Famous people and celebrities who died on January 27

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on January 27. 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.

• 1922 Nellie Bly

  Nellie Bly was an American journalist who was famous for her record-breaking trip around the world in 72 days, in emulation of the fictional journey in Jules Verne's novel 'Around the World in Eighty Days'.

• 1940 Isaac Babel

  Isaac Babel was a Russian short story writer, journalist, playwright, and literary translator, known for his lyrical style and depictions of Jewish life in early 20th-century Russia.

• 1967 Gus Grissom

  NASA astronaut and one of the original Mercury Seven, tragically killed during the Apollo 1 pre-launch test in 1967.

• 1967 Edward White

  Pioneering NASA astronaut who became the first American to perform a spacewalk during the Gemini 4 mission. He was a significant figure in early space exploration and made groundbreaking contributions to human spaceflight.

• 1969 Charles Winninger

  Actor charlie farrell, dies at 82

• 1971 Jacobo Árbenz

  Guatemalan military officer and political leader who served as president of Guatemala, known for his progressive reforms and subsequent CIA-backed overthrow.

• 1972 Mahalia Jackson

  Legendary gospel singer who profoundly influenced American music and the civil rights movement, transforming gospel into a powerful cultural expression.

• 1978 Bharat Bhushan

  Renowned Indian film actor who was a prominent figure in Hindi cinema during the golden age of Bollywood in the 1940s and 1950s, known for his versatile acting and memorable performances.

• 1983 Louis de Funès

  Legendary French comic actor known for his exaggerated facial expressions and comedic roles in numerous popular films during the 1960s and 1970s.

• 1986 Lilli Palmer

  Renowned German-born actress who had a successful international career in film and theater, known for her beauty, talent, and marriages to Rex Harrison and Carlos Thompson.

• 1986 Nikhil Banerjee

  Nikhil Banerjee was a legendary Indian classical sitar player who significantly contributed to Hindustani classical music. He was a disciple of the famous Allauddin Khan and was known for his exceptional mastery of the sitar. Banerjee is considered one of the greatest sitar players of the 20th century.

• 1987 Norman McLaren

  Pioneering Canadian animator known for experimental film techniques who won an Academy Award in 1953 for his groundbreaking short film 'Neighbours'. He significantly influenced animation art through innovative visual and sound approaches.

• 1988 Massa Makan Diabaté

  Massa Makan Diabaté was a prominent Malian historian, author, and playwright who made significant contributions to West African literature and cultural documentation.

• 1994 Claude Akins

  Claude Akins was a prominent American character actor known for his distinctive voice and roles in westerns, war films, and television series like 'Sheriff Lobo'.

• 1995 Jean Tardieu

  Jean Tardieu was a prominent French intellectual and artist who excelled as a playwright, poet, novelist, and television director. He was a notable scholar who translated Goethe's works and received the prestigious Poetry Grand Prix in 1972. His literary contributions included notable works like 'Pages of Writing' and 'Darkness of the Day'.

• 2000 Friedrich Gulda

  Renowned Austrian classical and jazz pianist, known for his innovative and unconventional approach to music performance and composition.

• 2004 Jack Paar

  Pioneering American television talk show host who significantly influenced late-night entertainment in the 1950s and 1960s, preceding Johnny Carson.

• 2009 John Updike

  Renowned American novelist and literary craftsman, best known for his 'Rabbit' series and Pulitzer Prize-winning works. He was a prolific writer who explored themes of suburban American life with exceptional prose style.

• 2010 J D Salinger

  J.D. Salinger was an iconic American novelist best known for his groundbreaking novel 'The Catcher in the Rye', which profoundly influenced 20th-century literature and youth culture.

• 2010 Howard Zinn

  Howard Zinn was a prominent American historian, author, and political activist who revolutionized historical narrative by focusing on marginalized perspectives in his groundbreaking book 'A People's History of the United States'.

• 2014 Pete Seeger

  Legendary American folk singer, songwriter, and social activist who played a crucial role in the American folk music revival and civil rights movement.

• 2015 Charles Townes

  Charles Townes was a pioneering American physicist who revolutionized quantum electronics and played a crucial role in the development of the laser. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1964 for his groundbreaking work, which had profound implications for scientific research and technological innovation.

• 2016 Carlos Loyzaga

  Legendary Filipino basketball player known as the 'Big Difference', who significantly influenced Philippine basketball during the 1950s and 1960s. He was a key member of the national team and considered one of the greatest Filipino basketball players of all time.

• 2017 Emmanuelle Riva

  Renowned French actress known for her powerful performances in cinema, including her Oscar-nominated role in 'Amour' (2012). She was a significant figure in French New Wave cinema and international film.

• 2018 Mort Walker

  Renowned American cartoonist who created the iconic comic strip 'Beetle Bailey', which became a globally recognized humor series about military life.

• 2018 Ingvar Kamprad

  Swedish entrepreneur who founded IKEA, revolutionizing affordable furniture retail globally and becoming one of the world's most successful business innovators.

• 2021 Cloris Leachman

  Acclaimed American actress known for her iconic role in 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' and her Oscar-winning performance in 'The Last Picture Show'. She was a versatile talent with multiple Emmy Awards and a significant impact on television and film.