Famous people and celebrities who died in January 2000

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in January 2000. 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. 2 Patrick O'Brian

  English novelist best known for his Aubrey–Maturin series of historical novels set in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. His maritime fiction is considered among the most authentic and detailed in historical literature, earning him significant critical acclaim.

• Jan. 2 Elmo Zumwalt

  Distinguished US Navy officer who became the youngest rear admiral in 1965 and was awarded the Bronze Star in 1944 for his military service.

• Jan. 2 Nat Adderley

  Nat Adderley was a renowned American jazz musician and cornetist, known for his work with his brother Julian 'Cannonball' Adderley. He was inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame and played with notable jazz ensembles like Lionel Hampton's and Woody Herman's bands.

• Jan. 5 Kumar Ponnambalam

  Sri lankan tamil lawyer and politician (b. 1938)

• Jan. 6 Don Martin

  Renowned American cartoonist famous for his distinctive style in MAD Magazine.

• Jan. 7 Gary Albright

  American wrestler (b. 1963)

• Jan. 9 Arnold Alexander Hall

  Prominent English engineer, academic, and businessman who made significant contributions to aerospace and technology during the mid-20th century.

• Jan. 9 Nigel Tranter

  Nigel Tranter was a renowned Scottish author who specialized in historical novels and non-fiction works about Scottish history, architecture, and heritage. He wrote over 70 books, including numerous historical novels that vividly portrayed Scotland's past and its castles. His works significantly contributed to preserving and popularizing Scottish historical narratives.

• Jan. 11 Ivan Combe

  American entrepreneur who developed Clearasil, a popular acne treatment product that revolutionized skincare for teenagers in the mid-20th century.

• Jan. 11 Bob Lemon

  Legendary baseball player and manager who played for the Cleveland Indians and managed the New York Yankees.

• Jan. 11 Betty Archdale

  Anglo-australian cricketer and educator (born in 1907)

• Jan. 12 Marc Davis

  Legendary Disney animator who significantly contributed to the golden age of animation, playing a crucial role in creating iconic animated classics like Snow White and Cinderella.

• Jan. 12 Bobby Phills

  Professional NBA basketball player who tragically died in a car accident while playing for the Charlotte Hornets, known for his guard/forward position.

• Jan. 15 Zeljko Raznatovic

  Arkan, serbian paramilitary leader (born 1952).

• Jan. 16 Robert R. Wilson

  Renowned American physicist, sculptor, and architect who made significant contributions to science and art.

• Jan. 17 Ion Rațiu

  Romanian journalist and politician (b. 1917)

• Jan. 18 Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky

  Austrian architect (b. 1897)

• Jan. 19 Hedy Lamarr

  Hedy Lamarr was a groundbreaking Austrian-American actress and inventor who revolutionized wireless communication technology. Beyond her Hollywood glamour, she co-invented a frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology crucial to modern Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Her scientific contributions were as remarkable as her beauty, challenging the stereotypes of her era.

• Jan. 19 Bettino Craxi

  Prominent Italian politician who served as the 45th Prime Minister of Italy from 1983 to 1987. He was a key figure in the Italian Socialist Party and played a significant role in Italian politics during the 1980s.

• Jan. 19 Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum

  A baháʼí faith hand of the cause of god and wife of shoghi effendi (b. 1910)

• Jan. 22 Anne Hébert

  Renowned Canadian poet and novelist who significantly contributed to Quebec literature, winning multiple prestigious literary awards throughout her career.

• Jan. 22 Craig Claiborne

  Pioneering food critic who revolutionized restaurant criticism and culinary journalism at The New York Times, significantly influencing American food culture in the 20th century.

• Jan. 26 A. E. van Vogt

  A prominent Canadian-American science fiction writer known for groundbreaking novels like 'Slan' and 'The World of Null-A', who significantly influenced the golden age of science fiction literature.

• Jan. 26 Donald Budge

  Legendary American tennis player who dominated the sport in the 1930s, winning multiple championships and becoming a Davis Cup team member. His historic 1937 match against Baron von Gramm is considered one of the greatest tennis performances of his era.

• Jan. 26 Kathleen Hale

  English illustrator and author (d. 2000).

• Jan. 27 Friedrich Gulda

  Renowned Austrian classical and jazz pianist, known for his innovative and unconventional approach to music performance and composition.

• Jan. 31 Gil Kane

  Renowned comic book artist and illustrator who significantly influenced the Silver Age of American comics, creating iconic characters and innovative visual storytelling techniques.