Famous people and celebrities who died in February 1959

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in February 1959. This month marked the loss of influential and beloved figures whose contributions spanned various fields and touched many lives. Explore our detailed list to remember and celebrate their enduring legacies and the remarkable impact they had on the world

  • Feb. 1 Madame Sul-Te-Wan

    American actress (b. 1873)

  • Feb. 1 Madame Sul-To-Wan [Conley]

    Actress (birthday of a nation), dies in 85

  • 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. 3 Big Bopper

    The Big Bopper, rock and roll musician known for his tragic death in the 1959 plane crash.

  • Feb. 3 The Day the Music Died

    American singer (born 1936) roger peterson (b. 1937), ritchie valens, american singer (b. 1941), j.p. 'the big bopper' richardson, american singer (b. 1930)

  • Una O'Connor
    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.'

  • Gwili Andre
    Feb. 5 Gwili Andre

    Actress (no other woman roar of the dragon).

  • Feb. 5 Curt Sachs

    Curt Sachs was a German-born musicologist and journalist who made significant contributions to the study of musical instruments.

  • Feb. 7 Daniel Malan

    Prime Minister of South Africa from 1948 to 1954, known for his role in implementing apartheid policies.

  • Feb. 7 Guitar Slim

    Influential American blues guitarist and singer known for his innovative electric guitar style and hit song 'The Things That I Used to Do', which significantly influenced rock and blues music.

  • Feb. 7 Daniel François Malan

    South african minister and politician, 5th prime minister of south africa (b. 1874)

  • Feb. 7 Nap Lajoie

    American baseball manager and player (d. 1959).

  • Feb. 7 Napoleon Lajorie

    At 83, a baseball player dies

  • Feb. 7 Slim [Eddie Jones] Guitar

    Rocker dies at 32

  • Feb. 8 William J. Donovan

    American head of the office of strategic services (oss) (b. 1883)

  • Feb. 13 William L Axt

    Composer dies at age 70

  • Feb. 14 Baby Dodds

    American jazz drummer (born 1898).

  • Feb. 15 Owen Willans Richardson

    PHY - English physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1879)

  • Feb. 17 Kathryn Adams

    Actress (meet the chump 5th avenue girl).

  • Feb. 18 Eric Zeisl

    Composer dies at 53

  • Feb. 18 Alfred Alessandrescu

    Composer dies at 65

  • Feb. 18 Jaroslav Kvapil

    Composer dies at 66

  • Feb. 19 Willard Miller

    Canadian-american sailor medal of honor recipient (d.59)

  • Feb. 20 Ray McDonald

    Dancer dies from barbiturate overdose at 38

  • Feb. 22 Helen Parrish

    Actress (hour glass) dies from cancer at 36

  • Feb. 28 Maxwell Anderson

    Maxwell Anderson was a renowned American playwright known for works like 'Key Largo' and 'What Price Glory.'