Death Anniversary Thread

[Drewsky1211 4,080]

Marlon Brando died on this day 19 years ago, aged 80.

- Brando got his start on stage, and was known for a 1947 role in the Broadway production of A Streetcar Named Desire- he reprised his role as Stanley Kowalski in the 1951 film adaptation, earning him his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor.

- He would eventually win two Oscars for Best Actor- one in 1955 for On the Waterfront, and another in 1973 for arguably his most famous role as Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather- he declined to accept the latter award.

- Brando was childhood friends with fellow actor Wally Cox. When Cox died in 1973, Brando stole his ashes from his widow- she planned to sue him for their return, but she decided he needed them more.

- Brando saw continued success in the late '70s, starring in movies such as Apocalypse Now and the first Christopher Reeve Superman film.

- However, his career took a negative turn in the 1990s, with films such as Christopher Columbus: The Discovery, Free Money, and especially the 1996 version of The Island of Dr. Moreau (whose infamous production is the stuff of legends). His role as the titular character in the latter film also led to the creation of now seldom-seen South Park character Dr. Mephisto, who shares many of his mannerisms:

- Brando's last role was a voice acting role in the unreleased film Big Bug Man- you can read more about it here.

- Brando was known for his poor health in later years- by the 1990s, he was diabetic and weighed over 300 pounds (140 kilos). During this time, he also became close friends with Michael Jackson, and the latter would give him a portable oxygen tank and personal golf card to tour Neverland Ranch.

- Brando made 2 appearances on the DeathList, in 1996 and 1997.

[diego 1,833]

Born in Paris, Camille Chautemps was Prime Minister of France in 1930, between 33 and 34, and between 37 and 38, he died 60 years ago aged 78 in Washington

 

Buckminster Fuller was born in Milton Massachusetts and died in the same place, he is best known for the invention of the geodesic dome. Lightest, strongest, most cost-effective architectural structure ever designed
It is said that when visiting his wife, who was in a coma in a hospital, he said: "She is waiting for me". Then he will have closed his eyes. Two hours later he was dead from a heart attack. His wife died 36 hours later He died 40 years ago aged 87

[time 7,969]

Fifty-seven years since the death of British artist Pauline Boty.

One of the founders of Britain's Pop-art movement, and the only female pop-artist, her worke exhibited both femininity and female sexuality, and she exhibited alongside (amongst others) Peter Blake, and was featured on Ken Russell's 1962 TV show Monitor (also including Blake).

 

She also acted, appearing in episodes of Maigret, Armchair Theatre and other TV programmes as well as an uncredited role in Alfie (as one of Alfie's girlfriends), and was a dancer on Ready, Steady, Go, though this aspect of her work was restricted, as it interfered with her painting.

 

She married literary agent Clive Goodwin in 1963, and their flat became a hangout for artists and musicians, including Bob Dylan, Kenneth Tynan, Roger McGough, Dennis Potter and more.

 

After becoming pregnant in 1965, a prenatal scan disclosed the existence of a malignant tumour; Boty refused to have an abortion and also refused treatment that may have harmed the foetus, using marijuana for pain relief, A daughter* was born in February 1966; Boty died from her cancer a few months later at the Royal Marsden hospital, aged 28.

 

 

*Katy, later Boty Goodwin, died from a heroin overdose age 29 in 1995.

[Hell 1,327]

American actor, comedian and film director Walter Matthau died on this day 23 years ago, aged 79. He is best known for his roles in A Face in the Crowd (1957), King Creole (1958) and as a coach or a hapless little league team in the baseball comedy The Bad News Bears (1976). He also starred in 10 films alongside Jack Lemmon, including The Odd Couple (1968), The Front Page (1974) and Grumpy Old Men (1993). Matthau won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the Billy Wilder film The Fortune Cookie (1966). Matthau is also known for his performances in Stanley Donen's romance Charade (1963), Gene Kelly's musical Hello, Dolly! (1969), Elaine May's screwball comedy A New Leaf (1971) and Herbert Ross' ensemble comedy California Suite (1978). He also starred in Plaza Suite, Kotch (both 1971), Charley Varrick (1973), The Sunshine Boys (1975), and Hopscotch (1980).

