Famous people and celebrities who died in December 2001

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in December 2001. 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 Ellis R. Dungan

  American director and producer (b. 1909)

• Dec. 3 Juan José Arreola

  Juan José Arreola was a prominent Mexican writer renowned for his innovative and experimental short stories that challenged traditional literary forms.

• Dec. 5 Franco Rasetti

  Italian-american physicist and academic (b. 1901)

• Dec. 8 Betty Holberton

  A pioneering computer scientist who played a crucial role in developing the ENIAC, the first general-purpose electronic digital computer. She was one of the six original programmers of this groundbreaking machine during World War II.

• Dec. 8 Mirza Delibašić

  Bosnian basketball player and coach (b. 1954)

• Dec. 9 Michael Carver

  Baron carver, english field marshal (b. 1915)

• Dec. 10 Ashok Kumar

  Legendary Indian actor, singer, and producer who was a pioneering figure in Bollywood's golden era, known for his versatile performances across multiple decades.

• Dec. 12 Jean Richard

  Jean Richard was a prominent French actor and singer known for his versatile performances in theater, film, and television. He was a significant figure in French entertainment during the mid-20th century, with a career spanning multiple decades.

• Dec. 12 Ardito Desio

  Italian founder of the institute of geology at the university, which he managed until 1972. he was a young cyclist and an official of the alpine brigade during ww i. he received his degree in natural science in milan in 1920.

• Dec. 14 W. G. Sebald

  Influential German writer known for innovative literary works blending fiction, memoir, and historical reflection.

• Dec. 15 Rufus Thomas

  Influential Memphis blues and R&B singer known for his hit song 'Walking the Dog', a significant figure in the development of soul and funk music.

• Dec. 16 Stuart Adamson

  Stuart Adamson was a renowned Scottish musician, guitarist, and songwriter known for his work with bands The Skids and Big Country, who tragically died in 2001.

• Dec. 16 Stefan Heym

  Stefan Heym was a prominent German-Jewish writer and political activist who fled Nazi Germany, served in the US Army during World War II, and later became an important literary figure in East Germany.

• Dec. 18 Gilbert Bécaud

  Renowned French singer-songwriter who was a major figure in French popular music, famous for international hits like 'What Now My Love?' and 'Let It Be Me'.

• Dec. 19 Marcel Mule

  Marcel Mule was a renowned French classical saxophonist who significantly influenced modern saxophone performance and pedagogy in the 20th century.

• Dec. 20 Léopold Sédar Senghor

  Renowned Senegalese poet, philosopher, and politician who served as the first president of Senegal, celebrated for his significant contributions to African literature and postcolonial cultural identity.

• Dec. 22 Walter Newton Read

  American lawyer and second chairman of the new jersey casino control commission (b. 1918)

• Dec. 22 Ovidiu Iacov

  Romanian footballer (born in 1981).

• Dec. 23 Bola Ige

  Nigerian lawyer and politician, 3rd governor of oyo state (b. 1930)

• Dec. 24 Harvey Martin

  Legendary defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys who was a key player in the team's 1970s dynasty and Super Bowl victories.

• Dec. 25 Alfred A. Tomatis

  French otolaryngologist and academic (b. 1920)

• Dec. 26 Nigel Hawthorne

  Acclaimed British actor known for his Oscar-nominated performance as King George III in 'The Madness of King George'. He was a late-blooming talent who rose to international recognition in his early 50s, celebrated for his stage and screen performances.

• Dec. 28 Samuel Abraham Goldblith

  American lieutenant, biologist, and engineer (b. 1919)

• Dec. 28 William X. Kienzle

  American priest and author (b. 1928)

• Dec. 29 Takashi Asahina

  Japanese conductor (born in 1908)

• Dec. 29 György Kepes

  Hungarian painter, photographer, designer, educator and art theorist (b. 1906)

• Dec. 31 Eileen Heckart

  Eileen Heckart was a distinguished American actress renowned for her powerful theater performances and Oscar-winning supporting role in 'The Bad Seed'. She was a prominent Broadway actress, acclaimed for her roles in plays like 'Picnic' and 'The Dark at the Top of the Stairs'.