Famous People Who Died in 1971

Discover the most famous people died who died in the year 1971. This list includes people like Jim Morrison, Nikita Khrushchev, Audie Murphy, Coco Chanel, Louis Armstrong and many more. This list of celebrities is loosely sorted by popularity. People featured on this list, include political leaders, soldiers, military leaders and physicists who died in 1971. This list includes people from United States, United Kingdom, Germany & Russia and many more countries.

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Louis Armstrong

(American Writer & Professor of Biochemistry Best Known for His Hard Science Fiction Novels)

Birthdate: August 4, 1901

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Died: July 6

Louis Armstrong was an American trumpeter and singer who played an important role in the development of jazz. Thanks to his playing, trumpet became known as a solo instrument and jazz, which was previously known as a collectively improvised folk music, became a soloist's art form. Not surprisingly, Louis Armstrong is widely accepted as the embodiment of jazz.

Birthdate: December 8, 1943

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Melbourne, Florida, United States

Died: July 3

Considered the prototypical rock star, Jim Morrison remains one of the most influential singer-songwriters, almost five decades after his death. Jim influenced the counterculture of the 1960s as he embodied the hippie counterculture rebellion. Due to his erratic performances and wild personality, he is regarded as one of the most iconic frontmen in rock history.

Coco Chanel

(French Fashion Designer Best Known as the Founder of 'Chanel' and Her Signature Perfume ‘Chanel No. 5’)

Birthdate: August 19, 1883

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Saumur, France

Died: January 10

Coco Chanel was a French fashion designer and founder of the Chanel brand. She is credited with replacing the corseted silhouette as the feminine standard of style with a sporty, casual chic. Her work as a designer redefined the fashionable woman in the era post World War I. She also played a vital role in revolutionizing jewelry, handbags, and fragrance.

Audie Murphy

(One of the Most Decorated American Combat Soldiers of World War II)

Birthdate: June 20, 1925

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Kingston, Texas, United States

Died: May 28

Audie Murphy displayed such valor as an American soldier in World War II that he did not have problems establishing a successful acting career after the war, as he was already famous for his heroism which he demonstrated by single-handedly holding off many German soldiers for an hour before leading a successful counterattack despite being wounded and out of ammunition.

Birthdate: June 24, 1893

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Died: December 20

Roy Oliver Disney, older brother of Walt Disney, co-founded The Walt Disney Company and was its first CEO. He had also served in the U.S. Navy and had been a banker. He postponed his retirement plans following the death of Walt Disney and supervised the completion of Walt Disney World.

Duane Allman

(Guitarist, Singer, Musician, Songwriter)

Birthdate: November 20, 1946

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Nashville

Died: October 29

Birthdate: August 19, 1906

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Beaver, Utah, United States

Died: March 11

Birthdate: June 17, 1882

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Lomonosov, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Died: April 6

Four-time Grammy-winning Russian composer and pianist Igor Stravinsky is regarded as one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. He is remembered for his ballets The Firebird, Petrushka, and The Rite of Spring. He broke the traditional flow of music and incorporated his own style.

Chesty Puller

( United States Marine Corps Officer Who Served with Distinction in World War II and the Korean War)

Birthdate: June 26, 1898

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: West Point, Virginia, United States

Died: October 11

Chesty Puller was a U.S. Marine Corps officer who was part of the Banana Wars in Haiti and Nicaragua, and later served in World War II and the Korean War. He became the most decorated U.S. Marine, winning five Navy Crosses and an Army Distinguished Service Cross.

Bobby Jones

(American Amateur Golfer)

Birthdate: March 17, 1902

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Died: December 18

Bobby Jones was an American amateur golfer and lawyer. One of the most important personalities in the history of golf, Jones founded or co-founded the Augusta National Golf Club as well as the Masters Tournament. He also helped design the Augusta. Bobby Jones’ innovations, which he brought to the Masters Tournameny, have been used in professional golf tournaments around the world.

Birthdate: November 26, 1902

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Manchester, New Hampshire, United States

Died: December 11

Van Heflin

(Best Known for His Role as ‘Jeff Hartnett’ in the Film ‘Johnny Eager’)

Birthdate: December 13, 1908

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Walters, Oklahoma, United States

Died: July 23

A dependable character actor of his time, Van Heflin won the Academy Award for his performance as Jeff Hartnett in Johnny Eager. While he initially studied law, he later took up a master’s degree in theater at Yale. Apart from films, he also made a name for himself in radio and theater.

