Famous people and celebrities who died on August 31

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on August 31. 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.

• 1688 John Bunyan

  English preacher, theologian, and author (d. 1688).

• 1867 Charles Baudelaire

  French poet, tortured by religion and the struggle for good and bad in man, was infused with his deep catholic sense of sinfulness and remorse. authorities confiscated his "flowers of evil" in 1857 after he was declared immoral and condemned for violating public morals. he was a catholic, a satanist, debauchee, and mystic. he also yearned for purity and was …

• 1946 Harley Granville-Barker

  British playwright and actor (d. 1946).

• 1955 Willi Baumeister

  German abstract painter, during the 1930s. he used deep images of the unconscious mass to portray common themes.

• 1959 Charles Delaney

  Dies at 67

• 1967 Ilya Ehrenburg

  Prominent Soviet writer and journalist known for his novels and wartime propaganda.

• 1969 Rocky Marciano

  Legendary American boxer who held the world heavyweight championship from 1952 to 1956. He is the only heavyweight champion to retire undefeated, with a perfect 49-0 record, and is considered one of the greatest boxers in history.

• 1974 Norman Kirk

  Influential New Zealand Labour Party politician who served as the 29th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1972 until his unexpected death in 1974.

• 1979 Sally Rand

  Famous burlesque performer known for her provocative fan dance, Sally Rand was an iconic American entertainer who became a sensation during the Great Depression era.

• 1985 Sir Frank Macfarlane Burnet

  Nobel Prize laureate for discovery of acquired immunological tolerance

• 1986 Henry Moore

  British artist who is widely regarded as the greatest sculptor of our time. his bronze and stone sculptures are mostly of human figures, with large torsos or limbs. some even have holes. his creations were first recognized after world war ii. they set records for highest-ever prices paid for a living sculptor's work. [bio]

• 1994 Artur Balsam

  Renowned Polish-American classical pianist who accompanied and collaborated with famous violinists Yehudi Menuhin and Nathan Milstein during the mid-20th century.

• 1995 David Farrar

  British actor known for his roles in films like 'Beat Girl' and 'I Accuse', who was active during the mid-20th century cinema.

• 1996 David Scott (astronaut)

  Prominent NASA astronaut who commanded the Apollo 15 mission and was the seventh person to walk on the moon, making significant contributions to space exploration.

• 1997 Dodi Fayed

  Egyptian-born film producer and romantic partner of Princess Diana, tragically killed in a fatal car crash in Paris alongside her. Son of billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed, he produced notable films like 'Chariots of Fire' which won an Oscar.

• 2002 Lionel Hampton

  Legendary jazz vibraphonist, bandleader, and musician who significantly influenced jazz music in the 20th century. A key figure in the development of bebop and big band jazz, Hampton was known for his energetic performances and innovative playing style.

• 2002 George Porter

  CHE - English chemist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1920)

• 2005 Joseph Rotblat

  Renowned physicist who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts against nuclear weapons and promoting global peace.

• 2007 Gay Brewer

  Professional American golfer who was a notable PGA Tour player, winning multiple tournaments including the Masters Tournament in 1967.

• 2010 Laurent Fignon

  A legendary French cyclist who won the Tour de France twice (1983 and 1984), famously losing the 1989 Tour by just eight seconds. Known as 'l'Ogre' and 'the Professor', he was a prominent figure in professional cycling during the 1980s.

• 2012 Max Bygraves

  British cockney comedian and entertainer who was a prominent figure in mid-20th century British entertainment. He was known for his sing-along comedy and frequent performances at Royal Variety Shows. In 1976, he published his autobiography 'I Wanna Tell You a Story'.

• 2012 Sergey Sokolov

  Prominent Soviet military commander and politician who served as the 6th Minister of Defence of the Soviet Union, with a significant role in military leadership during the Cold War era.

• 2012 Joe Lewis

  American martial artist and actor known for his contributions to martial arts cinema.

• 2013 David Frost

  English journalist and game show host (d. 2013)

• 2015 Edward Douglas-Scott-Montagu

  3rd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu, a prominent English nobleman who was instrumental in preserving automotive heritage by founding the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu. He was a passionate automotive historian and politician who significantly contributed to British cultural preservation.

• 2020 Tom Seaver

  Legendary Major League Baseball pitcher known as 'Tom Terrific', who played primarily for the New York Mets. He was a three-time Cy Young Award winner and one of the most dominant pitchers of his era, inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

• 2021 Michael Constantine

  Renowned Greek-American actor known for his roles in 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' and numerous television and film appearances. He had a long and distinguished career spanning several decades.