Famous people and celebrities who died in December 1968

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in December 1968. 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

• Dec. 1 Dario Moreno

  Turkish-Jewish singer, songwriter, and performer who was a notable cultural figure in mid-20th century music and entertainment.

• Dec. 1 Nicolae Bretan

  Romanian opera singer, composer, and conductor (b. 1887)

• Dec. 1 Hugo Haas

  Actor/director (bait and pick up) dies at 66 from asthma

• Dec. 9 Enoch L. Johnson

  American mob boss (b. 1883)

• 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. 10 Karl Barth

  Swiss theologian and author (b. 1886)

• Dec. 10 George Forrest

  Northern irish lawyer and politician (b. 1921)

• Dec. 10 Patsy Moran

  Actress (children of the wild), dead at 65

• Dec. 11 Arthur Hays Sulzberger

  American publisher (b. 1891)

• 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. 13 Siegfried Reda

  Composer dies at 52

• Dec. 15 Jess Willard

  Champion heavyweight boxer (1915-19), is killed at the age of 86.

• Dec. 15 Antonio Barrette

  Canadian politician, 18th premier of quebec (b. 1899)

• Dec. 16 Futabayama Sadaji

  The 35th yokozuna in sumo wrestling history, a highly respected and accomplished professional sumo wrestler who achieved significant status in the sport.

• Dec. 16 Muhammad Suheimat

  Jordanian general and politician (b. 1916)

• Dec. 19 Norman Thomas

  American socialist, pacifist, and six-time presidential candidate for the Socialist Party of America.

• 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.

• Dec. 21 Vittorio Pozzo

  Italian footballer, coach, and manager (b. 1886)

• Dec. 22 Raymond Gram Swing

  American journalist (b. 1887)

• Dec. 26 Weegee

  Ukrainian-american photographer and journalist (b. 1898)

• Dec. 28 David Ogilvy

  12th earl of airlie, scottish peer, soldier and courtier (b. 1893)

• Dec. 29 Austin Farrer

  English philosopher and theologian (born in 1904)

• Dec. 30 Trygve Lie

  Norwegian journalist and politician, first secretary-general of the united nations (b. 1896)

• Dec. 31 George Lewis

  American clarinet player and composer (b. 1900)

• Dec. 31 Carl Oscar Ahues

  German international chess master (1950), is dead at 85.