Famous people and celebrities who died in October 2005

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in October 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

• Oct. 2 Nipsey Russell

  Renowned African American comedian and actor known for his witty rhyming wordplay and appearances on game shows and television.

• Oct. 2 August Wilson

  Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright who profoundly documented African-American life through his powerful dramatic cycle of plays. He is considered one of the most important American playwrights of the 20th century, known for his rich character development and exploration of Black experience.

• Oct. 3 Ronnie Barker

  Beloved British comedy actor famous for his roles in classic sitcoms like 'The Two Ronnies', 'Porridge', and 'Open All Hours', which became cornerstone programs of British television comedy.

• Oct. 3 Nurettin Ersin

  Turkish general (b. 1918)

• Oct. 10 Milton Obote

  Ugandan politician and engineer who served as the second president of Uganda. He played a significant role in the country's post-colonial political landscape.

• Oct. 10 Wayne C. Booth

  American educator and critic (b. 1921)

• Oct. 11 Attilâ İlhan

  Prominent Turkish poet, novelist, and journalist known for his significant contributions to modern Turkish literature and political poetry.

• Oct. 13 Vivian Malone Jones

  Civil rights activist who courageously integrated the University of Alabama in 1963, challenging racial segregation alongside James Hood under the protection of federal marshals during the historic stand-off with Governor George Wallace.

• Oct. 20 Shirley Horn

  American jazz pianist and singer (d. 2005).

• Oct. 20 Eva Švankmajerová

  Czech painter and poet (b. 1940)

• Oct. 22 Arman

  Influential French-American visual artist who was a key member of the Nouveau Réalisme movement, known for transforming everyday objects into provocative artworks.

• Oct. 22 Tony Adams

  Irish-american actor and producer (b. 1953)

• Oct. 23 Stella Obasanjo

  First Lady of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007, wife of President Olusegun Obasanjo, known for her social welfare initiatives.

• Oct. 23 John Muth

  American economist and academic (b. 1930)

• Oct. 24 Rosa Parks

  Rosa Parks was a pivotal civil rights activist who sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott by refusing to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in 1955. Her courageous act became a defining moment in the American civil rights movement, challenging racial segregation and inspiring widespread social change.

• Oct. 24 José Azcona del Hoyo

  Honduran politician who served as President of Honduras from 1986 to 1990, known for his democratic leadership during a critical period of transition.

• Oct. 24 Mokarrameh Ghanbari

  Iranian painter (born 1928)

• Oct. 24 Joy Clements

  American soprano and actress (b. 1932)

• Oct. 24 Robert Sloman

  English actor and screenwriter (b. 1926)

• Oct. 26 Keith Parkinson

  Renowned fantasy artist known for his iconic illustrations in role-playing games and fantasy book covers, particularly famous for his work with Dungeons & Dragons and fantasy novel artwork.

• Oct. 26 George Swindin

  English footballer and manager (b. 1914)

• Oct. 28 Richard Smalley

  CHE - American chemist and academic, nobel prize laureate in 1996 for chemistry (d. 2005)

• Oct. 28 Raymond Hains

  Raymond Hains was a prominent French artist associated with the New Realism movement, known for his innovative artistic approach and significant contributions to contemporary art in the mid-20th century.

• Oct. 28 Bob Broeg

  American soldier and journalist (b. 1918)

• Oct. 28 Fernando Quejas

  Cape verdean-portuguese singer-songwriter (b. 1922)

• Oct. 28 Ljuba Tadić

  Serbian actor and screenwriter (b. 1929)

• Oct. 30 Al López

  Hall of Fame baseball manager and player who was a key figure in Major League Baseball during the mid-20th century. He managed teams like the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977.

• Oct. 31 Amrita Pritam

  Amrita Pritam was a renowned Indian poet and author who made significant contributions to Punjabi literature and was a prominent voice in 20th-century Indian writing.

• Oct. 31 Hal Anger

  American biophysicist and engineer (b. 1920)