 

 

President of Argentina from 1946 to 1955 and from 1973 to 1974 Juan Perón died on this day 49 years ago, aged 78. During his first presidential term, Perón was supported by his second wife Eva Duartë: they were immensely popular among the Argentine working class. Perón's government invested heavily in public works, expanded social welfare, and forced employers to improve working conditions. Trade unions grew rapidly with his support and women's suffrage was granted with Eva's influence. On the other hand dissidents were fired, exiled, arrested and tortured, and much of the press was closely controlled. Several high-profile war criminals, such as Josef Mengele, Adolf Eichmann and Ante Pavelić, were given refuge in Argentina during this time. After he deported two Catholic priests and was thought to be excommunicated, pro-Church elements of the Argentinian Navy and Air Force bombed Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires, where supporters of Perón had gathered, killing more than 300 civilians in June 1955.

 

[Drewsky1211 4,080]

King Adolf of Germany died on this day 725 years ago, aged 43.

- Adolf was the son of count Walram II of Nassau. When his father died in 1276, Adolf became the count; a title he would hold until his own death.

- In the late 13th century, Adolf became a member of the royal court of king Rudolf I. Rudolf provided him with lordship over several castles. He would also become involved in the local politics of the towns his castles were in.

- Rudolf died in 1291, wishing for his son Albert to succeed him (at this time, Germany elected its kings, rather than it being fully hereditary). However, Albert was unpopular among the electors (largely due to territorial disputes), and Adolf would be elected king in May of 1292. He was largely chosen so the electors would have more power amongst themselves.

- In 1294, Adolf would form an alliance with king Edward I of England against France (due to their attempts to conquer the kingdoms of Burgundy and Flanders). He would issue a declaration of war against king Philip IV of France later that year, but forfeited in 1295 when Pope Boniface VIII threatened to excommunicate him should war break out.

- Adolf was also known for seizing the Margravate of Meissen from its margrave, Albert II (the direct 19x-great-grandfather of Queen Elizabeth II), considering it to have been abandoned to to the death of a cadet branch of the House of Wettin.

- In 1298, the electors turned against Adolf in favor of Albert (largely due to his activities in Thuringia), and he would be deposed in late June of 1298. Adolf believed that only the pope had the authority to depose a king, and thus gathered troops to fight Albert. Eleven days after being dethroned, Adolf met Albert's forces in battle at Gollheim, and would be killed:

[diego 1,833]

Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington, served in the government from 1715 until his death, he was born in Compton Wynyates, died in London 280 years ago aged 70

Samuel Hahnemann died 180 years ago, he was born in Meißen, Saxony and died in Paris, was a German physician, founder of homeopathy in 1779.

Ferdinand Schörner was born in Munich and died 50 years ago at the age of 81 in the same place, he was a German general of the Wehrmacht during the Second World War, During the First World War he worked with the workshop staff and was an instructor, where he performed efficiently and earned the precious Blue Max

Fred Gwynne was born in New York and died in Taneytown, Maryland 30 years ago at the age of 66, he was an actor known for his height (1.96 m), as well as for his participation in several sitcoms, such as Car 54, Where Are You ? and Monsters, Gwynne died of pancreatic cancer

[John "요한" Sulu 368]

On this day 2 years ago, American jazz pianist, composer, conductor, and bandleader Elliot Lawrence passed away at the age of 96.

[John "요한" Sulu 368]

On this day 1 year ago, English theater and motion picture director Peter Brook, who directed the movie "Marat/Sade", passed away at the age of 97.

[Hell 1,327]

American novelist, short-story writer, and journalist Ernest Hemingway died on this day 62 years ago, aged 61. Hemingway's debut novel The Sun Also Rises was published in 1926. His economical and understated style – which included his iceberg theory – had strong influence on 20th century fiction, while his adventurous lifestyle and public image brought him admiration from later generations. Hemingway produced most of his work between the mid-1920s and the mid-1950s, and he was awarded the 1954 Nobel Prize in Literature.

