Discover the most famous people who died on January 23. The list includes people like Salvador Dali, Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, Edvard Munch, Paul Robeson, William Pitt the Younger. Famous personalities featured on this list, include political leaders, artists, philosophers and choreographers and from other domains of life. This list includes people from United States, France, United Kingdom & Germany and many more countries.
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1
Salvador Dali(Spanish Surrealist Painter Best Known for His Work 'The Persistence of Memory')
Birthdate: May 11, 1904
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Figueres, Catalonia, Spain
Died: 1989
Salvador Dali was a Spanish artist best remembered for his precise draftsmanship and technical skills. His artwork is famous for depicting bizarre and striking images. In spite of producing brilliant artworks, Dali's ostentatious and eccentric public behavior often overshadowed his professional achievements, much to the irritation of his fans and critics. His works have influenced other artists like Jeff Koons.
2
Johnny Carson(Comedian and Producer Best Known as the Host of ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson’)
Birthdate: October 23, 1925
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Corning, Iowa, United States
Died: 2005
Six-time Emmy Award-winner Johnny Carson was known for hosting NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. After serving in World War II, Carson started hosting radio shows and then graduated to TV. He also won the Presidential Medal of Freedom and is said to have inspired David Letterman.
3
Larry King(The Host of The Nightly Interview Television Program 'Larry King Live')
Birthdate: November 19, 1933
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: 2021
Regarded as one of the most popular American TV and radio hosts, Larry King was famous for hosting the successful and popular TV program, Larry King Live. The recipient of several awards, King was an iconic figure on American television. Also known for his charitable works, he founded the Larry King Cardiac Foundation to help poor people undergo cardiac procedures.
Birthdate: February 17, 1925
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio, U.S
Died: 2021
Actor, TV director, and writer, Hal Holbrook, has been active in the entertainment industry for seven decades. In his extensive career, he has appeared in hundreds of films, TV shows, and stage productions. He is the recipient of several prestigious awards, including five Primetime Emmy Awards. He was honored with the National Humanities Medal in 2003.
Birthdate: April 9, 1898
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Princeton, New Jersey, United States
Died: 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: June 27, 1927
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Lynbrook, New York
Died: 2004
Bob Keeshan created and played the titular role in the children's program Captain Kangaroo, which was the longest-running national children's TV program. He was also seen as Clarabell the Clown on Howdy Doody. He had won five Emmys and three Peabody Awards, and was a Clown Hall of Fame inductee.
7
Terry Kath(Known as a founding member of the rock band Chicago)
Birthdate: January 31, 1946
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died: 1978
Birthdate: September 13, 1948
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Died: 2003
Height: 4'11" (150 cm)
Birthdate: September 26, 1914
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: San Francisco, California, United States
Died: 2011
Height: 5'6" (168 cm)
Birthdate: March 10, 1452
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Sos del Rey Católico, Spain
Died: 1516
Ferdinand II of Aragon reigned as the King of Aragon from 1479 until his death in 1516. He sponsored Christopher Columbus' first voyage and therefore is credited with playing a key role in the discovery of the New World. He has been depicted in several films, including Christopher Columbus: The Discovery, 1492: Conquest of Paradise, and Assassin's Creed.
Birthdate: July 19, 1952
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Died: 1990
12
Anna Pavlova(Russian Ballerina and One of the Most-Celebrated Ballet Dancers of Her Time)
Birthdate: February 12, 1881
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Died: 1931
One of the first ballerinas to travel extensively around the world, Anna Pavlova had first gained an interest in the dance form after watching an adaptation of The Sleeping Beauty. She initially gained fame dancing with Mikhail Mordkin and later made waves with her iconic role in The Dying Swan.
Birthdate: January 31, 1931
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Dallas, Texas, United States
Died: 2015
14
Hugh Masekela(South African Trumpeter Known for His Jazz Compositions and for Writing Well-Known Anti-apartheid Songs)
Birthdate: April 4, 1939
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Emalahleni Local Municipality, South Africa
Died: 2018
A pioneer of South African jazz, instrumentalist Hugh Masekela excelled in the trumpet and introduced South African music to countries such as the U.S. He was also a vocal anti-apartheid activist, played for the Jazz Epistles, and was known for his iconic albums such as Hope and Johannesburg.
Birthdate: March 9, 1910
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: 1981
Birthdate: August 1, 1924
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Riyadh, Sultanate of Nejd (now Saudi Arabia)
Died: 2015
Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, or Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, was the king of Saudi Arabia and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques from 2005 to 2015. One of King Abdulaziz’s sons, he also led the Saudi Arabian National Guard. He was once the world’s third-wealthiest head of state.
