Discover the most famous people who died on January 27. The list includes people like Francis Drake, John Hurt, Nellie Bly, J. D. Salinger, Giuseppe Verdi. Famous personalities featured on this list, include political leaders, actors, poets and emperors & kings and from other domains of life. This list includes people from United States, France, Germany & United Kingdom and many more countries.
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Birthdate: May 19, 1946
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Coulommiers, France
Died: 1993
André the Giant was one of the most popular French wrestlers ever to appear in WWF. He stood over seven feet tall due to a condition aptly called gigantism, but used his condition to gain popularity. Also an actor, André the Giant continues to be one of the most recognizable faces in the world, several years after his death.
Birthdate: January 22, 1940
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England, UK
Died: 2017
John Hurt is best remembered for his Academy Award-nominated performances in Midnight Express and The Elephant Man. His death scene in Alien is considered one of the most memorable in history. He lent his voice to The Lord of The Rings and appeared in the Harry Potter and Hellboy films.
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Cloris Leachman(Actress and Comedienne Known for Role as ‘Phyllis Lindstrom’ in the TV Sitcom ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’)
Birthdate: April 30, 1926
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Died: 2021
Cloris Leachman is an actress and comedian. One of the most decorated American actresses of all time, Cloris Leachman has won several prestigious awards in an illustrious career spanning more than seven decades; she is the most awarded actress in the history of Emmy Awards, along with Julia Louis-Dreyfus. She has also received an Oscar and a Golden Globe Award.
Birthdate: April 3, 1926
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Mitchell, Indiana, United States
Died: 1967
Gus Grissom was the second U.S. astronaut to fly into space. The Distinguished Flying Cross-winner had fought in World War II and the Korean War before being part of Mercury-Redstone 4 and Project Gemini. He died during a pre-launch test of the Apollo 1 mission, along with two colleagues.
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Nellie Bly(Journalist and Writer Known for Her Record-Breaking Trip Around the World in 72 Days)
Birthdate: May 5, 1864
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Cochrans Mills, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: 1922
Nellie Bly was an American industrialist, journalist, inventor, and charity worker. She is remembered for her circumnavigation of the world in 72 days. She is also known for pioneering a new kind of investigative journalism as she worked undercover from within a mental institution to report on the institution. Nellie Bly’s life and work have inspired several works of art.
Birthdate: May 9, 1950
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Blue Island, Illinois, United States
Died: 2007
Marcheline Bertrand was an American actress. The former wife of Jon Voight and the mother of Angelina Jolie, Marcheline Bertrand had a brief acting career. She had a greater impact as a humanitarian as she co-founded an organization called All Tribes Foundation in an attempt to provide economic and cultural benefits to Native Americans.
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J. D. Salinger(American Author Best Known for His Novel 'The Catcher in the Rye')
Birthdate: January 1, 1919
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Manhattan, New York, United States
Died: 2010
J. D. Salinger is best remembered for his controversial novel The Catcher in the Rye, which was banned in many school libraries due to its sexual content. His other notable works include the anthology Nine Stories and the novella Hapworth. He spent much of his life in seclusion.
8
Giuseppe Verdi(One of the Greatest Opera Composers of the 19th Century)
Birthdate: October 10, 1813
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Le Roncole, Italy
Died: 1901
Legendary Italian opera composer Giuseppe Verdi is best remembered for his masterpieces such as Requiem, Rigoletto, Falstaff, and Otello. He was also briefly associated with the Risorgimento movement meant to unify Italy and thus composed many choruses reflecting the spirit. He was inspired by composers such as Bellini and Donizetti.
Birthdate: October 26, 1911
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Died: 1972
Mahalia Jackson was an American singer. During her career, which spanned four decades, Jackson played a major role in popularizing gospel blues in black churches across the United States. Regarded as one of the 20th century's most influential vocalists, Mahalia Jackson is credited with inspiring rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and soul singing styles.
Birthdate: May 25, 1926
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Nelson, Georgia, United States
Died: 1994
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
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Pete Seeger(American Folk Singer Best-Known for His Songs: ‘Where Have All the Flowers Gone?’ & ‘Turn! Turn! Turn!’)
Birthdate: May 3, 1919
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: New York City, United States
Died: 2014
Pete Seeger was an American social activist and folk singer. Seeger believed that the power of music could bring about a social change, an ideology that reflected on his works. Through his music, Seeger expressed his support towards counterculture, civil rights, environmental rights, international disarmament, and workers rights.
Birthdate: March 30, 1926
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Pjätteryd, Sweden
Died: 2018
In 2004, Swedish business tycoon and IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad stunned everyone to beat Bill Gates in the race for world’s wealthiest person. He showed his entrepreneurial streak as a kid when he made profits from selling matches. He founded IKEAwith a cash reward he got from his father.
Birthdate: November 8, 0030
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Narni, Italy
Died: 0098
Nerva was the Roman emperor from 96 to 98. He was aged 66 when he ascended the throne, after serving other emperors for several decades. Even though he ruled for just 15 months, historians consider him a wise and moderate emperor. He selected Trajan as his heir, thus ensuring a peaceful transition of power after his death.