 

 

American actress, pin-up girl, dancer, model, and singer Betty Grable died on this day 50 years ago, aged 56. Grable began her film career in 1929 at age 12, after which she was fired from a contract when it was learned she signed up under false identification. She had contracts with RKO and Paramount Pictures during the 1930s, and appeared in a string of B movies, mostly portraying college students. Grable came to prominence in the Broadway mysical DuBarry Was a Lady (1939), which brought her to the attention of 20th Century Fox. She replaced Alice Faye in Down Argentine Way (1940), her first major Hollywood film, and became Fox’s biggest film star throughout the next decade. Fox cast Grable in succession of Technicolor musicals during the decade that were immensely popular, co-starring with such leading men as Victor Mature, Don Ameche, John Payne, and Tyrone Power. Two of her bigger film successes were the musical Mother Wore Tights (1947) and the comedy How to Marry a Millionaire (1953), one of her later films.

 

 

American actor James Stewart died on this day 26 years ago, aged 89. He began a career as a stage actor, appearing on Broadway and in summer stock productions. He landed his first supporting role in The Murder Man (1935) and had his breakthrough in Frank Capra’s ensemble comedy You Can’t Take It with You (1938). The following year, Stewart garnered his first of five Academy Award nominations for his portrayal of an idealized senator in Capra’s Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939). The following year he received the Academy Award for Best Actor, the only competitive Oscar of his career, for his performance in the George Cukor romantic comedy The Philadelphia Story (1940). Stewart’s first postwar role was as George Bailey in Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life (1946). He made 7 appearances on the DeathList, in 1987, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997.

 

[Drewsky1211 4,080]

Jim Backus died on this day 34 years ago, aged 76.

- Backus' career began in the 1940s on radio, with one of his earliest roles being the millionaire Dexter Hayes on Society Girl.

- Backus would make appearances in movies such as Pat and Mike, It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, and most notably Rebel Without a Cause as James Dean's father.

- Beginning in 1949, Backus would voice Mr. Magoo, who he would voice in theatrical shorts and TV series until his death. One anecdote states that during the production of Don't Bother to Knock, Marilyn Monroe beckoned him to her dressing room- just to have him talk in-character as Mr. Magoo.

- Backus was also well-known for his role as Thurston Howell III in Gilligan's Island, with his final time portraying the character being in commercials for Orville Redenbacher popcorn:

- Outside of acting, Backus was known for his affinity for golf, and participated in the 1964 Bing Crosby National Pro-Amateur tournament.

[diego 1,833]

Pierre d'Aubusson was a French cardinal of Le Monteil-au-Vicomte, died in Greece in Rhodes 520 years ago aged 80, was the 40th Grand Master of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem,

Little Crow died 160 years ago in Meeker County and was born in Kaposia, was a chief of the Mdewakanton Dakota - Sioux Indians. Little Crow led some of the Dakota people in a five-week war against the United States in 1862

Hipólito Yrigoyen was president of Argentina twice (1916-1922 and 1928-1930), he died 80 years ago aged 80 in the same city where he was born (Buenos Aires)

Joe DeRita died 30 years ago at age 83, born in Philadelphia, died in Woodland Hills (Los Angeles), well known for having participated in the series The Three Stooges / The Three Stooges, a group of which he was the last survivor, DeRita died of pneumonia , nine days before his 84th birthday, at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital. Only member of the Stooges who was not Jewish

[time 7,969]

Twenty-two years since the death of composer Delia Derbyshire, aged 64. Here's one you might know.

 

[Hell 1,327]

American politician from Wisconsin who served as a United States senator and governor Gaylord Nelson died on this day 18 years ago, aged 89. In 1948, Nelson was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate. He remained there until 1958, when he was elected governor, in two two-year terms, before being elected to the United States Senate in 1962. He served three consecutive terms as a senator from 1963 to 1981. In 1963 he convinced President John F. Kennedy to take a national speaking tour to discuss conservation issues. Senator Nelson founded Earth Day, which began as a teach-in about environmental issues on April 22, 1970.

 

[Drewsky1211 4,080]

James Monroe died on this day 192 years ago, aged 73.

