Famous people and celebrities who died in December 2015

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in December 2015. 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 Joseph Engelberger

  Pioneering American physicist and engineer who is considered the father of industrial robotics, significantly influencing modern manufacturing technologies.

• Dec. 1 Jim Loscutoff

  Professional basketball player who played for the Boston Celtics during the 1950s and early 1960s, known for his tough defensive play and contributing to multiple NBA championships.

• Dec. 2 Sandy Berger

  Sandy Berger was a prominent US political figure who served as National Security Advisor to President Bill Clinton from 1997 to 2001, playing a key role in foreign policy.

• Dec. 3 Scott Weiland

  Iconic rock musician known as the lead vocalist of Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver, who significantly influenced alternative rock in the 1990s and early 2000s.

• Dec. 4 Robert Loggia

  Renowned American actor known for memorable roles in films like 'Big', 'Scarface', and 'An Officer and a Gentleman'. He was a versatile performer with a career spanning several decades in film and television.

• Dec. 4 Yossi Sarid

  Israeli journalist, politician, and former Minister of Education, known for his progressive political views and advocacy for peace.

• Dec. 5 Chuck Williams

  Founder of Williams-Sonoma, a renowned kitchenware and home goods retail company that revolutionized home cooking and culinary retail in the United States.

• Dec. 6 Ko Chun-hsiung

  Prominent Taiwanese actor, director, and politician who made significant contributions to Taiwan's entertainment and political landscape.

• Dec. 8 Douglas Tompkins

  Co-founder of The North Face and Esprit, and a prominent environmentalist who dedicated his life to conservation efforts in South America, protecting millions of acres of wilderness.

• Dec. 8 Elsie Tu

  Prominent English-Hong Kong educator and politician who dedicated her life to social reform and community development in Hong Kong during the 20th century.

• Dec. 10 Dolph Schayes

  Dolph Schayes was a pioneering NBA player and coach, known for his exceptional skills with the Syracuse Nationals and his induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

• Dec. 11 Hema Upadhyay

  Hema Upadhyay was a renowned Indian contemporary artist celebrated for her innovative multimedia installations and sculptural works that explored complex social themes.

• Dec. 13 Benedict Anderson

  Renowned political scientist and historian who made groundbreaking contributions to understanding nationalism, particularly in Southeast Asian contexts. His book 'Imagined Communities' is a seminal work in the field.

• Dec. 19 Greville Janner

  Baron Janner of Braunstone, a prominent Welsh-English lawyer and politician who served in the House of Lords.

• Dec. 19 Jimmy Hill

  Prominent English footballer, manager, and influential sportscaster who made significant contributions to football broadcasting and player representation.

• Dec. 21 Danni Ashe

  Danni Ashe was an American adult model and internet entrepreneur who gained significant popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s digital entertainment industry.

• Dec. 23 Alfred G. Gilman

  Nobel Prize laureate for their discovery of G-proteins and the role of these proteins in signal transduction in cells

• Dec. 23 Jean-Marie Pelt

  Jean-Marie Pelt was a renowned French botanist, pharmacist, and environmentalist who founded the European Institute of Ecology in 1972. He was a prominent advocate for ecological research and genetic engineering awareness.

• Dec. 24 Turid Birkeland

  Norwegian politician who served as Minister of Culture and made significant contributions to Norwegian public life before her death in 2015.

• Dec. 25 Sadhana Shivdasani

  Sadhana Shivdasani was a renowned Bollywood actress of the 1960s and 1970s, famous for her distinctive hairstyle and memorable performances in classic Hindi films like Woh Kaun Thi? and Mera Saaya.

• Dec. 25 George Clayton Johnson

  Renowned American science fiction author and screenwriter known for his work on 'The Twilight Zone' and contributions to speculative fiction.

• Dec. 27 Stein Eriksen

  Legendary Norwegian alpine ski racer who won Olympic gold medals and revolutionized skiing technique. He became a prominent ski instructor and ambassador in the United States, significantly influencing ski culture and development.

• Dec. 27 Ellsworth Kelly

  Ellsworth Kelly was a prominent American abstract artist known for his minimalist paintings, sculptures, and innovative geometric compositions that significantly influenced modern art.

• Dec. 27 Dave Henderson

  Professional baseball player who played for multiple MLB teams during the 1980s and later became a respected sportscaster. He was known for his outfield skills and memorable performances in major league games.

• Dec. 28 Lemmy Kilmister

  Legendary rock musician, founder and frontman of Motörhead, widely considered an icon of heavy metal and rock music. Known for his distinctive voice, bass playing, and influential role in the development of heavy metal and punk rock.

• Dec. 29 Pavel Srníček

  Czech professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper, primarily for Baník Ostrava and Newcastle United. He was a notable goalkeeper in Czech football during the 1990s.

• Dec. 30 Doug Atkins

  NFL Hall of Fame football player who played for Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, and New Orleans Saints, known for his exceptional defensive skills.

• Dec. 31 Wayne Rogers

  Wayne Rogers was an American actor best known for his iconic role as Trapper John McIntyre in the groundbreaking TV series M*A*S*H, which ran from 1972 to 1979. He was a versatile performer who also appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout his career.

• Dec. 31 Natalie Cole

  Renowned Grammy-winning American singer and daughter of legendary Nat King Cole, she was a prominent R&B and pop artist who achieved significant musical success in the 1970s and 1980s.