Famous people and celebrities who died in 1970

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1970. 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. 3 Gladys Aylward

  Gladys Aylward was a courageous British missionary who dedicated her life to serving children in China during the early 20th century. She established an orphanage and worked tirelessly to improve the lives of local people, becoming a symbol of humanitarian service and cross-cultural compassion.

• Jan. 14 William Feller

  Renowned Croatian-American mathematician known for significant contributions to probability theory and mathematical statistics.

• Feb. 24 Conrad Nagel

  Actor (celebrity time), passes away at 73

• Feb. 25 Mark Rothko

  Mark Rothko was a pioneering abstract expressionist painter known for his large color field paintings that explored profound emotional and spiritual dimensions. He was a key figure in the New York School of art and significantly influenced modern art in the post-war period.

• April 11 Cathy O'Donnell

  American actress known for her roles in classic Hollywood films during the 1940s and 1950s.

• April 17 Shakeel Badayuni

  Shakeel Badayuni was a prominent Indian lyricist who significantly contributed to Bollywood's golden era of music during the 1950s and 1960s. He wrote memorable songs that became timeless classics in Indian cinema. His poetic lyrics were known for their emotional depth and linguistic beauty.

• April 30 Inger Stevens

  Swedish-American actress known for her role in 'The Farmer's Daughter' TV series. She experienced a challenging childhood marked by insecurity and loneliness. Her career was tragically cut short by her early death at 35.

• May 14 Billie Burke

  American actress best known for her role as Glinda the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz.

• May 23 Nydia Westman

  Actress (going my way young mr bobbins) dies at the age of 68

• May 31 Terry Sawchuk

  Legendary NHL goaltender known for his exceptional skills with the Detroit Red Wings, considered one of the greatest goaltenders in hockey history.

• June 2 Bruce McLaren

  Legendary New Zealand racing driver and automotive engineer who founded McLaren Racing, pioneering significant innovations in motorsport and achieving remarkable success in Formula One and sports car racing before his tragic death in a testing accident.

• June 3 Hjalmar Schacht

  German financier-banker and entrepreneur. schacht was a former official in the government and financial administrator for occupied belgium during world war i. he supervised german financial policy under the nazi regime. he was imprisoned in 1944 by the nazis and was later acquitted at nuremberg of war crimes. after the war, schacht was able to recover his fortune.

• June 8 Abraham Maslow

  Abraham Maslow was a pioneering American psychologist who developed the famous hierarchy of needs theory, fundamentally transforming our understanding of human motivation and psychological development.

• June 16 Brian Piccolo

  American football player known for his inspiring story of courage battling cancer, immortalized in the film 'Brian's Song'.

• June 21 Sukarno

  First President of Indonesia who led the country's independence movement and played a crucial role in its transition from Dutch colonial rule to a sovereign nation.

• June 21 Achmed Sukarno

  Revolutionary leader who fought for Indonesian independence, negotiating sovereignty from the Netherlands after a four-year struggle and becoming the country's first president.

• July 6 Marjorie Rambeau

  Dies at 80

• Aug. 1 Frances Farmer

  Controversial American actress known for her tumultuous personal life and significant contributions to film and stage during the 1930s. Her career was marked by rebellious behavior and struggles with mental health and substance abuse. She became an iconic figure representing the complexities of Hollywood's golden era.

• Sept. 3 Vince Lombardi

  Iconic NFL coach who transformed the Green Bay Packers and became synonymous with excellence and leadership in American football.

• Sept. 11 Chester Morris

  Chester Morris was a prominent American actor known for his roles in films during the 1930s and 1940s, particularly in the Boston Blackie detective film series.

• Sept. 18 Jimi Hendrix

  Legendary rock guitarist and singer who revolutionized electric guitar playing and became an iconic symbol of 1960s counterculture. His innovative music and electrifying performances at Woodstock and in England transformed rock music forever. He tragically died at 27, leaving an indelible mark on music history.

• Sept. 23 Bourvil

  Iconic French comedian and actor who became a beloved national figure through his memorable performances in classic comedy films, particularly his legendary collaborations with Louis de Funès.

• Sept. 28 Abdel Gamal Nasser

  Gamal Abdel Nasser was a pivotal Egyptian leader who transformed the Arab world through his revolutionary politics and pan-Arab nationalism. He led Egypt's 1952 revolution, nationalized the Suez Canal, and became a symbol of anti-colonial resistance in the Middle East.

• Sept. 29 Edward Everett Horton

  Actor/narrator (bulwinkle show), dies at the age of 84

• Oct. 4 Janis Joplin

  Iconic rock and blues singer of the 1960s counterculture, known for her powerful, raw vocal style and tragic early death from heroin overdose. She was a key figure in the psychedelic rock scene with bands like Big Brother and the Holding Company. Her music profoundly influenced rock and blues genres.

• Nov. 9 Charles de Gaulle

  Prominent French statesman who led the Free French Forces during World War II and later served as the President of France.

• Nov. 17 Naunton Wayne

  Actor (dead of night), dies in 69

• Nov. 25 Yukio Mishima

  Prominent Japanese post-war writer known for exploring the tension between traditional Japanese culture and Western influences. His novel 'The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea' is considered a masterpiece. Life magazine compared him to Ernest Hemingway.

• Dec. 30 Sonny Liston

  Legendary heavyweight boxer known for his intimidating style and powerful punches, who was world heavyweight champion from 1962 to 1964.

What happened in 1970?

Discover what the world looked like in 1970: