Famous People Who Died At 65

The list of famous people who died at 65 includes Walt Disney, Genghis Khan, B. R. Ambedkar, Richard Pryor, Johann Sebastian Bach. Famous personalities featured on this list, include political leaders, artists, actors and philosophers and from other domains of life. This list of celebrities who died at 65 includes people from United States, United Kingdom, Germany & Italy and many more countries.
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 1 
Walt Disney
(Pioneer of the American Animation Industry)
Walt Disney
109
Birthdate: December 5, 1901
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died: December 15, 1966

Walt Disney is considered to be the forerunner of the American animation industry. He has won 22 Oscars and holds the record for most Academy Awards earned by an individual as a film producer. His The Walt Disney Company‍ has produced many successful animation films. He later established amusement theme park, Disneyland, in 1955, which has since grown manifold.

 2 
Richard Pryor
(Greatest Stand-Up Comedian of All-Time)
Richard Pryor
29
Birthdate: December 1, 1940
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Peoria, Illinois, United States
Died: December 10, 2005

Considered one of the greatest stand-up comedians of all time, Richard Pryor entertained his audience and influenced generations of stand-up comedians with his pointed observations and skilful art of storytelling. He began by performing at clubs and gained immense fame with his third comedy album, That Nigger’s Crazy. He also became an acclaimed actor and an award winning writer.

 3 
Bob Saget
(Stand-up Comedian)
Bob Saget
73
Birthdate: May 17, 1956
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: January 9, 2022

Bob Saget was an American actor, director, television host, and stand-up comedian. Renowned for his adult-oriented stand-up comedy routine, Saget hosted popular TV shows, such as America's Funniest Home Videos. Also known for his charity work, Bob Saget served as one of the members of the board of the non-profit organization, Scleroderma Research Foundation.

 4 
Eddie Van Halen
(Guitarist and Keyboardist of the Rock Band Van Halen)
Eddie Van Halen
65
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: January 26, 1955
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Died: October 6, 2020

Eddie Van Halen was an American songwriter and guitarist. The co-founder of the popular rock band Van Halen, Eddie is widely considered one of the greatest guitar players in the history of rock music. He is credited with popularizing the tapping technique, which is now used extensively by guitarists all over the world.

 5 
Johann Sebastian Bach
(One of the Greatest Composers of All Time)
Johann Sebastian Bach
22
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: March 31, 1685
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Eisenach, Germany
Died: July 28, 1750

Johann Sebastian Bach was an 18-th century German composer of the Baroque period. He redefined both church and secular music. He served as the court musician of Duke Johann Ernst and King Augustus III. He created more than 300 cantatas and vocal music such as Mass in B minor.

 6 
Miles Davis
(Trumpeter and one of the Most Prominent Figures in the History of Jazz)
Miles Davis
21
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: May 26, 1926
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Alton, Illinois, United States
Died: September 28, 1991
Jazz trumpeter and composer Miles Davis was a pioneer in the bepop and jazz fusion genres. His work also had electronic, African, and Spanish influences. His album Kind of Blue sold 5 million copies in the U.S. and was termed a national treasure by the House of Representatives, years later. 
 7 
Saint Peter
(First Bishop of Rome and One of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ)
Saint Peter
46
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 0001 BC
Birthplace: Bethsaida
Died: 0065 AD

One of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus, Saint Peter played a key role in the formation of Christianity as one of the earliest leaders of the early Church. Considered to be the first Pope by Catholics, Saint Peter appears frequently in influential texts, such as the New Testament. Over the years, Saint Peter has been an important subject of paintings.

 8 
Constantine the Great
(Roman Emperor)
Constantine the Great
26
Birthdate: February 27, 0272
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Naissus, Moesia, Roman Empire
Died: May 22, 0337

Constantine the Great served as the Roman emperor between 306 and 337. During his reign, he enacted financial, administrative, military, and social reforms to strengthen the empire. Constantine the Great is also credited with introducing the solidus, a gold coin which became the standard for European and Byzantine currencies for over a thousand years.

