Famous People Who Died at 80

The list of famous people who died at 80 includes Kofi Annan, Marlon Brando, Gautama Buddha, Rabindranath Tagore, Plato. Famous personalities featured on this list, include political leaders, actors, philosophers and lawyers and from other domains of life. This list of celebrities who died at 80 includes people from United States, United Kingdom, Germany & France and many more countries.

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 1 

Marlon Brando

(One of the Most Influential Actors of the 20th Century)

Marlon Brando

Birthdate: April 3, 1924

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Omaha, Nebraska, United States

Died: July 1, 2004

One of the greatest movie actors of all time, heartthrob of millions of women around the world, and a cultural icon, who had immense influence on actors of future generations, there are very few like Marlon Brando. In a career spanning six decades, Marlon Brando delivered critical and commercial successes in movies like A Streetcar Named Desire and The Godfather.

Alex Trebek

Birthdate: July 22, 1940

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Greater Sudbury, Canada

Died: November 8, 2020

An eminent television personality, Alex Trebek is best known for hosting the popular game show Jeopardy since it was revived in 1984. He has also hosted many other game shows, both in America and Canada. In February 1991, he became the first person to host three American game shows at the same time. He is currently undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer.

Alfred Hitchcock

Birthdate: August 13, 1899

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Leytonstone, London, England

Died: April 29, 1980

Popularly known as the Master of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock pioneered the Hitchcockian style of filmmaking. One of the most studied filmmakers in the world, Hitchcock is also one of the most influential in the history of cinema. In his career, that spanned six decades, he directed some of the greatest films of all time, such as Psycho and Vertigo.

 4 

P. T. Barnum

(Mayor of Bridgeport, Connecticut from 1875 to 1876)

P. T. Barnum

Birthdate: July 5, 1810

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Bethel, Connecticut, United States

Died: April 7, 1891

P. T. Barnum was an American politician, showman, and businessman. He is credited with founding the famous Barnum & Bailey Circus, which ran for 146 years. He is also credited with co-founding the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company, which is one of the oldest American ferry companies. His life and work have inspired many films, including The Greatest Showman.

 5 

Wyatt Earp

(American Lawman and Gambler Best Known for His Involvement in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral)

Wyatt Earp

Birthdate: March 19, 1848

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Monmouth, Illinois, United States

Died: January 13, 1929

A policeman and a gunfighter, Wyatt Earp is most known for his role in one of the most famous gunfights in the American West history - the Gunfight at O.K. Corral against a group of cowboys. The incident inspired numerous films and books that elevated his heroic status. During his life, he also worked as a truck driver and saloonkeeper. 

 6 

Mary Tyler Moore

(Known for Her Role in TV Sitcoms ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show’ and 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show')

Mary Tyler Moore

Birthdate: December 29, 1936

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Brooklyn Heights, New York, United States

Died: January 25, 2017

Actress and producer, Mary Tyler Moore, was well known for appearing in popular sitcoms in the 1960s and 1970s. She also appeared in a few movies and was nominated for an Academy Award. She advocated for animal rights and diabetes prevention and was the international chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Aaron Burr

Birthdate: February 6, 1756

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey, United States

Died: September 14, 1836

A soldier, lawyer and one of the founding Fathers of America, Aaron Burr rose to become the third Vice president of the United States. His turbulent political career, which included bitter rivalry with Alexander Hamilton, concluded when he mortally wounded Hamilton in a duel and was later charged with treason.

William Wordsworth

Birthdate: April 7, 1770

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Kingdom of Great Britain

Died: April 23, 1850

English poet William Wordsworth, along with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, released Lyrical Ballads in 1798, which set the tone for the Romantic Age of English Literature. Wordsworth was known for his poems I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud, The Prelude, and The Solitary Reaper. He also served as the Poet Laureate.

 9 

Burt Lancaster

(One of the Greatest Male Stars of Classic Hollywood Cinema)

Burt Lancaster

Birthdate: November 2, 1913

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States

Died: October 20, 1994

Burt Lancaster, one of the most prominent actors of Hollywood’s Golden Age, began as an acrobat and also fought in World War II. He is remembered for his Academy Award- and Golden Globe-winning performance in Elmer Gantry, and other films such as The Rainmaker, Birdman of Alcatraz, and Atlantic City.

