Famous people and celebrities who died on May 27

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on May 27. 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.

• 1910 Robert Koch

  MED - German physician and microbiologist, nobel prize laureate (b. 1843)

• 1963 Grigoris Lambrakis

  Greek physician, politician, and human rights activist who was assassinated in 1963, becoming a symbol of resistance against political oppression in Greece.

• 1968 Little Willie John

  Influential R&B and blues singer known for hit songs like 'Fever', who tragically died young at 30 years old.

• 1969 Jeffrey Hunter

  American actor best known for playing Captain Christopher Pike in the original Star Trek pilot 'The Cage', and for roles in films like 'The Searchers'. Died young at 43 from a brain hemorrhage.

• 1975 Ezzard Charles

  Legendary heavyweight boxing champion who reigned from 1949-1951, known for his technical skill and success between Joe Louis and Rocky Marciano's eras.

• 1976 Ruth McDevitt

  Actress (jo all in the family), died at 80

• 1987 John Howard Northrop

  CHE - American biochemist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1891)

• 1988 Ernst Ruska

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

• 1989 Arseny Tarkovsky

  Renowned Russian poet and literary translator who significantly influenced 20th-century Soviet poetry. He was the father of famous film director Andrei Tarkovsky.

• 1994 Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim)

  Internationally famous English DJ, musician, and record producer better known by his stage name Fatboy Slim, a pioneer of the big beat electronic music genre.

• 1998 Minoo Masani

  Prominent Indian lawyer, politician, and socialist leader who played a significant role in India's post-independence political landscape. He was a founding member of the Swatantra Party and a vocal critic of socialist policies.

• 2000 Maurice Richard

  Maurice Richard was a legendary Canadian ice hockey player, nicknamed 'The Rocket', who revolutionized the sport with his incredible scoring ability and speed. He played right wing for the Montreal Canadiens and is considered one of the greatest hockey players in NHL history. His impact on Canadian sports culture was profound, making him a national hero.

• 2003 Luciano Berio

  Renowned Italian-American composer and music educator who founded Studio di Fonologia Musicale and significantly influenced contemporary classical music.

• 2006 Paul Gleason

  American actor known for memorable roles in films like 'The Breakfast Club' and 'Die Hard', who had a significant career in Hollywood during the 1980s and 1990s.

• 2007 Ed Yost

  Ed Yost was an American inventor who pioneered modern hot air balloon technology, revolutionizing recreational and scientific ballooning in the mid-20th century.

• 2007 Izumi Sakai

  Prominent Japanese pop singer and lead vocalist of the band ZARD, known for her significant influence in Japanese music during the 1990s and early 2000s. She tragically passed away in 2007 due to cancer, leaving a lasting legacy in Japanese pop culture.

• 2009 Clive W.J. Granger

  Nobel Prize laureate for methods of analyzing economic time series with common trends (cointegration)

• 2009 Abram Hoffer

  Pioneering Canadian psychiatrist who significantly contributed to orthomolecular medicine and alternative mental health treatments. He was a leading advocate for nutritional approaches to treating mental illness.

• 2011 Jeff Conaway

  American actor known for roles in 'Grease' and 'Taxi', who was also a musician and model in his early career. He appeared in Broadway and film, releasing a vocal album in 1980.

• 2011 Gil Scott-Heron

  Influential African American poet, musician, and author known for his powerful spoken word performances and socially conscious music that significantly impacted the civil rights and jazz poetry movements.

• 2011 Margo Dydek

  Pioneering Polish professional basketball player and coach who was known for her exceptional height and significant contributions to women's basketball, tragically passing away in 2011.

• 2013 Bill Pertwee

  English actor known for his work in British television and comedy during the mid-20th century.

• 2017 Gregg Allman

  American musician known for his work in the Allman Brothers Band.

• 2018 Gardner Dozois

  Highly acclaimed science fiction writer and editor who significantly influenced the genre through his editorial work and own writing.

• 2020 Larry Kramer

  Prominent American playwright, author, and AIDS activist who was a crucial figure in the LGBTQ+ rights movement and co-founded ACT UP, an advocacy group that fought for HIV/AIDS awareness and treatment.

• 2021 Poul Schlüter

  Prominent Danish politician who served as Prime Minister of Denmark from 1982 to 1993, leading the Conservative People's Party during a significant period of Danish political history.