Famous people and celebrities who died in December 1999

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in December 1999. 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. 2 Charlie Byrd
Charlie Byrd was a renowned American jazz guitarist known for popularizing Brazilian bossa nova music in the United States during the 1960s.
Dec. 3 Madeline Kahn
Iconic American comedic actress renowned for her unique comedic style in classic films like 'Blazing Saddles' and 'Young Frankenstein'. Her distinctive voice and physical comedy made her a beloved figure in Hollywood comedy during the 1970s and 1980s.
Dec. 3 Scatman John
Scatman John was an innovative American singer known for his unique scat singing style and hit song 'Scatman (Ski-Ba-Bop-Ba-Dop-Bop)'.
Dec. 3 Horst Mahseli
Polish footballer (b. 1934)
Dec. 4 Rose Bird
Rose Bird was a pioneering American jurist who served as California's first female Chief Justice from 1977 to 1987. She was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown and became notable for her controversial tenure, ultimately being removed by voters in a historic election. Her judicial career challenged traditional legal perspectives and sparked significant debate about judicial independence.
Dec. 8 Péter Kuczka
Hungarian poet and author (b. 1923)
Dec. 10 Rick Danko
Rick Danko was a renowned Canadian musician and bassist for the legendary rock group The Band, known for their innovative and influential music during the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was a key member of the group that collaborated closely with Bob Dylan and helped shape the Americana and roots rock genre. After the band's initial breakup, he continued …
Dec. 10 Franjo Tuđman
Croatian general and politician, 1st president of croatia (b. 1922)
Dec. 10 Woodrow Borah
American historian of spanish america (b. 1912)
Dec. 12 Joseph Heller
Renowned American novelist and satirist best known for his groundbreaking anti-war novel 'Catch-22', which became a landmark work of 20th-century literature and a powerful critique of military bureaucracy.
Dec. 12 Paul Cadmus
Renowned American artist and illustrator known for his provocative and detailed paintings that often critiqued American society. He was a significant figure in the mid-20th century art scene, particularly associated with the Social Realism movement.
Dec. 17 C. Vann Woodward
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian who revolutionized understanding of race relations and the American South through groundbreaking scholarly works like 'The Strange Career of Jim Crow'. He was a prominent Yale University professor who significantly influenced historical scholarship in the 20th century.
Dec. 17 Grover Washington Jr.
Legendary jazz saxophonist who significantly influenced smooth jazz and crossover jazz genres, known for hits like 'Mister Magic' and 'Just the Two of Us'.
Dec. 18 Robert Bresson
Robert Bresson was a renowned French film director known for his austere and minimalist cinematographic style. He created 14 influential films over 40 years, primarily during and after World War II, and is considered a key figure in the French New Wave cinema movement. His work was deeply influenced by Jansenist philosophy, exploring profound human experiences through a stark and …
Dec. 19 Desmond Llewelyn
British actor best known for his iconic role as Q in the James Bond film series, portraying the witty and ingenious quartermaster across 17 films from 1963 to 1999.
Dec. 20 Hank Snow
Legendary Canadian-American country western singer and guitarist who was a prominent member of the Grand Ole Opry, famous for his hit song 'I'm Movin' On'.
Dec. 20 Riccardo Freda
Egyptian-Italian film director and screenwriter known for his contributions to cinema, active until his death in 1999.
Dec. 24 Bill Bowerman
Legendary track and field coach and co-founder of Nike, Inc., who revolutionized athletic footwear design and transformed the sports industry. His innovative approach to shoe design directly influenced modern running shoe technology.
Dec. 24 Maurice Couve de Murville
Prominent French diplomat and politician who played a significant role during Charles de Gaulle's presidency, serving as foreign minister and prime minister. He was a key figure in French politics during the late 1950s and 1960s.
Dec. 24 João Baptista de Oliveira Figueiredo
João Figueiredo was a Brazilian military leader who played a crucial role in Brazil's transition from military dictatorship to democracy during his presidency from 1979 to 1985.
Dec. 25 Peter Jeffrey
English actor (born 1929).
Dec. 26 Curtis Mayfield
Curtis Mayfield was a pioneering soul and funk musician who significantly influenced social justice music during the civil rights era. He was a key member of The Impressions and later a successful solo artist known for powerful, socially conscious songs.
Dec. 26 Shankar Dayal Sharma
Indian academic and politician, 9th president of india (b. 1918)
Dec. 28 Clayton Moore
Iconic American actor best known for portraying the Lone Ranger in the classic television series.
Dec. 29 Leon Radzinowicz
Polish-english criminologist and academic (b. 1906)
Dec. 30 Sarah Knauss
American (born 1880), once considered the oldest living person in the world.
Dec. 31 Elliot Richardson
Prominent American politician who served as U.S. Attorney General under President Nixon and Secretary of Defense under President Ford, known for his integrity during the Watergate era.
Dec. 31 Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi
Indian muslim scholar and author (b. 1914)