Discover the most famous people died who died in the year 1980. This list includes people like John Lennon, Colonel Sanders, Alfred Hitchcock, Peter Sellers, John Bonham and many more. This list of celebrities is loosely sorted by popularity. People featured on this list, include political leaders, philosophers, soldiers and artists who died in 1980. This list includes people from United States, United Kingdom, Germany & India and many more countries.
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1
John Lennon(The Founder, Co-Songwriter, Co-Lead Vocalist & Rhythm Guitarist of 'The Beatles')
Birthdate: October 9, 1940
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Liverpool, England, United Kingdom
Died: December 8
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.
2
Colonel Sanders(Founder of the Fast Food Chicken Restaurant ‘Kentucky Fried Chicken’ (KFC))
Birthdate: September 9, 1890
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Henryville, Indiana, United States
Died: December 16
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.
3
Jesse Owens(American Track and Field Athlete Who Won Four Gold Medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics)
Birthdate: September 12, 1913
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Oakville, Alabama, United States
Died: March 31
Widely regarded as one of the greatest track and field athletes of all time, Jesse Owens' three world records in less than an hour in 1935 came to be known as the greatest 45 minutes ever in sports. He was credited with destroying Adolf Hitler's myth of Aryan supremacy when he won four gold medals at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
Birthdate: August 13, 1899
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Leytonstone, London, England
Died: April 29
Popularly known as the Master of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock pioneered the Hitchcockian style of filmmaking. One of the most studied filmmakers in the world, Hitchcock is also one of the most influential in the history of cinema. In his career, that spanned six decades, he directed some of the greatest films of all time, such as Psycho and Vertigo.
Birthdate: March 24, 1930
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Beech Grove, Indiana, United States
Died: November 7
Dubbed the King of Cool, Steve McQueen was an American actor known for his antihero persona. He was one of the most bankable stars during the 1960s and 1970s. Renowned for performing many of his own stunts, McQueen remains a popular star. In the 2019 film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Steve McQueen was played by Damian Lewis.
Birthdate: October 26, 1919
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Tehran, Iran
Died: July 27
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi served as the last king of Iran from 1941 to 1979. During his reign, Iran witnessed rapid military and industrial modernization and several social and economic reforms. During his rule, Iran also enjoyed a spike in economic growth, surpassing France, England, and the US. However, the Iranian Revolution, which was unusual in many ways, overthrew the king.
7
Peter Sellers(English Actor and Comedian Known for His Role as ‘Inspector Jacques Clouseau’ in ‘The Pink Panther’ Film Series)
Birthdate: September 8, 1925
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Portsmouth, England
Died: July 24
Best known for his Academy Award-nominated roles in Dr. Strangelove and Being There, and as Clouseau from the Pink Panther series, Peter Sellers was admired for his impeccable comic skills. He initially toured around Europe as a drummer and also participated in radio shows such as The Goon Show.
Birthdate: May 31, 1948
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Redditch, England, UK
Died: September 25
John Bonham was an English drummer and songwriter. Considered one of the most influential and greatest rock drummers in history, Bonham was part of the world-renowned rock band Led Zeppelin. He influenced several drummers like Joey Kramer, Dave Grohl, Ian Mosley, Neil Peart, and Tommy Lee among other famous drummers. Bonham is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee.
Birthdate: July 9, 1946
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Forfar, Scotland
Died: February 19
Bon Scott worked with bands such as The Spektors, Valentines, and Fraternity before joining the Australian hard rock band AC/DC, replacing lead singer Dave Evans in 1974. He was one of Classic Rock’s 100 Greatest Frontmen of All Time. Following his death, AC/DC released a best-selling album as a tribute.
Birthdate: August 17, 1893
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: November 22
Mae West began her career as a child actor in vaudeville. She later appeared in films such as You Done Me Wrong and Go West, Young Man. She became famous for her signature double entendres and sexual liberty she projected on screen. She also wrote books and plays later.
