Famous people and celebrities who died in 1997

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1997. This year saw the loss of many influential and beloved figures who left a lasting impact on the world. From entertainment icons and sports legends to renowned scholars and public figures, our comprehensive list pays tribute to their lives and legacies. Join us in honoring their contributions and celebrating their achievements as we reflect on their remarkable stories.

Jan. 21 Michael Duane
Educationalist dies at the age of 81.
Jan. 23 Craig Charles
Craig Charles is a renowned English comedian, actor, and TV presenter, best known for his roles in 'Red Dwarf' and as a host on BBC Radio 6 Music.
Jan. 29 Eric Schneider
Missouri executed 35-year-old murderer of two teachers.
March 6 Anthony Hopkins
Welsh actor known for his exceptional international career in film and television, who overcame significant personal challenges with alcohol addiction.
March 14 Fred Zinnemann
Acclaimed Austrian-American film director who won multiple Academy Awards, known for landmark films like 'High Noon', 'From Here to Eternity', and 'A Man for All Seasons'.
May 24 Edward Mulhare
Irish actor best known for his role as Captain Daniel Gregg in the popular TV series 'The Ghost and Mrs. Muir'. He had a successful career in television and theater spanning several decades.
May 29 Jeff Buckley
Legendary musician known for his extraordinary vocal range and iconic cover of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah'. His tragic death by drowning in 1997 cut short a promising musical career, leaving a lasting legacy in alternative music.
June 14 Richard Jaeckel
American character actor known for notable roles in war films like '3:10 to Yuma' and 'Sands of Iwo Jima', who appeared in over 100 films during his career.
June 19 Olga Georges-Picot
French actress and model from a diplomatic family, who appeared in 18 films and had a notable relationship with Jean Sobiesky from 1966 to 1970.
June 24 Brian Keith
Versatile American actor known for his roles in over 80 films across multiple genres, most famously as Uncle Bill in the TV series 'Family Affair' (1966-1971). He also starred in 'The Brian Keith Show', 'Hardcastle and McCormick', and had a diverse acting career spanning dramas, westerns, and comedies.
June 25 Jacques Cousteau
Renowned French naval officer, explorer, conservationist, filmmaker, innovator, scientist, photographer, author, and researcher who co-developed the Aqua-Lung.
July 1 Robert Mitchum
Iconic Hollywood actor renowned for his pivotal roles in film noir and as a trailblazing anti-hero. Ranked 23rd by the American Film Institute among greatest screen legends, Mitchum defined a unique style of masculine, brooding performance in mid-20th century cinema.
July 2 James Stewart
James Stewart was an iconic Hollywood actor known for his distinctive voice and memorable roles in classic films like 'It's a Wonderful Life' and 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington'. He was a major star during the Golden Age of Hollywood and served as a bomber pilot during World War II.
July 20 Linda Stirling
At 75, a college professor (pretender) dies
Aug. 2 William Burroughs
Influential Beat Generation writer known for his experimental novel 'Naked Lunch', which challenged literary conventions and explored themes of addiction, sexuality, and social control. A key figure in postmodern literature who significantly influenced 20th-century counterculture.
Aug. 30 Bharat Gopy
Prominent Malayalam cinema actor who significantly contributed to Indian film art through critically acclaimed performances across multiple decades.
Aug. 31 Diana Princess of Wales
Diana was a prominent member of the British Royal Family, known for her humanitarian work, compassion, and global influence. She was widely loved for her charity efforts and her ability to connect with people from all walks of life.
Sept. 10 Burgess Meredith
Renowned American actor famous for iconic roles in Batman as the Penguin and as Mickey in Rocky, a versatile performer with a long and distinguished career in film and television.
Sept. 13 Georges Guétary
Georges Guétary was a renowned French-Egyptian entertainer who achieved significant success as a singer, dancer, and actor during the mid-20th century, particularly popular in French cinema and music.
Sept. 17 Red Skelton
Legendary American comedian known for his iconic TV show from 1951-1971, featuring memorable characters like Clem Kadiddlehopper and Freddie the Freeloader. He won an Emmy Award for Best Comedian in 1951 and was famous for his gentle humor and trademark red hair.
Oct. 5 Andrew Keir
Scottish character actor known for roles in historical and adventure films like 'Rob Roy' and 'Quatermass and the Pit'.
Oct. 12 John Denver
Iconic American folk singer and songwriter who dominated the music charts in the mid-1970s, known for hits like 'Rocky Mountain High' and 'Take Me Home, Country Roads'.
Nov. 22 Michael Hutchence
Lead singer of the rock band INXS, Michael Hutchence was a charismatic and influential musician of the 1980s and 1990s. His tragic death by suicide in a Sydney hotel room shocked the music world and ended the career of one of Australia's most successful rock bands.
Nov. 22 Joanna Moore
Actress (bronx hindenburg), dies aged 63
Nov. 28 Georges Marchal
French actor and member of the Comédie-Française, who performed extensively in theater between 1941-1948 before transitioning to film roles.
Dec. 14 Stubby Kaye
Stubby Kaye was a renowned American character actor famous for his roles in Broadway musicals like 'Guys and Dolls' and film adaptations such as 'Sweet Charity'.
Dec. 18 Chris Farley
Legendary comedian known for his work on Saturday Night Live and comedy films like 'Tommy Boy', who tragically died from a drug overdose at the height of his career.
Dec. 24 Toshirô Mifune
Toshirô Mifune was a legendary Japanese actor who revolutionized cinema through his powerful performances in iconic samurai films, particularly in collaboration with director Akira Kurosawa.
Dec. 25 Denver Pyle
American character actor best known for his roles in 'The Dukes of Hazzard' as Uncle Jesse and in numerous Western films and television series.
Dec. 31 Billie Dove
Billie Dove was a prominent American actress during the silent film era, known for her beauty and successful career in Hollywood throughout the 1920s and early 1930s.