Discover the most famous people died who died in the year 1975. This list includes people like Jimmy Hoffa, K. Kamaraj, Francisco Franco, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Haile Selassie and many more. This list of celebrities is loosely sorted by popularity. People featured on this list, include political leaders, artists, composers and journalists who died in 1975. This list includes people from United States, United Kingdom, France & India and many more countries.
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1
Josephine Baker(First Black Woman to Star in a Major Motion Picture, the 1927 Silent Film 'Siren of the Tropics')
Birthdate: June 3, 1906
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Died: April 12
Nicknamed Black Pearl and Creole Goddess, Josephine Baker was the first Black woman to appear in a motion picture. She was a revue dancer, famous for her signature banana costume. A civil rights activist, she helped the French military during World War II. She adopted 12 children of different ethnicities.
Birthdate: July 23, 1892
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Ejersa Goro, Ethiopia
Died: August 27
Haile Selassie, served his country, Ethiopia, as its regent from 1916 to 1930 and as its emperor from 1930 to 1974. He introduced the first Ethiopian constitution, abolished slavery, chaired the Organisation of African Unity, and helped Ethiopia enter the UN. He inspired the Rastafari movement, too.
3
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
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.
4
Rod Serling(Screenwriter and Playwright Best Known for His Work on Anthology TV Series ‘The Twilight Zone’)
Birthdate: December 25, 1924
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Syracuse, New York, United States
Died: June 28
Rod Serling was an American playwright, screenwriter, narrator, and television producer. One of the first writers to write specifically for television, Serling is often credited with legitimizing television drama. He is also credited with creating the much-acclaimed series The Twilight Zone. For his much-publicized clashes with TV executives, Serling was often referred to as the angry young man of Hollywood.
Birthdate: September 25, 1906
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Died: August 9
Dmitry Shostakovich was a Soviet and Russian pianist and composer. Widely regarded as one of the 20th century's major composers, Shostakovich's music is characterized by ambivalent tonality, elements of the grotesque, and sharp contrasts. He composed 15 symphonies during his lifetime and most of his work came under Joseph Stalin.
6
Larry Fine(Comedian, Actor and Member of the Comedy Team the ‘Three Stooges’)
Birthdate: October 5, 1902
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: January 24
Louis Feinberg, or Larry Fine, soared to stardom as a member of the comedy group The Three Stooges, appearing in movies such as Disorder in the Court and Men in Black. He was known for his signature frizzy hair and his violin skills. He had previously been a boxer.
Birthdate: January 25, 1951
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Coos Bay, Oregon, United States
Died: May 30
Long-distance runner Steve Prefontaine had competed in only one Olympic, finishing fourth in the 5000m race in Munich. However, he had begun breaking records since high school and excelled in cross-country running. His tragic death in a car accident after attending a party ended his life and his sports dreams.
8
Susan Hayward(American Film Actress, Best Known for her Film Portrayals of Women that were Based on True Stories)
Birthdate: June 30, 1917
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: March 14
Susan Hayward was an American model and actress best known for playing characters based on true stories. During her illustrious acting career, which spanned 35 years, Susan Hayward won several prestigious awards, such as Academy Award and Golden Globe Award. She was also one of the most bankable Hollywood actresses throughout the 1950s.
9
Hannah Arendt(One of the Most Influential Political Theorists of the 20th Century)
Birthdate: October 14, 1906
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Linden - Mitte, Hanover, Germany
Died: December 4
Hannah Arendt was a political theorist. Widely regarded as one of the20th century's most prominent political thinkers, Hannah Arendt's articles and books have had a significant influence on philosophy and political theory. Her life and work inspired the 2012 biographical drama film, Hannah Arendt. Her work has also inspired several biographies written by popular authors.
Birthdate: January 20, 1906
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Karataş, İzmir, Turkey
Died: March 15
A Greek shipping magnate who was one of the world's richest men at one point, Aristotle Onassis held the world's largest privately-owned shipping fleet at the peak of his career. He was involved in the privatization of the Greek national airlines as well. He had liaisons with many famous and beautiful women and was married to Jacqueline Kennedy.
Birthdate: September 5, 1888
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Thiruttani, Tamil Nadu, India
Died: April 17
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was the second President of India and served from 1962 to 1967. He is regarded as one of India’s most eminent scholars and wrote extensively on Indian philosophy and religion. Lifelong he defended Hindu traditions and culture against criticism from the West. September 5, his birthday, is observed as Teachers Day in India, in his honour.
