Famous People Who Died Today

Olivia Newton-John's breathy voice and stunning beauty made her one of the biggest pop stars of the 1970s. She charmed generations of movie viewers in the blockbuster film Grease. Following a string of country and soft-rock hits, Newton-John starred opposite John Travolta in the 1978  blockbuster Grease, considered as one the most popular movie musicals of all time.

Glen Campbell was an American TV host, actor, singer-songwriter, and guitarist. Regarded as one of the most successful musicians ever, Campbell sold more than 45 million records, which included a double-platinum album, four platinum albums, and 12 gold albums, in a career spanning 50 years. In 2014, he became the subject of a documentary titled Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me.

A multifaceted personality, Karen Black was an actress, screenwriter, singer, and songwriter. In the 1970s, she appeared in many major studio and independent films, mostly playing eccentric and unconventional characters. She became known as a figure of New Hollywood. Her career spanned five decades and she continued working until shortly before her death.

One of the original “scream queens” of Hollywood, Fay Wray is best remembered as Ann Darrow, the woman picked up by King Kong like a doll while he went on a rampage, in the 1933 film about the fabled monster. She declined a cameo in a King Kong remake later.

Born Elea, Albert Namatjira was rechristened after converting to Christianity. The Australian aboriginal painter, known for his watercolor paintings, couldn’t build a house in Alice Springs because of his aboriginal origin, leading to public outrage, which eventually led the government to make him and his wife full citizens.

James Irwin was an American astronaut, test pilot, aeronautical engineer, and a US Air Force pilot. He was part of the Apollo 15 mission and became only the eighth person ever to walk on the Moon. He was the recipient of several prestigious awards. In 1983, James Irwin was made an inductee of the International Space Hall of Fame.

Ahmed Deedat was a South African public speaker and writer of Indian descent. A popular Muslim missionary, Deedat is remembered for his inter-religious public debates with Christians. He is credited with establishing an Islamic missionary organization called IPCI. In 1986, he was honored for his missionary work with the prestigious King Faisal International Prize.  

Camilo Sesto was a Spanish singer wgo began his musical career playing in bands before deciding to go solo. He became popular for his hits like Fresa Salvaje, Algo de Mi, and El Amor de Mi Vid. He was also a successful songwriter and music producer and gained praise for his role in the Spanish version of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Robin Cavendish was an English medical aid developer and advocate for disabled people. He is credited with aiding the development of medical devices aimed at providing independence to paralyzed people. One of Britain's longest-lived responauts, Cavendish was given three months to live at the age of 28. He lived for 64 years and his story inspired the 2017 film Breathe.

Baldur von Schirach was a Nazi German politician. He is best remembered for his work as the national youth leader of the Nazi Party. From 1931 to 1940, he also served as the head of an organization called Hitler Youth. After the Second World War, Schirach was found guilty of crimes against humanity and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

German field marshal Erwin von Witzleben was one of the main conspirators of the 20 July plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Arrested for his crimes, he was later forced to appear in court without his false teeth and eventually executed and hung from a meat hook by a piano wire.

Though born to working-class parents, Julissa Gomez was encouraged by them to train for gymnastics at an early age. An Olympic hopeful, Gomez suffered a devastating head injury at an event in Japan, rendering her paralyzed and in a coma for days. She eventually died, prompting safety reforms in gymnastics.

Mary MacKillop, the first Australian to be made a saint by the Catholic Church, was born to poor Scottish immigrants and had taken up the reins of her family at age 14. She got a pedophile priest dismissed and is thus revered as a patron saint of sexual abuse victims.

Menahem Golan was an Israeli screenwriter, film producer, and director best remembered for co-owning The Cannon Group, which comprised many companies including the popular film production company Cannon Films. By the time of his death, Golan had produced more than 200 films featuring popular actors like Sean Connery. He had also won eight Kinor David awards and the Israel Prize.

Scotch-Irish philosopher Francis Hutcheson is remembered as a pioneering figure of the Scottish Enlightenment. An Irish Presbyterian preacher, he also taught moral philosophy at Glasgow University. He believed in internal senses, apart from the 5 external senses. His 2-volume System of Moral Philosophy, one of his best-known works, was released posthumously.

British physicist Nevill Francis Mott revolutionized science with his research on the magnetic and electrical properties of amorphous semiconductors, which earned him a Nobel Prize. Born to teachers of science and math, Mott grew up to teach physics. He was also knighted for his contribution to science.

After earning his law degree, Nicholas Monsarrat intended to practice law but ended up being a celebrated author instead. Known for his novels that have the sea as a recurring theme, such as The Cruel Sea, Monsarrat had once also been a naval officer and had worked on many warships.

Croatian politician Stjepan Radić, who founded the Croatian People's Peasant Party, is remembered for his pioneering work in uniting the peasant community of Croatia into a prominent political entity. He supported Croatian autonomy. He died of a fatal wound after being shot in the parliament by rival politician Puniša Račić.

Félix Leclerc was a French-Canadian singer-songwriter and writer. Growing up during the Great Depression, he held a series of odd jobs before becoming a radio announcer in Québec City and Trois-Rivières. With time, he built a successful career as a singer and writer. In 1986, he was made a Chevalier of the French Légion d'honneur. 

Paul Rudolph was an American architect best known for his most popular work Yale Art and Architecture Building which is also known as the Rudolph Hall. Widely regarded as one of the pioneers of Sarasota Modern, Rudolph influenced many architects from the Sarasota School of Architecture.

Uruguayan-Spanish artist Joaquín Torres-García didn’t like the conservative style promoted at his Barcelona art academy and deviated more toward Impressionist and post-Impressionist art instead. He later brought Constructivism to South American countries. The Taller Torres García founder is best remembered for his work Monumento Cosmico.

Regina Resnik was an American opera singer whose international career spanned five decades. She is best remembered for her association with the Metropolitan Opera, where she performed from 1944 to 1983. She also worked as a stage director at European opera houses in the 1970s and 1980s. A multi-talented personality, Regina Resnik also worked as a voice teacher.