Famous people and celebrities who died in December 1995

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in December 1995. 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 Hopper Levett
English cricketer (b. 1908)
Dec. 1 Maxwell R. Thurman
American general (b. 1931)
Dec. 2 Roxie Roker
Prominent African American actress best known for her role as Helen Willis on the groundbreaking sitcom 'The Jeffersons' and mother of musician Lenny Kravitz.
Dec. 3 Robertson Davies
Prominent Canadian novelist, playwright, and literary critic known for his intellectual depth and significant contributions to Canadian literature.
Dec. 5 Gwen Harwood
Renowned Australian poet and playwright who made significant contributions to modern Australian literature, known for her complex and innovative poetry exploring themes of identity, motherhood, and intellectual life.
Dec. 5 Charles Evans
Renowned English-Welsh mountaineer, surgeon, and educator who made significant contributions to medical and alpine fields.
Dec. 5 Robert Parrish
Robert Parrish was an accomplished film director, editor, and actor known for his work in Hollywood, including contributions to the James Bond film 'Casino Royale'.
Dec. 6 Kathleen Harrison
Actress (fast lady big money), dies at the age of 103
Dec. 6 James Reston
Influential American journalist and New York Times executive who revolutionized newspaper opinion pages and won two Pulitzer Prizes. He was a prominent Washington bureau chief and a key figure in American journalism during the mid-20th century.
Dec. 9 Toni Cade Bambara
Renowned African American writer, filmmaker, and social activist who significantly contributed to Black literature and social justice movements.
Dec. 9 Douglas Corrigan
Douglas Corrigan was an American aviator famous for his 1938 transatlantic flight from New York to Ireland, which earned him the nickname 'Wrong Way Corrigan'. His accidental journey became a media sensation, leading to significant financial opportunities through lectures, articles, and a movie.
Dec. 10 Darren Robinson
American rapper known as part of the hip-hop group Fat Boys, who died in 1995 at a young age.
Dec. 11 Arthur Mullard
British comedian and actor popular in the mid-20th century, known for his comedic roles in television and theater.
Dec. 11 Greg Bahnsen
American minister and philosopher (b. 1948)
Dec. 13 Ann Nolan Clark
American author and educator (b. 1896)
Dec. 14 Rob Harris
Young skysurfer who tragically died during a skydiving accident at the age of 28.
Dec. 15 Manuel Gutierrez Mellado
Prominent Spanish military and political figure who played a crucial role in Spain's transition to democracy after Franco's regime. He served as the first Vice President of the Government for Defense Affairs and the first Minister of Defense in Spain.
Dec. 18 Konrad Zuse
Konrad Zuse was a pioneering German computer scientist who created the first programmable computer, fundamentally transforming the field of computing. His Z1 computer, developed in 1938, was the first binary digital computer and laid the groundwork for modern computing technology. Zuse's innovations were critical in establishing the foundations of computer science.
Dec. 20 Madge Sinclair
Jamaican-born actress known for her roles in television and film, including the TV series 'Roots' where she played Kunta Kinte's mother.
Dec. 22 Butterfly McQueen
Renowned African American actress famous for her role as Prissy in the classic film 'Gone with the Wind', a landmark movie in cinema history. She was a pioneering Black actress who challenged racial stereotypes in Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s.
Dec. 22 James E. Meade
Nobel Prize laureate for their pathbreaking contribution to the theory of international trade and international capital movements
Dec. 23 Patric Knowles
English actor (b. 1911)
Dec. 25 Dean Martin
Dean Martin was a legendary Italian-American entertainer who rose to fame as half of the iconic comedy duo with Jerry Lewis. He was a versatile performer known for his smooth singing voice, comedic timing, and later success as a solo artist in music, film, and television.
Dec. 25 Emmanuel Levinas
Influential French philosopher of Lithuanian Jewish origin who made significant contributions to phenomenology, ethics, and Jewish philosophy, emphasizing the importance of the Other in ethical relationships.
Dec. 25 Chang Kee-ryo
Korean surgeon (b. 1914)
Dec. 27 Shura Cherkassky
Renowned Ukrainian-American classical pianist and music educator who had a distinguished international career spanning several decades.
Dec. 30 Ralph Flanagan
Ralph Flanagan was a notable American big band pianist, composer, and conductor during the swing era, known for his contributions to popular music in the mid-20th century.