 10 

Peter Townsend

(aviator, writer)

Peter Townsend

Birthdate: November 22, 1914

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Yangon

Died: June 19, 1995

Pierre Trudeau

Birthdate: October 18, 1919

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Montreal, Canada

Died: September 28, 2000

Pierre Trudeau was a Canadian politician who served as the 15th prime minister of the country. His personality generated excitement within Canada's mass media, which gave rise to the term Trudeaumania. The effects of Trudeau's contribution to Canadian nationalism can still be felt in Canada. 

 12 

John DeLorean

(Engineer Known for His Work at 'General Motors' & Founder of the 'DeLorean Motor Company')

John DeLorean

Birthdate: January 6, 1925

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States

Died: March 19, 2005

John DeLorean was an American inventor and engineer. Highly regarded for his work at General Motors, John DeLorean was an influential figure in the US automobile industry. He is credited with founding the popular American automobile manufacturer, The DeLorean Motor Company. DeLorean’s life inspired a couple of documentary films, including Framing John DeLorean where he was played by Alec Baldwin.

 13 

Valerie Harper

(Best Known for Her Role as ‘Rhoda Morgenstern’ on the Sitcom ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’)

Valerie Harper

Birthdate: August 22, 1939

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Suffern, New York, United States

Died: August 30, 2019

Valerie Harper is best remembered as Rhoda Morgensternfrom The Mary Tyler Moore Show and its spin-off, Rhoda, with the role winning her four Emmys. She also hosted Nova and was seen asValerie Hogan in the sitcom Valerie. She also earned a Tony nomination for the play Looped.

Walter Brennan

Birthdate: July 25, 1894

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Lynn, Massachusetts, United States

Died: September 21, 1974

Actor and singer, Walter Brennan, was one of the best known Hollywood actors in the mid-20th century. The veteran actor was the recipient of three Academy Awards, becoming one of only three male actors to do so. In an extensive career spanning almost five decades, he had appeared in over a hundred films and TV shows.

 15 

Shirley Chisholm

(Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 12th District (1969 - 1983))

Shirley Chisholm

Birthdate: November 30, 1924

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States

Died: January 1, 2005

A courageous political leader, Shirley Chisholm made history when she became the first African-American woman to be elected the United States Congresswoman. Later, she yet again created history when she—though unsuccessfullyVran for Democratic Party's presidential nomination to contest for US presidency. Throughout her career, she advocated racial equality and women empowerment. As an author, she penned two books.

Jonas Salk

Birthdate: October 28, 1914

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States

Died: June 23, 1995

If the world is successful in its fight against polio, the credit goes to American virologist Jonas Salk who developed a vaccine for the disease. Described as a “miracle worker”, his concerns for humanity were reflected in the fact that he did not claim a patent for the vaccine. He founded the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, based in California.

 17 

Edvard Munch

(Norwegian Painter Best Known for His Works: ‘The Scream’, ‘Madonna’ and ‘The Sick Child’)

Edvard Munch

Birthdate: December 12, 1863

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Ådalsbruk, Norway

Died: 1944 AD

Norwegian painter Edvard Munch is remembered for his iconic works The Scream and The Frieze of Life - A Poem about Life, Love, and Death. His paintings exhibited themes that reflected his own psychological states. He was a significant member of theSymbolismmovement but was banned by the Nazi.

 18 

Leonardo Fibonacci

(Italian Mathematician Who was Considered to be One of the Most Talented Western Mathematicians of the Middle Ages)

Leonardo Fibonacci

Birthdate: 1170 AD

Birthplace: Pisa, Italy

Died: 1250 AD

Medieval Italian mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci is remembered for introducing the Hindu–Arabic numeral system to Europe through his book Liber abaci. Son of an Italian trader, he interacted with merchants along the Mediterranean coast to learn about their system of calculations. The Fibonacci sequence, too, was invented by him. 

