Famous people and celebrities who died in 1985

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1985. 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. 14 Jetta Goudal
Jetta Goudal was a French-born American actress known for her roles in silent films.
Jan. 26 James Cameron
James Cameron is a renowned Canadian film director and screenwriter, famous for groundbreaking blockbuster films like Titanic and Avatar that revolutionized visual effects and storytelling in cinema.
Feb. 6 Dandy Nichols
Actress (confessions of a window cleaner), dead at 78
Feb. 21 Ina Claire
Stage and film actress who appeared in 'The Awful Truth' and 'Ninotchka.'
Feb. 22 Efrem Zimbalist
Russian-american violinist composer, conductor
March 21 Michael Redgrave
Renowned British stage and film actor known for his performances in classic movies like 'The Lady Vanishes' and 'The Browning Version'. He was a prominent figure in mid-20th century British cinema and theater.
March 30 Harold Peary
Actor (herb bleondie, willy) dies from a heart attack at 76
April 16 Scott Brady
American film actor known for his roles in Western and crime movies, brother to Lawrence Tierney. He was a complex performer with a notable Hollywood career during the mid-20th century.
May 7 Dawn Addams
British actress known for international films and her high-profile marriage to Italian Prince Massimo. She had a notable Hollywood career spanning three years and was married twice.
May 11 Jorja Curtright
Actor, whistle stop, dies from a heart attack
May 13 Leatrice Joy
Silent screen star, dies in riverdale (bronx) new york city, new york at age 91.
May 17 Hugh Burden
Actor (night of the laughing dead), passes away at 72
July 30 Julia Robinson
Renowned American mathematician known for her significant contributions to mathematical logic and decision problems, particularly her work on Hilbert's tenth problem.
Aug. 8 Louise Brooks
Pioneering American actress of the silent film era, Louise Brooks was a cultural icon who revolutionized cinema with her distinctive style and powerful performances in German expressionist films like Pandora's Box.
Aug. 13 Marion Martin
Actress (dakota lil queen of burlesque), is killed at 67
Aug. 14 Gale Sondergaard
Gale Sondergaard was an Academy Award-winning actress known for her roles in classic films.
Aug. 25 Samantha Smith
Young American peace activist who became internationally known for her correspondence with Soviet leader Yuri Andropov during the Cold War, tragically dying in a plane crash at age 13.
Aug. 28 Ruth Gordon
American actress, born in 1915. she is well-known for her eccentric roles, such as the hilarious comedy "harold and maude". in 1968, she won the oscar for best supporting actress in rosemary's baby. gordon is the author or at least a dozen plays and screenplays. she was the mother of one child and two marriages.
Sept. 6 Johnny Desmond
Popular American singer known for his performances on the Hit Parade radio and television show during the mid-20th century.
Sept. 19 Italo Calvino
Renowned Italian novelist and journalist who significantly influenced postwar literature. He was a key figure in neorealism and later postmodern narrative styles. His works like 'Invisible Cities' and 'If on a Winter's Night a Traveler' are considered masterpieces of 20th-century literature.
Sept. 30 Simone Signoret
Renowned French actress who won an Oscar for 'Room at the Top' and became an international cinema icon. She was a prominent figure in French New Wave cinema and known for her powerful performances and political activism.
Oct. 2 Rock Hudson
Rock Hudson was a legendary Hollywood actor and sex symbol of the 1950s and 1960s, known for romantic comedies and dramatic roles. He was nominated for an Academy Award for 'Giant' and won four Golden Globe awards. Later, he became known as one of the first celebrities to die from AIDS, which raised significant public awareness about the disease.
Oct. 10 Yul Brynner
Iconic Hollywood actor known for his distinctive bald head and powerful performances, particularly in 'The King and I'. He was a versatile performer with a fascinating multicultural background spanning Russia, China, and the United States.
Oct. 25 Morton Downey
Singer (star of the family), passes away at the age of 83.
Nov. 1 Phil Silvers
Renowned American comedian and actor best known for his iconic role in 'Sergeant Bilko', a popular TV comedy series that showcased his exceptional comedic talents.
Nov. 6 Sanjeev Kumar
Sanjeev Kumar was a legendary Bollywood actor renowned for his exceptional versatility and memorable performances in classic Hindi cinema, particularly in iconic films like Sholay and Angoor.
Nov. 19 Stepin Fetchit
Pioneering African American actor and comedian known for his controversial stereotypical film roles in early Hollywood, who was both criticized and later recognized as a trailblazer for Black performers.
Dec. 12 Anne Baxter
Acclaimed Hollywood actress who won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 'The Razor's Edge' and was nominated for 'All About Eve'. She was also the daughter of renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright and starred in over 50 films throughout her career.
Dec. 31 Ricky Nelson
Iconic American rock and roll singer, actor, and musician who rose to fame through the TV show 'The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet' and later became a successful rock musician.