Famous people and celebrities who died in 1998

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1998. 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. 4 Mae Questel
Famous American voice actress best known for voicing Betty Boop and Olive Oyl in numerous animated cartoons during the golden age of animation.
Jan. 5 Sonny Bono
Iconic American entertainer who formed the famous musical duo Sonny & Cher, known for their hit song 'I Got You Babe' and significant cultural impact during the 1960s and 1970s. Later became a Republican politician serving as mayor of Palm Springs and a U.S. Congressman.
Jan. 21 Jack Lord
Iconic American television actor best known for starring as Detective Steve McGarrett in the groundbreaking police procedural series 'Hawaii Five-O', which ran for 12 seasons and became a cultural phenomenon.
March 10 Lloyd Bridges
Lloyd Bridges was a prominent American actor known for his roles in 'Sea Hunt' and as the father of actors Jeff and Beau Bridges. He had a successful career spanning several decades in film and television, particularly notable for his versatile performances in comedy and drama.
April 21 Jean-François Lyotard
Influential French post-structuralist philosopher and literary theorist, best known for his groundbreaking work on postmodernism, particularly 'The Postmodern Condition'.
May 1 Eldridge Cleaver
Prominent Black Panther Party leader and influential civil rights activist who wrote the groundbreaking book 'Soul on Ice', challenging racial injustice in America during the 1960s.
May 2 Maidie Norman
Maidie Norman was a prominent African American actress known for her significant roles in classic Hollywood films, particularly in psychological thrillers and dramas of the 1960s.
May 2 Gene Raymond
American actor and singer who was active in film, television, and theater during the 1930s and 1940s. He was married to actress Jeanette MacDonald and had a notable career in Hollywood.
May 9 Alice Faye
Prominent Hollywood actress and singer of the 1930s and 1940s, known for her roles in musical films and her distinctive singing voice.
May 14 Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra was an iconic American singer, actor, and cultural phenomenon who defined mid-20th century entertainment. Known as 'Ol' Blue Eyes' and 'The Voice', he was a leading figure in popular music, film, and the Rat Pack. His influence on music and popular culture remains significant decades after his career peak.
May 22 John Derek
American actor and director who rose to prominence after his 1944 film debut and was named the 'most popular find of 1949'. He starred in notable films like 'All the King's Men' and 'Rogues of Sherwood Forest'.
May 28 Phil Hartman
Legendary comedian and actor known for his versatile character work on Saturday Night Live and NewsRadio. He was tragically murdered by his wife in 1998, cutting short a brilliant comedy career.
June 5 Jeanette Nolan
Jeanette Nolan was a prolific American character actress who appeared in over 100 films and television shows, including notable roles in 'The Twilight Zone' and 'Psycho'. She was also a talented voice actress with a career spanning several decades.
June 23 Maureen O'Sullivan
Maureen O'Sullivan was a prominent Irish-American actress famous for her iconic role as Jane in the classic Tarzan film series, appearing alongside Johnny Weissmuller in multiple movies during the 1930s and 1940s.
July 6 Roy Rogers
Legendary American cowboy actor and entertainer who dominated Western films from the 1930s to 1950s. Known as the 'King of the Cowboys', he starred in numerous movies with his famous horse Trigger and was a popular television and radio personality.
July 29 Jerome Robbins
Legendary Broadway choreographer and director who revolutionized musical theater, most famous for choreographing 'West Side Story' and 'Fiddler on the Roof'.
Aug. 1 Eva Bartok
Hungarian-born actress who worked in British and international cinema, known for her roles in films during the 1950s and 1960s.
Aug. 13 Nino Ferrer
Renowned Italian-French pop music singer and songwriter known for his hit 'Agata' in the 1970s. An archeologist by education, he lived in France from 1946 and tragically died by suicide in St. Cyprien in 1998.
Aug. 18 Persis Khambatta
Persis Khambatta was an acclaimed Indian actress and model who gained international recognition for her striking beauty and memorable role as the bald navigator Lieutenant Ilia in Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
Sept. 5 Leo Penn
Leo Penn was an accomplished American actor, director, and screenwriter who worked in television and film during the mid-20th century. He was the father of actors Sean and Chris Penn, and made significant contributions to the entertainment industry.
Sept. 30 Marius Goring
British actor (born 1912).
Oct. 2 Gene Autry
Legendary American singing cowboy who dominated entertainment from the 1930s to 1960s, known for his music, movies, and significant business ventures including owning the California Angels baseball team.
Oct. 3 Roddy McDowall
Renowned British-American actor who successfully transitioned from child star to accomplished adult performer, known for versatile roles in film and television, including notable appearances in Planet of the Apes.
Nov. 8 Jean Marais
Iconic French actor and artist known for his roles in classic French cinema, particularly in Jean Cocteau's films like 'Beauty and the Beast'. He was a versatile performer who excelled in theater, film, and was also a talented painter and sculptor.
Nov. 13 Edwige Feuillère
Renowned French stage and film actress who was a prominent figure in 20th-century French theater and cinema. She was known for her versatility and elegance, performing in numerous critically acclaimed productions. Her brief marriage to fellow stage actor Pierre Feuillère was part of her notable personal life.
Nov. 13 Valerie Hobson
British actress known for her roles in classic films like 'Great Expectations' and 'The 39 Steps', who was a prominent figure in mid-20th century British cinema.
Nov. 17 Esther Rolle
Prominent African American actress known for her groundbreaking roles in television, particularly in the sitcom 'Good Times' where she portrayed Florida Evans, a strong matriarch.
Nov. 25 Flip Wilson
Pioneering African American comedian who broke racial barriers with his groundbreaking TV variety show. He was known for his comedic characters and won multiple Emmy and Grammy awards during the 1970s.
Dec. 9 Archie Moore
Archie Moore was a legendary light heavyweight boxer widely considered one of the greatest boxers of all time. He held the world light heavyweight title for a decade and was known for his exceptional boxing skills and longevity in the sport. Later in life, he also pursued acting.
Dec. 14 Norman Fell
Norman Fell was a renowned American character actor best known for his role as Mr. Roper in the popular sitcom 'Three's Company'. He had a long and successful career in television and film spanning several decades.