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Famous People who Died of Parkinson's Disease

1 - 12 of 12 Historically important and notable famous people who died of Parkinson's disease ranked by their popularity on On This Day.

List of Deaths from Parkinson's Disease

  • 1973-04-27 Carlos Menditeguy, Argentine auto racer (11 x F1 GP) and horse trainer, polo player, dies from diabetes and Parkinson's disease at 57
  • 1975-03-09 Joseph Dunninger, American magician and mentalist (The Amazing Dunninger), dies of Parkinson's disease at 82
  • 1981-03-26 Tim Wall, Australian cricket fast bowler (18 Tests, 56 wickets, BB 5/14; South Australia), dies from Parkinson's disease at 76
  • 1982-07-12 Kenneth More, British actor (39 Steps, Doctor in the House), dies of Parkinson's disease at 67
  • 1983-07-30 Howard Dietz, American lyricist and librettist ("Dancing In The Dark"; "I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plans"), and MGM executive, dies of Parkinson's disease at 86
  • 1984-03-18 Paul Frances Webster, lyricist, dies of Parkinson's disease at 76
  • 1985-03-21 Michael Redgrave, British actor (Browning Version, Goodbye Mr Chips, Lady Vanishes), dies of Parkinson's Disease at 77
  • 1989-01-03 Eddie Heywood, American jazz pianist and composer ("Canadian Sunset", "Soft Summer Breeze"), dies of complications from Parkinson's disease at 73
  • 1990-01-08 Terry-Thomas [Thomas Terry Hoar-Stevens], English comedian and actor (I'm All Right Jack, Private's Progress), dies of Parkinson's disease at 78
  • 1991-01-28 Harold "Red" Grange, American "Galloping Ghost" of football (University of Illinois, Chicago Bears), dies of Parkinson's disease at 87
  • 1991-03-21 Leo Fender, American inventor, and electric guitar designer (Telecaster; Stratocaster; Precision Bass), dies from Parkinson's disease complications at 81
  • 1992-12-22 Harry Bluestone, British-American jazz and session violinist, bandleader, and music publisher, dies from Parkinson's disease at 85
  • 1994-03-23 Jim Moloney, American actor and writer, dies of Parkinson's disease at 64
  • 1994-04-16 John McLiam [Williams], Canadian actor (First Blood, Sleeper, Men From Shiloh), dies of Parkinson's disease at 76
  • 1995-05-27 Ulysses Kay, American neoclassical composer (Of New Horizons: Overture), dies of Parkinson's disease complications at 78
  • 1996-07-24 Jock Wallace, Scottish soccer manager (Berwick Rangers, Rangers, Leicester City, Motherwell, Sevilla), dies from Parkinson's disease at 60
  • 1997-02-19 Deng Xiaoping, Chinese revolutionary and paramount leader of China (1978-92), dies of a lung infection and Parkinson's disease at 92
  • 1997-12-04 Richard Vernon, British character actor (A Hard Days Night; The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy; Gandhi), dies of complications from Parkinson's disease at 72
  • 2000-02-09 Beau Jack, American boxer (NYSAC world lightweight champion 1942-44), dies of complications from Parkinson's disease at 78
  • 2000-05-27 Maurice "Rocket" Richard, Canadian NHL star (Montreal Canadiens, MVP-1947), dies of abdominal cancer and parkinson's disease at 78
  • 2000-09-28 Pierre Trudeau, 15th Canadian Prime Minister (Liberal: 1968-79, 1980-84), dies of Parkinson's disease and prostate cancer at 80
  • 2000-11-12 Franck Pourcel, French popular orchestra leader, dies of complications from Parkinson's disease at 87
  • 2001-02-16 William Masters, American gynecologist who studied sexual dysfunction, dies of complications from Parkinson's disease at 85
  • 2001-04-08 Frank Annunzio, American politician (Rep-D-IL, 1965-93), dies of Parkinson's disease at 86
  • 2001-07-18 Roy Gilchrist, West Indian cricket fast bowler (13 Tests, 57 wickets; Jamaica, Hyderabad), dies of Parkinson's disease at 67
  • 2002-09-02 Abe Lemons, American basketball coach (Oklahoma City Uni, Pan American Uni; NABC Coach of the Year 1978 Uni of Texas Austin), dies from Parkinson's disease at 79
  • 2003-01-30 Joan Franks Williams, American contemporary classical composer, and promoter (founder of New Dimensions in Music (NDM)), dies of complications from Parkinson's disease at 72
  • 2004-06-27 George Patton IV, American general in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, dies of Parkinson's disease at 80
  • 2006-09-02 Charlie Williams, English soccer defender (Doncaster Rovers 151 games) and comedian, dies from Parkinson's disease at 78
