Famous people and celebrities who died in December 1997

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in December 1997. 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 Stéphane Grappelli
Renowned French-Italian jazz violinist who co-founded the Quintette du Hot Club de France with Django Reinhardt and became a legendary figure in jazz music.
Dec. 3 Marian Kratochwil
Artist dies at the age of 91.
Dec. 5 Eugen Cicero
Romanian-german jazz pianist (b. 1940)
Dec. 7 Billy Bremner
Scottish footballer and manager (b. 1942)
Dec. 11 Eddie Chapman
Eddie Chapman was a notorious British double agent during World War II, famously known as Agent Zigzag. He worked for both the British MI5 and German Abwehr, providing critical intelligence and becoming one of the most remarkable spies of the war.
Dec. 11 Simon Jeffes
English guitarist and composer (b. 1949)
Dec. 12 Evgenii Landis
Renowned Ukrainian-Russian mathematician known for significant contributions to mathematical theory and research.
Dec. 13 Don E. Fehrenbacher
American historian, author, and academic (b. 1920)
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. 14 Emily Cheney Neville
Emily Cheney Neville was an American children's book author known for her award-winning novel 'It's Like This, Cat', which won the Newbery Medal in 1964. Her writing often explored urban life and coming-of-age themes.
Dec. 14 Kurt Winter
Canadian musician, guitarist of the rock band The Guess Who, who passed away in 1997. He was an important figure in the Canadian rock music scene.
Dec. 14 Owen Barfield
Owen Barfield was a British author known for his works on philology and literary criticism.
Dec. 16 Lillian Disney
Lillian Disney was the wife of Walt Disney and a businesswoman who helped manage the Disney family's financial affairs.
Dec. 16 Nicolette Larson
Nicolette Larson was an accomplished American singer and songwriter known for her hit single 'Lotta Love' and her work in country and rock music.
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. 19 Masaru Ibuka
Masaru Ibuka was a pioneering Japanese entrepreneur who co-founded Sony Corporation, transforming it into a global technology powerhouse.
Dec. 20 Denise Levertov
Renowned British-American poet who made significant contributions to modern poetry during and after World War II, publishing influential works in prestigious literary journals and establishing herself as a respected voice in 20th-century poetry.
Dec. 20 Juzo Itami
Renowned Japanese filmmaker known for satirical and critically acclaimed movies like 'Tampopo'. He was a significant figure in Japanese cinema who transitioned from acting to directing.
Dec. 22 Sebastian Arcos Bergnes
Cuban-american dentist and activist (b. 1931)
Dec. 22 Hugh Edward Conway Seymour
Marquis of hertford dies at the age of 67.
Dec. 22 John Pinkerton
Computer scientist dies at the age of 78.
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. 24 Pierre Péladeau
Prominent Canadian media businessman who founded Quebecor, a major media and telecommunications corporation in Quebec.
Dec. 24 James Komack
James Komack was a versatile American entertainment professional known for his work as an actor, director, producer, and screenwriter in television and film during the mid-20th century.
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. 30 Shinichi Hoshi
Japanese author and illustrator (b. 1926)
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.
Dec. 31 Floyd Cramer
Renowned country and pop pianist famous for his distinctive 'slip note' piano style, who significantly influenced Nashville's music scene.
Dec. 31 Michael Kennedy
Member of the prominent Kennedy political family, tragically killed in a skiing accident at age 39.