Famous people and celebrities who died in October 2012

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in October 2012. 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 Eric Hobsbawm
Eric Hobsbawm was a renowned British historian and intellectual who made significant contributions to social history and Marxist theory. He was a prominent member of the Communist Party and wrote extensively about the 19th and 20th-century social movements. His most famous works include 'The Age of Revolution' and 'The Age of Extremes'.
Oct. 1 Octavio Getino
Prominent Spanish-Argentinian screenwriter and film director who was an important figure in Latin American cinema. He contributed significantly to the New Latin American Cinema movement.
Oct. 2 J. Philippe Rushton
Controversial Canadian psychologist known for his research on race and intelligence, who worked at the University of Western Ontario and published extensively on human variation.
Oct. 4 Stan Mudenge
Prominent Zimbabwean historian, politician, and former Minister of Foreign Affairs who played a significant role in Zimbabwe's political landscape.
Oct. 4 David Atkinson
Canadian actor and singer (b. 1921)
Oct. 6 Nick Curran
American blues rock guitarist and producer, member of the Fabulous Thunderbirds, known for his influential work in the blues rock genre.
Oct. 8 Eric Lomax
Scottish author known for his powerful memoir 'The Railway Man', which recounts his traumatic experiences as a prisoner of war during World War II and his later journey of reconciliation.
Oct. 10 Alex Karras
Renowned NFL player for the Detroit Lions who later became a successful actor, known for his versatility in sports and entertainment.
Oct. 11 Helmut Haller
German footballer and coach (b. 1939)
Oct. 13 Gary Collins
American television host and actor who won a Daytime Emmy Award in 1984 for hosting 'Hour Magazine'. He had a varied career in television and film, appearing in movies like 'Airport' and hosting several TV series.
Oct. 13 Stuart Bell
British Labour Party politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Middlesbrough from 1983 to 2010, known for his legal background and political career.
Oct. 14 Arlen Specter
Arlen Specter was a prominent United States Senator from Pennsylvania who served from 1981 to 2011, known for his moderate Republican stance and later switching to the Democratic Party in 2009.
Oct. 15 Norodom Sihanouk
Prominent Cambodian political leader who served as Prime Minister, Head of State, and King of Cambodia during a tumultuous period of the country's history.
Oct. 17 Émile Allais
Legendary French alpine ski racer who dominated the sport in the 1930s, winning multiple world championship gold medals and revolutionizing alpine skiing techniques. He is considered a pioneer of French skiing and a significant sports icon of his era.
Oct. 18 Sylvia Kristel
Dutch actress famous for her iconic role in the 1970s erotic film series 'Emmanuelle', which made her an international sex symbol and pioneered softcore cinema.
Oct. 18 Slater Martin
A notable professional basketball player who was a key figure in the NBA during the 1950s. He played a significant role in the early development of professional basketball in the United States.
Oct. 20 John McConnell
Environmentalist and peace activist who is widely credited as a founder of Earth Day, promoting global environmental awareness and sustainability.
Oct. 20 Paul Kurtz
Prominent American philosopher, skeptic, and secular humanist who founded the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI) and played a significant role in promoting scientific critical thinking and challenging pseudoscience.
Oct. 20 E. Donnall Thomas
Nobel Prize laureate for their discoveries concerning organ and cell transplantation in the treatment of human disease
Oct. 21 George McGovern
Prominent Democratic politician who ran for U.S. presidency in 1972, known for his anti-war platform and progressive political stance. He served as a U.S. Senator from South Dakota and was a significant figure in American political history during the Vietnam War era.
Oct. 23 Sunil Gangopadhyay
Influential Indian poet, novelist, and writer who was a key figure in modern Bengali literature.
Oct. 24 Anita Björk
Renowned Swedish actress known for her powerful performances in mid-20th century cinema, with a significant career in theater and film.
Oct. 24 Margaret Osborne duPont
Margaret Osborne duPont was a legendary American tennis player who dominated women's tennis in the mid-20th century, winning an impressive 37 Grand Slam titles across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles categories.
Oct. 24 Jeff Blatnick
Olympic gold medalist wrestler from Schenectady, New York, who won gold in the 1984 Olympics and was a significant figure in American wrestling.
Oct. 25 Jacques Barzun
Renowned French-American historian, cultural critic, and author who made significant contributions to intellectual history. He was a prolific writer and influential academic at Columbia University.
Oct. 26 Arnold Greenberg
American businessman who co-founded Snapple, a popular beverage company, and played a significant role in its early success.
Oct. 27 Hans Werner Henze
Renowned German composer and music educator who significantly influenced 20th-century classical music. He was known for his innovative compositions and political engagement through music.
Oct. 31 Gae Aulenti
Renowned Italian architect, designer, and artist who significantly influenced 20th-century design. She was famous for her innovative exhibition designs and architectural projects, working with major brands like Fiat and Olivetti. Her 1976 exhibition 'Concept and Form' established her international reputation.