Famous people and celebrities who died in July 1989

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in July 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

• July 1 William Ching

  Actor (moonlighter and terror in haunted house).

• July 2 Franklin J. Schaffner

  Franklin J. Schaffner was an acclaimed American film and television director known for directing classic films like 'Patton' and 'Planet of the Apes', winning multiple awards including an Academy Award.

• July 3 Jim Backus

  Versatile American actor known for voice acting Mr. Magoo and acting in classic films and television shows like 'Gilligan's Island'. He was a prominent figure in radio, film, and TV during mid-20th century entertainment.

• July 3 Andrei Gromyko

  Prominent Soviet diplomat who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs for nearly three decades, playing a crucial role in Cold War diplomacy.

• July 4 Jack Haig

  British actor (born 1913).

• July 6 Janos Kadar

  Communist leader of Hungary who ruled from 1956 to 1988, known for his pragmatic approach during the Cold War and implementing a more moderate form of socialism.

• July 6 János Kádár

  Hungarian mechanic and politician, hungarian minister of the interior (b. 1912)

• July 10 Mel Blanc

  Known as the 'Man of a Thousand Voices', Mel Blanc was a legendary voice actor who provided voices for iconic cartoon characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig. He revolutionized animation voice acting and worked extensively with Warner Bros. and Hanna-Barbera.

• July 10 Thomas E "Tommy" Trinder

  English comic ("bitter springs") dies at 80

• July 11 Laurence Olivier

  Legendary British actor, director, and producer widely considered the greatest actor of the 20th century. He revolutionized Shakespearean film adaptations and founded significant theatrical institutions like the Royal National Theatre. His career was marked by 11 Oscar nominations and groundbreaking performances across stage and screen.

• July 13 Abdul Rahman Qassemlu

  Iran kurds leader, murdered

• July 13 Arnaldo Ochoa Sanchez

  Cubans general, executed

• July 16 Herbert von Karajan

  Renowned Austrian conductor who was a dominant figure in classical music, particularly known for his long leadership of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. He was one of the most influential and prolific conductors of the 20th century.

• July 18 Rebecca Schaeffer

  American model and actress (b. 1967)

• July 18 Rebecca Schaeffer is shot by a crazed fan

  California passed america's first antistalking law in 1990.

• July 18 Marika Nezer

  Greek actress (born 1906).

• July 19 Carl-Heinz Schroth

  Director / actor (strafverteidiger), dies at 87

• July 20 Marie-Madeleine Fourcade

  A courageous French resistance leader during World War II who took over the 'Alliance' intelligence network after her predecessor's arrest. She played a critical role in gathering intelligence against Nazi occupation and was known by her code name 'Hérisson' (Hedgehog).

• July 20 Forrest H. Anderson

  American judge and politician, 17th governor of montana (b. 1913)

• July 23 Donald Barthelme

  Donald Barthelme was a significant postmodern American writer renowned for his experimental and innovative short story collections that challenged traditional narrative structures.

• July 24 Ernest Morrison

  Actor (peggy does her darndest).

• July 25 Steve Rubell

  American businessman, co-owner of studio 54 (b. 1943)

• July 30 Lane Frost

  Legendary professional bull rider who became an iconic figure in rodeo. His life and tragic death were immortalized in the movie 'Eight Seconds'.