Famous People Who Died At 79

The list of famous people who died at 79 includes Elizabeth Taylor, Anthony Eden, Immanuel Kant, Ho Chi Minh, Antonin Scalia. Famous personalities featured on this list, include political leaders, philosophers, novelists and artists and from other domains of life. This list of celebrities who died at 79 includes people from United States, United Kingdom, France & Germany and many more countries.
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 1 
Elizabeth Taylor
(One of the Best Actresses of Classic Hollywood Cinema)
Elizabeth Taylor
59
Birthdate: February 27, 1932
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Hampstead, London, England
Died: March 23, 2011

Considered an incandescent beauty, Elizabeth Taylor was a very popular and successful actor and her legacy is an everlasting one. She shone in movies like A Place in the Sun, Giant, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Cleopatra, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf and Butterfield 8 in the 1950s and 60s. Recipient of two Oscars, she married eight times.

 2 
Ho Chi Minh
(Former PM and President of Democratic Republic of Vietnam)
Ho Chi Minh
61
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: May 19, 1890
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Cụm di tích Hoàng trù, Vietnam
Died: September 2, 1969
Vietnamese Communist revolutionary Hồ Chí Minh led the Việt Minh independence movement and served as North Vietnam’s prime minister, from 1945 to 1955, and president, from 1945 to 1969. He was an integral part of the Vietnam War. South Vietnam’s former capital, Saigon, was later renamed Ho Chi Minh City.
 3 
Johnny Carson
(Comedian and Producer Best Known as the Host of ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson’)
Johnny Carson
17
Birthdate: October 23, 1925
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Corning, Iowa, United States
Died: January 23, 2005

Six-time Emmy Award-winner Johnny Carson was known for hosting NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. After serving in World War II, Carson started hosting radio shows and then graduated to TV. He also won the Presidential Medal of Freedom and is said to have inspired David Letterman.

 4 
George Washington Carver
(American Agricultural Scientist and Inventor Who Promoted Alternative Crops to Cotton and Methods to Prevent Soil Depletion)
George Washington Carver
39
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: 1864
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Diamond, Missouri, United States
Died: January 5, 1943
Agricultural scientist George Washington Carver is best remembered for promoting crops that were alternative to cotton, such as peanuts and sweet potatoes. He invented ways to prevent soil depletion and developed scores of products made from peanuts, including paints and cosmetics. He won numerous honors, such as the Spingarn Medal.
 5 
Ella Fitzgerald
(Jazz Singer Who was Noted for Her Purity of Tone and Impeccable Diction)
Ella Fitzgerald
34
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: April 25, 1917
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Newport News, Virginia, United States
Died: June 15, 1996

Ella Fitzgerald was an American jazz singer. Referred to as the Queen of Jazz, First Lady of Song, and Lady Ella, Fitzgerald was renowned for her impeccable diction, purity of tone, timing, and intonation. The winner of Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of Arts, Fitzgerald's legacy lives on several years after her death.

 6 
H. G. Wells
(British Author Who Has Been Called the 'Father of Science Fiction')
H. G. Wells
28
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: September 21, 1866
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Kent, England, United Kingdom
Died: August 13, 1946

H. G. Wells was an English writer. Although he was prolific in many genres, he is best remembered for his work on sci-fi novels, for which he is often referred to as the father of science fiction. His 1901 novel The First Men in the Moon became so influential that a lunar impact crater is named after him.

 7 
Robert Mitchum
(One of the Greatest Male Stars of Classic American Cinema)
Robert Mitchum
24
Birthdate: August 6, 1917
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States
Died: July 1, 1997
Robert Mitchum is best known for his film noirs, such as Undercurrent, and for defining the antihero in movies of the 1950s and 1960s. Fans loved him in The Story of G.I. and Joe and as U.S. Navy Captain Victor Henry in The Winds of War and its sequel.
 8 
Yip Man
(Martial Artist and a Grandmaster of the Martial Art 'Wing Chun')
Yip Man
18
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 1, 1893
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Foshan, China
Died: December 2, 1972

Yip Man was a Chinese martial artist best remembered for teaching martial arts to the famous Chinese American martial artist, Bruce Lee. Yip Man is credited with teaching not only Bruce Lee but also many other students who went on to become martial arts masters. A biographical martial arts film titled Ip Man was inspired by his life and career.