  • 2008-06-27 Leonard Pennario, American concert pianist (Rózsa's Piano Concerto with L.A. Philharmonic), dies of complications from Parkinson's disease at 83
  • 2009-08-27 Virgilio Savona, Italian jazz singer and composer (Quartetto Cetra - "Un bacio a mezzanotte"; "Crapa pelada"), dies of complications from Parkinson's disease at 89
  • 2010-12-25 Bud Greenspan, American documentary maker (Olympic Games; IOC Olympic Order award 1985), dies of Parkinson's disease at 84
  • 2011-05-31 Pauline Betz Addie, American tennis player (5 Grand Slam singles titles), dies of complications from Parkinson's disease at 91
  • 2012-02-25 Erland Josephson, Swedish actor, dramatist and author (The Sacrifice, Utflykt), dies of Parkinson's disease at 88
  • 2012-03-10 F. Sherwood Rowland, American Nobel laureate in chemistry 1995, dies from Parkinson's disease at 84
  • 2012-09-30 Turhan Bey [Sahultavy], Austrian-born actor dubbed "The Turkish Delight" (Arabian Nights, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves), dies from Parkinson's disease at 90
  • 2012-10-13 Helmut Haller, German soccer forward (33 caps West Germany; FC Augsburg, Bologna FC, Juventus), dies from Parkinson's disease and dementia at 73
  • 2013-03-15 Booth Gardner, American politician, dies from Parkinson's disease at 76
  • 2014-04-21 Arlene McQuade, American stage, radio and screen actress (The Goldbergs - "Rosalie"), dies of complications from Parkinson's disease at 77
  • 2014-04-25 Earl Morrall, American NFL quarterback (Super Bowl 1970, 72, 73; Pro Bowl 1957, 68; First-team All-Pro 1968, 72; NFL MVP 1968; Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins), dies from Parkinson's disease at 79
  • 2015-01-31 Udo Lattek, German football striker (VfL Osnabrück) and coach (Bayern Munich, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona), dies from Parkinson's disease and dementia at 80
  • 2015-02-22 Chris Rainbow [Harley], Scottish rock singer, musician and producer (Alan Parsons Project), dies of complications from Parkinson's disease at 68
  • 2015-08-28 Al Arbour, Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame defenceman, coach and executive (coach NY Islanders Stanley Cup 1980-83), dies of Parkinson's disease and dementia at 82
  • 2015-11-03 Tom Graveney, England cricket batsman (79 Tests; top score 258; 732 first class games), dies of Parkinson's disease at 88
  • 2015-12-01 Jim Loscutoff, American basketball forward (NBA champion: 1957, 59–64; Boston Celtics), dies from Parkinson's disease and pneumonia at 85
  • 2016-01-07 Troy Shondell, American singer (This Time (We’re Really Breaking Up)), dies from complications of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease at 76
  • 2016-09-25 Jean Shepard, American country singer (Ozark Jubilee), dies of Parkinson's disease at 82
  • 2017-01-18 Roberta Peters [Peterman], American operatic soprano (NY Metropolitan Opera, 1950-85), dies of Parkinson's disease at 86
  • 2017-05-02 (Mary) Norma Procter, British contralto singer, dies of Parkinson's Disease at 89
  • 2017-06-22 Jimmy Nalls, American session and touring rock-jazz-fusion guitarist (Sea Level), dies of complications from Parkinson's disease at 66
  • 2018-01-20 Paul Bocuse, French great chef (Legion of Honor), dies of Parkinson's disease at 91
  • 2018-01-21 Chartchai Chionoi, Thai boxer (WBC/WBA flyweight champion), dies of Parkinson's disease at 75
  • 2018-03-03 Roger Bannister, English athlete (first sub-4-minute mile, 3:59.4 at Iffley Road Track, Oxford 1954), dies of Parkinson's disease at 88
  • 2018-05-03 Dan Grimm, American football player (Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons), dies of Parkinson's disease and dementia at 77
  • 2018-06-20 Peter Thomson, Australian golfer (British Open 1954, 55, 56, 58, 65; PGA Seniors' Championship 1984), dies of Parkinson's disease at 88
  • 2019-04-12 Forrest Gregg, American Pro Football HOF tackle (9 x Pro Bowl; 7 × First-team All-Pro; Green Bay Packers) and coach (Cleveland Browns, Toronto Argonauts, Cincinnati Bengals, GB Packers), dies of Parkinson's disease at 85
  • 2019-04-25 John Havlicek, American College/Basketball Hall of Fame small forward (8 x NBA C'ship Boston Celtics; 13 x NBA All Star; 4 x All-NBA First Team), dies of Parkinson's disease at 79
