Famous people and celebrities who died in December 1981

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in December 1981. 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 Russ Manning

  American author and illustrator (b. 1929)

• Dec. 2 Wallace Harrison

  American architect, co-founded harrison & abramovitz (b. 1895)

• Dec. 2 Hershy Kay

  Composer dies at 62

• Dec. 2 Nicolaas "Cola" Debrot

  Governor of dutch antilles (1962-1970), dies aged 79.

• Dec. 2 Wallace K[irkman] Harrison

  At 86 years old, a us architect (united nations) dies.

• Dec. 3 Joel Rinne

  Finnish actor (b. 1897)

• Dec. 3 Walter Knott

  Knott's berry farm was founded by an american businessman and farmer. it was established in 1981.

• Dec. 4 Jeanne Block

  American psychologist (b. 1923)

• Dec. 9 Daniel Faulkner

  American police officer (born in 1955)

• Dec. 9 Tonny Til

  Rocker dies at 56

• Dec. 10 John Kieran

  Television host (information please) dies at 89

• Dec. 13 Cornelius Cardew

  Influential British composer known for his groundbreaking work in avant-garde and experimental music, significantly contributing to the post-war musical landscape.

• Dec. 20 Dimitris Rontiris

  Greek actor and director (b. 1899)

• Dec. 26 Henry Eyring

  Renowned physical chemist who developed the transition state theory explaining chemical reaction kinetics, making fundamental contributions to chemical physics.

• Dec. 26 Suat Hayri Ürgüplü

  Turkish politician, prime minister of turkey (b. 1903)

• Dec. 26 Amber Reeves

  New zealand-english scholar and author (d. 1981).

• Dec. 26 Savitri

  Indian actress, playback singer, dancer, director and producer (b. 1936)

• Dec. 27 Hoagy Carmichael

  Hoagy carmichael was an american composer known for writing and performing popular songs such as 'stardust' and 'georgia on my mind'.

• Dec. 28 Allan Dwan

  Canadian-american director, producer, and screenwriter (b. 1885)

• Dec. 29 Miroslav Krleža

  Prominent Croatian writer and playwright, considered one of the most important literary figures of the 20th century.

• Dec. 29 Philip Handler

  American nutritionist, and biochemist (b. 1917)

• Dec. 29 Guido Provoost

  At 41, a belgian historian dies

• Dec. 30 Alfie Anido

  Filipino actor (born 1959)

• Dec. 31 Frantisek Chaun

  Composer dies at the age of 60