Famous people and celebrities who died on October 18

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on October 18. 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.

• 1871 Charles Babbage

  British inventor. he is known as the "father in computing" because of his contributions to the design of the computer's basic structure through his analytical machine. his first difference engine was a device that could be used to produce tables. he is regarded as a deep thinker, having invented the first universal digital computer. babbage is responsible for the invention …

• 1893 Charles Gounod

  French composer of operas and chamber music, including choral and orchestral works and piano pieces. 1851 was the year he performed his first opera. in 1859, he wrote "faust", and "ave maria". gounod began to compose for the stage after 1860.

• 1931 Thomas Edison

  American inventor who invented over 1,000 inventions, including an electric voice recorder (1868), a phonograph (1877), an incandescent electric lamps (1879), a movie projector (1891) and a talking motion picture (1913). he was a remarkable creative genius.

• 1934 Santiago Ramón y Cajal

  MED - Spanish pathologist, histologist, and neuroscientist, nobel prize laureate (b. 1852)

• 1961 Tsuru Aoki

  American actress born in japan (born 1892)

• 1965 Henry Travers

  Actor (bells of st mary high sierra), dies at the age of 91

• 1966 Elizabeth Arden

  Canadian-american entrepreneur who owns beauty salons, spas, and sells cosmetic products. she was born in poverty and started her business with $6,000 borrowed money in 1910. it was reported that she owned race horses and had them massaged with her beauty products.

• 1973 Walt Kelly

  Renowned American cartoonist and animator, creator of the famous comic strip 'Pogo', known for his satirical and political commentary through his comic art.

• 1977 Andreas Baader

  German radical left-wing terrorist and founding member of the Red Army Faction (Baader-Meinhof Group), known for violent anti-establishment actions in West Germany during the 1970s.

• 1977 Gudrun Ensslin

  Gudrun Ensslin was a prominent German far-left terrorist and key member of the Red Army Faction (RAF), also known as the Baader-Meinhof Group. She was a radical activist who participated in terrorist bombings and was involved in the violent revolutionary movement of the 1970s. Ensslin was ultimately arrested and died in prison under controversial circumstances.

• 1978 Ramon Mercader

  Ramon Mercader was a Spanish communist and Soviet agent who assassinated Leon Trotsky in Mexico City in 1940, a pivotal moment in the history of international communist politics.

• 1982 Pierre Mendès France

  French lawyer and politician who served as the 142nd Prime Minister of France, known for his progressive reforms and commitment to democratic socialism.

• 1982 John Robarts

  John Robarts was a prominent Canadian politician who served as the 17th Premier of Ontario from 1961 to 1971. He was a key Progressive Conservative leader who significantly influenced Ontario's political landscape during the 1960s. His tenure was marked by economic development and educational reforms.

• 1984 Jon-Erik Hexum

  American actor known for his striking looks who tragically died young after an on-set accident. He was a rising star in television during the early 1980s with promising career potential before his untimely death.

• 1995 Bryan Johnson

  Entrepreneur and venture capitalist who founded Braintree and OS Fund, known for investing in cutting-edge technological innovations and futuristic startups.

• 2000 Gwen Verdon

  Legendary Broadway dancer and choreographer who overcame childhood physical challenges to become a Tony Award-winning performer. She was known for her extraordinary dance skills and performances in musicals like 'Damn Yankees' and 'Fosse'.

• 2000 Julie London

  Renowned American actress and jazz singer known for her sultry voice and hit song "Cry Me a River". She released five albums in the 1950s and appeared in several films, including "Task Force" and "On Stage Everybody".

• 2001 Micheline Ostermeyer

  Micheline Ostermeyer was an exceptional French athlete and pianist who won an Olympic gold medal in shot put and bronze medals in discus and shot put at the 1948 London Olympics. She was also a talented classical pianist and a great-niece of the famous writer Victor Hugo.

• 2006 Anna Russell

  Anna Russell was a renowned British comedic performer famous for her satirical musical performances and parodies of opera, particularly her hilarious interpretations of classical music genres.

• 2007 Lucky Dube

  Legendary South African reggae musician who recorded 22 albums in Zulu and English, becoming the country's most-sold reggae artist before his tragic murder in 2007.

• 2007 Alan Coren

  Renowned English humorist, writer, and satirist who was a prominent panelist on BBC radio and television shows.

• 2008 Dee Dee Warwick

  American soul singer and sister of Dionne Warwick, who had a notable career in R&B and soul music during the 1960s and 1970s.

• 2009 Nancy Spero

  Pioneering feminist artist known for her powerful anti-war paintings and significant contributions to the feminist art movement. Her work challenged traditional art world dynamics and highlighted women's perspectives in visual arts.

• 2010 Marion Brown

  Marion Brown was an influential American jazz saxophonist and musicologist known for his avant-garde and experimental approach to music. He collaborated with notable musicians like John Coltrane and played a significant role in the development of free jazz during the 1960s and 1970s.

• 2012 Sylvia Kristel

  Dutch actress famous for her iconic role in the 1970s erotic film series 'Emmanuelle', which made her an international sex symbol and pioneered softcore cinema.

• 2013 Tom Foley

  Prominent American politician who served as the 57th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, representing Washington state's Democratic Party.

• 2013 Bum Phillips

  Oail Andrew 'Bum' Phillips was a renowned NFL coach who led the Houston Oilers and New Orleans Saints, becoming a significant figure in professional football during the 1970s and 1980s.

• 2015 Frank Watkins

  American heavy metal bassist who played for bands Obituary and Gorgoroth, known for his significant contributions to extreme metal music.

• 2019 Mark Hurd

  Prominent business executive who served as CEO of Oracle Corporation and previously HP, known for his significant impact on enterprise technology leadership.

• 2021 Colin Powell

  Colin Powell was a groundbreaking American statesman, the first African American Secretary of State, and a highly respected four-star general who played significant roles in multiple presidential administrations.