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)

  • Maria Palmer
    Sept. 6 Maria Palmer

    Actress (days of glory web)

  • Sept. 6 Joseph Yasser

    Composer dies at 88

  • 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. 11 Frank McHugh

    Actor (dawn patrol and going my way), passes away at 83

  • 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 Yasuji Kiyose

    Composer dies at 81

  • Sept. 14 [Walter] Furry Lewis

    Father of blues dies at 88 from a heart attack

  • Nigel Patrick
    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. 21 Tony Aubin

    Composer dies at 73

  • Sept. 22 Harry Warren

    American composer and lyricist (born in 1893)

  • Chief Dan George
    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 RĂ³mulo 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.