Famous People Who Died At 40

The list of famous people who died at 40 includes John Lennon, Paul Walker, Edgar Allan Poe, Kalpana Chawla, Alexander McQueen. Famous personalities featured on this list, include emperors & kings, political leaders, military leaders and actors and from other domains of life. This list of celebrities who died at 40 includes people from United States, United Kingdom, France & Turkey and many more countries.
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 1 
Paul Walker
(Best Known for His Role as 'Brian O'Conner' in the 'Fast & Furious' Franchise)
Paul Walker
101
Birthdate: September 12, 1973
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Glendale, California, United States
Died: November 30, 2013

Actor Paul Walker is remembered for his role as Brian O'Conner in the Fast & Furious franchise. A talented star who made his debut as a child actor, he was known for taking up challenging roles, especially in action films. Besides acting, he had a keen interest in marine biology. He was killed in a tragic car accident in 2013.

 2 
Franz Kafka
(Novelist and Short-Story Writer, Widely Regarded as One of the Major Figures of 20th-Century Literature)
Franz Kafka
24
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: July 3, 1883
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Prague, Czech Republic
Died: June 3, 1924

Considered one of the major authors of the 20th century, Franz Kafka was a Bohemian short-story writer and novelist. Franz Kafka is credited for being one of the earliest German-speaking authors to explore themes like absurdity, existential anxiety, and alienation. The term Kafkaesque is now widely used in the English language to explain those situations experienced by his characters.

 3 
Jack London
(Novelist & Journalist)
Jack London
23
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: January 12, 1876
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: San Francisco, California, United States
Died: November 22, 1916

Jack London was an American novelist, social activist, and journalist. A pioneer of American magazines and commercial fiction, London was one of the first authors from the US to become an international celebrity. His life and work inspired several films, such as the 1943 movie Jack London and 1980 film Klondike Fever. He was also portrayed in several TV series.

 4 
John Coltrane
(One of the Most Influential Saxophonists in Music History)
John Coltrane
178
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: September 23, 1926
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: HaHamlet, North Carolina, United States
Died: July 17, 1967
Jazz saxophonist John Coltrane is remembered for his significant influence on modern jazz. He was initially part of the Navy band and eventually collaborated with musicians such as Miles Davis. He won a Pulitzer Prize and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and was canonized by the African Orthodox Church.
 5 
Edgar Allan Poe
(Writer and Poet - Widely Regarded as a Central Figure of Romanticism in the United States)
Edgar Allan Poe
276
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: January 19, 1809
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Died: October 7, 1849

American writer Edgar Allan Poe is regarded as the architect of modern short story, the inventor of the detective-fiction genre and a major contributor towards science fiction genre. The influential writer is recognised for his tales of mystery and macabre. His notable works include The Raven (poem), The Tell-Tale Heart and The Fall of the House of Usher (short stories).

 6 
John Lennon
(The Founder, Co-Songwriter, Co-Lead Vocalist & Rhythm Guitarist of 'The Beatles')
John Lennon
549
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: October 9, 1940
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Liverpool, England, United Kingdom
Died: December 8, 1980

John Lennon was part of the hugely successful and popular music band, Beatles. It became the first British band to break out big in the US. However, they eventually broke up. Subsequently, Lennon went solo, with 1971 album, Imagine, being his most successful and acclaimed post-Beatles efforts. Sadly he was shot dead by a deranged fan in New York.

 7 
Robert Capa
(Photographer, Photojournalist)
Robert Capa
9
Listed In: Photographers
Birthdate: October 22, 1913
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Budapest, Hungary
Died: May 25, 1954

Robert Capa was a Hungarian-American photojournalist and war photographer. Regarded as the greatest adventure and combat photographer of all time, Robert Capa is best remembered for covering five major wars, namely Second Sino-Japanese War, Spanish Civil War, World War II, First Indochina War, and the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. In 1947, he was honored with the prestigious Medal of Freedom.

 8 
Michael J. Smith
Michael J. Smith
4
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: April 30, 1945
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Beaufort
Died: January 28, 1986
 9 
Shawty Lo
(Rapper)
Shawty Lo
13
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: March 31, 1976
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Died: September 21, 2016
 10 
Augustus Pugin
(English Architect and Designer Known for His Pioneering Role in the Gothic Revival Style of Architecture)
Augustus Pugin
4
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: March 1, 1812
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Keppel Street, Bloomsbury, London, England
Died: September 14, 1852

Augustus Pugin was an English designer, architect, artist, and critic. He is best remembered for his contribution to the Gothic Revival style of architecture. He is credited with designing the interior of the popular Palace of Westminster in London as well as the palace's iconic clock tower. Augustus Pugin also designed the Alton Castle in Staffordshire.

