Famous people and celebrities who died in January 1993

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in January 1993. 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 June Clayworth

  Actress (bodyguard and criminal court), succumbs to lymphoma

• Jan. 4 Joe Keenan

  Joe Keenan was an accomplished American writer known for his work in television, film, and theater, contributing significantly to comedy and entertainment.

• Jan. 6 Dizzy Gillespie

  Legendary jazz trumpeter and bandleader who was a key innovator of bebop and Afro-Cuban jazz. He significantly influenced 20th-century jazz music and was known for his distinctive bent trumpet and puffed cheeks while playing.

• Jan. 6 Rudolph Nureyev

  Legendary Russian ballet dancer renowned for his extraordinary technique and global impact. He defected from the Soviet Union to the West and became a principal dancer, forming an iconic partnership with Margot Fonteyn. He was a pivotal figure in 20th-century dance who tragically died from AIDS in 1993.

• Jan. 9 Alois Brunner

  Nazi SS officer responsible for deportations of Jews during the Holocaust, particularly in France. He was a close associate of Adolf Eichmann and was considered one of the most wanted Nazi war criminals.

• Jan. 9 Paul Hasluck

  Prominent Australian historian, poet, and politician who served as the 17th Governor-General of Australia from 1969 to 1974.

• Jan. 13 Camargo Guarnieri

  Mozart Camargo Guarnieri was a renowned Brazilian classical composer and conductor who significantly influenced Brazilian art music. He was a key figure in the nationalist movement of Brazilian classical music during the 20th century.

• Jan. 15 Sammy Cahn

  Legendary American lyricist who wrote songs for Frank Sinatra, winning multiple Academy Awards and contributing significantly to the Great American Songbook.

• Jan. 15 Henry Iba

  Renowned American basketball coach who led teams to Olympic gold medals in 1964 and 1968, significantly contributing to the sport's development in the United States.

• Jan. 17 Albert Hourani

  Prominent English-Lebanese historian and academic specializing in Middle Eastern studies, known for his influential works on Arab history and culture.

• Jan. 18 Eleanor Hibbert

  Prolific English novelist who wrote under multiple pen names including Jean Plaidy, Victoria Holt, and Philippa Carr, known for historical and romantic fiction.

• Jan. 18 Dionysios Zakythinos

  Greek historian, academic, and politician (b. 1905)

• Jan. 18 M Eleonore Lippits

  First dutch woman missionary doctor dies at 85.

• Jan. 19 Reginald Lewis

  Reginald Lewis was a groundbreaking African-American businessman who became one of the most successful entrepreneurs of his time. He built Beatrice Foods into the first billion-dollar company owned by an African American and was listed among the 400 wealthiest Americans by Forbes in 1992.

• Jan. 20 Audrey Hepburn

  Iconic Hollywood actress and humanitarian who became a global style icon and won an Oscar for 'Roman Holiday'. She was renowned for her elegant performances in classic films and her significant humanitarian work with UNICEF.

• Jan. 21 Charlie Gehringer

  Hall of Fame second baseman who played his entire 19-year MLB career with the Detroit Tigers, known as one of the most consistent and skilled players of his era.

• Jan. 22 Abe Kobo

  Japanese author known for his avant-garde literary works.

• Jan. 22 Kōbō Abe

  Japanese playwright and photographer (b. 1924)

• Jan. 23 Keith Laumer

  Keith Laumer was a prolific science fiction author and former U.S. diplomat who wrote notable works like the Retief series and made significant contributions to military science fiction. He served in the military and diplomatic corps before becoming a full-time writer, drawing from his professional experiences in his storytelling.

• Jan. 24 Thurgood Marshall

  Pioneering African American civil rights lawyer who became the first Black Supreme Court Justice, playing a crucial role in dismantling racial segregation through landmark legal cases like Brown v. Board of Education.

• Jan. 24 Uğur Mumcu

  Prominent Turkish investigative journalist known for his critical reporting and advocacy for human rights and secularism. He was assassinated in 1993, which made him a symbol of press freedom in Turkey.

• Jan. 24 Gustav Ernesaks

  Gustav Ernesaks was a prominent Estonian composer and choral conductor who significantly contributed to the national musical heritage. He played a crucial role in preserving Estonian musical traditions during the Soviet era and was known for his choral works and arrangements.

• Jan. 26 Jan Gies

  Dutch resistance hero who helped hide Anne Frank and her family during the Nazi occupation. His courageous actions were crucial in preserving the Frank family's story during the Holocaust.

• Jan. 26 Jeanne Sauvé

  Pioneering Canadian politician who became the first female Governor General of Canada, breaking significant gender barriers in Canadian political history.

• Jan. 27 André the Giant

  French professional wrestler and actor (b. 1946)

• Jan. 28 Helen Sawyer Hogg

  Helen Sawyer Hogg was a pioneering astronomer who made significant contributions to the study of variable stars and globular clusters. She was a prominent female scientist in the mid-20th century, working at the David Dunlap Observatory in Canada. Her research and academic work helped advance astronomical understanding during her era.

• Jan. 29 Adetokunbo Ademola

  Prominent Nigerian lawyer and jurist who served as the 2nd Chief Justice of Nigeria, playing a crucial role in the country's legal system during a critical period of national development.