List of Famous people who died in 1981

Amácio Mazzaropi was a Brazilian actor and filmmaker. A comic performer from a circus background, he became popular in Brazil with his character Jeca Tatu, a portrayal of the rural caipira. Mazzaropi debuted in cinema in 1951, with Sai da Frente. In 1958 he established his own film studio, PAM Filmes, producing and distributing his own movies.

Gerry Bertier was a high school American football player and Paralympian. He became known for his participation on the 1971 Virginia State Champion football T. C. Williams High School team and their portrayal in the Disney film Remember the Titans. He was the nephew of Howie Livingston. He also attended Northern Virginia Community College. After the conclusion of the 1971 season, Bertier was involved in an automobile accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Despite this injury, Bertier remained an active athlete, participating in the Paralympics and winning multiple medals, including a gold in shot-put. In 2006, Bertier's family started the " Bertier #42 Foundation," dedicated to raising money for research on spinal cord injuries. There is also a gymnasium at T. C. Williams which bears his name.

Oleg Ivanovich Dal was a Soviet and Russian stage and film actor.

Robert Gerard Sands was a member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) who died on hunger strike while imprisoned at HM Prison Maze in Northern Ireland. Sands helped to plan the 1976 bombing of the Balmoral Furniture Company in Dunmurry, which was followed by a gun battle with the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Sands was arrested while trying to escape and he was sentenced to 14 years for firearms possession.

Paan Singh Tomar was an Indian soldier, athlete, and later, Baaghi (rebel/outlaw).

Annot, also known after her marriage as Annot Jacobi, was a German painter, art teacher, art writer and pacifist. As a result of political hostility in Germany, she spent much of her life in the United States and Puerto Rico.

Frank Edward Fitzsimmons was an American labor leader. He was acting president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters from 1967 to 1971, and president from 1971 to 1981.

Sutomo, also known as Bung Tomo, is best known for his role as an Indonesian military leader during the Indonesian National Revolution against the Netherlands. He played a central role in Battle of Surabaya when the Dutch attacked the city in October and November 1945.

Gerhard Marcks was a German artist, known primarily as a sculptor, but who is also known for his drawings, woodcuts, lithographs and ceramics.

Peace Pilgrim, born Mildred Lisette Norman, was an American spiritual teacher, mystic, pacifist, vegetarian activist and peace activist. In 1952, she became the first woman to walk the entire length of the Appalachian Trail in one season. Starting on January 1, 1953, in Pasadena, California, she adopted the name "Peace Pilgrim" and walked across the United States for 28 years, speaking with others about peace. She was on her seventh cross-country journey when she died.