- Monroe dropped out of college to fight in the American Revolution, and served under William Washington (George's second cousin once removed). Monroe would ambush Hessian reinforcements in the Battle of Trenton, and nearly died in battle due to a severed artery. He can be seen in the famous "Washington Crossing the Delaware" painting, behind Washington and holding the flag:

- After the end of the fighting, Monroe would be elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1782. He would be elected to the Congress of the Confederation (the precursor to the US House of Representatives) in 1783, and as a US senator in 1790. In 1799, he became the governor of Virginia- he served until 1802, and would become governor again in 1811, quitting after four months after president James Madison appointed him his Secretary of State.

- Monroe won the 1816 presidential election against Rufus King in a landslide. His tenure was best known for buying Florida from Spain, the Compromise of 1820 (in which Missouri became a slave state if Maine became a free state), and the Monroe Doctrine (a declaration stating that the US would act against further European colonization of the Americas).

- Monroe was a supporter of the American Colonization Society, encouraging freed slaves to form their own nation in Africa- this soon became the country of Liberia, and its capital city, Monrovia, is named after him.

- In 1820, Monroe became the only other US president to run unopposed besides George Washington. A single elector cast a vote for John Quincy Adams- many believe that this was so that George Washington could remain the only unanimously elected (in the Electoral College) president.

- Monroe died on the 55th anniversary of the ratification of the Declaration of Independence, and exactly five years after John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. He is the most recent US president to die on the 4th of July.

[diego 1,833]

Taejo of Goryeo died 1080 years ago, was the founder of the Goryeo Dynasty, which ruled Korea from the 10th to the 14th century

Ulrich of Augsburg died 1050 years ago in Augsburg (GER), He is known for being the first saint, on record, to be canonized by the Pope.

William Byrd was born in Lincolnshire, England and died in Stondon Massey 400 years ago, he was an English composer of the Renaissance. Considered one of the greatest composers of the Renaissance and one of the greatest British composers

Marcelo Tupinambá was born in Tietê and died in São Paulo 70 years ago, he was a Brazilian composer

Barry White was born in Galveston, Texas, and died in Los Angeles, California at age 58, 20 years ago, was an American singer, songwriter, conductor and music producer. Composer of countless hits in soul and disco style and romantic ballads, and a performer with a deep and serious voice. He was an inconsequential teenager, who ended up arrested at the age of seventeen for stealing tires. In 2000, he won two Grammy Awards in the categories of best traditional and R&B music for Staying Power, he died of kidney failure

 

[Hell 1,327]

American statesman, attorney, diplomat, writer, and Founding Father who served as the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801 John Adams died on this day 197 years ago, aged 90. Before his presidency, he was a leader of the American Revolution that achieved independence from Great Britain. During the latter part of Revolutionary War and in the early years of the new nation, he served the US government as a senior diplomat in Europe. Adams was the first person to hold the office of vice president, serving from 1789 to 1797. He was a dedicated diarist and regularly corresponded with important contemporaries, including his wife and adviser Abigail Adams and his friend and political rival Thomas Jefferson.

 

 

American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, philosopher, and Founding Father who served as the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809 Thomas Jefferson died on this day 197 years ago, aged 83. Among the Committee of Five charged by the Second Continental Congress with authoring the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson was the document's primary author. Following the American Revolutionary War and prior to becoming president in 1801, Jefferson was the first US Secretary of State under George Washington and then the nation's second vice president under John Adams.

 

[Sinbabad 826]

53 minutes ago, Hell said:

John Adams died on this day 197 years ago, aged 90.

Thomas Jefferson died on this day 197 years ago, aged 83.

Thomas Jefferson died first but John Adams was not aware of the latter’s death when himself died. His last words were « Thomas Jefferson survives » !

Adams died at 90 years and 8 months and was the longest lived (and the only nonagenarian) US president until Ronald Reagan surpassed him in 2001, and then Gerald Ford in 2004 and George HW Bush and Jimmy Carter in 2015. Herbert Hoover also became nonagerian but he died at « only » 90 years and 1 month in 1964.

