Famous People Who Died at 77
The list of famous people who died at 77 includes Ted Kennedy, Galileo Galilei, Ed Gein, Lucille Ball, Nikita Khrushchev. Famous personalities featured on this list, include political leaders, artists, poets and physicists and from other domains of life. This list of celebrities who died at 77 includes people from United States, United Kingdom, France & Germany and many more countries.
Vote for Your Favourite People Who Died At 77
Right IconThis ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.
1
Galileo Galilei(Known as “Father” of Observational Astronomy who Invented the ‘Thermoscope’ and Various Military Compasses)
Birthdate: February 15, 1564
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Pisa, Italy
Died: January 8, 1642
An Italian astronomer, engineer, and physicist, Galileo Galilei is widely regarded as the father of observational astronomy, the father of the scientific method, the father of modern physics, and the father of modern science. He is credited with popularizing the telescope, which changed the course of history.
2
Lucille Ball(Actress and Comedienne Best Known for Her Shows: 'I Love Lucy', 'The Lucy Show' and 'Here's Lucy')
Birthdate: August 6, 1911
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Jamestown, New York, United States
Died: April 26, 1989
One of the most popular actresses of the 1950s and 1960s, Lucille Ball created the sitcom, I Love Lucy, in 1951. In 1962, she started managing the Desilu Productions, becoming the first woman to run a major TV studio. The recipient of two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Lucille Ball was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1984.
Birthdate: February 14, 1818
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Talbot County, Maryland, United States
Died: February 20, 1895
Social reformer and abolitionist, Frederick Douglass was a national leader of the abolitionist movement in Massachusetts and New York. Born into slavery, he had a difficult early life. Eventually, he managed to escape and dedicated the rest of his life to promoting the cause of abolition. He was a great orator and writer.
4
Henry Fonda(American Actor Who Cultivated an Everyman Screen Image in Several Films Considered to be Classics)
Birthdate: May 16, 1905
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Grand Island, Nebraska, United States
Died: August 12, 1982
Hollywood legend Henry Fonda, father of Peter and Jane Fonda, is best remembered for his Academy Award-winning role as Norman Thayer Jr. in On Golden Pond. He began his career with Broadway plays and then appeared in classics such as The Grapes of Wrath and 12 Angry Men.
5
Jules Verne(French Author Who Was One of the Pioneers of the Modern Science Fiction Genre)
Birthdate: February 8, 1828
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Nantes, France
Died: March 24, 1905
French author Jules Verne, also known as the “Father of Science Fiction,” is best remembered for his legendary adventure novels Journey to the Center of the Earth, Around the World in Eighty Days, and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. He also became the world’s second most-translated writer since 1979.
6
Niels Bohr(Danish Physicist Who Made Foundational Contributions to Understanding Atomic Structure and Quantum Theory)
Birthdate: October 7, 1885
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark
Died: November 18, 1962
Nobel Prize-winning Danish physicist Niels Bohr is remembered for his work on the atomic structure and quantum theory. He laid down the Bohr model of the atom and established the Niels Bohr Institute. The element Bohrium has been named after him. He was also part of the British nuclear project.
Birthdate: January 22, 1940
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England, UK
Died: January 27, 2017
John Hurt is best remembered for his Academy Award-nominated performances in Midnight Express and The Elephant Man. His death scene in Alien is considered one of the most memorable in history. He lent his voice to The Lord of The Rings and appeared in the Harry Potter and Hellboy films.
Birthdate: April 30, 1777
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Brunswick, Germany
Died: February 23, 1855
German mathematician and physicist Carl Friedrich Gauss is remembered for his work in math and science. Known as the Princeps mathematicorum, he laid down tenets such as the Gauss's Law. He had exhibited his talent since an early age and had completed writing Disquisitiones Arithmeticae by 21.
9
Janet Leigh(Actress and Singer Known for Her Films: ‘The Romance of Rosy Ridge’, ‘Act of Violence’ and ‘Psycho’)
Birthdate: July 6, 1927
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Merced, California, United States
Died: October 3, 2004
Best known for her Golden Globe-winning performance as Marion Crane in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, Janet Leigh was helped by Norma Shearer to secure a contract with MGM. She has also appeared on radio shows and in Broadway productions. She has written four books, including a best-selling memoir and two novels.
10
Celia Cruz(One of the Most Popular Latin Artists of the 20th Century)
Birthdate: October 21, 1925
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
Died: July 16, 2003
Celia Cruz was a Cuban-American singer who achieved popularity in Cuba as a singer of guarachas during the 1950s. Widely regarded as one of the 20th century's most famous Latin artists, Cruz was nicknamed the Queen of Salsa. She is also revered for popularizing Latin music in the USA. Celia Cruz also won numerous awards, including two Grammy Awards.