Birthdate: August 12, 1919

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Ahmedabad, India

Died: December 30

Padma Bhushan- and Padma Vibhushan-winning Indian scientist Vikram Sarabhai was born into the famous Sarabhai family of industrialists who were associated with the Indian Independence Movement. He made major contributions to India’s nuclear power and space research initiatives, developed textile research in India, and helped set up IIM-Ahmedabad.

Pete Duel

(Actor)

Birthdate: February 24, 1940

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Rochester, New York, USA

Died: December 31

Height: 5'10" (178 cm)

Birthdate: March 14, 1923

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Manhattan, New York, United States

Died: July 26

Harold Lloyd

(American Actor, Comedian and Stunt Performer)

Birthdate: April 20, 1893

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Burchard, Nebraska, United States

Died: March 8

Pier Angeli

(Italian Actress, Singer and Model)

Birthdate: June 19, 1932

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Cagliari, Italy

Died: September 10

Best known for her title role in the film Teresa, Pier Angeli had stepped into showbiz at the tender age of 16. The Golden Globe-winning actor also appeared in films such as Flame and the Flesh and The Silver Chalice. She died of a barbiturate overdose at 39.

Birthdate: August 25, 1909

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Bradford, Yorkshire, England

Died: June 10

Height: 6'3" (190 cm)

Violet Jessop

(Nurse)

Birthdate: October 2, 1887

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Bahía Blanca, Argentina

Died: May 5

Gene Vincent

(Musician)

Birthdate: February 11, 1935

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Norfolk, Virginia, USA

Died: October 12

Height: 5'9" (175 cm)

Birthdate: November 26, 1895

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Dorset, Vermont, United States

Died: January 24

William Griffith Wilson was an American social worker who co-founded Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). An international fellowship that requires no membership fees, Alcoholics Anonymous aims at helping alcoholics through its Twelve Steps program. In 1999, William Griffith Wilson was named in Time 100: The Most Important People of the Century list. His life and career inspired the 2012 documentary Bill W.

Birthdate: April 14, 1907

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Port-au-Prince

Died: April 21

François Duvalier was a Haitian politician. From 1957 to 1971, he served as the president of Haiti. Over the course of his political career, Duvalier's regime became despotic and totalitarian. In 1964, Duvalier declared himself President for Life and remained in power until his death. Since his demise, several books have been written about his rule in Haiti.

Birthdate: August 19, 1902

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Died: March 19

Bennett Cerf

(American Publisher and Co-Founder of Publishing Firm 'Random House')

Birthdate: May 25, 1898

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Manhattan, New York, United States

Died: August 27

Bennett Cerf was an American publisher and writer. He is credited with co-founding the popular publishing firm, Random House. Cerf was also a TV personality, appearing regularly on a panel game show titled What's My Line for over 17 years.

Ub Iwerks

(Animator and Cartoonist Known for Designing the First Images of 'Mickey Mouse')

Birthdate: March 24, 1901

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Kansas City, Missouri, United States

Died: July 7

Ub Iwerks was an American cartoonist, animator, inventor, character designer, and special effects technician. He is credited with designing such popular characters as Mickey Mouse and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Apart from being honored with several Academy Awards for his work, Iwerks was also named a Disney Legend. The Ub Iwerks Award for Technical Achievement is named in his honor.

Birthdate: April 20, 1943

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Santa Barbara, California, United States

Died: November 16

Model/actor Edie Sedgwick was touted as the “It Girl” for her appearances in avant-garde filmmaker Andy Warhol’s short films of the 1960s. Vogue dubbed her a "Youthquaker." Some of her notable films were Poor Little Rich Girl and Beauty No. 2. She died of a drug overdose at 28.

Sean Flynn

(Actor, Photojournalist)

Birthdate: May 31, 1941

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States

Died: June 1

Height: 6'3" (190 cm)

Dame Gladys Cooper

(Actress)

Birthdate: December 18, 1888

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Hither Green, London, United Kingdom

Died: November 17

Freddie Joe Steinmark

(Football player)

Birthdate: January 27, 1949

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Denver, Colorado, United States

Died: June 6

Height: 5'9" (175 cm)

Hugo Black

(Former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States)

Birthdate: February 27, 1886

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Ashland, Alabama, United States

Died: September 25

Jacobo Árbenz

(Politician, Military personnel)

Birthdate: September 14, 1913

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Quetzaltenango

Died: January 27

Max Steiner

(Conductor, Composer, Musician, Screenwriter, Film score composer)

Birthdate: May 10, 1888

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Vienna

Died: December 28

Birthdate: August 7, 1904

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States

Died: December 9

Birthdate: March 24, 1902

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Owosso, Michigan, United States

Died: March 16

Thomas E. Dewey was an American politician, prosecutor, and lawyer. A member of theRepublican Party, Dewey held the office of the governor of New York between 1943 and 1954. In 1952, Dewey played a major role in helping Dwight D. Eisenhower win the presidential election. After retiring from politics, Dewey served as a corporate lawyer from 1955 to 1971.

