Famous people and celebrities who died in December 1994

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in December 1994. 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. 5 Harry Horner
Harry Horner was a prominent Czech-American film director, production designer, and art director known for his significant contributions to Hollywood cinema. He worked on numerous notable films and was recognized for his artistic vision in production design. His work in theater and film, including the famous play 'Our Town', established him as a respected creative professional.
Dec. 6 Gian Maria Volontè
Renowned Italian actor famous for his powerful performances in Spaghetti Western films and political cinema, a key figure in Italian film history.
Dec. 7 Elga Andersen
German/french model/actress (global affair) dies at 58
Dec. 8 Tom Jobim
Antonio Carlos Jobim was a legendary Brazilian composer who pioneered bossa nova music. He created iconic songs like 'The Girl from Ipanema' and collaborated with international jazz legends such as Stan Getz and Frank Sinatra. His innovative musical style blended Brazilian rhythms with sophisticated jazz harmonies.
Dec. 8 Antonio Carlos Jobim
Brazil composer, "girl from ipanema", dies at the age of 67 (born 1927).
Dec. 9 Max Bill
Influential Swiss artist, architect, and designer who was a key figure in the Bauhaus movement, known for his abstract art and architectural innovations.
Dec. 9 Garnett Silk
Garnett Silk was a renowned Jamaican reggae singer celebrated for his soulful voice and impactful musical contributions before his tragic death in 1994.
Dec. 10 Alex Wilson
Canadian Olympic sprinter and track coach who competed in the early to mid-20th century, representing Canada in international competitions.
Dec. 10 Keith Joseph
Prominent English lawyer and Conservative Party politician who served as Secretary of State for Education, known for his significant political influence.
Dec. 12 Stuart Allen Roosa
NASA astronaut who was part of the Apollo 14 mission, a significant space exploration endeavor. He died at 46 from pancreatitis.
Dec. 12 Stuart Roosa
NASA astronaut who piloted the command module during the Apollo mission, while fellow astronaut Edgar D. Mitchell explored the lunar surface.
Dec. 14 Orval Faubus
Orval Faubus was a controversial American politician who served as the Governor of Arkansas from 1955 to 1967, notably known for his resistance to racial integration during the Civil Rights Movement.
Dec. 14 Mary Ann McCall
American jazz and big band singer known for her work with prominent orchestras during the swing era.
Dec. 18 Lilia Skala
Actress from austria/usa (ship of fools and caprice) dies at the age of 98.
Dec. 20 Dean Rusk
Prominent American diplomat who served as Secretary of State during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, playing a crucial role in US foreign policy during the Cold War era.
Dec. 23 Sebastian Shaw
Sebastian Shaw was a renowned English actor, director, and playwright known for his significant contributions to theater and film during the mid-20th century.
Dec. 23 Didier Rocher
French business executive who succeeded his father Yves Rocher as president of the Yves Rocher Group in 1992. He implemented significant restructuring, firing 230 employees and turning the company's financial performance around, generating 350 million French francs in profit in 1994.
Dec. 24 John Boswell
Pioneering American historian who revolutionized understanding of homosexuality in medieval Europe through groundbreaking scholarly work on same-sex relationships.
Dec. 24 John Osborne
Influential British playwright known for his groundbreaking play 'Look Back in Anger', which was a pivotal work in the 'Angry Young Men' movement of British theatre in the 1950s.
Dec. 24 Rossano Brazzi
Renowned Italian actor who became an international star in the 1950s and 1960s, famous for romantic and aristocratic roles in films like 'South Pacific' and 'Summertime'. He appeared in over 200 films and was particularly known for playing sophisticated Latin lovers.
Dec. 25 Zail Singh
Zail Singh was an influential Indian politician who served as the 7th President of India from 1982 to 1987, playing a significant role in the country's political landscape during a crucial period of its post-independence history.
Dec. 25 Pierre Dreyfus
Prominent French business and political leader who served as a key executive at Renault and held ministerial positions, significantly contributing to French industrial policy.
Dec. 26 Sylva Koscina
Italian actress known for her roles in classic mythological films and Hollywood productions, particularly in Hercules movies of the late 1950s and her appearance alongside Paul Newman.
Dec. 26 Parveen Shakir
Renowned Pakistani poetess who made significant contributions to Urdu literature, known for her powerful and emotive poetry that explored themes of love and femininity.
Dec. 27 Fanny Cradock
Fanny Cradock was a pioneering English television cook and broadcaster who significantly influenced British culinary entertainment in the mid-20th century. She was known for her flamboyant cooking demonstrations and distinctive style on television. Her career spanned several decades, making her a memorable figure in British media.
Dec. 27 J. B. L. Reyes
Filipino lawyer and jurist (b. 1902)
Dec. 28 Jean-Louis Lévesque
Jean-Louis Lévesque was a prominent Canadian businessman and philanthropist who played a significant role in Quebec's economic development. He was known for his investments in various industries and substantial charitable contributions.
Dec. 30 Dmitri Ivanenko
Ukrainian-russian physicist and academic (b. 1904)
Dec. 31 Woody Strode
African American actor and professional football player who broke racial barriers in sports and cinema, known for significant roles in epic films like 'Spartacus' and Sergio Leone's 'Once Upon a Time in the West'.