Welcome! Check out today's deaths, recent deaths, or our deaths stats.

Feeling experimental? Head on over to our newest (and darkest) feature: Next-2-Die™ predictions

October 20th

156 Notable deaths

Muammar Gaddafi

Libyan revolutionary, politician and political theorist (1942–2011).

Born June 7th, 1942 in Qasr Abu Hadi. [ref]

Died October 20th, 2011 at 69 years old in Sirte (lynching, ballistic trauma). [ref]

Herbert Hoover

President of the united states from 1929 to 1933.

Born August 10th, 1874 in West Branch. [ref]

Died October 20th, 1964 at 90 years old in New York City (colorectal cancer, internal bleeding). [ref]

Burt Lancaster

American actor and producer (1913-1994).

Born November 2nd, 1913 in New York City. [ref]

Died October 20th, 1994 at 80 years old in Los Angeles (myocardial infarction).

Ronnie Van Zant

American singer and founding member of lynyrd skynyrd (1948–1977).

Born January 15th, 1948 in Jacksonville.

Died October 20th, 1977 at 29 years old in Gillsburg (aviation accident).

James Randi

Canadian-american stage magician and skeptical movement adherent.

Born August 7th, 1928 in Toronto.

Died October 20th, 2020 at 92 years old in Plantation (old age). [ref]

Eugene V. Debs

American labor and political leader (1855–1926).

Born November 5th, 1855 in Terre Haute. [ref]

Died October 20th, 1926 at 70 years old in Elmhurst (heart failure). [ref]

Fethullah Gülen

Turkish preacher, writer, and imam (1941–2024).

Born April 27th, 1941 in Pasinler.

Died October 20th, 2024 at 83 years old in St. Luke's Hospital - Monroe Campus. [ref]

Jack Elam

American film and television actor (1920-2003).

Born November 13th, 1920 in Miami.

Died October 20th, 2003 at 82 years old in Ashland (myocardial infarction). [ref]

Michael Massee

American actor.

Born August 16th, 1955 in Kansas City.

Died October 20th, 2016 at 61 years old in Los Angeles (stomach cancer). [ref]

Paul Dirac

British theoretical physicist (1902–1984).

Born August 8th, 1902 in Bristol. [ref]

Died October 20th, 1984 at 82 years old in Tallahassee. [ref]

Deaths 1 to 10 of 156

« 10/19
/
10/21 »

Death? Be as proud as you want: bore me later, because Love is sovereign here. Life never ends. Joy comes in the morning. Glory hallelujah. And let it be so. Anne Lamott