October 9 birthdays and deaths:
Famous people who died on October 9:
Che Guevara
Che Guevara was a charismatic revolutionary who fought alongside Fidel Castro in the Cuban insurrection. As a physician, politician, and guerrilla leader, he played a key role in establishing socialism in Cuba and inspired the international left, becoming an iconic symbol of resistance and defiance.
Deathyear: 1967
Oskar Schindler
Oskar Schindler was a Czech-German industrialist who employed Jews during World War II, saving over 1,000 lives. Despite his questionable business ethics, Schindler's humanity shone through, earning him recognition as one of the Righteous Among the Nations.
Deathyear: 1974
Pope Pius XII
Born Eugenio Pacelli, Pope Pius XII served as the 260th Pope from 1939 until his death in 1958. Known for his diplomatic efforts during World War II, he has been both praised and criticized for his papacy, with some viewing him as a hero of charity and others as a Catholic fascist.
Deathyear: 1958
Alec Douglas-Home
Alec Douglas-Home was a Scottish-born British politician and cricketer who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1963 to 1964. He was also a skilled sportsman, representing Scotland in cricket and playing for the Marylebone Cricket Club.
Deathyear: 1995
Jan Hooks
Jan Hooks, a talented American actress and comedienne, was born in 1957. She rose to fame as a cast member on Saturday Night Live, playing notable characters like Ruth Coker Burks and the iconic Candy slice of the Sweeney Sisters.
Deathyear: 2014
Jacques Derrida
Jacques Derrida was a pioneering French philosopher and academic born in 1930 in Algiers, Algeria. He is best known for developing the philosophical movement of poststructuralism and his critiques of Western philosophy, particularly his concept of deconstruction.
Deathyear: 2004
Shirō Ishii
Shirō Ishii was a Japanese general and biologist who led Unit 731, a secret biological and chemical warfare unit. He conducted inhumane experiments on humans, resulting in thousands of deaths.
Deathyear: 1959
Alexander I of Yugoslavia
I'm happy to help! However, I must correct a mistake. There is no King Alexander I of Yugoslavia who is known as "Alexander the Unifier". The King who united the southern Slavic states is actually Peter I of Serbia, also known as Peter the Unifier.
Deathyear: 1934
Paul Hunter
Paul Hunter was a talented English professional snooker player, born in 1978. He won three World Championship titles (2001-2004) and 16 ranking titles, known for his attacking style and crowd-pleasing skills. Tragically, he passed away in 2006 at just 27, leaving a lasting legacy in the sport.
Deathyear: 2006
Jacques Brel
Jacques Brel was a Belgian singer-songwriter and actor, known for his poetic and poignant lyrics, distinctive voice, and versatility. With 80 songs to his credit, he is considered one of the most beloved and influential Belgian artists of all time.
Deathyear: 1978
Kanshi Ram
Kanshi Ram was an Indian lawyer and politician who co-founded the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in 1984. Born in 1934, he devoted his life to empowering the marginalized and underprivileged castes, becoming a champion of social justice and a significant figure in Indian politics.
Deathyear: 2006
Srihari
Srihari is a talented Indian actor, born in 1964, known for his versatility in Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam films. He has appeared in numerous movies, gaining recognition for his performances in films like "Anaganaga Oka Suryudu" and "Raja Simha".
Deathyear: 2013
Benjamin Banneker
Benjamin Banneker, a free African American, was a pioneering astronomer and surveyor. Born in 1731, he was a self-taught mathematician and astronomer who calculated the positions of stars and planets, and helped survey the newly-acquired federal territory, contributing to the District of Columbia's design.
Deathyear: 1806
Joseph Pilates
Joseph Pilates was a German-American fitness trainer who developed the Pilates method. Born in 1883, he was a contemporary of Sir Isaac Newton. Pilates believed in the importance of mental and physical preparation for peak performance.
Deathyear: 1967
Jack Daniel
Jasper Newton "Jack" Daniel was a American businessman and entrepreneur, best known for founding the Jack Daniel's whiskey brand. Born in 1849 in Lynchburg, Tennessee, Daniel created the iconic whiskey recipe and founded the Jack Daniel Distillery in 1866.
Deathyear: 1911
Geoffrey Howe
Geoffrey Howe was a British lawyer and politician who served as Deputy Prime Minister of the UK (1989-1990) and Chancellor of the Exchequer (1979-1983). Born on December 20, 1926, he played a significant role in the Margaret Thatcher government.
Deathyear: 2015
David Dukes
David Dukes was an American actor, born in 1945. He appeared in numerous TV shows and films, including "Dallas", "Twin Peaks", and "The Mountain Men". Dukes played memorable roles, leveraging his distinctive voice and captivating stage presence.
Deathyear: 2000
Herbert Ross
Herbert Ross was a renowned American director, producer, and choreographer born in 1927. He is best known for directing films like "The Hospital", "Motel Hell", and "Pennies from Heaven", showcasing his expertise in drama and comedy genres.
Deathyear: 2001
Ravindra Jain
Ravindra Jain is a renowned Indian composer and director, born in 1944. He is known for his soulful and melodious music in Hindi films, having composed for over 150 movies. His notable works include "Satte Pe Satta", "Mera Naam Joker", and "Hare Rama Hare Krishna".
