Famous people and celebrities who died on April 21

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on April 21. On this day, we honor the lives and legacies of notable figures from various fields who left an indelible mark on the world. Explore our list to learn about their remarkable contributions and celebrate their enduring impact.

• 1910 Mark Twain

  Mark Twain was a renowned American author known for his classic novels such as 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' and 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'.

• 1961 James Melton

  American operatic tenor, of pneumonia at 56

• 1965 Sir Edward Victor Appleton

  Nobel Prize laureate for his investigations of the physics of the upper atmosphere especially for the discovery of the so-called Appleton layer

• 1973 Ursula Jeans

  British actress known for her work in early to mid-20th century cinema, with a notable performance in the film 'I Lived with You'.

• 1973 Kemal Tahir

  Significant Turkish novelist and journalist who made important contributions to Turkish literature, known for his social realist works exploring historical and social themes.

• 1978 Sandy Denny

  Influential British folk-rock singer and songwriter, best known for her work with Fairport Convention. She was a pivotal figure in the British folk-rock movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Her tragic death at a young age came after a fatal accident at her home.

• 1985 Tancredo Neves

  Prominent Brazilian politician who was elected president in 1985 but died before taking office, marking a critical moment in Brazil's transition from military dictatorship to democracy.

• 1985 Foster Hewitt

  Foster Hewitt was a pioneering Canadian sports broadcaster who played a crucial role in developing radio broadcasting in Canada. He is particularly famous for his hockey play-by-play commentary and is considered a legendary figure in Canadian sports media.

• 1986 Salah Jahin

  Renowned Egyptian poet, playwright, and composer who made significant contributions to Arabic literature and cultural arts.

• 1991 Willi Boskovsky

  Distinguished Austrian violinist and conductor who made significant contributions to classical music performance and interpretation.

• 1992 Vaino Linna

  Väinö Linna was a prominent Finnish novelist best known for his war novel 'The Unknown Soldier', which is considered a classic of Finnish literature. He significantly contributed to understanding Finland's military history and national identity through his powerful storytelling.

• 1996 Zora Arkus-Duntov

  Belgian-born American engineer who revolutionized the Chevrolet Corvette and is widely known as the 'Father of the Corvette'.

• 1996 Robert Hersant

  Prominent French media entrepreneur who built a significant regional newspaper empire, starting with L'Auto Journal and expanding through strategic acquisitions.

• 1998 Jean-François Lyotard

  Influential French post-structuralist philosopher and literary theorist, best known for his groundbreaking work on postmodernism, particularly 'The Postmodern Condition'.

• 1999 Charles 'Buddy' Rogers

  American actor and musician (born in 1904)

• 2000 Neal Matthews Jr.

  American country and gospel singer known for his work with the Jordanaires, a prominent vocal group in country and rock music history.

• 2003 Nina Simone

  Nina Simone was a groundbreaking African American singer, pianist, and civil rights activist who blended multiple musical genres including soul, blues, jazz, and gospel. Her powerful voice and emotionally charged performances made her an iconic figure in 20th-century music. She was particularly known for her civil rights anthems and unique interpretations of classic songs.

• 2004 Mary McGrory

  Renowned Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who covered major political events for over five decades, providing critical insights into American political landscape from the McCarthy hearings to the Iraq War.

• 2005 Gerry Marshall

  Renowned English race car driver known for his significant contributions to motorsports during the late 20th century. He competed in various racing series and was respected in the automotive racing community.

• 2010 Gustav Lorentzen

  Gustav Lorentzen was a distinguished Norwegian thermodynamicist who made significant contributions to cooling and heating technologies by discovering innovative CO2 applications in thermal engineering.

• 2010 Juan Antonio Samaranch

  Influential Spanish sports administrator who served as the seventh president of the International Olympic Committee from 1980 to 2001, significantly modernizing and globalizing the Olympic movement.

• 2011 Elisabeth Sladen

  Renowned British actress best known for her iconic role as Sarah Jane Smith in the BBC science fiction series Doctor Who, spanning multiple decades.

• 2013 Shakuntala Devi

  Known as the 'Human Computer', Shakuntala Devi was a renowned Indian mathematical prodigy famous for her extraordinary mental calculation abilities. She could perform complex mathematical calculations at an incredible speed, making her a global sensation in mathematics and mental arithmetic.

• 2014 Win Tin

  Prominent Burmese journalist and politician who co-founded the National League for Democracy, a key opposition party in Myanmar's struggle for democratic reform. He was a significant political activist who spent many years in prison for his pro-democracy efforts.

• 2014 Herb Gray

  Canadian politician who served as Deputy Prime Minister and was the longest-serving Member of Parliament in Canadian history.

• 2016 Prince (musician)

  Prince was a legendary musician, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who revolutionized pop, rock, and funk music with his innovative style and extraordinary musical talent.

• 2016 Lonnie Mack

  Influential American blues-rock guitarist and singer-songwriter who significantly impacted guitar playing styles in rock and blues music.

• 2017 Ugo Ehiogu

  Ugo Ehiogu was a prominent English professional footballer who played as a defender for Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, and the England national team. He later transitioned into coaching and tragically passed away in 2017 from a heart attack.