Famous people and celebrities who died in December 2005

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in December 2005. 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 Gust Avrakotos

  American intelligence case officer (born in 1938)

• Dec. 3 Frederick Ashworth

  Frederick Ashworth was an American naval admiral who served during World War II and played a significant role in the atomic bomb development and deployment.

• Dec. 3 Kikka Sirén

  Finnish pop and schlager singer known for her significant contribution to Finnish music before her untimely death in 2005.

• Dec. 4 Gloria Lasso

  Renowned French-born Spanish singer who was active in the mid-20th century and made significant contributions to Spanish music.

• Dec. 5 Edward L. Masry

  American lawyer and politician (b. 1932)

• Dec. 6 Devan Nair

  Devan Nair was a prominent Malaysian-Singaporean union leader and politician who served as the 3rd President of Singapore from 1981 to 1985. He played a significant role in Singapore's political development during a critical period.

• Dec. 6 Charly Gaul

  Legendary Luxembourgish cyclist known as the 'Angel of the Mountains', who won the Tour de France in 1958 and was considered the greatest mountain climber of his cycling generation.

• Dec. 6 Danny Williams

  South african singer (b. 1942)

• Dec. 8 Georgiy Zhzhonov

  Prominent Russian actor and author who had a notable career in Soviet and Russian cinema and theater.

• Dec. 9 György Sándor

  Renowned Hungarian-American pianist and music educator who made significant contributions to classical piano performance and teaching throughout the 20th century.

• Dec. 10 Richard Pryor

  Groundbreaking African American comedian and actor who revolutionized stand-up comedy with his raw, unfiltered social commentary and groundbreaking humor. He was a pivotal figure in comedy, known for his brutally honest and provocative performances that addressed race, social issues, and personal struggles.

• Dec. 10 Eugene McCarthy

  Eugene McCarthy was a prominent American politician who challenged Lyndon B. Johnson for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1968, becoming a significant figure in anti-Vietnam War politics. He was a senator from Minnesota, an intellectual, and a prolific writer known for his provocative political and poetic works.

• Dec. 12 Annette Stroyberg

  Danish actress (b. 1936)

• Dec. 12 Annette Vadim

  Danish actress known for her work in European cinema during the mid-20th century.

• Dec. 12 Gebran Tueni

  Lebanese journalist and politician (b. 1957)

• Dec. 13 Alan Shields

  Alan Shields was an accomplished American painter known for his innovative textile art and unique abstract works. He was also a ferryboat captain, demonstrating a diverse and interesting life trajectory.

• Dec. 15 William Proxmire

  Prominent U.S. Senator from Wisconsin known for his fiscal conservatism and the 'Golden Fleece Award' highlighting government waste.

• Dec. 15 Heinrich Gross

  Austrian physician and psychiatrist (b. 1914)

• Dec. 17 Jack Anderson

  Pioneering investigative journalist known for his syndicated column 'Washington Merry-Go-Round' that exposed political corruption and scandals from 1947 onwards. He was a prominent media figure who influenced American political journalism through his fearless reporting and wide-reaching syndication.

• Dec. 17 Marc Favreau

  Marc Favreau was a prominent Canadian actor, comedian, and poet known for his significant contributions to Quebec's cultural scene.

• Dec. 19 Vincent Gigante

  Notorious American mobster and former boxer known for his complex criminal career in New York City's organized crime scene.

• Dec. 20 Raoul Bott

  Raoul Bott was a renowned mathematician who made significant contributions to algebraic topology, particularly known for the Bott periodicity theorem and his work in differential geometry.

• Dec. 25 Birgit Nilsson

  Renowned Swedish soprano who was one of the most important opera singers of the 20th century, famous for her powerful voice and performances in Wagner and Strauss operas. She was a leading dramatic soprano at the Metropolitan Opera and major international opera houses for decades.

• Dec. 25 Derek Bailey

  Pioneering English experimental guitarist who was a key figure in the development of free improvisation and avant-garde music.

• Dec. 26 Vincent Schiavelli

  Distinctive character actor known for memorable roles in films like 'Ghost' and 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest', with a unique appearance and exceptional comedic talent.

• Dec. 26 Kerry Packer

  Influential Australian media mogul who revolutionized cricket by founding World Series Cricket, transforming the sport's commercial landscape.

• Dec. 26 Viacheslav Platonov

  Renowned Russian volleyball player and coach who made significant contributions to the sport during his lifetime.

• Dec. 29 Basil William Robinson

  British art scholar and author (b. 1912)

• Dec. 30 Eddie Barlow

  Renowned South African cricketer and cricket coach who made significant contributions to the sport during his lifetime.