Famous people and celebrities who died on February 8

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on February 8. 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.

• 1936 Charles Curtis

  31st Vice President of the United States, serving under President Herbert Hoover.

• 1956 Connie Mack

  Legendary American baseball player and manager who was a key figure in early 20th-century baseball history.

• 1957 John von Neumann

  Renowned Hungarian-American mathematician and physicist who made groundbreaking contributions to multiple scientific fields, including computer science, quantum mechanics, and game theory. He was a key figure in the Manhattan Project and is considered one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century.

• 1957 Walther Bothe

  PHY - German physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1891)

• 1972 Markos Vamvakaris

  Markos Vamvakaris was a legendary Greek rebetiko musician, renowned for his exceptional bouzouki playing and influential songwriting. He is considered a pivotal figure in the development of Greek popular music during the mid-20th century.

• 1975 Robert Robinson

  CHE - English chemist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b.1886)

• 1979 Dennis Gabor

  PHY - Hungarian-english physicist and engineer, nobel prize laureate (b. 1900)

• 1980 Nikos Xilouris

  Renowned Greek folk singer and songwriter who was a significant figure in the Greek music scene during the mid-20th century, known for his powerful voice and cultural contributions.

• 1982 John Hay Whitney

  Prominent American financier, media executive, and diplomat who served as United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom during the 1950s. He was a significant figure in publishing and investment circles.

• 1985 William Lyons

  Prominent automotive entrepreneur who co-founded Swallow Sidecar Company, which later evolved into Jaguar Cars, revolutionizing the British automotive industry in the 20th century.

• 1990 Del Shannon

  Pioneering rock and roll singer famous for his hit song 'Runaway' in 1961, who significantly influenced early rock music and experienced both musical success and legal challenges.

• 1998 Halldor Laxness

  Nobel Prize-winning Icelandic novelist who significantly influenced 20th-century literature and was the first Icelandic writer to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1955.

• 1998 Enoch Powell

  Prominent British Conservative politician known for his controversial 'Rivers of Blood' speech on immigration, influential parliamentary figure, and also a respected classical scholar, poet, and author.

• 1998 Halldór Kiljan Laxness

  Nobel Prize laureate for his vivid epic power which has renewed the great narrative art of Iceland

• 1998 Julian Simon

  Influential American libertarian economist and professor at the University of Maryland, known for his groundbreaking work on population economics and resource scarcity.

• 1999 Iris Murdoch

  Renowned Irish-British novelist and philosopher known for her complex literary works exploring moral and philosophical themes. She was a significant intellectual figure of the 20th century, writing extensively in philosophy and fiction. Her novels often combined philosophical depth with dark humor and intricate character studies.

• 2000 Derrick Thomas

  Derrick Thomas was a legendary NFL linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his extraordinary pass-rushing abilities and impactful career.

• 2002 Ong Teng Cheong

  Singaporean architect and politician who served as the 5th President of Singapore from 1993 to 2001, playing a significant role in the nation's development.

• 2004 Cem Karaca

  Influential Turkish rock musician who significantly shaped Anatolian rock music and was known for his politically charged songs during the 1960s and 1970s.

• 2004 Julius Schwartz

  Julius Schwartz was a legendary comic book and science fiction editor who played a pivotal role in shaping the DC Comics universe and nurturing many iconic superhero characters during his long career.

• 2006 Akira Ifukube

  Renowned Japanese composer famous for creating iconic film scores, particularly for the Godzilla franchise, and for his significant contributions to classical music composition.

• 2007 Anna Nicole Smith

  Iconic American model and actress known for her controversial life, Playboy career, and high-profile legal battles over her late husband's estate.

• 2017 Sir Peter Mansfield

  Nobel Prize laureate for their discoveries concerning magnetic resonance imaging

• 2020 Robert Conrad

  Prominent American television and film actor known for iconic TV series like 'Hawaiian Eye' and 'The Wild Wild West', who starred in notable films such as 'Young Dillinger' and 'Sudden Death'.

• 2021 Mary Wilson

  Iconic founding member of The Supremes, a legendary Motown girl group that revolutionized popular music in the 1960s alongside Diana Ross and Florence Ballard.