Famous people and celebrities who died on October 15

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on October 15. 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.

• 1564 Andreas Vesalius

  Belgian physician. he was the first great anatomist, and is one of the most famous dissectionists. he was already a master of anatomy by the time he turned twenty-five. vesalius, the author of "de humani corporis fabrica", was once embroiled in a scandal when he performed an autopsy on a body not yet dead.

• 1910 Stanley Ketchel

  American middleweight boxing champion known for his aggressive fighting style.

• 1934 Raymond Poincaré

  He was a french politician who served four terms as prime minister of france's third republic and was president during world war i.

• 1955 Fumio Hayasaka

  Renowned Japanese film composer who significantly contributed to the golden age of Japanese cinema, working with notable directors like Akira Kurosawa.

• 1960 Henny Porten

  German actress and one of the first silent film stars in germany. her father, an opera singer franz porten, or kurt stark, her first husband, directed many of her films. in 1914, she started her own production company. she worked in sound films until her career was over, but she rarely worked during the third reich era, as her second …

• 1963 Horton Smith

  Legendary American professional golfer, known as 'The Mechanical Man', who was instrumental in the early development of professional golf tournaments.

• 1964 Cole Porter

  Renowned American composer and songwriter of musicals like Kiss Me, Kate.

• 1968 Virginia Lee Burton

  Renowned children's book author and illustrator, best known for classic works like 'Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel' and 'The Little House'. She was a Caldecott Medal winner who significantly influenced children's literature in the mid-20th century.

• 1976 Carlo Gambino

  Powerful Italian-American mafia boss who led the Gambino crime family in New York City during the mid-20th century, becoming one of the most influential organized crime figures in American history.

• 1977 Ralph Truman

  British character actor known for supporting roles in classic films like Henry V and Treasure Island, with a career spanning several decades of mid-20th century cinema.

• 1978 W. Eugene Smith

  American photojournalist (b. 1918)

• 1983 Pat O'Brien

  American actor. he was a charming, gentle irish mug who played a variety of roles in heroic and humorous irish films. his films include "angels with dirty faces," 1938 and "knute rockne all american," 1940, and "some like it hot," 1960. he also appeared in the on-screen adventures, "china clipper" and "ceiling zero."

• 1987 Thomas Sankara

  Revolutionary leader and president of Burkina Faso from 1983 to 1987, known as 'Africa's Che Guevara'. He implemented radical social and economic reforms aimed at reducing poverty and promoting gender equality before being assassinated in a coup.

• 1987 Donald Wandrei

  American author and poet (b. 1908)

• 1988 Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji

  English composer, music critic, pianist and writer (b. 1892)

• 1989 Danilo Kiš

  Danilo Kiš was a prominent Yugoslav novelist and writer known for his profound literary works exploring complex themes of Jewish identity, historical trauma, and collective memory during the 20th century.

• 1990 Delphine Seyrig

  Prominent French actress known for avant-garde films like 'Last Year at Marienbad' and her work as a film director. She was an important figure in European art cinema during the 1960s and 1970s.

• 1994 Sarah Kofman

  Renowned French philosopher known for her critical work on psychoanalysis, philosophy, and feminist theory, who made significant contributions to understanding Nietzsche and Freud.

• 1996 Bernard Frank

  Prominent French orientalist and scholar specializing in Japanese culture, who made significant contributions to understanding cross-cultural studies between France and Japan.

• 2000 Konrad Bloch

  Renowned biochemist who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1964 for his groundbreaking research on cholesterol biosynthesis. His work significantly advanced our understanding of lipid metabolism and cellular processes.

• 2000 Vincent Canby

  American journalist and critic (b. 1924)

• 2008 Edie Adams

  Edie Adams was an accomplished American actress, comedian, and singer known for her work in television, film, and musical comedy.

• 2008 Jack Narz

  A prominent American game show host and television personality who was well-known for hosting popular shows like 'Dotto' and 'Video Village' during the golden age of television game shows.

• 2011 Betty Driver

  Betty Driver was a beloved English actress, singer, and author best known for her long-running role in the television series Coronation Street as Betty Turpin.

• 2012 Norodom Sihanouk

  Prominent Cambodian political leader who served as Prime Minister, Head of State, and King of Cambodia during a tumultuous period of the country's history.

• 2015 Kenneth D. Taylor

  Kenneth D. Taylor was a prominent Canadian diplomat and businessman who played a significant role during the Iran hostage crisis. He was instrumental in helping six American diplomats escape from Tehran in 1979.

• 2018 Paul Allen

  Paul Allen was a pioneering American technology entrepreneur who co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates, playing a crucial role in the personal computer revolution. He was also a significant philanthropist and investor, supporting various scientific, technological, and cultural initiatives.