Famous people and celebrities who died on August 19

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on August 19. On this day, we honor the lives and legacies of notable figures from various fields who left an indelible mark on the world. Explore our list to learn about their remarkable contributions and celebrate their enduring impact.

• 1936 Federico García Lorca

  Spanish poet and playwright, one of the leading figures of the Spanish literary movement known as the Generation of '27.

• 1967 Isaac Deutscher

  Isaac Deutscher was a prominent Marxist historian and biographer who significantly contributed to understanding Leon Trotsky's life and...

• 1968 George Gamow

  Renowned physicist who made groundbreaking contributions to cosmology, particularly in developing the Big Bang theory and explaining the...

• 1976 Alastair Sim

  Alastair Sim was a famed Scottish actor known for his distinctive voice and expressive performances. He is best remembered for his roles in classic British cinema, particularly as Ebenezer Scrooge in the widely acclaimed 1951 adaptation of 'A Christmas Carol.' [bio]

• 1977 Groucho Marx

  Groucho Marx was an American comedian, writer, stage, film, radio, and television star, best known as a master of quick wit and as a member of the Marx Brothers comedy team. [bio]

• 1981 Jessie Matthews

  Jessie Matthews was a renowned English actress, dancer, and singer, celebrated for her performances in musical films and stage productions during the 1920s and 1930s. She became one of Britain's most beloved entertainers, famed for her charisma, dancing talent, and melodic voice. [bio]

• 1986 Hermione Baddeley

  Hermione Baddeley was an English character actress of stage and screen, known for her distinctive voice and often memorable supporting roles in both British and American films and television. She earned acclaim for her work in the mid-20th century, particularly for comedic or working-class characters. [bio]

• 1993 Utpal Dutt

  Utpal Dutt was an influential Indian actor, director, and writer, widely recognized for his work in Bengali theatre and Hindi cinema. He was known for his versatility in both serious and comic roles and left a significant mark on Indian performing arts. [bio]

• 1994 Linus Pauling

  Linus Pauling was a highly influential American chemist, biochemist, and peace activist. He remains one of the most important scientists of the 20th century, recognized for his groundbreaking work in chemical bonding and molecular biology. Pauling is distinguished as one of the only individuals to ever receive two unshared Nobel Prizes: the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1954) for his research … [bio]

• 1995 Pierre Schaeffer

  Pioneering French composer and engineer who revolutionized electronic music through musique concrète, using recorded sounds as compositional...

• 2001 Betty Everett

  American R&B and soul singer known for her hit 'The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)' and influential contributions to 1960s music.

• 2001 Donald Woods

  Donald Woods was a courageous South African journalist and anti-apartheid activist who played a significant role in exposing the injustices...

• 2002 Eduardo Chillida

  Internationally renowned Basque sculptor who created monumental abstract works exploring space, form, and material.

• 2003 Sergio Vieira de Mello

  Prominent Brazilian UN diplomat who tragically died in a terrorist bombing in Baghdad while serving as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights...

• 2005 Mo Mowlam

  Prominent British Labour Party politician who played a crucial role in the Northern Ireland peace process as Secretary of State for Northern...

• 2008 Levy Mwanawasa

  Third President of Zambia, a respected lawyer and politician who served from 2002 until his death in 2008, known for his anti-corruption...

• 2009 Don Hewitt

  Don Hewitt was a pioneering American television producer best known for creating the groundbreaking news magazine '60 Minutes', which...

• 2011 Raul Ruiz

  Raul Ruiz was a renowned Chilean film director celebrated for his experimental and avant-garde cinematic style, making significant...

• 2014 James Foley

  American journalist who was tragically kidnapped and executed by ISIS in Syria, becoming a symbol of the brutal conflict and press freedom...

• 2014 Samih al-Qasim

  Renowned Palestinian poet and political activist who used his powerful poetry to highlight the Palestinian struggle and resistance against...

• 2014 Simin Behbahani

  Renowned Iranian poet and women's rights activist known for her powerful and politically charged poetry that challenged social norms and...

• 2016 Jack Riley

  Versatile American comedian and actor known for his work in television comedy, particularly memorable for his roles in comedy shows and...

• 2017 Dick Gregory

  Pioneering African American comedian, civil rights activist, and social critic who used humor to challenge racial injustice and was deeply...

• 2019 Lars Larsen

  Danish entrepreneur who founded JYSK, a successful international retail chain specializing in home furnishings and bedding.

• 2021 Sonny Chiba

  Legendary Japanese actor and martial artist famous for his iconic roles in martial arts films, particularly the 'Street Fighter' series.