Famous people and celebrities who died in February 2006

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in February 2006. 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. 3 Al Lewis

  American actor and activist (b. 1923)

• Feb. 4 Betty Friedan

  Pioneering American feminist who wrote 'The Feminine Mystique' and co-founded the National Organization for Women (NOW), significantly advancing women's rights in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s.

• Feb. 5 Franklin Cover

  American television actor best known for his role in 'The Jeffersons' sitcom, playing the character Tom Willis.

• Feb. 8 Akira Ifukube

  Renowned Japanese composer famous for creating iconic film scores, particularly for the Godzilla franchise, and for his significant contributions to classical music composition.

• Feb. 8 Elton Dean

  Elton Dean was a prominent English jazz saxophonist known for his innovative work in progressive rock and jazz fusion, particularly with the band Soft Machine.

• Feb. 9 Freddie Laker

  Freddie Laker was a pioneering British airline entrepreneur who revolutionized air travel by founding Laker Airways and introducing low-cost flights. He played a crucial role in making air travel more accessible to the general public during the 1970s and 1980s.

• Feb. 10 J Dilla

  Legendary hip hop producer and rapper who profoundly influenced modern hip hop and beat-making before his early death in 2006.

• Feb. 10 Dick Harmon

  Renowned American golf instructor who trained many professional golfers and was highly respected in the golf coaching community.

• Feb. 11 Peter Benchley

  Renowned American author and screenwriter best known for writing 'Jaws', a novel that was adapted into the iconic Steven Spielberg film that revolutionized the thriller genre.

• Feb. 11 Jackie Pallo

  English wrestler and actor (b. 1926)

• Feb. 11 Ken Fletcher

  Australian tennis player (b. 1940)

• Feb. 13 Andreas Katsulas

  Greek-American actor known for significant roles in science fiction television, particularly in Babylon 5 as G'Kar.

• Feb. 13 Ilan Halimi

  Ilan Halimi was a French Jewish victim of a horrific antisemitic kidnapping and murder that deeply shocked French society in 2006, highlighting ongoing issues of racial violence.

• Feb. 13 P. F. Strawson

  English philosopher and author (b. 1919)

• Feb. 16 Ernie Stautner

  Ernie Stautner was a legendary NFL defensive tackle who played 14 seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969. Despite initial doubts about his size, he became a versatile player known for his exceptional skills on both offense and defense.

• Feb. 17 Bill Cowsill

  Bill Cowsill was a rock musician and vocalist from the Cowsills, a popular family band known for their hit 'We Can Fly' during the 1960s pop music era.

• Feb. 20 Curt Gowdy

  Legendary American sportscaster known for broadcasting baseball, football, and other major sporting events during the 1960s and 1970s. He was the voice of the Boston Red Sox and a prominent figure in sports broadcasting.

• Feb. 22 S. Rajaratnam

  Singaporean politician, 1st senior minister of singapore (b. 1915)

• Feb. 23 Telmo Zarra

  Legendary Spanish footballer who played as a striker for Athletic Bilbao and is considered one of the greatest goalscorers in Spanish football history.

• Feb. 23 Benno Besson

  Renowned Swiss-German theater director, actor, and screenwriter who significantly influenced European theatrical arts in the 20th century.

• Feb. 24 Don Knotts

  Don Knotts was an iconic American comedic actor best known for his memorable role as Deputy Barney Fife on 'The Andy Griffith Show'. He was a beloved television and film comedian who won five Emmy Awards for his outstanding comedic performances.

• Feb. 24 Dennis Weaver

  Renowned American actor best known for his roles in 'Gunsmoke' and 'McCloud', Weaver was a versatile performer who won an Emmy Award and starred in multiple television series.

• Feb. 24 Octavia Butler

  Renowned science fiction author known for groundbreaking works exploring race, gender, and social dynamics through speculative fiction.

• Feb. 24 Denis Twitchett

  Cambridge scholar and renowned Chinese historian who lived from 1925 to 2006.

• Feb. 27 Linda Smith

  Renowned English comedian and actress known for her sharp wit and stand-up comedy. She was a prominent figure in British comedy until her untimely death in 2006.

• Feb. 27 Otis Chandler

  Influential American newspaper publisher who led the Los Angeles Times from 1960, transforming it into a prominent national newspaper. He was part of a distinguished newspaper family with six generations of publishing history. Chandler was known for modernizing and expanding the newspaper's reach and reputation.

• Feb. 28 Owen Chamberlain

  Nobel Prize-winning physicist who discovered the antiproton and played a crucial role in the Manhattan Project. His groundbreaking work significantly advanced our understanding of particle physics.