Famous people and celebrities who died on January 23

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on January 23. 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.

• 1939 Matthias Sindelar

  Legendary Austrian footballer known as the 'Mozart of Football', who was a key player in the Austrian national team during the 1930s and symbolically resisted Nazi influence through his playing style.

• 1976 Paul Robeson

  American actor and activist, singer (d. 1976).

• 1978 Jack Oakie

  Jack Oakie was a prominent American comedian and character actor who appeared in over 100 films, most notably in Charlie Chaplin's satirical masterpiece 'The Great Dictator' where he played a caricature of Benito Mussolini.

• 1980 Giovanni Michelotti

  Influential Italian automotive designer who created iconic car designs for major manufacturers like Ferrari, Maserati, and BMW.

• 1981 Samuel Barber

  Samuel Barber was a prominent 20th-century American classical composer renowned for his deeply emotional and lyrical works, with his Adagio for Strings becoming one of the most recognized pieces of classical music globally.

• 1982 Hope Hampton

  Actress (star dust and lawful larcency), died at 83

• 1986 Joseph Beuys

  Influential German artist who was a key figure in the Fluxus movement, known for radical performance art and social sculpture. His work challenged traditional art concepts and explored themes of creativity, democracy, and social transformation.

• 1989 Salvador Dalí

  Salvador Dalí was a world-renowned Spanish surrealist artist famous for his bizarre and imaginative paintings, who also explored entrepreneurship through commercial ventures like perfume and design.

• 1990 Allen Collins

  Renowned rock guitarist and songwriter known for his significant contributions to Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Rossington-Collins Band, and his own Allen Collins Band. A key figure in Southern rock music who tragically passed away in 1990.

• 1991 Northrop Frye

  A renowned Canadian literary critic and theorist who revolutionized literary analysis through his groundbreaking work on archetypes and mythological patterns in literature, significantly influencing modern literary criticism.

• 1992 Freddie Bartholomew

  English child actor famous for his roles in classic films like 'Anna Karenina' and 'David Copperfield' during the golden age of Hollywood.

• 1992 Ian Wolfe

  Actor (houdini, thx-1138, homebodies), dies at 95

• 1997 Craig Charles

  Craig Charles is a renowned English comedian, actor, and TV presenter, best known for his roles in 'Red Dwarf' and as a host on BBC Radio 6 Music.

• 1999 Joe D'Amato

  Renowned Italian film director and producer known for his prolific work in exploitation and genre cinema, particularly in horror and erotic films during the 1970s and 1980s.

• 2002 Pierre Bourdieu

  Influential French sociologist who revolutionized understanding of social structures, culture, and education. His groundbreaking works like 'Reproduction in Education' critically analyzed power dynamics and cultural transmission.

• 2003 Nell Carter

  Acclaimed Broadway and television actress known for her powerful voice and Tony Award-winning performance in 'Ain't Misbehavin''. She was a prominent African American performer who starred in the popular sitcom 'Gimme a Break!'

• 2004 Helmut Newton

  Renowned German-born photographer famous for his provocative fashion and nude photography that challenged traditional gender roles and sexuality. His iconic black-and-white images appeared in prestigious magazines like Vogue, Elle, and Playboy. Newton's work significantly influenced contemporary fashion and art photography.

• 2005 Johnny Carson

  Legendary American television host of 'The Tonight Show' who defined late-night entertainment for decades.

• 2007 E. Howard Hunt

  CIA officer and author known for his central role in the Watergate scandal.

• 2010 Earl Wild

  Earl Wild was a renowned American classical pianist and composer known for his exceptional interpretations of Romantic era music and his virtuosic performances.

• 2011 Jack LaLanne

  Jack LaLanne was a pioneering fitness guru who revolutionized American health and wellness through television fitness programs and promoting physical exercise. He is widely considered the 'Godfather of Fitness' who inspired millions to adopt healthier lifestyles.

• 2015 Ernie Banks

  Legendary baseball player known as 'Mr. Cub' who played his entire career with the Chicago Cubs, inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and considered one of the greatest shortstops in MLB history.

• 2017 Gorden Kaye

  English actor known for his work in comedy and television, particularly famous for his role in the sitcom 'Allo 'Allo!

• 2017 Bobby Freeman

  American musician known for his rock and roll hits, particularly the song 'Do You Want to Dance?', active from the late 1950s to early 1960s.

• 2018 Hugh Masekela

  Hugh Masekela was a world-renowned South African jazz trumpeter, composer, and anti-apartheid activist who significantly influenced global music.

• 2020 Clayton Christensen

  Harvard Business School professor and world-renowned business theorist who introduced the groundbreaking concept of 'disruptive innovation', revolutionizing business strategy and management thinking.

• 2021 Hal Holbrook

  Renowned American actor with a distinguished career spanning stage and screen, known for iconic roles in films like 'All the President's Men' and his acclaimed Mark Twain one-man show. He won multiple Emmy Awards and was a respected theater performer.

• 2021 Larry King

  Legendary American television and radio host known for his iconic CNN talk show 'Larry King Live', which aired from 1985 to 2010 and reached millions of viewers globally. He interviewed thousands of celebrities, politicians, and notable figures during his long broadcasting career. King was a pivotal media personality who shaped television journalism in the late 20th century.