Famous people and celebrities who died in December 2014

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in December 2014. 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 Dimitrios Trichopoulos
Renowned Greek epidemiologist and oncologist who made significant contributions to cancer research and public health studies.
Dec. 2 Jean Beliveau
Legendary Canadian ice hockey player who spent his entire 20-year NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens, winning 10 Stanley Cups and considered one of the greatest players in hockey history.
Dec. 2 A. R. Antulay
Prominent Indian politician who served as the 8th Chief Minister of Maharashtra, known for his significant contributions to social work and political leadership.
Dec. 2 Bobby Keys
Legendary saxophonist known for his work with the Rolling Stones and other rock bands, contributing to iconic music of the 20th century.
Dec. 3 James Stewart
James stewart was an iconic american actor known for his roles in classic films such as it's a wonderful life and mr. smith goes to washington.
Dec. 3 Nathaniel Branden
Nathaniel Branden was a prominent psychologist who pioneered research on self-esteem and was a key intellectual associate of philosopher Ayn Rand during the Objectivist movement.
Dec. 3 Herman Badillo
Puerto Rican-American lawyer and politician who was the first Hispanic elected to Congress from New York City.
Dec. 4 V. R. Krishna Iyer
V. R. Krishna Iyer was a prominent Indian lawyer and Supreme Court judge known for his progressive judicial views and advocacy for social justice.
Dec. 4 Claudia Emerson
Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and professor who made significant contributions to contemporary American poetry through her reflective and lyrical works.
Dec. 4 Jeremy Thorpe
Jeremy Thorpe was a prominent British Liberal Party leader who served as Member of Parliament for North Devon from 1959 to 1979, known for his significant political career and controversial personal life.
Dec. 5 Silvio Zavala
Silvio Zavala was a distinguished Mexican historian and author who made significant contributions to the understanding of Latin American colonial history.
Dec. 6 Ralph Baer
Pioneering engineer and inventor widely recognized as the 'Father of Video Games' who developed the first home video game console, the Magnavox Odyssey.
Dec. 12 Norman Bridwell
Famous American children's book author and illustrator who created the beloved character Clifford the Big Red Dog, a globally recognized children's book series.
Dec. 14 Theo Colborn
Renowned American zoologist and environmental health researcher who pioneered studies on endocrine-disrupting chemicals and their impact on wildlife and human health.
Dec. 17 Dieter Grau
German-American aerospace engineer who made significant contributions to NASA's early space programs, particularly during the Apollo missions.
Dec. 18 Virna Lisi
Renowned Italian actress who achieved international acclaim for her roles in notable films like 'The Black Tulip' and 'Casanova'. She won the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1994 for her performance in 'Queen Margot'.
Dec. 18 Mandy Rice-Davies
Famous English model and actress known for her role in the Profumo affair, a major political scandal in 1960s Britain that exposed sexual and social improprieties.
Dec. 19 Igor Rodionov
Russian military officer and politician who served as the third Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, playing a significant role in the country's military leadership during a critical period of post-Soviet transformation.
Dec. 22 Christine Cavanaugh
Renowned voice actress known for iconic roles in animated series like Dexter's Laboratory and Rugrats, who passed away in 2014.
Dec. 22 Joe Cocker
Legendary British rock and blues singer known for his distinctive gravelly voice and passionate performances, famous for his unique cover versions of songs like 'With a Little Help from My Friends'.
Dec. 24 Buddy DeFranco
Renowned American jazz clarinetist who was a prominent figure in bebop and swing music, known for his innovative playing style and significant contributions to jazz.
Dec. 25 David Ryall
English actor (b. 1935)
Dec. 25 Gleb Yakunin
Gleb Yakunin was a courageous Russian Orthodox priest and prominent human rights activist who fearlessly challenged the Soviet regime's oppression.
Dec. 26 Leo Tindemans
Belgian politician who served as the 43rd Prime Minister of Belgium.
Dec. 26 Stanisław Barańczak
Renowned Polish-American poet, literary critic, translator, and scholar who made significant contributions to Polish literature and academic discourse during the late 20th century.
Dec. 28 Leelah Alcorn
Leelah Alcorn was a transgender teenager whose tragic suicide became a pivotal moment in raising awareness about the challenges and discrimination faced by transgender youth. Her story sparked global conversations about gender identity, mental health, and the critical need for acceptance and support for LGBTQ+ adolescents.
Dec. 30 Luise Rainer
Austrian-born actress who won two consecutive Academy Awards in the 1930s, becoming the first performer to achieve this feat. Her remarkable career was short but intense, spanning Hollywood's golden age.
Dec. 30 Terry Becker
American actor, director, and producer who had a significant career in television and film, particularly known for his work in the mid-20th century.
Dec. 30 Jim Galloway
Scottish-Canadian jazz clarinetist and saxophonist who immigrated to Canada in the 1960s, founded the Wee Big Band, and served as artistic director of the Toronto Jazz Festival from 1987. He was honored as a Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2002.
Dec. 31 Edward Herrmann
Renowned American actor known for roles in 'Gilmore Girls' and numerous films, with a distinguished career spanning television and cinema.