Famous people and celebrities who died on August 19

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on August 19. 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.

• 1936 Federico García Lorca

  Spanish poet and playwright, one of the leading figures of the Spanish literary movement known as the Generation of '27.

• 1967 Isaac Deutscher

  Isaac Deutscher was a prominent Marxist historian and biographer who significantly contributed to understanding Leon Trotsky's life and political legacy. His three-volume biography of Trotsky is considered a seminal work in 20th-century political literature. He was an influential intellectual who bridged scholarly analysis with political commentary.

• 1968 George Gamow

  Renowned physicist who made groundbreaking contributions to cosmology, particularly in developing the Big Bang theory and explaining the origin of chemical elements.

• 1976 Alastair Sim

  Renowned Scottish character actor famous for his versatile performances in British cinema, particularly in comedies and character roles. He is best known for his iconic portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge in 'A Christmas Carol' (1951). Sim was a highly respected actor with a distinctive comedic style.

• 1977 Groucho Marx

  Groucho marx was a legendary comedian known for his quick wit, distinctive mustache, and cigar. he gained fame as a member of the marx brothers comedy team and for hosting the television show 'you bet your life'.

• 1981 Jessie Matthews

  Prominent British actress and dancer of the 1930s, known for her musical performances in film and theater during the golden age of British entertainment.

• 1986 Hermione Baddeley

  Renowned British character actress known for her memorable roles in television series like 'Maude' and 'The Good Life', with a career spanning several decades in film and theater.

• 1993 Utpal Dutt

  Renowned Bangladeshi theater and film actor, director, and playwright who significantly influenced Bengali cultural arts in the 20th century.

• 1994 Linus Pauling

  Renowned American chemist and Nobel laureate who won Nobel Prizes in Chemistry (1954) and Peace (1962). A Stanford University professor known for groundbreaking scientific research and advocacy for vitamin C's health benefits. His interdisciplinary work significantly impacted chemistry, quantum mechanics, and molecular biology.

• 1995 Pierre Schaeffer

  Pioneering French composer and engineer who revolutionized electronic music through musique concrète, using recorded sounds as compositional material.

• 2001 Betty Everett

  American R&B and soul singer known for her hit 'The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)' and influential contributions to 1960s music.

• 2001 Donald Woods

  Donald Woods was a courageous South African journalist and anti-apartheid activist who played a significant role in exposing the injustices of the apartheid regime. His work was crucial in bringing international attention to the human rights violations in South Africa.

• 2002 Eduardo Chillida

  Internationally renowned Basque sculptor who created monumental abstract works exploring space, form, and material. His sculptures are displayed in major museums and public spaces worldwide.

• 2003 Sergio Vieira de Mello

  Prominent Brazilian UN diplomat who tragically died in a terrorist bombing in Baghdad while serving as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Iraq.

• 2005 Mo Mowlam

  Prominent British Labour Party politician who played a crucial role in the Northern Ireland peace process as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

• 2008 Levy Mwanawasa

  Third President of Zambia, a respected lawyer and politician who served from 2002 until his death in 2008, known for his anti-corruption efforts.

• 2009 Don Hewitt

  Don Hewitt was a pioneering American television producer best known for creating the groundbreaking news magazine '60 Minutes', which revolutionized television journalism and became one of the most successful and influential news programs in television history.

• 2011 Raul Ruiz

  Raul Ruiz was a renowned Chilean film director celebrated for his experimental and avant-garde cinematic style, making significant contributions to international art cinema.

• 2014 James Foley

  American journalist who was tragically kidnapped and executed by ISIS in Syria, becoming a symbol of the brutal conflict and press freedom challenges.

• 2014 Samih al-Qasim

  Renowned Palestinian poet and political activist who used his powerful poetry to highlight the Palestinian struggle and resistance against occupation.

• 2014 Simin Behbahani

  Renowned Iranian poet and women's rights activist known for her powerful and politically charged poetry that challenged social norms and advocated for human rights.

• 2016 Jack Riley

  Versatile American comedian and actor known for his work in television comedy, particularly memorable for his roles in comedy shows and films.

• 2017 Dick Gregory

  Pioneering African American comedian, civil rights activist, and social critic who used humor to challenge racial injustice and was deeply involved in political and social movements of the 1960s.

• 2019 Lars Larsen

  Danish entrepreneur who founded JYSK, a successful international retail chain specializing in home furnishings and bedding. He built a significant business empire and became a prominent billionaire in Denmark.

• 2021 Sonny Chiba

  Legendary Japanese actor and martial artist famous for his iconic roles in martial arts films, particularly the 'Street Fighter' series.