Famous people and celebrities who died on October 12

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on October 12. 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.

• 1915 Edith Cavell

  A british nurse, she founded a school of nursing in brussels (in 1907), and became a great hero and martyr during ww1. before age 30, she had led a dull life as a governess. her dad fell ill in 1895 and she returned home to care for him. she was inspired to pursue a career in nursing.

• 1924 Anatole France

  LIT - Anatole France was a French poet, journalist, and novelist, and a Nobel Prize laureate in Literature.

• 1965 Paul Hermann Müller

  MED - Swiss chemist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1899)

• 1967 Nat Pendleton

  Olympic wrestler/actor (reckless) dies at 72

• 1969 Sonja Henie

  Legendary Norwegian figure skater who revolutionized the sport, winning three consecutive Olympic gold medals and becoming a Hollywood movie star. She transformed figure skating from a technical sport to an artistic performance and was one of the highest-paid athletes of her time.

• 1969 Serge Poliakoff

  Renowned Russian-French abstract painter who was a key figure in the post-war Lyrical Abstraction movement. He created distinctive works characterized by vibrant colors and geometric compositions. His art is represented in major international museums.

• 1977 Doris Davenport

  Actress (behind the news westerner), dies in 81

• 1978 Nancy Spungen

  Controversial figure in punk rock history, known for her tumultuous relationship with Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols and her tragic death.

• 1989 Jay Ward

  Jay Ward was an influential American animator and television producer, best known for creating iconic cartoon series like Rocky and Bullwinkle, Dudley Do-Right, and George of the Jungle.

• 1989 Carmen Cavallaro

  An American pianist known for his popular performances and recordings during the mid-20th century. Cavallaro was particularly famous for his smooth, romantic piano style and was a prominent figure in the entertainment scene of his era.

• 1991 Sheila Florance

  Australian actress in television and film (born 1916).

• 1991 Aline MacMahon

  Us actress, backdoor to heaven, dies at 92

• 1991 Arkady Strugatsky

  Influential Soviet science fiction writer who, alongside his brother Boris, significantly shaped the genre of science fiction in the USSR. Their collaborative works are renowned for their philosophical depth and innovative storytelling. They are considered among the most important science fiction authors of the 20th century.

• 1992 Ulysses Guimaraes

  Prominent Brazilian politician who served as President of the Chamber of Deputies and played a crucial role in Brazil's transition to democracy after the military dictatorship.

• 1994 Gérald Godin

  Canadian poet and politician who made significant contributions to Quebec's cultural and political landscape.

• 1996 René Lacoste

  René Lacoste was a legendary French tennis champion known for his exceptional defensive skills and ground strokes. He won multiple Grand Slam titles, including Wimbledon and French Open, and was a key member of the Davis Cup team. Beyond tennis, he became famous for founding the iconic Lacoste clothing brand with its signature crocodile logo.

• 1996 Roger Lapébie

  French professional cyclist who was a prominent competitor in the Tour de France during the 1930s, finishing 3rd in the 1934 edition after intense competition.

• 1997 John Denver

  Iconic American folk singer and songwriter who dominated the music charts in the mid-1970s, known for hits like 'Rocky Mountain High' and 'Take Me Home, Country Roads'.

• 1998 Matthew Shepard

  A young gay university student whose brutal murder became a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, highlighting hate crimes against the gay community.

• 1999 Wilt Chamberlain

  Legendary NBA player who revolutionized basketball with his extraordinary scoring and physical dominance. He is famous for scoring 100 points in a single game and being one of the most dominant centers in NBA history.

• 2002 Ray Conniff

  Renowned American bandleader, arranger, and musician famous for his innovative choral pop music style. He led the Ray Conniff Singers and was a significant figure in mid-20th century popular music.

• 2003 Bill Shoemaker

  Legendary American jockey who set multiple racing records, winning over 8,800 races and becoming the first jockey to earn over $100 million in purses.

• 2006 Gillo Pontecorvo

  Renowned Italian film director and screenwriter, best known for his politically charged films like 'The Battle of Algiers'.

• 2007 Kisho Kurokawa

  Prominent Japanese architect known for his metabolist architecture and innovative designs like the Nakagin Capsule Tower in Tokyo and contributions to the Singapore Flyer project.

• 2011 Dennis Ritchie

  Pioneering computer scientist who co-created the C programming language and was instrumental in developing the Unix operating system, fundamentally shaping modern computing.

• 2015 Joan Leslie

  Prominent Hollywood actress of the 1940s and 1950s, known for her roles in classic films and her versatility as a performer.

• 2020 Conchata Ferrell

  Well-known American actress famous for her roles in TV series like Two and a Half Men and L.A. Law, where she played memorable supporting characters.

• 2020 Roberta McCain

  Mother of US Senator John McCain, known for her strong personality and support of her son's political career. She was a prominent socialite and philanthropist.