Famous people and celebrities who died in October 2014

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

Oct. 4 Jean-Claude Duvalier
Haitian dictator known as 'Baby Doc' who succeeded his father François Duvalier and ruled Haiti from 1971 to 1986, continuing the brutal Duvalier family regime.
Oct. 5 Geoffrey Holder
Renowned Caribbean-born dancer, choreographer, actor, and director who made significant contributions to performing arts. He was a soloist with the Metropolitan Opera and became an internationally recognized artist with multiple film appearances.
Oct. 5 Andrea de Cesaris
Prominent Italian Formula One racing driver known for his speed and numerous crashes, competing for multiple teams during the 1980s and early 1990s.
Oct. 5 David Chavchavadze
CIA officer and author with a distinguished career in intelligence and writing, known for his contributions to American espionage literature.
Oct. 5 Yuri Lyubimov
Renowned Russian theatre director who founded the legendary Taganka Theatre in Moscow. He was a significant figure in Soviet and post-Soviet theatre, known for his innovative and politically charged productions.
Oct. 6 Marian Seldes
Renowned American actress and theater artist known for her extensive stage career and significant contributions to Broadway and theater education.
Oct. 6 Igor Mitoraj
Renowned Polish sculptor known for his monumental and fragmented classical-style sculptures. His works often explore themes of human vulnerability and classical beauty, and are displayed in major cities worldwide.
Oct. 7 Siegfried Lenz
Renowned German writer and novelist known for his significant contributions to post-war German literature. His works often explored themes of moral complexity and social change in Germany.
Oct. 9 Jan Hooks
Prominent American comedienne and actress best known for her work on Saturday Night Live and Designing Women, with a significant impact on comedy in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Oct. 9 Carolyn Kizer
Carolyn Kizer was a prominent American poet and feminist who won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1985, making significant contributions to contemporary literature.
Oct. 10 Pavel Landovský
Prominent Czech playwright, actor, and director who was an important figure in Czech theatre and dissident movement during communist era.
Oct. 14 Elizabeth Peña
Elizabeth Peña was a talented American actress and director known for her versatile roles in film and television. She passed away in 2014, leaving behind a significant legacy in the entertainment industry.
Oct. 16 John Spencer-Churchill
11th Duke of Marlborough, a prominent English aristocrat and businessman who managed the extensive Blenheim Palace estate and family heritage.
Oct. 16 Ioannis Charalambopoulos
Greek military officer and politician who served as deputy prime minister of Greece during a significant period of the country's political history.
Oct. 19 Lynda Bellingham
Canadian actress known for her iconic Oxo TV commercials and roles in television series. She was a prominent media personality who played numerous mother roles and appeared in various TV movies and soap operas.
Oct. 19 John Holt
John Holt was a legendary Jamaican reggae singer and songwriter known for his smooth vocal style and significant contributions to rocksteady and reggae music. He was a key member of The Paragons and later had a successful solo career with hits like 'Stick By Me' and 'Love I Can Feel'.
Oct. 20 Oscar de la Renta
Internationally acclaimed Dominican-American fashion designer who revolutionized haute couture and dressed numerous celebrities and First Ladies.
Oct. 21 Ben Bradlee
Ben Bradlee was a legendary American journalist who served as executive editor of The Washington Post during the pivotal Watergate scandal. His leadership was crucial in publishing the investigative reporting that ultimately led to President Nixon's resignation.
Oct. 21 Gough Whitlam
Prominent Australian politician who served as the 21st Prime Minister of Australia from 1972 to 1975, known for significant progressive reforms.
Oct. 23 Tullio Regge
Tullio Regge was a renowned Italian theoretical physicist who made significant contributions to quantum mechanics and mathematical physics, particularly in symmetry theories.
Oct. 23 Joan Quigley
Prominent American astrologer who gained national attention as Nancy Reagan's private astrological consultant during the Reagan presidency, sparking significant media controversy when her role was publicly revealed in 1988.
Oct. 23 Alvin Stardust
Popular English rock and pop singer known for his distinctive style and hit songs in the 1970s and 1980s. He was a significant figure in the British music scene with multiple chart-topping singles.
Oct. 24 Marcia Strassman
American actress best known for her role in the popular sitcom 'Welcome Back, Kotter' alongside Gabe Kaplan in the 1970s.
Oct. 25 Jack Bruce
Legendary Scottish bass player, singer, and songwriter who was a founding member of the iconic rock band Cream. He was a pivotal figure in the development of blues-rock and progressive rock in the 1960s.
Oct. 27 Daniel Boulanger
Renowned French writer and filmmaker who gained international recognition for his Oscar-nominated screenplay for 'That Man from Rio' in 1964. He was a versatile creative talent who made significant contributions to French cinema and literature.
Oct. 28 Galway Kinnell
Pulitzer Prize-winning American poet and academic known for his profound and lyrical poetry. He was a significant figure in contemporary American literature.
Oct. 29 Roger Freeman
Baron Freeman, prominent English politician and accountant who served as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
Oct. 30 Thomas Menino
Longest-serving mayor of Boston, serving five consecutive terms from 1993 to 2014. He was the first Italian-American to hold this position and was known for his significant impact on the city's development.
Oct. 31 David Manker Abshire
David Manker Abshire was a prominent American diplomat who served as the United States Permanent Representative to NATO, playing a crucial role in international diplomacy during the Cold War era.