Birthdate: April 9, 1906
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Died: March 25
Faisal of Saudi Arabia was King of Saudi Arabia from 1964 to 1975. He was the son of King Abdulaziz and his wife, Tarfa. During his father’s reign, he was given numerous responsibilities of political significance. After coming to power, he implemented a series of modern reforms and issued a decree for the total abolition of slavery.
Birthdate: October 15, 1881
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Guildford, England
Died: February 14
Birthdate: October 31, 1887
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Xikou
Died: April 5
Chiang Kai-shek was a Chinese revolutionary who led the Republic of China between 1928 and 1975, first in mainland China until 1949 and later on in Taiwan until his death. He is credited with successfully leading the Northern Expedition against the Beiyang government, achieving Chinese unification. He was involved in a civil war with Communist Party of China, which he lost in 1949 and retreated to Taiwan.
15
Pier Paolo Pasolini(Italian Filmmaker Known for His Radical Methods, Overtly Political and Often Scandalous Content)
Birthdate: March 5, 1922
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Bologna, Italy
Died: November 2
Noted film director and actor Pier Paolo Pasolini had already gained fame as a poet and author before stepping into the entertainment industry. The openly gay filmmaker was known for his usage of non-professional actors and themes of sexuality. His brutal murder remains to be a controversial topic.
16
Fredric March(One of Hollywood's Most Celebrated, Versatile Stars of the 1930s and 1940s)
Birthdate: August 31, 1897
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Racine, Wisconsin, United States
Died: April 14
Fredric March was an American actor best remembered for his versatility. One of the most celebrated actors during the 1930s and 1940s, Fredric March won two Academy Awards for Best Actor and two Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Play; he is one of two actors to have received both the Tony Award and Academy Award twice.
17
Pete Ham(Welsh Singer-Songwriter and Lead Vocalist for the 1970s Rock Band ‘Badfinger’)
Birthdate: April 27, 1947
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales
Died: April 24
Welsh musician Pete Ham soared to fame as the lead singer and composer of the rock band Badfinger. Known for iconic hits such as No Matter What, he also co-wrote the classic Without You. After the band’s manager defrauded and vanished, Ham committed suicide by hanging himself in his garage.
Birthdate: March 17, 1920
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Tungipara, Bangladesh
Died: August 15
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, father of Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina, is known as the "Father of the Nation" and “Bangabandhu" in Bangladesh. He was an Awami League leader and led the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. He was the first president of Bangladesh and later also served as the Bangladeshi PM.
Birthdate: October 14, 1882
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: New York City
Died: August 29
Irish statesman Éamon de Valera served as the 3rd President of Ireland from 1959 to 1973. An influential political leader in 20th-century Ireland, he played a key role in introducing the Constitution of Ireland. Prior to becoming the president, he served as Taoiseach on three different occasions. He was an austere, stern, and unbending figure.
Birthdate: March 20, 1906
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Jersey City, New Jersey, United States
Died: June 3
Birthdate: May 3, 1906
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: New York City
Died: December 1
Anna Roosevelt Halsted was an American writer and newspaper editor. The daughter of Eleanor Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt, Anna played an important role during World War II, serving as her father's key advisor. After her marriage, Anna moved into the White House and served as First Lady of the USA as per her parents' request.
22
K. Kamaraj(Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (1954-63))
Birthdate: July 15, 1903
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, India
Died: October 2
Birthdate: February 24, 1890
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Acton, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Died: April 10
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
24
Tim Buckley(Guitarist, Singer-songwriter)
Birthdate: February 14, 1947
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Washington, D.C., United States
Died: June 29
Birthdate: July 30, 1890
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Died: September 29
26
Clyde Tolson(1st Associate Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation)
Birthdate: May 22, 1900
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Laredo, Missouri, United States
Died: April 14
Clyde Tolson was an American associate director of the FBI from 1930 to 1972. He is perhaps best remembered for his relationship with FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover; it has been speculated that Clyde Tolson shared an intimate relationship with Hoover.
