Famous people and celebrities who died on October 17

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on October 17. 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 Frederic Chopin

  Renowned Polish composer and virtuoso pianist of the Romantic era.

• 1910 Julia Ward Howe

  American poet and songwriter (b. 1819)

• 1918 Malak Hifni Nasif

  Egyptian poet and author (b. 1886)

• 1934 Santiago Ramón y Cajal

  Spanish neuroscientist, histologist, and pathologist. ramon y cajal, a spanish pathologist, histologist and neuroscientist, was the first person to propose that the neuron is the anatomical or functional unit of the nervous systems. it was largely due to his work that the neuron doctrine was eventually accepted. he is considered the father of modern neuroscience and a brilliant neuroanatomist. many …

• 1938 Karl Kautsky

  Czech-german journalist, philosopher, and theoretician (b. 1854)

• 1966 Sidney Hatch

  American soldier and runner (d. 1966).

• 1970 Pierre Laporte

  Pierre Laporte was a prominent Canadian politician and journalist who served as Deputy Premier of Quebec. He was tragically kidnapped and murdered during the October Crisis of 1970, a pivotal moment in Quebec's political history.

• 1973 Ingeborg Bachmann

  Renowned Austrian poet and philosopher who made significant contributions to post-war literature. She was a critical intellectual who explored existential themes and was deeply influenced by Martin Heidegger's philosophy. Her academic and literary work positioned her as an important figure in 20th-century European intellectual discourse.

• 1979 John Stuart

  Actor of scottish-english descent (d. 1979).

• 1983 Raymond Aron

  Raymond Aron was a prominent French intellectual who significantly contributed to political sociology, liberal theory, and Cold War analysis. He was a leading critic of totalitarian ideologies and a key figure in 20th-century French philosophical thought. Aron was known for his rigorous analysis of international relations and critique of Marxist perspectives.

• 1984 Alberta Hunter

  Alberta Hunter was an American blues singer and songwriter who had a successful career in the 1920s and 1930s.

• 1990 Ralph Abernathy

  Prominent American civil rights activist who worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr. in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, fighting for racial equality through non-violent resistance in the 1960s.

• 1993 Criss Oliva

  Renowned guitarist and songwriter for the progressive metal band Savatage, known for his exceptional guitar skills and significant contribution to the metal music scene before his tragic death in 1993.

• 1997 Larry Jennings

  Renowned American magician and magic author who significantly contributed to the art of close-up magic during the mid-20th century.

• 2001 Rehavam Ze'evi

  Israeli military and political leader who served as Tourism Minister of Israel. He was a prominent right-wing politician and a former major general in the Israel Defense Forces. Ze'evi was assassinated by Palestinian militants in 2001.

• 2001 Jay Livingston

  Renowned American songwriter and composer known for writing classic songs like 'Que Sera, Sera' and winning multiple Academy Awards for film music.

• 2002 Derek Bell

  Derek Bell was a renowned Irish traditional musician, best known as a harpist and pianist for the iconic folk band The Chieftains. He was a significant contributor to Irish traditional music and helped popularize Celtic music globally.

• 2006 Daniel Emilfork

  Chilean-French actor known for his distinctive appearance and roles in surrealist and art-house films, particularly in European cinema during the mid-20th century.

• 2007 Teresa Brewer

  Renowned American jazz and pop singer who was popular in the 1950s and known for her distinctive vocal style and hit songs.

• 2007 Joey Bishop

  Joey Bishop was a prominent American comedian, actor, and television host, best known as a key member of the legendary Rat Pack alongside Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. He was a popular entertainer during the 1950s and 1960s, known for his sharp wit and comedic timing.

• 2008 Levi Stubbs

  Legendary American soul singer and lead vocalist of the iconic Motown group Four Tops, known for his powerful baritone voice and memorable hits.

• 2009 Vic Mizzy

  Renowned American television composer famous for creating memorable theme songs for classic TV shows like 'Green Acres' and 'The Addams Family'.

• 2012 Émile Allais

  Legendary French alpine ski racer who dominated the sport in the 1930s, winning multiple world championship gold medals and revolutionizing alpine skiing techniques. He is considered a pioneer of French skiing and a significant sports icon of his era.

• 2013 Lou Scheimer

  Pioneering American animator and producer who co-founded Filmation Studios, a significant animation company that produced numerous popular TV cartoons in the 1960s and 1970s.

• 2013 Mother Antonia

  Compassionate American-Mexican nun and humanitarian activist dedicated to serving prisoners and marginalized communities.

• 2015 Danièle Delorme

  French actress and film producer, daughter of a noted painter and resistance worker. She was a prominent figure in mid-20th century French cinema, known for her versatile acting and production work.

• 2019 Elijah Cummings

  Elijah Cummings was a prominent African American politician and civil rights advocate who served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Maryland's 7th congressional district from 1996 until his death in 2019. He was known for his powerful speeches, commitment to social justice, and leadership during critical congressional investigations.

• 2019 Alicia Alonso

  Legendary Cuban prima ballerina and choreographer who founded the Cuban National Ballet and was internationally renowned for her artistic excellence and cultural contributions.

• 2024 Andrew V. Schally

  Nobel Prize laureate for their discoveries concerning the peptide hormone production of the brain