[Drewsky1211 4,080]

Walter Gropius died on this day 54 years ago, aged 86.

- Gropius' great-uncle Martin was also a notable architect, who designed the Museum of Decorative Arts in Berlin.

- Gropius would be employed by architect Peter Behrens in 1908, but left to form his own business in 1910. Most notably during this time, Gropius and his associate Adolf Meyer would design the façade of the Fagus Factory.

- Around the start of his career, Gropius would have an affair with the wife of composer Gustav Mahler, Alma. Gustav died in 1911, and the two would marry in 1915. But he was drafted into World War I, and would receive two Iron Crosses for his service. As he was not home for a long period of time, Alma would begin an affair with author Franz Werfel, and after his return from the war, they would divorce. (Alma married Franz in 1929, and Gropius was the only one of her husbands to outlive her.)

- In 1919, Gropius was appointed as the headmaster of the Grand-Ducal Saxon School of Arts and Crafts, which under his administration became known as the Bauhaus. The artistic movement that Gropius spearheaded was known for its minimalism and abstract expression:

- Gropius fled Germany in 1934, and settled in the US in 1937. He lived in Massachusetts, and designed his own home:

 

[diego 1,833]

Joseph Nicéphore Niépce died in Saint-Loup-de-Varennes 190 years ago at the age of 68, the Frenchman from Chalon-sur-Saône, responsible for one of the first photographs. Among his other inventions is the Pyréolophore, the first internal combustion engine, which he conceived, created and developed with his brother Claude Niépce. Niépce began his photographic experiments in 1793, but the images quickly disappeared. He got images that were slow to fade in 1824 and the first example of a permanent image still extant was taken in 1826. He called the process heliography and it took eight hours to record an image.

Oldest photo taken by Niépce, around 1826

Isabel de Orléans e Bragança was born in Sena Marítimo, France, and died 20 years ago, aged 91 in Chérisy (FRA), was a French-Brazilian writer, Princess of Orléans and Bragança and descendant of the Brazilian imperial family. As the wife of Prince Henry of Orléans, Count of Paris and Orleanist claimant to the French throne, she bore the courtesy title of Countess of Paris

[time 7,969]

Its 22 years since the death of US author George Dawson.

 

Dawson, a son of Texas farmers and descended from slaves, never learnt to read until a chance meeting with a representative of an adult-literacy programme, at 'about age 98'; despite an initial reluctance to admit his lack of reading skill, he signed up to the programme.

 

He went on to take his GED, and wrote (with Richard Glaubman) his autobiography, published in 2000, which received national attention, leading to an appearance on Oprah. He died following a stroke aged 103.

 

The following year a Texas middle-school was renamed in his honour; twenty years later, that same school placed his book under review, deeming topics such as lynching, racism segregation and civil rights unsuitable subjects for 7th graders.

[John "요한" Sulu 368]

On this day 2 years ago, American motion picture director Richars Donner, who directed the movies "Superman" and "Lethal Weapon", passed away at the age of 91.

 

Photo Credit: Alan Light per Creative Commons license

[Hell 1,327]

American actress and singer Carole Landis died on this day 75 years ago, aged 29. Landis made her film debut as an extra in the 1937 film A Star Is Born; she also appeared in various horse operas. Landis appeared in a string of successful films in the early 1940s, usually as the second female lead. In a time when the singing of many actresses was dubbed in, Landis' own voice was considered good enough and was used in her few musical roles. Her breakout role was as the female lead in the 1940 film One Million B.C. from United Artists.

 

 

American professional baseball player and manager Ted Williams died on this day 21 years ago, aged 83. He played his entire 19-year Major League Baseball career, primarily as a left fielder, for the Boston Red Sox from 1939 to 1960; his career was interrupted by military service during World War II and the Korean War. Nicknamed “Teddy Ballgame”, “the kid”, “the Splendid Splinter”, and “The Thumper”, Williams is regarded as one of the greatest hitters in baseball history and to date is the last player to hit over 400 in a season. His 482 on-base percentage is the highest of all time. 

