Discover the most famous people who died on December 15. The list includes people like Walt Disney, Christopher Hitchens, Wolfgang Pauli, Sitting Bull, Johannes Vermeer. Famous personalities featured on this list, include actors, political leaders, journalists and military leaders and from other domains of life. This list includes people from United States, United Kingdom, India and many more countries.

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 1 

Walt Disney

(Pioneer of the American Animation Industry)

Birthdate: December 5, 1901

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Died: 1966

Walt Disney is considered to be the forerunner of the American animation industry. He has won 22 Oscars and holds the record for most Academy Awards earned by an individual as a film producer. His The Walt Disney Company‍ has produced many successful animation films. He later established amusement theme park, Disneyland, in 1955, which has since grown manifold.

Birthdate: 1831 AD

Birthplace: Grand River

Died: 1890

Hunkpapa Lakota leader Sitting Bull is symbolic of the Native American resistance against the U.S. government. After the Battle of the Little Bighorn, he surrendered and performed at Buffalo Bill's Wild West show. The U.S. government, fearing he might join the Ghost Dance Movement, killed him during an attempted arrest.

 3 

Joan Fontaine

(One of the Leading Actresses of the Hollywood During the 'Golden Age')

Birthdate: October 22, 1917

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan

Died: 2013

Joan Fontaine was a prominent Hollywood actress during the Golden Age. In a career that spanned more than 50 years, she won an Academy Award, becoming the only actor to win the award for a Hitchcock film - Suspicion. Apart from working as an actress, Joan Fontaine was also a licensed pilot, Cordon Bleu-level chef, and well-known interior decorator.

 4 

Christopher Hitchens

(British-American Author Who is Known for Excoriating Criticisms of Public Contemporary Figures)

Birthdate: April 13, 1949

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Portsmouth, England

Died: 2011

Christopher Hitchens was an advocate for New Atheism and a harsh critic of religion and of famous personalities such as Bill Clinton and Mother Teresa. He authored and edited many books on socio-political issues. As a journalist, he wrote for well-known publications such as New Statesman and The Weekly Standard.

 5 

Glenn Miller

(Trombonist)

Birthdate: March 1, 1904

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Clarinda, Iowa, United States

Died: 1944

Birthdate: October 31, 1632

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Delft, Netherlands

Died: 1675

Johannes Vermeer was a Dutch painter renowned for his use of light in paintings. Although he did not achieve fame during his lifetime, Vermeer's works gained popularity in the 19th century. Today, Vermeer is often counted among the greatest painters of the Dutch Golden Age. Over the years, Vermeer's work has inspired artists like Wilhelm Hammershoi and Thomas Wilmer Dewing.

Birthdate: July 1, 1899

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England

Died: 1962

Charles Laughton is best known for his Academy Award-winning performance in The Private Life of Henry VIII and his Academy Award-nominated roles in Mutiny on the Bounty and Witness for the Prosecution. He played Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. He was also a skilled Shakespearean theater actor.

 8 

Blake Edwards

(American Film Director, Producer and Screenwriter)

Birthdate: July 26, 1922

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States

Died: 2010

Height: 5'10" (178 cm)

Birthdate: October 31, 1875

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Nadiad, Gujarat, India

Died: 1950

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was an Indian politician who played an influential role in the Indian independence movement. Dubbed the Iron Man of India and Unifier of India, Sardar Patel played an important role in integrating various princely states into a united, independent nation. In 2018, the world's tallest statue called the Statue of Unity was dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

 10 

Bell Hooks

Birthdate: September 25, 1952

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Hopkinsville, Kentucky, United States

Died: 2021

 11 

Craig Sager

(Journalist)

Birthdate: June 29, 1951

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Batavia, Illinois, U.S.

Died: 2016

Birthdate: May 21, 1904

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: New York City

Died: 1943

Height: 6'0" (183 cm)

Birthdate: July 18, 1902

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Seagoville, Texas, United States

Died: 1978

Height: 6'2" (188 cm)

 14 

Wolfgang Pauli

(One of the Pioneers of Quantum Physics and Winner of 1945 Nobel Prize for Physics)

Birthdate: April 25, 1900

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Vienna, Austria

Died: 1958

Nobel Prize-winning Austrian physicist Wolfgang Pauli is remembered for his contribution to quantum physics and for laying down the Pauli principle. While he was initially married to a cabaret dancer, the marriage ended in a divorce after a year. His written works are considered classics in science.

