Famous people and celebrities who died on January 8

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on January 8. 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.

• 1642 Galileo Galilei

  Galileo was a pioneering astronomer who played a major role in the scientific revolution and is often referred to as the 'father of modern science'.

• 1713 Arcangelo Corelli

  Arcangelo Corelli was an Italian composer and violinist who is considered one of the most influential figures in the development of the Baroque style of music.

• 1896 Paul Verlaine

  French poet, known for his symbolism and subtle tenderness. faure and debussy have set many of his poems to music. in 1866, verlaine published his first collection of poems. he quickly gained attention and was soon invited to join the literary salons. verlaine's 1874 major poetry book, romances sans paroles, contains some of his most poignant verses.

• 1941 Robert Baden-Powell

  British military figure who founded the boy scouts of england in 1907. he founded the girl scouts in 1907 with his sister agnes. baden-powell wrote several books about scouting, military campaigns, and other topics.

• 1943 Richard Hillary

  Richard Hillary was a notable Australian Royal Air Force pilot and author during World War II, famous for his experiences and writings about aerial combat. He was severely wounded during the Battle of Britain and wrote a compelling memoir about his wartime experiences. Despite his injuries, he returned to flying and ultimately died in a training flight accident.

• 1948 Kurt Schwitters

  German artist who was influential in the Dada movement, known for his collages and sound poetry.

• 1967 Zbigniew Cybulski

  Polish actor (see you tommorrow) dies at 39

• 1975 John Gregson

  British actor known for his roles in various films during the mid-20th century. He appeared in several notable movies and was active in the entertainment industry.

• 1983 Lois Wilson

  Actress (alice aldrich family), dies at 88

• 1983 Gerhard Barkhorn

  Gerhard Barkhorn was a renowned Luftwaffe fighter pilot during World War II, credited as one of the most successful fighter pilots in history with 301 confirmed aerial victories. He was a Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipient and served extensively on the Eastern Front against Soviet forces.

• 1990 Terry-Thomas

  Iconic British comedy actor known for his distinctive gap-toothed smile and upper-class buffoon characters in mid-20th century films. He was a prominent figure in British comedy, starring in numerous comedies and becoming a cultural symbol of comedic aristocratic characters.

• 1990 Bernard Krigstein

  Renowned American illustrator known for his significant contributions to graphic art and comic book design during the mid-20th century.

• 1994 Harvey Haddix

  Harvey Haddix was a renowned Major League Baseball pitcher famous for throwing 12 perfect innings in a single game in 1959, a record-breaking performance. He played for multiple teams including the Cardinals, Pirates, and Orioles during his 13-year career. Known as "The Kitten", he was a left-handed pitcher with exceptional skill.

• 1996 François Mitterrand

  Prominent French socialist politician who served as President of France from 1981 to 1995, marking a significant shift in French political landscape by being the first socialist president of the Fifth Republic.

• 1997 Melvin Calvin

  Melvin Calvin was a distinguished American chemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1961 for his groundbreaking research on the carbon dioxide assimilation in plants during photosynthesis.

• 2002 Dave Thomas

  Founder of Wendy's fast-food restaurant chain, renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist who revolutionized the fast-food industry.

• 2002 Alexander Prokhorov

  PHY - Australian-russian physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1916)

• 2002 Aleksandr Mikhailovich Prokhorov

  Nobel Prize laureate for fundamental work in the field of quantum electronics, which has led to the construction of oscillators and amplifiers based on the maser-laser principle

• 2007 Yvonne De Carlo

  Versatile Canadian-American entertainer with a six-decade career spanning film, television, musical theatre, and stage, known for her diverse performing talents.

• 2007 Iwao Takamoto

  Renowned Japanese-American animator who created the iconic cartoon character Scooby-Doo, working extensively with Hanna-Barbera Productions.

• 2008 George Moore

  Pioneering cancer researcher who discovered the link between chewing tobacco and mouth cancer. Founder of Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York, and prolific author of over 700 scientific papers and two books.

• 2009 Gaston Lenôtre

  Gaston Lenôtre was a pioneering French pastry chef who transformed modern pastry-making and founded the renowned Lenôtre culinary school and catering empire, influencing generations of pastry professionals worldwide.

• 2012 Alexis Weissenberg

  Renowned Bulgarian-French classical pianist and music educator who was celebrated for his exceptional interpretations of Bach and Prokofiev, particularly known for his virtuosic performances.

• 2016 German Moreno

  Prominent Filipino television personality known for his significant contributions to entertainment as a host, actor, comedian, and influential talent manager who shaped the Philippine showbiz industry.

• 2017 Nicolai Gedda

  Renowned Swedish opera tenor with an extraordinary international career, known for his exceptional vocal technique and performances in major opera houses worldwide.

• 2020 Edd Byrnes

  Edd Byrnes was a popular American actor best known for his iconic role as Gerald Lloyd 'Kookie' Kookson III in the hit 1950s TV series '77 Sunset Strip'. He became a teen idol and cultural phenomenon during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

• 2020 Buck Henry

  Renowned American comedy screenwriter, actor, and director known for co-creating 'Get Smart' and writing screenplays like 'The Graduate'.