 

 

American musician who is best known as a trumpet-playing band leader who led a big band from 1939 to 1946 Harry James died on this day 40 years ago, aged 67. In 1924, his family settled in Beaumont, Texas. It was here in the eaely 1930s that James began playing in local dance bands when he was 15 years of age. James played regularly with Herman Waldman’s band, and at one performance was noticed by nationally popular Ben Pollack. He broke up his band for a short period in 1947, but shortly after he reorganized and was active again with his band from then until his death in 1983. He was especially known among musicians for his technical proficiency as well as his tone, and was influential on new trumpet players from the late 1930s into the 1940s. He was also an actor in a number of films that usually featured his band.

 

[John "요한" Sulu 368]

On this day 2 years ago, American actor William Smith, who starred in the TV mini-series "Rich Man, Poor Man", passed away at the age of 88.

[Drewsky1211 4,080]

King Edward VI died on this day 470 years ago, aged 15.

- Edward was the first and only surviving son of Henry VIII, via his third wife Jane Seymour- his mom died from complications from his birth 12 days later. He immediately became heir apparent due to being male, superseding his older half-sisters Mary and Elizabeth; Mary was 21 years old and became his godmother.

- Edward began his education when he was 6, learning foreign language, Bible studies, philosophy, and science. He developed a particular interest in cartography.

- When Edward was 5, he was betrothed to his first cousin once removed Mary, Queen of Scots- she was just seven months old. This was done in an attempt to seek peace with Scotland to get them to unite with England, but when the Scottish regency renewed their alliance with the French, Henry VIII ordered an invasion- this lasted into Edward's reign, and is known as the "Rough Wooing".

- Edward became king at the age of 9, which initiated a regency period led by his uncle Thomas Seymour, and then by John Dudley (the Duke of Northumberland).

- In 1550, Edward would again be betrothed in marriage, this time to Elisabeth, the daughter of king Henry II of France. When Pope Julius III found out about this, he threatened to excommunicate both of them (this could've gone forward despite the threat, considering the Church of England had been established).

- In January of 1553, Edward contracted tuberculosis- his doctors believed he had a tumor in his lung. He died after six months with the illness, and it is believed that he had suffered from measles and smallpox the year before, weakening his natural immunity.

- In his will, Edward named his first cousin once removed Jane Grey as his successor- Jane was proclaimed queen four days after Edward's death, but was deposed after a nine-day reign once the Privy Council declared Edward's sister Mary as queen instead. Whether Jane counts as an English monarch remains disputed to this day.

[Hell 1,327]

American trumpeter and vocalist Louis Armstrong died on this day 52 years ago, aged 69. Coming to prominence in the 1920s as an intentive trumpet and cornet player, Armstrong was a foundational influence in jazz, shifting the focus of the music from collective improvisation to solo performance. Around 1922, he followed his mentor, Joe “King” Oliver, to Chicago to play in the Creole Jazz Band. He earnwd a reputation at “cutting contests”, and his fame reached band leader Fletcher Henderson. By the 1950s, he was a national music icon, assisted in part, by his appearances on radio and in film and television, in addition to his concerts. He received numerous accolades includinh the Grammy Award for Best Male Vocal Performance for Hello, Dolly! in 1965, as well as a posthumous win for the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1972, and induction into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2017.

 

 

American singer, actor, and television host Roy Rogers died on this day 25 years ago, aged 86. Following early work under his gifen name, first as co-founder of the Sons of the Pioneers and then as an actor, the rebranded Rogers them became one of the most popular Western stars of his era. Known as the “King of the Cowboys”, he appeared in over 100 films and numerous radio and television episodes of The Roy Rogers Show. In many of his films and television episodes, he appeared with his wife, Dale Evans; his Golden Palomino, Trigger; and his German Shepherd, Bullet. His show was broadcast on radio for nine years and then on television from 1951 through 1957. His early roles were uncredited parts in films by fellow cowboy singing star Gene Autry and his productions usually featured a sidekick, often Pat Brady, Andy Devine George “Gabby” Hayes, or Smiley Burnette. In his later years, he lent his name to franchise chain of Roy Rogers Restaurants.