11
Moe Howard(Actor, Comedian and Leader of Comedy Group ‘The Three Stooges’)
Birthdate: June 19, 1897
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: May 4, 1975
Moe Howard was an American comedian and actor best known for his role as the leader of one of the most popular farce comedy teams of all time, The Three Stooges. He appeared in several films as part of the comedy team and is credited with popularizing a distinctive hairstyle called a bowl cut.
12
Dinah Shore(Singer and Actress Who was the Top Charting Female Vocalist of the 1940s)
Birthdate: February 29, 1916
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Winchester, Tennessee, United States
Died: February 24, 1994
Dinah Shore initially launched a solo career after failing to qualify for Benny Goodman’s band. After delivering hits such as Blues in the Night, she appeared in a few films and ventured into a successful TV career. She also hosted shows such as The Dinah Shore Chevy Show.
Birthdate: July 28, 1866
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Kensington
Died: December 22, 1943
Born into an affluent English family, Beatrix Potter grew up amidst nature and developed a love for animals. She grew up to be a natural scientist, conservationist, and illustrator, and is best remembered for her children's books such as The Tale of Peter Rabbit, which featured animals.
14
John Mahoney(Known for Playing 'Martin Crane' on the NBC Sitcom 'Frasier')
Birthdate: June 20, 1940
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Blackpool, Lancashire, England
Died: February 4, 2018
English-born American actor, John Mahoney left his job in medical journalism in his late thirties to embark on an acting career. He first became known for his roles in films like Moonstruck, Tin Men, Eight Men Out. He was best known for playing Martin Crane on the NBC sitcom Frasier for which he also bagged a Screen Actors Guild Award.
Birthdate: November 26, 1922
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Died: February 12, 2000
Charles M. Schulz was an American cartoonist. He is credited with creating the popular comic strip, Peanuts, which featured world-renowned characters like Snoopy and Charlie Brown. Considered one of the most influential cartoonists ever, Schulz's works have influenced other cartoonists like Dav Pilkey, Matt Groening, and Jim Davis. In 1996, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
16
Joseph Haydn(Composer of the Classical Period Known As 'Father of the Symphony' & 'Father of the String Quartet')
Birthdate: March 31, 1732
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Rohrau, Austria
Died: May 31, 1809
Joseph Haydn was an Austrian composer who played a key role in the progression of chamber music during the Classical period. He is often referred to as the Father of the String Quartet and Father of the Symphony for his contributions to musical form. Joseph Haydn is also credited with mentoring and tutoring Mozart and Beethoven, respectively.
17
Tony Dow(Film Producer and Actor Best Known for His Role in the Sitcom 'Leave It to Beaver')
Birthdate: April 13, 1945
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died: July 27, 2022
Tony Dow is best known as Wally Cleaver from the long-running sitcom Leave It to Beaver and its sequel. He also created abstract bronze sculptures and was a Junior Olympics diving champion.
Birthdate: December 16, 1866
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Died: December 13, 1944
Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky is considered the pioneer of abstract art. Known for notable works such as On White II and Study for Improvisation, he was a prominent artist of the Blue Rider Period and experimented with expressionism. He also earned a professorship at the University of Dorpat.
19
Conchata Ferrell(Best Known for Her Role as ‘Berta’ in the TV Series ‘Two and a Half Men’)
Birthdate: March 28, 1943
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Loudendale, West Virginia, United States
Died: October 12, 2020
Emmy-nominated actor Conchata Ferrell was best known for her portrayal of housekeeper Berta in Two and a Half Men. She began her career with the off-Broadway show The Sea Horse, which won her a Drama Desk and an Obie award. She had also appeared in Krampus and Erin Brockovich.
20
Jonathan Swift(Satirist & Author of 'Gulliver's Travels',' A Tale of a Tub' and 'A Modest Proposal')
Birthdate: November 30, 1667
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Died: October 19, 1745
Eighteenth-century essayist, poet, and pamphleteer Jonathan Swift is remembered for his iconic works such as A Tale of a Tub, A Modest Proposal, and Gulliver's Travels. One of the world’s greatest satirists, he gave rise to the deadpan Swiftian style. He had also been the Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral.
Birthdate: April 9, 1898
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Princeton, New Jersey, United States
Died: January 23, 1976
Singer and actor, Paul Robeson, was as much known for his music and films as he was for his political activism. As a black man who had to endure great difficulties to establish himself, he was actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement and other social justice campaigns. As a performer, he was a major figure in the Harlem Renaissance.
Birthdate: March 4, 1941
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Danville, Virginia, United States
Died: June 25, 2018
Businessman Richard Benjamin Harrison became famous as a reality TV personality when he started appearing in the History Channel series Pawn Stars as the co-owner of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. His already successful business started thriving following the show’s success. He was nominated for the 2012 Time 100 list.
