Famous people and celebrities who died in 1978

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1978. 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. 13 Hubert Humphrey
Prominent American politician who served as Vice President under Lyndon B. Johnson from 1965-1969. A long-serving Senator from Minnesota, he was a key figure in the Democratic Party and ran for president in 1968.
Jan. 14 Kurt Gödel
Kurt Gödel was a groundbreaking logician and mathematician who revolutionized mathematical logic with his incompleteness theorems. He profoundly influenced 20th-century mathematical and philosophical thought. His work demonstrated fundamental limitations in formal mathematical systems.
Jan. 23 Jack Oakie
Jack Oakie was a prominent American comedian and character actor who appeared in over 100 films, most notably in Charlie Chaplin's satirical masterpiece 'The Great Dictator' where he played a caricature of Benito Mussolini.
Jan. 29 Tim McCoy
American actor and military officer (b. 1891)
Feb. 2 Wendy Barrie
Wendy Barrie was a British-American actress who appeared in 25 movies during Hollywood's golden era, notably starring in films like 'Dead End' and 'Wings Over Honolulu'. She was also a pioneering television personality, hosting one of TV's first talk shows.
Feb. 18 Maggie McNamara
Actress (3 coins in the fountain, cardinal), died at 49
March 12 John Cazale
Acclaimed actor known for iconic roles in 'Dog Day Afternoon' and 'The Deer Hunter', who tragically died young at 41 from lung cancer.
March 25 Jack Hulbert
Actor (bulldog jack), passes away at 85
April 22 Will Geer
American actor best known for his role as Grandpa Zebulon Tyler Walton in the popular TV series 'The Waltons', which aired from 1972 to 1981. He was a respected stage and screen actor with a long career in theater and film.
May 1 Aram Khatchaturian
Aram Khachaturian was a prominent Soviet Armenian composer who significantly influenced 20th-century classical music. He is best known for his ballets 'Gayane' and 'Spartacus', which are celebrated worldwide. His compositions often incorporated Armenian folk music elements and gained international recognition.
May 26 Cybele
Ancient Phrygian and Greek goddess symbolizing nature, fertility, and maternal power, widely worshipped in the Mediterranean region during antiquity.
June 29 Bob Crane
Bob Crane was an American actor best known for starring in the popular TV sitcom 'Hogan's Heroes' from 1965 to 1971. Before his television career, he worked as a radio announcer for nine years, interviewing celebrities and developing his media skills. Tragically, he was murdered in 1978, which added a dark chapter to his otherwise comedic legacy.
Aug. 5 Queenie Smith
Actress/dancer (funny side), passes away at the age of 79.
Aug. 12 John Williams
Renowned American composer, pianist, and conductor famous for iconic film scores like Star Wars and Jaws.
Aug. 21 Charles Eames
Iconic American designer who revolutionized mid-20th century architecture and furniture design, creating groundbreaking pieces that blended functionality, innovation, and aesthetic beauty.
Aug. 24 Louis Prima
Legendary American jazz, swing, and jump blues singer, trumpeter, and actor known for his energetic performances and contributions to mid-20th century popular music.
Aug. 28 Robert Shaw
Renowned American choral conductor who revolutionized choral music through the Robert Shaw Chorale and his work with the Cleveland Orchestra. He was a pioneering figure in choral conducting, known for his methodical approach and passion for cultivating amateur singers.
Sept. 6 Tom Wilson
Tom Wilson was an American cartoonist famous for creating the beloved comic character Ziggy, which became a popular cultural icon in newspapers and merchandise during the late 20th century.
Sept. 9 Jack Warner
American film executive, who was the president of warner bros. studios, los angeles, california. warner's forty-five year career was longer than any of the other seminal hollywood studio moguls.
Sept. 30 Edgar Bergen
Pioneering American ventriloquist who revolutionized entertainment through radio and film, creating iconic characters like Charlie McCarthy and becoming one of the highest-paid performers of his era.
Oct. 9 Jacques Brel
Legendary Belgian-French singer-songwriter who profoundly influenced modern chanson and is considered one of the most significant musical poets of the 20th century. His poetic and emotionally intense songs revolutionized French music and continue to inspire artists worldwide.
Oct. 16 Dan Dailey
Dan Dailey was a versatile American entertainer known for his exceptional skills in acting, singing, dancing, and directing during Hollywood's golden era. He appeared in numerous musical films and was particularly prominent in the 1940s and 1950s. His multifaceted talents made him a respected figure in the entertainment industry.
Oct. 19 Gig Young
Gig Young was an accomplished American actor known for his versatile roles in romantic comedies and dramas. He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 'They Shoot Horses, Don't They?' (1969). His career spanned several decades, making significant contributions to film and television.
Nov. 8 Norman Rockwell
American illustrator known for his portraits depicting american life. norman was the son of a businessman, and his wife. he began drawing at a young age. he had already illustrated children's books by age 17. he was a freelancer and sold his first saturday evening post cover at 22. he would produce many more covers for the highly-read magazine. he …
Nov. 9 Joe Wong
Actor ken murray show, dies at 75
Nov. 15 Margaret Mead
A pioneering American cultural anthropologist who revolutionized understanding of human behavior across different societies. Her groundbreaking research in the South Pacific challenged Western assumptions about gender, sexuality, and cultural development. She was a prominent public intellectual who significantly influenced social sciences and popular understanding of anthropology.
Nov. 18 Jim Jones
Infamous cult leader who orchestrated the largest mass murder-suicide in modern history, leading over 900 followers to their death in Jonestown, Guyana in 1978.
Dec. 12 Fay Compton
Actress (othello) dies at 74