Famous people and celebrities who died on October 21

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on October 21. 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.

  • 1904 Isabelle Eberhardt

    A swiss aristocrat, the illegitimate child of nathalie charlotte dorothee elberhardt, a woman from moscow of private means. after a difficult childhood, she fled to algeria to become a moslem. she disguised herself as an arab man and worked as a dock worker, gaining access to worlds that were not possible for a woman. she was rebellious and addicted to …

  • 1963 Józef Franczak

    Polish sergeant (b. 1918)

  • Marie McDonald
    1965 Marie McDonald

    Singer/actress (promises promises) dies from overdose at 42

  • 1969 Jack Kerouac

    Iconic Beat Generation writer who revolutionized American literature with spontaneous prose style. His novel 'On the Road' became a defining work of the Beat movement, capturing the spirit of post-war American counterculture.

  • 1970 Li Linsi

    Chinese educator and diplomat (b. 1896)

  • 1973 Nasif Estéfano

    Legendary Argentine racing driver known for his significant contributions to motorsports in South America during the 1960s and early 1970s.

  • 1977 Ferit Tüzün

    Turkish composer (b. 1929)

  • 1980 Hans Asperger

    Austrian pediatrician and medical researcher who first described Asperger's syndrome, a neurodevelopmental condition on the autism spectrum. His groundbreaking work in child psychiatry significantly advanced understanding of autism in children during the mid-20th century.

  • 1985 Dan White

    Infamous San Francisco city employee who assassinated Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk in 1978, sparking significant political and social upheaval in the city.

  • 1986 Lionel Murphy

    Lionel Murphy was a prominent Australian jurist and politician who served as the 22nd Attorney-General of Australia, making significant contributions to the nation's legal and political landscape.

  • 1990 Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar

    Indian spiritual guru, philosopher and author (b. 1921)

  • 1992 Jim Garrison

    Louisiana District Attorney famous for investigating the JFK assassination. He was a pivotal figure in challenging the official narrative of President Kennedy's murder.

  • Maxene Andrews
    1995 Maxene Andrews

    Maxene Andrews was a renowned soprano singer and key member of the Andrews Sisters, a legendary close harmony group that defined the swing and boogie-woogie era. The group sold over 75 million records and popularized hits like 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy', which significantly influenced rhythm and blues music.

  • 1995 Shannon Hoon

    Lead singer of alternative rock band Blind Melon, known for their iconic hit 'No Rain' and tragically dying of a drug overdose at the age of 28.

  • 1998 Francis W. Sargent

    Respected American politician who served as the 64th Governor of Massachusetts from 1969 to 1975, known for his moderate Republican leadership.

  • 2003 Elliott Smith

    Elliott Smith was an influential indie rock singer-songwriter who gained critical acclaim for his deeply personal and melancholic music, particularly after his Oscar nomination for the song 'Miss Misery' from the film Good Will Hunting.

  • 2006 Sandy West

    Sandy West was a pioneering female rock musician, best known as the drummer of the influential all-female rock band The Runaways, which launched the careers of Joan Jett and Lita Ford.

  • 2010 A. Ayyappan

    Indian poet and translator (b. 1949)

  • 2011 Hikmet Bilâ

    Turkish journalist and author (b. 1954)

  • 2012 George McGovern

    Prominent Democratic politician who ran for U.S. presidency in 1972, known for his anti-war platform and progressive political stance. He served as a U.S. Senator from South Dakota and was a significant figure in American political history during the Vietnam War era.

  • 2014 Ben Bradlee

    Ben Bradlee was a legendary American journalist who served as executive editor of The Washington Post during the pivotal Watergate scandal. His leadership was crucial in publishing the investigative reporting that ultimately led to President Nixon's resignation.

  • 2014 Gough Whitlam

    Prominent Australian politician who served as the 21st Prime Minister of Australia from 1972 to 1975, known for significant progressive reforms.

  • 2018 Earl Bakken

    Medical technology pioneer who co-founded Medtronic and invented the first wearable, battery-powered pacemaker. His innovation revolutionized cardiac care and saved millions of lives.

  • 2020 Frank Bough

    Prominent English journalist and television presenter known for his work on BBC's Breakfast Time and other popular programs.

  • 2021 Bernard Haitink

    Renowned Dutch conductor celebrated for his exceptional interpretations of classical symphonic works, particularly those of Mahler and Bruckner.

  • 2023 Bobby Charlton

    Legendary English footballer who was a key member of the 1966 World Cup-winning England national team and Manchester United icon.

  • 2023 Bill Hayden

    Australian politician who served as the 21st Governor-General of Australia. A significant political figure who played an important role in the country's governance.

  • 2023 Bobi

    Portuguese Rafeiro do Alentejo dog recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest dog ever recorded, living until 21 October 2023.

What Is special about October 21?

Discover what makes October 21 a memorable date