Birthdate: April 23, 1791
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Cove Gap, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: June 1, 1868
James Buchanan was a prominent American lawyer who served as the 15th president of the United States. He is often criticized for failing to address the issue of slavery and is consistently ranked among America's worst presidents. His life and work inspired the 2019 film Raising Buchanan in which he was played by René Auberjonois.
24
Jack Lord(Best Known for His Role of Steve McGarrett in the CBS TV Series 'Hawaii Five-O')
Birthdate: December 30, 1920
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: January 21, 1998
Jack Lord is best known as Steve McGarrett from the series Hawaii Five-O. He spent his youth painting landscapes and studied at New York University on a football scholarship. He later held art exhibitions, too. He was also the first to play Felix Leiter in the James Bond franchise.
25
Terry Jones(Actor)
Birthdate: February 1, 1942
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, Wales
Died: January 21, 2020
Starting his career as a comedy writer, actor-director Terry Jones later soared to fame as part of the Monty Python comedy team. An avid historian, too, he wrote several books and presented TV documentaries on the topic. In his later years, the BAFTA Cymru award winner struggled with dementia.
Birthdate: December 1, 1896
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Zhukov, Kaluga Oblast
Died: June 18, 1974
Soviet general and Marshal of the Soviet Union, Georgy Zhukov, is remembered for overseeing some of the Red Army's most decisive victories during the Second World War. As a young man, he served in the First World War and the Russian Civil War. The recipient of four Hero of the Soviet Union awards, he was made the defence minister.
27
Rod Steiger(One of Hollywood's Most Charismatic and Dynamic Stars)
Birthdate: April 14, 1925
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Westhampton, New York, United States
Died: July 9, 2002
Rod Steiger was an American actor. Regarded as one of Hollywood's most dynamic and charismatic stars, Steiger often played offbeat, volatile, and crazed characters. A well-known method actor, Rod Steiger received the Academy Award for Best Actorfor his portrayal of police chief Bill Gillespie in the 1967 mystery drama film, In the Heat of the Night.
28
Jackie Collins(Novelist)
Birthdate: October 4, 1937
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: London, England, UK
Died: September 19, 2015
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
29
Cecil B. DeMille(One of the Most Commercially Successful Producers & Directors in Film History)
Birthdate: August 12, 1881
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Ashfield, Massachusetts, United States
Died: January 21, 1959
Cecil B. DeMille was an American filmmaker. DeMille is widely regarded as a founding father of the cinema of the United States. He is also considered the most successful filmmaker in the history of American cinema. The recipient of several prestigious awards, DeMille's work has influenced several filmmakers. The Cecil B. DeMille Award is named in his honor.
Birthdate: October 6, 1887
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland
Died: August 27, 1965
Le Corbusier was a Swiss-French designer, painter, architect, writer, and urban planner. He was one of the pioneers of modern architecture. During his illustrious career, which spanned 50 years, Le Corbusier designed buildings in India, Japan, Europe, and North and South America. He is also credited with revolutionizing urban planning.
Birthdate: May 30, 1943
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Wichita, Kansas, United States
Died: September 23, 2020
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
32
Peter Tork(American Actor & Musician)
Birthdate: February 13, 1942
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Washington, D.C., United States
Died: February 21, 2019
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
33
George A. Romero(Film Director Known for His Iconic Horror Films: ‘Night of the Living Dead’ and ‘Dawn of the Dead’)
Birthdate: February 4, 1940
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Bronx, New York, United States
Died: July 16, 2017
Legendary horror filmmaker George A. Romero is best known for his Night of the Living Dead series and for popularizing the zombie film genre. He also gained fame for his collaborations with horror novelist Stephen King, the most notable of them being the film version of King’s novel The Dark Half.
Birthdate: 0973 AD
Birthplace: Beruni, Uzbekistan
Died: 1050 AD
Apart from being a pioneer of Indology and geodesy, Persian scholar Abū Rayḥān al-Bīrūnī also worked on subjects such as anthropology, math, and ethnography. It is believed he didn’t know his father. He had penned many works, such as the encyclopaedic volume The Chronology of Ancient Nations.
35
John Dalton(Chemist, Physicist and Meteorologist Best Known for Developing the 'Atomic Theory')
Birthdate: September 6, 1766
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Eaglesfield, Cumberland, England
Died: July 27, 1844
John Dalton was an English chemist, physicist, and meteorologist most famous for introducing the atomic theory into chemistry. He also contributed a lot to the study of color blindness, sometimes referred to as Daltonism in his honor. He was the first scientist to refer to the smallest particle of matter as an “atom.” He was a Quaker and lived modestly.
