Famous people and celebrities who died on December 16

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on December 16. 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.

• 1897 Alphonse Daudet

  French poet, playwright and novelist. after a difficult childhood and a lack of education, he was made an instructor at ales. this experience is referred to in his first novel 1868. he moved to paris in 1857 to publish his romantic verses and short stories. his success was so great that he was appointed secretary to duc de morney, who …

• 1922 Eliezer Ben-Yehuda

  Revived the Hebrew language and culture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

• 1935 Thelma Todd

  Thelma Todd was a talented American actress and comedian of the early Hollywood era, known for her comedic roles in numerous films during the 1920s and 1930s.

• 1945 Giovanni III Agnelli

  Giovanni Agnelli was a prominent Italian industrialist and key leader of Fiat, playing a crucial role in transforming the company into a global automotive powerhouse.

• 1949 Sidney Olcott

  Canadian-american screenwriter and producer of actor (d. 1949).

• 1968 Futabayama Sadaji

  The 35th yokozuna in sumo wrestling history, a highly respected and accomplished professional sumo wrestler who achieved significant status in the sport.

• 1976 Réal Caouette

  Canadian politician and journalist who was a prominent figure in Quebec's political landscape during the mid-20th century.

• 1980 Hellmuth Walter

  German-American engineer and inventor known for his pioneering work in rocket propulsion technology during the mid-20th century. He made significant contributions to aerospace engineering and developed innovative rocket engine designs.

• 1982 Colin Chapman

  Colin Chapman was a revolutionary automotive engineer who founded Lotus Cars and significantly influenced Formula One racing design and engineering.

• 1985 Paul Castellano

  Notorious mafia boss of the Gambino crime family who was assassinated outside Sparks Steak House in Manhattan by John Gotti, marking a significant moment in organized crime history.

• 1989 Lee Van Cleef

  Lee Van Cleef was a legendary Hollywood actor famous for playing iconic villains in Western films. He transitioned from an accountant and Navy veteran to a renowned film actor after his breakthrough role in 'High Noon'. His distinctive looks and intense screen presence made him a memorable figure in cinema.

• 1989 Silvana Mangano

  Iconic Italian actress who rose to international fame with her breakthrough role in 'Bitter Rice' (1949), becoming a symbol of post-war Italian cinema. She was a celebrated beauty queen and actress known for her striking looks and powerful screen presence.

• 1989 Aileen Pringle

  Actress (age consent, convicted night parade)

• 1993 Moses Gunn

  Prominent African-American stage and film actor who co-founded the Negro Ensemble Company and won a Tony Award in 1976 for his powerful theatrical performances.

• 1993 Kakuei Tanaka

  Influential Japanese politician who served as the 64th Prime Minister of Japan from 1972 to 1974, known for his significant political and economic reforms.

• 1996 Laurens van der Post

  Renowned South African author, farmer, and war hero who served as a cultural anthropologist and political adviser, known for his profound insights into human nature and indigenous cultures.

• 1996 Jean-Pierre Lévy

  Prominent French Resistance leader during World War II, heading the significant resistance movement Franc-tireur, who played a crucial role in fighting Nazi occupation.

• 1997 Lillian Disney

  Lillian Disney was the wife of Walt Disney and a businesswoman who helped manage the Disney family's financial affairs.

• 1997 Nicolette Larson

  Nicolette Larson was an accomplished American singer and songwriter known for her hit single 'Lotta Love' and her work in country and rock music.

• 2001 Stefan Heym

  Stefan Heym was a prominent German-Jewish writer and political activist who fled Nazi Germany, served in the US Army during World War II, and later became an important literary figure in East Germany.

• 2001 Stuart Adamson

  Stuart Adamson was a renowned Scottish musician, guitarist, and songwriter known for his work with bands The Skids and Big Country, who tragically died in 2001.

• 2004 Agnes Martin

  Influential Canadian-American abstract painter recognized for her minimalist grid paintings and profound contributions to post-war art movements.

• 2007 Dan Fogelberg

  Renowned American singer-songwriter and folk-rock musician known for his soft rock hits and poetic lyrics, particularly famous for the nostalgic holiday song 'Same Auld Lang Syne'.

• 2009 Roy E. Disney

  Roy E. Disney was a key executive who led the strategic renaissance of The Walt Disney Company during the 1980s and 1990s, playing a crucial role in revitalizing the company's creative and financial fortunes.

• 2009 Yegor Gaidar

  Prominent Russian economist and politician who served as first deputy prime minister during a critical period of post-Soviet economic transition. He played a key role in implementing radical market reforms in Russia during the early 1990s. His economic policies significantly shaped Russia's transformation from a communist to a market economy.

• 2011 Nicol Williamson

  Nicol Williamson was a renowned British actor celebrated for his powerful stage performances and memorable film roles, particularly in theater and Arthurian adaptations.

• 2017 Keely Smith

  Renowned American jazz and pop singer known for her work with Louis Prima and her successful solo career in the 1950s and 1960s.