Famous people and celebrities who died on May 20

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on May 20. 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.

• 1506 Christopher Columbus

  Italian explorer who completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean, opening the way for widespread European exploration and the eventual conquest of the Americas.

• 1940 Verner von Heidenstam

  LIT - Swedish author and poet, nobel prize laureate (b. 1859)

• 1940 Carl Gustaf Verner von Heidenstam

  Nobel Prize laureate in recognition of his significance as the leading representative of a new era in our literature

• 1947 Philipp Lenard

  PHY - Slovak-german physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1862)

• 1947 Philipp Eduard Anton von Lenard

  Nobel Prize laureate for his work on cathode rays

• 1975 Barbara Hepworth

  A pioneering British sculptor who significantly influenced modern art, known for her abstract and organic sculptural forms in stone, wood, and bronze.

• 1976 Zelmar Michelini

  Prominent Uruguayan journalist and political activist who was assassinated during the military dictatorship, known for his human rights advocacy.

• 1989 Gilda Radner

  Iconic comedian and original Saturday Night Live cast member who pioneered comedic character work and was known for her memorable characters like Roseanne Roseannadanna. She was married to actor Gene Wilder and was a beloved figure in comedy before her untimely death.

• 1989 Anton Diffring

  German actor known for his roles in international films and television, particularly in Vienna and European productions.

• 1989 John Hicks

  ECO - English economist and academic, nobel prize laureate (d. 1989)

• 1996 Jon Pertwee

  English actor best known for portraying the Third Doctor in the iconic science fiction series Doctor Who from 1970 to 1974, becoming a beloved figure in British television history.

• 1996 Janaki Ramachandran

  Janaki Ramachandran was a notable Indian physicist who made significant contributions to solid-state physics and materials science research.

• 2000 Jean-Pierre Rampal

  Renowned French classical flutist who revolutionized the flute's status as a solo concert instrument, famous for his collaboration with Claude Bolling.

• 2001 Renato Carosone

  Renato Carosone was a legendary Italian musician who revolutionized Neapolitan music with his unique blend of jazz, swing, and traditional Neapolitan songs. He was a pivotal figure in Italian popular music of the mid-20th century.

• 2002 Stephen Gould

  Renowned American paleontologist and evolutionary biologist from Harvard University, famous for his groundbreaking work on evolutionary theory and science writing. He authored influential books like 'The Mismeasure of Man' and developed the theory of punctuated equilibrium.

• 2005 Paul Ricoeur

  Influential French philosopher who made significant contributions to hermeneutics, phenomenology, and the philosophy of language, exploring complex themes of human experience and interpretation.

• 2008 Hamilton Jordan

  Influential political strategist who served as White House Chief of Staff under President Jimmy Carter. He was a key architect of Carter's presidential campaign and played a significant role in American political history.

• 2009 Lucy Gordon

  British actress and model who tragically died young, known for her roles in films like 'Spider-Man 3' and 'Serendipity'.

• 2011 Randy Savage

  Professional wrestler known as 'Macho Man', WWE Hall of Fame inductee famous for his charismatic personality and iconic wrestling style.

• 2012 Robin Gibb

  Legendary Bee Gees member and influential pop music singer-songwriter who significantly shaped the disco and pop music landscape of the 1970s.

• 2012 Eugene Polley

  Pioneering inventor who created the first wireless television remote control for Zenith Electronics, fundamentally changing home entertainment technology.

• 2012 Ken Lyons

  Ken Lyons was an American bass guitarist known for his work with the rock band 38 Special, contributing to their distinctive Southern rock sound during his career.

• 2013 Ray Manzarek

  Legendary keyboardist and co-founder of the iconic rock band The Doors, who played a crucial role in shaping the band's distinctive sound alongside Jim Morrison. He met Morrison at UCLA in 1965 and was instrumental in the band's formation and success.

• 2014 Barbara Murray

  Barbara Murray was a notable English stage and screen actress who had a significant career in British theatre and film during the mid-20th century.

• 2014 Prince Rupert Loewenstein

  A prominent Spanish-English banker and business manager best known for managing the financial affairs of the Rolling Stones for decades. He played a crucial role in the band's financial success and was a key advisor to Mick Jagger.

• 2019 Niki Lauda

  Legendary Austrian Formula One driver who survived a near-fatal crash and returned to racing, winning three world championships. He is considered one of the greatest and most courageous racing drivers in history.

• 2022 Susan Roces

  Prominent Filipino film producer and actress known for her significant contributions to Philippine cinema.

• 2022 Roger Angell

  Renowned New Yorker writer and baseball essayist who was widely considered one of the most eloquent and insightful sports journalists of the 20th century. He was a longtime fiction editor at The New Yorker and wrote extensively about baseball with remarkable literary grace. In 2014, he was awarded the J.G. Taylor Spink Award by the Baseball Hall of Fame.