36
Ben Johnson(Stuntman)
Birthdate: June 13, 1918
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Foraker, Oklahoma, United States
Died: April 8, 1996
Birthdate: March 25, 1918
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Winston-Salem
Died: April 23, 1995
Birthdate: May 30, 1909
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died: June 13, 1986
39
Toshiro Mifune(One of Japan's Greatest Actors Known Actors Who is Known for His Collaboration With Akira Kurosawa)
Birthdate: April 1, 1920
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Qingdao, China
Died: December 24, 1997
Toshiro Mifune was a Japanese actor best known for his collaboration with director Akira Kurosawa. The two worked together for 16 films, most of which are considered cinema classics. In 1986, Mifune was honored with the Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon. In 2016, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
40
Bobby Riggs(World No.1 Tennis Amateur in 1939 and World No.1 Professional in 1946 & 1947)
Birthdate: February 25, 1918
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Pasadena, California, United States
Died: October 25, 1995
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
41
Alex Karras(American Football Player, Sportscaster, and Actor)
Birthdate: July 15, 1935
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Gary, Indiana, United States
Died: October 10, 2012
Alex Karras was an American footballer, sportscaster, actor, and professional wrestler. A four-time Pro Bowl player, Karras was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame. In 1977, he was also inducted into the Iowa Sports Hall of Fame. As an actor, he is remembered for playing George Papadopolis in the TV series, Webster.
42
Denver Pyle(Actor and Director Known for His TV Series ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ and ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’)
Birthdate: May 11, 1920
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Bethune, Colorado, United States
Died: December 25, 1997
Denver Pyle was an American actor and director. He achieved popularity during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s when he appeared in TV series like The Andy Griffith Show and The Doris Day Show. Also known for his charitable efforts, Denver Pyle sponsored a tournament called Uncle Jesse's Fishing Tournament, which raised over $160,000 in 10 years to support children's programs.
43
Gordon Cooper(Officer, Astronaut, Test pilot, Aerospace engineer, Engineer, Aviator)
Birthdate: March 6, 1927
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Shawnee
Died: October 4, 2004
Part of the seven Project Mercury astronauts, Gordon Cooper manned a 34-hour space mission, becoming the first American to stay for a day in space. As part of the Gemini 5 mission, he and his co-pilot proved it was possible for astronauts to survive a mission to the Moon and back.
Birthdate: May 9, 1860
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Kirriemuir, Angus, Scotland
Died: June 19, 1937
Sir James Matthew Barrie was a Scottish playwright and novelist. He is credited and remembered for creating the famous fictional character, Peter Pan. In the 1922 New Year Honours, Barrie was made a member of the Order of Merit. Before his death, he gifted the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children with the rights of his Peter Pan works.
Birthdate: November 6, 1854
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Washington, D.C., United States
Died: March 6, 1932
46
Wilhelm Rontgen(German Mechanical Engineer and Winner of the 1901 Nobel Prize in Physics)
Birthdate: March 27, 1845
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Lennep, Remscheid, Germany
Died: February 10, 1923
Wilhelm Rontgen was a German physicist and mechanical engineer. He is best remembered for producing and detecting X-rays for which he was honored with the first Nobel Prize in Physicsin 1901. His discovery of X-rays remains one of the greatest achievements in the field of medical science.
47
Claude Rains(One of the Greatest Character Stars on the Big Screen)
Birthdate: November 10, 1889
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Clapham, London, England, United Kingdom
Died: May 30, 1967
British-American actor, Claude Rains, had an extensive career that spanned nearly seven decades. The son of a stage actor, he was introduced to the entertainment industry at a young age and went on to have a successful career. He was nominated for the Academy Award four times. He is considered one of the finest actors of the 20th century.
48
Edward VIII(King of the UK, Emperor of India (20 Jan 1936 - 11 Dec 1936))
Birthdate: June 23, 1894
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Richmond Park, Surrey, England
Died: May 28, 1972
Edward VIII was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Empire for several months in 1936. He was also Emperor of India during this period. He served in the British Army during the First World War and became the king following his father’s death. However, he abdicated the throne only months into his reign.
Birthdate: May 7, 1812
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Camberwell
Died: December 12, 1889
Robert Browning was an English playwright and poet best remembered for his dramatic monologues. His monologues are widely studied around the world as most teachers consider them ideal examples of the monologue form. One of the most important Victorian poets, Browning has inspired several poets and playwrights.
50
Ayn Rand(Writer and Philosopher Known for Her Best-Selling Novels ‘The Fountainhead’ and ‘Atlas Shrugged’)
Birthdate: February 2, 1905
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Died: March 6, 1982
Ayn Rand was a Russian-American philosopher and writer. Apart from publishing two best-selling novels, Ayn Rand is credited with developing a philosophical system called Objectivism. Over the years, Ayn Rand has been a major influence among American conservatives and libertarians. Some of the famous personalities influenced by her include Amber Heard, Vince Vaughn, Jimmy Wales, Ayelet Shaked, and Mary Ruwart.
