In Memoriam 1981: Famous Faces We Lost in 1981

In 1981 some great musicians left us including Bill Haley, Bob Marley and Harry Chapin. We lost many others including Allen Ludden, Anwar Sadat, William Holden, Jack Albertson and Natalie Wood to name a few. May they all rest in peace.

[peace-yvqd]

How time flies by. I can hardly believe it's been so long ago that these people died. I'm 78 and I'm taken aback by these memorials.

[bruce]

Allen Ludden from Password. What memories that brings back from when I was a kid.

[dougmorris]

This one really took me back. I was a sophomore in college and we were discussing the recent death of Harry Chapin, another student remarked something about there being a lot of famous deaths this year. Our professor said it only seemed that way because we were becoming adults and realizing our own mortality. I don't know why, but that really stuck with me. Anyway, another sad but wonderful watch. Thank you.

[Earl_Richter]

I was 17 years old in 1981. Even though Natalie Wood's death was tragic, I remember feeling at the time like she'd lived a full life but she really didn't. She was only 43 when she passed. I guess to a 17 year old, that seemed like a full life but it's actually tragically short. May she R.I.P.

[gerryfunke]

The Wild Wild West was one of the best shows ever for a kid I was 4 when it came out.

[clydeferguson]

Beulah Bondi also played Martha Corrine on The Waltons, Richard Boone played Hec Ramsey, and Gloria Grahame played Violet Bick in It's a Wonderful Life.

[victorsuarez]

After seeing this, 1981 seems to just happened yesterday with tomorrow being the future. Brings back memories of youth and dreams for tomorrow

[emerybayblues]

Vera Ellen was more than an actress, she was the best all around dancer in Hollywood. She could do it all - jazz, ballet, soft shoe. She was amazing

[greglehmann]

Even sadder with Allen Ludden's death was that Jack Clark longtime Password announcer also died in 1988 from bone cancer. He was 62 as was Ludden first GE College Bowl host. (Clark also hosted some Password segments.) He too should have been mentioned!

[tjable]

RIP to all these great talents. TY for sharing this video. It was beautifully done. God Bless You & stay safe.

[gerardconti]

you left us too soon bob marley and harry chapin way too soon

[FischerFan]

Jenny Maxwell - murdered 6-10-1981. Best remembered for her role in 'Blue Hawaii' (1961) with Elvis Presley. Appeared in a number of television series including 'The Twilight Zone', 'Route 66', 'My Three Sons', among others.

[ownyourcrazy]

People are still passing from the same things all these years later.

[lynettepalecek]

Ross Martin had a major heart attack in the 1960s, causing him to miss several episodes of "The Wild, Wild West." He was told to be careful with his heart for the rest of his life. On July 3, 1981, he was playing tennis 🎾 on an extremely hot day where the temperature was over 100 degrees!! He had a major heart attack and he died. He was a fantastic actor and he was a gifted 🎻 violinist! He also loved reading and studying Shakespeare.

[Albertanator]

Thank you for putting Bob Hite here....from the legendary Canned Heat band.

[colintitcomb]

Slightly off-topic: How far back in time will you go with this series?

In any case, you're doing a wonderful job here! These tributes are wonderful!

[jonstefanik]

You forgot Jim Davis, Western Movie actor and played Jock Ewing on Dallas. Aged 71 or 72(Brain Cancer)

[bryanvandergriff]

I remember back in 81 when Adam Walsh went missing and eventually found his body so sad

[sybil-roxanneclemons]

I love the Harry Warren song I know Why and So Do You

[lucken]

44 years now, 1981 graduated High School, turned 18, and joined the Army for a 20 yr career!!!!