The Ashes Urn

American actress and acting teacher Stella Adler died on this day 30 years ago, aged 91.

American film studio executive and producer Dawn Steel died on this day 25 years ago, aged 51.

English playwright and theatre director John Van Druten died on this day 65 years ago, aged 56.

American actor and comedian Chris Farley died on this day 25 years ago, aged 33.

American college men's basketball player Hank Luisetti died on this day 20 years ago, aged 86.

English design engineer, inventor and builder in the automotive industry Colin Chapman died on this day 40 years ago, aged 54.

British-American actor Charles Laughton died on this day 60 years ago, aged 63.

American actor, comedian, vaudevillian and singer Stubby Kaye died on this day 25 years ago, aged 79.

American businessman, film producer, government official, writer and philantropist Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney died on this day 30 years ago, aged 93.

American singer, songwriter, bandleader and actor Pinky Tomlin died on this day 35 years ago, aged 80.

American actor and film producer Brad Dexter died on this day 20 years ago, aged 85.

American poet, writer and critic Mark Van Doren died on this day 50 years ago, aged 78.

American comedian and comic actor Joey Forman died on this day 40 years ago, aged 53.

United States Air Force officer and first African-American astronaut Robert Henry Lawrence Jr. died on this day 55 years ago, aged 32.

American actor Will Lee died on this day 40 years ago, aged 74.

American cowboy-turned-character actor Hank Worden died on this day 30 years ago, aged 91.

American jazz double-bassist Arvell Shaw died on this day 20 years ago, aged 79.

American film and theatre director Rouben Mamoulian died on this day 35 years ago, aged 90.

American publisher Frank Gannett died on this day 65 years ago, aged 81.

American acoustic guitarist and songwriter Michael Hedges died on this day 25 years ago, aged 43.

American writer James Baldwin died on this day 35 years ago, aged 63.

American professional wrestler Mr. Wrestling died on this day 20 years ago, aged 68.

Canadian athlete Percy Williams died on this day 40 years ago, aged 74.

American blues singer and guitarist Dave "Snaker" Ray died on this day 20 years ago, aged 59.

American right fielder in Major League Baseball Babe Herman died on this day 35 years ago, aged 84.