Famous people and celebrities who died on April 27

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on April 27. 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.

• 1813 Zebulon Pike

  American explorer and soldier who led the Pike Expedition, which explored the southwestern United States and discovered Pikes Peak.

• 1932 Hart Crane

  American writer. he was a brilliant, mystical poet, and at 25 was a serious alcoholic. his health was in decline. his greatest works include "white buildings", 1926, and "the bridge", 1930.

• 1937 Antonio Gramsci

  Antonio Gramsci was an Italian Marxist philosopher and politician, known for his theory of cultural hegemony and his analysis of the role of culture in political and social change.

• 1965 Edward R. Murrow

  Edward R. Murrow was a pioneering American broadcast journalist who revolutionized news reporting during World War II and the early television era. He was renowned for his courageous war correspondence and critical reporting during the McCarthy era. His work significantly shaped modern broadcast journalism.

• 1969 René Barrientos

  Bolivian military officer and politician who served as the 55th President of Bolivia, known for his significant political and military career during the mid-20th century.

• 1972 Kwame Nkrumah

  Kwame Nkrumah was a pivotal African leader who led Ghana to independence in 1957 and became its first president. He was a key figure in the Pan-African movement and advocated for the political and economic liberation of African nations from colonial powers. His political philosophy of African socialism and commitment to continental unity made him one of the most influential …

• 1980 Mario Bava

  Pioneering Italian film director who significantly influenced the horror and giallo genres, known for his innovative cinematography and visual style.

• 1992 Olivier Messiaen

  Olivier Messiaen was a groundbreaking 20th-century French composer renowned for his innovative musical style that blended natural sounds, spiritual themes, and complex rhythmic structures. He was particularly famous for incorporating bird songs and non-Western musical traditions into classical compositions. His work profoundly influenced modern classical and avant-garde music.

• 1992 Gerard K. O'Neill

  Renowned American physicist and space scientist who pioneered concepts of space colonization and proposed the design for large rotating space habitats known as O'Neill cylinders.

• 1995 Willem Frederik Hermans

  Renowned Dutch author, poet, and playwright known for his influential literary works and critical perspectives.

• 1996 William Colby

  Prominent CIA director and decorated World War II veteran who played significant roles in US intelligence and diplomatic services across multiple global regions. His career spanned critical Cold War periods, serving in key intelligence positions in Europe and Asia.

• 1996 Gilles Grangier

  Prominent French film director who created 55 films between 1943 and 1985, notably working with Jean Gabin and winning awards at international film festivals.

• 1998 Carlos Castaneda

  Renowned Peruvian-American anthropologist and author who wrote influential books about shamanism and indigenous Mexican spiritual practices.

• 1998 Dominique Aury

  French writer and intellectual who authored the groundbreaking erotic novel 'Story of O' under the pseudonym Pauline Réage.

• 1999 Al Hirt

  Legendary jazz trumpeter from New Orleans known for his exceptional trumpet skills and significant contributions to jazz music. Nicknamed 'The Greatest Horn in the World', he was a prominent figure in the New Orleans jazz scene.

• 1999 Cyril Washbrook

  Cyril Washbrook was a prominent English cricketer who played for Lancashire and England during the mid-20th century. He was a skilled right-handed batsman known for his consistent performances in Test cricket. Washbrook was an important figure in English cricket between the 1930s and 1950s.

• 2002 George Alec Effinger

  Acclaimed American science fiction author known for innovative and award-winning works in speculative fiction.

• 2002 Ruth Handler

  Co-founder of Mattel and inventor of the Barbie doll, a revolutionary toy that transformed the global toy industry. She was a pioneering businesswoman who created an iconic brand that became a cultural phenomenon. Her innovation reshaped how children play and perceive dolls.

• 2005 Red Horner

  Red Horner was a prominent Canadian professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman in the National Hockey League (NHL) during the 1930s and 1940s, primarily with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

• 2007 Mstislav Rostropovich

  World-renowned cellist, conductor, and musical pedagogue who was considered one of the greatest cellists of the 20th century. He was also a prominent human rights activist and close friend of composers like Shostakovich.

• 2009 Frankie Manning

  Legendary African American dancer and choreographer who was a pivotal figure in the Lindy Hop swing dance movement during the Harlem Renaissance era. He was instrumental in developing and popularizing the dance style at the Savoy Ballroom in New York City.

• 2011 Marian Mercer

  Accomplished Broadway actress and singer who won a Tony Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1969 for her role in 'Promises, Promises'. She was a notable performer in stage productions during the late 1950s and 1960s.

• 2015 Gene Fullmer

  Renowned American boxer who was world middleweight champion from 1957 to 1963, known for his powerful fighting style and significant achievements in professional boxing.

• 2015 Verne Gagne

  Legendary American professional wrestler and football player who became a prominent wrestling trainer and promoter.

• 2017 Vinod Khanna

  Prominent Bollywood actor who was a major star in the 1970s and 1980s, known for his versatile acting and charismatic screen presence. He later transitioned into politics, serving as a Member of Parliament.

• 2020 Eavan Boland

  Renowned Irish poet who significantly contributed to contemporary poetry, publishing over 30 works and pioneering new perspectives in Irish literature.

• 2023 Jerry Springer

  Jerry Springer was a controversial British-American talk show host known for his sensationalist television program that often featured dramatic confrontations between guests.