Famous people and celebrities who died on August 14

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on August 14. 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.

• 1870 David Farragut

  David farragut was a u.s. navy admiral known for his famous order 'damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!' during the civil war.

• 1941 Maximilian Kolbe

  Maximilian Kolbe was a Polish Catholic priest who volunteered to die in place of a stranger in the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II.

• 1941 Paul Sabatier

  CHE - French chemist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1854)

• 1958 Frédéric Joliot-Curie

  CHE - French physicist and chemist, nobel prize laureate (b. 1900)

• 1963 Clifford Odets

  Prominent American playwright and screenwriter known for his socially conscious works during the Great Depression era, including 'Waiting for Lefty' and 'Golden Boy'.

• 1967 Bob Anderson

  English motorcycle racer and race car driver known for his competitive racing career in the mid-20th century.

• 1969 Sigrid Gurie

  Norwegian-American actress known for her roles in classic films like 'Algiers' during Hollywood's golden age, with a notable career in the 1930s and 1940s.

• 1972 Oscar Levant

  Oscar Levant was a multi-talented American artist known for his exceptional skills as a pianist, composer, actor, and witty personality. He was a prominent figure in mid-20th century entertainment, closely associated with George Gershwin and known for his neurotic and sardonic humor. Despite personal struggles, he made significant contributions to music, film, and television.

• 1980 Dorothy Stratten

  Canadian model and actress tragically murdered at the height of her career, who became a Playboy Playmate and appeared in films like 'Galaxina' and 'They All Laughed'.

• 1985 Gale Sondergaard

  Gale Sondergaard was an Academy Award-winning actress known for her roles in classic films.

• 1988 Roy Buchanan

  Roy Buchanan was an influential American blues-rock guitarist known for his exceptional technical skills and innovative playing style, who tragically died in 1988.

• 1992 John Sirica

  John Sirica was a prominent American federal judge who presided over the Watergate hearings, playing a crucial role in the investigation that led to President Nixon's resignation.

• 1992 Tony Williams

  Tony Williams was a singer of The Platters, famous for the hit 'Great Pretender', who passed away in 1992.

• 1994 Alice Childress

  Pioneering African-American playwright, novelist, and activist who made significant contributions to African-American literature and theater during the mid-20th century. Her works often explored racial and social issues with depth and nuance.

• 1994 Elias Canetti

  Renowned Bulgarian-born writer who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1981, known for his profound literary works and intellectual contributions across multiple languages and cultures.

• 1994 Bill Cowley

  Canadian professional ice hockey player and coach who made significant contributions to the sport during the mid-20th century.

• 1996 Sergiu Celibidache

  Renowned Romanian conductor and composer who significantly influenced classical music interpretation in the 20th century.

• 1999 Pee Wee Reese

  Pee Wee Reese was a legendary Brooklyn Dodgers shortstop and Hall of Fame baseball player who was crucial in breaking racial barriers in baseball.

• 2002 Larry Rivers

  Influential American painter and sculptor who was a key figure in the Pop Art movement. His innovative work bridged abstract expressionism and pop art, making significant contributions to 20th-century American art.

• 2004 Czesław Miłosz

  LIT - Polish-born american novelist, essayist, and poet, nobel prize laureate (b. 1911)

• 2006 Bruno Kirby

  Renowned American comedy actor known for roles in films like 'When Harry Met Sally' and 'The Godfather Part II'. He was a frequent collaborator with Billy Crystal and a talented comedian.

• 2012 Phyllis Thaxter

  Phyllis Thaxter was a notable American actress who appeared in significant Hollywood films during the mid-20th century, including the war film 'Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo' and the superhero movie 'Superman'.

• 2012 Vilasrao Deshmukh

  Prominent Indian politician who served as the 17th Chief Minister of Maharashtra, playing a significant role in state and national politics until his death in 2012.

• 2015 Bob Johnston

  Legendary American record producer who significantly influenced folk and country music, working with iconic artists like Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and Leonard Cohen.

• 2016 Fyvush Finkel

  Emmy Award-winning character actor known for his roles in television series like 'Picket Fences' and his work in Yiddish theater. A beloved figure in Jewish-American entertainment.

• 2019 Polly Farmer

  Legendary Australian rules football player and coach who significantly influenced the sport's development in Western Australia. He was a pioneering Indigenous athlete known for his exceptional skills and leadership in football during the mid-20th century.

• 2020 Julian Bream

  Legendary classical guitarist and lutenist who significantly influenced 20th-century classical guitar performance and repertoire.