Famous people and celebrities who died on July 16

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

• 1947 Raoul Wallenberg

  Swedish diplomat who heroically saved tens of thousands of Jews during the Holocaust by issuing protective passports and sheltering people from Nazi persecution. His courageous actions made him a significant humanitarian figure of World War II.

• 1981 Harry Chapin

  Harry Chapin was an influential American folk singer-songwriter known for his storytelling music and humanitarian activism. He was particularly famous for his hit song 'Cat's in the Cradle' and dedicated significant efforts to world hunger relief. Throughout his career, he performed 250 concerts in 1980, with more than half focused on charitable causes.

• 1982 Patrick Dewaere

  Prominent French actor of the 1970s who became famous for his roles in groundbreaking films like 'Going Places' alongside Gerard Depardieu. He was a talented performer who started in improvisational theater and quickly rose to prominence in French cinema.

• 1985 Heinrich Böll

  LIT - German novelist and short story writer, nobel prize laureate (b. 1917)

• 1989 Herbert von Karajan

  Renowned Austrian conductor who was a dominant figure in classical music, particularly known for his long leadership of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. He was one of the most influential and prolific conductors of the 20th century.

• 1991 Robert Motherwell

  Robert Motherwell was a prominent American abstract expressionist painter and writer who significantly influenced mid-20th century art. He was a key spokesperson for the abstract expressionist movement and authored several important art books. His works are celebrated for their innovative approach to abstract painting.

• 1992 Buck Buchanan

  Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive tackle who was a key player for the Kansas City Chiefs during their dominant years.

• 1994 Julian Schwinger

  PHY - American physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (d. 1994)

• 1995 Patsy Ruth Miller

  American actress known for her work in silent films during the 1920s, who had a long career in entertainment and lived to be 91 years old.

• 1995 Juan Manuel Fangio

  Legendary Argentine Formula One racing driver who won five World Championships, considered one of the greatest drivers in motorsport history.

• 1995 Stephen Spender

  Stephen Spender was a prominent English poet, novelist, and literary critic associated with the left-wing writers of the 1930s. He was a key figure in modernist literature and a member of the influential Auden generation of poets. Spender was also known for his political activism and writings on social issues.

• 1995 Mordechai Gur

  Mordechai Gur was an Israeli military leader and politician who served as the 10th Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces. He played a crucial role in the Six-Day War and Operation Entebbe, later becoming a member of the Knesset.

• 1995 May Sarton

  May Sarton was a renowned Belgian-American writer known for her deeply personal novels, poetry, and journals that explored themes of solitude, nature, and inner emotional landscapes. Her work was particularly significant in feminist and LGBTQ+ literary circles, offering intimate insights into her life and relationships. She was celebrated for her honest and introspective writing style that transcended traditional literary boundaries.

• 1999 John F. Kennedy Jr.

  American lawyer, journalist, and publisher who tragically died in a plane crash on July 16, 1999, along with his wife Carolyn and sister-in-law Lauren Bessette.

• 1999 Carolyn Bessette Kennedy

  Carolyn Bessette Kennedy was an American fashion publicist and wife of John F. Kennedy Jr. Known for her elegant style and tragic death in a plane crash with her husband, she was an iconic figure of 1990s American high society.

• 2001 Morris

  Renowned Belgian cartoonist who created the iconic comic western 'Lucky Luke' in 1946, a globally recognized series translated into over 30 languages and selling 300 million albums worldwide.

• 2003 Celia Cruz

  Legendary Cuban salsa singer who revolutionized Latin music and became a global cultural icon, known for her vibrant performances and signature catchphrase 'Azúcar!'

• 2003 Carol Shields

  Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist known for her nuanced portrayals of women's lives, including the acclaimed novel 'The Stone Diaries'. She was a prominent figure in Canadian and American literature, celebrated for her insightful and compassionate writing.

• 2004 Charles Sweeney

  Charles Sweeney was an American military pilot who notably piloted one of the B-29 bombers during the atomic bombing of Nagasaki in World War II. He was a key figure in a pivotal moment of 20th-century military history.

• 2008 Jo Stafford

  Jo Stafford was a renowned American popular singer of the 1940s and 1950s, known for her smooth vocal style and hits like 'You Belong to Me'. She was a leading female vocalist of the big band and traditional pop era, winning multiple awards and selling millions of records.

• 2010 James Gammon

  Renowned American character actor known for roles in films like 'Major League' and television series such as 'Deadwood'. He had a distinctive gravelly voice and appeared in numerous westerns and dramatic productions.

• 2012 Stephen Covey

  Influential American author, educator, and businessman best known for his seminal self-help book 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People', which has profoundly impacted personal and professional development strategies worldwide.

• 2013 Alex Colville

  Alex Colville was a renowned Canadian realist painter known for his precise, meticulously composed works that often depicted scenes of everyday life with a sense of psychological tension. His distinctive style bridged modernist and representational art, making him one of Canada's most significant 20th-century artists.

• 2014 Karl Albrecht

  Co-founder of Aldi, the global discount supermarket chain that revolutionized retail shopping in Germany and internationally. He was a key figure in building one of the world's most successful and influential grocery retail businesses.

• 2014 Johnny Winter

  Legendary blues-rock guitarist and singer known for his virtuosic guitar playing and influential role in reviving blues music in the 1970s. He was particularly famous for his work with Muddy Waters and his own powerful blues-rock performances.

• 2015 Alcides Ghiggia

  Famous Uruguayan footballer known for scoring the decisive goal against Brazil in the 1950 World Cup final, a moment considered one of the most dramatic in soccer history.

• 2019 John Paul Stevens

  Prominent American Supreme Court Justice who served from 1975 to 2010, known for his moderate and independent judicial approach.

• 2023 Kevin Mitnick

  Legendary computer security consultant and former hacker who became a world-renowned cybersecurity expert after his early days of unauthorized system exploration.