Famous people and celebrities who died on June 15

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on June 15. 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.

• 1849 James Polk

  American politician, attorney and politician. he served seven terms in congress and was governor of tennessee. his administration saw the creation of the current states ca, tx. nm. ut., nv. the union was the largest territorial conquest in american history and western colorado was included into it.

• 1965 Steve Cochran

  American film actor known for playing tough, supporting roles in B-movies during the 1940s and 1950s, who began his acting career in summer stock theater in 1939.

• 1968 Wes Montgomery

  Influential jazz guitarist known for his unique thumb-picking technique and innovative improvisational style. He significantly impacted jazz guitar playing in the 1950s and 1960s.

• 1971 Wendell Stanley

  Wendell Stanley was an American biochemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his groundbreaking work on virus isolation and crystallization, fundamentally advancing our understanding of viral structures.

• 1971 Wendell Meredith Stanley

  CHE - American biochemist and virologist, nobel prize laureate (b. 1904)

• 1984 Meredith Willson

  Renowned American composer, playwright, and musician best known for creating the iconic Broadway musical 'The Music Man'. He was a significant figure in mid-20th century American musical theater and also worked in radio and film.

• 1985 Andy Stanfield

  Andy Stanfield was an accomplished American Olympic sprinter who won gold medals in the 1952 Helsinki Games, competing in the 200-meter and 4x100-meter relay events.

• 1989 Victor French

  Victor French was an accomplished American actor and director best known for his role in the popular TV series 'Highway to Heaven'. He passed away in 1989 at the age of 54 from cancer.

• 1991 Sir Arthur Lewis

  Nobel Prize laureate for their pioneering research into economic development research with particular consideration of the problems of developing countries

• 1992 Eddie Lopat

  Prominent American baseball player, coach, and manager who played for the New York Yankees during their legendary 1940s-1950s dynasty.

• 1993 John Connally

  John Connally was a prominent Texas politician who was seriously wounded during the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, surviving multiple gunshot wounds that day.

• 1993 James Hunt

  Legendary British Formula One racing driver who won the World Championship in 1976, known for his charismatic and rebellious personality in the world of motorsports.

• 1994 Kristen Pfaff

  Bass guitarist for the alternative rock band Hole, known for her significant contribution to the album 'Live Through This' before her tragic early death.

• 1995 John Atanasoff

  Pioneering computer scientist who invented the Atanasoff-Berry Computer, a groundbreaking early electronic digital computer that significantly contributed to the development of modern computing technology.

• 1996 Ella Fitzgerald

  Ella Fitzgerald was a legendary American jazz singer known for her extraordinary vocal range, impeccable scat singing, and profound influence on 20th-century music. She was nicknamed the 'First Lady of Song' and won 13 Grammy Awards during her illustrious career. Her smooth, velvety voice and remarkable improvisational skills made her one of the most celebrated jazz vocalists of all time.

• 2002 Choi Hong Hi

  South Korean general and martial artist widely recognized as the founder of Taekwondo, who played a crucial role in developing and spreading this martial art globally.

• 2003 Hume Cronyn

  Renowned Canadian-American actor, producer, and screenwriter known for his extensive work in film, television, and theater, often collaborating with his wife Jessica Tandy.

• 2006 Raymond Devos

  Raymond Devos was a legendary Belgian-French comedian known for his surreal humor, wordplay, and poetic comedy. He was a master of linguistic comedy who influenced generations of comedians with his unique style of performance.

• 2013 Kenneth Wilson

  Kenneth Wilson was an eminent American physicist who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1982 for his groundbreaking work on critical phenomena in phase transitions.

• 2014 Casey Kasem

  Legendary American radio host who created and hosted 'America's Top 40', pioneering music countdown radio and becoming a prominent media personality with Lebanese-American roots.

• 2014 Jacques Bergerac

  French actor known for his roles in Hollywood films like 'Gigi' and 'Les Girls', who transitioned from acting to become a successful businessman.

• 2014 Daniel Keyes

  Daniel Keyes was an acclaimed American writer famous for his poignant science fiction novel 'Flowers for Algernon', which explores themes of intelligence, disability, and human transformation.

• 2015 Zhanna Friske

  Prominent Russian pop singer and media personality who was highly popular in the early 2000s and tragically passed away from brain cancer in 2015.

• 2015 Kirk Kerkorian

  Kirk Kerkorian was a legendary American business magnate who transformed Las Vegas through his strategic investments in the casino and hotel industry. Despite lacking a formal high school education, he became a billionaire and influential figure in entertainment and real estate. Forbes recognized him as one of America's wealthiest entrepreneurs.

• 2016 Lois Duncan

  Renowned American author of young adult novels, known for suspense and supernatural themes. She was a prolific writer and university instructor who significantly influenced young adult literature.

• 2023 Glenda Jackson

  Glenda Jackson was a distinguished British actress and politician who won two Academy Awards and transitioned from a successful film career to serving as a Labour Party Member of Parliament. Her remarkable versatility made her one of the most respected performers of her generation.