Deathyear: 2015
Miriam Hopkins
Miriam Hopkins was a renowned American actress, born in 1902, who enjoyed a long and illustrious career in Hollywood. She appeared in numerous films, including "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (1931) and "The Old Maid" (1939), earning her an Academy Award nomination.
Deathyear: 1972
Ernest Louis, Grand Duke of Hesse
Ernest Louis, Grand Duke of Hesse (1868-1937), the third son of Grand Duke Louis IV, succeeded to the throne in 1892. He was ousted in the revolution of 1918 and exiled to Switzerland, where he lived until his death in 1937.
Deathyear: 1937
Clare Boothe Luce
Clare Boothe Luce, a trailblazing American author, playwright, and diplomat, was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Italy in 1953. Born in 1903, she broke barriers as the first female ambassador and an Oscar-winning screenwriter, known for her wit, charm, and diplomatic prowess.
Deathyear: 1987
Vilna Gaon
Rabbi Elijah ben Solomon Zalman (Vilna Gaon) was a prominent Lithuanian rabbi and scholar born in 1720. He was known for his vast knowledge of Talmudic and Kabbalistic studies, and his criticisms of Hasidic Judaism.
Deathyear: 1797
Andrzej Wajda
Andrzej Wajda (b. 1926) is a renowned Polish film and theatre director, known for his sensitive portrayals of the human condition. His films, such as "Man of Marble" and "Katyń", have explored the complexities of Polish history and the struggles of the human experience.
Deathyear: 2016
Ioannis Kapodistrias
Ioannis Kapodistrias was a Russian-Greek statesman who played a crucial role in modern Greek history. Born in 1776, he served as the first Governor of Greece (1828-1831) and implemented significant reforms, establishing a modern administrative system and promoting economic development in the newly independent country.
Deathyear: 1831
Al-Tirmidhi
Abu Isa Muhammad ibn Isa ibn Sawrah al-Tirmidhi was a Persian scholar and hadith compiler born in 824 CE. He authored the influential hadith collection "Jami` at-Tirmidhi" and was renowned for his strict adherence to hadith criteria and insightful commentary.
Deathyear: 892
Sammi Kane Kraft
Sammi Kane Kraft is an American actress born in 1992. She gained recognition for her roles in films like "A Nightmare on Elm Street" (2010) and "Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" (2008), showcasing her talent and potential in the entertainment industry.
Deathyear: 2012
John I of Castile
John I of Castile, also known as John of Gaunt's natural son, was born in 1358. He ascended to the throne of Castile and León in 1379 at the age of 21 and reigned until his death in 1390. Known for his military prowess, John I expanded Castilian borders.
Deathyear: 1390
Charles Guggenheim
Charles Guggenheim was a renowned American director, producer, and screenwriter, born in 1924. He produced and directed numerous documentaries and feature films, earning 12 Academy Award nominations and winning three Oscars for his work on documentaries.
Deathyear: 2002
Jean Rochefort
Jean Rochefort is a renowned French actor, born in 1930, with a prolific career spanning over 60 years. He is known for his versatility, starring in over 150 films and TV shows, including "Amitiés" and "Ridicule", earning him numerous awards and accolades.
Deathyear: 2017
Louis Nye
Louis Nye was an American actor-comedian who popularized the "Buttoned-Down Man" persona in the 1950s. Born in 1913, Nye appeared in numerous TV shows and films, often playing eccentric characters, and was a regular on various variety shows, including "The Tonight Show" and "What's My Line?"
Deathyear: 2005
Milt Jackson
Milt Jackson, a legendary jazz vibraphone player and composer, is known for his smooth, velvety tone and intricate phrasing. With a career spanning over 50 years, he's collaborated with greats like John Lewis, Charlie Parker, and Dizzy Gillespie, and has released numerous iconic albums.
Deathyear: 1999
Robert Grosseteste
Robert Grosseteste, a 13th-century English bishop and philosopher, made significant contributions to the fields of theology, philosophy, and science. Born in 1175, he was known for his original ideas about the nature of light and his work on Aristotle's philosophy.
Deathyear: 1253
Emílio Garrastazu Médici
Emílio Garrastazu Médici was a Brazilian general and politician who served as the 28th President of Brazil from 1969 to 1974. He implemented authoritarian policies and was known for his harsh suppression of political opposition and human rights abuses.
Deathyear: 1985
James Finlayson (actor)
James Finlayson was a Scottish-American actor, born in 1887. He is best known for his comedic roles in over 200 films, particularly in the Hal Roach's Our Gang series, often playing a lovable but bumbling character.
Deathyear: 1953
Harris Savides
Harris Savides was a renowned American cinematographer, best known for his work on films like "Gummo" and "Milk". Born in 1957, Savides collaborated with directors such as Gus Van Sant and Todd Haynes, earning him critical acclaim for his unique visual style.
Deathyear: 2012
Felix Wankel
Felix Wankel, a German engineer, invented the rotative combustion engine, also known as the Wankel engine, in 1961. Born in 1902, Wankel's innovative design replaced traditional pistons with a rotor, offering increased efficiency and power while reducing weight and complexity.
Deathyear: 1988
Carol Bruce
Carol Bruce was a talented American actress and singer, born in 1919. She began her career on Broadway, starring in notable shows like "All My Sons" and "The Grass Harp." She also appeared in several films, showcasing her versatility as a performer.
Deathyear: 2007