Famous people and celebrities who died on December 24

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on December 24. 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.

• 1957 Norma Talmadge

  American actress, silent screen, vaudeville and radio star, oldest of three talmadge sisters, who was promoted by her stage-driven mother. after she married joseph schenck in 1916, her stardom began. she divorced schenck in 1934 and married george jessel. they divorced in 1939. she married a beverly hills doctor in her third marriage.

• 1967 Burt Baskin

  Co-founder of the iconic Baskin-Robbins ice cream chain, Burt Baskin was a pioneering American entrepreneur who helped revolutionize the dessert industry. Together with his brother-in-law Irv Robbins, he transformed a small family business into a global ice cream brand known for its '31 flavors' concept.

• 1975 Bernard Herrmann

  Legendary film composer renowned for his groundbreaking musical scores for Alfred Hitchcock films like 'Psycho', 'Vertigo', and 'North by Northwest'.

• 1984 Peter Lawford

  Peter Lawford was a prominent British-American actor who appeared in 57 films and multiple TV series. He was a key member of Frank Sinatra's famous 'Rat Pack' and notably became John F. Kennedy's brother-in-law through his marriage to Patricia Kennedy.

• 1986 Gardner Fox

  Gardner Fox was a legendary comic book writer who significantly shaped the DC Comics universe, creating foundational superhero teams like the Justice Society of America and contributing to the Golden Age of comics.

• 1987 M. G. Ramachandran

  Legendary Indian actor, film producer, and politician who served as the 5th Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, widely regarded as a cultural icon in South Indian cinema and politics.

• 1987 Joop den Uyl

  Joop den Uyl was a prominent Dutch politician who served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 1973 to 1977, leading the Labour Party and significantly influencing Dutch social democratic politics.

• 1992 Peyo

  Belgian cartoonist who created the globally beloved Smurfs comic series, revolutionizing children's entertainment and popular culture.

• 1993 Norman Vincent Peale

  Norman Vincent Peale was an American minister and author known for his work in popularizing the concept of positive thinking.

• 1994 John Osborne

  Influential British playwright known for his groundbreaking play 'Look Back in Anger', which was a pivotal work in the 'Angry Young Men' movement of British theatre in the 1950s.

• 1994 Rossano Brazzi

  Renowned Italian actor who became an international star in the 1950s and 1960s, famous for romantic and aristocratic roles in films like 'South Pacific' and 'Summertime'. He appeared in over 200 films and was particularly known for playing sophisticated Latin lovers.

• 1997 Toshirô Mifune

  Toshirô Mifune was a legendary Japanese actor who revolutionized cinema through his powerful performances in iconic samurai films, particularly in collaboration with director Akira Kurosawa.

• 1997 Pierre Péladeau

  Prominent Canadian media businessman who founded Quebecor, a major media and telecommunications corporation in Quebec.

• 1997 James Komack

  James Komack was a versatile American entertainment professional known for his work as an actor, director, producer, and screenwriter in television and film during the mid-20th century.

• 1999 Bill Bowerman

  Legendary track and field coach and co-founder of Nike, Inc., who revolutionized athletic footwear design and transformed the sports industry. His innovative approach to shoe design directly influenced modern running shoe technology.

• 2000 Nick Massi

  Nick Massi was a prominent bass player and singer for the legendary rock and doo-wop group The Four Seasons, known for their hit songs in the 1960s.

• 2002 Kjell Aukrust

  Renowned Norwegian artist known for his distinctive comedic and artistic contributions to Norwegian culture, creating memorable characters and illustrations.

• 2006 Braguinha

  Carlos Alberto de Carvalho Braga, known as Braguinha, was a renowned Brazilian musician who significantly influenced Brazilian popular music during the 20th century, composing numerous classic sambas and marchinha songs.

• 2008 Harold Pinter

  Renowned British playwright and Nobel Laureate in Literature, known for his distinctive dramatic style characterized by pauses and subtle psychological tension. His works significantly influenced modern theater and explored complex human relationships.

• 2008 Samuel Huntington

  Samuel Huntington was a prominent American political scientist who developed the influential 'Clash of Civilizations' theory, significantly impacting international relations and political discourse. He was a professor at Harvard University and authored several groundbreaking books on global political dynamics.

• 2009 George Michael

  Legendary pop singer and songwriter, known for his incredible musical career with Wham! and as a solo artist. He was a global icon who significantly influenced pop music in the 1980s and 1990s.

• 2009 Rafael Caldera

  Venezuelan lawyer and politician who served as the 65th President of Venezuela, playing a significant role in the country's democratic history.

• 2012 Jack Klugman

  Jack Klugman was a renowned American television actor best known for his iconic roles in 'The Odd Couple' and 'Quincy, M.E.', two highly popular TV series of the 1970s and early 1980s.

• 2012 Charles Durning

  Acclaimed American character actor known for his versatile roles in film and theater, including notable performances in 'Dog Day Afternoon' and 'Tootsie'. A World War II veteran who later became a respected Hollywood performer with multiple Emmy and Tony Award nominations.

• 2012 Richard Rodney Bennett

  Renowned English-American composer and educator known for his versatile musical compositions across classical, jazz, and film genres.

• 2014 Buddy DeFranco

  Renowned American jazz clarinetist who was a prominent figure in bebop and swing music, known for his innovative playing style and significant contributions to jazz.

• 2016 Liz Smith

  Renowned American gossip columnist who wrote for major newspapers and published the autobiography 'Natural Blonde' in 2000. She was a prominent entertainment journalist who covered celebrity news for decades.

• 2020 Ivry Gitlis

  Ivry Gitlis was a world-renowned Israeli violinist celebrated for his extraordinary technical skill and deeply emotional interpretations of classical music. He was considered one of the most distinctive and passionate violinists of the 20th century, performing with major orchestras worldwide.