 11 
Juan Gris
(Spanish Cubist Painter)
Juan Gris
4
Birthdate: March 23, 1887
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Madrid, Spain
Died: May 11, 1927

Juan Gris was a Spanish painter whose paintings are counted among the Cubism movement's most distinctive works. Gris's works and style influenced the Purist style of Charles Edouard Jeanneret and Amédée Ozenfant. Some of his paintings, such as Still Life with Checked Tablecloth and The musician's Table, have sold for millions of dollars at the auction.

 12 
Yusaku Matsuda
(Japanese actor)
Yusaku Matsuda
0
Birthdate: September 21, 1949
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture
Died: November 6, 1989
 13 
Manuel Maria Barbosa du Bocage
(Portuguese Poet)
Manuel Maria Barbosa du Bocage
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: September 15, 1765
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Setúbal, Portugal
Died: December 21, 1805

Manuel Maria Barbosa du Bocage was a Portuguese poet who also served in the Portuguese Navy. He is best remembered for his modinhas, which are short, rhyming poems often sung with a guitar. He is also remembered for his interesting lifestyle as he had numerous love affairs.

 14 
Roger de La Fresnaye
(Painter)
Roger de La Fresnaye
13
Birthdate: July 11, 1885
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Le Mans, France
Died: November 27, 1925
 15 
Pierre Victurnien Vergniaud
(Lawyer)
Pierre Victurnien Vergniaud
20
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: May 31, 1753
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Limoges, France
Died: October 31, 1793
 16 
Nakae Tōju
(Philosopher)
Nakae Tōju
0
Birthdate: April 21, 1608
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Japan
Died: October 11, 1648
 17 
Zumbi
(King of Quilombo dos Palmares (1680–1695))
Zumbi
0
Birthdate: 1655 AD
Birthplace: União dos Palmares, Alagoas, Brazil
Died: November 20, 1695
 18 
Yeghishe Charents
(Poet)
Yeghishe Charents
4
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: March 13, 1897
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Kars, Kars Oblast, Russian Empire
Died: November 27, 1937
 19 
Frank O'Hara
(Poet)
Frank O'Hara
2
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: March 27, 1926
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland Baltimore, Maryland
Died: July 25, 1966
 20 
Francisco de Rojas Zorrilla
(Dramatist)
Francisco de Rojas Zorrilla
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: October 4, 1607
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Toledo, Spain
Died: January 23, 1648
 21 
Simon Monjack
(Film Director, Screenwriter, Producer)
Simon Monjack
9
Birthdate: March 9, 1970
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: London Borough of Hillingdon
Died: May 23, 2010

Simon Monjack was an English filmmaker, screenwriter, and make-up artist. Much of his professional life was overshadowed by his personal life, which included his marriage to American actress Brittany Murphy. Monjack's death attracted the attention of media as he died five months after Murphy's death due to complications similar to Murphy's undoing. 

 22 
Pete Maravich
(American Professional Basketball Player and One of the Best Ball Handlers of All Time)
Pete Maravich
57
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 22, 1947
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: January 5, 1988
Pete Maravich, or Pistol Pete, played for three NBA teams till injuries ended his career. He initially played under his father, head coach Press Maravich, for the LSU Tigers. He also became the NCAA Division I top scorer of all time, with 3,667 points and 44.2 points per game.
 23 
Blanche II of Navarre
(Queen)
Blanche II of Navarre
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: June 9, 1424
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Olite, Navarre, Spain
Died: December 2, 1464
 24 
Mikhail Krug
(Singer)
Mikhail Krug
0
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: April 7, 1962
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Tver, Russia
Died: July 1, 2002
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 25 
Robert Tressell
(Novelist)
Robert Tressell
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: April 17, 1870
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Died: February 3, 1911
 26 
Glenn Miller
(Trombonist)
Glenn Miller
86
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: March 1, 1904
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Clarinda, Iowa, United States
Died: December 15, 1944
 27 
Vasily Stalin
(Joseph Stalin's Son)
Vasily Stalin
205
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: March 21, 1921
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Died: March 19, 1962
Vasily Stalin was the son of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin and his second wife. Vasily joined the Air Force during Nazi Germany’s Operation Barbarossa. He was the youngest major-general of the Red Army. Following his father’s death, he sank into alcoholism and was also imprisoned for a while.
 28 
Roy Halladay
(Baseball Player)
Roy Halladay
32
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 14, 1977
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Denver, Colorado, USA
Died: November 7, 2017
Height: 6'6" (198 cm)
 29 
Abraham Afewerki
(Singer, songwriter noted for his unique Tigrinya-based compositions and lyrics)
Abraham Afewerki
0
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: January 30, 1966
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Asmara, Eritrea
Died: October 7, 2006
 30 
Constance, Duchess of Brittany
(Queen)
Constance, Duchess of Brittany
0
Birthdate: June 12, 1161
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Brittany, France
Died: September 5, 1201
 31 
Robert Dahlqvist
(Guitarist)
Robert Dahlqvist
0
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: April 16, 1976
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Uddevalla, Sweden
Died: February 1, 2017
 32 
Alec Kessler
(Basketball player)
Alec Kessler
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 13, 1967
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Died: October 13, 2007
Height: 6'11" (211 cm)
 33 
Amar Suloev
(Russian MMA Fighter and Contract Killer)
Amar Suloev
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 7, 1976
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Tashir, Armenia
Died: June 27, 2016

Amar Suloev was a Russian MMA fighter and contract killer. During his MMA career, he competed for the PRIDE Fighting Championships, UFC, M-1 Global, and Cage Rage. Following his MMA career, Suloev got himself involved in organized crime and was eventually arrested. Amar Suloev died at the age of 40 due to stomach cancer.

