Famous people and celebrities who died in August 2016

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in August 2016. 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

• Aug. 2 Ahmed Zewail

  Nobel Prize-winning Egyptian-American chemist who made groundbreaking contributions to the field of femtochemistry, revolutionizing our understanding of chemical reactions at the molecular level.

• Aug. 9 Gerald Grosvenor

  6th Duke of Westminster, a prominent British landowner, businessman, and philanthropist who significantly influenced British aristocracy and real estate.

• Aug. 13 Kenny Baker

  Kenny Baker was a renowned English actor best known for portraying R2-D2 in the Star Wars film series. He was a key figure in the original Star Wars trilogy and worked closely with George Lucas.

• Aug. 13 Pramukh Swami Maharaj

  Influential Indian spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, known for his humanitarian work and global spiritual guidance. He was a revered guru who transformed countless lives through his teachings of peace, compassion, and personal development.

• Aug. 14 Fyvush Finkel

  Emmy Award-winning character actor known for his roles in television series like 'Picket Fences' and his work in Yiddish theater. A beloved figure in Jewish-American entertainment.

• Aug. 16 João Havelange

  Prominent Brazilian sports administrator who served as FIFA President from 1974 to 1998, significantly transforming global football's commercial landscape.

• Aug. 16 John McLaughlin

  Renowned jazz fusion guitarist and composer who played with groundbreaking bands like Mahavishnu Orchestra and collaborated with Miles Davis. A pivotal figure in jazz-rock fusion and world music, known for his innovative guitar techniques.

• Aug. 17 Arthur Hiller

  Canadian actor, director, and producer (b. 1923)

• Aug. 19 Jack Riley

  Versatile American comedian and actor known for his work in television comedy, particularly memorable for his roles in comedy shows and films.

• Aug. 22 S. R. Nathan

  S. R. Nathan was a distinguished Singaporean statesman who served as the sixth President of Singapore from 1999 to 2011, known for his significant contributions to the nation's development.

• Aug. 22 Toots Thielemans

  Belgian and american jazz musician (b. 1922)

• Aug. 24 Roger Y. Tsien

  Nobel Prize laureate for the discovery and development of the green fluorescent protein, GFP

• Aug. 24 Walter Scheel

  Prominent West German liberal politician who served as Vice Chancellor, Foreign Minister, and President of West Germany from 1974 to 1979. He played a significant role in German politics during the Cold War era.

• Aug. 25 James Watson Cronin

  Nobel Prize laureate for the discovery of violations of fundamental symmetry principles in the decay of neutral K-mesons

• Aug. 28 Juan Gabriel

  Legendary Mexican singer, songwriter, and performer who was one of the most important and influential artists in Latin American music history.

• Aug. 28 Mr. Fuji

  American professional wrestler and manager (b. 1934)

• Aug. 29 Gene Wilder

  Iconic American actor and comedian known for his brilliant comedic roles in classic films like 'Blazing Saddles', 'Young Frankenstein', and 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory'. He was a master of comedic timing and collaborated frequently with Mel Brooks and Richard Pryor.