Jean Simmons

Birthdate: January 31, 1929

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: London, England

Died: January 22, 2010

Jean Simmons is best remembered as Ophelia from the 1948 movie Hamlet, a role that fetched her an Oscar nomination. She won an Emmy for The Thorn Birds and a Golden Globe for Guys and Dolls. She was also known for her association with the anti-drug charity Release.

 20 

José Ferrer

(Actor and Director Best Known for His Films: ‘Moulin Rouge’, ‘The Caine Mutiny’ and ‘Lawrence of Arabia’)

José Ferrer

Birthdate: January 8, 1912

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Died: January 26, 1992

José Ferrer was a Puerto Rican actor and director who established himself in the American theatre and film industry. He received an Academy Award for his performance in Cyrano de Bergerac, becoming the first Hispanic actor and the first Puerto Rican-born actor to win the award. In 1985, he became the first actor to receive the National Medal of Arts.

Rabindranath Tagore

Birthdate: May 7, 1861

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Died: August 7, 1941

Rabindranath Tagore was an Indian polymath who contributed greatly to the fields of literature, art, and philosophy. Referred to as the Bard of Bengal, Tagore is credited with reshaping Bengali literature and music. The first non-European to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, Tagore is also credited with composing the national anthems of India and Bangladesh.

 22 

Jessica Walter

(Best Known for Her Role as ‘Lucille Bluth’ in the TV Series ‘Arrested Development’)

Jessica Walter

Birthdate: January 31, 1941

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States

Died: March 24, 2021

Jessica Walter is best known for her Satellite Award-winning performance as Lucille Bluth in Arrested Development and her Emmy-winning titular role in the series Amy Prentiss. Fans also loved her in the movies Play Misty For Me and Grand Prix. She has also voiced characters in Archer and Dinosaurs.

Charlie Watts

Birthdate: June 2, 1941

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Kingsbury, London, England

Died: August 24, 2021

English drummer, Charlie Watts, was best known as a member of the band Rolling Stones. He was associated with the group for almost 60 years. He began his career as a graphic designer for an advertising company and played with bands in his leisure time. He eventually started drumming full time with Rolling Stones.

Kofi Annan

Birthdate: April 8, 1938

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Kumasi, Ghana

Died: August 18, 2018

Ghanaian diplomat Kofi Annan served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1997 to 2006. He was the founder and chairman of the Kofi Annan Foundation and a co-recipient of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize. During his stint with the UN, he launched the UN Global Compact and worked to combat HIV/AIDS. 

 25 

Alexandra of Denmark

(Former Queen Consort of the United Kingdom and British Dominions (1901 - 1910))

Alexandra of Denmark

Birthdate: December 1, 1844

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark

Died: November 20, 1925

Alexandra of Denmark was the queen of the U.K. and the empress of India from 1901 to 1910, as the wife of King Edward VII. Her style of dressing inspired English fashion back then. She supported her son George V’s campaign against Germany, with the Allies, during World War I.

 26 

Donatello

(One of the Greatest of All Italian Renaissance Artists)

Donatello

Birthdate: 1386 AD

Birthplace: Florence, Italy

Died: December 13, 1466

Donatello was an Italian sculptor best remembered for his most famous work, David, which is often viewed as the first major work of Renaissance sculpture. Donatello is one of the most popular Italian sculptors of all time. He was played by English actor Ben Starr in a historical drama TV series titled Medici: Masters of Florence.

 27 

Jack Benny

(One of the Leading Entertainers of the 20th Century)

Jack Benny

Birthdate: February 14, 1894

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Died: December 26, 1974

Benjamin Kubelsky, better known as Jack Benny, was an American vaudeville violinist who later soared to fame with the radio/TV comedy show The Jack Benny Program. He became famous for his signature expression “Well!” He also appeared in films such as The Hollywood Revue of 1929 and Mr. Broadway.