11
Otto Frank(German Businessman and Father of ‘Anne Frank', the Author of 'The Diary of a Young Girl’)
Birthdate: May 12, 1889
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Province of Hesse-Nassau
Died: August 19
Otto Frank, the father of Anne Frank, published her journal, detailing her experience during the Holocaust, as The Diary of a Young Girl, after her death. Otto was the only person in his family to survive the Holocaust. A former banker, he had also served in the German army.
Birthdate: June 21, 1905
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: April 15
Jean-Paul Sartre was a French philosopher, writer, literary critic, and political activist. One of the most important personalities in the philosophy of phenomenology and existentialism, Sartre played a crucial role in 20th-century French philosophy. His work continues to influence literary studies, post-colonial theory, sociology, and critical theory. He was honored with the 1964 Nobel Prize in Literature.
13
Ian Curtis(English Singer, Songwriter and Musician)
Birthdate: July 15, 1956
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Stretford, Lancashire, England
Died: May 18
14
Jean Piaget(Swiss Psychologist Known for His Work on Child Development)
Birthdate: August 9, 1896
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Died: September 16
Swiss psychologist and academic Jean Piaget is remembered for his work on child development and genetic epistemology, consisting of his theory of cognitive development. He also established the International Center for Genetic Epistemology and was the director of the International Bureau of Education. He was an honorary Harvard doctorate.
15
Josip Broz Tito(Yugoslav Communist Revolutionary and the chief Architect of the 'Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia')
Birthdate: May 25, 1892
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Kumrovec, Croatia
Died: May 4
Josip Broz Tito served as the prime minister of Yugoslavia from 1944 to 1963 and as its president from 1953 to 1980. He was also the Marshal of Yugoslavia. During World War II, he led the Partisans. He was also one of the main figures behind the Non-Aligned Movement.
Birthdate: September 26, 1901
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Hell's Kitchen, New York, United States
Died: November 24
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
17
Dorothy Stratten(Canadian Former Actress and Model Who was Killed by Her Estranged Husband Paul Snider)
Birthdate: February 28, 1960
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Vancouver, Canada
Died: August 14
Dorothy Stratten was a Canadian model, actress, and Playboy Playmate. Renowned for her beauty, Stratten was adjudged the Playboy Playmate of the Year in 1980 before she was killed by her estranged husband Paul Snider at the age of 20. Her relationship with Snider and her death inspired films, such as Death of a Centerfold and Star 80.
18
Jimmy Durante(One of America's Most Popular Personalities of the 1920s through the 1970s)
Birthdate: February 10, 1893
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Manhattan, New York, United States
Died: January 28
Jimmy Durante was an American comedian, actor, singer, and pianist. Widely regarded as one of America's most popular and familiar personalities of all time, Durante was often characterized by his Lower East Side accent, gravelly speech, and a prominent nose. Also known for his charitable work, Durante worked closely with Fraternal Order of Eagles, which raises money for abused children.
Birthdate: February 12, 1884
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: New York City
Died: February 20
Author and socialite Alice Roosevelt Longworth was the eldest child of American president Theodore Roosevelt, and his only child with his first wife, Alice Hathaway Lee. Though Alice was married to Republican leader Nicholas Longworth III, she had a child through an affair with Senator William Edgar Borah.
20
Karl Dönitz(German Admiral Who Briefly Succeeded Adolf Hitler as Head of State)
Birthdate: September 16, 1891
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Grünau, Berlin, Germany
Died: December 24
Karl Dönitz was the supreme commander of the German Navy and played a crucial role in World War II. Hitler made Dönitz his successor before committing suicide. Dönitz officially surrendered after Germany’s loss in World War II and was convicted as a war criminal at the 1946 Nuremberg Trials.
Birthdate: November 16, 1896
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Mayfair, London
Died: December 3
Named by BBC History as the “worst” historical British person of the 20th century, Oswald Mosley started off as an MP in the 1920s. He was part of the Conservative Party and then the Labour Party. He then formed the British Union of Fascists and the United Kingdom New Party.
22
David Janssen(Best Known for His Role as ‘Richard Kimble’ in the TV Series ‘The Fugitive’)
Birthdate: March 27, 1931
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Naponee, Nebraska, United States
Died: February 13
David Janssen is best known for his portrayal of Richard Kimble in the series The Fugitive. He also played titular roles in Richard Diamond, Private Detective; O'Hara, U.S. Treasury; and Harry O. He made it to TV Guide’s list of the 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time.
