Famous people and celebrities who died in 1987

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1987. 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.

Jan. 10 David Robinson
NBA Hall of Fame center for the San Antonio Spurs, Olympic gold medalist in 1992, known as 'The Admiral' for his exceptional basketball...
Jan. 15 Ray Bolger
Ray Bolger was an American actor, singer, and dancer best known for his portrayal of the Scarecrow in the 1939 film classic 'The Wizard of Oz.' He was renowned for his comedic timing, physical agility, and rubber-legged dance style, which made him one of the leading vaudeville and Broadway performers of his era. [bio]
Feb. 4 Carl Rogers
Carl Rogers was a prominent humanistic psychologist who developed client-centered therapy, revolutionizing psychological counseling by...
Feb. 22 Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol was a pioneering American artist and filmmaker, best known as a leading figure in the Pop Art movement. He gained international fame for his innovative works featuring celebrities, iconic brands, and everyday consumer products, most notably his silkscreen paintings of Campbell's soup cans and Marilyn Monroe. His work challenged traditional notions of art and mass culture, profoundly influencing … [bio]
Feb. 27 Joan Greenwood
Joan Greenwood was a distinctive English actress known for her husky voice and poised presence in both comedy and drama, particularly during the mid-20th century British cinema boom. [bio]
March 2 Randolph Scott
Randolph Scott was an American film actor known for his roles in Westerns during the 1930s to the 1960s. Over his career, he appeared in over 100 films and became an enduring symbol of the Western genre, noted for his strong, stoic characters. [bio]
March 3 Danny Kaye
Danny Kaye was an American actor, singer, dancer, comedian, musician, and philanthropist. He became famed for his performances in films and on stage, celebrated for his versatility, physical comedy, and unique ability to entertain audiences of all ages. [bio]
March 26 Walter Abel
Walter Abel was an American stage, film, and radio actor whose career spanned more than six decades from the early 1920s to the 1970s. He is best known for his performances in classic films and his significant contributions to the American theatre. [bio]
March 28 Patrick Troughton
Patrick Troughton was a distinguished English actor best known for his portrayal of the Second Doctor in the long-running British television series 'Doctor Who.' His career spanned over four decades, encompassing stage, film, and television roles. [bio]
May 3 Dalida
Legendary singer and performer who transcended cultural and linguistic boundaries in the music world.
May 4 Cathryn Damon
Cathryn Damon was an American actress best known for her role as Mary Campbell on the sitcom 'Soap.' She built a successful career in television, film, and stage, earning an Emmy Award for her performance in 'Soap.' [bio]
May 7 Colin Blakely
Colin Blakely was a renowned Northern Irish actor best known for his prolific stage career and notable roles in British cinema and television during the 1960s to 1980s. [bio]
May 14 Rita Hayworth
Iconic Hollywood actress and pin-up model who was a major sex symbol during World War II, known for her stunning beauty and memorable film...
May 31 John Abraham
John Abraham is an Indian film actor, producer, and former model, known for his work in Hindi cinema. He gained fame for his dashing looks, action roles, and socially relevant film productions. [bio]
June 10 Elizabeth Hartman
Elizabeth Hartman was an acclaimed American actress best known for her breakout role in the 1965 film 'A Patch of Blue,' for which she received an Academy Award nomination. Throughout her career, Hartman was recognized for her sensitive portrayals of complex characters. [bio]
June 22 Fred Astaire
Fred Astaire was an American dancer, singer, actor, choreographer, and television presenter who is widely regarded as one of the greatest dancers in film and television history. He is best known for his innovative choreography and enduring film partnerships, particularly with Ginger Rogers. [bio]
June 24 Jackie Gleason
Jackie Gleason was an American comedian, actor, writer, composer, and conductor, best known for his work in television and film, particularly his iconic role as Ralph Kramden in the television sitcom 'The Honeymooners.' Gleason's larger-than-life personality and versatile talents made him a major figure in entertainment in the mid-20th century. [bio]
Aug. 1 Pola Negri
Pola Negri was a Polish actress known for her roles as a femme fatale in the silent and early sound eras of Hollywood and European cinema. A major international star of the 1920s, Negri was renowned for her charismatic screen presence, dramatic performances, and influence on fashion and popular culture. [bio]
Aug. 28 John Huston
John Huston was an acclaimed American film director, screenwriter, and actor, widely recognized for his influential work during Hollywood's Golden Age. Known for directing classics such as 'The Maltese Falcon' and 'The African Queen,' Huston's bold visual style and compelling storytelling left a lasting impact on cinema. [bio]
Aug. 29 Lee Marvin
Lee Marvin was an American film and television actor known for his deep, distinctive voice and tough-guy roles in classic films. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his dual performance in 'Cat Ballou' and is remembered as one of Hollywood's premier tough-guy actors. [bio]
Sept. 11 Lorne Greene
Lorne Greene was a Canadian actor, radio personality, and singer, best known for his roles as Ben Cartwright on the television series 'Bonanza' and Commander Adama on 'Battlestar Galactica.' He was a prominent figure in television Westerns during the mid-20th century and later achieved recognition in science fiction. [bio]
Sept. 23 Bob Fosse
Bob Fosse was an influential American dancer, choreographer, and director, best known for revolutionizing the style of musical theatre and film choreography in the mid-20th century. Famous for his distinctive, jazz-influenced dance style characterized by turned-in knees, rolled shoulders, and jazz hands, Fosse directed and choreographed numerous Broadway shows and films, leaving a significant mark on the performing arts. [bio]
Sept. 25 Mary Astor
Mary Astor was an American actress best known for her roles in classic Hollywood films, most notably 'The Maltese Falcon' (1941), where she starred alongside Humphrey Bogart. Her career spanned silent films to talkies, earning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in 'The Great Lie' (1941). [bio]
Oct. 2 Madeleine Carroll
Madeleine Carroll was a renowned English actress best known for her leading roles in several classic films of the 1930s and 1940s, most notably Alfred Hitchcock's 'The 39 Steps.' She was celebrated for her elegance, beauty, and strong screen presence, becoming one of the highest-paid actresses of her era. [bio]
Oct. 13 Kishore Kumar
Kishore Kumar was a legendary Indian playback singer, actor, music director, lyricist, and filmmaker, widely regarded as one of the most versatile and accomplished artists in the history of Indian cinema. Renowned for his unique voice and remarkable musical range, he became an iconic figure in Bollywood, especially as a playback singer in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. [bio]
Oct. 31 Joseph Campbell
Joseph Campbell was an American professor, writer, and orator known for his work in comparative mythology and comparative religion. His ideas concerning the universality of mythological themes, especially the concept of the 'monomyth' or 'hero's journey,' have had a major influence on literature, psychology, and popular culture. [bio]
Dec. 1 James Baldwin
James Baldwin was an influential African-American writer who explored profound themes of race, sexuality, and social justice in his seminal...
Dec. 6 James Dobson
James Dobson is an American evangelical Christian author, psychologist, and founder of Focus on the Family, a prominent Christian organization. He is recognized for his influential role in conservative Christian activism, particularly regarding family values and social policy in the United States. [bio]
Dec. 10 Jascha Heifetz
Jascha Heifetz was a Lithuanian-American violinist renowned as one of the greatest violinists of all time. Celebrated for his virtuosic technique, expressive playing, and profound influence on classical violin performance, Heifetz's career spanned over six decades, during which he set new standards for violinists worldwide. [bio]