Famous people and celebrities who died in December 2012

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in December 2012. 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 Arthur Chaskalson

  Prominent South African lawyer and judge who served as the 18th Chief Justice of South Africa, playing a crucial role in the country's post-apartheid judicial system. He was a key figure in advancing human rights and constitutional law during a transformative period in South African history.

• Dec. 1 Rick Majerus

  Legendary American basketball coach known for his exceptional coaching career, particularly with the University of Utah and Saint Louis University basketball programs.

• Dec. 4 Vasily Belov

  Prominent Russian writer known for his significant contributions to rural prose and realistic literature, capturing the essence of traditional Russian village life.

• Dec. 4 Jack Brooks

  American politician and lawyer who served in Congress, known for his significant legislative work and political career spanning several decades.

• Dec. 4 Miguel Calero

  Colombian professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper and later became a sports manager. He tragically passed away in 2012.

• Dec. 5 Dave Brubeck

  Legendary jazz pianist and composer who revolutionized the genre with innovative time signatures and complex rhythms. His quartet, featuring Paul Desmond, created iconic works like 'Take Five' that became jazz standards. Brubeck was a pivotal figure in popularizing jazz as a sophisticated art form.

• Dec. 5 Oscar Niemeyer

  Renowned Brazilian architect who designed iconic modernist buildings like the United Nations headquarters and the Cathedral of Brasília, significantly influencing 20th-century architectural design.

• Dec. 5 Ignatius IV of Antioch

  Syrian Orthodox Patriarch who led the church from 1979 to 2012, known for his significant role in Middle Eastern Christian leadership.

• Dec. 6 Jan Carew

  Guyanese-American writer, poet, and playwright known for his significant contributions to Caribbean literature and postcolonial studies.

• Dec. 7 Saul Steinberg

  Prominent American businessman and financier known for his significant contributions to the financial industry, particularly in investment and corporate strategy.

• Dec. 8 Jerry Brown

  Prominent California politician who served as governor for multiple terms, known for his progressive policies and political innovation.

• Dec. 9 Norman Joseph Woodland

  Norman Joseph Woodland was an American inventor who co-invented the barcode, a revolutionary technology that transformed retail, inventory management, and global logistics. His work with IBM colleague Bernard Silver led to the development of the Universal Product Code (UPC), which became a global standard.

• Dec. 9 Patrick Moore

  Legendary British astronomer and television presenter who hosted 'The Sky at Night' for over 55 years, making him a pioneering science communicator and astronomy popularizer.

• Dec. 9 Charles Rosen

  Distinguished American pianist, musicologist, and author known for his profound interpretations of classical music and scholarly writings on musical composition.

• Dec. 11 Galina Vishnevskaya

  Renowned Russian operatic soprano famous for her powerful performances, particularly in Madama Butterfly. She was a celebrated artist of the Bolshoi Theatre and an internationally recognized classical music icon.

• Dec. 11 Ravi Shankar

  Ravi Shankar was a legendary Indian classical musician who revolutionized global understanding of sitar music and significantly influenced Western popular music through his collaborations with The Beatles and other musicians.

• Dec. 17 Daniel Inouye

  Prominent American politician and long-serving Democratic Senator from Hawaii, who was a decorated World War II veteran and played significant roles in key congressional committees like Watergate and Iran-Contra.

• Dec. 19 Peter Struck

  German politician who served as the 13th Federal Minister of Defence, contributing significantly to Germany's political landscape before his death in 2012.

• Dec. 22 Ryan Freel

  American professional baseball player who tragically passed away in 2012, known for his versatile playing style and dedication to the sport.

• Dec. 24 Jack Klugman

  Jack Klugman was a renowned American television actor best known for his iconic roles in 'The Odd Couple' and 'Quincy, M.E.', two highly popular TV series of the 1970s and early 1980s.

• Dec. 24 Charles Durning

  Acclaimed American character actor known for his versatile roles in film and theater, including notable performances in 'Dog Day Afternoon' and 'Tootsie'. A World War II veteran who later became a respected Hollywood performer with multiple Emmy and Tony Award nominations.

• Dec. 24 Richard Rodney Bennett

  Renowned English-American composer and educator known for his versatile musical compositions across classical, jazz, and film genres.

• Dec. 27 Norman Schwarzkopf

  Legendary U.S. Army General who led the Allied Coalition during the Gulf War in 1991, known as 'Stormin' Norman'. He was a highly decorated military leader with two Vietnam tours and significant strategic achievements in modern warfare.

• Dec. 27 Harry Carey

  Prominent American actor in Western films, featured in classics like 'Red River' and frequently used by director John Ford.

• Dec. 27 Archie Roy

  Prominent Scottish astronomer who made significant contributions to celestial research and understanding of astronomical phenomena throughout his distinguished academic career.

• Dec. 28 Jayne Cortez

  Influential African-American poet, activist, and small press publisher who was a key figure in the Black Arts Movement, known for her powerful, politically charged poetry.

• Dec. 29 Tony Greig

  Legendary South African-born cricketer who played for Australia and later became a renowned cricket commentator. He was a significant figure in international cricket during the 1970s.

• Dec. 30 Rita Levi-Montalcini

  Renowned Italian neurologist who discovered nerve growth factor (NGF) and won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1985. Her groundbreaking research significantly advanced our understanding of cellular development and neurobiology. She was a pioneering scientist who made remarkable contributions to medical research.

• Dec. 30 Beate Sirota Gordon

  Austrian-American human rights advocate who played a crucial role in drafting the gender equality clause in the Japanese post-war constitution.