Famous people and celebrities who died in September 1981

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in September 1981. This month marked the loss of influential and beloved figures whose contributions spanned various fields and touched many lives. Explore our detailed list to remember and celebrate their enduring legacies and the remarkable impact they had on the world

Sept. 1 Ann Harding
Ann Harding was a prominent American film actress of the 1930s, known for her sophisticated roles in romantic dramas and comedies. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress and was a major Hollywood star during the Golden Age of cinema.
Sept. 1 Albert Speer
German architect and author (b. 1905)
Sept. 1 Bui Thanh Liem
Vietnam -- cosmonaut dies in mig-21 accident at 32
Sept. 3 Alec Waugh
English soldier and author (b. 1898)
Sept. 4 Verne Rowe
Actor (vernefernwood 2 night), dies at the age of 59
Sept. 5 Ayatollah Ali Qoddusi
Assassination of the prosecutor-general for iran
Sept. 6 Maria Palmer
Actress (days of glory web)
Sept. 7 Christy Brown
Irish novelist from Dublin, famous for his autobiographical works including 'My Left Foot' and 'Down All the Days'.
Sept. 8 Roy Wilkins
Roy Wilkins was a prominent civil rights leader who served as executive director of the NAACP from 1955 to 1977, playing a crucial role in advancing racial equality in the United States.
Sept. 8 Hideki Yukawa
PHY - Japanese physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (d. 1981)
Sept. 8 Nisargadatta Maharaj
Indian guru, philosopher, and educator (b. 1897)
Sept. 8 Hediki Joekawa
Japan's physicist (nobel 49) at 74
Sept. 9 Jacques Lacan
Influential French psychoanalyst who significantly reinterpreted Freudian theory and became a major intellectual figure in 20th-century psychology. He revolutionized psychoanalysis through his complex linguistic and philosophical approach to understanding human subjectivity. His seminars and writings profoundly impacted critical theory, philosophy, and cultural studies.
Sept. 9 Robert Askin
Robert Askin was an influential Australian politician who served as the 32nd Premier of New South Wales from 1965 to 1975. He played a significant role in the state's political landscape during a transformative period of Australian history.
Sept. 12 Eugenio Montale
LIT - Italian writer, nobel prize laureate (b. 1896)
Sept. 14 William Loeb III
American newspaper publisher known for his influential and controversial role in conservative media during the mid-20th century.
Sept. 14 Furry Lewis
American singer-songwriter and guitarist (b. 1899)
Sept. 14 [Walter] Furry Lewis
Father of blues dies at 88 from a heart attack
Sept. 15 Sara Haden
Actress (a family affair) dies at 83
Sept. 15 Rafael Mendez
Mexican trumpet virtuoso (born 1906)
Sept. 19 Joke Kool-Smit
Dutch feminist
Sept. 21 Nigel Patrick
British actor and director known for his work in film and television during the mid-20th century, recognized with prestigious awards.
Sept. 22 Harry Warren
American composer and lyricist (born in 1893)
Sept. 23 Chief Dan George
Actor (harry & tonto: little big man) dies at 82
Sept. 27 Robert Montgomery
Versatile Hollywood actor and director who successfully transitioned between film and television, serving in World War II and earning Oscar and Emmy nominations.
Sept. 28 Rómulo Betancourt
Influential Venezuelan politician known as the 'Father of Venezuelan Democracy', who served as president from 1945 to 1948 and again from 1959 to 1964. He played a crucial role in establishing democratic governance in Venezuela after years of dictatorship.
Sept. 29 Bill Shankly
Legendary Scottish footballer and manager who transformed Liverpool Football Club, leading them to multiple domestic and European successes, and becoming an iconic figure in football history.
Sept. 29 Frances Yates
British writer and famous warburg institute author, best known for her biography on giordano bruno.