Died On January 27th

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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 1 
André the Giant
(French Professional Wrestler Known for His Great Size)
André the Giant
221
Listed In: Sportspersons
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.

 2 
John Hurt
(Actor)
John Hurt
20
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.
 3 
Cloris Leachman
(Actress and Comedienne Known for Role as ‘Phyllis Lindstrom’ in the TV Sitcom ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’)
Cloris Leachman
13
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.

 4 
Nellie Bly
(Journalist and Writer Known for Her Record-Breaking Trip Around the World in 72 Days)
Nellie Bly
34
Listed In: Miscellaneous
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.

 5 
J. D. Salinger
(American Author Best Known for His Novel 'The Catcher in the Rye')
J. D. Salinger
24
Listed In: Writers
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. 
 6 
Gus Grissom
(Fighter Pilot, Test Pilot and Astronaut)
Gus Grissom
111
Listed In: Miscellaneous
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.

 7 
Marcheline Bertrand
(American Actress and Former Wife of Actor ‘Jon Voight’)
Marcheline Bertrand
14
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.

 8 
Giuseppe Verdi
(One of the Greatest Opera Composers of the 19th Century)
Giuseppe Verdi
7
Listed In: Musicians
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.

 9 
Mahalia Jackson
(Singer, Television Personality)
Mahalia Jackson
20
Listed In: Singers
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.

 10 
Claude Akins
14
Birthdate: May 25, 1926
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Nelson, Georgia, United States
Died: 1994
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 11 
Pete Seeger
(American Folk Singer Best-Known for His Songs: ‘Where Have All the Flowers Gone?’ & ‘Turn! Turn! Turn!’)
Pete Seeger
9
Listed In: Singers
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.

 12 
Ingvar Kamprad
(Founder of IKEA)
Ingvar Kamprad
15
Listed In: Business People
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 IKEA with a cash reward he got from his father.
 13 
Nerva
(Roman Emperor)
Nerva
7
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.

 14 
Thomas Crapper
(Businessman)
Thomas Crapper
2
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: September 28, 1836
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Waterside, Thorne, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom
Died: 1910
 15 
John Updike
(Poet, Novelist)
John Updike
4
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: March 18, 1932
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Reading, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: 2009
 16 
Louis de Funès
(Actor)
Louis de Funès
1
Birthdate: July 31, 1914
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Courbevoie, France
Died: 1983
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
 17 
Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim
(6th President of Finland (1944 - 1946))
Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim
11
Listed In: Leaders
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.

 18 
John James Audubon
(US Artist and Ornithologist Known for His Drawings of North American Birds)
John James Audubon
4
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.

 19 
Humayun
(2nd Emperor of the Mughal Empire)
Humayun
25
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)
Jack Paar
5
Birthdate: May 1, 1918
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Canton, Ohio, United States
Died: 2004
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 21 
Ed White
(Engineer)
Ed White
4
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: November 14, 1930
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: San Antonio, Texas, United States
Died: 1967
 22 
Zelda Rubinstein
(Actress)
Zelda Rubinstein
6
Birthdate: May 28, 1933
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Died: 2010
Height: 4'3" (130 cm)
 23 
Roger B. Chaffee
(American Aviator, Naval Officer, NASA Astronaut, and Aeronautical Engineer)
Roger B. Chaffee
7
Listed In: Miscellaneous
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. 

 24 
Lilli Palmer
(Actress)
Lilli Palmer
2
Birthdate: May 24, 1914
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Poznań, Poland
Died: 1986
 25 
John Farrow
(Film Director Best Known for His Films: 'Wake Island' and 'Around the World in Eighty Days')
John Farrow
2
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.
 26 
Jacobo Árbenz
(Politician, Military personnel)
Jacobo Árbenz
7
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: September 14, 1913
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Quetzaltenango
Died: 1971
 27 
Howard Zinn
(American Historian, Playwright, Philosopher and World War II Veteran)
Howard Zinn
4
Listed In: Writers
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.

 28 
Bartolomeo Cristofori
(Italian Musical Instrument Maker Known for Inventing the Piano)
Bartolomeo Cristofori
0
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')
Emmanuelle Riva
1
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 
Salvador Laurel
(The 8th Vice-President and the 5th Prime Minister of the Philippines)
Salvador Laurel
1
Listed In: Lawyers & Judges
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.

 31 
Galla Placidia
(Queen)
Galla Placidia
1
Birthdate: 0392 AD
Birthplace: Constantinople
Died: 0450
 32 
Charles H. Townes
0
Birthdate: July 28, 1915
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Greenville, South Carolina, United States
Died: 2015
 33 
Mort Walker
(Comics artist, Writer)
Mort Walker
1
Birthdate: September 3, 1923
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: El Dorado, Kansas, United States
Died: 2018
 34 
Isaac Babel
(Russian Author and Journalist Who Is Remembered for His Iconic Short Story Collections)
Isaac Babel
0
Listed In: Writers
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.

 35 
Johannes Rau
(Former President of Germany (1999 - 2004))
Johannes Rau
2
Listed In: Leaders
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 
Oskar Homolka
(Austrian Actor)
Oskar Homolka
1
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.

 37 
Gene McFadden
(Singer)
Gene McFadden
1
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: January 28, 1949
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Olanta, South Carolina, United States
Died: 2006
 38 
Endre Ady
(One of the Greatest Hungarian Poets of the 20th Century)
Endre Ady
1
Listed In: Writers
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)
Thomas Sopwith
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: January 18, 1888
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Kensington, England
Died: 1989
 40 
Samuel Hood, 1st Viscount Hood
(Politician)
Samuel Hood, 1st Viscount Hood
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: December 12, 1724
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Butleigh
Died: 1816
 41 
Betty Lou Keim
(Actress)
Betty Lou Keim
0
Birthdate: September 27, 1938
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Malden, Massachusetts, United States
Died: 2010
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 42 
Rudolf Christoph Freiherr von Gersdorff
(Military personnel)
Rudolf Christoph Freiherr von Gersdorff
4
Listed In: Miscellaneous
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. 

 43 
Friedrich Gulda
(Austrian Pianist and Composer)
Friedrich Gulda
0
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: May 16, 1930
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Vienna, Austria
Died: 2000
 44 
Ramaswamy Venkataraman
(8th President of India and Lawyer)
Ramaswamy Venkataraman
1
Listed In: Writers
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 
Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies
(Actress)
Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies
1
Birthdate: January 25, 1891
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: London, England
Died: 1992
 46 
Erich Kleiber
(A Remarkable Conductor of Mozart, Beethoven and Richard Strauss and an Advocate of New Music)
Erich Kleiber
0
Listed In: Musicians
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 in Buenos Aires.

 47 
Gordon B. Hinckley
(Religious Leader)
Gordon B. Hinckley
8
Listed In: Leaders
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.

 48 
Ashikaga Yoshimasa
(8th ShōGun of the Ashikaga Shogunate (1449 - 1474))
Ashikaga Yoshimasa
1
Listed In: Leaders
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.

 49 
Richard Courant
(German American Mathematician)
Richard Courant
1
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: January 8, 1888
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Lubliniec, Poland
Died: 1972
 50 
Erich Heckel
(Painter)
Erich Heckel
0
Birthdate: July 31, 1883
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Döbeln, Germany
Died: 1970