Famous people and celebrities who died in October 2000

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in October 2000. This month marked the loss of influential and beloved figures whose contributions spanned various fields and touched many lives. Explore our detailed list to remember and celebrate their enduring legacies and the remarkable impact they had on the world

• Oct. 1 Gemelli Kray
• Oct. 3 Benjamin Orr

  American singer and bassist of the iconic rock band The Cars, who played a crucial role in the band's new wave and power pop sound.

• Oct. 3 Wojciech Has
• Oct. 4 Michael Smith

  English-canadian biochemist and geneticist, nobel prize laureate (d. 2000).

• Oct. 5 Cătălin Hîldan

  Romanian footballer (b. 1976).

• Oct. 6 Richard Farnsworth

  Richard Farnsworth was an American actor and stuntman known for his work in classic films and for his acclaimed performances in later life. He received Academy Award nominations for his roles in 'Comes a Horseman' (1978) and 'The Straight Story' (1999). Farnsworth began his Hollywood career as a stuntman in the 1930s before becoming a prominent character actor. [bio]

• Oct. 9 Patrick Anthony Porteous

  Indian-Scottish colonel who was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration for valor in the British armed forces.

• Oct. 10 Sirimavo Bandaranaike

  First female prime minister of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), a pioneering political leader who served multiple terms after her husband's...

• Oct. 11 Donald Dewar

  Scottish politician who played a pivotal role in establishing the Scottish Parliament and served as its first First Minister.

• Oct. 11 Luc-Marie Bayle

  French multidisciplinary artist and historian who worked as a photographer and painter throughout the 20th century.

• Oct. 13 Jean Peters

  Jean Peters was an American actress best known for her work in film during the 1940s and 1950s. She starred in several notable movies, including 'Pickup on South Street' (1953) and worked with famous directors such as Elia Kazan and Samuel Fuller. [bio]

• Oct. 13 Gus Hall

  American union organizer and head u.s.

• Oct. 14 Tony Roper

  American race car driver (b. 1964).

• Oct. 15 Konrad Bloch

  Renowned biochemist who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1964 for his groundbreaking research on cholesterol biosynthesis.

• Oct. 15 Vincent Canby

  American journalist and critic (b. 1924).

• Oct. 16 Rick Jason

  American actor (b. 1923).

• Oct. 16 Mel Carnahan

  American lieutenant, lawyer, and politician, 51st governor of missouri (b. 1934).

• Oct. 18 Gwen Verdon

  Gwen Verdon was an acclaimed American actress and dancer, best known for her work in musical theater. She was a four-time Tony Award winner and is recognized as one of Broadway's greatest dancers, celebrated for her distinctive style and collaborations with choreographer Bob Fosse. [bio]

• Oct. 18 Julie London

  Julie London was an American singer and actress known for her sultry, smoky voice and her roles in both film and television. She was one of the most popular female vocalists of the 1950s and 1960s, and also gained recognition as an actress, particularly for her role as nurse Dixie McCall on the television series 'Emergency!'. [bio]

• Oct. 23 Yokozuna

  Rodney Anoa'i was a famous professional wrestler in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), known for his massive size and Samoan heritage.

• Oct. 27 Walter Berry (bass-baritone)

  Austrian lyric bass-baritone (b. 1929).

• Oct. 28 Carlos Guastavino

  Renowned Argentine classical composer known for his distinctive musical style that blended folk traditions with classical composition...

• Oct. 28 Andújar Cedeño

  Dominican baseball player (b. 1969).

• Oct. 30 Steve Allen

  Steve Allen was an American television personality, comedian, musician, composer, writer, and actor, best known as the original host of NBC's 'The Tonight Show.' He played a significant role in shaping the modern format of late-night talk shows, influencing generations of hosts that followed. [bio]

• Oct. 31 Ring Lardner

  Prominent American screenwriter, journalist, and political activist known for his work in Hollywood and his involvement in the Hollywood Ten...