Famous people and celebrities who died on December 7

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on December 7. On this day, we honor the lives and legacies of notable figures from various fields who left an indelible mark on the world. Explore our list to learn about their remarkable contributions and celebrate their enduring impact.

• 1906 Élie Ducommun

  PEA - Swiss journalist and educator, nobel prize laureate (b. 1833)

• 1947 Nicholas Murray Butler

  PEA - American philosopher and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1862)

• 1956 Huntley Gordon

  Huntley Gordon was a Canadian actor known for his work in silent and sound films.

• 1969 Eric Portman

  Eric Portman was a prominent English stage and film actor known for his versatile roles in British cinema during the mid-20th century, particularly in classic films of the 1940s and 1950s.

• 1975 Thornton Wilder

  Thornton Wilder was an American playwright known for works like 'Our Town' and 'The Skin of Our Teeth.'

• 1977 Peter Carl Goldmark

  Pioneering Hungarian-American engineer who made significant contributions to television technology and long-playing (LP) record development at CBS.

• 1979 Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin

  A pioneering astronomer who revolutionized our understanding of stellar composition, revealing that stars are primarily composed of hydrogen and helium. She was the first woman to become a professor at Harvard's astronomy department and made groundbreaking contributions to astrophysics.

• 1980 Darby Crash

  Influential punk rock musician and lead singer of The Germs, known for his tragic early death and significant impact on the Los Angeles punk scene.

• 1984 Jeanne Cagney

  Actress (quicksand kentucky rifle), dies aged 65

• 1985 Potter Stewart

  Potter Stewart was a distinguished United States Supreme Court Justice who served from 1958 to 1981, known for his moderate and pragmatic judicial approach. He was a significant figure in American legal history, contributing to landmark decisions during a transformative period of the Supreme Court.

• 1985 Robert Graves

  English poet, novelist, and scholar, best known for his historical novel I, Claudius and his autobiographical work Goodbye to All That.

• 1990 Joan Bennett

  Versatile Hollywood actress who successfully transitioned from blonde ingénue to sultry brunette, starring in notable films like 'Scarlet Street' and appearing in the cult TV series 'Dark Shadows'.

• 1993 Abidin Dino

  Renowned Turkish-French illustrator and painter who significantly contributed to modern art in the 20th century, bridging artistic traditions between Turkey and France.

• 1994 Elga Andersen

  German/french model/actress (global affair) dies at 58

• 1996 Jose Donoso

  Renowned Chilean novelist and key figure in the Latin American literary boom, best known for his surrealist novel 'The Obscene Bird of Night'.

• 1998 Martin Rodbell

  MED - American biochemist and endocrinologist, nobel prize laureate (d. 1998)

• 2003 Azie Taylor Morton

  American educator and politician who served as the 36th Treasurer of the United States, breaking barriers as an African American woman in a high-level government position.

• 2006 Jeane Kirkpatrick

  Prominent American diplomat and political scientist who served as the 16th U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations during the Reagan administration, known for her influential foreign policy perspectives.

• 2011 Harry Morgan

  Renowned American actor best known for his iconic roles in TV series M*A*S*H and Dragnet, with a career spanning over five decades in film and television.

• 2012 Saul Steinberg

  Prominent American businessman and financier known for his significant contributions to the financial industry, particularly in investment and corporate strategy.

• 2013 Édouard Molinaro

  Renowned French film director, producer, and screenwriter known for iconic comedies like 'La Cage aux Folles' and 'Oscar', who significantly influenced French cinema in the 20th century.

• 2013 Chick Willis

  American blues singer and guitarist who was an influential figure in the rhythm and blues music scene.

• 2016 Greg Lake

  Renowned British progressive rock musician, best known as a member of the influential bands Emerson, Lake & Palmer and King Crimson. He was a significant figure in the development of progressive rock during the 1970s.

• 2016 Phillip Knightley

  Renowned Australian investigative journalist and media critic known for his insightful work on intelligence services and propaganda. He was a respected visiting professor of journalism at the University of Lincoln in England.

• 2017 Steve Reevis

  Native american actor (b. 1962)

• 2020 Chuck Yeager

  Legendary test pilot who broke the sound barrier in the Bell X-1 aircraft, revolutionizing aviation history and becoming a symbol of American aerospace achievement.

• 2020 Dick Allen

  Legendary Philadelphia Phillies baseball player known for his powerful hitting and complex career. He was the National League MVP in 1972 and is considered one of the most talented players of his era.

• 2023 Benjamin Zephaniah

  Renowned British poet, performance artist, and activist known for powerful works addressing social justice, racism, and political issues. He was a prominent voice in contemporary British poetry and a respected cultural figure.