Birthdate: February 9, 1915

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Paddington, London, England

Died: 1984

Height: 5'10" (178 cm)

 16 

Bob Feller

(Baseball player)

Birthdate: November 3, 1918

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Van Meter, Iowa, United States

Died: 2010

Height: 6'0" (183 cm)

 17 

Anthony Wayne

(Senior Officer of the United States Army (1792-96))

Birthdate: January 1, 1745

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Easttown Township, Pennsylvania, United States

Died: 1796

Birthdate: November 25, 1953

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, United States

Died: 2017

Height: 5'8" (173 cm)

Birthdate: January 25, 1874

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Paris, France

Died: 1965

 20 

Kamehameha III

(King)

Birthdate: March 17, 1814

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Keauhou Bay, Kahaluu-Keauhou, Hawaii, United States

Died: 1854

Birthdate: May 28, 1524

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Topkapi Palace Museum, İstanbul, Turkey

Died: 1574

Known as a generous Ottoman monarch, Selim II was the successor of the empire’s longest-reigning sultan, Suleiman I. His reign saw his navy decisively defeated by the Holy League in the Battle of Lepanto before the Ottomans regained control of Tunis from Spain. Selim, who was married to Nurbanu Sultan, was noted for helping his subjects during a severe famine.

 22 

Francisco Tárrega

(Spanish Composer and Classical Guitarist Known for His Work During the Romantic Period)

Birthdate: November 21, 1852

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Villarreal, Spain

Died: 1909

Francisco Tárrega was a Spanish composer and classical guitarist active during the Romantic period. He is often considered the father of classical guitar and is counted among the greatest guitarists of all time. He loved music from an early age and was able to build a successful career with his father’s encouragement. He died at the peak of his career. 

 23 

Jess Willard

(Boxer)

Birthdate: December 29, 1881

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Pottawatomie County, Kansas

Died: 1968

Height: 6'6" (198 cm)

 24 

Arthur Machen

(Welsh Author Best Known for His Influential Supernatural, Fantasy, and Horror Fiction)

Birthdate: March 3, 1863

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Caerleon, Monmouthshire, Wales

Died: 1947

Welsh writer Arthur Machen was a master of science-fiction and horror. He soared to fame with his novella The Great God Pan, which later achieved cult status. However, in spite of his literary fame, he continued to live in poverty, working as a journalist, a clerk, and a teacher.

 25 

George Cayley

(British Engineer, Inventor and Aviator Known for Designing First Successful Human Glider)

Birthdate: December 27, 1773

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Scarborough, Yorkshire, England

Died: 1857

British engineer and inventor George Cayley was a pioneer of aeronautics and aviation. He designed the world’s first glider that could successfully carry a human being. He was also a prominent Whig and had contributed to the formation of what is now known as the University of Westminster.

 26 

Izaak Walton

(British Writer Best Known as the Author of 'The Compleat Angler')

Birthdate: August 9, 1593

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Stafford, England

Died: 1683

One of the greatest biographers of the 17th century, Izaak Walton was also a lover of fishing and had penned one of the most detailed treatises on fishing, The Compleat Angler. His notable works also include his biographies on John Donne and Henry Wotton. He was also a staunch Royalist.

Birthdate: March 23, 1915

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Yeleninka, Russia

Died: 1991

Vasily Zaytsev was a Soviet sniper who played an important role during the Second World War. he killed 225 soldiers, including 11 enemy snipers during the Battle of Stalingrad. He became a much-respected sniper during the war and was later honored with the title Hero of the Soviet Union. His life and career have inspired several films and novels.

 28 

Ed Parker

(American Martial Artist, Actor, Senior Grandmaster, and Founder of American Kenpo Karate)

Birthdate: March 19, 1931

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

Died: 1990

Birthdate: May 21, 1902

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Kiev, Russian Empire

Died: 1974

Anatole Litvak was a Russian-born American filmmaker. He was notable for bringing previously little-known actors to the spotlight and enabling them to win Academy Awards. French actors Charles Boyer and Danielle Darrieux and Swedish star Ingrid Bergman are among the ones he helped become internationally famous. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6633 Hollywood Blvd. 

 30 

William Proxmire

(Politician)

Birthdate: November 11, 1915

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Lake Forest, Illinois, U.S

Died: 2005

 31 

Maggie Lena Draper Walker

(Entrepreneur)

Birthdate: July 15, 1864

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Richmond, Virginia, U.S.

Died: 1934

 32 

Billy Hamilton

(Baseball player)

Birthdate: February 16, 1866

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey, United States

Died: 1940

Height: 5'6" (168 cm)

 33 

Prince Alexander of Hesse and by Rhine

(Prince)

Birthdate: July 15, 1823

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany

Died: 1888

 34 

Harold Camping

(Radio personality, Civil engineer)

Birthdate: July 19, 1921

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Boulder

Died: 2013

Californian evangelist and preacher Harold Camping made headlines when he incorrectly predicted the date of the Rapture, or the end of the world, to be May 21, 2011. Initially a civil engineer, Camping later came to be known for leading Family Radio, a Christian broadcast station, in its peak.

