Famous people and celebrities who died on November 17

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on November 17. 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 Ernestine Schumann-Heink

  Ernestine Schumann-Heink was a celebrated operatic contralto known for her powerful voice and compassionate personality. Active from the late 19th to early 20th centuries, she had a remarkable career on major European and American opera stages, particularly known for her performances of Wagnerian roles. [bio]

• 1959 Heitor Villa-Lobos

  Heitor Villa-Lobos was a Brazilian composer, described as the single most significant creative figure in 20th-century Brazilian art music.

• 1968 Mervyn Peake

  Renowned British writer, artist, and illustrator best known for the 'Gormenghast' fantasy trilogy.

• 1971 Gladys Cooper

  Gladys Cooper was a renowned English actress whose career spanned over seven decades in stage, film, and television. She was celebrated for her versatility and longevity, earning critical acclaim both in the UK and the US. [bio]

• 1974 Clive Brook

  Actor/director (on approval), dead at 87.

• 1975 Kay Johnson

  American actress known for her roles in early Hollywood films, including 'Of Human Bondage', a significant work of cinema in the 1930s.

• 1979 John Glascock

  John Glascock was a talented English rock bassist and singer known for his work with progressive rock bands Jethro Tull, Carmen, and Chicken...

• 1982 Eduard Tubin

  Eduard Tubin was a prominent Estonian classical composer and conductor who significantly contributed to 20th-century Baltic music.

• 1986 Georges Besse

  Prominent French industrial executive who led Renault and was later assassinated by a terrorist group.

• 1987 Paul Derringer

  Paul Derringer was a prominent Major League Baseball pitcher who played primarily for the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals during the...

• 1988 Sheilah Graham Westbrook

  Prominent Hollywood gossip columnist and author known for her relationship with F. Scott Fitzgerald.

• 1990 Robert Hofstadter

  American physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (d. 1990).

• 1992 Audre Lorde

  Renowned African American poet, feminist, and civil rights activist who powerfully addressed issues of race, gender, sexuality, and class...

• 1998 Esther Rolle

  Esther Rolle was an American actress best known for her role as Florida Evans on the television sitcoms 'Maude' and its spin-off 'Good Times.' She was recognized for her portrayals of strong, dignified African-American women on television during the 1970s and 1980s. [bio]

• 2000 Louis Néel

  French physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (d. 2000).

• 2000 Louis Eugène Félix Néel

  Prize laureate for fundamental work and discoveries concerning antiferromagnetism and ferrimagnetism which have led to important...

• 2002 Abba Eban

  South African-Israeli politician and diplomat who served as the first Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, playing a crucial role in...

• 2003 Arthur Conley

  Arthur Conley was an American soul singer best known for his 1967 hit single "Sweet Soul Music." He was recognized for his energetic performances and contributions to the soul genre during the 1960s and 1970s. [bio]

• 2004 Aleksandr Ragulin

  Legendary Soviet ice hockey player who won three Olympic gold medals in 1964, 1968, and 1972, representing the USSR national team.

• 2006 Ferenc Puskás

  Ferenc Puskás was a legendary Hungarian footballer and manager, celebrated for his exceptional scoring record and regarded as one of the greatest footballers in history. Puskás was renowned for his powerful left foot, prolific prowess in front of goal, and key contributions to both the Hungarian national team, famously known as the 'Mighty Magyars', and Real Madrid during his illustrious … [bio]

• 2006 Ruth Brown

  Legendary R&B singer-songwriter and actress known as 'Miss Rhythm', who significantly influenced American music in the mid-20th century.

• 2006 Bo Schembechler

  Legendary American football coach who significantly influenced collegiate football, particularly at the University of Michigan.

• 2008 Pete Newell

  Renowned American basketball coach and player who significantly influenced the sport's development in the mid-20th century.

• 2012 Bal Thackeray

  Influential Indian political activist, journalist, and cartoonist who founded the Shiv Sena party and was a prominent figure in...

• 2013 Doris Lessing

  British novelist, poet, playwright, nobel prize laureate (d. 2013).

• 2014 Patrick Suppes

  Renowned American philosopher of science who made groundbreaking contributions to probability theory, decision theory, and mathematical...

• 2014 Bill Frenzel

  Bill Frenzel was a prominent American politician who served in the U.S.

• 2021 Young Dolph

  Prominent American rapper from Memphis known for his independent hip-hop career and tragically killed in a shooting in 2021.