Famous people and celebrities who died on October 18

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on October 18. 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.

• 1871 Charles Babbage

  British inventor.

• 1893 Charles Gounod

  French composer of operas and chamber music, including choral and orchestral works and piano pieces.

• 1931 Thomas Edison

  Thomas Edison was an American inventor and businessman renowned for his development of many key devices in modern life, including the phonograph, the incandescent light bulb, and early motion picture cameras. Nicknamed 'The Wizard of Menlo Park,' Edison held more than 1,000 patents and played a critical role in the commercialization of electric power and sound recording. [bio]

• 1934 Santiago Ramón y Cajal

  Spanish pathologist, histologist, and neuroscientist, nobel prize laureate (b. 1852).

• 1961 Tsuru Aoki

  Tsuru Aoki was a pioneering Japanese-American actress, best known for being one of the first Asian actresses to achieve stardom in the American silent film era. [bio]

• 1965 Henry Travers

  Henry Travers was an English actor best known for his role as Clarence Odbody, the angel in the classic film 'It's a Wonderful Life' (1946). Travers had a prolific stage and film career spanning over four decades. [bio]

• 1966 Elizabeth Arden

  Elizabeth Arden was a Canadian-American entrepreneur, best known for founding the cosmetics company Elizabeth Arden, Inc. She was a pioneering figure in the beauty industry, introducing innovative beauty products and concepts such as the 'makeover' and establishing luxurious salons. Arden is also recognized for her contributions to modern cosmetics and skin care, and for being one of the wealthiest women … [bio]

• 1973 Walt Kelly

  Renowned American cartoonist and animator, creator of the famous comic strip 'Pogo', known for his satirical and political commentary...

• 1977 Andreas Baader

  German radical left-wing terrorist and founding member of the Red Army Faction (Baader-Meinhof Group), known for violent anti-establishment...

• 1977 Gudrun Ensslin

  Gudrun Ensslin was a prominent German far-left terrorist and key member of the Red Army Faction (RAF), also known as the Baader-Meinhof...

• 1978 Ramon Mercader

  Ramon Mercader was a Spanish communist and Soviet agent who assassinated Leon Trotsky in Mexico City in 1940, a pivotal moment in the...

• 1982 Pierre Mendès France

  French lawyer and politician who served as the 142nd Prime Minister of France, known for his progressive reforms and commitment to...

• 1982 John Robarts

  John Robarts was a prominent Canadian politician who served as the 17th Premier of Ontario from 1961 to 1971.

• 1984 Jon-Erik Hexum

  American actor known for his striking looks who tragically died young after an on-set accident.

• 1995 Bryan Johnson

  Entrepreneur and venture capitalist who founded Braintree and OS Fund, known for investing in cutting-edge technological innovations and...

• 2000 Gwen Verdon

  Gwen Verdon was an acclaimed American actress and dancer, best known for her work in musical theater. She was a four-time Tony Award winner and is recognized as one of Broadway's greatest dancers, celebrated for her distinctive style and collaborations with choreographer Bob Fosse. [bio]

• 2000 Julie London

  Julie London was an American singer and actress known for her sultry, smoky voice and her roles in both film and television. She was one of the most popular female vocalists of the 1950s and 1960s, and also gained recognition as an actress, particularly for her role as nurse Dixie McCall on the television series 'Emergency!'. [bio]

• 2001 Micheline Ostermeyer

  Micheline Ostermeyer was an exceptional French athlete and pianist who won an Olympic gold medal in shot put and bronze medals in discus and...

• 2006 Anna Russell

  Anna Russell was a renowned British comedic performer famous for her satirical musical performances and parodies of opera, particularly her...

• 2007 Alan Coren

  Renowned English humorist, writer, and satirist who was a prominent panelist on BBC radio and television shows.

• 2007 Lucky Dube

  Legendary South African reggae musician who recorded 22 albums in Zulu and English, becoming the country's most-sold reggae artist before...

• 2008 Dee Dee Warwick

  American soul singer and sister of Dionne Warwick, who had a notable career in R&B and soul music during the 1960s and 1970s.

• 2009 Nancy Spero

  Pioneering feminist artist known for her powerful anti-war paintings and significant contributions to the feminist art movement.

• 2010 Marion Brown

  Marion Brown was an influential American jazz saxophonist and musicologist known for his avant-garde and experimental approach to music.

• 2012 Sylvia Kristel

  Sylvia Kristel was a Dutch actress and model, best known internationally for her role in the popular 'Emmanuelle' film series. She gained fame in the 1970s for her portrayal of sensual characters and was a symbol of European erotic cinema. [bio]

• 2013 Tom Foley

  Prominent American politician who served as the 57th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, representing Washington state's...

• 2013 Bum Phillips

  Oail Andrew 'Bum' Phillips was a renowned NFL coach who led the Houston Oilers and New Orleans Saints, becoming a significant figure in...

• 2015 Frank Watkins

  American heavy metal bassist who played for bands Obituary and Gorgoroth, known for his significant contributions to extreme metal music.

• 2019 Mark Hurd

  Prominent business executive who served as CEO of Oracle Corporation and previously HP, known for his significant impact on enterprise...

• 2021 Colin Powell

  Colin Powell was a groundbreaking American statesman, the first African American Secretary of State, and a highly respected four-star...