27
Moms Mabley(American Stand-up Comedian and Actress)
Birthdate: March 19, 1894
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Brevard, North Carolina, United States
Died: May 23
28
Graham Hill(British Racing Driver Who Won the 1962 and 1968 'Formula One' World Championship Title)
Birthdate: February 15, 1929
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Hampstead, London, England
Died: November 29
Graham Hill was a British racing driver remembered for winning the Formula One World Championship title in 1962 and 1968. Counted among the greatest drivers of his era, Hill is the only driver to win the prestigious Triple Crown of Motorsport. Hill is also credited with inspiring his son Damon, who won the Formula One World Championship title in 1996.
Birthdate: September 15, 1928
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Tampa, Florida, United States
Died: August 8
30
Percy Lavon Julian(One of the First African Americans to Receive a Doctorate in Chemistry)
Birthdate: April 11, 1899
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Montgomery, Alabama, United States
Died: April 19
Percy Lavon Julian was an American chemist whose work paved the way for the production of birth control pills and corticosteroids. Julian went on to start his own company which helped reduce the price of steroid intermediates. In 1973, Percy Lavon Julian was inducted into the National Academy of Sciences and became the first African-American to receive this honor.
31
Mary Ure(Stage actor, Film actor)
Birthdate: February 18, 1933
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Glasgow
Died: April 3
32
Richard Conte(Actor)
Birthdate: March 24, 1910
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Jersey City, New Jersey, USA
Died: April 15
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
33
Bernard Herrmann(American Composer and Conductor)
Birthdate: June 29, 1911
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Died: December 24
34
Bob Wills(Musician)
Birthdate: March 6, 1905
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Limestone County, Texas, United States
Died: May 13
35
Lefty Frizzell(Singer)
Birthdate: March 31, 1928
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Corsicana, Texas, United States
Died: July 19
Birthdate: January 10, 1903
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Wakefield, England, United Kingdom
Died: May 20
English sculptor Barbara Hepworth, CBE and DBE, was a prominent figure in Modern Art. A Royal College of Art alumna, she used bronze, marble, and wood to create masterpieces such as Single Form and Family of Man, which adorn various venues. She died in a fire at her studio.
Birthdate: April 15, 1889
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Missouri
Died: January 19
38
Louis Jordan(Singer, Actor, Saxophonist, Jazz musician)
Birthdate: July 8, 1908
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Arkansas
Died: February 4
39
Thornton Wilder(Playwright)
Birthdate: April 17, 1897
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Died: December 7
40
William Hartnell(Actor)
Birthdate: January 8, 1908
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: St. Pancras, London, England, UK
Died: April 23
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
Birthdate: September 8, 1911
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Clarksville, Texas, United States
Died: December 29
Birthdate: December 4, 1892
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Ferrol, Spain
Died: November 20
Francisco Franco overthrew the Second Spanish Republic by leading the Nationalist forces as their general during the Spanish Civil War. Subsequently, Franco ruled over Spain as a dictator from 1939 to 1975. He had such an impact as a dictator that the period between the Nationalist victory and Franco's death is known as Francoist Spain in the history of Spain.
43
Umm Kulthum(The Voice of Egypt)
Birthdate: December 31, 1898
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: El-Senbellawein, Egypt
Died: February 3
Birthdate: December 18, 1904
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Oakland, California, United States
Died: March 8
45
Audrey Williams(Musician, Songwriter)
Birthdate: February 28, 1923
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Pike County
Died: November 4
Birthdate: April 14, 1889
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: London, England, United Kingdom
Died: October 22
47
Anthony McAuliffe(Military Leader)
Birthdate: July 2, 1898
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Died: August 11
48
Ivo Andric(Novelist, Poet & Short Story Writer Who Won the 1961 Nobel Prize in Literature)
Birthdate: October 9, 1892
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Dolac, Travnik, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Died: March 13
Ivo Andric was a Yugoslav short story writer, poet, and novelist. Andric won the 1961 Nobel Prize in Literature after the Nobel Committee chose him over writers like Robert Frost, E. M. Forster, John Steinbeck, and J. R. R. Tolkien. After receiving the award, Andric's works were translated into several languages as they found an international audience.
49
Josemaría Escrivá(Spanish Priest Who Founded the Organization 'Opus Dei')
Birthdate: January 9, 1902
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Barbastro, Spain
Died: June 26
Josemaría Escrivá was a Spanish priest best remembered for founding an organization called Opus Dei. He is also remembered for authoring a book titled The Way. The book has been translated into many languages and has sold millions of copies around the world.
50
Moyna Macgill(Actress)
Birthdate: December 10, 1895
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Belfast, Ireland
Died: November 25
