Famous people and celebrities who died on January 27

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on January 27. 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.

• 1922 Nellie Bly

  Nellie Bly was an American journalist who was famous for her record-breaking trip around the world in 72 days, in emulation of the fictional...

• 1940 Isaac Babel

  Isaac Babel was a Russian short story writer, journalist, playwright, and literary translator, known for his lyrical style and depictions of...

• 1967 Gus Grissom

  NASA astronaut and one of the original Mercury Seven, tragically killed during the Apollo 1 pre-launch test in 1967.

• 1967 Edward White

  Pioneering NASA astronaut who became the first American to perform a spacewalk during the Gemini 4 mission.

• 1970 Rita Angus

  Prominent New Zealand painter known for her distinctive modernist style and significant contributions to 20th-century New Zealand art.

• 1971 Jacobo Arbenz

  Jacobo Arbenz Guzmán was a Guatemalan military officer and political reformer who served as president from 1951 to 1954.

• 1972 Mahalia Jackson

  Legendary gospel singer who profoundly influenced American music and the civil rights movement, transforming gospel into a powerful cultural...

• 1975 Bill Walsh

  Influential American screenwriter and television producer who made significant contributions to the entertainment industry.

• 1978 Bharat Bhushan

  Renowned Indian film actor who was a prominent figure in Hindi cinema during the golden age of Bollywood in the 1940s and 1950s, known for...

• 1983 Louis de Funès

  Louis de Funès was a legendary French actor and comedian, renowned for his energetic slapstick performances and expressive facial acting. One of France's most beloved film stars, he became famous for roles in film series such as "Le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez," "La Grande Vadrouille," and his collaborations with director Jean Girault. [bio]

• 1986 Lilli Palmer

  Lilli Palmer was a renowned German actress and writer, celebrated for her impressive film, stage, and television career spanning Europe and Hollywood from the 1930s through the 1970s. [bio]

• 1986 Nikhil Banerjee

  Nikhil Banerjee was a legendary Indian classical sitar player who significantly contributed to Hindustani classical music.

• 1987 Norman McLaren

  Pioneering Canadian animator known for experimental film techniques who won an Academy Award in 1953 for his groundbreaking short film...

• 1988 Massa Makan Diabaté

  Massa Makan Diabaté was a prominent Malian historian, author, and playwright who made significant contributions to West African literature...

• 1994 Claude Akins

  Claude Akins was an American actor known for his rugged character roles in film and television, particularly as Sheriff Lobo in the TV series 'B.J. and the Bear' and its spin-off 'The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo.' He had a prolific career spanning more than four decades, appearing in over 100 films and numerous TV shows. [bio]

• 1995 Jean Tardieu

  Jean Tardieu was a prominent French intellectual and artist who excelled as a playwright, poet, novelist, and television director.

• 2000 Friedrich Gulda

  Renowned Austrian classical and jazz pianist, known for his innovative and unconventional approach to music performance and composition.

• 2004 Jack Paar

  Pioneering American television talk show host who significantly influenced late-night entertainment in the 1950s and 1960s, preceding Johnny...

• 2009 John Updike

  John Updike was an acclaimed American novelist, poet, and literary critic, renowned for his sharp, lyrical prose and his focus on the American middle class. Updike is best remembered for his 'Rabbit' series, which chronicles the life of Harry 'Rabbit' Angstrom and is considered a major achievement in post-war American fiction. [bio]

• 2009 R. Venkataraman

  Prominent Indian lawyer and politician who served as the 8th President of India from 1987 to 1992.

• 2010 J D Salinger

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• 2010 Howard Zinn

  Howard Zinn was a prominent American historian, author, and political activist who revolutionized historical narrative by focusing on...

• 2014 Pete Seeger

  Legendary American folk singer, songwriter, and social activist who played a crucial role in the American folk music revival and civil...

• 2015 Charles Townes

  Charles Townes was a pioneering American physicist who revolutionized quantum electronics and played a crucial role in the development of...

• 2016 Carlos Loyzaga

  Legendary Filipino basketball player known as the 'Big Difference', who significantly influenced Philippine basketball during the 1950s and...

• 2017 Emmanuelle Riva

  Emmanuelle Riva was a distinguished French actress best known internationally for her role in the film 'Hiroshima mon amour' (1959) and later for her Academy Award-nominated performance in 'Amour' (2012). Over her six-decade career, she worked extensively in film, television, and theater. [bio]

• 2018 Mort Walker

  Renowned American cartoonist who created the iconic comic strip 'Beetle Bailey', which became a globally recognized humor series about...

• 2018 Ingvar Kamprad

  Swedish entrepreneur who founded IKEA, revolutionizing affordable furniture retail globally and becoming one of the world's most successful...

• 2021 Cloris Leachman

  Cloris Leachman was an American actress and comedian whose career spanned over seven decades across film, television, and stage. Renowned for her versatility and comedic prowess, Leachman won numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, multiple Emmy Awards, and a BAFTA. She is considered one of the most awarded actresses in television history. [bio]