Famous people and celebrities who died in October 2005

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in October 2005. 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. 2 Nipsey Russell

  Nipsey Russell was an American comedian, poet, and actor known for his witty, rhyming humor and frequent appearances on television game shows in the 1960s through the 1990s. He earned the nickname 'the poet laureate of television' for his memorable comic verses and was a trailblazer as one of the first African-American regular panelists on popular shows. [bio]

• Oct. 2 August Wilson

  Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright who profoundly documented African-American life through his powerful dramatic cycle of plays.

• Oct. 3 Ronnie Barker

  Ronnie Barker was an English comedian, actor, and writer, renowned for his roles in British television comedy. He was especially known for his work as part of the duo in 'The Two Ronnies' and for starring in celebrated sitcoms such as 'Porridge' and 'Open All Hours.' [bio]

• Oct. 10 Milton Obote

  Ugandan politician and engineer who served as the second president of Uganda.

• Oct. 10 Wayne C. Booth

  American educator and critic (b. 1921).

• Oct. 11 Attilâ İlhan

  Prominent Turkish poet, novelist, and journalist known for his significant contributions to modern Turkish literature and political poetry.

• Oct. 13 Vivian Malone Jones

  Civil rights activist who courageously integrated the University of Alabama in 1963, challenging racial segregation alongside James Hood...

• Oct. 20 Shirley Horn

  American jazz pianist and singer (d. 2005).

• Oct. 20 Eva Švankmajerová

  Czech painter and poet (b. 1940).

• Oct. 22 Arman

  Influential French-American visual artist who was a key member of the Nouveau Réalisme movement, known for transforming everyday objects...

• Oct. 22 Tony Adams

  Irish-american actor and producer (b. 1953).

• Oct. 23 Stella Obasanjo

  First Lady of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007, wife of President Olusegun Obasanjo, known for her social welfare initiatives.

• Oct. 23 John Muth

  American economist and academic (b. 1930).

• Oct. 24 Rosa Parks

  Rosa Parks was a renowned American civil rights activist. Her refusal to surrender her seat to a white passenger on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus on December 1, 1955, became a pivotal act of defiance against racial segregation. Parks’ action sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a seminal event in the civil rights movement, and cemented her legacy as an iconic figure … [bio]

• Oct. 24 José Azcona del Hoyo

  Honduran politician who served as President of Honduras from 1986 to 1990, known for his democratic leadership during a critical period of...

• Oct. 24 Mokarrameh Ghanbari

  Iranian painter (born 1928).

• Oct. 24 Joy Clements

  American soprano and actress (b. 1932).

• Oct. 24 Robert Sloman

  English actor and screenwriter (b. 1926).

• Oct. 24 Immanuel C. Y. Hsu

  Chinese sinologist and scholar (b. 1923).

• Oct. 26 Keith Parkinson

  Renowned fantasy artist known for his iconic illustrations in role-playing games and fantasy book covers, particularly famous for his work...

• Oct. 26 George Swindin

  English footballer and manager (b. 1914).

• Oct. 28 Richard E. Smalley

  Prize laureate for their discovery of fullerenes.

• Oct. 28 Raymond Hains

  Raymond Hains was a prominent French artist associated with the New Realism movement, known for his innovative artistic approach and...

• Oct. 28 Bob Broeg

  American soldier and journalist (b. 1918).

• Oct. 28 Fernando Quejas

  Cape verdean-portuguese singer-songwriter (b. 1922).

• Oct. 28 Ljuba Tadić

  Serbian actor and screenwriter (b. 1929).

• Oct. 30 Al López

  Hall of Fame baseball manager and player who was a key figure in Major League Baseball during the mid-20th century.

• Oct. 31 Amrita Pritam

  Amrita Pritam was a renowned Indian poet and author who made significant contributions to Punjabi literature and was a prominent voice in...

• Oct. 31 Hal Anger

  American biophysicist and engineer (b. 1920).