Famous people and celebrities who died on August 20

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on August 20. 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.

• 1915 Paul Ehrlich

  German physician and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1854).

• 1915 Carlos Finlay

  Carlos Finlay was a Cuban physician known for his pioneering work on yellow fever transmission.

• 1917 Adolf von Baeyer

  German chemist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1835).

• 1917 Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Adolf von Baeyer

  Prize laureate in recognition of his services in the advancement of organic chemistry and the chemical industry, through his work on organic...

• 1961 Percy Williams Bridgman

  American physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1882).

• 1971 Rashid Minhas

  Pakistani Air Force pilot who became a national hero for his extraordinary sacrifice during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War.

• 1974 Ilona Massey

  Ilona Massey was a Hungarian-American actress, singer, and performer best known for her roles in Hollywood musicals and classic horror films during the 1930s and 1940s. She achieved fame for her glamorous persona and frequent performances opposite top stars of her era. [bio]

• 1980 Joe Dassin

  Renowned French-American singer-songwriter who was a major pop music figure in France during the 1960s and 1970s, known for hits like 'Les...

• 1982 Ulla Jacobsson

  Ulla Jacobsson was a Swedish actress best known for her roles in international films during the 1950s and 1960s, most notably in 'One Summer of Happiness' and the war epic 'Zulu.' Her work brought critical acclaim both in Sweden and abroad. [bio]

• 1983 Kerwin Duinmeijer

  Dutch teenager who became a tragic symbol of racial violence in the Netherlands, highlighting societal tensions and discrimination.

• 1986 Thad Jones

  Renowned American jazz composer and trumpet player, famous for the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, a significant ensemble in jazz history.

• 1989 George Adamson

  British wildlife conservationist known as the 'Lion Man of Africa', who dedicated his life to protecting and understanding lions in Kenya.

• 1995 Hugo Pratt

  Legendary Italian comic book artist and writer, creator of the iconic character Corto Maltese, who revolutionized the graphic novel genre.

• 2001 Fred Hoyle

  Renowned British astronomer who made significant contributions to stellar nucleosynthesis and proposed the controversial steady-state theory...

• 2001 Kim Stanley

  Acclaimed American actress known for her powerful stage and screen performances, particularly in theater and notable films of the mid-20th...

• 2006 Joe Rosenthal

  Joe Rosenthal was a renowned American photographer famous for capturing the iconic Iwo Jima flag-raising photograph during World War II, one...

• 2006 Bryan Budd

  Victoria Cross recipient Bryan Budd was a British Army soldier who displayed exceptional bravery during military operations in Afghanistan.

• 2007 Leona Helmsley

  Leona Helmsley was a notorious American real estate businesswoman known as the 'Queen of Mean' for her harsh management style and legal...

• 2008 Stephanie Tubbs Jones

  Stephanie Tubbs Jones was a pioneering African American politician who served as a U.S.

• 2008 Gene Upshaw

  Legendary American football player who played for the Oakland Raiders and later became a prominent leader of the NFL Players Association.

• 2012 Phyllis Diller

  Phyllis Diller was an iconic American stand-up comedian, actress, and author renowned for her eccentric stage persona, wild hair, self-deprecating humor, and distinctive laugh. She rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s, breaking barriers for women in comedy and paving the way for future generations. [bio]

• 2012 Dom Mintoff

  Prominent Maltese politician who served as the 8th Prime Minister of Malta, known for his significant political reforms and leadership...

• 2013 Elmore Leonard

  Elmore Leonard was an acclaimed American novelist, short story writer, and screenwriter, best known for his gritty crime fiction and distinctive dialogue. His work heavily influenced contemporary crime and thriller genres, with many of his novels adapted into films and television series. [bio]

• 2013 Narendra Dabholkar

  Indian rationalist and social activist who founded the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti to combat superstition and promote...

• 2013 Ted Post

  Ted Post was an American film and television director known for his work in various genres, including the famous 'Planet of the Apes'...

• 2013 Marian McPartland

  Renowned English-American jazz pianist and composer who made significant contributions to jazz music through her performances and radio...

• 2014 Edmund Szoka

  Edmund Szoka was an American Catholic cardinal who served as Archbishop of Detroit and played significant roles in Vatican diplomacy.

• 2017 Jerry Lewis

  Jerry Lewis was an iconic American comedian, actor, singer, filmmaker, and humanitarian. He became famous for his slapstick humor in movies and his partnership with Dean Martin. Lewis was also renowned for hosting the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon, which helped raise more than $2 billion for muscular dystrophy research over decades. [bio]