Famous people and celebrities who died in January 2009

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in January 2009. 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 Claiborne Pell

  Prominent American politician who served as a United States Senator from Rhode Island from 1961 to 1997. He is best known for creating the Pell Grants, a significant federal educational grant program for low-income students.

• Jan. 3 Pat Hingle

  Accomplished American actor and producer known for his versatile roles in film and television, active from the 1950s to the early 2000s.

• Jan. 3 Hisayasu Nagata

  Japanese politician (b. 1969)

• Jan. 5 Griffin Bell

  American lawyer and politician, 72nd united states attorney general (b. 1918)

• Jan. 6 Ron Asheton

  Ron Asheton was a pioneering punk rock guitarist and founding member of The Stooges, a highly influential proto-punk band led by Iggy Pop. He is considered a key figure in the development of punk and garage rock music.

• Jan. 8 Gaston Lenôtre

  Gaston Lenôtre was a pioneering French pastry chef who transformed modern pastry-making and founded the renowned Lenôtre culinary school and catering empire, influencing generations of pastry professionals worldwide.

• Jan. 8 Lasantha Wickrematunge

  Courageous Sri Lankan journalist and lawyer who was tragically assassinated in 2009, known for his critical reporting and advocacy for press freedom.

• Jan. 9 T. Llew Jones

  Welsh author and poet known for his significant contributions to Welsh literature, writing extensively in both Welsh and English during the 20th century.

• Jan. 12 Claude Berri

  Influential French film director and producer known for acclaimed films like 'Jean de Florette' and 'Manon of the Springs'. He was a significant figure in the French film industry until his death in 2009.

• Jan. 13 Patrick McGoohan

  Acclaimed actor known for his iconic role in the groundbreaking TV series 'The Prisoner', McGoohan was a versatile performer who won an Emmy for his guest appearance on 'Columbo' and starred in notable films like 'Ice Station Zebra'.

• Jan. 13 W. D. Snodgrass

  Pulitzer Prize-winning American poet who was a key figure in the confessional poetry movement of the 1950s and 1960s.

• Jan. 13 Dai Llewellyn

  Welsh novelist known for writing several acclaimed works of fiction.

• Jan. 13 Mansour Rahbani

  Lebanese poet, composer, and producer (b. 1925)

• Jan. 13 Nancy Bird Walton

  Australian pilot (b. 1915)

• Jan. 14 Jan Kaplický

  Innovative Czech architect known for designing the iconic Selfridges Building in Birmingham, recognized for his futuristic and avant-garde architectural style.

• Jan. 14 Ricardo Montalban

  Renowned Mexican-American actor famous for iconic roles in 'Fantasy Island' and 'Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan'.

• Jan. 16 John Mortimer

  Renowned British writer, playwright, and barrister famous for creating the beloved character Rumpole of the Bailey and advocating for civil liberties through his legal and literary work.

• Jan. 16 Andrew Wyeth

  Renowned American realist painter known for his tempera and watercolor works, particularly his intimate portraits and landscapes of rural Pennsylvania. Son of famous illustrator N.C. Wyeth, he developed a distinctive style that captured the essence of American rural life with emotional depth and precision.

• Jan. 18 Tony Hart

  Beloved British television presenter who pioneered art programs for children, including groundbreaking shows for deaf children like 'Vision On'.

• Jan. 20 Stéphanos II Ghattas

  Egyptian patriarch (b. 1920)

• Jan. 25 Eleanor F. Helin

  Eleanor F. Helin was a notable American astronomer who specialized in discovering near-Earth asteroids and comets. She worked at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and made significant contributions to planetary science. Her work was crucial in identifying potential asteroid impact risks.

• Jan. 25 Ewald Kooiman

  Dutch organist and educator (b. 1938)

• Jan. 27 John Updike

  Renowned American novelist and literary craftsman, best known for his 'Rabbit' series and Pulitzer Prize-winning works. He was a prolific writer who explored themes of suburban American life with exceptional prose style.

• Jan. 27 R. Venkataraman

  Prominent Indian lawyer and politician who served as the 8th President of India from 1987 to 1992. He was a distinguished statesman with significant contributions to Indian politics.

• Jan. 28 Billy Powell

  Keyboard player and songwriter for the legendary Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, known for his iconic contributions to classic rock music.

• Jan. 29 Hélio Gracie

  Brazilian martial artist and co-founder of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a revolutionary martial art that transformed global combat sports. He was instrumental in developing and popularizing Gracie Jiu-Jitsu worldwide.

• Jan. 30 Ingemar Johansson

  Ingemar Johansson was a renowned Swedish heavyweight boxing champion who won the world title in 1959. Known for his powerful punching and gentlemanly demeanor, he was a significant figure in international boxing during the late 1950s and early 1960s.