Famous people and celebrities who died on December 26

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on December 26. 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.

• 1963 Gorgeous George

  Iconic American professional wrestler who revolutionized wrestling entertainment with his flamboyant persona and theatrical style.

• 1974 Jack Benny

  American actor and comedian, benny was a tv, radio, and film star for many years. benny was a star in many films between 1930 and 1945, as well as a comedian for years about his flop "the horn blows at midnight". he was honored with a tv emmy in 1957 for his show "the jack benny show". he was married …

• 1974 Farid al-Atrash

  Prominent Syrian-Egyptian actor, singer, and renowned oud player who significantly influenced Arabic music and cinema in the mid-20th century.

• 1981 Henry Eyring

  Renowned physical chemist who developed the transition state theory explaining chemical reaction kinetics, making fundamental contributions to chemical physics.

• 1985 Dian Fossey

  Renowned primatologist who dedicated her life to studying and protecting mountain gorillas in Rwanda, famously chronicled in her book and film 'Gorillas in the Mist'. She was tragically murdered in her research station, likely due to her fierce conservation efforts.

• 1986 Elsa Lanchester

  Renowned British actress famous for her iconic role as the Bride of Frankenstein in the classic 1935 horror film. She was married to actor Charles Laughton and had a significant career in film and theater.

• 1988 John Loder

  Actor (sabotage java head), passes away at 90

• 1989 Doug Harvey

  Doug Harvey was a notable Canadian ice hockey player and coach who made significant contributions to the sport during his career.

• 1994 Sylva Koscina

  Italian actress known for her roles in classic mythological films and Hollywood productions, particularly in Hercules movies of the late 1950s and her appearance alongside Paul Newman.

• 1999 Curtis Mayfield

  Curtis Mayfield was a pioneering soul and funk musician who significantly influenced social justice music during the civil rights era. He was a key member of The Impressions and later a successful solo artist known for powerful, socially conscious songs.

• 2000 Jason Robards

  Legendary American actor with a remarkable forty-year career, winning two Academy Awards and being deeply passionate about theater.

• 2001 Nigel Hawthorne

  Acclaimed British actor known for his Oscar-nominated performance as King George III in 'The Madness of King George'. He was a late-blooming talent who rose to international recognition in his early 50s, celebrated for his stage and screen performances.

• 2002 Herb Ritts

  Renowned American photographer famous for celebrity photography, music video direction, and iconic body portraits. He worked extensively for Rolling Stone magazine and directed notable music videos for Madonna and Chris Isaak. Ritts died from pneumonia complications in 2002.

• 2004 Reggie White

  Legendary NFL defensive end known as the 'Minister of Defense', who played for multiple teams and was a two-time NFL 'Player of the Year'. He was not only a remarkable athlete but also an ordained minister who made significant contributions to professional football.

• 2005 Vincent Schiavelli

  Distinctive character actor known for memorable roles in films like 'Ghost' and 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest', with a unique appearance and exceptional comedic talent.

• 2005 Kerry Packer

  Influential Australian media mogul who revolutionized cricket by founding World Series Cricket, transforming the sport's commercial landscape.

• 2005 Viacheslav Platonov

  Renowned Russian volleyball player and coach who made significant contributions to the sport during his lifetime.

• 2006 Gerald Ford

  Gerald Ford was the 38th President of the United States, who assumed office after Richard Nixon's resignation. He was the first president to take office without being elected as president or vice president, serving from 1974 to 1977. Ford played a crucial role in healing the nation after the Watergate scandal.

• 2009 Dennis Brutus

  Renowned South African poet and anti-apartheid activist who played a significant role in the struggle against racial oppression, using poetry as a powerful tool for social change.

• 2009 Yves Rocher

  Renowned French entrepreneur who revolutionized natural cosmetics and founded the global beauty brand Yves Rocher. He was a successful businessman and local politician who served as mayor of La Gacilly from 1962 to 1988.

• 2010 Teena Marie

  Renowned American R&B singer-songwriter known as the 'Ivory Queen of Soul', who significantly influenced the music industry during the late 1970s and 1980s.

• 2014 Leo Tindemans

  Belgian politician who served as the 43rd Prime Minister of Belgium.

• 2014 Stanisław Barańczak

  Renowned Polish-American poet, literary critic, translator, and scholar who made significant contributions to Polish literature and academic discourse during the late 20th century.

• 2016 Ricky Harris

  American comedian, actor (b. 1962)

• 2018 Roy J. Glauber

  Nobel Prize laureate for his contribution to the quantum theory of optical coherence

• 2021 Desmond Tutu

  Nobel Peace Prize laureate and prominent anti-apartheid activist who played a crucial role in South Africa's transition from racial segregation to democracy. He was a key moral leader in the struggle against apartheid and later advocated for human rights and social justice globally.

• 2021 Desmond Mpilo Tutu

  Nobel Prize laureate for his role as a unifying leader figure in the non-violent campaign to resolve the problem of apartheid in South Africa

• 2023 Tom Smothers

  Iconic American comedian who formed a legendary comedy duo with his brother Dick, known for their groundbreaking TV series 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour' which challenged social norms during the late 1960s.