Famous people and celebrities who died in December 2011

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in December 2011. 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 Christa Wolf
Influential East German novelist and essayist who critically examined the social and political landscape of the German Democratic Republic.
Dec. 3 Dev Anand
Legendary Indian film actor, director, and producer who was a prominent figure in Bollywood's Golden Age, known for his charismatic screen presence and innovative filmmaking.
Dec. 4 Sócrates
Legendary Brazilian footballer known for his intelligence, political activism, and pivotal role in Brazil's national team during the 1980s.
Dec. 4 Hubert Sumlin
Influential blues guitarist who played a crucial role in Howlin' Wolf's band and significantly influenced rock and blues music. He is considered one of the most important blues guitarists of the 20th century.
Dec. 5 Gennady Logofet
Russian footballer and manager (b. 1942)
Dec. 6 Dobie Gray
Renowned American singer-songwriter known for hits like 'Drift Away' and significant contributions to soul and pop music.
Dec. 7 Harry Morgan
Renowned American actor best known for his iconic roles in TV series M*A*S*H and Dragnet, with a career spanning over five decades in film and television.
Dec. 11 John Patrick Foley
American cardinal (b. 1935)
Dec. 15 Christopher Hitchens
Christopher Hitchens was a renowned British-American journalist, author, and social critic known for his sharp intellect, provocative writing, and passionate critique of religion and political establishments.
Dec. 15 Bob Brookmeyer
Renowned jazz trombonist and composer who was a key member of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, significantly contributing to the big band and jazz landscape of the mid-20th century.
Dec. 16 Nicol Williamson
Nicol Williamson was a renowned British actor celebrated for his powerful stage performances and memorable film roles, particularly in theater and Arthurian adaptations.
Dec. 17 Eva Ekvall
Venezuelan journalist and author, miss venezuela 2000 (b. 1983)
Dec. 17 Kim Jong-il
North korean commander and politician, second supreme leader of north korea (b. 1941)
Dec. 18 Václav Havel
Prominent Czech playwright, dissident, and political leader who played a crucial role in the Velvet Revolution and became the first president of post-communist Czechoslovakia and later the Czech Republic. He was a leading intellectual who fought against communist oppression and championed human rights.
Dec. 24 Johannes Heesters
Johannes Heesters was a legendary Dutch-German actor and entertainer with an extraordinary career spanning over a century. He was known for his performances in theater, film, and operettas, and was active professionally until his late 90s.
Dec. 25 Giorgio Bocca
Italian journalist (b. 1920)
Dec. 26 Sarekoppa Bangarappa
Indian politician, 15th chief minister of karnataka (b. 1932)
Dec. 26 Joe Bodolai
American screenwriter and producer (b. 1948)
Dec. 26 Houston Antwine
American football player (b. 1939)
Dec. 27 Helen Frankenthaler
Helen Frankenthaler was a pioneering American abstract expressionist painter who revolutionized modern art through her innovative color field painting technique. She was a key figure in the post-World War II New York art scene, known for her large-scale, lyrical canvases that influenced generations of artists. Her 'soak-stain' method, where she poured thinned paint directly onto unprimed canvas, became a groundbreaking …
Dec. 27 Michael Dummett
English soldier, philosopher, and academic (b. 1925)
Dec. 29 Constance Bartlett Hieatt
American scholar (b. 1928)
Dec. 30 Ronald Searle
Renowned British illustrator and artist famous for his satirical cartoons and wartime sketches. He survived Japanese prisoner of war camps during World War II and became a celebrated graphic artist.
Dec. 30 Eva Zeisel
Pioneering Hungarian-American industrial designer who revolutionized ceramic design in the 20th century, creating elegant and functional pieces that bridged art and everyday objects.