Famous people and celebrities who died on February 20

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on February 20. 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.

• 1778 Laura Bassi

  One of the first women to receive a doctorate degree and the first woman to officially teach at a university in Europe.

• 1907 Henri Moissan

  CHE - French chemist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1852)

• 1916 Klas Pontus Arnoldson

  PEA - Swedish journalist and politician, nobel prize laureate (b. 1844)

• 1936 Max Schreck

  German actor (born 1879).

• 1958 Thurston Hall

  Actor (mr schuyler topper), dies at 75

• 1961 Percy Grainger

  Australian-born composer and pianist known for his innovative musical compositions.

• 1972 Maria Goeppert-Mayer

  PHY - German-american physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1906)

• 1975 Robert Schwarz Strauss

  Prominent American lawyer and diplomat who served as United States Ambassador to Russia, playing a key role in international relations.

• 1976 Kathryn Kuhlman

  Renowned American evangelist and faith healer who significantly influenced charismatic Christianity in the mid-20th century. She was known for her powerful healing services and spiritual ministry that attracted thousands of followers. Her religious work was characterized by dramatic prayer meetings and claims of miraculous healings.

• 1976 René Cassin

  PEA - French lawyer and judge, nobel prize laureate (b. 1887)

• 1985 Clarence Nash

  Famous Disney voice actor best known for creating the iconic voice of Donald Duck, a character he voiced for over five decades until his death from leukemia in 1985.

• 1987 Wayne Boring

  Wayne Boring was a notable American comic book illustrator, particularly famous for his work on Superman comics during the Golden Age of Comics.

• 1992 Dick York

  American actor best known for playing Darrin Stephens in the classic TV sitcom 'Bewitched' from 1964 to 1969. He was forced to leave the show due to a debilitating back injury caused by a previous film stunt. York was a talented actor who significantly contributed to the popularity of the beloved supernatural comedy series.

• 1993 Ferruccio Lamborghini

  Legendary Italian industrialist who founded Lamborghini, transforming from tractor manufacturing to creating world-renowned luxury sports cars. He challenged Ferrari by designing high-performance vehicles that became iconic in automotive history. His innovative spirit revolutionized the sports car industry.

• 1996 Toru Takemitsu

  Influential Japanese composer who revolutionized contemporary classical music, blending Western avant-garde techniques with traditional Japanese musical aesthetics.

• 1999 Gene Siskel

  Renowned film critic who co-hosted the popular show 'Siskel & Ebert', revolutionizing movie criticism on television.

• 1999 Sarah Kane

  Influential British playwright who revolutionized contemporary theater with her raw, intense dramatic works before her tragic suicide.

• 2001 Donella Meadows

  Donella Meadows was a pioneering environmental scientist and sustainability expert who significantly influenced global understanding of ecological systems and limits to growth. She co-authored the influential book 'The Limits to Growth' and was a leading thinker in systems dynamics and sustainable development.

• 2003 Orville Freeman

  Prominent American politician who served as Secretary of Agriculture under President John F. Kennedy and was a key figure in Minnesota's Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.

• 2003 Maurice Blanchot

  Influential French philosopher and writer who significantly impacted poststructuralist thought, with a mysterious persona and active resistance during World War II.

• 2005 Sandra Dee

  Sandra Dee was a prominent American actress and teenage film idol of the late 1950s and early 1960s, known for her wholesome image and roles in romantic comedies.

• 2005 John Raitt

  John Raitt was a prominent Broadway musical star known for his powerful baritone voice and leading roles in classic musicals during the 1940s and 1950s. He was a significant figure in American musical theater, performing in notable productions like 'Carousel' and 'The Pajama Game'. His daughter Bonnie Raitt is also a well-known musician.

• 2005 Hunter S. Thompson

  Pioneering American journalist and author who founded gonzo journalism, a radical style of first-person reporting that blurred lines between fact and fiction. His most famous works include 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' and his extensive political writing for Rolling Stone magazine.

• 2006 Curt Gowdy

  Legendary American sportscaster known for broadcasting baseball, football, and other major sporting events during the 1960s and 1970s. He was the voice of the Boston Red Sox and a prominent figure in sports broadcasting.

• 2010 Alexander Haig

  Prominent American military and political figure who served as White House Chief of Staff, Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, and United States Secretary of State during critical Cold War years.

• 2015 Govind Pansare

  Prominent Indian rationalist writer and activist who was assassinated for his progressive views challenging religious orthodoxy and social conservatism.

• 2017 Vitaly Churkin

  Prominent Russian diplomat who played a crucial role at the United Nations, representing Russia's diplomatic interests from 2006 until his unexpected death in 2017.