Famous people and celebrities who died in June 2012

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

• June 2 Richard Dawson

  Richard Dawson was a charismatic British-American television host and actor, most famous for hosting the popular game show 'Family Feud' from 1976 to 1985. He was known for his witty interactions with contestants and became a beloved television personality.

• June 2 Kathryn Joosten

  Beloved American actress best known for her roles in 'Desperate Housewives' and 'The West Wing', who passed away in 2012 after battling lung cancer.

• June 2 LeRoy Ellis

  Professional basketball player who played in the NBA during the 1960s and early 1970s, contributing to the sport's development during a significant era of change.

• June 3 Roy Salvadori

  Renowned British racing driver who competed in Formula One and won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959 with Aston Martin.

• June 5 Ray Bradbury

  Renowned American science fiction and fantasy writer, famous for groundbreaking works like 'Fahrenheit 451' and 'The Martian Chronicles'. He significantly influenced modern speculative fiction and was a pivotal figure in 20th-century literature.

• June 5 Barry Unsworth

  Barry Unsworth was a distinguished British novelist who won the prestigious Booker Prize and was renowned for his masterful historical fiction works that explored complex human narratives.

• June 5 Charlie Sutton

  Australian footballer and coach (b. 1924)

• June 9 Régis Clère

  Professional French cyclist known for his remarkable Tour de France performances, particularly his unexpected stage win in 1987 despite time limitations.

• June 10 Georges Mathieu

  Georges Mathieu was a prominent French abstract painter and a key figure in the Lyrical Abstraction movement, known for his spontaneous and gestural painting techniques that emphasized emotional expression over precise representation.

• June 11 Ann Rutherford

  Ann Rutherford was a Canadian-American actress known for her roles in classic Hollywood films, particularly as Scarlett O'Hara's sister in 'Gone with the Wind'. She was also a television panelist on the show 'Leave It to the Girls'.

• June 11 Teófilo Stevenson

  Legendary Cuban boxer who dominated heavyweight amateur boxing, winning three consecutive Olympic gold medals (1972, 1976, 1980) and becoming an international sports icon.

• June 12 Elinor Ostrom

  ECO - American political scientist and economist, nobel prize laureate (b. 1933)

• June 12 Hector Bianciotti

  Renowned Argentinian-French journalist and author who wrote extensively about cultural experiences and literary works.

• June 13 William S. Knowles

  Nobel Prize laureate for their work on chirally catalysed hydrogenation reactions

• June 13 Roger Garaudy

  French philosopher and intellectual who transitioned from communism to controversial anti-Zionist perspectives, known for his provocative writings challenging historical narratives.

• June 13 Mehdi Hassan

  Legendary Pakistani ghazal singer widely considered the 'King of Ghazal', renowned for his soulful and classical vocal style in South Asian music.

• June 15 Jerry Tubbs

  American football player and coach (b. 1935)

• June 15 Barry MacKay

  American tennis player and sportscaster (b. 1935)

• June 17 Rodney King

  Rodney King was an African-American motorist whose brutal beating by Los Angeles police officers in 1991 sparked nationwide protests against police brutality and racial injustice, leading to the infamous LA riots of 1992.

• June 20 Andrew Sarris

  Influential American film critic and professor who was instrumental in introducing and popularizing the auteur theory in American film criticism.

• June 20 Leroy Neiman

  Renowned American artist famous for his vibrant, energetic paintings capturing sports and entertainment scenes with distinctive colorful style.

• June 21 Anna Schwartz

  Renowned American economist who made significant contributions to monetary economics and collaborated extensively with Milton Friedman in understanding monetary policy and economic fluctuations.

• June 21 Abid Hussain

  Indian economist and diplomat, indian ambassador to the united states (b. 1926)

• June 23 Brigitte Engerer

  Renowned French classical pianist and music educator who had a distinguished international career. She was known for her exceptional interpretations of classical repertoire.

• June 23 Frank Chee Willeto

  Navajo Nation leader and World War II code talker who served as the 4th vice president of the Navajo Nation.

• June 26 Nora Ephron

  Renowned American filmmaker, journalist, and novelist famous for her romantic comedies and sharp wit, particularly known for screenplays like 'When Harry Met Sally' and 'Sleepless in Seattle'.

• June 27 Rosemary Dobson

  Renowned Australian poet celebrated for her lyrical and introspective poetry, significantly contributing to the Australian literary landscape in the 20th century.

• June 28 Robert Sabatier

  Prominent French writer and poet who was elected to prestigious literary academies, including Académie Goncourt in 1971. He authored numerous novels, essays, and works on poetry, including a significant historical study of 17th-century French poetry.

• June 30 Yitzhak Shamir

  Prominent Israeli politician who served as Prime Minister of Israel from 1983 to 1992. A key figure in the Zionist movement and Israeli politics, he played a significant role in Israel's early statehood and international diplomacy.