Famous people and celebrities who died on January 15

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on January 15. 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.

• 1949 Black Dahlia

  Infamous murder victim whose unsolved killing became a notorious criminal case in Los Angeles, inspiring numerous books and films.

• 1955 Yves Tanguy

  Yves Tanguy was a prominent French surrealist painter known for his unique, dreamlike landscapes that challenged traditional artistic...

• 1964 Jack Teagarden

  Jack Teagarden was a legendary jazz trombonist, bandleader, and singer who significantly influenced jazz music during the early to mid-20th...

• 1968 Bill Masterton

  Bill Masterton was a Canadian-American ice hockey player who tragically died from injuries sustained during a game, becoming the first and...

• 1973 Ivan Petrovsky

  Prominent Russian mathematician who made significant contributions to mathematical analysis and academic research during the mid-20th...

• 1983 Shepperd Strudwick

  Shepperd Strudwick was an American actor recognized for his work in film, television, and theater. He appeared in over 30 films from the 1930s through the 1980s, often portraying sophisticated or authority figures. [bio]

• 1983 Meyer Lansky

  Notorious Jewish-American organized crime figure known as the 'Mob's Accountant' who played a significant role in the development of the...

• 1987 Ray Bolger

  Ray Bolger was an American actor, singer, and dancer best known for his portrayal of the Scarecrow in the 1939 film classic 'The Wizard of Oz.' He was renowned for his comedic timing, physical agility, and rubber-legged dance style, which made him one of the leading vaudeville and Broadway performers of his era. [bio]

• 1988 Sean MacBride

  Irish politician and human rights activist who served as chief of staff of the IRA and later became a prominent statesman, winning the Nobel...

• 1990 Gordon Jackson

  Gordon Jackson was a distinguished Scottish actor best known for his roles in the television series 'Upstairs, Downstairs' and 'The Professionals'. Throughout his career, he earned acclaim for his versatility and strong screen presence in both dramatic and action-oriented roles. [bio]

• 1993 Sammy Cahn

  Legendary American lyricist who wrote songs for Frank Sinatra, winning multiple Academy Awards and contributing significantly to the Great...

• 1994 Georges Cziffra

  Renowned Hungarian-French classical pianist and composer known for his exceptional virtuosity and interpretations of Franz Liszt's works.

• 1996 Minnesota Fats

  Legendary American professional billiards player known for his exceptional pool skills and colorful personality.

• 2005 Ruth Warrick

  Ruth Warrick was an American actress, singer, and activist, best known for her roles in Orson Welles’s 'Citizen Kane' and on the long-running soap opera 'All My Children.' [bio]

• 2005 Victoria de los Ángeles

  Renowned Spanish soprano who was a leading classical music artist of the 20th century, celebrated for her exceptional vocal range and...

• 2006 Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah

  Emir of Kuwait from 1977 to 2006, he was a significant political leader who played a crucial role in Kuwait's modernization and regional...

• 2007 James Hillier

  Canadian-American scientist who co-invented the electron microscope, significantly advancing scientific research and microscopic imaging...

• 2007 Awad Hamed al-Bandar

  Iraqi judge who was controversially involved in the trial of Saddam Hussein and subsequently executed in 2007.

• 2008 Brad Renfro

  Brad Renfro was an American actor best known for his breakthrough role as the young lead in the 1994 film 'The Client.' He appeared in a number of major films throughout the 1990s and early 2000s before his untimely death in 2008. [bio]

• 2010 Marshall Nirenberg

  Renowned molecular biologist who made groundbreaking contributions to genetics by deciphering the genetic code, earning him the Nobel Prize...

• 2011 Susannah York

  Susannah York was an acclaimed English actress and writer, known for her roles in film, television, and stage throughout the 1960s and 1970s, including award-nominated performances and work with leading directors of her era. [bio]

• 2011 Nat Lofthouse

  Legendary English footballer who played for Bolton Wanderers and the England national team, known as the 'Lion of Vienna' for his...

• 2012 Manuel Fraga Iribarne

  Prominent Spanish politician and diplomat who served in multiple high-level government roles during and after Franco's era.

• 2013 Nagisa Oshima

  Renowned Japanese film director known for avant-garde and politically provocative cinema, particularly from the Japanese New Wave movement.

• 2015 Kim Fowley

  Influential American record producer and music impresario known for his eccentric personality and significant contributions to rock music,...

• 2017 Jimmy Snuka

  Legendary professional wrestler of Fijian origin who was a major star in the World Wrestling Federation (WWE) during the 1980s, known for...

• 2018 Dolores O'Riordan

  Dolores O'Riordan was the iconic lead singer of the alternative rock band The Cranberries, known for her distinctive voice and powerful...

• 2019 Carol Channing

  Carol Channing was an American actress, singer, and comedian best known for her starring role in Broadway's 'Hello, Dolly!' and her distinctive voice and comedic timing. Her career spanned over seven decades in theater, film, and television. [bio]