Famous people and celebrities who died in July 2009

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in July 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

• July 1 Mollie Sugden

  Renowned British comedy actress best known for her iconic role as Mrs. Slocombe in the popular sitcom 'Are You Being Served?'

• July 1 Karl Malden

  Acclaimed American actor known for versatile roles in film and theater, Oscar winner for 'A Streetcar Named Desire' and long-time president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

• July 3 Alauddin Al-Azad

  Bangladeshi author and poet (b. 1932)

• July 3 John Keel

  American journalist and author (b. 1930)

• July 4 Brenda Joyce

  Brenda Joyce was a prominent American actress during the Golden Age of Hollywood, known for her roles in numerous films throughout the 1930s and 1940s.

• July 4 Allen Klein

  Influential American music business manager and entrepreneur who founded ABKCO Records and managed notable artists like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Sam Cooke.

• July 4 Steve McNair

  Prominent NFL quarterback who played for the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens, tragically killed in 2009.

• July 4 Lasse Strömstedt

  Swedish author and actor (b. 1935)

• July 4 Drake Levin

  American rock musician (born 1946).

• July 6 Robert McNamara

  Influential American business executive and government official who served as U.S. Secretary of Defense during the Vietnam War era. He was the first non-family president of Ford Motor Company and later led the World Bank. McNamara played a pivotal role in shaping U.S. military and foreign policy during the 1960s.

• July 6 Vasily Aksyonov

  Prominent Russian novelist, essayist, and dissident writer who was a key figure in the Soviet underground literary movement and later emigrated to the United States.

• July 11 Arturo Gatti

  Arturo Gatti was a renowned professional boxer of Italian-Canadian descent, famous for his thrilling fights and warrior-like boxing style. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2013.

• July 11 Ji Xianlin

  Chinese linguist, paleographer (born 1911).

• July 15 Julius Shulman

  Julius Shulman was a pioneering architectural photographer who captured the essence of mid-century modernist architecture in Southern California, particularly the works of Richard Neutra and Case Study Houses.

• July 15 Natalya Estemirova

  Russian human rights activist and journalist who was murdered for her work exposing human rights abuses in Chechnya.

• July 17 Walter Cronkite

  Legendary CBS News anchor who was a trusted voice of journalism during pivotal moments in American history, including the Vietnam War and moon landing. Known as 'the most trusted man in America', he significantly influenced public opinion and media reporting. His career spanned several decades and he was instrumental in shaping television news journalism.

• July 17 Leszek Kołakowski

  Prominent Polish philosopher and historian who was a leading intellectual critic of Marxism and a key figure in 20th-century political thought.

• July 18 Henry Allingham

  British supercentenarian, world war i veteran (born in 1896).

• July 19 Frank McCourt

  Pulitzer Prize-winning author of the critically acclaimed memoir 'Angela's Ashes', which recounts his impoverished childhood in Ireland. He was a renowned teacher and writer who gained international recognition for his powerful storytelling.

• July 20 Vedat Okyar

  Turkish footballer (b. 1945)

• July 23 E. Lynn Harris

  E. Lynn Harris was a pioneering African American novelist known for his groundbreaking works exploring sexuality, race, and identity in the Black community. He wrote bestselling novels that addressed the experiences of Black gay men and became a significant voice in contemporary literature.

• July 25 Harry Patch

  British supercentenarian, world war i veteran (born in 1898).

• July 25 Yasmin Ahmad

  Malaysian writer, director and scriptwriter (born 1958).

• July 25 Vernon Forrest

  Professional boxer, 2division world champion (born 1971).

• July 26 Merce Cunningham

  Pioneering American choreographer and dancer who revolutionized modern dance through innovative techniques and collaborations. He founded his own dance company in 1952 and was a key figure in the avant-garde movement.

• July 29 Gayatri Devi

  Prominent Indian royal and princess, born in London, representing a lineage of distinguished and progressive Indian women with international background and Western influences.

• July 30 Peter Zadek

  Prominent German theater and film director, known for his innovative work and recognized by Theater Heute magazine.

• July 31 Bobby Robson

  Legendary English footballer and football manager who had a distinguished career in international soccer, managing several top clubs and the national team.

• July 31 Harry Alan Towers

  Prolific English screenwriter and film producer known for his extensive work in international cinema during the 20th century.