Famous people and celebrities who died in January 2006

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in January 2006. 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. 3 Bill Skate

  Papua new guinean politician, 5th prime minister of papua new guinea (b. 1954)

• Jan. 4 Irving Layton

  Prominent Romanian-Canadian poet and academic who was a significant figure in Canadian literature during the 20th century.

• Jan. 4 Milton Himmelfarb

  Renowned American Jewish intellectual, sociographer, and author known for his scholarly contributions to Jewish social studies and cultural analysis.

• Jan. 4 Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum

  Emirati politician, 1st prime minister of the united arab emirates (b. 1946)

• Jan. 5 Lord Merlyn-Rees

  British Labour Party politician who served as Home Secretary and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland during the tumultuous 1970s, playing a significant role in UK governance during a challenging period.

• Jan. 5 Merlyn Rees

  Welsh educator and politician, home secretary (b. 1920)

• Jan. 6 Lou Rawls

  Grammy Award-winning American soul and jazz singer known for his smooth baritone voice and hit songs.

• Jan. 6 Hugh Thompson

  Decorated Vietnam War helicopter pilot who played a crucial role in exposing the My Lai Massacre.

• Jan. 7 Heinrich Harrer

  Austrian mountaineer, geographer, and adventurer best known for his remarkable journey through Tibet and his book 'Seven Years in Tibet', which detailed his experiences during World War II.

• Jan. 9 W. Cleon Skousen

  American author and academic (b. 1913)

• Jan. 14 Shelley Winters

  Acclaimed Hollywood actress who won two Academy Awards and was known for powerful dramatic performances in films like 'The Diary of Anne Frank' and 'A Patch of Blue'.

• Jan. 14 Henri Colpi

  Influential Swiss-French film editor, director, and critic who collaborated closely with Alain Resnais and worked with Charlie Chaplin. He made significant contributions to cinema through editing, journalism, and filmmaking between 1950-1960s.

• Jan. 15 Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah

  Emir of Kuwait from 1977 to 2006, he was a significant political leader who played a crucial role in Kuwait's modernization and regional diplomacy.

• Jan. 18 Jan Twardowski

  Polish priest and poet (b. 1915)

• Jan. 19 Wilson Pickett

  Legendary soul singer who was a key figure in the development of soul music in the 1960s, known for his powerful voice and energetic performances.

• Jan. 19 Anthony Franciosa

  Anthony Franciosa was an accomplished American actor known for his versatile performances in film and television, including notable roles in 'A Name for Himself' and 'The Long Hot Summer'.

• Jan. 21 Ibrahim Rugova

  First President of Kosovo who led a peaceful resistance movement against Serbian occupation, becoming a key figure in Kosovo's independence struggle.

• Jan. 22 Aydın Güven Gürkan

  Turkish academic and politician, turkish minister of labor and social security (b. 1941)

• Jan. 24 Fayard Nicholas

  Fayard Nicholas was a renowned American performer known for his exceptional tap dancing skills as part of the legendary Nicholas Brothers dance duo. He and his brother Harold revolutionized dance in Hollywood during the mid-20th century, performing in numerous films and stage productions.

• Jan. 24 Schafik Handal

  Salvadoran politician (b. 1930)

• Jan. 27 Jean-Christophe Lafaille

  Legendary French mountaineer renowned for his extraordinary and challenging ascents in the Himalayan and Alpine regions. Tragically died during an expedition in 2006.

• Jan. 27 Johannes Rau

  German journalist and politician who served as the eighth federal president of Germany, a key figure in national politics.

• Jan. 28 Henry McGee

  British actor best known as a straight man in Benny Hill comedy shows, who passed away in 2006.

• Jan. 29 Nam June Paik

  South korean-american artist (b. 1932)

• Jan. 30 Coretta Scott King

  Prominent civil rights activist who continued her husband Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy after his assassination, advocating for racial equality, women's rights, and social justice.

• Jan. 30 Wendy Wasserstein

  Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright who was a prominent voice in contemporary American theater, known for exploring women's experiences and social dynamics.

• Jan. 31 Moira Shearer

  A renowned Scottish ballerina and actress, Moira Shearer was a principal dancer with Sadler's Wells Ballet and gained international fame through her iconic role in the film 'The Red Shoes'.