 9 
Immanuel Kant
(One of the Greatest Philosophers of All Time)
Immanuel Kant
17
Birthdate: April 22, 1724
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Königsberg, Germany
Died: February 12, 1804

Immanuel Kant was a German philosopher whose works in fields like aesthetics and metaphysics have made him an important and influential personality in Western philosophy. His views continue to influence contemporary philosophy. Kant has had a major influence on prominent philosophers like Hegel, Schelling, Reinhold, and Fichte. Kant's work on mathematics is cited by Albert Einstein as an early influence.

 10 
Charles de Gaulle
(Former French President & Army Officer Who Led 'Free France' against Nazi Germany in World War II)
Charles de Gaulle
21
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: November 22, 1890
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Lille, France
Died: November 9, 1970

Charles de Gaulle was a French statesman and army officer. Charles de Gaulle fought against Nazi Germany in the Second World War by leading the Free French Forces. He also worked towards re-establishing democracy in France. He founded the Fifth Republic, France's current republican system, and rewrote the Constitution of France. He then served as the president of France.

 11 
Walter Matthau
(Best Known for His Roles in the Films: ‘A Face in the Crowd’ and ‘King Creole’)
Walter Matthau
12
Birthdate: October 1, 1920
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Died: July 1, 2000

Walter Matthau was an American actor who won major acting awards, such as an Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Tony Awards. He is best remembered for his acting partnership with Jack Lemmon in films like The Odd Couple and Grumpy Old Men. His death was mourned by the entire film industry, with Lemmon paying tribute on Larry King Live.

 12 
Richard Dawson
(Actor, Comedian and Game Show Host)
Richard Dawson
5
Birthdate: November 20, 1932
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Gosport, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom
Died: June 2, 2012

English-American actor and comedian, Richard Dawson, is best known for playing Corporal Peter Newkirk in the TV series Hogan's Heroes. He grew up during World War II and had a difficult childhood. As a young man, he began his career as a stand-up comedian and started getting acting roles as well. He also gained fame as a game show host.

 13 
Merle Haggard
(Country Singer & Leader of the Band ‘The Strangers’)
Merle Haggard
6
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: April 6, 1937
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Oildale, California, United States
Died: April 6, 2016
Country singer Merle Haggard initially gained fame performing with The Strangers. He had several brushes with the law in his younger days, before he launched his music career. His songs reflected the angst of the working class. He won several accolades, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
 14 
Danny Thomas
(Creator & Star of the Highly Successful Sitcom 'The Danny Thomas Show')
Danny Thomas
4
Birthdate: January 6, 1912
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Deerfield, Michigan, United States
Died: February 6, 1991

Danny Thomas was an American nightclub comedian, actor, singer, and producer. He is credited with creating one of the most successful sitcoms in the history of American TV, Danny Thomas Show. Also a well-known philanthropist, Danny Thomas founded the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, a nonprofit medical corporation that focuses on children's catastrophic diseases, such as leukemia and other cancers.

 15 
Geronimo
(Bedonkohe Apache Leader of the Chiricahua Apache)
Geronimo
20
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: June 16, 1829
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Arizpe Municipality, Mexico
Died: February 17, 1909
Native American hero Geronimo is remembered for his heroics in the Apache Wars against the U.S. and Mexico. After his surrender in 1886, he lived as a U.S. prisoner of war and spent the rest of his life being exhibited at various events and selling his belongings for money.
 16 
Christine McVie
(Singer-songwriter)
Christine McVie
10
Birthdate: July 12, 1943
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Bouth, Lancashire, England
Died: November 30, 2022
 17 
Charles Babbage
(Father of the computer)
Charles Babbage
16
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: December 26, 1791
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: London, England
Died: October 18, 1871
Charles Babbage, or the “father of the computer,” invented the prototype of the world’s first mechanical calculator, the Difference Engine. With the help of mathematician Ada Lovelace, he also created the Analytical Engine, the first general-purpose computer and a precursor of the modern computer, with its looping and sequential mechanism.
 18 
Jerry Springer
(Broadcaster, 56th Mayor of Cincinnati)
Jerry Springer
21
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: February 13, 1944
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Highgate, London, England
Died: April 27, 2023

English-born American television presenter, actor, politician, and musician Jerry Springer is a multifaceted man. A qualified lawyer, he shifted to politics from law as a young man. After a few years, he moved to journalism and found considerable success. As a TV presenter, he is best known for the tabloid talk show, The Jerry Springer Show. 

