Famous people and celebrities who died in January 2008

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in January 2008. 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. 1 Pratap Chandra Chunder

  Indian educator and politician (b. 1919)

• Jan. 2 George MacDonald Fraser

  Renowned Scottish author famous for the Flashman Papers series, a satirical historical fiction that reimagines a cowardly Victorian soldier's adventures.

• Jan. 3 Choi Yo-sam

  South korean boxer (b. 1972)

• Jan. 6 Shmuel Berenbaum

  Rabbi of mir yeshiva (brooklyn) (b. 1920)

• Jan. 7 Alwyn Schlebusch

  South african academic and politician, vice state president of south africa (b. 1917)

• Jan. 8 George Moore

  Pioneering cancer researcher who discovered the link between chewing tobacco and mouth cancer. Founder of Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York, and prolific author of over 700 scientific papers and two books.

• Jan. 10 Maila Nurmi

  Finnish-American actress, producer, and screenwriter best known for her iconic role as Vampira, a pioneering horror TV host who influenced pop culture.

• Jan. 11 Edmund Hillary

  Sir Edmund Hillary was a legendary New Zealand mountaineer who, alongside Tenzing Norgay, became the first person to successfully summit Mount Everest on May 29, 1953. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for this groundbreaking achievement and later became a renowned explorer, writer, and humanitarian.

• Jan. 11 Carl Karcher

  Influential American fast-food entrepreneur who co-founded Carl's Jr., a major restaurant chain that transformed the fast-food industry in the United States.

• Jan. 12 Max Beck

  American intersex advocate (b. 1966)

• Jan. 13 Johnny Podres

  Johnny Podres was a legendary Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher who led the team to their first World Series championship in 1965. Known for his exceptional fastball and pinpoint control, he was a significant figure in baseball history during the 1950s and 1960s.

• Jan. 14 Judah Folkman

  Pioneering cancer researcher who made groundbreaking discoveries in angiogenesis, fundamentally changing our understanding of tumor growth and potential cancer treatments.

• Jan. 15 Brad Renfro

  Brad Renfro was a talented American actor who gained recognition in the 1990s for his compelling performances in legal drama films like 'The Client' and psychological thriller 'Apt Pupil'. Tragically, he passed away at a young age of 25 due to a drug overdose.

• Jan. 17 Bobby Fischer

  Legendary American chess grandmaster who became world champion during the Cold War, revolutionizing chess and becoming a global icon of strategic brilliance.

• Jan. 17 Ernie Holmes

  American football player, wrestler, and actor (b. 1948)

• Jan. 18 Georgia Frontiere

  Georgia Frontiere was an influential American businesswoman who owned the Los Angeles Rams NFL team from 1979 to 2008, becoming one of the first female owners in professional sports history.

• Jan. 18 John Stroger

  Prominent African American politician from Chicago who served as Cook County Board President and was a significant figure in local politics.

• Jan. 19 Suzanne Pleshette

  Acclaimed American actress famous for her starring role in 'The Bob Newhart Show', known for her distinctive husky voice and comedic timing.

• Jan. 19 Michael John Innes Mackintosh Stewart Innes

  Michael John Innes Mackintosh Stewart was a renowned British writer who excelled in detective fiction and academic writing, publishing under the pseudonym J.I.M. Stewart.

• Jan. 19 Don Wittman

  Canadian sportscaster (b. 1936)

• Jan. 21 Kenneth Parnell

  Notorious criminal who kidnapped Steven Stayner in 1972, a case that shocked California and became a significant criminal story involving child abduction and long-term trauma.

• Jan. 22 Heath Ledger

  Critically acclaimed Australian actor known for transformative roles in films like 'Brokeback Mountain' and 'The Dark Knight', where his portrayal of the Joker won a posthumous Academy Award.

• Jan. 26 Christian Brando

  Son of legendary actor Marlon Brando, known for a tragic incident in 1990 where he shot and killed Dag Drollet, resulting in a ten-year prison sentence.

• Jan. 27 Gordon B Hinckley

  Influential American religious leader who served as the 15th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a significant figure in modernizing and expanding the Mormon Church globally.

• Jan. 27 Suharto

  Influential Indonesian military and political leader who served as the second President of Indonesia from 1967 to 1998, known for his authoritarian 'New Order' regime.

• Jan. 27 Louie Welch

  American businessman and politician, 54th mayor of houston (b. 1918)

• Jan. 29 Margaret Truman

  Margaret Truman was an accomplished American writer, musician, and daughter of President Harry S. Truman. She was known for her mystery novels and biographical works about her family.

• Jan. 30 Marcial Maciel

  Controversial Mexican-American Catholic priest who founded the Legion of Christ, later exposed for serious sexual abuse allegations.

• Jan. 30 Jeremy Beadle

  Popular English television host and producer known for his humorous and innovative entertainment programs, who passed away in 2008.