Famous people and celebrities who died on August 17

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on August 17. 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.

• 1925 Ioan Slavici

  Prominent Romanian writer and journalist, known for his contributions to Romanian literature.

• 1935 Charlotte Perkins Gilman

  American feminist and author of 'The Yellow Wallpaper'.

• 1936 Pierre-Octave Ferroud

  French composer known for innovative musical works who tragically died at a young age of 36. He composed notable pieces including works exploring themes of surgery and crowds.

• 1954 Billy Murray

  Singer (denver nightengale), dies at 77

• 1963 Richard Barthelmess

  Actor (heroes for sales), passes away from cancer at the age of 68

• 1966 Ken Miles

  Legendary British racing driver and automotive engineer known for his pivotal role in Ford's racing program, particularly in the development of the GT40 that famously defeated Ferrari at Le Mans.

• 1969 Otto Stern

  PHY - German physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1888)

• 1971 Maedayama Eigorō

  The 39th Yokozuna in sumo wrestling, a highly respected rank in traditional Japanese sport, who was active in the mid-20th century.

• 1979 Vivian Vance

  Beloved American actress famous for her role as Ethel Mertz on the iconic sitcom 'I Love Lucy', which revolutionized television comedy in the 1950s. She was a key part of one of the most successful and influential comedy shows in television history.

• 1979 John C. Allen

  Pioneering American roller coaster designer who significantly influenced the amusement park industry during the mid-20th century. He was renowned for designing innovative and thrilling roller coaster structures that set new standards in theme park engineering.

• 1987 Carlos Drummond de Andrade

  Renowned Brazilian poet who is considered a pivotal figure in 20th-century Brazilian literature, known for his modernist style and profound social commentary.

• 1987 Rudolph Hess

  Nazi official who served as Adolf Hitler's Deputy Führer in the Nazi Party.

• 1988 Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq

  Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq was a prominent Pakistani military general and politician who served as the President of Pakistan from 1978 to 1988. He came to power through a military coup and significantly influenced Pakistan's political and social landscape during his authoritarian rule.

• 1988 Franklin Delano Roosevelt Jr.

  Franklin Delano Roosevelt Jr. was an American lawyer, politician, and son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives.

• 1990 Pearl Bailey

  Pearl Bailey was a renowned African American entertainer who excelled in vaudeville, nightclubs, films, and music. She was a versatile performer known for her exceptional singing, dancing, and comedic talents across multiple entertainment platforms.

• 1992 Barbara Morgan

  Barbara Morgan was a NASA astronaut and educator who was selected as a backup for Christa McAuliffe in the Teacher in Space Project. She later became a mission specialist and flew aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour in 2007, continuing her commitment to space exploration and education.

• 1993 Robert Maynard

  Pioneering African American journalist who broke racial barriers in media, becoming the first black national correspondent for the Washington Post and later owner of the Oakland Tribune.

• 1993 Feng Kang

  Prominent Chinese mathematician and physicist who made significant contributions to scientific research during the 20th century.

• 1994 Luigi Chinetti

  Renowned Italian-American race car driver and businessman who significantly contributed to motorsports, particularly in Ferrari racing circuits during the mid-20th century.

• 1995 Ted Whitten

  Ted Whitten was a prominent Australian rules football player and later a respected sports journalist, known for his significant contributions to the sport in Australia.

• 1998 Władysław Komar

  Władysław Komar was a renowned Polish shot putter and actor who competed in the 1960s and 1970s. He was an Olympic athlete and later transitioned into acting, becoming a notable personality in Polish sports and entertainment.

• 2004 Thea Astley

  Acclaimed Australian novelist who won multiple literary awards for her insightful works exploring Australian social dynamics and rural life.

• 2005 John N. Bahcall

  Renowned American astrophysicist who made significant contributions to astronomy, particularly in the development of the Hubble Space Telescope.

• 2006 Shamsur Rahman

  Prominent Bangladeshi poet and journalist who significantly contributed to Bengali literature during the 20th century, known for his influential works and cultural impact.

• 2007 Bill Deedes

  Bill Deedes was a prominent British Conservative politician, journalist, and editor of The Daily Telegraph, known for his significant contributions to journalism and public life.

• 2010 Francesco Cossiga

  Prominent Italian politician who served as the 8th President of Italy and played a crucial role in the country's political transition during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

• 2010 Edwin Morgan

  Influential Scottish poet and translator known for his experimental and innovative poetry, who significantly contributed to contemporary Scottish literature.

• 2012 Patrick Ricard

  French business leader who led Pernod Ricard, a major global liquor and wine group, succeeding his father Paul Ricard, the company's founder.

• 2015 Yvonne Craig

  Yvonne Craig was an American actress and dancer best known for her iconic role as Batgirl in the 1960s Batman television series, which made her a pop culture icon of the era.

• 2015 László Paskai

  Hungarian cardinal who served an important role in the Catholic Church during the late 20th century.