 9 
Lewis Carroll
(English Author Best Known for His Works: ‘Alice's Adventures in Wonderland’ & Its Sequel ‘Through the Looking-Glass’)
Lewis Carroll
23
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: January 27, 1832
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Cheshire, England, United Kingdom
Died: January 14, 1898
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, better known by his pseudonym, Lewis Carroll, is remembered for his iconic children’s fiction such as Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. He explored the genre of literary nonsense with his poems such as Jabberwocky. He was also a photographer, a mathematician, and an inventor.
 10 
Jim Thorpe
(American Athlete and Olympic Gold Medalist)
Jim Thorpe
12
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 28, 1887
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Lincoln County, Oklahoma, United States
Died: March 28, 1953

Jim Thorpe was an American athlete who was counted among the most versatile athletes of the modern era. Jim Thorpe won two gold medals at the 1912 Olympics and became the first Native American to give the United States an Olympic gold. He also played American football, professional baseball, and basketball. He was memorialized in the 1951 film Jim Thorpe – All-American.

 11 
Francis Bacon
(Philosopher, Statesman and Lord High Chancellor of England)
Francis Bacon
26
Birthdate: January 22, 1561
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: The Strand, London, England
Died: April 9, 1626

Francis Bacon was a Renaissance philosopher and author who was known as the Father of Empiricism, because of his belief in the scientific method and theory that scientific knowledge can only be created through inductive reasoning and experience. He was later knighted and served as the first Queen's counsel.

 12 
Natalie Cole
(Singer)
Natalie Cole
17
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: February 6, 1950
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
Died: December 31, 2015
R&B and pop singer Natalie Cole, daughter of jazz pianist and singer Nat King Cole, is known for hits such as Inseparable and her cover of Pink Cadillac. The nine-time Grammy-winning artist soared to fame with the album Unforgettable... with Love, which sold more than 7 million copies.
 13 
Zachary Taylor
(12th President of the United States (1849-50))
Zachary Taylor
34
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: November 24, 1784
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Barboursville, Virginia, United States
Died: July 9, 1850
Zachary Taylor was the 12th U.S. president, from March 1849 till his death in July 1850, thus spending just 16 months in office. His heroism in the Mexican–American War had earned him the title of major general. A novice in political affairs, he was the last president who owned slaves.
 14 
Isaac Hayes
(Singer-songwriter)
Isaac Hayes
18
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: August 20, 1942
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Covington, Tennessee, United States
Died: August 10, 2008
 15 
Paul Allen
(Co-founder of Microsoft, Philanthropist)
Paul Allen
31
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: January 21, 1953
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Seattle
Died: October 15, 2018

Paul Allen was an American investor, business magnate, and philanthropist. He is credited with co-founding one of the most popular multinational technology companies in the world, Microsoft Corporation. Along with his philanthropic activities and ownership of several other companies and sporting clubs, Paul Allen had a major impact on sports, wildlife, education, arts, healthcare, community services, environmental conservation, and more.

 16 
George Peppard
(Actor)
George Peppard
6
Birthdate: October 1, 1928
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States
Died: May 8, 1994
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 17 
Oliver Hardy
(Actor)
Oliver Hardy
17
Birthdate: January 18, 1892
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Harlem, Georgia, United States
Died: August 7, 1957
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 18 
Zaha Hadid
(Architect)
Zaha Hadid
28
Listed In: Architects
Birthdate: October 31, 1950
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Baghdad
Died: March 31, 2016
Baghdad-born British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid is best remembered for her revolutionary and modern architectural designs, that involved abstraction and relied on curves. She won the Stirling Prize and was the first woman to receive the Pritzker Prize. She designed the Guangzhou Opera House and Rome's MAXXI Museum, among other marvels.
 19 
B. R. Ambedkar
(One of the Architects of the Indian Constitution)
B. R. Ambedkar
131
Listed In: Lawyers & Judges
Birthdate: April 14, 1891
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Madhya Pradesh, India
Died: December 6, 1956

India's first Minister of Law and Justice, B. R. Ambedkar inspired the Dalit Buddhist movement. He also fought against social discrimination prevalent in India at that time. Widely regarded as the chief architect of the Constitution of India, Ambedkar was posthumously honored with India's highest civilian award - The Bharat Ratna.

 20 
Molly Brown
(American Socialite, Philanthropist and Actress Who Survived the Sinking of the Titanic)
Molly Brown
11
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: July 18, 1867
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Hannibal, Missouri, United States
Died: October 26, 1932

Molly Brown was an American philanthropist and socialite. She is often referred to as the Unsinkable Molly Brown for surviving the 1912 sinking of Titanic and for unsuccessfully encouraging the crew members of Lifeboat No. 6 to look for survivors by returning to the debris field. Her life and work inspired the 1960 musical, The Unsinkable Molly Brown.

