Famous people and celebrities who died in February 1959

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in February 1959. 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

• Feb. 1 Madame Sul-Te-Wan

  American actress (b. 1873).

• 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. 3 The Big Bopper

  Legendary rock and roll musician tragically killed in the famous 1959 plane crash alongside Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens.

• 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. 5 Curt Sachs

  Curt Sachs was a German-born musicologist and journalist who made significant contributions to the study of musical instruments.

• 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',...

• Feb. 7 Nap Lajoie

  American baseball manager and player (d. 1959).

• Feb. 7 Daniel François Malan

  South african minister and politician, 5th prime minister of south africa (b. 1874).

• Feb. 7 Enrico Simonini
• Feb. 8 William J. Donovan

  American head of the office of strategic services (oss) (b. 1883).

• Feb. 9 Vitale De Stefano
• Feb. 10 Mario Chini
• Feb. 14 Baby Dodds

  American jazz drummer (born 1898).

• Feb. 14 Warren Dodds
• Feb. 15 Owen Willans Richardson

  Prize laureate for his work on the thermionic phenomenon and especially for the discovery of the law named after him.

• Feb. 18 Paul Zeiger
• Feb. 18 Gago Coutinho
• Feb. 19 Willard Miller

  Canadian-american sailor medal of honor recipient (d.59).

• Feb. 28 Maxwell Anderson

  Maxwell Anderson was a renowned American playwright known for works like 'Key Largo' and 'What Price Glory.

• Feb. 28 Mack Gordon