Famous people and celebrities who died in 1968

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1968. 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. 18 Bert Wheeler
Actor (rainmakers high flyers, dixiana), died at 72
Feb. 7 Nick Adams
American actor and screenwriter known for his roles in television and film during the 1950s and 1960s. He was particularly famous for his role in the TV series 'The Rebel' as Johnny Yuma. Adams tragically died young in 1968.
Feb. 13 Mae Marsh
American actress who started in silent film and continued acting until her retirement in 1967.
Feb. 17 Donald Wolfit
Renowned British theatre actor and director known for bringing Shakespeare to wider audiences and performing in numerous films during the mid-20th century. He was a significant figure in British theatre and cinema, with notable performances in films like 'Drake of England' and 'Svengali'. His career is believed to have inspired Albert Finney's character in 'The Dresser'.
Feb. 21 Howard Florey
Howard Florey was an Australian pharmacologist who co-discovered penicillin and shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1945.
March 16 June Collyer
American actress known for the June-Stu Erwin Show, who had a successful career in early television and film during the mid-20th century.
March 27 Yuri Gagarin
Legendary Soviet cosmonaut who became the first human to journey into outer space, completing an orbital flight that marked a pivotal moment in human space exploration.
March 30 Bobby Driscoll
Bobby Driscoll was a prominent child actor in Disney films during the 1940s and 1950s, most famous for voicing Peter Pan and starring in live-action Disney movies. He won a Juvenile Academy Award but tragically died young and struggled with drug addiction.
April 4 Martin Luther King
American civil rights activist and leader who fought against racial segregation, advocating for equality through nonviolent resistance. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his pivotal role in the civil rights movement.
April 7 Jim Clark
Scottish racing driver who was a Formula One world champion, winning 25 Grand Prix races and the Indy 500 in 1965.
April 16 Fay Bainter
Fay Bainter was an Academy Award-winning actress known for her versatile performances in film and theater.
May 5 Albert Dekker
Deaths from accidental suffocation at the age of 62
May 9 Marion Lorne
Actress (aunt clara bewitched), dies in 1981
June 6 Robert F Kennedy
Prominent American political figure who served as Attorney General and was a passionate advocate for civil rights, social justice, and was a key member of the Kennedy political dynasty.
June 7 Dan Duryea
Dan Duryea was a prominent American film actor famous for his distinctive roles in film noir and western movies during the 1940s and 1950s, known for playing complex and often villainous characters.
June 17 José Nasazzi
José Nasazzi was a legendary Uruguayan footballer and national team captain, known for his exceptional defensive skills and leadership during the golden era of Uruguayan football in the 1920s and 1930s.
June 25 Tony Hancock
Renowned British comedian and actor known for his groundbreaking comedy and influential radio and television performances in the 1950s and 1960s.
July 1 Virginia Weidler
Virginia Weidler was a notable American child actress of the early Hollywood era, who began performing at a remarkably young age in film and stage productions.
July 26 Lilian Harvey
British actress (congress dances).
Aug. 26 Kay Francis
Kay Francis was a prominent Hollywood actress during the Golden Age of cinema, known for her sophisticated roles in pre-Code films and her status as a top Warner Bros. star in the 1930s.
Aug. 29 Victor Sutherland
Dies at 79
Sept. 18 Franchot Tone
Franchot Tone was a prominent Hollywood actor known for his roles in classic films and television series, including appearances in 'Dr. Freeland' and 'Ben Casey'.
Oct. 15 Virginia Lee Burton
Renowned children's book author and illustrator, best known for classic works like 'Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel' and 'The Little House'. She was a Caldecott Medal winner who significantly influenced children's literature in the mid-20th century.
Oct. 30 Ramon Novarro
Mexican-american actor, who was the star of silent film and won wide acclaim with his dashing roles in "the prisoner of zenda", and "ben-hur." he starred alongside garbo in the 1932 film "mata hari" and made many other films in early talkies.
Nov. 8 Wendell Corey
Prominent American film actor of the 1950s, known for his supporting roles in classic Hitchcock thriller Rear Window and Oscar-nominated drama The Country Girl. He was a versatile performer who appeared in numerous Hollywood films during the golden age of cinema.
Dec. 10 Thomas Merton
Thomas Merton was a prominent Trappist monk, writer, poet, and social critic who significantly influenced 20th-century spiritual and intellectual thought. He entered the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky in 1941 and became a renowned contemplative author exploring themes of spirituality, social justice, and inner peace.
Dec. 12 Tallulah Bankhead
Iconic American actress known for her powerful stage performances and flamboyant personality. She was a prominent figure in theater and film during the early to mid-20th century. Her autobiography 'Tallulah' provided insights into her remarkable life and career.
Dec. 20 John Steinbeck
Renowned American novelist who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1962. His most famous works include 'The Grapes of Wrath' and 'Of Mice and Men', which profoundly depicted the human condition during the Great Depression.