Famous people and celebrities who died in 2004

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 2004. This year saw the loss of many influential and beloved figures who left a lasting impact on the world. From entertainment icons and sports legends to renowned scholars and public figures, our comprehensive list pays tribute to their lives and legacies. Join us in honoring their contributions and celebrating their achievements as we reflect on their remarkable stories.

Jan. 7 Ingrid Thulin
Ingrid Thulin was a renowned Swedish actress who collaborated extensively with legendary filmmaker Ingmar Bergman, starring in iconic films like 'The Silence' and 'Winter Light'. She was a key figure in the Swedish New Wave cinema of the 1960s and known for her intense, nuanced performances.
Jan. 22 Ann Miller
Renowned Broadway dancer and actress famous for her incredible tap dancing skills, performing 500 taps per hour and starring in 'Sugar Babies' alongside Mickey Rooney. She was a notable performer in Hollywood's golden age, known for her energetic performances and glamorous lifestyle.
Jan. 28 Joe Viterelli
American character actor known for supporting roles in numerous films, particularly in mob-related movies during the 1980s and 1990s.
March 2 Mercedes McCambridge
Renowned American actress who won an Academy Award for her powerful voice acting in 'Johnny Guitar' and 'The Exorcist', making significant contributions to film and radio drama.
March 6 Frances Dee
Frances Dee was a prominent Hollywood actress during the Golden Age of cinema, known for her roles in romantic dramas and her marriage to actor Joel McCrea.
March 7 Paul Winfield
Acclaimed African American actor known for roles in films like 'Sounder' and television series, who received Emmy and Oscar nominations during his distinguished career.
March 21 Ludmilla Tchérina
Renowned French ballerina, choreographer, and actress who had a distinguished career in performing arts during the mid-20th century.
March 26 Jan Sterling
Acclaimed American film actress who was Oscar-nominated for her role in 'The High and Mighty' and appeared in over 26 films during her career.
March 26 Jan Berry
American rock musician and songwriter, one half of the famous duo Jan and Dean, known for their surf rock hits like 'Deadman's Curve'.
May 9 Alan King
Alan King was a renowned American comedian, actor, and producer known for his sharp social commentary and stand-up comedy. He appeared in numerous films and television shows, becoming a prominent figure in entertainment during the mid-20th century.
June 5 Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan was the 40th President of the United States, serving from 1981 to 1989. Before entering politics, he was a Hollywood actor and union leader, serving as president of the Screen Actors Guild. He was known for his conservative policies and played a significant role in ending the Cold War.
July 22 Sacha Distel
Renowned French singer, guitarist, and composer who was a prominent figure in French music during the 1960s and 1970s. He was a versatile artist known for his jazz guitar skills and international hit 'Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head'.
July 23 Serge Reggiani
Renowned Italian-French singer and actor who had a significant career in music and cinema during the mid-20th century.
July 29 Rena Vlahopoulou
Prominent Greek singer and actress who was a significant figure in mid-20th century Greek entertainment, known for her contributions to music and cinema.
July 31 Laura Betti
Renowned Italian actress and close friend of Pier Paolo Pasolini, known for her collaborations with major Italian filmmakers like Fellini and Bertolucci. She was also a professional jazz singer before her acting career and created a documentary about Pasolini in 2001.
Aug. 6 Rick James
Legendary funk and R&B singer known for hits like 'Super Freak' and his influential role in 1980s music. A Grammy-nominated artist who significantly impacted popular music and influenced many future musicians.
Aug. 8 Fay Wray
Fay Wray was a famous Hollywood actress of the 1930s, best known for her iconic role as Ann Darrow in the groundbreaking 1933 film 'King Kong', which established her as a legendary figure in cinema history.
Aug. 13 Julia Child
Renowned American chef who revolutionized French cooking in the United States through her groundbreaking cookbooks and television shows. She introduced sophisticated French cuisine to American home cooks and became a cultural icon in culinary television.
Sept. 18 Russ Meyer
Influential American filmmaker known for pioneering sexploitation cinema and creating cult classic films with distinctive visual style and provocative content.
Oct. 3 Janet Leigh
Iconic Hollywood actress best known for her legendary shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho', which revolutionized film horror. She had a successful career spanning several decades and was married to actor Tony Curtis.
Oct. 5 Rodney Dangerfield
Rodney Dangerfield was a legendary American comedian and actor known for his self-deprecating humor and iconic catchphrase 'I get no respect'. He starred in classic comedy films and was a significant influence on stand-up comedy.
Oct. 10 Christopher Reeve
Iconic American actor best known for playing Superman in the landmark 1977 film and its sequels. He was a versatile performer who appeared in numerous films, TV movies, and stage productions. After a tragic horseback riding accident in 1995, he became a prominent advocate for spinal cord injury research.
Oct. 16 Pierre Salinger
Prominent American journalist and political figure who served as White House Press Secretary during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. He was a respected investigative journalist with international experience and political connections.
Nov. 9 Stieg Larsson
Renowned Swedish journalist and author famous for the posthumously published 'Millennium' crime novel trilogy, which includes 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'. He was also a prominent researcher on right-wing extremism in Sweden.
Nov. 9 Iris Chang
Renowned Chinese-American historian and journalist who wrote the groundbreaking book 'The Rape of Nanking', documenting Japanese war crimes during World War II. Her powerful work brought international attention to the Nanking Massacre and tragically, she died by suicide in 2004.
Nov. 29 John Drew Barrymore
American actor from the famous Barrymore theatrical dynasty, known for his acting career and family legacy.
Dec. 19 Renata Tebaldi
Renata Tebaldi was a legendary Italian operatic soprano renowned for her exceptional vocal range and beautiful timbre. She was a leading lyric soprano of the mid-20th century, performing at prestigious venues like La Scala and making significant contributions to the world of classical music. Her two-octave voice and emotive performances made her one of the most celebrated opera singers of …
Dec. 28 Jerry Orbach
Renowned American actor and singer best known for his iconic role as Detective Lennie Briscoe on the long-running TV series Law & Order. He was a versatile performer who also had a successful career on Broadway and in film.
Dec. 30 Artie Shaw
Renowned American jazz clarinetist, composer, and bandleader who was a pivotal figure in the swing era of the 1930s and 1940s. He was known for his innovative musical style and hit recordings like 'Begin the Beguine'.