Famous people and celebrities who died in February 2002

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in February 2002. 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

• Feb. 1 Hildegard Knef

  Hildegard Knef was a renowned German actress, singer, and writer, internationally recognized for her roles in postwar German cinema, as well as her successful music and writing career. She was especially known for her performance in the film 'The Sinner' and her acclaimed autobiographies. [bio]

• Feb. 2 Paul Baloff

  Legendary thrash metal vocalist known for being the original lead singer of the influential Bay Area metal band Exodus, who significantly...

• Feb. 2 Claude Brown

  American author (b. 1937).

• Feb. 4 George Nader

  George Nader was an American film and television actor best known for his roles in 1950s and 1960s Hollywood productions, as well as European cinema. He gained recognition starring in films such as 'Robot Monster' and the 'Jerry Cotton' series in Germany. [bio]

• Feb. 6 Max Perutz

  Renowned British biochemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1962 for groundbreaking research on protein structure, specifically...

• Feb. 6 Max Ferdinand Perutz

  Prize laureate for their studies of the structures of globular proteins.

• Feb. 8 Ong Teng Cheong

  Singaporean architect and politician who served as the 5th President of Singapore from 1993 to 2001, playing a significant role in the...

• Feb. 9 Princess Margaret Countess of Snowdon

  Princess Margaret was a prominent member of the British Royal Family, known for her glamorous lifestyle, rebellious spirit, and complex...

• Feb. 10 Dave Van Ronk

  A pivotal figure in the 1960s New York folk music scene, known for his distinctive blues style, influential guitar playing, and significant...

• Feb. 11 Frankie Crosetti

  Professional American baseball player and coach who played for the New York Yankees during the golden era of baseball.

• Feb. 11 Barry Foster

  British actor (born 1931).

• Feb. 13 Waylon Jennings

  Legendary country-western outlaw musician who revolutionized the genre with Willie Nelson, creating a more authentic and rock-influenced...

• Feb. 14 Mick Tucker

  Mick Tucker was the drummer of the iconic glam rock band Sweet, known for their hit songs in the 1970s.

• Feb. 15 Howard K. Smith

  Prominent American journalist and television news anchor who played a significant role in broadcast journalism during the mid-20th century.

• Feb. 16 Walter Winterbottom

  English footballer and manager (b. 1913).

• Feb. 19 Virginia Hamilton

  Virginia Hamilton was a groundbreaking African American children's book author who won numerous awards for her innovative storytelling that...

• Feb. 19 Sylvia Rivera

  Pioneering transgender activist who was instrumental in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, co-founding key organizations like Gay Liberation Front...

• Feb. 21 John Thaw

  John Thaw was an acclaimed English actor, best known for his iconic roles in television dramas such as 'Inspector Morse', 'The Sweeney', and 'Kavanagh QC'. His performances made him a household name in the UK and garnered international recognition. [bio]

• Feb. 22 Daniel Pearl

  American journalist tragically kidnapped and murdered in Pakistan in 2002, becoming a symbol of press freedom and journalistic courage...

• Feb. 22 Chuck Jones

  Legendary American animator, director, and producer best known for creating iconic Looney Tunes characters and revolutionizing animated...

• Feb. 22 Jonas Savimbi

  Prominent Angolan political and military leader who founded UNITA, a major anti-communist rebel movement during Angola's civil war.

• Feb. 22 Roden Cutler

  Prominent Australian military officer and politician who served as the 32nd Governor of New South Wales, recognized for his distinguished...

• Feb. 24 Arthur Lyman

  Renowned Hawaiian jazz musician famous for his exotica and jazz vibraphone and marimba performances.

• Feb. 24 Leo Ornstein

  Ukrainian-american pianist and composer (b. 1893).

• Feb. 26 Lawrence Tierney

  Iconic American actor famous for playing tough guys and gangsters in over 80 films during his 50-year career.

• Feb. 27 Spike Milligan

  Spike Milligan was a British-Irish comedian, writer, poet, and actor, best known as the co-creator and principal writer of the groundbreaking radio comedy program 'The Goon Show.' Milligan's unique comedic style and influence helped shape modern British humour. [bio]

• Feb. 28 Mary Stuart

  American actress and singer (b. 1926).

• Feb. 28 Helmut Zacharias

  Renowned German violinist and composer who made significant contributions to classical and popular music during the mid-20th century.