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. 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.
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 Betty Garde
American actress (b. 1905)
Dec. 25 Benny Binion
American poker player and businessman (b. 1904)
Dec. 25 Robert Pirosh
American director and screenwriter (b. 1910)
Dec. 25 Elena Ceaușescu
Romanian politician, first lady of romania (b. 1916)
Dec. 25 Frederick F. Houser
American judge and politician, 34th lieutenant governor of california (b. 1905)
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)