Famous People Who Died Today

Colonel Sanders is the man who revolutionized the American fast food industry by founding the restaurant chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). Establishing a style trademark by wearing a white suit and black string tie, Sanders went on to become a symbol of the KFC brand. Such is the popularity of the brand, the symbol is recognized all over the world.

Lee Van Cleef was an American actor popular for playing important roles in many Spaghetti Westerns. Since his physical appearance often overshadowed his acting skills, Lee Van Cleef is regarded by some as the unsung hero of the Western films of the 1950s. Ironically, his appearance served as an inspiration for characters in the Metal Gear Solid video game series.

Carwood Lipton was a United States army officer who served during World War II. Lipton, who played a major role in the Battle of Normandy and Battle of the Bulge, was honored with three Purple Hearts and two Bronze Star medals. In the popular TV war drama miniseries Band of Brothers, Carwood Lipton was portrayed by actor Donnie Wahlberg.

Yi Sun-sin was a Korean military general and admiral best remembered for his famous victories during the Imjin war, where his troops were victorious against the Japanese navy. Since the Imjin war, Yi Sun-sin has been revered in Korea as a national hero. Most of his victories were achieved despite being outnumbered by the enemies.

Actor Nicol Williamson was often compared to superstar Marlon Brando. Born to a Scottish factory owner, he initially worked in his father’s factory. Best known for his Drama Desk-winning roles in the plays Hamlet and Uncle Vanya, he is also remembered for his role in the movie Laughter in the Dark.

Wilhelm Grimm was a German anthropologist and author. He is best remembered as one half of the popular literary duo, the Brothers Grimm. Along with his elder brother Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm published a collection of fairy tales in 1812. It was later translated into English and came to be known as Grimms' Fairy Tales.

Laxmikant Berde was an Indian actor who worked predominantly in the Hindi and Marathi film industries. Best remembered for his highly energetic slapstick act, Laxmikant Berde achieved popularity by appearing in comedy stage plays like Bighadale Swargache Dwaar and Shantecha Karta Chalu Aahe. Laxmikant Berde also portrayed comical roles in many popular films like Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam and Aarzoo.

Agnes Martin was an American painter whose style was often considered minimalism although she considered herself an abstract expressionist. Martin's work served as an inspiration to several younger artists like Ellen Gallagher and Eva Hesse. In 1998, Agnes Martin was honored with the prestigious National Medal of Arts. Her life and career inspired documentaries like Agnes Martin: Between the Lines.

François Quesnay was a French economist and physician. He was a proponent of the Physiocratic school. He is best known for publishing the "Tableau économique" (Economic Table), in which he set forth the foundations of the ideas of the Physiocrats. He also wrote extensively on Chinese politics and society. He was married to a woman named Marianne Woodsen. 

Polish professor of hydroelectric engineering and statesman Gabriel Narutowicz served as first President of Poland after the country regained sovereignty from partitioning powers. A pioneer of electrification, Narutowicz served as the Minister of Public Works and as the Minister of Foreign Affairs before becoming the first president of the Second Polish Republic. He was assassinated five days after assuming office as the head of state.

Initially a physician and anatomy professor, William Petty also taught music. However, he later established himself as a noted economist and became famous for his works such as Treatise of Taxes and Contributions. He was a surveyor under Oliver Cromwell and was a pioneer of political arithmetic.

Michiaki Takahashi was a Japanese virologist best remembered for developing the first chickenpox vaccine. He is also remembered for his association with Osaka University, where he was appointed as director of the institute's Microbial Disease Study Group. Michiaki Takahashi was the recipient of the Prince Mahidol Award and Saburo Kojima Memorial Culture Award.

Jackie Mittoo was a Jamaican-Canadian songwriter, keyboardist, and musical director. He is best remembered for his association with the Studio One record label where he worked as a musical director. Jackie Mittoo is also remembered as one of the most important members of the popular ska band, The Skatalites.

Born to a poor cattle dealer, Kakuei Tanaka started his own construction firm after quitting school at 15. After gaining immense wealth as a businessman, he stepped into politics and rose through the ranks to become the prime minister of Japan. He eventually resigned amid a bribery scandal.

Kang Sheng was a Chinese political leader who played an important role in the development of the Communist Party of China (CPC), overseeing the party's intelligence apparatus and internal security during the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s and 1970s. Kang Sheng is also remembered for his close association with Mao Zedong during the Chinese Civil War and the Anti-Japanese War.

One likened to legendary musician Jimi Hendrix, Scottish rock guitarist and singer Stuart Adamson was a founder member of the Scottish punk rock/new wave band Skids. He later formed the rock band Big Country. He hanged himself to death in a Hawaiian hotel at age 43.

French revolutionary Jean-Baptiste Carrier is remembered for his radicalism, his actions during the the War in the Vendée, and his notorious atrocities against counter-revolutionaries, such as the murder of thousands of people at Nantes. He was eventually found guilty of mass murder by the Revolutionary Tribunal and guillotined.

Colin Chapman was an English inventor, design engineer, and builder in the automotive industry. He is credited with founding the popular British automotive company, Lotus Cars. Chapman is best remembered for achieving major automotive technical advances through his sports car company Lotus Cars. Under Colin Chapman’s leadership, Team Lotus won six F1 Drivers' Championships and seven Formula One Constructors' titles.