 19 
Martin Van Buren
(8th President of the United States (1837-1841))
Martin Van Buren
14
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: December 5, 1782
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Kinderhook, New York, United States
Died: July 24, 1862

Martin Van Buren was an American statesman credited with co-founding the Democratic Party, one of the world's oldest and contemporary political parties. He served as the eighth president of the US and later became a prominent anti-slavery abolitionist leader. He also played a key role in forming the two-party system in the US.

 20 
DeForest Kelley
(Best Known for His Role as ‘Dr. Leonard McCoy’ in the TV Series ‘Star Trek’)
DeForest Kelley
7
Birthdate: January 20, 1920
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Toccoa, Georgia, United States
Died: June 11, 1999
DeForest Kelley, also known as Dee, is remembered for his appearances in Westerns such as Warlock. He also gained fame as Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy in the Star Trek movie and TV franchise. A talented singer, he also sang on various radio shows and appeared on WSB AM
 21 
Ferenc Puskás
(One of the Greatest Football Players of All Time)
Ferenc Puskás
18
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: April 1, 1927
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Budapest, Hungary
Died: November 17, 2006
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 22 
Antonin Scalia
(Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (1986 - 2016))
Antonin Scalia
23
Listed In: Lawyers & Judges
Birthdate: March 11, 1936
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Trenton, New Jersey, United States
Died: February 13, 2016

Scalia played an important role as an associate justice of the US Supreme Court for 30 years. Not only was he regarded as one of the most important justices in the history of the court, but he was also considered one of the most influential jurists of the 20th century. He was posthumously honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

 23 
Peter Fonda
(Known for His Role of 'Wyatt' in the Film 'Easy Rider')
Peter Fonda
19
Birthdate: February 23, 1940
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Died: August 16, 2019

Peter Fonda, son of Henry Fonda and brother of Jane Fonda, was an icon of the anti-establishment 1960s’ counterculture. He is best known for his Academy Award-nominated screenplay of Easy Rider and his Golden Globe-winning performances in the TV film The Passion of Ayn Rand and the film Ulee's Gold.

 24 
Edward G. Robinson
(Romanian-American Actor Known for His Tough-Guy Roles as Gangsters)
Edward G. Robinson
3
Birthdate: December 12, 1893
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Bucharest, Romania
Died: January 26, 1973

Edward G. Robinson was an American actor who achieved popularity during the Hollywood's Golden Age. The quintessential tough guy of classical Hollywood cinema, Robinson has been featured in AFI's 25 greatest male stars of Hollywood list. Edward G. Robinson was posthumously awarded an Academy Honorary Award for his contribution to the film industry.

 25 
William Frawley
9
Birthdate: February 26, 1887
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Burlington, Iowa
Died: March 3, 1966
William Frawley is best remembered as Fred Mertz from the iconic sitcom I Love Lucy and as "Bub" O'Casey from My Three Sons. He had started his career as a vaudeville entertainer and later performed as part of the comedy duo Frawley and Louise, with his wife, Edna Louise Broedt. 
 26 
John Ford
(One of the Most Important and Influential Filmmakers of His Generation)
John Ford
12
Birthdate: February 1, 1894
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Cape Elizabeth, Maine, United States
Died: August 31, 1973

John Ford was an American naval officer and film director. The recipient of five Oscars, Ford is renowned for directing films like The Searchers and Stagecoach. He also holds the record for winning the most number of Academy Awards (four) under the Best Director category.John Ford is widely considered one of the most influential and important filmmakers of his generation.

 27 
George Raft
5
Birthdate: September 26, 1901
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Hell's Kitchen, New York, United States
Died: November 24, 1980
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 28 
Lord Mountbatten
(Last Viceroy of British India)
Lord Mountbatten
41
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: June 25, 1900
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Frogmore House, Windsor, England
Died: August 27, 1979

The last Viceroy of India and the first governor-general of independent India, Lord Mountbatten was a British Royal Navy officer and statesman. Born to a prominent aristocratic family in England, he had a successful military career and was made the NATO Commander Allied Forces Mediterranean in his later career. He was assassinated in 1979.

