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August 20th

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186 Notable deaths

Jerry Lewis

American comedian, actor and film director (1926–2017).

Born March 16th, 1926 in Newark.

Died August 20th, 2017 at 91 years old in Las Vegas (cardiovascular disease). [ref]

Phyllis Diller

American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist (1917–2012).

Born July 17th, 1917 in Lima.

Died August 20th, 2012 at 95 years old in Brentwood (heart failure).

Frank Caprio

American lawyer and politician (1936–2025).

Born November 23rd, 1936 in Federal Hill.

Died August 20th, 2025 at 88 years old in Providence (pancreatic cancer). [ref]

Leona Helmsley

American hotel owner (1920–2007).

Born July 4th, 1920 in Marbletown. [ref]

Died August 20th, 2007 at 87 years old in Greenwich (heart failure).

William Halsey Jr.

United states admiral (1882–1959).

Born October 30th, 1882 in Elizabeth.

Died August 20th, 1959 at 76 years old in Fishers Island.

Elmore Leonard

American novelist and screenwriter (1925–2013).

Born October 11th, 1925 in New Orleans.

Died August 20th, 2013 at 87 years old in Detroit (stroke). [ref]

Pius X

Pope of the catholic church from 1903 to 1914, saint.

Born June 2nd, 1835 in Riese Pio X.

Died August 20th, 1914 at 79 years old in Apostolic Palace (myocardial infarction).

Hua Guofeng

2nd chairman of the chinese communist party, 2nd premier of the people's republic of china (1921–2008).

Born February 16th, 1921 in Jiaocheng County. [ref]

Died August 20th, 2008 at 87 years old in Beijing. [ref]

B. K. S. Iyengar

Indian yoga teacher and scholar (1918–2014).

Born December 14th, 1918 in Bellur.

Died August 20th, 2014 at 95 years old in Pune (heart failure). [ref]

Tom T. Hall

American country musician (1936–2021).

Born May 25th, 1936 in Olive Hill.

Died August 20th, 2021 at 85 years old in Franklin. [ref]

Brent Hinds

American guitarist and singer (1974–2025).

Born January 16th, 1974 in Helena.

Died August 20th, 2025 at 51 years old in Atlanta (motorcycle accident). [ref]

Joe Dassin

French-american musician (1938–1980).

Born November 5th, 1938 in Brooklyn.

Died August 20th, 1980 at 41 years old in Papeete (myocardial infarction).

Vilfredo Pareto

Italian economist and sociologist (1848-1923).

Born July 15th, 1848 in Paris.

Died August 20th, 1923 at 75 years old in Céligny.

Paul Ehrlich

Jewish-german physician and scientist (1854-1915).

Born March 14th, 1854 in Strzelin.

Died August 20th, 1915 at 61 years old in Bad Homburg vor der Höhe (stroke).

Fred Hoyle

British astronomer (1915–2001).

Born June 24th, 1915 in Bingley.

Died August 20th, 2001 at 86 years old in Bournemouth (stroke).

Meles Zenawi

Ethiopian politician; prime minister of ethiopia (1955-2012).

Born May 8th, 1955 in Adwa.

Died August 20th, 2012 at 57 years old in Brussels (brain cancer).

Daria Dugina

Russian journalist and activist.

Born December 15th, 1992 in Moscow. [ref]

Died August 20th, 2022 at 29 years old in Bolshie Vyazyomy (car bombing). [ref]

William Booth

British methodist preacher (1829-1912).

Born April 10th, 1829 in Nottingham. [ref]

Died August 20th, 1912 at 83 years old in Hadley Wood.

Kim Stanley

American actress (1925–2001).

Born February 11th, 1925 in Tularosa.

Died August 20th, 2001 at 76 years old in Santa Fe (uterine cancer).

Frankie Banali

American drummer (1951–2020).

Born November 14th, 1951 in Queens.

Died August 20th, 2020 at 68 years old in Los Angeles (pancreatic cancer). [ref]

Narendra Dabholkar

Indian rationalist and the founder & president of the mans.

Born November 1st, 1945 in Satara.

Died August 20th, 2013 at 67 years old in Pune (gunshot wound).

Igor Vovkovinskiy

America's tallest man (1982-2021).

Born September 18th, 1982 in Bar.

Died August 20th, 2021 at 38 years old in Rochester. [ref]

Larry Knechtel

American session musician (1940–2009).

Born August 4th, 1940 in Bell.

Died August 20th, 2009 at 69 years old in Yakima (myocardial infarction). [ref]

Walter Krueger

American general (1881-1967).

Born January 26th, 1881 in Złotów.

Died August 20th, 1967 at 86 years old in Valley Forge.

Al Attles

American basketball player and coach (1936–2024).

Born November 7th, 1936 in Newark.

Died August 20th, 2024 at 87 years old in San Francisco Bay Area. [ref]

Deaths 1 to 25 of 186

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After your death, you will be what you were before your birth. Arthur Schopenhauer