Famous people and celebrities who died on January 2

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on January 2. 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.

• 1923 Sam Carter

  Rosewood florida, black resident, lynched and executed by the kkk

• 1948 Vicente Huidobro

  A Chilean poet, playwright, and novelist who was a pioneer of the avant-garde movement in Latin American literature.

• 1950 Emil Jannings

  German actor who won the first Academy Award for Best Actor.

• 1960 Fausto Coppi

  Legendary Italian cyclist considered one of the greatest champions in the history of road bicycle racing. Known as 'Il Campionissimo' (Champion of Champions), he dominated cycling in the 1940s and 1950s.

• 1960 Paul Sauvé

  Canadian lawyer and politician who served as the 17th Premier of Quebec from 1959 to 1960, playing a significant role in Quebec's political landscape during a transformative period.

• 1963 Dick Powell

  Versatile Hollywood star who successfully transitioned from musical performer to dramatic actor and film director, known for his roles in musicals and film noir.

• 1963 Jack Carson

  Canadian-American character actor known for memorable roles in classic Hollywood films like 'A Star is Born' and 'Mildred Pierce', who was a prominent supporting actor in the 1940s and 1950s.

• 1972 Lillian Gilbreth

  Lillian Gilbreth was a pioneering industrial engineer and psychologist who made significant contributions to the field of motion study and the design of household appliances.

• 1974 Tex Ritter

  Tex Ritter was a prominent American country music singer and actor known for his contributions to Western film soundtracks and country music during the mid-20th century.

• 1980 Larry Williams

  Duplicate record of Larry Williams, rock and roll musician.

• 1981 David Lynch

  Iconic American filmmaker known for surreal and avant-garde cinema, creating groundbreaking works like 'Eraserhead', 'Blue Velvet', and the influential TV series 'Twin Peaks'. He is a key figure in postmodern cinema with a distinctive, dreamlike visual style.

• 1983 Dick Emery

  British comedian and actor known for his comedic television shows and characters, appearing in films like 'Yellow Submarine' and several comedy productions.

• 1986 Una Merkel

  American film actress known for her comedic roles in Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s, particularly in movies like '42nd Street' and notable character performances.

• 1992 Virginia Field

  Actress dream girl, dies at 74 from cancer

• 1994 Dixy Lee Ray

  Dixy Lee Ray was an American biologist, politician, and the 17th Governor of Washington State. She served as the head of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission from 1973 to 1975, known for her strong support of the nuclear industry and her unconventional lifestyle.

• 1995 Nancy Kelly

  American actress known for her roles in classic Hollywood films, particularly in westerns and dramatic productions during the mid-20th century.

• 2000 Patrick O'Brian

  English novelist best known for his Aubrey–Maturin series of historical novels set in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. His maritime fiction is considered among the most authentic and detailed in historical literature, earning him significant critical acclaim.

• 2000 Elmo Zumwalt

  Distinguished US Navy officer who became the youngest rear admiral in 1965 and was awarded the Bronze Star in 1944 for his military service.

• 2000 Nat Adderley

  Nat Adderley was a renowned American jazz musician and cornetist, known for his work with his brother Julian 'Cannonball' Adderley. He was inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame and played with notable jazz ensembles like Lionel Hampton's and Woody Herman's bands.

• 2001 William P. Rogers

  William P. Rogers was an influential American lawyer and politician who served as the 55th United States Secretary of State from 1969 to 1973 during the Nixon administration.

• 2002 Armi Aavikko

  Armi Aavikko was a notable Finnish beauty queen, singer, and model who gained recognition in the late 20th century for her multifaceted career in entertainment and modeling.

• 2005 Frank Kelly Freas

  Renowned science fiction and fantasy artist, famous for his iconic illustrations in magazines like Analog and covers for numerous sci-fi book publications.

• 2007 Teddy Kollek

  Hungarian-born Israeli politician who served as Mayor of Jerusalem for 28 years, transforming the city's landscape and cultural identity. A visionary leader who played a crucial role in Jerusalem's development after 1967.

• 2011 Pete Postlethwaite

  Pete Postlethwaite was a renowned British character actor known for powerful performances in films like 'The Usual Suspects', 'Inception', and 'In the Name of the Father'. He was critically acclaimed for his versatile and intense acting style.

• 2011 Anne Francis

  American actress and model who began her career as a child performer, appearing in Broadway and Hollywood productions. She is best known for her role in the science fiction TV series 'Forbidden Planet' and various films of the 1950s.

• 2013 Gerda Lerner

  Pioneering historian and scholar who was instrumental in establishing women's history as a legitimate academic field. She wrote groundbreaking works on women's contributions and feminist theory, significantly advancing gender studies in the United States.

• 2017 Jean Vuarnet

  Olympic gold medal-winning ski champion and businessman who founded the iconic Vuarnet sunglasses brand.

• 2018 Thomas S. Monson

  Thomas S. Monson was a prominent American religious leader who served as the 16th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 2008 to 2018. He was a significant figure in the Mormon church, known for his compassionate leadership and global missionary work.

• 2023 Ken Block

  Legendary American rally driver, professional motorsport competitor, and co-founder of DC Shoes, known for viral gymkhana driving videos.