Famous people and celebrities who died on June 2
Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on June 2. 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.
- 1938 Nathanael Herreshoff
American yacht designer and naval architect who designed numerous successful racing and cruising yachts.
- 1941 Lou Gehrig
Legendary New York Yankees first baseman who became an American sports icon, known for his incredible consecutive games streak and tragic early death from ALS, now known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
- 1942 Bunny Berigan
Legendary jazz trumpeter of the swing era, Bunny Berigan was a pivotal figure in 1930s jazz music. He was renowned for his exceptional trumpet skills, innovative style, and significant influence alongside Louis Armstrong and Roy Eldridge. His remarkable tone and fearless musical approach made him a memorable jazz icon.
- 1956 Jean Hersholt
Actress (emma grand hotel, greed), is killed at 69
- 1959 Lyda Borelli
Italian actress (b. 1884)
- 1970 Bruce McLaren
Legendary New Zealand racing driver and automotive engineer who founded McLaren Racing, pioneering significant innovations in motorsport and achieving remarkable success in Formula One and sports car racing before his tragic death in a testing accident.
- 1975 Eisaku Sato
Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister from 1964 to 1972 and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1974 for his efforts in nuclear disarmament.
- 1977 Stephen Boyd
Irish-born actor known for his iconic roles in epic films like 'Ben-Hur' and 'The Fall of the Roman Empire'. He was a prominent leading man in Hollywood during the late 1950s and 1960s.
- 1981 Rino Gaetano
Iconic Italian singer-songwriter known for his satirical and politically charged music. His unique style and tragic early death made him a legendary figure in Italian music history.
- 1982 Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry
Pakistani lawyer and politician who served as the 5th President of Pakistan from 1973 to 1978, playing a significant role in the country's political landscape during a critical period.
- 1986 Aurèle Joliat
Legendary Canadian ice hockey player who played for the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL during the 1920s and 1930s. He was known for his exceptional skating skills and offensive prowess, becoming a key figure in early professional hockey.
- 1987 Sammy Kaye
Prominent American big band leader and saxophonist who was especially popular during the swing era, known for his signature 'Sweet' music style and numerous hit recordings.
- 1988 Raj Kapoor
Legendary Indian filmmaker known as the 'Showman of Bollywood' who revolutionized Hindi cinema through iconic films like Awaara and Boot Polish. He was a critically acclaimed director, actor, and producer who significantly influenced Indian cinema's global recognition during the mid-20th century.
- 1990 Rex Harrison
Legendary British actor renowned for his iconic role as Professor Henry Higgins in 'My Fair Lady'. He was a versatile performer who achieved significant success on both stage and screen, winning multiple prestigious awards including an Academy Award and three Tony Awards.
- 1990 Jack Gilford
Jack Gilford was a renowned American character actor known for his comedic roles and distinctive performances in film and theater.
- 1990 Robert Noyce
Robert Noyce was a pioneering American engineer and entrepreneur who co-founded Intel Corporation and played a crucial role in the development of the integrated circuit, fundamentally transforming modern computing technology.
- 1996 Amos Tversky
Groundbreaking Israeli-American psychologist who revolutionized understanding of human judgment and decision-making, collaborating closely with Daniel Kahneman in cognitive psychology.
- 1996 John Alton
Renowned Hungarian-American cinematographer who significantly influenced film noir visual style, known for his innovative lighting techniques in classic Hollywood films.
- 2001 Imogene Coca
Imogene Coca was a pioneering American comedic actress who rose to fame on 'Your Show of Shows', a groundbreaking television comedy series. She was known for her distinctive physical comedy, expressive face, and Emmy Award-winning performances that helped define early television comedy.
- 2008 Mel Ferrer
American actor known for roles in classic films like 'The Longest Day' and notable for his work in Hollywood during the mid-20th century.
- 2008 Bo Diddley
Legendary rock 'n' roll pioneer, influential musician, singer-songwriter, and guitarist who significantly shaped the development of rock music in the 1950s and 1960s.
- 2009 David Eddings
Renowned fantasy novelist best known for epic fantasy series like The Belgariad and The Malloreon, who significantly influenced the fantasy genre in the late 20th century.
- 2012 Richard Dawson
Richard Dawson was a charismatic British-American television host and actor, most famous for hosting the popular game show 'Family Feud' from 1976 to 1985. He was known for his witty interactions with contestants and became a beloved television personality.
- 2012 Kathryn Joosten
Beloved American actress best known for her roles in 'Desperate Housewives' and 'The West Wing', who passed away in 2012 after battling lung cancer.
- 2013 Mario Bernardi
Renowned Canadian conductor who founded the National Arts Center Orchestra in Ottawa in 1969 and became an internationally recognized musical director, performing and guest conducting across North America and Europe.
- 2014 Alexander Shulgin
Alexander Shulgin was a pioneering American chemist and pharmacologist renowned for his groundbreaking research on psychoactive compounds. He synthesized numerous hallucinogens and played a crucial role in introducing MDMA to psychotherapeutic practices. His work significantly influenced the understanding of psychedelic substances and their potential therapeutic applications.
- 2015 Irwin Rose
Renowned American biochemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2004 for his groundbreaking work on protein degradation. His research significantly advanced understanding of how cells regulate protein breakdown.
- 2017 Peter Sallis
British actor best known for his role in the Wallace and Gromit animated series and the TV show Last of the Summer Wine.
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