Famous people and celebrities who died in 1959

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1959. This year saw the loss of many influential and beloved figures who left a lasting impact on the world. From entertainment icons and sports legends to renowned scholars and public figures, our comprehensive list pays tribute to their lives and legacies. Join us in honoring their contributions and celebrating their achievements as we reflect on their remarkable stories.

Jan. 20 Carl Switzer
Actor (alfalfa - our gang), shot to death at 31
Feb. 3 Buddy Holly
Legendary rock and roll pioneer who revolutionized popular music in the late 1950s. His innovative songwriting and distinctive style influenced generations of musicians before his tragic death in a plane crash. Holly was a key figure in the early development of rock music, bridging country and rock genres.
Feb. 3 Ritchie Valens
Legendary rock and roll pioneer who tragically died in a plane crash alongside Buddy Holly, immortalized in Don McLean's song 'American Pie'. He was a groundbreaking Chicano rock musician who influenced generations of artists.
Feb. 4 Una O'Connor
Una O'Connor was a talented actress known for her roles in classic films like 'The Invisible Man' and 'The Bride of Frankenstein.'
Feb. 5 Gwili Andre
Actress (no other woman roar of the dragon).
Feb. 7 Daniel Malan
Prime Minister of South Africa from 1948 to 1954, known for his role in implementing apartheid policies.
March 3 Lou Costello
Legendary American comedian best known for the comedy duo Abbott and Costello, famous for their vaudeville and film performances, particularly their iconic comedy routine 'Who's on First?'
March 26 Raymond Chandler
Raymond Chandler was an American novelist and screenwriter who is considered a master of the hard-boiled detective fiction genre.
May 24 John Foster Dulles
American, 52nd secretary of state united states (born 1888).
June 2 Lyda Borelli
Italian actress (b. 1884)
June 16 George Reeves
Famous actor best known for playing Superman in the 1950s television series. Tragically died under mysterious circumstances at age 45, with his death ruled as a possible suicide.
July 11 Charlie Parker
Charlie Parker was a legendary jazz saxophonist and composer who revolutionized bebop music. Known as 'Bird', he was a pivotal figure in the development of modern jazz and influenced generations of musicians.
July 17 Billie Holiday
Legendary jazz and blues singer known as 'Lady Day', whose distinctive voice and emotional depth revolutionized American music and influenced generations of performers.
Aug. 31 Charles Delaney
Dies at 67
Sept. 6 Kay Kendall
British actress known for her roles in comedies, who tragically died young from leukemia at the age of 32.
Sept. 6 Edmund Gwenn
Actor (them java head, miracle at 34th st), dies in 83
Sept. 7 Maurice Duplessis
Maurice Duplessis was a Canadian politician who served as the Premier of Quebec from 1936 to 1939 and from 1944 to 1959.
Sept. 11 Paul Douglas
Paul Douglas was a prominent American actor known for his roles in classic films like 'Clash by Night', a notable performer in Hollywood's golden era.
Sept. 25 Helen Broderick
Comedienne / actress (swing time, top hat)
Sept. 28 Rudolf Caracciola
Legendary German racing driver who was one of the most successful European motorsport competitors of the 1930s, known for his exceptional skill in challenging racing conditions.
Sept. 30 Taylor Holmes
Actor (gentlemen prefer blondes), is killed at 81
Oct. 14 Errol Flynn
Iconic Hollywood actor known for swashbuckling adventure films, Errol Flynn was a charismatic leading man who defined the romantic hero archetype in 1930s and 1940s cinema. He starred in classic films like 'Captain Blood' and 'The Adventures of Robin Hood', becoming a symbol of masculine charm and heroic adventure. Flynn's magnetic screen presence made him one of the most recognizable …
Oct. 16 George Marshall
PEA - American general and politician, 3rd united states secretary of defense, nobel prize laureate (b. 1880)
Nov. 7 Victor McLaglen
Actor, gunga din, dies at 72 from a heart attack
Nov. 17 Heitor Villa-Lobos
Heitor Villa-Lobos was a Brazilian composer, described as the single most significant creative figure in 20th-century Brazilian art music.
Nov. 25 Gérard Philipe
Renowned French actor and stage director who was a major cultural icon of post-war French cinema. He was famous for his roles in classic films like 'Le Diable au Corps' and was considered one of the most charismatic actors of his generation.
Dec. 4 Rosetta Duncan
(duncan sisters) die in an auto accident at the age of 58.
Dec. 10 Henri Vidal
French film actor who made his debut with Edith Piaf in Montmartre-sur-Seine (1941) and appeared in 36 films between 1941-1959.
Dec. 28 Ante Pavelić
Ante Pavelić was a Croatian fascist and the leader of the Ustaše movement, which ruled the Independent State of Croatia during World War II.