 21 
Harry Anderson
7
Birthdate: October 14, 1952
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.
Died: April 16, 2018
Harry Anderson is best remembered for is Emmy-nominated role of Judge Harry Stone in Night Court and for his portrayal of Dave Barry in Dave's World. He was also a skilled magician and participated in magic shows such as Harry Anderson's Sideshow. He has also written several books.
 22 
Hypatia
(Mathematician, Astronomer and Philosopher)
Hypatia
21
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: 0350 AD
Birthplace: Alexandria, Egypt
Died: February 29, 0415
Hypatia was a Hellenistic Neoplatonist philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer who lived during the 4th and 5th centuries. She also taught and served as a counselor. She is remembered for her commentary on Diophantus's Arithmetica. She was later murdered and became a symbol of feminism and of opposition to Catholic ideals.
 23 
David Hume
(Best Known for His Highly Influential System of Philosophical Empiricism, Scepticism and Naturalism)
David Hume
15
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: April 26, 1711
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Edinburgh, Scotland
Died: August 25, 1776

Scottish Enlightenment philosopher, historian, and economist, David Hume, is considered one of the most important philosophers to write in English. His book, A Treatise of Human Nature, is counted among the most influential works in the history of philosophy. His works have influenced numerous thinkers, including German philosopher Immanuel Kant and Christian philosopher Joseph Butler.

 24 
Sandro Botticelli
(One of the Greatest Painters of the Florentine Renaissance)
Sandro Botticelli
5
Birthdate: 1445 AD
Birthplace: Florence, Italy
Died: May 17, 1510
Italian painter Sandro Botticelli was one of the most influential figures of the Early Renaissance. His works later influenced the Pre-Raphaelites. He is best known for his iconic works Primavera and The Birth of Venus and his versions of the Madonna and Child. He also painted the Sistine Chapel.
 25 
Richard Wright (Musician)
(One of the Founders of the Progressive Rock Band ‘Pink Floyd’)
Richard Wright (Musician)
3
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: July 28, 1943
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Hatch End, Middlesex, England
Died: September 15, 2008

Richard Wright was an English musician. He is credited with co-founding the popular band ,Pink Floyd, for which he also served as a vocalist and keyboardist. Wright contributed immensely to the success of Pink Floyd and his distinctive keyboard playing was a key component of the music produced by the band.

 26 
Troy Donahue
11
Birthdate: January 27, 1936
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States
Died: September 2, 2001

Troy Donahue was an American actor and singer. During the 1950s and 1960s, Donahue became known as a popular sex symbol. He was also one of the most bankable stars during the early-1960s and was ranked the 20th most popular American star in 1963. The creation of Troy McClure, a character from The Simpsons, was inspired by Troy Donahue.

 27 
Wernher Von Braun
(Known as Father of Rocket Science)
Wernher Von Braun
24
Birthdate: March 23, 1912
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Wyrzysk, Poland
Died: June 16, 1977

German-born American aerospace engineer and space architect, Wernher Von Braun, worked in Nazi Germany's rocket development program as a young man. After World War II, he moved to the United States where he became a pioneer of rocket and space technology in the nation. In his later career, he became director of the newly formed Marshall Space Flight Center.

 28 
Manuel L. Quezon
(2nd President of the Philippines)
Manuel L. Quezon
13
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: August 19, 1878
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Baler, Philippines
Died: August 1, 1944

Filipino statesman Manuel L. Quezon, or MLQ, was the president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines from 1935 to 1944, thus becoming the first Filipino to lead a government of the whole of the Philippines. He formed a government-in-exile in the U.S. after the Japanese invasion during World War II.

 29 
Pericles
(First Citizen of Democratic Athens)
Pericles
4
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: 0494 BC
Birthplace: Athens
Died: 0429 BC

Pericles was an influential and prominent Greek statesman and orator. He also served as the general of Athens during fifth-century Athens, which came to be known as the Golden Age of Athens. Thanks to his efforts, Athens became known as the cultural and educational center of the ancient Greek world. Pericles is also credited with beautifying and protecting the city.

