Famous people and celebrities who died in December 1989

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in December 1989. 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 Alvin Ailey

  Pioneering African American choreographer who founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. He revolutionized modern dance by blending African American cultural experiences with contemporary performance styles.

• Dec. 3 Connie B. Gay

  Pioneering American radio and television broadcaster who played a crucial role in developing country music's national recognition by co-founding the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

• Dec. 3 Fernando Martín Espina

  Spanish basketball player (b. 1962)

• Dec. 5 John Pritchard

  Sir John Pritchard was a renowned British conductor who significantly influenced post-World War II classical music. He held prestigious positions with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Cologne Opera, Belgian Opera Nationale, and San Francisco Opera. His international career and musical expertise made him a prominent figure in the classical music world.

• Dec. 6 Frances Bavier

  Frances Bavier was an iconic American television actress best known for her beloved portrayal of Aunt Bee Taylor on 'The Andy Griffith Show', a classic sitcom that ran from 1960 to 1968.

• Dec. 6 Sammy Fain

  Renowned American composer and songwriter who wrote music for numerous Hollywood films and Broadway productions during the mid-20th century.

• Dec. 7 Haystacks Calhoun

  American wrestler and actor (d. 1989)

• Dec. 8 Hans Hartung

  Hans Hartung was a renowned German abstract expressionist painter who significantly influenced post-World War II art. A member of the Paris School, he was known for his innovative abstract techniques and personal resilience, having continued his artistic career after losing his right leg during military service.

• Dec. 11 Louise Dahl-Wolfe

  American photographer (born 1895).

• Dec. 14 Andrei Sakharov

  Renowned Soviet nuclear physicist who became a prominent human rights activist and dissident, critically challenging the Soviet regime's policies and advocating for democratic reforms.

• Dec. 14 Andrei Dmitrievich Sakharov

  Nobel Prize laureate for his struggle for human rights in the Soviet Union, for disarmament and cooperation between all nations

• Dec. 16 Lee Van Cleef

  Lee Van Cleef was a legendary Hollywood actor famous for playing iconic villains in Western films. He transitioned from an accountant and Navy veteran to a renowned film actor after his breakthrough role in 'High Noon'. His distinctive looks and intense screen presence made him a memorable figure in cinema.

• Dec. 16 Silvana Mangano

  Iconic Italian actress who rose to international fame with her breakthrough role in 'Bitter Rice' (1949), becoming a symbol of post-war Italian cinema. She was a celebrated beauty queen and actress known for her striking looks and powerful screen presence.

• Dec. 16 Aileen Pringle

  Actress (age consent, convicted night parade)

• Dec. 19 Stella Gibbons

  British author best known for her satirical novel 'Cold Comfort Farm', a landmark work of comic literature published in 1932.

• Dec. 19 Kirill Mazurov

  Belarusian soviet politician (b. 1914)

• Dec. 22 Samuel Beckett

  Renowned Irish playwright and novelist who revolutionized modern theater through his absurdist works. Nobel Prize winner in Literature, famous for 'Waiting for Godot', he explored themes of existential despair with profound humor and minimalist style. [bio]

• Dec. 25 Nicolae Ceaușescu

  Nicolae Ceaușescu was a controversial communist leader who ruled Romania with an iron fist from 1965 to 1989. He was ultimately overthrown and executed during the Romanian Revolution, marking the end of his oppressive regime.

• Dec. 25 Billy Martin

  Legendary New York Yankees baseball player and manager known for his aggressive playing style and tumultuous personal life, particularly his intense relationship with George Steinbrenner and multiple stints managing the Yankees.

• Dec. 25 Robert Pirosh

  American director and screenwriter (b. 1910)

• Dec. 25 Betty Garde

  American actress (b. 1905)

• Dec. 25 Frederick F. Houser

  American judge and politician, 34th lieutenant governor of california (b. 1905)

• Dec. 25 Benny Binion

  American poker player and businessman (b. 1904)

• Dec. 26 Doug Harvey

  Doug Harvey was a notable Canadian ice hockey player and coach who made significant contributions to the sport during his career.

• Dec. 26 Lennox Berkeley

  English composer known for his works in the 20th century classical music.

• Dec. 28 Hermann Oberth

  Romanian-german physicist and engineer (b. 1894)