Famous people and celebrities who died in February 2008

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in February 2008. 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 Beto Carrero

  Brazilian actor and businessman (b. 1937)

• Feb. 2 Barry Morse

  Canadian actor, director, and screenwriter known for his versatile work in theater, film, and television, with a career spanning several decades.

• Feb. 2 Joshua Lederberg

  Joshua Lederberg was a renowned American microbiologist who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 1958 for groundbreaking research in bacterial genetics. His work with Edward Tatum revolutionized understanding of genetic recombination in bacteria. He was a pivotal figure in microbiology and genetics research.

• Feb. 2 Katoucha Niane

  Prominent Guinean model and author known for her advocacy against female genital mutilation and her literary works exploring African women's experiences.

• Feb. 5 Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

  Renowned Indian spiritual leader who popularized Transcendental Meditation globally, influencing numerous celebrities and introducing meditation techniques to the Western world.

• Feb. 6 Tony Rolt

  British race car driver and engineer who competed in motorsports during the mid-20th century, contributing to automotive engineering and racing development.

• Feb. 9 Christopher Hyatt

  American occultist and author (b. 1943)

• Feb. 9 Jazeh Tabatabai

  Iranian avant-garde poet, sculptor and painter. (born 1931)

• Feb. 10 Roy Scheider

  Roy Scheider was a prominent American actor famous for his iconic roles in 'Jaws' and 'The French Connection', two landmark films of the 1970s. He was known for his intense performances and memorable characters in Hollywood cinema.

• Feb. 11 Frank Piasecki

  Frank Piasecki was a pioneering American helicopter designer and aviation engineer who made significant contributions to vertical flight technology. He founded several aircraft companies and developed innovative helicopter designs during the mid-20th century.

• Feb. 11 Tom Lantos

  Hungarian-American politician who served as a Democratic Representative from California, known for his human rights advocacy and Holocaust survival.

• Feb. 12 David Groh

  American actor (b. 1939)

• Feb. 13 Kon Ichikawa

  Japanese director, producer, and screenwriter (b. 1915)

• Feb. 15 Johnny Weaver

  American wrestler and sportscaster (b. 1935)

• Feb. 18 Alain Robbe-Grillet

  French novelist, filmmaker, and literary theorist who pioneered the Nouveau Roman movement, challenging traditional narrative structures and emphasizing the physical experience of reality over psychological interpretation.

• Feb. 18 Sir Richard Knowles

  British politician (born 1917)

• Feb. 19 Lydia Shum

  Prominent Hong Kong actress and comedian known for her comedic roles in film and television, who was a beloved entertainment figure in the region.

• Feb. 19 Yegor Letov

  Russian singer and song writer (born 1964).

• Feb. 20 Emily Perry

  English actress and dancer (b. 1907)

• Feb. 21 Ben Chapman

  American actor (b. 1928)

• Feb. 21 Sunny Lowry

  First british woman to swim in the english channel (born in 1911).

• Feb. 23 Paul Frère

  Paul Frère was a renowned Belgian motorsport journalist and racing driver who competed in Formula One and won the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1952. He was known for his technical expertise and contributions to automotive journalism.

• Feb. 23 Janez Drnovšek

  Janez Drnovšek was a prominent Slovenian politician who served as the second President of Slovenia, playing a crucial role in the country's transition to democracy and international recognition.

• Feb. 25 Hans Raj Khanna

  Indian judge and advocate; upholder of civil liberties (b. 1912)

• Feb. 27 Ivan Rebroff

  Ivan Rebroff was a renowned German singer famous for his exceptional vocal range and performances of Russian folk songs. He was a versatile artist who performed across multiple genres including classical, opera, and international folk music. His remarkable career spanned over 6,000 concerts, demonstrating extraordinary stamina even in his later years.

• Feb. 27 William F Buckley

  William F. Buckley was a prominent American conservative intellectual who significantly shaped modern conservative political thought through his influential magazine National Review and his intellectual discourse.

• Feb. 29 Janet Kagan

  American author (born 1946)

• Feb. 29 Akira Yamada

  Japanese scholar and philosopher (b. 1922)