Famous people and celebrities who died in January 1987

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in January 1987. 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

• Jan. 1 Gustav Knuth

  Prolific German actor who appeared in over 90 films and television series, making his acting debut in 1935.

• Jan. 2 Harekrushna Mahatab

  Indian journalist and politician, 1st chief minister of odisha (b. 1899)

• Jan. 5 Margaret Laurence

  Renowned Canadian novelist and short story writer who significantly contributed to Canadian literature. She founded the Writers Trust of Canada, an organization dedicated to supporting Canadian writers and literary arts.

• Jan. 5 Herman Smith-Johannsen

  Norwegian-born canadian cross-country skier (born 1875)

• Jan. 9 Arthur Lake

  American actor best known for playing Dagwood Bumstead in the long-running Blondie film series, a popular comic strip adaptation from the 1930s to 1950s.

• Jan. 10 David Robinson

  NBA Hall of Fame center for the San Antonio Spurs, Olympic gold medalist in 1992, known as 'The Admiral' for his exceptional basketball skills and naval background.

• Jan. 10 Marion Hutton

  American singer (b. 1919)

• Jan. 11 Albert Ferber

  Swiss-english pianist, composer, and conductor (b. 1911)

• Jan. 13 E van Ruller

  Dutch journalist/co-founder (trouw, loyal), dies.

• Jan. 14 Douglas Sirk

  Pioneering director known for his melodramatic films such as 'All That Heaven Allows'.

• Jan. 14 Douglas Sirk (original name

  Claus detlef sierck (born in hamburg in germany, at the age of 86) was born in lugano. he is now a film director for universal studios. his credits include magnificent obsession (1954), there’s always tomorrow (1955), written on the wind ( 1956), the tarnished angels(57) and imitation of life (1959).

• Jan. 15 Ray Bolger

  Famous American actor and dancer best known for his iconic role as the Scarecrow in 'The Wizard of Oz', a classic film that defined his career and made him a beloved Hollywood personality.

• Jan. 15 Dolores Hawkins

  Singer (guy mitchell show), dies at 58

• Jan. 17 Hugo Fregonese

  Argentinian screenwriter and director (d. 1987).

• Jan. 19 Lawrence Kohlberg

  Renowned American psychologist known for his groundbreaking work on moral development theory, which explains how individuals develop moral reasoning through different stages of cognitive growth.

• Jan. 19 Gerald Brenan

  He was a british writer and hispanist who lived a lot of his life in spain. his most notable works include the spanish labyrinth (a historical work about the spanish civil war's background) and south from granada: seven years in an andalusian village. he died in january 1987.

• Jan. 22 R. Budd Dwyer

  American politician who served as the 30th Treasurer of Pennsylvania. He became infamous for his tragic and controversial public suicide in 1987, which was broadcast live on television.

• Jan. 25 Frank J. Lynch

  American lawyer, judge, and politician (b. 1922)

• Jan. 25 Emil Hlobil

  Composer dies at 85

• Jan. 27 Norman McLaren

  Pioneering Canadian animator known for experimental film techniques who won an Academy Award in 1953 for his groundbreaking short film 'Neighbours'. He significantly influenced animation art through innovative visual and sound approaches.

• Jan. 29 Vincent R. Impellitteri

  American politician and judge, 101st mayor of new york city (b. 1900)

• Jan. 29 Ivo Lhotka-Kalinski

  Composer dies at 73

• Jan. 30 Ken Drake

  Actor (crime & punishment usa).

• Jan. 30 Angelo Rutherford

  Actor willie-gentle ben dies at 32

• Jan. 31 Yves Allégret

  Prominent French film director known for his film noir works and for being the first husband of actress Simone Signoret.