Famous people and celebrities who died on December 10

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on December 10. 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.

• 1928 Charles Rennie Mackintosh

  A Scottish architect, designer, and artist who was a leading proponent of the Arts and Crafts movement and Art Nouveau.

• 1929 Harry Crosby

  American actor and first child of Bing Crosby and Kathryn Grant, known for his role in the horror film Friday the 13th.

• 1936 Luigi Pirandello

  LIT - Italian dramatist, novelist, and poet nobel prize laureate (b. 1867)

• 1944 John Brunt

  British military hero awarded the Victoria Cross for exceptional bravery during World War II, killed in action in 1944.

• 1959 Henri Vidal

  French film actor who made his debut with Edith Piaf in Montmartre-sur-Seine (1941) and appeared in 36 films between 1941-1959.

• 1967 Otis Redding

  Legendary soul singer who tragically died in a plane crash at 26, leaving behind the iconic posthumous hit 'Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay'.

• 1968 Thomas Merton

  Thomas Merton was a prominent Trappist monk, writer, poet, and social critic who significantly influenced 20th-century spiritual and intellectual thought. He entered the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky in 1941 and became a renowned contemplative author exploring themes of spirituality, social justice, and inner peace.

• 1977 Adolph Rupp

  Adolph Rupp was a highly influential college basketball coach at the University of Kentucky, known as 'The Baron of the Bluegrass'. He led the Kentucky Wildcats to four NCAA championships and coached numerous All-American players during his legendary career.

• 1978 Ed Wood

  Cult filmmaker known for low-budget science fiction and horror movies, later celebrated as a unique and eccentric figure in cinema history.

• 1979 Ann Dvorak

  Ann Dvorak was a prominent American actress of the 1930s, known for her roles in classic films like 'Scarface', 'G Men', and 'A Life of Her Own'. She was a versatile performer who made significant contributions to Hollywood's golden age.

• 1982 Freeman Gosden

  American screenwriter and actor (d. 1982).

• 1987 Jascha Heifetz

  Jascha Heifetz was a legendary Lithuanian-American violinist considered one of the greatest classical musicians of the 20th century. He revolutionized violin performance with his extraordinary technical precision and emotional depth. His prodigious talent was evident from childhood, making him a global sensation by his early teens.

• 1993 Alice Tully

  Renowned American soprano and significant philanthropist who made substantial contributions to the performing arts, particularly through her support of Lincoln Center in New York.

• 1994 Alex Wilson

  Canadian Olympic sprinter and track coach who competed in the early to mid-20th century, representing Canada in international competitions.

• 1994 Keith Joseph

  Prominent English lawyer and Conservative Party politician who served as Secretary of State for Education, known for his significant political influence.

• 1996 Faron Young

  Country singer/actor, hidden guns, commits suicide at the age of 34.

• 1996 John Duffey

  John Duffey was a significant bluegrass musician, founding member of The Country Gentlemen and The Seldom Scene, who greatly influenced the genre.

• 1999 Rick Danko

  Rick Danko was a renowned Canadian musician and bassist for the legendary rock group The Band, known for their innovative and influential music during the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was a key member of the group that collaborated closely with Bob Dylan and helped shape the Americana and roots rock genre. After the band's initial breakup, he continued …

• 2001 Ashok Kumar

  Legendary Indian actor, singer, and producer who was a pioneering figure in Bollywood's golden era, known for his versatile performances across multiple decades.

• 2002 Ian MacNaughton

  Scottish television producer and director best known for his work with comedy groups, particularly Monty Python's Flying Circus.

• 2005 Richard Pryor

  Groundbreaking African American comedian and actor who revolutionized stand-up comedy with his raw, unfiltered social commentary and groundbreaking humor. He was a pivotal figure in comedy, known for his brutally honest and provocative performances that addressed race, social issues, and personal struggles.

• 2006 Augusto Pinochet

  Augusto Pinochet was a Chilean military dictator who seized power through a US-backed coup in 1973, ruling with extreme brutality and causing thousands of deaths and human rights violations.

• 2010 John B. Fenn

  Nobel Prize laureate for their development of soft desorption ionisation methods for mass spectrometric analyses of biological macromolecules

• 2013 Jim Hall

  Renowned American jazz guitarist and composer who significantly influenced modern jazz guitar techniques. He was known for his innovative and subtle playing style.

• 2015 Dolph Schayes

  Dolph Schayes was a pioneering NBA player and coach, known for his exceptional skills with the Syracuse Nationals and his induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

• 2020 Barbara Windsor

  Iconic British actress and comedian famous for her roles in the 'Carry On' film series and her distinctive blonde beehive hairstyle. She was a beloved entertainment figure who significantly influenced British comedy and cinema during the 1960s and 1970s.

• 2021 Michael Nesmith

  American musician and founding member of the iconic pop-rock band 'The Monkees', created as a TV show mimicking the Beatles' style. The group produced several hit songs and became a significant part of 1960s pop culture.

• 2023 Julian Carroll

  American politician who served as the 54th Governor of Kentucky from 1974 to 1979. He was a prominent Democratic Party leader in Kentucky's political landscape.