 28 

Golda Meir

(Former Prime Minister of Israel (1969 - 1974))

Golda Meir

Birthdate: May 3, 1898

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Kyiv, Ukraine

Died: December 8, 1978

Born in present-day Ukraine and brought up in the United States, the phenomenal rise of Golda Meir to become the prime minister of Israel was driven by her sheer leadership qualities. She steered her country amid hostilities from its neighbourhood during her eventful term as premier which also saw the Yom Kippur War. She is remembered as a strong-willed woman.

 29 

Chester W. Nimitz

(American Admiral Known for His Role as Commander in Chief of US Pacific Fleet in World War II)

Chester W. Nimitz

Birthdate: February 24, 1885

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Fredericksburg, Texas, United States

Died: February 20, 1966

Chester W. Nimitz was part of the United States Navy where he served as a fleet admiral. He played a key role during World War II, commanding the US Pacific Fleet and the Allied air, sea, and land forces. He also played a crucial role in acquiring approval to develop USS Nautilus, the first nuclear-powered submarine in the world.

 30 

Ginger Baker

(Former Drummer known for co-founder and occasional vocalist of the rock band Cream)

Ginger Baker

Birthdate: August 19, 1939

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Lewisham, South London, England

Died: October 6, 2019

Height: 6'4" (193 cm)

Mickey Hargitay

Birthdate: January 6, 1926

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Budapest, Hungary

Died: September 14, 2006

Former Mr.Universe, Mickey Hargitay made his way into showbiz with Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? Husband of actress Jayne Mansfield, he was also a proficient football player. He earned the Joe Weider Lifetime Achievement Award; he was the first one to recieve that honor. During World War II, he was an underground fighter.

John Ruskin

Birthdate: February 8, 1819

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: England

Died: January 20, 1900

The leading English art critic of the Victorian era, John Ruskin was a hugely influential figure in the latter half of the 19th century. Also a philosopher and prominent social thinker, he wrote on varied subjects like geology, architecture, education, botany, myth, ornithology, literature, and political economy. He founded the charitable trust Guild of St George.

 33 

Anne Francis

(Best Known for Roles in the Film ‘Forbidden Planet, and TV Series ‘Honey West’)

Anne Francis

Birthdate: September 16, 1930

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Ossining, New York, United States

Died: January 2, 2011

Anne Francis is best remembered as her Golden Globe-winning and Emmy-nominated titular role in the series Honey West, which was the first series with a woman detective’s name as its title. A Broadway performer since the age of 11, Francis also gained fame with the sci-fi film Forbidden Planet.

Samuel Morse

Birthdate: April 27, 1791

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States

Died: April 2, 1872

 35 

Patrick McGoohan

(Actor Known for His Roles as ‘Dr. Paul Ruth’ in Scanners (1981) & ‘King Edward I’ in Braveheart (1995))

Patrick McGoohan

Birthdate: March 19, 1928

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Astoria, New York, United States

Died: January 13, 2009

Though born in the US, Patrick McGoohan moved to the US with his family as a child and later became one of Britain’s best-known actors. Fans loved him as John Drake in Danger Man and as Number Six in The Prisoner. He is also known for his Emmy-winning performance in the series Columbo.

Frank Vincent

Birthdate: April 15, 1937

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: North Adams, Massachusetts, United States

Died: September 13, 2017

Frank Vincent was an American actor, author, and musician best known for appearing in many Martin Scorsese movies, such as Raging Bull, Casino, and Goodfellas. Known for his large frame, Frank Vincent was often cast to play the role of gangsters. In 1999, his service to the entertainment industry was honored with an Italian American Entertainer of the Year Award.

Stewart Granger

Birthdate: May 6, 1913

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Kensington, London, England

Died: August 16, 1993

Height: 6'3" (190 cm)

Chief Seattle

Birthdate: 1786 AD

Birthplace: Suquamish, Washington, United States

Died: June 7, 1866

Chief Seattle was a Suquamish and Duwamish chief who was a close friend of David Swinson "Doc" Maynard and is remembered for his amicable relationship with the white settlers. The city of Seattle was named after him. He is widely known for his speech on Native American land rights.

