Famous people and celebrities who died on February 17

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

• 1715 Antoine Galland

  Famous for translating 'One Thousand and One Nights' into French.

• 1901 Ethelbert Nevin

  American composer and musician, whose image appeared on a ten-cent american stamp. his music was poetic and rich in color, starting with his first piece at age 13. his song "the rosary" is his most famous.

• 1909 Geronimo

  Renowned Apache leader known for his resistance against Mexican and American expansion.

• 1946 Dorothy Gibson

  American singer and actress (d. 1946).

• 1961 Nita Naldi

  Actress (dr jekyll and mr hyde) dies at 63 from a heart attack

• 1966 Hans Hofmann

  German/us painter (search for the real), reaches 85 years old.

• 1968 Donald Wolfit

  Renowned British theatre actor and director known for bringing Shakespeare to wider audiences and performing in numerous films during the mid-20th century. He was a significant figure in British theatre and cinema, with notable performances in films like 'Drake of England' and 'Svengali'. His career is believed to have inspired Albert Finney's character in 'The Dresser'.

• 1970 Alfred Newman

  Renowned Hollywood film composer who won nine Academy Award nominations and significantly influenced film music during the mid-20th century. He composed scores for over 200 films and was a pivotal figure in the Golden Age of Hollywood film music.

• 1970 Shmuel Yosef Agnon

  LIT - Ukrainian-israeli novelist, short story writer, and poet, nobel prize laureate (b. 1888)

• 1982 Thelonious Monk

  Legendary jazz pianist and composer who revolutionized bebop music, known for his unique improvisational style and influential compositions. He was a key figure in the development of modern jazz during the mid-20th century, performing and recording with many other jazz greats.

• 1982 Lee Strasberg

  Influential acting coach and key figure in method acting, who trained numerous Hollywood stars and revolutionized acting techniques in the 20th century.

• 1982 Nestor Chylak

  Prominent Major League Baseball umpire who officiated in the American League from 1954 to 1978, known for his professionalism and respected by players and managers.

• 1987 Verree Teasdale

  Actress (skyscraper souls)

• 1989 Lefty Gomez

  Legendary New York Yankees pitcher who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Gomez was a key player during the Yankees' golden era, known for his exceptional pitching skills and contributions to the team's success.

• 1990 Jean-Marc Boivin

  Renowned French mountaineer and adventurer known for extreme skiing, speleology, and documentary filmmaking. Pioneered innovative approaches in mountain exploration and adventure sports.

• 1994 Randy Shilts

  Renowned for his investigative journalism and advocacy for LGBTQ rights.

• 1996 Hervé Bazin

  Renowned French novelist celebrated for his insightful and humorous works exploring family dynamics and social relationships. His literary contributions were widely recognized, with his novels translated into thirty languages.

• 2004 José López Portillo

  Mexican politician and lawyer who served as the 51st President of Mexico from 1976 to 1982. His presidency was marked by significant economic growth and initial political reforms towards democratization, including the first papal visit by John Paul II.

• 2005 Omar Sívori

  Legendary Argentine-Italian footballer known for his exceptional skills and playing career in both Argentina and Italy, particularly with Juventus and River Plate.

• 2006 Bill Cowsill

  Bill Cowsill was a rock musician and vocalist from the Cowsills, a popular family band known for their hit 'We Can Fly' during the 1960s pop music era.

• 2010 Kathryn Grayson

  Renowned MGM musical actress and singer who was a prominent Hollywood star during the 1940s and 1950s, known for her charming screen presence and musical performances in classic films.

• 2012 Robert Carr

  British Conservative politician who served as Home Secretary and Leader of the House of Commons during the 1970s, playing a significant role in UK politics during a transformative period.

• 2012 Ulric Neisser

  Ulric Neisser was a pioneering German-American psychologist known as the 'father of cognitive psychology' who made groundbreaking contributions to understanding human perception and memory.

• 2013 Richard Briers

  Renowned British actor famous for his comedic roles in television series like 'The Good Life' and 'Ever Decreasing Circles', who also performed in Shakespearean stage productions.

• 2013 Mindy McCready

  Mindy McCready was a prominent American country music singer who rose to fame in the 1990s with hit songs like 'Guys Do It All the Time', known for her tumultuous personal life and musical career.

• 2013 Debbie Ford

  Influential self-help author and spiritual teacher who wrote transformative books about personal growth and shadow work.

• 2014 Bob Casale

  American musician, guitarist, and producer, member of the influential band Devo.

• 2016 Mohamed Hassanein Heikal

  Prominent Egyptian journalist, political commentator, and influential writer who was a close confidant of President Gamal Abdel Nasser and played a significant role in shaping Egypt's political narrative during the mid-20th century.

• 2021 Rush Limbaugh

  Rush Limbaugh was a highly influential conservative radio host who dominated political talk radio for decades. His controversial and polarizing show shaped conservative media discourse in the United States.