Famous people and celebrities who died in 1986
A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1986. 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 Una Merkel
Covington (kentucky) -- actress (42nd street and abraham lincoln).
- Jan. 4 Christopher Isherwood
British-american essayist, screenwriter, playwright, and novelist. isherwood wrote over 20 books and is best known for his quasi-autobiographical "berlin novels," one of which, entitled "good bye to berlin" was the basis for the play "i am a camera" by john van druten and which later became the stage musical "cabaret." he was awarded a cambridge history scholarship, but was later …
- Jan. 14 Donna Reed
American actor, most well-known for her tv series, "the donna reed show," as well as several movies, including the christmas movie, "it's a wonderful life".
- Jan. 24 Gordon MacRae
American singer and actor, who was a well-known musical comedy star in the 1950s. he made his film debut in 1948 in "the big punch" and was seen in five films alongside doris day. his most well-known role was that of a singer in "oklahoma," 1956.
- Jan. 27 Lilli Palmer
German actress with many awards and two nominations for the golden globes. rex harrison was her husband. she divorced him in 1956. she was married to carlos thompson, an argentinian actor, in her second marriage.
- Feb. 10 Brian Aherne
British-american actor who made his acting debut in 1923. he went on to become a prominent british actor within seven years. malvern college had previously taught him architecture. he made u.s. movies starting in 1929, including "song of songs", "juarez," and "titanic," winning an oscar nomination for "juarez," in 1939. his last broadway play, "dear liar," was in 1963.
- Feb. 19 Adolfo Celi
Italian stage actor and husky character actor. he was well-known on the italian screen since the late '40s, and in international films since mid-'60s. he died in rome, italy on february 19, 1986 from a heart attack.
- March 10 Ray Milland
Actor (lost weekend - academy award 1945), dies at 81
- March 25 Gloria Blondell
American actress (d. 1986).
- March 30 James Cagney
James cagney was an american actor known for his energetic performances in gangster films, particularly in the 1930s.
- April 14 Simone de Beauvoir
Simone de beauvoir was a french philosopher and author known for her influential works in existentialist philosophy and feminist theory.
- April 15 Jean Genet
French novelist, playwright, and poet. he was abandoned by his mother, a parisian prostitute. his foster parents tolerated him because of the fee they received from the state. he was thrown out at the age of ten for being accused of theft. he spent five years in a rehabilitation facility. after escaping, genet joined the foreign legion. genet was 20 …
- April 26 Broderick Crawford
Broderick Crawford was an American actor known for his role in the TV series 'Highway Patrol'.
- May 3 Robert Alda
American actor dan lewis - supertrain, born 1914, dies at 72
- May 23 Sterling Hayden
American actor and author. he was a leading actor for most of his life. his specialty was westerns and film noir such as "johnny guitar", "the asphalt jungle," or "the killing". he was later recognized for his character acting roles such as that of gen. jack d. ripper, in dr. strangelove: how i learned to stop worrying about the bomb …
- June 13 Benny Goodman
Benny goodman was a renowned american jazz clarinetist and bandleader, known as the 'king of swing' for popularizing the swing music genre.
- June 17 Kate Smith
American singer ("god bless america") dies in raleigh (north carolina) at the age of 78 (born 1907).
- July 3 Rudy Vallee
Rudy Vallee was a popular American singer and actor known for his distinctive voice and crooning style.
- July 25 Vincente Minnelli
American film director, died in los angeles at the age of 76 (b. 1903).
- Aug. 19 Hermione Baddeley
England, united kingdom -- actresses (camp runamuck maude, good life).
- Aug. 26 Ted Knight
American actor, disc jockey, singer and puppeteer. before reaching hollywood in the mid-50s, he moved to new york to work on tv and radio plays. knight was a star in over 300 tv roles. he won two emmys for best supporting actor in comedy series. "the mary tyler moore" was a sitcom that knight starred in in 1977, and "too …
- Sept. 17 Patricia Phoenix
County galway, ireland -- actress.
- Sept. 28 Robert Helpmann
Australian ballet dancer, choreographer and actor. he began dancing at the age of five and has been performing since he was 11. he toured australia with musicals, plays and comedies after 1927. in december 1932, he moved to london to join the corp-deballet of sadler's wells co.
- Oct. 14 Keenan Wynn
American actor playing the role of character actor. he has appeared in more than 220 films and numerous tv specials. wynn graduated from st. johns military academy. he is the son and grandson of silent film actor frank keenan, his mother. his range of roles included comedy and drama, as well as radio and stock performances. he was one of …
- Oct. 23 Lino Ventura
Actor (french detective slap, jigsaw), dies at 67
- Nov. 29 Cary Grant
British-american film actor. the quintessential hollywood handsome, sophisticated male movie star of the golden era. grant was a film actor who appeared in 72 comedies, dramas, and tragedies over his 34-year career. his films were characterized by an effortless display of easygoing charm, which became his trademark.
- Dec. 2 Desi Arnaz
Cuban-american actor and musician. at 16 he moved to the u.s. and worked as a laborer. he then got a job in a miami rumba band, before starting his own cuban band. he married lucy in 1940, and they had their screen debut that same year. they had two children. they made a fortune together with desilu productions, and the …
- Dec. 13 Smita Patil
Renowned Indian actress known for her impactful performances in Hindi and Marathi cinema.
- Dec. 26 Elsa Lanchester
London, england -- actress (bride of frankenstien), lewisham london
What happened in 1986?
Discover what the world looked like in 1986:
1986 Movies 1986 Songs 1986 Books 1986 Historical Events