Robert A. Heinlein

Birthdate: July 7, 1907

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Butler, Missouri, United States

Died: May 8, 1988

Robert A. Heinlein was an American author, naval officer, and aeronautical engineer. Heinlein is credited with pioneering a literary subgenre called hard science fiction as he was among the first to stress the importance of scientific accuracy in fiction. Robert A. Heinlein is one of the most influential science-fiction writers of all time.

 40 

Joel Schumacher

(Director, screenwriter, producer)

Joel Schumacher

Birthdate: August 29, 1939

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States

Died: June 22, 2020

Height: 6'3" (190 cm)

 41 

Werner Klemperer

(Actor)

Werner Klemperer

Birthdate: March 22, 1920

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Cologne, Germany

Died: December 6, 2000

Height: 5'10" (178 cm)

Robbie Robertson

Birthdate: July 5, 1943

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Toronto, Canada

Died: August 9, 2023

Canadian musician, songwriter, and film composer Robbie Robertson became popular following his association as lead guitarist and songwriter with the rock group, The Band. He is credited for playing a key role in popularizing the Americana music genre. He also had a successful career as a solo artist. As a film composer, he has often collaborated with director Martin Scorsese.

William Rehnquist

Birthdate: October 1, 1924

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

Died: September 3, 2005

William Rehnquist had a 33-year career at the U.S. Supreme Court: as an associate justice for 14 years and as a chief justice for 19 years. He had served under Nixon and Ronald Reagan. He presided over Bill Clinton’s impeachment and was associated with cases such as Roe v. Wade.

 44 

Lee Strasberg

(Actor, Director)

Lee Strasberg

Birthdate: November 17, 1901

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Budaniv, Ukraine

Died: February 17, 1982

Height: 5'5" (165 cm)

 45 

Siegfried Sassoon

(English War Poet and Soldier Who Became One of the Leading Poets of the First World War)

Siegfried Sassoon

Birthdate: September 8, 1886

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Matfield, Kent, England

Died: September 1, 1967

Siegfried Sassoon was an English writer, poet, and soldier. One of the most popular poets during the First World War, Sassoon's works satirized the patriotic pretensions of those accountable for the war as well as described the horrors of the war. Siegfried Sassoon's works and ideology greatly influenced another leading poet of the First World War, Wilfred Owen.

 46 

Eileen Brennan

(Best Known for Her Role as ‘Captain Doreen Lewis’ in the Film ‘Private Benjamin’)

Eileen Brennan

Birthdate: September 3, 1932

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States

Died: July 28, 2013

Eileen Brennan was an American actress who was active in Hollywood for six decades. She appeared in numerous stage productions, films, and TV shows. Beginning her career while attending university, she first appeared in stage productions. Eventually, she started acting in films and TV shows as well. She usually played sympathetic, supporting characters. She received one Golden Globe Award for Best Actress.

John Lewis

Birthdate: February 21, 1940

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Alabama, United States

Died: July 17, 2020

Popularly known as one of the Big Six—leaders of six important civil rights organizations who masterminded the Great March on Washington in 1963—John Lewis played an important role in the civil rights movement that eventually ended racial segregation in the US. Also a statesman, Lewis was honored with many awards, such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

 48 

Pearl Buck

(Winner of the 1938 Nobel Prize in Literature)

Pearl Buck

Birthdate: June 26, 1892

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Hillsboro

Died: March 6, 1973

Nobel Prize- and Pulitzer Prize-winning American author Pearl Buck was raised in China by her missionary parents. She grew up to teach English literature in Chinese universities and later penned books such as East Wind, West Wind and The Good Earth, which were based on her experiences in China.

 49 

Ann Miller

(Actress, Singer)

Ann Miller

Birthdate: April 12, 1923

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Chireno, Texas, United States

Died: January 22, 2004

Height: 5'7" (170 cm)

Joan Bennett

Birthdate: February 27, 1910

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Fort Lee, New Jersey, United States

Died: December 7, 1990

Joan Bennett was an American actress best remembered for her femme fatale roles in movies like The Woman in the Window and Man Hunt. Her contribution to the film industry earned her a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, although she also made immense contributions to radio, TV, and theater.

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