Famous people and celebrities who died on June 2

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on June 2. 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.

• 1938 Nathanael Herreshoff

  American yacht designer and naval architect who designed numerous successful racing and cruising yachts.

• 1941 Lou Gehrig

  Lou Gehrig was an American professional baseball first baseman who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, renowned for his durability and powerful hitting. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest baseball players in history. [bio]

• 1942 Bunny Berigan

  Legendary jazz trumpeter of the swing era, Bunny Berigan was a pivotal figure in 1930s jazz music.

• 1956 Jean Hersholt

  Jean Hersholt was a Danish-American actor best known for his roles in both silent and sound films, as well as his significant contributions to radio broadcasting. His humanitarian work led to the establishment of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. [bio]

• 1959 Lyda Borelli

  Italian actress (b. 1884).

• 1970 Bruce McLaren

  Legendary New Zealand racing driver and automotive engineer who founded McLaren Racing, pioneering significant innovations in motorsport and...

• 1975 Eisaku Sato

  Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister from 1964 to 1972 and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1974 for his efforts in nuclear...

• 1977 Stephen Boyd

  Stephen Boyd was a Northern Irish actor best known for his roles in the mid-20th century, particularly as Messala in the epic film 'Ben-Hur' (1959). His notable career spanned both Hollywood and British cinema, earning acclaim for his charismatic screen presence. [bio]

• 1981 Rino Gaetano

  Iconic Italian singer-songwriter known for his satirical and politically charged music.

• 1986 Aurèle Joliat

  Legendary Canadian ice hockey player who played for the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL during the 1920s and 1930s.

• 1987 Sammy Kaye

  Prominent American big band leader and saxophonist who was especially popular during the swing era, known for his signature 'Sweet' music...

• 1988 Raj Kapoor

  Legendary Indian filmmaker known as the 'Showman of Bollywood' who revolutionized Hindi cinema through iconic films like Awaara and Boot...

• 1990 Rex Harrison

  Rex Harrison was an acclaimed English actor known for his work on stage and screen, with a career spanning more than five decades. He was celebrated for his suave, sophisticated style and distinctive voice. [bio]

• 1990 Jack Gilford

  Jack Gilford was an acclaimed American actor and comedian, known for his work in film, television, and theatre. He gained recognition for his roles in both comedic and dramatic productions, earning particular acclaim for his Broadway performances. [bio]

• 1990 Robert Noyce

  Robert Noyce was a pioneering American engineer and entrepreneur who co-founded Intel Corporation and played a crucial role in the...

• 1996 John Alton

  Renowned Hungarian-American cinematographer who significantly influenced film noir visual style, known for his innovative lighting...

• 1996 Amos Tversky

  Groundbreaking Israeli-American psychologist who revolutionized understanding of human judgment and decision-making, collaborating closely...

• 1997 Helen Jacobs

  Prominent American tennis player and naval commander who was a significant figure in women's sports during the early 20th century.

• 2001 Imogene Coca

  Imogene Coca was an American comic actress best known for her work in television, theater, and film, particularly as the co-star of the pioneering 1950s television variety program 'Your Show of Shows.' [bio]

• 2008 Mel Ferrer

  Mel Ferrer was an American actor, director, and producer known for his roles in films such as 'Lili' (1953) and for his work in both Hollywood and European cinema during the 1940s through 1970s. [bio]

• 2008 Bo Diddley

  Legendary rock 'n' roll pioneer, influential musician, singer-songwriter, and guitarist who significantly shaped the development of rock...

• 2009 David Eddings

  Renowned fantasy novelist best known for epic fantasy series like The Belgariad and The Malloreon, who significantly influenced the fantasy...

• 2012 Richard Dawson

  Richard Dawson was a British-American actor, comedian, and television host, best known for hosting the game show 'Family Feud' and for his role as Corporal Peter Newkirk on the TV sitcom 'Hogan's Heroes.' [bio]

• 2012 Kathryn Joosten

  Beloved American actress best known for her roles in 'Desperate Housewives' and 'The West Wing', who passed away in 2012 after battling lung...

• 2013 Mario Bernardi

  Renowned Canadian conductor who founded the National Arts Center Orchestra in Ottawa in 1969 and became an internationally recognized...

• 2014 Alexander Shulgin

  Alexander Shulgin was a pioneering American chemist and pharmacologist renowned for his groundbreaking research on psychoactive compounds.

• 2015 Irwin Rose

  Renowned American biochemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2004 for his groundbreaking work on protein degradation.

• 2017 Peter Sallis

  Peter Sallis was an English actor best known for voicing Wallace in the Wallace and Gromit animated films, and for his long-running role as Norman Clegg in the BBC sitcom 'Last of the Summer Wine.' [bio]