Famous people and celebrities who died on December 8

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

• 1864 George Boole

  English logician, mathematician and philosopher. his work was in the areas of algebraic logic and differential equations. he is best known for his book, the laws of thought. boolean logic is considered the founder of modern digital electronics. on 8 december 1864, he died from a fever attack that led to pleural effusion at ballintemple in county cork, irelan.

• 1932 Gertrude Jekyll

  British horticulturist, garden designer, and writer who had a profound influence on the Arts and Crafts movement.

• 1954 Gladys George

  Prominent American stage and film actress of the 1930s and 1940s, known for her powerful performances in dramatic roles and her work in Hollywood's Golden Age.

• 1958 Tris Speaker

  Tris Speaker was an American professional baseball player and manager who played in Major League Baseball as a center fielder.

• 1980 John Lennon

  Co-founder of the iconic rock band The Beatles, John Lennon was a legendary musician, songwriter, and peace activist who profoundly influenced popular music and culture. He was tragically assassinated in New York City in 1980, leaving an enduring legacy of musical innovation and social activism.

• 1982 Marty Robbins

  Legendary country-western singer and songwriter who had a remarkable 30-year career with 43 top ten records and over 500 songs. He was a Grammy winner and inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1982.

• 1983 Keith Holyoake

  Keith Holyoake was a prominent New Zealand politician who served as the 26th Prime Minister of New Zealand. He was a farmer and national political leader who significantly influenced the country's political landscape during mid-20th century.

• 1983 Slim Pickens

  Iconic American actor known for his memorable roles in Western films and his legendary performance in Stanley Kubrick's 'Dr. Strangelove', where he rode a nuclear bomb like a rodeo horse.

• 1989 Hans Hartung

  Hans Hartung was a renowned German abstract expressionist painter who significantly influenced post-World War II art. A member of the Paris School, he was known for his innovative abstract techniques and personal resilience, having continued his artistic career after losing his right leg during military service.

• 1990 Martin Ritt

  Renowned American film director known for socially conscious movies like 'Norma Rae', which won Sally Field an Oscar. He was a significant figure in Hollywood during the mid-20th century.

• 1992 William Shawn

  Influential American journalist who served as editor-in-chief of The New Yorker magazine from 1952 to 1987, significantly shaping the publication's literary and journalistic style.

• 1993 Carlotta Monti

  Lover of wc fields, who dies at the age of 86.

• 1994 Tom Jobim

  Antonio Carlos Jobim was a legendary Brazilian composer who pioneered bossa nova music. He created iconic songs like 'The Girl from Ipanema' and collaborated with international jazz legends such as Stan Getz and Frank Sinatra. His innovative musical style blended Brazilian rhythms with sophisticated jazz harmonies.

• 1996 Howard Rollins

  American actor known for his roles in 'Amos & Andrew' and the TV series 'In the Heat of the Night', who received an Oscar nomination for 'A Soldier's Story'.

• 2001 Betty Holberton

  A pioneering computer scientist who played a crucial role in developing the ENIAC, the first general-purpose electronic digital computer. She was one of the six original programmers of this groundbreaking machine during World War II.

• 2003 Rubén González

  Legendary Cuban pianist known for his pivotal role in the Buena Vista Social Club and Estrellas de Areito, who significantly contributed to preserving and popularizing traditional Cuban music.

• 2004 Dimebag Darrell

  Legendary guitarist of metal bands Pantera and Damageplan, tragically murdered on stage during a live performance in 2004.

• 2008 Robert Prosky

  Renowned American character actor known for his extensive stage, film, and television work, particularly memorable in roles in 'Hill Street Blues' and 'Broadcast News'.

• 2012 Jerry Brown

  Prominent California politician who served as governor for multiple terms, known for his progressive policies and political innovation.

• 2013 John Cornforth

  CHE - Australian-english chemist and academic, nobel prize laureate (d. 2013)

• 2013 John Warcup Cornforth

  Nobel Prize laureate for his work on the stereochemistry of enzyme-catalyzed reactions

• 2015 Douglas Tompkins

  Co-founder of The North Face and Esprit, and a prominent environmentalist who dedicated his life to conservation efforts in South America, protecting millions of acres of wilderness.

• 2015 Elsie Tu

  Prominent English-Hong Kong educator and politician who dedicated her life to social reform and community development in Hong Kong during the 20th century.

• 2016 John Glenn

  John Glenn was a legendary American astronaut and politician who became the first American to orbit Earth in 1962. He later served as a United States Senator and was a pivotal figure in the early space exploration era.

• 2019 Caroll Spinney

  Legendary puppeteer best known for portraying Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street for nearly 50 years, significantly impacting children's television worldwide.

• 2019 Rene Auberjonois

  Versatile American actor renowned for his distinctive voice and character roles in film, television, and theater, including Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Boston Legal.

• 2019 Juice Wrld

  Influential American rapper and singer who tragically died in 2019, known for hit songs like 'Lucid Dreams'.

• 2021 Robbie Shakespeare

  Robbie Shakespeare was a legendary Jamaican bass guitarist and record producer, renowned for his significant contributions to reggae and popular music. He was a pivotal figure in the rhythm section of many influential recordings.

• 2023 Ryan O'Neal

  Renowned Hollywood actor famous for his roles in 'Love Story' and 'Paper Moon', O'Neal was a prominent film star in the 1970s who received an Oscar nomination for his performance in 'Love Story'. He worked alongside his daughter Tatum O'Neal, who also received an Oscar nomination for their film together.