Famous people and celebrities who died on February 19

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on February 19. 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 Billy Mitchell

  Born in france, an american military man who was the youngest ever general staff officer and, by 1920, a brigadier general. he was a skilled and heroic pilot and was a lifelong advocate for air power. he was the most well-known american aviator of world war i. in 1925, he was sentenced to prison for insubordination. in 1948, he received …

• 1951 André Gide

  LIT - French novelist, essayist, and dramatist, nobel prize laureate (b. 1869)

• 1952 Knut Hamsun

  LIT - Norwegian novelist, poet, and playwright, nobel prize laureate (b. 1859)

• 1980 Bon Scott

  Legendary AC/DC lead singer who tragically died at 33 from alcohol-related complications. He was a pivotal figure in hard rock music during the 1970s, known for his powerful vocal style and energetic performances.

• 1986 Adolfo Celi

  Prominent Italian character actor known for his distinctive husky voice and roles in both Italian and international cinema during the mid-20th century.

• 1988 René Char

  Influential French poet who transitioned from surrealism to resistance activism during World War II, known for his poetic exploration of nature, private experiences, and inner landscapes with a distinctive elliptical style.

• 1988 André Frédéric Cournand

  MED - French-american physician and physiologist, nobel prize laureate (b. 1895)

• 1994 Derek Jarman

  Pioneering British filmmaker known for his innovative, experimental, and visually striking cinema. He was a significant figure in independent and avant-garde film during the 1980s and early 1990s.

• 1997 Deng Xiaoping

  A pivotal Chinese leader who transformed China's economic and political landscape through market reforms, moving the country from a strict communist model towards a more open, market-driven economy. He was a paramount leader who guided China's modernization and international integration during the late 20th century.

• 2002 Virginia Hamilton

  Virginia Hamilton was a groundbreaking African American children's book author who won numerous awards for her innovative storytelling that celebrated diversity and cultural heritage.

• 2002 Sylvia Rivera

  Pioneering transgender activist who was instrumental in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, co-founding key organizations like Gay Liberation Front and Street Transgender Action Revolutionaries (STAR), advocating for marginalized transgender and drag queen communities.

• 2003 Johnny Paycheck

  Johnny Paycheck was a prominent American country music singer-songwriter known for his hit song 'Take This Job and Shove It'. He was a significant figure in outlaw country music during the 1970s and early 1980s.

• 2007 Janet Blair

  Janet Blair was a versatile American actress who transitioned from professional violinist to film and television star, known for her roles in 1940s cinema and her TV series 'The Smith Family'.

• 2007 Celia Franca

  Renowned British choreographer who founded the National Ballet of Canada, transforming the country's dance landscape. She was a prominent member of the Sadler's Wells Company and received significant national recognition, being honored as an Officer and later Companion of Canada.

• 2008 Lydia Shum

  Prominent Hong Kong actress and comedian known for her comedic roles in film and television, who was a beloved entertainment figure in the region.

• 2011 Ollie Matson

  Renowned American athlete who excelled in both sprinting and professional football, representing the United States in multiple sports disciplines.

• 2013 Armen Alchian

  Armen Alchian was a renowned American economist and professor at UCLA, widely recognized for his significant contributions to microeconomic theory and institutional economics.

• 2013 Donald Richie

  Renowned American-Japanese cultural critic, author, and expert on Japanese cinema who significantly contributed to Western understanding of Japanese culture.

• 2013 Robert Coleman Richardson

  PHY - American physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1937)

• 2014 Dale Gardner

  NASA astronaut who flew on two Space Shuttle missions, STS-8 and STS-51-A, contributing to space exploration during the 1980s.

• 2014 Valeri Kubasov

  Prominent Soviet cosmonaut and engineer who participated in multiple space missions, including the historic Apollo-Soyuz Test Project.

• 2015 Harold Johnson

  Renowned American astronomer who introduced UBV photometric systems and received the Helen B. Warner Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 1956.

• 2016 Harper Lee

  Pulitzer Prize-winning author of the classic novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird', a groundbreaking work that addressed racial injustice in the American South. She was a reclusive writer who profoundly influenced American literature.

• 2016 Samuel Willenberg

  Polish-Israeli Holocaust survivor, sculptor, and painter who documented the Treblinka extermination camp through his art. He was one of the few survivors of the Treblinka uprising.

• 2017 Larry Coryell

  Pioneering jazz fusion guitarist known for his innovative approach to jazz and rock, influencing generations of musicians with his virtuosic style and groundbreaking work.

• 2019 Karl Lagerfeld

  Iconic German-French fashion designer who led Chanel for decades and revolutionized modern haute couture with his distinctive personal style and creative vision.

• 2020 Pop Smoke

  Pop Smoke was an influential American rapper from Brooklyn who significantly impacted the drill music scene before his tragic murder in 2020, leaving a lasting legacy in hip-hop.