Famous people and celebrities who died in February 2015

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in February 2015. 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 Aldo Ciccolini
Aldo Ciccolini was an acclaimed Italian-French pianist, particularly renowned for his exceptional interpretations of French classical piano music.
Feb. 3 Martin Gilbert
Eminent British historian specializing in 20th-century history, Holocaust studies, and biographies, particularly known for his extensive works on Winston Churchill.
Feb. 3 Charlie Sifford
Pioneering African-American golfer who broke racial barriers in professional golf, becoming the first Black player on the PGA Tour.
Feb. 5 Val Fitch
Nobel Prize-winning physicist renowned for groundbreaking research on CP violation in particle physics, significantly contributing to our understanding of fundamental symmetries.
Feb. 5 Val Logsdon Fitch
PHY - American physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1923)
Feb. 7 Dean Smith
Legendary basketball coach who transformed the University of North Carolina's basketball program and coached numerous NBA players, including Michael Jordan.
Feb. 7 John C. Whitehead
Prominent American banker and politician who served as the 9th United States Deputy Secretary of State. He played significant roles in international diplomacy and finance.
Feb. 7 Marshall Rosenberg
Psychologist and mediator who founded the Center for Nonviolent Communication, pioneering a revolutionary approach to interpersonal conflict resolution and empathetic communication worldwide.
Feb. 9 Ed Sabol
Ed Sabol was an influential American film producer who co-founded NFL Films, revolutionizing sports documentary and archival footage of professional football.
Feb. 10 Karl Josef Becker
Karl Josef Becker was a distinguished German Jesuit cardinal and renowned theologian who made significant contributions to Catholic theological scholarship and Vatican diplomacy.
Feb. 11 Roger Hanin
Prominent French actor and film director known for the popular TV drama 'Navarro' which aired in 1989 and became a significant part of French television history.
Feb. 11 Bob Simon
Bob Simon was a renowned CBS News correspondent and war reporter, famous for his long career with '60 Minutes' and his coverage of international conflicts.
Feb. 11 Jerry Tarkanian
Jerry Tarkanian was a legendary college basketball coach known for his successful and controversial tenure, particularly with UNLV, where he transformed the basketball program.
Feb. 12 Gary Owens
Renowned American radio host and voice actor known for his distinctive comedic style and work in animation and comedy shows.
Feb. 12 David Carr
David Carr was a prominent American journalist and media columnist for The New York Times, known for his insightful and critical writing about media and culture.
Feb. 12 Mosie Lister
Prominent American gospel singer-songwriter and minister who was a member of the influential Statesmen Quartet. He made significant contributions to Christian music during the mid-20th century.
Feb. 12 Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat
Malaysian cleric and politician who served as the 12th Menteri Besar of Kelantan, a significant political figure in Malaysian Islamic politics.
Feb. 13 Stan Chambers
Stan Chambers was a renowned American television journalist and news reporter, best known for his long career with KTLA in Los Angeles. He was a pioneering broadcast journalist who covered numerous significant events during his multi-decade career.
Feb. 14 Louis Jourdan
Renowned French actor who starred in numerous Hollywood classics, known for his sophisticated charm and memorable roles in films like 'Gigi' and 'Octopussy'. He was a versatile performer who successfully transitioned between European and American cinema during the mid-20th century.
Feb. 14 Philip Levine
Renowned American poet who won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1995 for his collection 'The Simple Truth', known for his powerful working-class themes and vivid portrayal of industrial Detroit.
Feb. 16 Lesley Gore
Lesley Gore was an influential American pop singer of the 1960s, best known for her iconic hit songs 'It's My Party' and 'You Don't Own Me', which became anthems of female empowerment.
Feb. 19 Harold Johnson
Renowned American astronomer who introduced UBV photometric systems and received the Helen B. Warner Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 1956.
Feb. 20 Govind Pansare
Prominent Indian rationalist writer and activist who was assassinated for his progressive views challenging religious orthodoxy and social conservatism.
Feb. 21 Clark Terry
Renowned jazz trumpeter, composer, and music educator who significantly influenced jazz improvisation and mentored many famous musicians like Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock.
Feb. 25 Eugenie Clark
Pioneering marine biologist known as the 'Shark Lady' who made significant contributions to marine science and conservation through her extensive research on marine life.
Feb. 26 Theodore Hesburgh
Renowned Catholic priest and president of the University of Notre Dame for 35 years, who was a significant civil rights advocate and influential academic leader.
Feb. 27 Leonard Nimoy
Iconic American actor best known for portraying Spock in the original Star Trek series from 1965-1967. He was a versatile performer who made significant contributions to television, film, and theater throughout his long career.
Feb. 27 Boris Nemtsov
Prominent Russian politician and opposition leader who served as first deputy prime minister. He was assassinated in Moscow in 2015, becoming a symbol of resistance against the Putin regime.
Feb. 28 Yaşar Kemal
Renowned Turkish novelist and journalist who was a significant voice in Turkish literature, known for his powerful storytelling about rural life and social issues.