Todd, Thelma
Show Business
Age 29
July 29, 1906 - December 16, 1935
Bellevue Cemetery / Lawrence / Massachusetts / USA / North America
Thelma Todd was one of early Hollywood's brightest stars — until she was found dead in 1935. Thelma Todd was a talented American actress and businesswoman who was often referred to by the nicknames "The Ice Cream Blonde" and "Ho...
Sanders, Colonel
Business and Finance
Age 90
September 9, 1890 - December 16, 1980
Cave Hill Cemetery / Louisville / Kentucky / USA / North America
Colonel Harland Sanders was an American businessman and founder of fast food chicken restaurant chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (also known as KFC). When Sanders was only 6, his father died. So at a young age, he had to care for his ...
Southwick, Alfred
The Odd and the Interesting
Age 72
May 18, 1826 - June 11, 1898
Forest Lawn Cemetery / Buffalo / New York / USA / North America
In 1881 Alfred Southwick heard a story about an intoxicated man who touched a live electric generator. Given that the man died so quickly, Southwick concluded that electricity could be used as an alternative to hanging for executi...
Richard, Martin
Crime and their Victims
Age 8
June 9, 2004 - April 15, 2013
Cedar Grove Cemetery / Dorchester Center / Massachusetts / USA / North America
Martin Richard was the youngest of three victims killed by two domestic terrorists who detonated two homemade improvised explosive devices near the finish line of the Boston Marathon in 2013. He was described by a family friend, "...
Ross, Bob
Artists
Age 52
October 29, 1942 - July 4, 1995
Woodlawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home / Gotha / Florida / USA / North America
Bob Ross, with his distinctive hair style and quiet demeanor, was a popular American painter, art instructor, and television host. The painter who gave us “happy little trees” was the creator and host of The Joy of Painting, a...
Littieri, Al
Show Business
Age 47
February 24, 1928 - October 18, 1975
St. John Cemetery / Middle Village / New York / USA / North America
If you liked watching films in the 1970s, you'll know who Al Lettieri was, even if you can't put a face to the name. He played Solozzo in The Godfather. (Michael played by Al Pacino shot him dead with the Police Chief in the resta...
Black, Karen
Show Business
Age 74
July 1, 1939 - August 8, 2013
Eternal Hills Memorial Park / Oceanside / California / USA / North America
Karen Black was an American actress, screenwriter, singer, and songwriter. She rose to prominence for her work in various studio and independent films in the 1970s, frequently portraying eccentric and offbeat characters, and estab...
Nureyev, Rudolph
Artists
Age 54
March 17, 1938 - January 6, 1993
Cimetière Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois / Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois / France / Europe
Russian born Rudolf Nureyev is considered by many to be the greatest male ballet dancer of his generation. In addition to his technical prowess, Rudolf Nureyev was an accomplished choreographer serving as the chief choreographer ...
Burlison, Paul
Music
Age 74
February 4, 1929 - September 27, 2003
Hinds Chapel Cemetery / Nesbit / Mississippi / USA / North America
The Burnette brothers with lead guitarist Paul Burlison, are best remembered for their seminal rockabilly recordings for Coral in the mid-1950s. Paul, Dorsey and Johnny Burnette founded the pioneering, but largely overlooked rocka...
Crane, Bob
Show Business
Age 49
July 13, 1928 - June 29, 1978
Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park / Los Angeles / California / USA / North America
Robert Edward Crane was an actor, drummer, radio personality, and disc jockey known for starring in the CBS television comedy Hogan's Heroes about the hilarious high jinks of prisoners in a concentration camp during WW II. In the ...
Soo, Chung
Other Entertainers
Age 56
April 16, 1861 - March 24, 1918
East Sheen Cemetery / Richmond / England, United Kingdom / Europe
At the beginning of the 20th century, audiences across Europe were wowed by a Chinese magician who drew on ancient Asian mysticism to perform illusions and contact the spirit realm. But he was, in fact, none of these things, as ...
Morrison, Jim
Music
Age 27
December 8, 1943 - July 3, 1971
Cimetière du Père Lachaise / Paris / France / Europe
Jim Morrison was a legendary American singer, songwriter and poet, and best known for being the lead singer for the popular rock band The Doors. Morrison is regarded by music critics and fans as one of the most iconic and influent...
Bashung, Alain
Music
Age 61
December 1, 1947 - March 14, 2009
Cimetière du Père Lachaise / Paris / France / Europe
Alain Bashung was a French singer, songwriter and actor credited with reviving the French chanson in "a time of French musical turmoil" and was one of the most influential and admired French singer/songwriters of the last 40 years...
McDowell, Mississippi
Music
Age 68
January 12, 1904 - July 3, 1972
Hammond Hill Baptist Church / Senatobia / Mississippi / USA / North America
Inspired by seeing the legend Charley Patton playing in a juke joint, McDowell secured his reputation without a back catalog of historic blues recordings but rather by playing around the world to enthusiastic fans of low country b...
Valens, Ritchie
Music
Age 17
May 13, 1941 - February 3, 1959
San Fernando Mission Catholic Cemetery / Mission Hills / California / USA / North America
Ritchie Valens was a singer, songwriter, and guitarist and a true rock and roll pioneer who died at the young age of 17 in the infamous Buddy Holly plane crash. Ritchie played is final concert at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, ...