17
Gustave Doré(Artist Best Known for His Prolific Output of Wood-Engravings and Illustrated Texts)
Birthdate: January 6, 1832
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Strasbourg, France
Died: 1883
Best known for his wood-engraving, Gustave Doré was a child prodigy who began his artwork at the tender age of 5. A master lithographer and caricaturist, he began his career with Journal pour Rire. He also worked on commissions from authors such as Cervantes, Milton, and Dante.
Birthdate: October 9, 1918
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Hamburg, New York, United States
Died: 2007
E. Howard Hunt was an American author and intelligence officer. He is best remembered for his service in the Central Intelligence Agency from 1949 to 1970, during which he served as an officer. E. Howard Hunt was part of the White House Special Investigations Unit during the presidency of Richard Nixon.
19
William Pitt the Younger(The Youngest & Last Prime Minister of Great Britain and the First Prime Minister of the United Kingdom)
Birthdate: May 28, 1759
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Bromley, England, United Kingdom
Died: 1806
British statesman, William Pitt the Younger, became the youngest prime minister of Great Britain in 1783 when he was just 24. During his stint as the prime minister, he was also Chancellor of the Exchequer. Several major political events, including the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, happened during his tenure. He is ranked highly among all British Prime Ministers.
20
Thierry Mugler(French Fashion Designer Known for Designing 'Demi Moore’s' Dress From ‘Indecent Proposal')
Birthdate: December 21, 1948
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Strasbourg, France
Died: 2022
French designer Thierry Mugler was initially known for his skills in ballet and drawing. He began his fashion career working for a boutique in Paris and later launched his brand. He is known for his peculiar clothes, inspired by birds and insects, and made of metal and crystals.
Birthdate: December 15, 0130
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Rome, Italy
Died: 0169
Lucius Verus was the Roman emperor from 161 to 169, alongside his adoptive brother Marcus Aurelius. Their succession together marked the first time that the Roman Empire was ruled by multiple emperors. The eldest son of Lucius Aelius Caesar, Verus hailed from the Nerva-Antonine dynasty. He ruled for only a few years before he died of an illness in 169.
Birthdate: October 31, 1920
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Berlin, Germany
Died: 2004
Helmut Newton was a German-American photographer whose works earned him accolades all over the world. His photographs were featured on popular fashion magazines like Harper's Bazaar and Vogue. He also worked closely with Playboy, shooting several pictorials of models like Kristine DeBell and Nastassja Kinski.
23
Lari White(Country Singers)
Birthdate: May 13, 1965
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Dunedin, Florida, USA
Died: 2018
24
James Beard(American Chef, Cookbook Author and Television Personality)
Birthdate: May 5, 1903
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Portland, Oregon, United States
Died: 1985
25
Alexander Korda(Hungarian-British Film Director, Producer and Screenwriter)
Birthdate: September 16, 1893
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Túrkeve, Hungary
Died: 1956
Hungarian-British filmmaker Sir Alexander Korda initially worked as a journalist and launched film magazines such as Pesti Mozi. He later moved to Hollywood and then to England, where he launched his production company. Known for producing classics such as The Thief of Baghdad, he was the first filmmaker to be knighted.
26
Giambattista Vico(Italian Philosopher Best Known for His 'Verum Factum' Principle)
Birthdate: June 23, 1668
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Naples, Italy
Died: 1744
Italian philosopher Giambattista Vico is regarded as a pioneer of what is now known as cultural anthropology, or ethnology. He brought together history and the social sciences in his work Scienza nuova. A poor bookseller’s son, he studied by candlelight but grew up to be a major Counter-Enlightenment figure.
27
Jonas Mekas(Lithuanian-American Poet, Artist, and Filmmaker Who is Known as the 'Godfather of American Avant-Garde Cinema')
Birthdate: December 24, 1922
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Semeniškiai, Lithuania
Died: 2019
Jonas Mekas was a Lithuanian-American poet, artist, and filmmaker. Referred to as the godfather of American avant-garde cinema, Mekas is credited with mentoring many important American artists and filmmakers, such as Peter Bogdanovich, Ken Jacobs, and Martin Scorsese among others. Jonas Mekas' work has been displayed in museums. He is the recipient of many prestigious awards, including Lithuanian National Prize.
28
Mykola Leontovych(Legendary Ukrainian Composer Known for His A Cappella Choral Music)
Birthdate: December 13, 1877
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Monastyrysche, Ukraine
Died: 1921
29
Robert Nozick(Philosopher, University Teacher)
Birthdate: November 16, 1938
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: 2002
30
Clayton Christensen(Academic and Business Consultant Who Developed the Theory of 'Disruptive Innovation')
Birthdate: April 6, 1952
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Died: 2020
Known for his popular book The Innovator's Dilemma, Clayton M. Christensen was an academic and consultant. His 6’8” frame helped him be an important part of the Oxford basketball team. A Harvard MBA, he later taught at his alma. He topped the Thinkers 50 list twice.
