Famous people and celebrities who died in 1974

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1974. 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. 2 Tex Ritter
Tex Ritter was a prominent American country music singer and actor known for his contributions to Western film soundtracks and country music during the mid-20th century.
Feb. 2 Imre Lakatos
Renowned Hungarian-British philosopher of science and mathematician who made significant contributions to the philosophy of mathematics and scientific methodology. He developed the concept of research programmes and was a key figure in understanding scientific progress.
Feb. 23 Florence Rice
Actress (girl at 1313, carnival), is killed at 63
March 3 Barbara Ruick
Actress (carousel fearless fagan), is killed at 43
March 5 Billy De Wolfe
American actor (born in 1907)
March 28 Dorothy Fields
Pioneering American lyricist and songwriter who wrote lyrics for numerous Broadway musicals and Hollywood films, collaborating with legendary composers like Jerome Kern and Irving Berlin.
April 2 Douglass Dumbrille
Actor (mr deed goes to town), is killed at 84
April 18 Betty Compson
Actress (barker. weary river. drag net), dies in 77
April 24 Bud Abbott
Comedy comedian abbott and costello, dies at the age of 78.
April 30 Agnes Moorehead
Renowned American actress famous for her iconic role as Endora in the 1960s TV comedy 'Bewitched'. She was a versatile performer with a career spanning stage, radio, film, and television, earning four Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actress.
June 22 Darius Milhaud
French composer known for his prolific output and association with the group of composers known as Les Six.
June 30 Alberta King
Alberta King was a prominent civil rights activist and the mother of Martin Luther King Jr., who played a significant role in supporting her son's work and the African American civil rights movement.
July 19 Joe Flynn
American comedian and actor known for his comedic roles in Disney productions like 'McHale's Navy', who successfully transitioned from vaudeville to television and film.
July 29 Cass Elliot
Iconic American singer known for her powerful contralto voice as a member of the legendary folk-rock group 'The Mamas and the Papas'. She was a key figure in the 1960s music scene, known for her distinctive voice and vibrant personality.
Aug. 7 Virginia Apgar
Pioneering American physician who developed the Apgar Score, a critical medical assessment tool used worldwide to evaluate newborn health immediately after birth.
Aug. 8 Chihiro Iwasaki
Chihiro Iwasaki was a celebrated Japanese watercolor artist renowned for her delicate and emotive illustrations in children's books. Her artistic style profoundly influenced Japanese children's literature and art. She is remembered as a significant figure in 20th-century Japanese illustration.
Aug. 20 Ilona Massey
Hungarian-born actress who starred in Hollywood films during the 1930s and 1940s, known for her beauty and musical talents.
Aug. 26 Charles Lindbergh
American author and pilot, he is the most well-known hero of his time for his flight between new york city and paris on 20 mai 1927. this flight earned him the congressional medal of honor. he was an international hero, a celebrity and the first "media star". he refused to pursue wealth as an end in and of itself. instead, …
Sept. 14 Barbara Jo Allen
Actress (girl rush melody ranch), is killed at 66
Sept. 21 Walter Brennan
Walter brennan was an american actor known for his distinctive voice and performances in over 200 films, winning three academy awards for best supporting actor.
Sept. 21 Jacqueline Susann
Jacqueline Susann was a pioneering American novelist who revolutionized popular fiction in the 1960s. Her groundbreaking novel 'Valley of the Dolls' became a massive bestseller and cultural phenomenon, selling millions of copies. She was known for her bold, provocative writing style that challenged literary conventions of her time.
Oct. 1 Spyridon Marinatos
Renowned Greek archaeologist who made significant contributions to understanding Minoan civilization through his groundbreaking excavations at Akrotiri, a prehistoric settlement on Santorini preserved by volcanic ash.
Oct. 9 Oskar Schindler
A heroic German industrialist who saved over 1,000 Jews during the Holocaust by employing them in his factory, risking his own life to protect them from Nazi persecution. His extraordinary story was immortalized in Steven Spielberg's film 'Schindler's List'.
Oct. 13 Ed Sullivan
Legendary television host of 'The Ed Sullivan Show', a groundbreaking variety program that introduced many iconic performers to American audiences from 1948 to 1971.
Nov. 13 Vittorio de Sica
Renowned Italian film director and actor, famous for neorealist cinema and critically acclaimed films like 'Bicycle Thieves' and 'Umberto D.'
Nov. 14 Johnny Mack Brown
Actor (lawman is born, back trail), passes away at the age of 70
Nov. 17 Clive Brook
Actor/director (on approval), dead at 87
Nov. 29 James J Braddock
James J. Braddock, nicknamed the 'Cinderella Man', was a legendary heavyweight boxer who overcame the Great Depression to become world champion, inspiring millions with his remarkable comeback story.
Dec. 26 Jack Benny
American actor and comedian, benny was a tv, radio, and film star for many years. benny was a star in many films between 1930 and 1945, as well as a comedian for years about his flop "the horn blows at midnight". he was honored with a tv emmy in 1957 for his show "the jack benny show". he was married …