Famous people and celebrities who died on December 20

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on December 20. 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.

• 1954 James Hilton

  Renowned English-American novelist known for works like 'Lost Horizon' and 'Goodbye, Mr. Chips'. He was a successful writer in both literature and Hollywood screenwriting during the early 20th century.

• 1961 Moss Hart

  Renowned American playwright and theater director who significantly contributed to Broadway's golden age, collaborating with George S. Kaufman and winning multiple awards.

• 1968 John Steinbeck

  Renowned American novelist who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1962. His most famous works include 'The Grapes of Wrath' and 'Of Mice and Men', which profoundly depicted the human condition during the Great Depression.

• 1971 Roy Disney

  Roy Disney was the co-founder of The Walt Disney Company and the older brother of Walt Disney.

• 1973 Bobby Darin

  Bobby Darin was a versatile American entertainer who excelled as a singer, songwriter, and actor, best known for his iconic hit 'Mack the Knife' and his Oscar-nominated acting performance.

• 1973 Luis Carrero Blanco

  Spanish admiral and politician who served as president of the Spanish government, assassinated in 1973 in a notable political killing.

• 1974 André Jolivet

  André Jolivet was a prominent 20th-century French composer known for his innovative musical style and significant contributions to contemporary classical music. He was a key figure in the avant-garde musical movement and composed works for various instrumental ensembles.

• 1976 Richard Daley

  Powerful Democratic mayor of Chicago who served from 1955 to 1976, known for his strong political machine and controversial handling of the 1968 Democratic National Convention protests.

• 1984 Stanley Milgram

  Stanley Milgram was a groundbreaking social psychologist famous for his controversial obedience experiments that revealed disturbing insights into human behavior and conformity.

• 1984 Dmitry Ustinov

  Soviet military leader who served as Minister of Defence from 1976 to 1984, playing a significant role in Soviet military strategy.

• 1988 Max Robinson

  Groundbreaking African American television journalist who became the first Black anchor of ABC Evening News. He tragically died from AIDS in 1988, marking a significant moment in media diversity and HIV/AIDS awareness.

• 1991 Thomas Newman

  Renowned film composer known for scoring movies like 'American Beauty' and 'Skyfall', who unfortunately passed away prematurely.

• 1991 Helene Heigh

  Actress (undercover woman teen age thunder), died at 86

• 1991 Simone Beck

  Renowned French culinary expert who co-authored the groundbreaking cookbook 'Mastering the Art of French Cooking' with Julia Child. She was a significant figure in introducing French cuisine to American home cooks during the mid-20th century.

• 1991 Walter Chiari

  Iconic Italian actor and comedian who was immensely popular in mid-20th century Italian cinema and theater.

• 1994 Dean Rusk

  Prominent American diplomat who served as Secretary of State during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, playing a crucial role in US foreign policy during the Cold War era.

• 1995 Madge Sinclair

  Jamaican-born actress known for her roles in television and film, including the TV series 'Roots' where she played Kunta Kinte's mother.

• 1996 Carl Sagan

  Carl Sagan was a renowned American astronomer, astrophysicist, and science communicator who popularized complex scientific concepts for the general public through his groundbreaking TV series 'Cosmos' and numerous influential books.

• 1997 Denise Levertov

  Renowned British-American poet who made significant contributions to modern poetry during and after World War II, publishing influential works in prestigious literary journals and establishing herself as a respected voice in 20th-century poetry.

• 1998 Alan Lloyd Hodgkin

  MED - English physiologist, biophysicist, and academic, nobel prize laureate (d. 1998)

• 1999 Hank Snow

  Legendary Canadian-American country western singer and guitarist who was a prominent member of the Grand Ole Opry, famous for his hit song 'I'm Movin' On'.

• 2001 Léopold Sédar Senghor

  Renowned Senegalese poet, philosopher, and politician who served as the first president of Senegal, celebrated for his significant contributions to African literature and postcolonial cultural identity.

• 2005 Raoul Bott

  Raoul Bott was a renowned mathematician who made significant contributions to algebraic topology, particularly known for the Bott periodicity theorem and his work in differential geometry.

• 2008 Robert Mulligan

  Robert Mulligan was an acclaimed American film director known for directing the classic film 'To Kill a Mockingbird' and several other notable movies in the mid-20th century.

• 2009 Brittany Murphy

  Brittany Murphy was a talented American actress known for her versatile roles in comedy and drama films, who tragically died at a young age. She gained widespread recognition for her performances in 'Clueless', '8 Mile', and 'Just Married', becoming a beloved Hollywood personality in the early 2000s.

• 2020 Junior Johnson

  Legendary NASCAR driver who revolutionized stock car racing, known for his innovative driving techniques and later successful team ownership in the sport.

• 2022 Franco Harris

  Legendary NFL running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, famous for the 'Immaculate Reception' in the 1972 playoff game. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990 and was named Most Valuable Player in 1972.