Famous people and celebrities who died in 1964

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1964. 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. 7 Reg Parnell
British racing driver and team manager who was prominent in Formula One racing during the 1950s and early 1960s. He competed in several Grand Prix events and later managed racing teams.
Jan. 15 Jack Teagarden
Jack Teagarden was a legendary jazz trombonist, bandleader, and singer who significantly influenced jazz music during the early to mid-20th century. He was known for his distinctive trombone style and vocal performances, playing in notable films and bands. His contributions helped shape the jazz genre during its golden era.
Jan. 17 TH White
British author renowned for his seminal work 'The Once and Future King', a comprehensive retelling of the King Arthur legend that inspired the Broadway musical Camelot. He was a distinguished Cambridge University professor and a significant literary figure of the mid-20th century.
Jan. 21 Joseph Schildkraut
Actor (cleopatra diary of anne frank), died at 68
Jan. 29 Alan Ladd
Alan Ladd was a prominent Hollywood actor of the 1940s and 1950s, best known for his iconic roles in film noir and Western genres. His performance in 'Shane' is considered one of the most memorable in Western cinema history. Ladd was a major star who significantly influenced American film during the mid-20th century.
Feb. 25 Grace Metalious
Grace Metalious was an influential American novelist best known for her groundbreaking novel 'Peyton Place', which exposed small-town sexual scandals and became a massive cultural phenomenon, selling millions of copies and inspiring a successful television series.
March 20 Brendan Behan
Renowned Irish playwright, IRA member, and writer known for his provocative works exploring Irish nationalism with dark humor, including 'The Quare Fellow' and 'Borstal Boy'.
March 23 Peter Lorre
Peter Lorre was a renowned Hungarian-American actor famous for his distinctive appearance and roles in classic films like 'M' and 'Casablanca'. He was a versatile performer who transitioned from European stage work to Hollywood cinema, becoming an iconic character actor of the mid-20th century.
April 5 Douglas MacArthur
American general who played a major role in the Pacific campaign of World War II and the Korean War.
April 14 Rachel Carson
Pioneering marine biologist and environmental activist who wrote groundbreaking books like 'Silent Spring', which exposed the dangers of pesticides and helped launch the modern environmental movement.
May 3 Diana Wynyard
Prominent English stage and film actress known for her performances in early 20th-century British cinema, particularly in the classic film 'Cavalcade'.
May 10 Carol Haney
Pantomime quiz: dancer dies at 35
May 21 James Franck
PHY - German physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1882)
June 3 Frans Eemil Sillanpää
LIT - Finnish author and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1888)
June 21 Michael Schwerner
Civil rights activist murdered during the Freedom Summer of 1964, a pivotal moment in the American Civil Rights Movement.
June 22 Havank
Havank was a prominent Dutch thriller writer and journalist known for his detective novels and crime fiction. He wrote under the pseudonym Havank and was a significant figure in mid-20th century Dutch literature. His works significantly influenced the Dutch crime writing genre.
July 4 Gaby Morlay
French actress in film. she was queen victoria's actress in entente cordiale (1939).
Aug. 3 Flannery O'Connor
Influential Southern Gothic writer known for her dark, satirical short stories exploring religious themes and human nature. Her most famous work, 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find', is a landmark of 20th-century American literature.
Aug. 6 Cedric Hardwicke
English-american actor and director (d. 64)
Aug. 12 Ian Fleming
British novelist and intelligence officer who created the iconic James Bond spy character, revolutionizing the espionage fiction genre.
Aug. 27 Gracie Allen
Pioneering American comedian and actress, famous for her comedy duo with husband George Burns, known for their groundbreaking radio and television performances.
Sept. 14 Vasily Grossman
Renowned Soviet writer and journalist who documented the Eastern Front during World War II, best known for his epic novel 'Life and Fate' which critically examined totalitarianism.
Sept. 28 Harpo Marx
American comedian, most well-known for his role as harpo, the mute and blond-wigged harpo of the nimble-witted marx brothers. his films included "monkey business", "horsefeathers," and "duck soup," his final film. he started his career in vaudeville before moving into comedy and films. his first broadway appearance in "i'll say she is" in 1924 was his first.
Oct. 10 Eddie Cantor
American comedian and singer who was a star on stage, radio, tv, and movies. he is also known for his tears-and-laughter comedy routines and popping eyes. he was a vaudeville performer and burlesquer, but he became a star in musical comedy during the 1920s. cantor was one of the many investors that suffered a financial loss during the 1929 crash.
Nov. 6 Hugo Koblet
Swiss professional cyclist known as the 'Pédaleur de Charme', who was a prominent competitor in the 1950s. He won the Giro d'Italia in 1950 and was a significant figure in European cycling.
Nov. 7 Hans von Euler-Chelpin
CHE - German-swedish biochemist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1863)
Dec. 11 Sam Cooke
Legendary African American singer who revolutionized soul music by blending gospel and pop styles. A pivotal figure in the development of modern R&B, he was a pioneering artist who influenced generations of musicians before his untimely death.
Dec. 11 Percy Kilbride
Actor (ma & pa kettle), died at 76
Dec. 14 William Bendix
William Bendix was a prominent American character actor best known for his role in the popular radio and television sitcom 'The Life of Riley'. He was a versatile performer who appeared in numerous films and TV shows during the mid-20th century.
Dec. 17 Victor Francis Hess
PHY - Austrian-american physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1883)