31
Joseph Beuys(German Abstract Painter and Founder of a Provocative Art Movement Known as 'Fluxus')
Birthdate: May 12, 1921
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Krefeld, Germany
Died: 1986
It is believed Joseph Beuys was rescued by Tartars when his air force plane broke down in Crimea during World War II. He later gained fame as an avant-garde sculptor and artist and part of the group Fluxus. His works used unconventional media, with some even including staged actions.
32
Jimmy Bain(Musician)
Birthdate: December 19, 1947
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Newtonmore, Highland, Scotland
Died: 2016
33
Northrop Frye(Canadian Literary Critic and and Philosopher)
Birthdate: July 14, 1912
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
Died: 1991
Considered one of the most important literary theorists of the century, Herman Northrop Fry gained international fame with his first book, Fearful Symmetry: A Study of William Blake and later with Anatomy of Criticism: Four Essays. Prolific writer and respected educator, he went on to write many more, concurrently championing Canadian literature and identity, receiving several honors for his contributions.
Birthdate: September 2, 1812
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Keir, Dumfries and Galloway
Died: 1878
Kirkpatrick Macmillan was a 19th-century Scottish blacksmith generally credited with inventing the pedal-driven bicycle. He allegedly completed constructing a pedal-driven bicycle of wood in 1839. The bicycle included iron-rimmed wooden wheels and a steerable wheel. However, there is no concrete evidence to prove that he was indeed the inventor of the first pedal-driven bicycle.
35
Pierre Bourdieu(French Sociologist Known for 'Theorizing the Link Between Education and Culture')
Birthdate: August 1, 1930
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Denguin, France
Died: 2002
Renowned sociologist and intellectual Pierre Bourdieu is best remembered for his theory of habitus. Initially sent to Algeria as part of the French Army, he later taught and conducted ethnographic research there. His best-known work remains La Distinction, and he also inspired a hit French documentary.
36
Jay Pritzker(American Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of 'Hyatt Corporation')
Birthdate: August 26, 1922
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died: 1999
Hyatt Hotels co-founder Jay Pritzker was the patriarch of a $15 billion empire with about 200 companies under him. A qualified lawyer, he was initially associated with his family law and holding firm. He also launched the Pritzker Architecture Prize and was the owner of Braniff Airlines.
37
Kid Ory(Former trombonist, bandleader)
Birthdate: December 25, 1886
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: LaPlace, Louisiana, United States
Died: 1973
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
Birthdate: December 18, 1860
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States
Died: 1908
39
Ernest Augustus, Elector of Hanover(Ruler)
Birthdate: November 20, 1629
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Herzberg am Harz, Göttingen, Germany
Died: 1698
40
Moy Yat(Hong Kong Martial Artist, Painter and Educator)
Birthdate: June 28, 1938
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: China
Died: 2001
41
Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn(Military officer)
Birthdate: November 2, 1767
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Buckingham Palace, England
Died: 1820
Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn was the father of Queen Victoria. His army career took him to Canada and the West Indies, making him the first royal family member to stay in North America. He was also the governor of Gibraltar and played a major role in Canada’s development.
42
Jiajing(Emperor)
Birthdate: September 16, 1507
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Beijing, China
Died: 1567
Birthdate: January 19, 1887
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Red Bank, New Jersey
Died: 1943
44
Pierre Bonnard(French Painter and Member of the Post-Impressionist Group of Avant-Garde Painters ‘Les Nabis’)
Birthdate: October 3, 1867
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
Died: 1947
French painter Pierre Bonnard was part of Les Nabis and later led the Intimists. Known for his love for bright colors, he painted a range of subjects, from domestic scenes to nudes, and could even paint from memory. Though a womanizer, Bonnard was married to his muse Marthe de Méligny.
45
Jack McDuff(Organist)
Birthdate: September 17, 1926
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Champaign, Illinois, United States
Died: 2001
46
Prince Baudouin of Belgium(Eldest Son of Prince Philippe of Belgium, Count of Flanders)
Birthdate: June 3, 1869
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Brussels, Belgium
Died: 1891
Prince Baudouin of Belgium was the son of Prince Philippe of Belgium, Count of Flanders. He is also known as the older brother of Albert I of Belgium, who went on to become King of the Belgians in 1909. Albert I became heir presumptive after the untimely death of Prince Baudouin of Belgium at the age of 21.
47
Prince Karl Franz of Prussia(Prince)
Birthdate: December 15, 1916
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Potsdam, Germany
Died: 1975
48
M. S. Narayana(Film actor)
Birthdate: April 16, 1951
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Nidamarru, West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, India
Died: 2015
49
Diana Athill(Novelist)
Birthdate: December 21, 1917
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Kensington, London, England, United Kingdom
Died: 2019
50
Richard Berry(Singer-songwriter)
Birthdate: April 11, 1935
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Extension, Louisiana, United States
Died: 1997