 29 
Rene Auberjonois
(Actor & Director Best Known for His Role of 'Odo' on 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine')
Rene Auberjonois
5
Birthdate: June 1, 1940
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Died: December 8, 2019

René Auberjonois is best remembered as Odo from the series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He also delivered a Tony-winning performance in the play Coco. He had voiced many video-game characters, such as Karl Schafer in the Uncharted video games. He had also narrated many books, including several Pendergast novels

 30 
Paulette Goddard
(One of the Most Popular Female Stars of the Early 1940s)
Paulette Goddard
3
Birthdate: June 3, 1910
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States
Died: April 23, 1990

Paulette Goddard was an American actress best known for playing the female lead in Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times. Goddard, who started her career as a child fashion model, went on to establish herself as a major star in the 1940s. Over the years, she has been depicted in many films by actresses like Diane Lane and Natalie Wilder.

 31 
Fred Ward
(Known for Role in the 'Right Stuff')
Fred Ward
5
Birthdate: December 30, 1942
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: San Diego, California, United States
Died: May 8, 2022
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
 32 
Robert Culp
(Known for His Role as 'Kelly Robinson' in TV series 'I Spy')
Robert Culp
6
Birthdate: August 16, 1930
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Oakland, California, United States
Died: March 24, 2010
Robert Culp is best remembered as Kelly Robinson from the series I Spy and as Texas Ranger Hoby Gilman from Trackdown. Fans also loved him as Bill Maxwell in The Greatest American Hero and as Warren Whelan in Everybody Loves Raymond. He had also appeared in films and written scripts.
 33 
Johnny Weissmuller
(Olympic Swimmer and Actor Who Played Tarzan)
Johnny Weissmuller
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 2, 1904
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Freidorf, Romania
Died: January 20, 1984

Johnny Weissmuller was an American swimmer and actor. Although Weissmuller won five Olympic gold medals and set several world records during his illustrious swimming career, he is best remembered for his portrayal of the title role in the 1932 action-adventure film Tarzan the Ape Man. In 1965, he was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

 34 
John Cage
(Composer, Writer)
John Cage
7
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: September 5, 1912
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
Died: August 12, 1992
John Cage was one of the most influential avant-garde composers of the post-World War II era. He pioneered many innovative techniques in music, such as the prepared piano and electroacoustic music. His composition 4′33″ involved musicians sitting silently, without playing any instrument, while the audience heard environmental sounds. 
 35 
Bo Diddley
(American Guitarist and Singer)
Bo Diddley
4
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: December 30, 1928
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: McComb, Mississippi, United States
Died: June 2, 2008
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 36 
Roy E. Disney
(Producer)
Roy E. Disney
10
Birthdate: January 10, 1930
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died: December 16, 2009
 37 
Adolphe Sax
(Inventor of Saxophone)
Adolphe Sax
5
Birthdate: November 6, 1814
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Dinant
Died: February 7, 1894

The inventor of the saxophone, Belgian musician Adolphe Sax, was born to instrument-maker parents who had themselves re-designed the French horn. As a child, he was known as "the ghost" for his frequent brushes with death. He made many other instruments, which were included in the French army bands.

 38 
Edward Woodward
(Actor and Singer Known for His Role as ‘David Callan in the TV Series ‘Callan’)
Edward Woodward
9
Birthdate: June 1, 1930
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Croydon, Surrey, England
Died: November 16, 2009

Edward Woodward was an English singer and actor. After starting his career as a stage actor, Woodward achieved popularity in 1967 when he started playing the title role in the popular television series Callan, for which he won the British Academy Television Award in 1970. In 1986, he won the Golden Globe Award for his performance in the movie The Equalizer.

