Famous people and celebrities who died in 1999

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1999. 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. 21 Susan Strasberg
Susan Strasberg was an American stage, film, and television actress, known for being the daughter of famed acting coach Lee Strasberg and for her highly acclaimed performance as Anne Frank in the original Broadway production of 'The Diary of Anne Frank.' She also appeared in numerous films and television series throughout her career, making a significant impact on the American … [bio]
March 2 Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield was an influential English pop singer and record producer, known for her powerful mezzo-soprano voice and her impact on popular music in the 1960s. She is widely regarded as one of Britain's greatest female vocalists. [bio]
March 5 Richard Kiley
Richard Kiley was an American stage, television, and film actor known for his rich baritone voice and compelling performances, particularly in musical theater. He is most famous for originating the role of Don Quixote in the Broadway production of 'Man of La Mancha,' for which he won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. [bio]
March 7 Stanley Kubrick
Legendary film director who revolutionized cinema with groundbreaking works like '2001: A Space Odyssey' and 'A Clockwork Orange', known for...
March 8 Joe DiMaggio
Legendary New York Yankees center fielder, considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time.
March 21 Ernie Wise
Ernie Wise was an English comedian best known as one half of the comic double act Morecambe and Wise, alongside Eric Morecambe. Their partnership became one of the most beloved and enduring acts in British television history. [bio]
April 4 Faith Domergue
Faith Domergue was an American film and television actress, best known for her roles in science fiction and horror films during the 1950s. She became particularly recognized for her performances in movies such as 'It Came from Beneath the Sea' and 'This Island Earth.' [bio]
April 10 Jean Vander Pyl
Jean Vander Pyl was an American actress best known for her iconic voice acting work in classic animated television series, most notably as the voice of Wilma Flintstone in 'The Flintstones.' [bio]
April 14 Anthony Newley
Anthony Newley was an English actor, singer, songwriter, and composer, best known for his innovative work in musical theatre and for contributing to several hit songs and films during the 1950s and 1960s. [bio]
April 14 Ellen Corby
Ellen Corby was an American actress best known for portraying Grandma Esther Walton on the television series 'The Waltons', a role that earned her three Emmy Awards. She was a prolific supporting actress in film and television, with a career spanning over six decades. [bio]
April 28 Rory Calhoun
Rory Calhoun was an American film and television actor, screenwriter, and producer, known primarily for his roles in Westerns and adventure films during the 1940s through the 1960s. With a rugged on-screen persona, Calhoun appeared in over 80 films and numerous television series. [bio]
May 2 Oliver Reed
Oliver Reed was a British actor known for his intense screen presence and for starring in a range of popular films from the 1960s through the 1990s. He gained recognition for roles in movies such as 'Oliver!', 'Women in Love', and 'Gladiator.' Reed was also known for his off-screen charisma, reputation as a hellraiser, and candid personality. [bio]
May 8 Dirk Bogarde
Dirk Bogarde was a distinguished English actor and writer, known for his versatile performances in film, stage, and literature. Over his decades-long career, he became one of Britain's most prominent and critically acclaimed actors, especially celebrated for his roles in films produced by Rank Organisation and later for more challenging roles in international cinema. [bio]
June 11 DeForest Kelley
DeForest Kelley was an American actor best known for his role as Dr. Leonard 'Bones' McCoy in the 'Star Trek' franchise, playing the iconic character from the original television series (1966–1969) through to several feature films. [bio]
July 1 Sylvia Sidney
Sylvia Sidney was an acclaimed American actress known for her film, television, and stage work. Rising to prominence in the 1930s, she was noted for her intense, expressive performances, particularly in crime dramas and melodramas. Sidney's career spanned over six decades, during which she worked with many leading actors and directors, and was celebrated for her versatility and longevity in … [bio]
July 1 Edward Dmytryk
Edward Dmytryk was a Canadian-born film director and editor who became one of the most influential figures in Hollywood's golden age, particularly known for his work in film noir and for being part of the "Hollywood Ten" during the era of McCarthyism. [bio]
Aug. 4 Victor Mature
Victor Mature was an American film, stage, and television actor, best known for his roles in classic Hollywood movies of the 1940s and 1950s, including 'Samson and Delilah,' 'My Darling Clementine,' and 'Kiss of Death.' [bio]
Aug. 7 Brion James
Brion James was an American character actor known for his distinct presence in numerous films and television productions, particularly during the 1980s and 1990s. He often portrayed villainous or eccentric roles, making him a recognizable face in genre cinema. [bio]
Sept. 5 Allen Funt
Allen Funt was an American television producer and director best known as the creator and host of the hidden camera show 'Candid Camera.' [bio]
Sept. 9 Ruth Roman
Ruth Roman was an American actress best known for her work in film and television during the 1940s and 1950s, notably starring alongside Farley Granger in Alfred Hitchcock’s 'Strangers on a Train' (1951). [bio]
Sept. 17 Frankie Vaughan
Frankie Vaughan was a renowned English singer and actor, celebrated for his energetic stage performances and distinctive vocal style. He was particularly famous in the 1950s and 1960s and is best remembered for his rendition of 'Give Me the Moonlight, Give Me the Girl.' [bio]
Oct. 6 Amália Rodrigues
Amália Rodrigues was a renowned Portuguese singer and actress, often referred to as the 'Queen of Fado.' She played a pivotal role in popularizing the traditional music genre of fado internationally and is regarded as an iconic figure in Portuguese culture. [bio]
Oct. 16 Jean Shepherd
Jean Shepherd was an American storyteller, radio and TV personality, writer, and actor, best known for his radio monologues and for narrating and co-writing the holiday classic film 'A Christmas Story.' [bio]
Oct. 26 Hoyt Axton
Hoyt Axton was an American folk music singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor known for his deep voice and influence on both country and pop music from the 1960s through the 1980s. He wrote several songs that became hits for other artists, including 'Joy to the World' and 'Never Been to Spain.' [bio]
Nov. 3 Ian Bannen
Ian Bannen was a distinguished Scottish actor renowned for his extensive career on stage and screen, spanning from the 1950s until his death. He was recognized for his versatile performances in both dramatic and comedic roles and received numerous accolades including an Academy Award nomination. [bio]
Nov. 21 Quentin Crisp
Quentin Crisp was an English writer, raconteur, and actor, best known for his memoir 'The Naked Civil Servant', which recounted his experiences as a flamboyantly effeminate gay man in mid-20th-century England. His wit and distinctive personality made him a public figure and an icon in the LGBTQ+ community. [bio]
Nov. 29 Gene Rayburn
Gene Rayburn was a popular American radio and television personality, best known for hosting the game show 'Match Game.' With a broadcasting career spanning several decades, he became one of the most recognizable faces of daytime television in the 1970s. [bio]
Dec. 3 Madeline Kahn
Madeline Kahn was an acclaimed American actress, comedian, and singer best known for her comedic roles in classic films like 'Blazing Saddles,' 'Young Frankenstein,' and 'Paper Moon.' Renowned for her exceptional talent in both film and theater, she received multiple award nominations and was beloved for her unique comedic timing. [bio]
Dec. 18 Robert Bresson
Robert Bresson was a highly influential French film director, renowned for his distinctive approach to cinema that emphasized simplicity, restraint, and the use of non-professional actors. Often considered one of the greatest film auteurs, his works have had a significant impact on the art of filmmaking. [bio]
Dec. 26 Curtis Mayfield
Curtis Mayfield was an influential American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer known for his groundbreaking work in soul, R&B, and funk. He gained fame both as a member of The Impressions and for his solo career, championing civil rights themes and socially conscious music. [bio]