  • 2019-12-28 Fred Graham, American newscaster and journalist (CBS News, Court TV), dies of Parkinson's disease at 88
  • 2020-01-07 George Perles, American football coach (Michigan State University 1983-94; Pittsburgh Steelers), dies from Parkinson's disease at 85
  • 2020-03-23 Branko Cikatić, Croatian kickboxer (first K-1 World Grand Prix Heavyweight C'ship 1993), dies from Parkinson's disease at 65
  • 2020-04-18 François Lafortune Jr., Belgian rifle shooter (7 x Olympic Games 1952-1976, 50m Rifle, Prone Position), dies from Parkinson's disease at 87
  • 2020-05-22 Jerry Sloan, American Basketball Hall of Fame coach (Utah Jazz 1988-2011) and shooting guard (NBA All-Star 1967, 69; Chicago Bulls), dies from Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia at 78
  • 2020-05-30 Bob Hammond AM, Australian rules key defender (AFL Hall of Fame; North Adelaide; SA) and coach (Sydney Swans 1984), dies from Parkinson's disease at 78
  • 2020-08-03 Ralph Barbieri, American sports radio personality (KNBR San Francisco; 'The Razor and Mr. T' 1996-2012), dies of Parkinson's disease at 74
  • 2020-09-11 Sonny Allen, American basketball coach (ODU, Southern Methodist University, University of Nevada, Reno; WNBA Sacramento Monarchs), dies of Parkinson's Disease at 84
  • 2020-11-02 Nancy Darsch, American women's basketball coach (Ohio State Uni; assistant coach US Olympic gold 1984, 96; NY Liberty, Washington Mystics), dies of Parkinson's disease at 68
  • 2021-05-02 Tommy West [Picardo], American record producer (Jim Croce; Anne Murray), and singer-songwriter, dies of complications from Parkinson's disease at 78
  • 2021-07-07 Robert Downey, Sr [Elias Jr], American filmmaker (Putney Swope; Rittenhouse Square), and actor (You Gotta Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat), dies of complications from Parkinson's disease at 85
  • 2021-10-18 Colin Powell, American General and 1st Black US Secretary of State (2001-05), dies from complications of COVID-19, blood cancer, and Parkinson's disease at 84
  • 2021-11-30 Ray Kennedy, English soccer midfielder, forward (17 caps; Arsenal, Liverpool), dies from Parkinson's disease at 70
  • 2022-01-09 Dwayne Hickman, American actor (The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis; How to Stuff a Wild Bikini), and network executive, dies of complications from Parkinson's disease at 87
  • 2022-07-07 (Patrick Henry) "Adam" Wade, American pop singer (The Writing On The Wall), actor (Kiss Me Goodbye), and 1st US Black game show host (Musical Chairs), dies of complications from Parkinson's disease at 87
  • 2022-09-14 Bill Pearl, American bodybuilder (5 x Mr. Universe), dies from Parkinson's disease at 91
  • 2022-10-06 (Myrna Joy) "Jody" Miller, American Grammy Award-winning pop and country music singer ("He Walks Like A Man": "Queen of the House"), dies of complications from Parkinson's disease at 80
  • 2022-12-03 Sonny Holland, American college football coach (Montana State University 1971-77; Big Sky C'ship 1972, 76), dies from Parkinson's disease at 84
  • 2022-12-04 Patrick Tambay, French auto racer (Can Am Challenge Cup Series 1977, 80; 123 x F1 GP 1977-86), dies from Parkinson's disease at 73
  • 2023-01-09 Virginia Kraft Payson American sports journalist (Sports Illustrated) and thoroughbred owner & breeder, dies from Parkinson's disease at 92
  • 2023-03-09 Otis Taylor, American football wide receiver (Super Bowl IV Kansas City Chiefs; First-team All-Pro & Pro Bowl 1971, 72), dies from Parkinson's disease dementia at 80
  • 2023-03-27 Wim de Bie, Dutch comedian, satirist, and writer (van Kooten & de Bie - The Simplistic Covenant), dies of complications from Parkinson's disease at 83
  • 2023-09-04 Gary Wright, American rock singer and keyboardist (Spooky Tooth - It's All About; solo - "Dream Weaver"), dies of complications from Parkinson's disease at 80
  • 2023-11-18 David Del Tredici, American pianist, Neo-Romantic composer, and 1980 Pulitzer Prize winner (In Memory of a Summer Day), dies of Parkinson's disease at 86
  • 2024-02-02 Rich Caster, American football wide receiver-tight end (Super Bowl XVII Washington Redskins; Pro Bowl 1972, 74, 75 New York Jets), dies from Parkinson's disease at 75
  • 2024-06-26 (Richard) "Kinky" Friedman, American country rocker ("Ride 'Em Jewboy"), and humorist, dies of complications from Parkinson's disease at 79