Welcome! Check out today's deaths, recent deaths, or our deaths stats.

Feeling experimental? Head on over to our newest (and darkest) feature: Next-2-Die™ predictions

December 17th

188 Notable deaths

Henry Heimlich

American surgeon widely credited as the inventor of the heimlich maneuver (1920-2016).

Born February 3rd, 1920 in Wilmington. [ref]

Died December 17th, 2016 at 96 years old in Cincinnati (myocardial infarction). [ref]

Janet Margolin

American actress (1943-1993).

Born July 25th, 1943 in New York City. [ref]

Died December 17th, 1993 at 50 years old in Los Angeles (ovarian cancer). [ref]

Sammy Baugh

American football player, coach (1914-2008).

Born March 17th, 1914 in Temple.

Died December 17th, 2008 at 94 years old in Rotan. [ref]

Eric Montross

American basketball player (1971-2023).

Born September 23rd, 1971 in Indianapolis.

Died December 17th, 2023 at 52 years old in Chapel Hill (cancer). [ref]

Jānis Timma

Latvian basketball player (1992–2024).

Born July 2nd, 1992 in Krāslava.

Died December 17th, 2024 at 32 years old in Moscow. [ref]

Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay

British army officer and diplomat, 1st secretary general of nato (1887-1965).

Born June 21st, 1887 in Nainital. [ref]

Died December 17th, 1965 at 78 years old in Wormington Grange. [ref]

Sun Yaoting

Chinese eunuch (1902 - 1996).

Born September 29th, 1902 in Tianjin.

Died December 17th, 1996 at 94 years old in Beijing.

Peter Arnett

American journalist (1934–2025).

Born November 13th, 1934 in Riverton / Aparima.

Died December 17th, 2025 at 91 years old in Newport Beach (prostate cancer). [ref]

Marguerite Yourcenar

French novelist and essayist (1903-1987).

Born June 7th, 1903 in City of Brussels. [ref]

Died December 17th, 1987 at 84 years old in Bar Harbor. [ref]

Rex Allen

American film actor, singer and songwriter (1920–1999).

Born December 31st, 1920 in Willcox.

Died December 17th, 1999 at 78 years old in Tucson (myocardial infarction).

Deaths 21 to 30 of 188

« 12/16
/
12/18 »

Life has more meaning in the face of death. Robert Greene