Famous people and celebrities who died on January 16

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on January 16. 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.

• 1942 Carole Lombard

  Iconic Hollywood screwball comedy actress of the 1930s who was married to Clark Gable and tragically died in a plane crash during a war bond tour in 1942.

• 1957 Arturo Toscanini

  Arturo toscanini was an italian conductor known for his intensity, perfectionism, and his work with the nbc symphony orchestra.

• 1963 Ike Quebec

  Ike Quebec was a significant jazz tenor saxophonist who played a crucial role in the Blue Note Records scene during the 1940s and 1950s. He was known for his robust, soulful playing style and influenced many subsequent jazz musicians.

• 1967 Robert J. Van de Graaff

  Renowned American physicist who invented the Van de Graaff generator, a significant device used in particle physics and scientific research for generating high-voltage static electricity.

• 1969 Vernon Duke

  Russian-American composer and songwriter who made significant contributions to American popular music. Known for his work in musical theater and popular songs during the mid-20th century.

• 1972 Ross Bagdasarian

  American entertainer who created the iconic Alvin and the Chipmunks musical franchise, known for his innovative recording techniques and musical comedy.

• 1973 Edgar Sampson

  Edgar Sampson was an influential American jazz musician and composer known for his significant contributions to swing and big band music during the early to mid-20th century.

• 1981 Bernard Lee

  Renowned British actor famous for playing 'M' in multiple James Bond films during the Sean Connery and Roger Moore eras, a quintessential portrayal of the MI6 boss.

• 1982 Red Smith

  Red Smith was a renowned Pulitzer Prize-winning sports columnist known for his witty and insightful writing about sports. He was a prominent journalist who transformed sports reporting with his humor and literary style. Smith worked for major newspapers and became a legendary figure in American sports journalism.

• 1985 Robert Fitzgerald

  Renowned American poet, literary critic, and translator who made significant contributions to modern literature and translation studies.

• 1996 Kaye Webb

  Kaye Webb was a prominent English journalist and publisher who made significant contributions to the literary world, particularly in children's publishing.

• 1996 Marcia Davenport

  Marcia Davenport was a distinguished American author, music critic, and biographer known for her insightful works on classical music and notable biographical studies. She wrote extensively about composers and cultural figures of her time.

• 1997 Ennis Cosby

  Son of famous comedian Bill Cosby, tragically murdered during a robbery while changing a flat tire in 1997.

• 2000 Robert R. Wilson

  Renowned American physicist, sculptor, and architect who made significant contributions to science and art.

• 2001 Auberon Waugh

  Prominent British journalist and writer known for his satirical style, who came from a famous literary family. He was a notable columnist for publications like The Spectator and Private Eye. Despite losing an arm during military service, he became a respected and influential commentator.

• 2002 Michael Anthony Bilandic

  Prominent Chicago politician who served as mayor after Richard Daley's death, playing a significant role in the city's political landscape during the late 1970s.

• 2005 Marjorie Williams

  Marjorie Williams was a prominent American journalist and political columnist known for her insightful writing in prestigious publications like Vanity Fair and The Washington Post. Her work often provided sharp political commentary and personal profiles of influential figures.

• 2009 John Mortimer

  Renowned British writer, playwright, and barrister famous for creating the beloved character Rumpole of the Bailey and advocating for civil liberties through his legal and literary work.

• 2009 Andrew Wyeth

  Renowned American realist painter known for his tempera and watercolor works, particularly his intimate portraits and landscapes of rural Pennsylvania. Son of famous illustrator N.C. Wyeth, he developed a distinctive style that captured the essence of American rural life with emotional depth and precision.

• 2010 Glen Bell

  World War II veteran and entrepreneur who founded Taco Bell, revolutionizing fast-food Mexican cuisine in the United States.

• 2013 Pauline Phillips

  American journalist and radio host best known for creating the iconic advice column 'Dear Abby', which became a cultural phenomenon.

• 2014 Hiroo Onoda

  Japanese Imperial Army intelligence officer who famously continued fighting World War II in the Philippines for 29 years after the war ended, unaware that Japan had surrendered. He was finally discovered and persuaded to surrender in 1974 by his former commanding officer.

• 2014 Ruth Duccini

  Ruth Duccini was an American actress known for her role as a Munchkin in the classic film 'The Wizard of Oz'.

• 2016 Ted Marchibroda

  American football coach who led the Baltimore Ravens from 1996 to 1998, known for his strategic coaching in the NFL and professional football history.

• 2017 Gene Cernan

  NASA astronaut known as the 'Last Man on the Moon', who commanded the Apollo 17 mission and was a pioneering space explorer who flew three space missions.

• 2019 John C. Bogle

  Founder of The Vanguard Group and pioneer of index investing, who revolutionized the mutual fund industry by creating low-cost index funds for individual investors.

• 2020 Christopher Tolkien

  Son of famous author J.R.R. Tolkien, he was a respected academic and editor who managed and published his father's literary works, including posthumous editions of 'The Silmarillion' and other Middle-earth writings.

• 2021 Phil Spector

  Legendary music producer who pioneered the 'Wall of Sound' recording technique and worked with iconic artists like The Ronettes and The Beatles. He was a significant figure in 1960s pop music who later became infamous for his criminal conviction in a murder case.