Famous people and celebrities who died in February 2005

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in February 2005. This month marked the loss of influential and beloved figures whose contributions spanned various fields and touched many lives. Explore our detailed list to remember and celebrate their enduring legacies and the remarkable impact they had on the world

• Feb. 1 John Vernon

  Canadian actor known for memorable roles in classic films like 'Animal House', 'Dirty Harry', and 'Chained Heat'. A prominent character actor of the 1970s and 1980s.

• Feb. 2 Max Schmeling

  Legendary German boxer who became world heavyweight champion in 1930 and is famous for his historic fights with Joe Louis, symbolizing sporting rivalry during a politically charged era.

• Feb. 3 Ernst Mayr

  Renowned German-American evolutionary biologist and ornithologist who made fundamental contributions to the understanding of speciation and evolutionary theory in the 20th century.

• Feb. 3 Zurab Zhvania

  Georgian biologist and politician, 4th prime minister of georgia (b. 1963)

• Feb. 4 Ossie Davis

  Prominent African American actor, playwright, and civil rights activist from Cogdell, Georgia, known for his significant contributions to theater, film, and social justice movements.

• Feb. 5 Gnassingbé Eyadéma

  Togolese general and politician, president of togo (b. 1937)

• Feb. 6 Lazar Berman in Leningrad

  Renowned Russian classical pianist who achieved third place in a Budapest competition in 1956, known for his exceptional interpretative skills.

• Feb. 6 Hubert Curien

  Prominent French physicist who made significant contributions to nuclear physics and science policy, playing a crucial role in advancing scientific research and technological development.

• Feb. 9 Robert Kearns

  American engineer who invented the intermittent windshield wiper, a crucial automotive innovation that revolutionized vehicle safety.

• Feb. 10 Arthur Miller

  Arthur Miller was a renowned American playwright who revolutionized modern theater with his powerful social critiques. He won the Pulitzer Prize for 'Death of a Salesman' and wrote seminal works like 'The Crucible' that explored complex human and societal themes. His plays continue to be performed and studied worldwide as masterpieces of 20th-century drama.

• Feb. 12 Dorothy Stang

  American-Brazilian nun and environmental activist murdered in Brazil for defending indigenous rights and the Amazon rainforest.

• Feb. 13 Lucia Santos

  Lucia Santos was one of the three children who witnessed the Miracle of Fátima in 1917, a significant religious event involving reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary near Fátima, Portugal.

• Feb. 13 Maurice Trintignant

  Renowned French racing driver who competed in Formula One and won prestigious events like the Monaco Grand Prix and 24 Hours of Le Mans.

• Feb. 14 Rafiq Hariri

  Rafiq Hariri was a prominent Lebanese businessman and politician who served as Prime Minister of Lebanon, playing a crucial role in rebuilding the country after its devastating civil war.

• Feb. 14 Najai Turpin

  Najai Turpin was an American professional boxer in the welterweight division who tragically died at a young age. His boxing career was cut short, but he was known for his competitive spirit in the ring.

• Feb. 15 Sam Francis

  Sam Francis was a prominent American abstract expressionist painter and printmaker known for his colorful, large-scale works.

• Feb. 15 Pierre Bachelet

  Renowned French singer-songwriter who was known for his soft, romantic musical style and significant contributions to French pop music in the late 20th century.

• Feb. 17 Omar Sívori

  Legendary Argentine-Italian footballer known for his exceptional skills and playing career in both Argentina and Italy, particularly with Juventus and River Plate.

• Feb. 20 Sandra Dee

  Sandra Dee was a prominent American actress and teenage film idol of the late 1950s and early 1960s, known for her wholesome image and roles in romantic comedies.

• Feb. 20 John Raitt

  John Raitt was a prominent Broadway musical star known for his powerful baritone voice and leading roles in classic musicals during the 1940s and 1950s. He was a significant figure in American musical theater, performing in notable productions like 'Carousel' and 'The Pajama Game'. His daughter Bonnie Raitt is also a well-known musician.

• Feb. 20 Hunter S. Thompson

  Pioneering American journalist and author who founded gonzo journalism, a radical style of first-person reporting that blurred lines between fact and fiction. His most famous works include 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' and his extensive political writing for Rolling Stone magazine.

• Feb. 21 Guillermo Cabrera Infante

  Renowned Cuban novelist and essayist who was a key figure in Latin American literature, known for his experimental writing and cultural criticism.

• Feb. 22 Simone Simon

  French actress known for her roles in classic films like 'Lac aux Dames', 'Cat People', and 'Curse of the Cat People', who was prominent in cinema during the 1940s.

• Feb. 24 Goldie Hill

  Pioneering American country music singer who helped break gender barriers in the music industry during the 1950s and 1960s.

• Feb. 24 Coşkun Kırca

  Turkish diplomat, journalist and politician (b. 1927)

• Feb. 25 Peter Benenson

  British lawyer and human rights activist who founded Amnesty International in 1961, a globally renowned organization dedicated to protecting human rights worldwide.

• Feb. 26 Jef Raskin

  Pioneering computer scientist who played a crucial role in the development of the Apple Macintosh, fundamentally transforming personal computing.