Birthdate: September 28, 1836
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Waterside, Thorne, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom
Died: 1910
Birthdate: March 18, 1932
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Reading, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: 2009
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Louis de Funès(Actor)
Birthdate: July 31, 1914
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Courbevoie, France
Died: 1983
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
Birthdate: June 4, 1867
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Askainen, Finland
Died: 1951
Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim was a Finnish statesman and military leader who served as the leader of the White Guard during the Finnish Civil War of 1918. He also played a key role during World War II where he served as the Chief of Defense of Finland's defense forces. Thanks to his achievements, Mannerheim is regarded as Finland's greatest statesman.
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John James Audubon(US Artist and Ornithologist Known for His Drawings of North American Birds)
Birthdate: April 26, 1785
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Les Cayes
Died: 1851
American artist and ornithologist John James Audubon is remembered mostly for his illustrations of North American birds. Born as an illegitimate child in France, he later moved to the US and then to Canada, for business, but ended up documenting birds. His best-known work is the pioneering ornithological work The Birds of America.
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Humayun(2nd Emperor of the Mughal Empire)
Birthdate: March 6, 1508
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Kabul, Afghanistan
Died: 1556
Humayun was the second emperor of the Mughal Empire, which ruled over South Asia for nearly two centuries. At the time of his demise, the empire spanned nearly one million square kilometers. The expansion of the empire under Humayun’s reign helped his son Akbar establish a substantial legacy of his own.
20
Jack Paar(Actor)
Birthdate: May 1, 1918
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Canton, Ohio, United States
Died: 2004
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
21
Ed White(Engineer)
Birthdate: November 14, 1930
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: San Antonio, Texas, United States
Died: 1967
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Zelda Rubinstein(Actress)
Birthdate: May 28, 1933
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Died: 2010
Height: 4'3" (130 cm)
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Lilli Palmer(Actress)
Birthdate: May 24, 1914
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Poznań, Poland
Died: 1986
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Roger B. Chaffee(American Aviator, Naval Officer, NASA Astronaut, and Aeronautical Engineer)
Birthdate: February 15, 1935
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Grand Rapids
Died: 1967
Roger B. Chaffee was an American aviator, naval officer, NASA astronaut, and aeronautical engineer. In 1963, Chaffee was chosen by NASA to be part of Astronaut Group 3, a group of 14 astronauts selected for the Apollo and Gemini program. In 1983, Roger B. Chaffee was made an inductee of the International Space Hall of Fame.
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Jacobo Árbenz(Politician, Military personnel)
Birthdate: September 14, 1913
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Quetzaltenango
Died: 1971
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Howard Zinn(American Historian, Playwright, Philosopher and World War II Veteran)
Birthdate: August 24, 1922
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Died: 2010
Born into a Jewish working-class, immigrant family in Brooklyn, Howard Zinn was initially dragged into communism. He was part of the U.S. Army during World War II and later established himself as a historian. Of his many books, the most popular has been A People's History of the United States.
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John Farrow(Film Director Best Known for His Films: 'Wake Island' and 'Around the World in Eighty Days')
Birthdate: February 10, 1904
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Sydney, Australia
Died: 1963
Born into a dressmaker’s family, John Farrow went from being a sailor to a world-renowned filmmaker. Apart from his Oscar-winning screenplay of Around the World in Eighty Days, he was also known for his numerous affairs. He later married actor Maureen O'Sullivan, and had seven children, including actor Mia Farrow.
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Bartolomeo Cristofori(Italian Musical Instrument Maker Known for Inventing the Piano)
Birthdate: May 4, 1655
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Padua, Italy
Died: 1731
29
Emmanuelle Riva(French Actress Best Known for Her Roles in the Films 'Hiroshima Mon Amour' and 'Amour')
Birthdate: February 24, 1927
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Cheniménil, France
Died: 2017
Emmanuelle Riva was a French actress best remembered for her portrayal of Anne Laurent in the 2012 romantic drama film Amour for which she won the prestigious César Award as well as a BAFTA Award. Riva achieved national recognition when she played the lead role in the 1959 film Hiroshima mon amour for which she earned a BAFTA Award nomination.
30
Mort Walker(Comics artist, Writer)
Birthdate: September 3, 1923
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: El Dorado, Kansas, United States
Died: 2018
31
Salvador Laurel(The 8th Vice-President and the 5th Prime Minister of the Philippines)
Birthdate: November 18, 1928
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Paco, Manila, Philippines
Died: 2004
The 8th vice-president of the Philippines, Salvador Laurel had also served as the country’s 5th prime minister. Initially part of the New Society Movement, he later joined the multi-party UNIDO alliance. A Yale alumnus, he also had a successful career as a lawyer, before he stepped into politics.
