Famous people and celebrities who died in January 1997

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

• Jan. 1 Ivan Graziani

  Renowned Italian rock singer-songwriter and guitarist who was a significant figure in the Italian music scene during the 1970s and 1980s, known for his poetic lyrics and distinctive musical style.

• Jan. 1 Townes Van Zandt

  Townes Van Zandt was an influential American folk and country singer-songwriter, widely regarded as a seminal figure in alternative country music. His poetic lyrics and distinctive musical style influenced numerous artists, despite limited commercial success during his lifetime.

• Jan. 1 John Burgess

  Renowned Scottish bagpipe player known as 'the king of the highland pipes', who won numerous competitions and received an MBE in 1989. Tragically died in an automobile accident in 2005.

• Jan. 4 Harry Helmsley

  Prominent American real estate developer who built significant property portfolios in New York City and became a major real estate investor during the 20th century.

• Jan. 5 André Franquin

  Renowned Belgian comic artist who created iconic characters like Marsupilami and Gaston Lagaffe. He significantly influenced European comic art through his work with Spirou magazine and innovative character designs.

• Jan. 5 Burton Lane

  Burton Lane was a renowned American composer and lyricist known for his significant contributions to musical theater and film scores. He composed memorable works for Broadway and Hollywood throughout his career.

• Jan. 8 Melvin Calvin

  Melvin Calvin was a distinguished American chemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1961 for his groundbreaking research on the carbon dioxide assimilation in plants during photosynthesis.

• Jan. 10 Lord (Alexander R.) Todd

  Nobel Prize laureate for his work on nucleotides and nucleotide co-enzymes

• Jan. 10 Elspeth Huxley

  Elspeth Huxley was a prominent British writer, journalist, and broadcaster who wrote extensively about colonial life in Kenya and made significant contributions to understanding African culture and colonial experiences.

• Jan. 10 Sir George Young

  British politician and baronet who served as secretary of state for transport, contributing to UK's transportation policy development.

• Jan. 12 Charles Brenton Huggins

  Nobel Prize laureate for his discoveries concerning hormonal treatment of prostatic cancer

• Jan. 12 Jean-Edern Hallier

  Provocative French intellectual and media personality who revolutionized literary and television discourse in the 1960s and 1970s. Known for his dramatic and unconventional interview style, he challenged traditional intellectual norms through his writing and television shows.

• Jan. 12 Charles Huggins

  Nobel Prize-winning Canadian-American physiologist and physician who made groundbreaking contributions to medical research.

• Jan. 14 King Hu

  King Hu was a renowned Taiwanese film director famous for revolutionizing the wuxia (martial arts) genre in cinema, particularly through his masterpiece 'A Touch of Zen'.

• Jan. 16 Ennis Cosby

  Son of famous comedian Bill Cosby, tragically murdered during a robbery while changing a flat tire in 1997.

• Jan. 17 Clyde Tombaugh

  American astronomer who discovered the dwarf planet Pluto in 1930, a groundbreaking astronomical achievement that significantly expanded our understanding of the solar system.

• Jan. 17 Bert Kelly

  Australian farmer and politician, 20th australian minister for the navy (b. 1912)

• Jan. 18 Paul Tsongas

  Prominent Democratic politician who ran for the 1992 US presidential nomination, known for his economic reform platform and emphasis on national sacrifice during economic challenges.

• Jan. 19 James Dickey

  Acclaimed American novelist and poet, best known for his novel 'Deliverance' which was adapted into a famous film. He was a significant literary figure of the 20th century.

• Jan. 20 Curt Flood

  Pioneering Major League Baseball player who challenged the reserve clause, significantly impacting players' rights and free agency in professional sports.

• Jan. 21 Michael Duane

  Educationalist dies at the age of 81.

• Jan. 22 Billy Mackenzie

  Billy Mackenzie was a talented Scottish musician and lead singer of The Associates, who tragically died by suicide in 1997, leaving behind a significant musical legacy.

• 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. 23 Richard Berry

  French stage comedian, film actor, and director from a Jewish family with Algerian roots. He was passionate about acting from a young age and collaborated with notable comedians like Patrick Timsit.

• Jan. 26 Jeane Dixon

  Renowned American psychic and astrologer who gained significant media attention for her predictions, particularly about political events.

• Jan. 27 Gerald Marks

  American songwriter best known for co-writing the classic song 'All of Me', which became a jazz standard.

• Jan. 29 Eric Schneider

  Missouri executed 35-year-old murderer of two teachers.

• Jan. 29 Louis Pauwels

  Influential French writer and journalist known for his intellectual contributions to French literature and media during the 20th century.