List of Famous people who died at 72

László (Ladislaus) Szollás was a Hungarian world champion and Olympic medalist pair skater.

Alan Finder was an American journalist. He was a longtime employee of the New York Times. He died during the COVID-19 pandemic due to complications brought on by COVID-19.

Gerald Thomas was an English film director, best known for the long-running Carry On series of bawdy British film comedies.

Henry Wilfrid Brambell was an Irish television and film actor and comedian, best remembered for his role in the television series Steptoe and Son. He also performed alongside The Beatles in their debut film A Hard Day's Night, playing the fictional grandfather of Paul McCartney.

Yao Zhe was a People's Liberation Army lieutenant general. He was born in Shaoyang County, Hunan Province. Yao joined the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army in July 1928 and the Communist Party of China in 1929. He fought alongside Liu Zhidan in the Chinese Civil War. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, he was active in Daqing Mountain as part of the Shanxi-Chahar Province-Hebei. He participated in the Datong-Jining Campaign against Fu Zuoyi.

Ira S. Webb was an American film producer, set decorator, screenwriter, art director and film director. He won an Academy Award and was nominated for two more in the category Best Art Direction. He was the brother of "B"-film producer and director Harry S. Webb.

Robert Emmet O'Shaughnessy, Sr. was an American Democratic politician and a member of the Ohio Senate. A member of a political family, O'Shaughnessy was initially appointed to the Senate to succeed his brother, Jerry O'Shaughnessy, who had died. In 1974, O'Shaughnessy overcame a divisive primary and a challenge by Republican Keith McNamara to retain the seat. He subsequently was appointed as Chairman of the Senate Energy Committee.