Famous people and celebrities who died in December 2002

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in December 2002. 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 Achille Castiglioni
Achille Castiglioni was a renowned Italian industrial designer who revolutionized furniture and lighting design with his innovative and influential creations. His work is celebrated in museums worldwide for its creativity and functional elegance.
Dec. 2 Ivan Illich
Influential Austrian philosopher, priest, and social critic known for radical critiques of modern institutions like education and medicine, challenging conventional societal structures.
Dec. 2 Arno Peters
Arno Peters was a German historian and cartographer known for creating the Peters world map projection.
Dec. 3 Glenn Quinn
Irish-American actor known for his role in the popular TV series 'Roseanne', who tragically died at a young age.
Dec. 3 Adrienne Adams
American illustrator (b. 1906)
Dec. 5 Roone Arledge
Legendary television executive who revolutionized sports broadcasting at ABC Sports and later became president of ABC News, introducing innovative formats like Monday Night Football and Wide World of Sports.
Dec. 5 Ne Win
Burmese political leader who served as Prime Minister and Head of State, implementing a socialist regime and isolationist policies that significantly impacted Myanmar's political landscape during the mid-20th century.
Dec. 6 Philip Berrigan
Philip Berrigan was a prominent Catholic priest and radical anti-war activist who played a significant role in the peace movement during the Vietnam War era, co-founding Jonah House in Baltimore.
Dec. 9 Mary Hansen
Australian singer and guitarist for the influential indie rock band Stereolab, known for her innovative musical contributions before her tragic death in 2002.
Dec. 10 Ian MacNaughton
Scottish television producer and director best known for his work with comedy groups, particularly Monty Python's Flying Circus.
Dec. 12 Dee Brown
American author and historian famous for his groundbreaking book 'Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee', which critically examined the Native American experience during westward expansion.
Dec. 12 Brad Dexter
American actor known for his role in the classic film 'The Magnificent Seven' and various supporting roles in Hollywood productions.
Dec. 13 Zal Yanovsky
Canadian musician who co-founded the influential 1960s rock band The Lovin' Spoonful, contributing significantly to the folk-rock music scene.
Dec. 18 Wayne Owens
An American politician who served in the United States House of Representatives from Utah, representing the 2nd congressional district in two separate terms.
Dec. 19 George Weller
George Weller was a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author known for his war correspondence and literary works. He reported extensively from World War II and was one of the first Western journalists to document the aftermath of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki.
Dec. 20 Bernard King
Australian actor and chef (d. 2002)
Dec. 22 Joe Strummer
Legendary frontman of punk rock band The Clash, known for his influential music and political activism.
Dec. 24 Kjell Aukrust
Renowned Norwegian artist known for his distinctive comedic and artistic contributions to Norwegian culture, creating memorable characters and illustrations.
Dec. 24 Laci Peterson
Laci Peterson was an American woman whose tragic murder and disappearance in 2002 became a high-profile criminal case that captivated national media attention, ultimately leading to her husband Scott Peterson's conviction.
Dec. 24 Jake Thackray
Renowned English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and journalist known for his witty and satirical musical performances. His unique style blended folk music with comedic storytelling.
Dec. 26 Herb Ritts
Renowned American photographer famous for celebrity photography, music video direction, and iconic body portraits. He worked extensively for Rolling Stone magazine and directed notable music videos for Madonna and Chris Isaak. Ritts died from pneumonia complications in 2002.
Dec. 26 Armand Zildjian
American businessman, founded the avedis zildjian company (b. 1921)
Dec. 27 George Roy Hill
Acclaimed American film director known for classic films like 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' and 'The Sting', who won numerous awards and significantly influenced Hollywood cinema in the 1960s and 1970s.
Dec. 29 Lloyd Barbee
American lawyer and politician (b. 1925)
Dec. 30 Mary Wesley
Acclaimed British novelist known for her late-blooming literary career, writing her first novel at age 70 and becoming a bestselling author of romantic and witty fiction.
Dec. 30 Mary Brian
Mary Brian was a prominent American actress during the Golden Age of Hollywood, known for her roles in silent and early sound films from the 1920s and 1930s.
Dec. 30 Eleanor J. Gibson
American psychologist and academic (b. 1910)