Birthdate: July 5, 1904
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Burrton, Kansas, United States
Died: June 12
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
24
Bill Evans(American Jazz Pianist Known for Lush Harmonies and Lyrical Improvisation)
Birthdate: August 16, 1929
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Plainfield, New Jersey, United States
Died: September 15
Bill Evans was an American composer and jazz pianist. Many of his compositions and other works continue to influence jazz pianists and are played and recorded by several artists. His work has influenced players like Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Steve Kuhn, and Michel Petrucciani among many other musicians. Evans is an inductee of the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame.
25
Jay Silverheels(Actor and Athlete Known for His Role as ‘Tonto’ in the TV Series ‘The Lone Ranger’)
Birthdate: May 26, 1912
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Brantford, Canada
Died: March 5
Indigenous Canadian actor Jay Silverheels gained international popularity for playing Tonto, the Native American companion of the protagonist in the American western TV series The Lone Ranger. As a young man, he excelled in athletics and became a lacrosse player. He later quit sports to pursue acting. He bred and raced Standardbred horses as a hobby.
Birthdate: October 16, 1898
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Maine Township, Minnesota, United States
Died: January 19
Birthdate: March 26, 1919
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Kokomo, Indiana, United States
Died: August 1
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
28
Dorothy Day(American Social Activist, Journalist, and Anarchist)
Birthdate: November 8, 1897
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: November 29
Dorothy Day was an American social activist, journalist, and anarchist. She is best remembered for co-founding the Catholic Worker Movement along with French activist Peter Maurin. She also co-founded a newspaper called Catholic Worker and served as its editor between 1933 and 1980. In 2001, Dorothy Day was made an inductee of the National Women's Hall of Fame.
29
Marshall McLuhan(Canadian Philosopher Known for His Work in the Field of Media Theory)
Birthdate: July 21, 1911
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Edmonton, Canada
Died: December 31
Canadian philosopher Herbert McLuhan revolutionized media theory with his concept of "global village." He predicted the World Wide Web three decades before its invention and is also remembered for coining the expression “the medium is the message.” His works include Understanding Media, The Gutenberg Galaxy, and The Mechanical Bride.
Birthdate: December 26, 1891
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Yorkville, Manhattan, New York, United States
Died: June 7
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
31
Mohammed Rafi(One of India's Greatest and Most Influential Playback Singers)
Birthdate: December 24, 1924
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Amritsar, Punjab, India
Died: July 31
Legendary Indian playback singer Mohammed Rafi was known for his versatility. The winner of one National Film Award and four Filmfare awards, Rafi often collaborated with ace composer S.D. Burman. He also received the Padma Shri and sang in countless Indian and foreign languages, including Arabic, Persian, and Dutch.
32
Tex Avery(Golden Age Animator & Creator of Classic Cartoon Characters 'Bugs Bunny', 'Daffy Duck' and 'Porky Pig')
Birthdate: February 26, 1908
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Taylor, Texas, United States
Died: August 26
Second only to Walt Disney in terms of influence, American animator and director Tex Avery is remembered for playing an important role in the development of popular characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Droopy, Screwy Squirrel etc. Well-known for his technical innovation and directorial style, his characters are equally loved by adults for their inherent sarcasm.
Birthdate: February 18, 1906
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Vienna
Died: October 21
Hans Asperger, who lent his name to Asperger’s syndrome, is remembered as a pioneer in autism research and was earlier believed to have saved children with disabilities from being killed by the Nazis. However, later evidence suggested he had sent two mentally disabled children for experiments under the Third Reich.
34
Raymond Bailey(Actor)
Birthdate: May 6, 1904
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: San Francisco, California, USA
Died: April 15
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
Birthdate: December 6, 1928
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Bronx, New York, United States
Died: July 31
36
Erich Fromm(German Social Psychologist and Psychoanalyst & One of the Founders of The 'William Alanson White Institute')
Birthdate: March 23, 1900
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Frankfurt, Germany
Died: March 18
Erich Fromm was a German social psychologist, psychoanalyst, sociologist, and socialist. A German Jew, he fled the Nazi regime and settled in the United States. He was a co-founder of The William Alanson White Institute and was associated with the Frankfurt School of critical theory. He is best remembered for authoring the book Escape from Freedom.
