Famous people and celebrities who died on August 15

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on August 15. 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.

• 1935 Wiley Post

  Wiley Post was a pioneering American aviator who set multiple flight records.

• 1936 Grazia Deledda

  LIT - Italian novelist and poet, nobel prize laureate (b. 1871)

• 1966 Jan Kiepura

  Jan Kiepura was a renowned Polish tenor and actor, famous for his performances in opera, operetta, and film during the early to mid-20th century. He was particularly celebrated for his powerful voice and charismatic screen presence. Kiepura starred in numerous international productions and was a significant cultural figure in Poland and Europe.

• 1971 Paul Lukas

  Actor kim, berlin express, dies at 76 from heart failure

• 1975 Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

  Founding father and first president of Bangladesh, a pivotal political leader who played a crucial role in the country's independence and formation.

• 1982 Hugo Theorell

  Hugo Theorell was a renowned Swedish biochemist who made significant contributions to enzyme research. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1955 for his groundbreaking work on understanding the chemical mechanisms of enzymes. His research laid important foundations for modern biochemistry and enzyme studies.

• 1982 Axel Hugo Theodor Theorell

  Nobel Prize laureate for his discoveries concerning the nature and mode of action of oxidation enzymes

• 1982 Ernie Bushmiller

  Ernie Bushmiller was an influential American cartoonist best known for creating the popular comic strip 'Nancy'. His minimalist and geometric style became iconic in the world of newspaper comics, influencing generations of cartoonists with his unique approach to humor and visual storytelling.

• 1989 Minoru Genda

  Minoru Genda was a prominent Japanese military officer, strategic pilot, and politician who played a significant role in Japan's military history during World War II.

• 1990 Viktor Tsoi

  Legendary Russian rock musician, lead singer of the iconic band Kino, who became a cultural hero in the Soviet Union and died tragically in a car accident in 1990.

• 1992 Giorgio Perlasca

  Italian diplomat and humanitarian who saved approximately 5,000 Jews during the Holocaust by posing as a Spanish diplomat in Budapest. His courageous actions during World War II were recognized decades later, earning him the title 'Righteous Among the Nations'.

• 1994 Wout Wagtmans

  Dutch professional cyclist who competed in the Rome-Naples-Rome race in 1957, known for his achievements in mid-20th century cycling.

• 1994 Shepherd Mead

  Shepherd Mead was an American author known for his book 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.'

• 1997 Ida Gerhardt

  Renowned Dutch post-symbolist poet and respected translator who specialized in translating Latin and Hebrew poetry. Her work significantly contributed to the Dutch literary landscape of the 20th century.

• 2000 Lancelot Ware

  Lancelot Ware was an English barrister and biochemist who co-founded Mensa, the high IQ society, in 1946. He played a pivotal role in establishing an organization for intellectually gifted individuals.

• 2001 Kateryna Yushchenko

  Pioneering Ukrainian computer scientist who made significant contributions to programming languages and computer science in the Soviet era.

• 2004 Sune Bergström

  MED - Swedish biochemist and academic, nobel prize laureate (d. 2004)

• 2004 Amarsinh Chaudhary

  Indian politician who served as the 8th Chief Minister of Gujarat from 1994 to 1995. He was a prominent figure in state politics during the mid-1990s.

• 2007 Richard Bradshaw

  Prominent English conductor and musical director known for his significant contributions to classical music and opera performances.

• 2007 Sam Pollock

  Legendary Canadian ice hockey executive who played a pivotal role in building the Montreal Canadiens dynasty during the 1970s.

• 2008 Jerry Wexler

  Legendary music producer who played a pivotal role in the development of rhythm and blues and rock and roll, working with iconic artists like Aretha Franklin and Bob Dylan.

• 2013 Jacques Vergès

  Renowned French lawyer known for defending controversial clients like Klaus Barbie and Carlos the Jackal. A resistance fighter during World War II, he was a prominent left-wing advocate who graduated top of his law class in 1954.

• 2013 Sławomir Mrożek

  Renowned Polish playwright, cartoonist, and writer known for his absurdist works that critically examined political and social themes. He was an influential figure in 20th-century avant-garde literature.

• 2013 Rosalía Mera

  Spanish businesswoman and co-founder of Inditex and Zara, who played a crucial role in building a global fashion empire.

• 2014 Licia Albanese

  Renowned Italian-American soprano and actress who had a distinguished career in opera, particularly at the Metropolitan Opera.

• 2015 Julian Bond

  Prominent civil rights leader and politician who served in the Georgia state legislature and as chairman of the NAACP, working to revitalize the organization and advance social justice.

• 2021 Gerd Müller

  Gerd Müller was a legendary German footballer known as 'Der Bomber' for his extraordinary goal-scoring prowess. He scored 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga matches and was crucial to Bayern Munich's and Germany's success in the 1970s. He is considered one of the greatest strikers in football history.