32
Galla Placidia(Queen)
Birthdate: 0392 AD
Birthplace: Constantinople
Died: 0450
Birthdate: July 28, 1915
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Greenville, South Carolina, United States
Died: 2015
34
Isaac Babel(Russian Author and Journalist Who Is Remembered for His Iconic Short Story Collections)
Birthdate: July 13, 1894
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Odesa, Ukraine
Died: 1940
Russian author Isaac Babel was a reporter before plunging into full-time writing. He is remembered for his short story collections Red Cavalry and Odessa Stories. One of his most popular stories was The Story of My Dovecote. He was part of the Soviet 1st Cavalry Army as Kiril Lyutov and documented the Polish-Soviet War.
Birthdate: January 16, 1931
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Wuppertal, Germany
Died: 2006
Johannes Rau was a German politician (SPD) who served as the president of Germany from 1999 until 2004. Previously, he had been the minister-president of North Rhine-Westphalia from 1978 to 1998. He identified himself as a patriot, and his maxim was "to reconcile, not divide". He was awarded the Leo Baeck Medal for his humanitarian work in 2001.
36
Gene McFadden(Singer)
Birthdate: January 28, 1949
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Olanta, South Carolina, United States
Died: 2006
37
Rudolf Christoph Freiherr von Gersdorff(Military personnel)
Birthdate: March 27, 1905
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Lubin
Died: 1980
Rudolf Christoph Freiherr von Gersdorff was an officer in the German Army who participated in a failed assassination plot against Hitler. He was one of the few German military anti-Hitler plotters who were able to escape alive. After the war, he worked in the US Army Historical Division and dedicated his later life to charity.
38
Endre Ady(One of the Greatest Hungarian Poets of the 20th Century)
Birthdate: November 22, 1877
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Ady Endre, Romania
Died: 1919
Endre Ady was a Hungarian poet and journalist. Widely regarded as the 20th century's greatest Hungarian poet, Ady is credited with introducing a new, modern style of poetry, breaking away from the folksy style of Sándor Petőfi, which was widely followed by Hungarian poets at that time. In 1947, a postage stamp featuring Ady's likeness was issued by Hungary.
39
Thomas Sopwith(Aircraft designer)
Birthdate: January 18, 1888
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Kensington, England
Died: 1989
40
Oskar Homolka(Austrian Actor)
Birthdate: August 12, 1898
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Vienna, Austria
Died: 1978
One of the many Austrian actors who escaped to the US to flee the Nazi regime, Oskar Homolka mostly played villains, many of them being spies, military officers, and scientists. His portrayal of Uncle Chris in the American drama film I Remember Mama earned him an Academy Award nomination.
41
Friedrich Gulda(Austrian Pianist and Composer)
Birthdate: May 16, 1930
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Vienna, Austria
Died: 2000
42
Betty Lou Keim(Actress)
Birthdate: September 27, 1938
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Malden, Massachusetts, United States
Died: 2010
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
43
Samuel Hood, 1st Viscount Hood(Politician)
Birthdate: December 12, 1724
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Butleigh
Died: 1816
44
Ramaswamy Venkataraman(8th President of India and Lawyer)
Birthdate: December 4, 1910
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Rajamadam, Madras, India
Died: 2009
Ramaswamy Venkataraman was an Indian independence activist, lawyer, and politician. He served as the eighth president of the country from 1987 to 1992. His five-year term as the president witnessed the emergence of coalition politics in India. Prior to becoming the President, he also served as the Union Finance Minister and Defence Minister.
45
Erich Heckel(Painter)
Birthdate: July 31, 1883
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Döbeln, Germany
Died: 1970
46
Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies(Actress)
Birthdate: January 25, 1891
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: London, England
Died: 1992
47
Erich Kleiber(A Remarkable Conductor of Mozart, Beethoven and Richard Strauss and an Advocate of New Music)
Birthdate: August 5, 1890
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Vienna, Austria
Died: 1956
Austrian conductor Erich Kleiber rose to prominence conducting several 20th-century works, particularly compositions made by Mozart, Richard Wagner, Beethoven, and Richard Strauss. Reputed for his interpretations of the classics, Kleiber held important positions in Germany, including as musical director of Berlin State Opera before leaving the country protesting against oppressive policies of the Nazi Party, and settling inBuenos Aires.
Birthdate: June 23, 1910
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Died: 2008
Religious leader Gordon B. Hinckley was the oldest President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). He built countless temples and also reconstructed the Nauvoo Illinois Temple. The Presidential Medal of Freedom winner was the son of LDS leader and religious speaker Bryant S. Hinckley.
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Ashikaga Yoshimasa(8th ShōGun of the Ashikaga Shogunate (1449 - 1474))
Birthdate: January 20, 1436
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
Died: 1490
Ashikaga Yoshimasa, a significant figure of the Ashikaga shogunate, ushered in a cultural renaissance in Japan. While he later wished to pass on his authority to his younger brother, his wife demanded their son be made the successor, and the succession dispute eventually led to the Ōnin War.
50
Queen Maria José of Savoy(Queen)
Birthdate: August 4, 1906
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Ostend, Belgium
Died: 2001
Known as the May Queen for her 34-day stint as the queen of Italy, Queen Maria José of Savoy was the wife of Umberto II, the last Italian king. Following the fall of the monarchy, she went into exile in Switzerland. She also penned several books and worked for the Red Cross.