Birthdate: October 21, 1891

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: St. Johns, Michigan U.S.

Died: June 7

Dean Acheson

(51st United States Secretary of State)

Birthdate: April 11, 1893

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Middletown, Connecticut, United States

Died: October 12

Spring Byington

(Actress)

Birthdate: October 17, 1886

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States

Died: September 7

Height: 5'3" (160 cm)

Carlos P. Garcia

(Former President of the Philippines)

Birthdate: November 4, 1896

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Talibon, Philippines

Died: June 14

Carlos P. Garcia was a Filipino teacher, lawyer, orator, poet, political economist, public official, and Commonwealth military leader. He is best remembered for his service as the President of the Philippines from 18 March 1957 to 30 December 1961. An important political leader, Carlos P. Garcia also served as the Secretary of Foreign Affairs from 1953 to 1957.

Marguerite Alibert

(French Socialite Who Became a Royal Courtesan)

Birthdate: December 9, 1890

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Paris, France

Died: January 2

Born to working-class parents, Marguerite Alibert initially sang at local bars and worked as a prostitute. She later became Prince Edward’s (later King Edward VIII of the UK) courtesan. She shot her second husband, Ali Fahmy, to death at Savoy Hotel but got away by showcasing herself as a victim of brutality.

Reinhold Niebuhr

(American Reformed Theologian, Ethicist and Commentator on Politics and Public Affairs)

Birthdate: June 21, 1892

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Wright City, Missouri, United States

Died: June 1

An American Reformed theologian, Reinhold Niebuhr wrote and spoke frequently about the intersection of religion, politics, and public policy. He is widely known for his philosophical perspective known as Christian Realism and his book Moral Man and Immoral Society. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964 and the Timemagazine posthumously called him "the greatest Protestant theologian in America since Jonathan Edwards."

Talitha Getty

(Dutch Actress and Model Best Remembered for an Iconic Photograph Taken on a Roof-Top in ‘Marrakesh’, Morocco)

Birthdate: October 18, 1940

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Mojokerto, Indonesia

Died: July 11

A Bohemian style icon of the late 1960s, Dutch actor-model Talitha Getty was also the wife of oil magnate John Paul Getty Jr., who was one of the richest men of his time. She spent her childhood in a WWII Japanese prison camp and later studied acting at RADA in London.

Chuck Hughes

(American football player)

Birthdate: March 2, 1943

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Died: October 24

Height: 5'11" (180 cm)

Mathilde Kschessinska

(Russian Ballerina and the First Russian Dancer to Master 32 Consecutive 'Fouettés en Tournant')

Birthdate: August 31, 1872

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Ligovo, Russia

Died: December 6

Mathilde Kschessinska was a Russian ballerina hailing from the Polish noble family Krzesiński. She was the daughter of Feliks Krzesiński, who danced in Saint Petersburg. As a young woman, she married Grand Duke Andrei Vladimirovich of Russia. She later opened her own ballet school and trained students, such as Margot Fonteyn, Alicia Markova, and André Eglevsky.

Birthdate: November 29, 1895

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Harper, Liberia

Died: July 23

William Tubman grew up sleeping on floor pallets because his father believed beds would hinder Tubman's character development. The former Liberian president had a long tenure of almost 3 decades. He introduced several modern reforms such as property rights for women and the participation of tribes in the government.

Dick Tiger

(Boxer)

Birthdate: August 14, 1929

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Amaigbo, Nigeria

Died: December 14

Height: 5'8" (173 cm)

Kenny Washington

(American football player)

Birthdate: August 31, 1918

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States

Died: June 24

Fernandel

(Actor and Singer)

Birthdate: May 8, 1903

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Marseille, France

Died: February 26

Birthdate: June 8, 1910

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey, USA

Died: July 11

Birthdate: March 31, 1890

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Adelaide, Australia

Died: July 1

Born to a math and physics professor in Australia, Sir William Lawrence Bragg later moved to England, where his father was posted for work. He and his father jointly won the Nobel Prize for Physics for their research on X-ray diffraction through crystals. Bragg was an avid shell collector, too.

Glenda Farrell

(Actress)

Birthdate: June 30, 1904

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Enid, Oklahoma, United States

Died: May 1

Height: 5'3" (160 cm)