Famous people and celebrities who died in February 2006

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in February 2006. 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. 3 Al Lewis

  American actor and activist (b. 1923).

• Feb. 4 Betty Friedan

  Betty Friedan was an influential American feminist writer and activist, best known for her 1963 book 'The Feminine Mystique', which is credited with sparking the second wave of feminism in the United States. She was a co-founder and the first president of the National Organization for Women (NOW), playing a key role in advancing women's rights and social change in … [bio]

• Feb. 5 Franklin Cover

  Franklin Cover was an American actor best known for his role as Tom Willis, the white neighbor married to a Black woman, on the groundbreaking sitcom 'The Jeffersons' (1975–1985). He appeared in numerous television shows, films, and stage productions throughout his career. [bio]

• Feb. 8 Akira Ifukube

  Renowned Japanese composer famous for creating iconic film scores, particularly for the Godzilla franchise, and for his significant...

• Feb. 8 Elton Dean

  Elton Dean was a prominent English jazz saxophonist known for his innovative work in progressive rock and jazz fusion, particularly with the...

• Feb. 9 Freddie Laker

  Freddie Laker was a pioneering British airline entrepreneur who revolutionized air travel by founding Laker Airways and introducing low-cost...

• Feb. 10 J Dilla

  Legendary hip hop producer and rapper who profoundly influenced modern hip hop and beat-making before his early death in 2006.

• Feb. 10 Dick Harmon

  Renowned American golf instructor who trained many professional golfers and was highly respected in the golf coaching community.

• Feb. 10 James Yancey

  American record producer and rapper (b. 1974).

• Feb. 11 Peter Benchley

  Renowned American author and screenwriter best known for writing 'Jaws', a novel that was adapted into the iconic Steven Spielberg film that...

• Feb. 11 Ken Fletcher

  Australian tennis player (b. 1940).

• Feb. 11 Matilda

  American chicken and stage magician, oldest known chicken (h.

• Feb. 13 Andreas Katsulas

  Greek-American actor known for significant roles in science fiction television, particularly in Babylon 5 as G'Kar.

• Feb. 13 Ilan Halimi

  Ilan Halimi was a French Jewish victim of a horrific antisemitic kidnapping and murder that deeply shocked French society in 2006,...

• Feb. 16 Ernie Stautner

  Ernie Stautner was a legendary NFL defensive tackle who played 14 seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers and was inducted into the Pro Football...

• Feb. 17 Bill Cowsill

  Bill Cowsill was a rock musician and vocalist from the Cowsills, a popular family band known for their hit 'We Can Fly' during the 1960s pop...

• Feb. 20 Curt Gowdy

  Legendary American sportscaster known for broadcasting baseball, football, and other major sporting events during the 1960s and 1970s.

• Feb. 22 S. Rajaratnam

  Singaporean politician, 1st senior minister of singapore (b. 1915).

• Feb. 23 Telmo Zarra

  Legendary Spanish footballer who played as a striker for Athletic Bilbao and is considered one of the greatest goalscorers in Spanish...

• Feb. 23 Benno Besson

  Renowned Swiss-German theater director, actor, and screenwriter who significantly influenced European theatrical arts in the 20th century.

• Feb. 24 Don Knotts

  Don Knotts was an American actor and comedian, best known for his role as Deputy Barney Fife on the television sitcom 'The Andy Griffith Show.' His distinctive comedic talent and nervous persona made him one of the most recognizable character actors on American television. [bio]

• Feb. 24 Dennis Weaver

  Dennis Weaver was an American actor known primarily for his roles in television series such as 'Gunsmoke' and 'McCloud.' Over a career spanning five decades, Weaver became a household name for his portrayals of rugged individualists on screen and was recognized for his distinct drawl and likable persona. [bio]

• Feb. 24 Octavia Butler

  Renowned science fiction author known for groundbreaking works exploring race, gender, and social dynamics through speculative fiction.

• Feb. 24 Denis Twitchett

  Cambridge scholar and renowned Chinese historian who lived from 1925 to 2006.

• Feb. 24 John Martin

  Canadian broadcaster, co-founded muchmusic (b. 1947).

• Feb. 27 Linda Smith

  Renowned English comedian and actress known for her sharp wit and stand-up comedy.

• Feb. 27 Otis Chandler

  Influential American newspaper publisher who led the Los Angeles Times from 1960, transforming it into a prominent national newspaper.

• Feb. 28 Owen Chamberlain

  Nobel Prize-winning physicist who discovered the antiproton and played a crucial role in the Manhattan Project.