Famous people and celebrities who died in October 2009

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in October 2009. 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. 1 Cintio Vitier

  Cuban essayist and poet (born in 1921)

• Oct. 3 Reinhard Mohn

  Reinhard Mohn was a visionary German media entrepreneur who transformed Bertelsmann from a small publishing house into a global media powerhouse, overcoming his World War II experiences.

• Oct. 4 Mercedes Sosa

  Legendary Argentine folk singer known as 'La Negra', who was a prominent figure in Latin American music and Nueva Canción movement.

• Oct. 4 Günther Rall

  Günther Rall was a distinguished German Luftwaffe fighter pilot during World War II, recognized as one of the most successful fighter pilots in military history. He was a highly decorated officer who survived numerous aerial combat missions and later became a general in the post-war German military.

• Oct. 4 Gerhard Kaufhold

  German footballer (b. 1928)

• Oct. 5 Israel Gelfand

  Internationally acclaimed mathematician who made groundbreaking contributions to functional analysis, group theory, and various branches of mathematics, influencing generations of mathematicians worldwide.

• Oct. 6 Douglas Campbell

  Scottish-canadian actor and screenwriter (b. 1922)

• Oct. 7 Irving Penn

  Irving Penn was a renowned American photographer who significantly influenced 20th-century fashion and portrait photography, working extensively for Vogue magazine.

• Oct. 9 John Daido Loori

  American zen buddhist monastic and teacher (b. 1931)

• Oct. 9 Horst Szymaniak

  German footballer (b. 1934)

• Oct. 10 Stephen Gately

  Stephen Gately was an Irish singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as a member of the pop group Boyzone, who tragically passed away in 2009.

• Oct. 11 Angelo DiGeorge

  Renowned American physician who made important contributions to endocrinology and medical research.

• Oct. 14 Collin Wilcox

  Respected American mystery novelist known for realistic police procedural novels featuring Lt. Frank Hastings and innovative storytelling techniques.

• Oct. 14 Lou Albano

  American professional wrestler (b. 1933)

• Oct. 15 Heinz Versteeg

  Dutch-german footballer (b. 1939)

• Oct. 17 Vic Mizzy

  Renowned American television composer famous for creating memorable theme songs for classic TV shows like 'Green Acres' and 'The Addams Family'.

• Oct. 18 Nancy Spero

  Pioneering feminist artist known for her powerful anti-war paintings and significant contributions to the feminist art movement. Her work challenged traditional art world dynamics and highlighted women's perspectives in visual arts.

• Oct. 18 Adriaan Kortlandt

  Dutch ethologist and biologist (b. 1918)

• Oct. 19 Joseph Wiseman

  Canadian-American actor known for his versatile roles in film and theater, with a notable career spanning several decades.

• Oct. 19 Howard Unruh

  Infamous American mass murderer known for the Camden massacre of 1949, where he killed 13 people in a single shooting spree, becoming one of the first documented mass shootings in U.S. history.

• Oct. 22 Soupy Sales

  Soupy Sales was an iconic American comedian who revolutionized television comedy with his zany humor and famous pie-throwing routines, becoming a beloved entertainer of early TV.

• Oct. 22 Don Lane

  Renowned American-Australian entertainer who was a popular television host and singer. He was a significant media personality in Australia during the 1970s and 1980s.

• Oct. 26 George Naʻope

  American singer and dancer (b. 1928)

• Oct. 27 David Shepherd

  Renowned British wildlife artist famous for his passionate conservation work and iconic animal paintings, particularly his celebrated 'Tiger Fire' piece. He authored several books documenting his artistic journey and wildlife experiences.

• Oct. 27 John David Carson

  American actor (b. 1952)

• Oct. 28 Taylor Mitchell

  Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist (b. 1990)

• Oct. 30 Claude Lévi-Strauss

  Renowned French anthropologist and ethnologist who was a key founder of structural anthropology. He revolutionized social sciences by analyzing cultural systems through underlying structural patterns. His seminal works like 'Tristes Tropiques' and 'The Raw and the Cooked' profoundly influenced anthropological and philosophical thinking.

• Oct. 31 Qian Xuesen

  Renowned Chinese academic and aerodynamicist who made significant contributions to rocket science and aerospace engineering.

• Oct. 31 Tom Wheatcroft

  English businessman, founded the donington grand prix exhibition (b. 1922)

• Oct. 31 Mustafa Mahmud

  Egyptian physician and author (b. 1921)