 35 

Chiang Fang-liang

(First Lady)

Birthdate: May 15, 1916

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Orsha, Belarus

Died: 2004

 36 

Septima Poinsette Clark

(Educator)

Birthdate: May 3, 1898

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Charleston, South Carolina

Died: 1987

 37 

Claud Cockburn

(Journalist)

Birthdate: April 12, 1904

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Beijing

Died: 1981

 38 

Ferdinand II of Portugal

(Prince)

Birthdate: October 29, 1816

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Palais Coburg, Vienna, Austria

Died: 1885

 39 

Davy Graham

(Guitarist)

Birthdate: November 26, 1940

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Leicester, Leicestershire, England

Died: 2008

 40 

Sam Jones

(Bassist, Cellist)

Birthdate: November 12, 1924

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Jacksonville, Florida, United States

Died: 1981

 41 

Carlos P. Romulo

(Filipino Statesman, Diplomat, Journalist, Soldier, and Author)

Birthdate: January 14, 1898

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Intramuros, Manila, Philippines

Died: 1985

Carlos P. Romulo was a Filipino statesman, diplomat, journalist, soldier, and author. He is best remembered for his service as the Minister of Foreign Affairs on three occasions between 1950 and 1984. Among several other important posts, he also held the office of the Secretary of Education from 1965 to 1967. Romulo was the recipient of numerous honors and awards.

 42 

Ottokar I of Bohemia

(Duke/King of Bohemia (1192 -1193, 1200 - 1230))

Birthdate: 1155 AD

Birthplace: Bohemia, Czechia

Died: 1230

Initially the duke of Bohemia, Ottokar I later took over as the king of Bohemia. His title was confirmed by Frederick II’s famous decree, the Golden Bull of Sicily, and he became a member of the house of Přemysl. He had a major role to play in the development of towns in Bohemia.

 43 

Jean Rollin

(Film director, Actor)

Birthdate: November 3, 1938

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Neuilly-sur-Seine, France

Died: 2010

 44 

Julia Carson

(Politician)

Birthdate: July 8, 1938

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Louisville, Kentucky, United States

Died: 2007

 45 

Laurens van der Post

(South African Writer)

Birthdate: December 13, 1906

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Orange River Colony, South Africa

Died: 1996

Laurens van der Post was a South African author, soldier, farmer, educator, humanitarian, philosopher, journalist, and conservationist. A close friend of Prince Charles, Van der Post also served as political adviser to several British officials. He was also the godfather of Prince William. 

 46 

Lady Margaret Lucas Cavendish

(philosopher, scientist, poet, science fiction writer)

Birthdate: 1623 AD

Birthplace: Colchester, England

Died: 1673

Lady Margaret Lucas Cavendish was an English poet, philosopher, playwright, fiction writer, and scientist. Margaret, who had the audacity to publish her works without using a pen name at a time when female writers remained anonymous, was ahead of her time. Not surprisingly, she was considered eccentric and earned the nickname Mad Madge. Her works gained popularity in the 1980s.

 47 

Serge Lifar

(One of the Greatest Male Ballet Dancers of the 20th Century)

Birthdate: April 15, 1905

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Kiev, Ukraine

Died: 1986

Serge Lifar was a French ballet dancer of Ukrainian origin. Widely regarded as one of the 20th century's greatest male ballet dancers, Lifar served as a ballet master from 1930 to 1944 at the famous Paris Opera. From 1947 to 1958, he worked towards restoring the Paris Opera Ballet's reputation as one of the best in the world. 

 48 

Otto Braun

(Former Prime Minister of Prussia Who Held the Office for 3-Terms Between 1920 and 1932)

Birthdate: January 28, 1872

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Kaliningrad, Russia

Died: 1955

German politician Otto Braun was born to a railway employee and grew up to join the Social Democratic Party. He was once also accused of treason against the tsar but was let off due to lack of evidence. He had led Prussia as its prime minister during its provincial government days.

 49 

Alfonso Bedoya

(Film actor who has worked in more than 175 Mexican films and has also appeared in many American movies)

Birthdate: April 16, 1904

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Vícam, Mexico

Died: 1957

 50 

Archduke Ferdinand Karl Viktor of Austria-Este

(Politician)

Birthdate: July 20, 1821

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Modena, Italy

Died: 1849