 30 
John Milton
(English Poet and Intellectual Known for His Epic Poem ‘Paradise Lost’)
John Milton
24
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: December 9, 1608
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Cheapside, London, England
Died: November 8, 1674

John Milton was an English poet whose epic poem Paradise Lost is widely regarded as one of the greatest works of literature. Milton's other celebrated work Areopagitica is counted among history's most impassioned and influential defenses of freedom of the press and freedom of speech. John Milton’s works have influenced other prominent writers, such as Thomas Hardy and George Eliot.

 31 
Salvador Allende
(28th President of Chile)
Salvador Allende
25
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: June 26, 1908
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Santiago, Chile
Died: September 11, 1973
Salvador Allende was a physician who later became the Chilean president, this becoming the first Marxist president of a Latin American nation. His policies included nationalization and collectivization. He committed suicide after delivering a farewell speech over radio, to escape General Augusto Pinochet’s coup to oust him from the government.
 32 
Septimius Severus
(Roman Emperor from 193 to 211)
Septimius Severus
12
Birthdate: April 11, 0145
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Leptis Magna, Libya
Died: February 4, 0211
Roman emperor Septimius Severus reigned from 193 to 211. He worked in the senate under Marcus Aurelius and gained strength following the death of Pertinax. He killed incumbent emperor Didius Julianus and annexed many kingdoms, such as Osroene. While on an invasion of Scotland, he died of an infectious disease.
 33 
Giacomo Puccini
(Italian Composer Known for His Works ‘La Bohème’, ‘Tosca’ and ‘Madama Butterfly’)
Giacomo Puccini
6
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: December 22, 1858
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Lucca, Italy
Died: November 29, 1924

Born into a musical dynasty, composer Giacomo Puccini lost his father at age 5. Some of his best opera pieces include Madama Butterfly and La Bohème. The suicide of his maid, who was wrongly accused by his wife of being in an affair with him, affected his later career adversely.

 34 
Eugene O'Neill
(American Playwright and Winner of the 1936 Nobel Prize in Literature)
Eugene O'Neill
2
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: October 16, 1888
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States
Died: November 27, 1953

Eugene O'Neill was an American playwright whose works earned him several prestigious awards, including four Pulitzer Prizes for Drama and the 1936 Nobel Prize in Literature. His play Long Day's Journey into Night is frequently named among the 20th century's finest American plays. In the 1981 film Reds, Eugene O'Neill is played by actor Jack Nicholson.

 35 
George Sanders
(Actor Known for His Films: 'Rebecca', 'Foreign Correspondent' and 'All About Eve')
George Sanders
9
Birthdate: July 3, 1906
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Died: April 25, 1972

George Sanders was a British actor, music composer, singer-songwriter, and author. Characterized by his smooth bass voice and heavy English accent, Sanders often portrayed sophisticated but villainous roles. For his contribution to the film and TV industry, George Sanders was honored with a couple of stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

 36 
Jacques Cartier
(Explorer)
Jacques Cartier
145
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: December 31, 1491
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Saint-Malo
Died: September 1, 1557
Born in the French fishing town of Saint-Malo, Jacques Cartier was exposed to the world of seafaring quite early in life. His exploration of St. Lawrence River and the Canadian coast led the French to colonize the area later. He is also said to have coined the name "Canada." 
 37 
Shane MacGowan
(Lead Singer and Songwriter of Celtic Punk Band 'The Pogues')
Shane MacGowan
13
Birthdate: December 25, 1957
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Pembury, Kent, England
Died: November 30, 2023

Shane MacGowan is an Irish-English recording artist and vocalist. He is credited with co-founding popular bands, such as The Pogues and Shane MacGowan and the Popes. He is also known for his collaboration with artists like Sinéad O'Connor, Kirsty MacColl, and Nick Cave. In 2018, he was honored with the Ivor Novello Inspiration Award for creating inspiring music. 

 38 
Howlin' Wolf
(Singer)
Howlin' Wolf
6
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: June 10, 1910
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Whites, Mississippi, United States
Died: January 10, 1976
 39 
Fritz Haber
(Chemist)
Fritz Haber
9
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: December 9, 1868
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Wrocław
Died: January 29, 1934

Fritz Haber was a German chemist who was honored with the prestigious Nobel Prize in Chemistry for inventing the Haber-Bosch process. The process is used widely to synthesize ammonia from hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas. For his pioneering work in weaponizing poisonous gases like chlorine during World War I, Haber is referred to as the father of chemical warfare.