37
Darby Crash(Singer)
Birthdate: September 26, 1958
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Los Angeles County, California, USA
Died: December 7
Birthdate: May 21, 1914
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Vilnius, Republic Of Lithuania
Died: December 2
Romain Gary was a French novelist, diplomat, and film director of Jewish origin. He also served as an aviator during World War II. One of France’s most popular and prolific writers, he is the only author to have won the Prix Goncourt twice. He had a troubled personal life and died of suicide in 1980.
39
Seretse Khama(Politician)
Birthdate: July 1, 1921
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Serowe, Botswana
Died: July 13
40
David A. Johnston(American Volcanologist Who was Caught in the Midst of the Eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980)
Birthdate: December 18, 1949
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died: May 18
David A. Johnston was an American volcanologist who was caught in the midst of the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980. Johnston was killed during the eruption and his body was never found. David A. Johnston's life and career have inspired several documentaries, docudramas, and films.
41
Dick Haymes(One of the Most Popular Male Vocalists of the 1940s and Early 1950s)
Birthdate: September 13, 1918
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Died: March 28
Dick Haymes was an Argentinian-Irish singer and actor whose popularity reached its peak during the 1940s and early 1950s. Haymes led a lavish lifestyle and was also popular among women; he was married six times to actresses and models like Joanne Dru, Rita Hayworth, and Nora Eddington. Haymes declared bankruptcy during early 1960s and experienced financial problems later in life.
Birthdate: January 14, 1904
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Hampstead, London, England
Died: January 18
Cecil Beaton was a British war, portrait, and fashion photographer. A multi-talented personality, Beaton is also known for his work as a painter, diarist, interior designer, and costume designer. Cecil Beaton worked with popular publications like Vogue before becoming a leading war photographer. His work as a costume designer for the theatre and films earned him Oscars and Tony Awards.
43
Princess Victoria Louise of Prussia(Former Duchess Consort of Brunswick (1913 - 1918))
Birthdate: September 13, 1892
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Potsdam, Germany
Died: December 11
The only daughter of German emperor Wilhelm II, Princess Viktoria Luise of Prussia became II Guard Hussar Regiment’s colonel-in-chief. She later became the Duchess consort of Brunswick by her marriage to Ernest Augustus, Duke of Brunswick. Her memoirs were collated and published as The Kaiser’s Daughter.
44
Douglas Kenney(Screenwriter)
Birthdate: December 10, 1946
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: West Palm Beach, Florida, USA
Died: August 27
45
Joe Dassin(American-French Pop Singer Known for His Ability to Sing in Multiple Languages)
Birthdate: November 5, 1938
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: August 20
The son of American filmmaker Jules Dassin, French pop idol Joe Dassin was educated in Switzerland and the U.S., and earned degrees in anthropology before moving to France. After playing supporting roles in his father’s movies, he soared to fame with songs such as Les Champs-Élysées and L'Été indien.
46
Hugh Griffith(Actor)
Birthdate: May 30, 1912
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Marian-glas, Wales
Died: May 14
47
Elston Howard(Baseball player)
Birthdate: February 23, 1929
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Died: December 14
48
Dixie Dean(Footballer)
Birthdate: January 22, 1907
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Birkenhead, England
Died: March 1
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
49
Graham Sutherland(Painter, Artist)
Birthdate: August 24, 1903
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Streatham
Died: February 17
50
Harry R. Truman(Businessman)
Birthdate: October 30, 1896
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Ivydale, West Virginia, United States
Died: May 18
Initially a bootlegger, Harry R. Truman later leased a 50-acre plot in the woods near the active volcano Mount St. Helens and opened the Mount St. Helens Lodge. He became famous after refusing to evacuate the place after warnings that the volcano would erupt, and was later presumed dead.
