Famous people and celebrities who died on January 17

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on January 17. 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.

• 1961 Patrice Lumumba

  Patrice Lumumba was a Congolese independence leader and the first democratically elected prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who was assassinated in a political coup.

• 1962 Gerrit Achterberg

  Renowned Dutch poet known for his profound and introspective poetry, who lived a relatively short life but made significant contributions to Dutch literature.

• 1964 TH White

  British author renowned for his seminal work 'The Once and Future King', a comprehensive retelling of the King Arthur legend that inspired the Broadway musical Camelot. He was a distinguished Cambridge University professor and a significant literary figure of the mid-20th century.

• 1967 Evelyn Nesbit

  Evelyn Nesbit was a popular American model and actress in the early 20th century.

• 1977 Gary Gilmore

  Gary Gilmore was a notorious American criminal known for his controversial execution in 1977, which restarted capital punishment in the United States after a decade-long moratorium. He gained significant media attention for his murder of two men in Utah and his subsequent demand to be executed.

• 1980 Barbara Britton

  American actress known for her role in the TV series 'Mr. and Mrs. North', who had a successful career in film and television during the mid-20th century.

• 1988 Percy Qoboza

  Prominent South African journalist who fought against apartheid and was a significant voice in challenging racial oppression.

• 1990 Charles Hernu

  French Defense Minister from 1981-1985 who was involved in the controversial Rainbow Warrior bombing, where a Greenpeace activist was killed during a covert operation by French intelligence services.

• 1993 Albert Hourani

  Prominent English-Lebanese historian and academic specializing in Middle Eastern studies, known for his influential works on Arab history and culture.

• 1996 Barbara Jordan

  Barbara Jordan was a pioneering African American politician who made significant contributions to the Civil Rights Movement. She served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas and was known for her powerful oratory and commitment to social justice.

• 1997 Clyde Tombaugh

  American astronomer who discovered the dwarf planet Pluto in 1930, a groundbreaking astronomical achievement that significantly expanded our understanding of the solar system.

• 2002 Camilo José Cela

  LIT - Spanish author and politician, nobel prize laureate (b. 1916)

• 2003 Richard Crenna

  Versatile American actor known for comedic roles in radio and television, particularly famous for his work in 'Our Miss Brooks' and later dramatic roles in films like the Rambo series.

• 2004 Ray Stark

  Prominent Hollywood film producer known for creating numerous successful movies across multiple decades. He was particularly famous for producing iconic films like 'Funny Girl' and 'The Way We Were'. Stark was a significant figure in the American film industry during the mid-20th century.

• 2005 Virginia Mayo

  A prominent Hollywood actress known for her roles in film noir and comedies during the Golden Age of cinema, Mayo was a celebrated star who appeared in numerous notable films with actors like Danny Kaye and James Cagney.

• 2005 Zhao Ziyang

  Influential Chinese political leader who served as Premier of the People's Republic of China and was a key figure during the Tiananmen Square protests.

• 2007 Art Buchwald

  Pulitzer Prize-winning American columnist renowned for his witty and satirical writing style, known for his humorous and insightful commentary on American politics and culture.

• 2008 Bobby Fischer

  Legendary American chess grandmaster who became world champion during the Cold War, revolutionizing chess and becoming a global icon of strategic brilliance.

• 2010 Jyoti Basu

  Prominent Indian communist politician who served as the Chief Minister of West Bengal for over two decades, making him one of the longest-serving chief ministers in Indian history. He was a key figure in Indian left-wing politics.

• 2010 Erich Segal

  Renowned American educator, writer, and classics scholar who was a distinguished professor at Yale University and made significant contributions to academic and literary fields.

• 2011 Don Kirshner

  Influential American music producer and songwriter who played a crucial role in the music industry, particularly in rock and pop music development.

• 2012 Johnny Otis

  Influential American R&B musician, bandleader, and record producer known for his significant contributions to rhythm and blues and rock and roll music.

• 2014 Suchitra Sen

  Legendary Bengali actress who was a prominent figure in Indian cinema during the 1950s and 1960s, known for her exceptional acting skills and beauty.

• 2015 Faten Hamama

  Iconic Egyptian actress and film producer who was a leading figure in the golden age of Egyptian cinema, known for her powerful performances and significant cultural impact.

• 2015 Don Harron

  Versatile Canadian entertainer known for his work in comedy, television, and radio. He was a prominent actor on 'Hee Haw' and hosted the radio program 'Morningside' from 1977 to 1982.

• 2019 Mary Oliver

  Mary Oliver was a renowned American poet celebrated for her profound and contemplative works exploring nature, humanity, and spirituality. She won both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, establishing herself as one of the most significant poets of her generation. Her poetry is characterized by its accessibility, deep reverence for the natural world, and philosophical insights.