Famous people and celebrities who died on August 12

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on August 12. 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.

• 1918 Anna Held

  American polish-born actress and singer (born in 1872)

• 1944 Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.

  American naval lieutenant and pilot who died heroically during a special mission in World War II, known for his sacrifice and being part of the famous Kennedy family.

• 1955 Thomas Mann

  German writer. he is the author of novels and plays as well as essays. in 1929, mann was awarded the nobel prize for literature for his novel "buddenbrooks", which was based on his family. mann was respected by critics throughout his career and a popular figure among the public. mann was able to transform personal stories into literary works. his …

• 1955 James B. Sumner

  CHE - American chemist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1887)

• 1964 Ian Fleming

  British novelist and intelligence officer who created the iconic James Bond spy character, revolutionizing the espionage fiction genre.

• 1973 Karl Ziegler

  CHE - German chemist and engineer, nobel prize laureate (b. 1898)

• 1973 Walter Rudolf Hess

  MED - Swiss physiologist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1881)

• 1978 John Williams

  Renowned American composer, pianist, and conductor famous for iconic film scores like Star Wars and Jaws.

• 1979 Ernst Boris Chain

  MED - German-irish biochemist and academic, nobel prize laureate (d. 1979)

• 1982 Henry Fonda

  Legendary Hollywood actor with a remarkable 47-year film career, known for iconic roles in 'The Grapes of Wrath' and 'On Golden Pond', for which he won an Oscar. He was a versatile performer who excelled on both stage and screen.

• 1982 Varlam Shalamov

  Renowned Russian writer and gulag survivor who wrote powerful literary works documenting the harsh realities of Soviet labor camps. His 'Kolyma Tales' are considered masterpieces of 20th-century literature.

• 1988 Jean-Michel Basquiat

  Groundbreaking neo-expressionist artist who revolutionized contemporary art in the 1980s. He emerged from New York's street art scene and became a prominent figure in the art world before his untimely death at 27.

• 1989 William Shockley

  Co-inventor of the transistor, a groundbreaking electronic component that revolutionized modern computing and electronics. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1956 for his seminal work in semiconductor research alongside John Bardeen and Walter Brattain.

• 1992 John Cage

  John Cage was a pioneering avant-garde composer, artist, and philosopher who revolutionized 20th-century music through experimental techniques like chance operations and his famous work 4'33". He significantly influenced modern art, music, and performance practices.

• 1996 Victor Ambartsumian

  Prominent Soviet Armenian astrophysicist who made significant contributions to theoretical astrophysics, stellar astronomy, and the study of stellar evolution. He founded the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory and was a highly respected academic in the scientific community.

• 1999 Jean Drapeau

  Jean Drapeau was a transformative mayor of Montreal who significantly modernized the city during his long tenure. He was instrumental in hosting Expo 67 and bringing the 1976 Olympic Games to Montreal, dramatically enhancing the city's international profile. His leadership marked a pivotal period of urban development and cultural renaissance for Quebec's largest city.

• 2000 Loretta Young

  Loretta Young was a prominent Hollywood actress who successfully transitioned from silent films to television, starring in her own show in the 1950s and appearing in over 90 films during her illustrious career.

• 2002 Enos Slaughter

  Enos Slaughter was a legendary Major League Baseball player who played for the St. Louis Cardinals and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Known for his exceptional hitting skills and aggressive playing style, he was a key player during the 1940s and 1950s.

• 2004 Peter Woodthorpe

  British actor known for his stage and screen performances, with a career spanning several decades in theater and television.

• 2004 Godfrey Hounsfield

  British electrical engineer who invented the CT scanner, revolutionizing medical imaging and winning the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1979.

• 2005 John Loder

  English sound engineer and record producer (born 1946).

• 2007 Merv Griffin

  Iconic American television host, game show creator, and entertainment mogul who revolutionized TV programming and became a successful businessman. He created popular game shows like 'Jeopardy!' and 'Wheel of Fortune', transforming the entertainment landscape.

• 2007 Mike Wieringo

  Renowned American comic book illustrator and author, known for his work on Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, and other popular comics before his untimely death in 2007.

• 2014 Lauren Bacall

  Iconic Hollywood actress known for her distinctive voice and sultry screen presence. She was a major star of classic Hollywood cinema, famous for her collaborations with husband Humphrey Bogart and her roles in films like 'To Have and Have Not' and 'Key Largo'.

• 2015 Stephen Lewis

  Prominent Canadian diplomat and politician who served as the 14th Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations, known for his significant international advocacy work.

• 2017 Bryan Murray

  Canadian ice hockey coach, executive, and former professional player who worked extensively in the NHL with teams like the Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings.