Aug. 7 Morris Louis

  Influential American abstract expressionist painter who was a key figure in the Color Field movement, known for his innovative use of color and large-scale stained canvas works.

• Aug. 9 Hermann Hesse

  LIT - German-born swiss poet, novelist, and painter, nobel prize laureate (b. 1877)

• Sept. 28 Roger Nimier

  French soldier and notable author who was an important literary figure in post-World War II France.

• Oct. 27 Enrico Mattei

  Enrico Mattei was a prominent Italian industrialist who revolutionized Italy's energy sector by transforming the national hydrocarbons authority ENI into a powerful state-owned oil company. He played a crucial role in Italy's post-war economic reconstruction and was known for challenging major international oil corporations. His mysterious death in a plane crash in 1962 has been the subject of numerous conspiracy …

• Nov. 7 Eleanor Roosevelt

  First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945, and a prominent American politician, diplomat, and activist.

• Nov. 18 Niels Bohr

  Danish physicist, who made fundamental contributions to understanding the atomic structure and quantum mechanics. he was awarded the nobel prize in physics in physics in 1922. bohr was also an educator and philosopher.

• Nov. 18 Niels Henrik David Bohr

  Nobel Prize laureate for his services in the investigation of the structure of atoms and of the radiation emanating from them

• Nov. 19 Jean Abrial

  French naval officer who aided the british during the evacuation of dunkirk, 1940. he was the governor general of algeria 1940-41 and was made secretary of navy by laval 11/18/42. he was sentenced to ten years hard labor by the french high court in 1946 for his collaboration with nazis. died 1962.

• Dec. 15 Charles Laughton

  Charles laughton was a renowned british actor known for his powerful performances in classic films such as the hunchback of notre dame and mutiny on the bounty.

• Dec. 17 Thomas Mitchell

  Renowned Hollywood character actor who won an Academy Award and appeared in classic films like 'Gone with the Wind' and 'It's a Wonderful Life'.

What happened in 1962?

Discover what the world looked like in 1962: