Famous people and celebrities who died on December 2

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on December 2. 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.

• 1957 Harrison Ford

  Legendary Hollywood actor known for iconic roles in Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises. He is one of the most recognizable and successful actors in cinema history. Ford has starred in numerous blockbuster films and is renowned for performing many of his own stunts.

• 1969 José María Arguedas

  Prominent Peruvian novelist, anthropologist, and poet who deeply explored indigenous Andean culture and social dynamics in his literary works.

• 1976 Danny Murtaugh

  Renowned Pittsburgh Pirates baseball manager who led the team to significant success during his career.

• 1980 Romain Gary

  Romain Gary was a remarkable French writer, diplomat, and World War II aviator who achieved the unique distinction of winning the prestigious Prix Goncourt twice under different pseudonyms, showcasing his exceptional literary talent and creativity.

• 1982 Marty Feldman

  Marty Feldman was a renowned British comedian, actor, and writer famous for his distinctive bulging eyes and memorable roles in comedy films like 'Young Frankenstein' and 'Igor'.

• 1985 Philip Larkin

  Influential British poet and novelist, considered one of the most important English poets of the 20th century. His work is characterized by its sardonic wit, psychological insight, and exploration of post-war British society.

• 1986 Desi Arnaz

  Cuban-American television pioneer, musician, and actor who co-created 'I Love Lucy' and revolutionized television production through Desilu Productions. He was a groundbreaking entertainer who successfully integrated Latin talent into mainstream American entertainment.

• 1987 Yakov Borisovich Zel'dovich

  Prominent Soviet physicist and cosmologist who made significant contributions to nuclear physics, astrophysics, and the theory of combustion. He played a crucial role in the Soviet nuclear weapons program and made groundbreaking discoveries in theoretical physics.

• 1987 Luis F. Leloir

  Nobel Prize laureate for his discovery of sugar nucleotides and their role in the biosynthesis of carbohydrates

• 1987 Luis Federico Leloir

  CHE - French-argentinian physician and biochemist, nobel prize laureate (d. 1987)

• 1990 Robert Cummings

  Robert Cummings was a prominent American actor known for his versatile career in film and television. He starred in notable movies like 'King's Row' and appeared in numerous productions during his 20-year career. Cummings was particularly known for his ability to adapt and reinvent himself in Hollywood.

• 1990 Aaron Copland

  Aaron Copland was a pioneering American composer who defined the sound of 20th-century classical music in the United States. He is renowned for iconic works like 'Appalachian Spring' and 'Fanfare for the Common Man', which captured the spirit of American landscape and culture. As a teacher at Tanglewood, he significantly influenced generations of young composers.

• 1993 Pablo Escobar

  Notorious Colombian drug lord who led the Medellín Cartel, responsible for massive cocaine trafficking and extreme violence during the 1980s and early 1990s.

• 1995 Roxie Roker

  Prominent African American actress best known for her role as Helen Willis on the groundbreaking sitcom 'The Jeffersons' and mother of musician Lenny Kravitz.

• 1999 Charlie Byrd

  Charlie Byrd was a renowned American jazz guitarist known for popularizing Brazilian bossa nova music in the United States during the 1960s.

• 2000 Gail Fisher

  American actress known for her roles in television, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s. She was the first African American woman to win an Emmy Award for a supporting role in a dramatic series.

• 2002 Achille Castiglioni

  Achille Castiglioni was a renowned Italian industrial designer who revolutionized furniture and lighting design with his innovative and influential creations. His work is celebrated in museums worldwide for its creativity and functional elegance.

• 2002 Ivan Illich

  Influential Austrian philosopher, priest, and social critic known for radical critiques of modern institutions like education and medicine, challenging conventional societal structures.

• 2004 Alicia Markova

  Renowned English ballet dancer and choreographer who was a pioneering figure in 20th-century dance. She was a principal dancer with the Ballets Russes and co-founded the English National Ballet.

• 2006 Mariska Veres

  Dutch singer who was the lead vocalist of the rock band Shocking Blue, famous for the hit song 'Venus'.

• 2008 Odetta

  Odetta Holmes was a legendary American folk singer, civil rights activist, and influential musician known as the 'Voice of the Civil Rights Movement'. She played a crucial role in the folk music revival of the 1950s and 1960s, inspiring artists like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez.

• 2010 Ron Santo

  Legendary Chicago Cubs shortstop and third baseman, known for his exceptional play and being the first MLB player with trade veto rights. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012.

• 2013 William Allain

  William Allain was the 58th Governor of Mississippi, serving as an American politician and soldier with a notable political career.

• 2014 Jean Beliveau

  Legendary Canadian ice hockey player who spent his entire 20-year NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens, winning 10 Stanley Cups and considered one of the greatest players in hockey history.

• 2014 A. R. Antulay

  Prominent Indian politician who served as the 8th Chief Minister of Maharashtra, known for his significant contributions to social work and political leadership.

• 2015 Sandy Berger

  Sandy Berger was a prominent US political figure who served as National Security Advisor to President Bill Clinton from 1997 to 2001, playing a key role in foreign policy.

• 2020 Pat Patterson

  Pioneering professional wrestler and WWE Hall of Famer, widely recognized as the first openly gay professional wrestler. He was instrumental in developing the Royal Rumble match format.