 34 
Nikolay Dukhonin
(General)
Nikolay Dukhonin
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: December 13, 1876
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Smolensk Governorate, Russian Empire
Died: December 3, 1917
 35 
Beppe Fenoglio
(Writer)
Beppe Fenoglio
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: March 1, 1922
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Alba, Italy
Died: February 18, 1963
 36 
Paddy Mayne
(One of Britain's Most Highly Decorated Soldiers in Second World War)
Paddy Mayne
9
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: January 11, 1915
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Newtownards, County Down, Ireland
Died: December 14, 1955

Paddy Mayne was not just a British Army lieutenant colonel but also a legendary rugby player who had represented both Ireland and the British Lions. He was also known for his reckless behavior, including his drunken brawls. He was part of a huge debate after being denied the Victoria Cross.

 37 
Zhang Xianzhong
(Chinese Emperor Who Ruled the Xi Dynasty From 1644 to 1646)
Zhang Xianzhong
0
Birthdate: September 18, 1606
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Dingbian, China
Died: January 2, 1647

Zhang Xianzhong reigned as the Emperor of the Xi dynasty from 1644 to 1646. He is best remembered for his role in the massacres that depopulated Sichuan during the 1640s. Zhang Xianzhong was killed in 1647 by the invading Qing army.

 38 
Geo Omori
(Brazilian Martial Artist)
Geo Omori
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: 1898 AD
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
Died: March 2, 1938
 39 
Afonso VI of Portugal
(King)
Afonso VI of Portugal
2
Birthdate: August 21, 1643
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Ribeira Palace, Lisbon, Portugal
Died: September 12, 1683
 40 
José Cadalso
(Spanish Military Officer and Writer Best Known for His ‘Cartas Marruecas’, an Epistolary Novel)
José Cadalso
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: October 8, 1741
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Cádiz, Spain
Died: February 26, 1782

José Cadalso was a colonel of the Royal Spanish Army in the 18th century. He was also a well-known author, playwright, poet, and essayist. As an army man, he traveled through Italy, Germany, England, France, and Portugal and studied the literature of these countries. He is credited to have made massive contributions to Spanish Enlightenment literature. 

 41 
Cao Zhi
(Prince of Cao Wei and Poet)
Cao Zhi
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: 0192 AD
Birthplace: Shen County, Liaocheng, China
Died: December 27, 0232
 42 
Ermengarde of Hesbaye
(Queen)
Ermengarde of Hesbaye
0
Birthdate: 0778 AD
Birthplace: French
Died: October 3, 0818
 43 
Javiera Muñoz
(Singer)
Javiera Muñoz
0
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: May 28, 1977
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Motala, Sweden
Died: January 16, 2018
 44 
Sigurd the Crusader
(King of Norway)
Sigurd the Crusader
0
Birthdate: 1090 AD
Birthplace: Norway
Died: March 26, 1130
 45 
Vitas Gerulaitis
(American Professional Tennis Player)
Vitas Gerulaitis
16
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: July 26, 1954
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: September 17, 1994
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 46 
Chris Kanyon
(American Professional Wrestler)
Chris Kanyon
9
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 4, 1970
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Sunnyside, New York, United States
Died: April 2, 2010
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 47 
Jean Cavailles
(Philosopher and logician)
Jean Cavailles
0
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: May 15, 1903
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Saint-Maixent-l'École, France
Died: February 17, 1944
 48 
Jean-Yves Raimbaud
(Screenwriter, Animator)
Jean-Yves Raimbaud
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: January 21, 1958
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Évreux, France
Died: July 13, 1998
 49 
Saint Bruno the Great
(Archbishop)
Saint Bruno the Great
0
Birthdate: 0925 AD
Birthplace: Germany
Died: October 11, 0965

Tenth-century archbishop of Cologne Saint Bruno the Great, also known as Bruno of Saxony, was the brother of Roman emperor Otto I and the youngest son of Henry the Fowler. He established countless institutions, such as the St. Pantaleon in Cologne. In Otto’s absence, Bruno served as the regent.

 50 
Shiva Naipaul
(Novelist, Journalists)
Shiva Naipaul
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: February 25, 1945
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Died: August 13, 1985