 39 
Nancy Dow
(American Actress and Mother of Actress Jennifer Aniston)
Nancy Dow
8
Birthdate: July 22, 1936
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Connecticut, United States
Died: May 25, 2016

Nancy Dow was an American actress known for appearing in TV series like The Beverly Hillbillies and The Wild Wild West. She got married to actor John Aniston in 1965 and gave birth to their daughter Jennifer Aniston in 1969. Dow's relationship with Jennifer was estranged for nine years before reconciling with her after the latter's divorce from Brad Pitt.

 40 
Count Basie
(Former jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer who formed the Count Basie Orchestra)
Count Basie
3
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: August 21, 1904
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Red Bank, New Jersey, United States
Died: April 26, 1984
 41 
Chick Corea
(Jazz musician, Composer)
Chick Corea
9
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: June 12, 1941
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Chelsea, Massachusetts, United States
Died: February 9, 2021
 42 
Marie Laveau
(American Voodoo Priestess and Herbalist)
Marie Laveau
8
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: September 10, 1801
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Died: June 15, 1881

Occultist and herbalist Marie Laveau was known as the Vodoo Queen of New Orleans. Though a hairdresser, she was chiefly known for her spiritual practices which she used to heal the sick and the poor. She has inspired several books, such as Robert Tallant's The Voodoo Queen.

 43 
James Stacy
(American Film and Television Actor Best Known for His Role in the TV Series ‘Lancer’)
James Stacy
5
Birthdate: December 23, 1936
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
Died: September 9, 2016

James Stacy was an American actor remembered for his portrayal of Johnny Madrid Lancer in the CBS Western series, Lancer. In 1973, he lost his left arm and leg when his motorcycle was hit by a drunk driver. He made a comeback in 1975, earning a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for playing a double-amputee veteran in the movie Just a Little Inconvenience.

 44 
John Marshall
(Former Chief Justice)
John Marshall
5
Listed In: Lawyers & Judges
Birthdate: September 24, 1755
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Germantown
Died: July 6, 1835

John Marshall was an American lawyer and politician. From 1801 to 1835, Marshall worked as the fourth Chief Justice of the US. He remains the longest-serving chief justice in Supreme Court history and is considered one of the most influential Supreme Court justices of all time. In 2005, a commemorative dollar was minted in his honor.

 45 
Maxene Andrews
(Soprano)
Maxene Andrews
8
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: January 3, 1916
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Died: October 21, 1995
 46 
Ray Milland
(Actor and Director Best Known for His Films: ‘The Lost Weekend’ and ‘Reap the Wild Wind’)
Ray Milland
11
Birthdate: January 3, 1907
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Neath, Glamorgan, Wales
Died: March 10, 1986

Welsh-American actor-director Ray Milland is best remembered for his Oscar-winning role of Don Birnam in The Lost Weekend. Fans also loved him in films such as Dial M for Murder and The Jungle Princess. He was previously part of the British Army’s Household Cavalry, as a marksman, pilot, and horseman.

 47 
William Harvey
(Physician)
William Harvey
31
Listed In: Physicians
Birthdate: April 1, 1578
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Folkestone, England
Died: June 3, 1657

The first to discover the entire process of human blood circulation, physician William Harvey was a Royal College of Physicians fellow. He also served as the personal physician of James I. He later worked at the Bartholomew’s Hospital but was replaced for being a staunch monarchist.

 48 
Jaime Escalante
(Bolivian-American Math Instructor)
Jaime Escalante
27
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: December 31, 1930
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: La Paz, Bolivia
Died: March 20, 2010

Jaime Escalante  was a Bolivian-American educator. He is best remembered for teaching calculus to students at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles from 1974 to 1991. He had an illustrious career and was a much-respected figure in teaching.  The film Stand and Deliver is based on his life. He received Presidential Medal for Excellence in Education in 1988. 

 49 
Audra Lindley
(Actress)
Audra Lindley
4
Birthdate: September 24, 1918
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
Died: October 16, 1997
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 50 
Harold Wilson
(Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1964-1970, 1974-1976))
Harold Wilson
12
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: March 11, 1916
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Huddersfield, England, United Kingdom
Died: May 24, 1995

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom for two non-consecutive terms, Harold Wilson was a British Labour politician. Historians commend him for leading his party through difficult political issues with considerable skill. With a moderate approach to socialism, he was a popular politician during his first tenure as the prime minister; his second tenure wasn’t as successful.