 40 
Cao Cao
(Chinese Statesman, Warlord, Poet and the Penultimate Grand Chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty)
Cao Cao
8
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: 0155 AD
Birthplace: Bozhou, Anhui, China
Died: March 15, 0220

Cao Cao was a Chinese warlord, poet, and statesman. He played an important role in laying the foundations for the state of Cao Wei, which was formed shortly after his death. Although he was posthumously honoured with the title Emperor Wu of Wei, Cao Cao never ruled as an emperor, but kept Emperor Xian under his control.

 41 
Carl Perkins
(Singer-songwriter)
Carl Perkins
4
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: April 9, 1932
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Tiptonville, Tennessee, United States
Died: January 19, 1998
 42 
Shari Lewis
(Former Children's puppeteer and cheerful TV personality whose character's, Lamb Chop and Charlie Horse)
Shari Lewis
8
Birthdate: January 17, 1933
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Bronx, New York, United States
Died: August 2, 1998
Height: 5'0" (152 cm)
 43 
Melissa Mathison
(Screenwriter)
Melissa Mathison
4
Listed In: Activists
Birthdate: June 3, 1950
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
Died: November 4, 2015

Melissa Mathison was a screenwriter and an activist for the Tibetan independence movement. She attended the University of California, Berkeley, for a while but quit before graduating. She was acquainted with Francis Ford Coppola who encouraged her to pursue a screenwriting career. She was once married to actor, Harrison Ford, and had two children.

 44 
Frank Herbert
(Science Fiction Author Best Known for His 1965 Novel 'Dune' & Its Sequels)
Frank Herbert
15
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: October 8, 1920
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Tacoma, Washington, United States
Died: February 11, 1986

American author, newspaper-journalist, book-reviewer, lecturer, photographer, and ecological consultant Franklin Herbert is most noted for his 1965 sci-fi novel Dune and its five sequels. Dune won the Nebula Award and the Hugo Award and spearheaded the Dune franchise. The novel is cited as the best-selling sci-fi novel in history while the series is counted among the classics of the genre.

 45 
Hafez
(14th Century Persian Lyric Poet)
Hafez
3
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: 1325 AD
Birthplace: Shiraz, Iran
Died: 1390 AD

Hafez was a Persian lyric poet whose works are considered by many as an apex of Persian literature. Even today, his works are found in the homes of the Persian-speaking world and people learn his poems by heart as they find them extremely useful. Not surprisingly, his poems are used commonly among speakers of Persian as everyday proverbs and sayings.

 46 
Craig Sager
(Journalist)
Craig Sager
3
Birthdate: June 29, 1951
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Batavia, Illinois, U.S.
Died: December 15, 2016
 47 
Empress Matilda
(Former Holy Roman Empress (1114 - 1125))
Empress Matilda
10
Birthdate: February 7, 1102
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Sutton Courtenay, England
Died: September 10, 1167

Empress Matilda was the daughter of King Henry I of England and one of the claimants to the throne of England during the 'Anarchy'. Her participation in the civil war and tales of bravery have been the subject of historical fiction. She has also been depicted in films, stage shows, and TV series.

 48 
Richard Griffiths
(Film and Stage Actor Known for His Stage Play ‘The History Boys’)
Richard Griffiths
6
Birthdate: July 31, 1947
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Thornaby, United Kingdom
Died: March 28, 2013

Richard Griffiths was an English actor known for his contribution across all the three major acting mediums. He played important roles in popular movies, such as the Harry Potter film series, Chariots of Fire, Gandhi, The French Lieutenant's Woman, and Hugo. In the 2008 New Year Honours, Richard Griffiths was appointed an OBE for his contributions.

 49 
Virginia Apgar
(Physician and Anesthesiologist)
Virginia Apgar
5
Listed In: Physicians
Birthdate: June 7, 1909
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Westfield, New Jersey, United States
Died: August 7, 1974
 50 
Wendy Richard
(Best Known for Her Role as ‘Miss Shirley Brahms’ on the TV Sitcom ‘Are You Being Served?’)
Wendy Richard
8
Birthdate: July 20, 1943
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Middlesbrough, Cleveland, England
Died: February 26, 2009

Wendy Richard is best remembered as Shirley Brahms from Are You Being Served? and as Pauline Fowler from EastEnders, and won the British Soap Award for Special Achievement for the latter. She died of breast cancer at 65 but documented the final months of her life in a BBC documentary.