Famous people and celebrities who died in 1959

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1959. This year saw the loss of many influential and beloved figures who left a lasting impact on the world. From entertainment icons and sports legends to renowned scholars and public figures, our comprehensive list pays tribute to their lives and legacies. Join us in honoring their contributions and celebrating their achievements as we reflect on their remarkable stories.

• Feb. 3 Buddy Holly

  Legendary rock and roll pioneer who revolutionized popular music in the late 1950s.

• Feb. 3 Ritchie Valens

  Legendary rock and roll pioneer who tragically died in a plane crash alongside Buddy Holly, immortalized in Don McLean's song 'American...

• Feb. 4 Una O'Connor

  Una O'Connor was an Irish actress known for her distinct performances in stage and film, especially in classic Hollywood cinema during the 1930s and 1940s. [bio]

• Feb. 7 Daniel Malan

  Prime Minister of South Africa from 1948 to 1954, known for his role in implementing apartheid policies.

• Feb. 7 Guitar Slim

  Influential American blues guitarist and singer known for his innovative electric guitar style and hit song 'The Things That I Used to Do',...

• March 3 Lou Costello

  Lou Costello was an iconic American comedian and actor, best known as one half of the legendary comedy duo Abbott and Costello. He rose to fame through his vaudeville performances and went on to star in a string of hit films and radio shows during the 1940s and 1950s, playing the lovable, bumbling counterpart to Bud Abbott. [bio]

• March 15 Lester Young

  Legendary jazz saxophonist who revolutionized tenor saxophone playing in the swing era, profoundly influencing future musicians with his...

• March 26 Raymond Chandler

  Raymond Chandler was an American novelist and screenwriter who is considered a master of the hard-boiled detective fiction genre.

• June 2 Lyda Borelli

  Italian actress (b. 1884).

• June 4 Charles Vidor

  Hungarian-American film director known for classic Hollywood films like 'Gilda' and 'Cover Girl', who made significant contributions to...

• June 16 George Reeves

  George Reeves was an American actor best known for portraying Superman in the television program 'Adventures of Superman' in the 1950s. He also appeared in films such as 'Gone with the Wind' and had a career in both film and television. [bio]

• June 23 Boris Vian

  Influential French polymath known for his avant-garde literature, jazz music, and artistic versatility across multiple creative domains.

• June 25 Charles Starkweather

  Infamous American serial killer who, at age 18, went on a murder-robbery spree with his 13-year-old girlfriend Caril Ann Fugate through...

• July 11 Charlie Parker

  Charlie Parker was a legendary jazz saxophonist and composer who revolutionized bebop music.

• July 17 Billie Holiday

  Billie Holiday was an influential American jazz and swing music singer, renowned for her deeply emotive vocal style and pioneering contributions to vocal jazz. Her unique phrasing and expressive delivery elevated songs like "Strange Fruit," "God Bless the Child," and "Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?)" to classic status. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest jazz … [bio]

• Sept. 6 Edmund Gwenn

  Edmund Gwenn was an English actor best known for his role as Kris Kringle in the film 'Miracle on 34th Street,' for which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. With a career spanning stage and screen in both the UK and Hollywood, Gwenn is celebrated for his affable character roles and significant contribution to classic cinema. [bio]

• Sept. 6 Kay Kendall

  Kay Kendall was an acclaimed English actress and comedienne, best known for her roles in British comedies during the 1950s. She gained fame for her sparkling screen presence and comic timing, becoming one of the most popular film stars of her era before her untimely death at 32. [bio]

• Sept. 7 Maurice Duplessis

  Maurice Duplessis was a Canadian politician who served as the Premier of Quebec from 1936 to 1939 and from 1944 to 1959.

• Sept. 11 Paul Douglas

  Paul Douglas was an American actor best known for his work in film and on stage during the mid-20th century. He gained prominence for his roles in both comedic and dramatic productions, notably in the films 'It Happens Every Spring' and 'Angels in the Outfield.' [bio]

• Sept. 28 Rudolf Caracciola

  Legendary German racing driver who was one of the most successful European motorsport competitors of the 1930s, known for his exceptional...

• Oct. 7 Mario Lanza

  Legendary Italian-American tenor and actor who became a major pop culture icon in the 1950s.

• Oct. 14 Errol Flynn

  Errol Flynn was an Australian-American actor best known for his swashbuckling roles in Hollywood films during the 1930s and 1940s, especially in adventure films such as 'Captain Blood' and 'The Adventures of Robin Hood.' [bio]

• Oct. 16 George Marshall

  PEA - American general and politician, 3rd united states secretary of defense, nobel prize laureate (b. 1880).

• Nov. 7 Victor McLaglen

  Victor McLaglen was a British-born actor and former boxer, best known for his roles in many classic films including "The Informer" (1935), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor, and his frequent collaborations with director John Ford and actor John Wayne. He was a prominent figure in Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s, often cast in tough, … [bio]

• Nov. 17 Heitor Villa-Lobos

  Heitor Villa-Lobos was a Brazilian composer, described as the single most significant creative figure in 20th-century Brazilian art music.

• Nov. 21 Max Baer Jr in Oakland

  Actor best known for playing Jethro Bodine in the classic TV series 'The Beverly Hillbillies'.

• Nov. 25 Gérard Philipe

  Gérard Philipe was a renowned French actor widely regarded for his significant contributions to French cinema and theater during the mid-20th century. He achieved fame for his expressive performances and played a pivotal role in popularizing classic works and new cinematic trends before his untimely death at a young age. [bio]

• Dec. 10 Henri Vidal

  Henri Vidal was a French actor known for his roles in post-war French cinema. He gained popularity in the 1940s and 1950s, starring in several notable films alongside prominent actors and actresses of the era. [bio]

• Dec. 28 Ante Pavelić

  Ante Pavelić was a Croatian fascist and the leader of the Ustaše movement, which ruled the Independent State of Croatia during World War II.

What happened in 1959?

Discover what the world looked like in 1959: