Famous people and celebrities who died in December 1998

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in December 1998. 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 Freddie Young
Renowned British cinematographer who worked extensively in the film industry during the mid-20th century, known for his exceptional camera work and visual storytelling.
Dec. 1 Janet Lewis
American poet and novelist (b. 1899)[72]
Dec. 5 Al Gore
Former US Vice President, environmental activist, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate known for his work on climate change awareness.
Dec. 6 César Baldaccini
Renowned French sculptor and academic known for his innovative sculptural works and significant contributions to contemporary art.
Dec. 7 Martin Rodbell
MED - American biochemist and endocrinologist, nobel prize laureate (d. 1998)
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. 9 Shaughnessy Cohen
Canadian lawyer and politician (b. 1948)
Dec. 11 André Lichnerowicz
Renowned French mathematician specializing in differential geometry and mathematical physics, who made significant contributions to scientific research at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique.
Dec. 12 Lawton Chiles
Lawton Chiles was an influential American politician who served as Governor of Florida, known for his unique campaign strategy of walking across the state, earning him the nickname 'Walkin' Lawton'. He died unexpectedly at home in Tallahassee in 1998.
Dec. 12 Mo Udall
Prominent American politician from Arizona who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and was a notable Democratic presidential candidate in 1976.
Dec. 12 Marco Denevi
Prominent Argentinian writer and lawyer known for his significant contributions to Latin American literature.
Dec. 12 Morris Udall
American captain and politician (b. 1922)
Dec. 13 Lew Grade
Influential British media mogul who played a crucial role in television entertainment, producing numerous popular TV shows and helping shape the British entertainment industry.
Dec. 13 Wade Watts
Civil rights activist (b. 1919)
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.
Dec. 14 A. Leon Higginbotham Jr.
American lawyer, judge, and activist (b. 1928)
Dec. 14 Aloyisus Leon Higginbotham
Jr., american civil rights activist (born 1928).
Dec. 18 Lev Dyomin
Prominent Russian cosmonaut and colonel who was part of the Soviet space program, completing a significant space mission before his death in 1998.
Dec. 19 Antonio Ordonez
Spanish bullfighter (born 1932)
Dec. 20 Alan Lloyd Hodgkin
MED - English physiologist, biophysicist, and academic, nobel prize laureate (d. 1998)
Dec. 20 C P Lyons
Canadian naturalist and author (born in 1915).
Dec. 21 Ernst Gunther Schenck
German physician (born 1904)
Dec. 25 John Pulman
English snooker player (b. 1923)
Dec. 26 Ram Swarup
Indian writer on hindu philosophy and religion (b. 1920)
Dec. 29 Jean-Claude Forest
Influential French comics artist and writer, best known for creating the science fiction character Barbarella, which later inspired a cult film.
Dec. 29 Don Taylor
American actor and film director (b. 1920)
Dec. 29 Ralph Siu
American scholar, military and civil servant, and author (b. 1917)
Dec. 30 Sam Muchnick
American wrestling promoter, co-founded the national wrestling alliance (b. 1905)
Dec. 31 Ted Glossop
Australian rugby league player and coach (b. 1934)