Famous people and celebrities who died in January 2001

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in January 2001. 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

• Jan. 1 Ray Walston

  Ray Walston was an American actor and comedian best known for his television and film roles spanning seven decades, including iconic performances in 'My Favorite Martian', 'South Pacific', and 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High.' [bio]

• Jan. 2 William P. Rogers

  William P. Rogers was an influential American lawyer and politician who served as the 55th United States Secretary of State from 1969 to...

• Jan. 4 Les Brown

  Les Brown was an American jazz musician, best known as the leader of the big band group Les Brown and His Band of Renown. He enjoyed a prolific career in the swing and big band era, collaborating with numerous notable artists and performing for Hollywood films and prominent entertainment shows. [bio]

• Jan. 7 James Carr

  American soldier and politician (d.1818).

• Jan. 11 Denys Lasdun

  Renowned British architect famous for designing the Royal National Theatre in London, a landmark modernist building that significantly...

• Jan. 12 William Hewlett

  Co-founder of Hewlett-Packard (HP), a pioneering technology company that revolutionized computing and electronics.

• Jan. 12 Luiz Bonfá

  Renowned Brazilian guitarist and composer known for his significant contributions to bossa nova and Brazilian popular music, particularly...

• Jan. 12 Affirmed

  Legendary American racehorse who won the Triple Crown in 1978, becoming one of the most celebrated thoroughbreds in horse racing history.

• Jan. 12 Gianluigi Bonelli
• Jan. 12 Adhemar da Silva
• Jan. 15 Leo Marks

  English screenwriter, cryptographer and playwright (born 1920).

• Jan. 16 Auberon Waugh

  Prominent British journalist and writer known for his satirical style, who came from a famous literary family.

• Jan. 16 Virginia O'Brien
• Jan. 17 Gregory Corso

  Beat poet (happy birthday of death and long live man).

• Jan. 18 Al Waxman

  Al Waxman was a Canadian actor and director, best known for his starring role as Larry King in the long-running television series 'King of Kensington.' He also had a prominent role in the American crime drama 'Cagney & Lacey.' [bio]

• Jan. 18 Laurent-Désiré Kabila

  Congolese revolutionary leader who served as President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1997 until his assassination in 2001,...

• Jan. 21 Byron De La Beckwith

  Notorious white supremacist and murderer of civil rights activist Medgar Evers, convicted decades after the 1963 assassination.

• Jan. 22 Tommie Agee

  Major League Baseball player who played for the New York Mets, notably contributing to their 1969 World Series championship.

• Jan. 24 Gaffar Okkan

  Turkish police chief (b. 1952)[48].

• Jan. 26 Al McGuire

  Renowned basketball coach and player who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

• Jan. 27 Maria José del Belgio
• Jan. 30 Jean-Pierre Aumont

  Jean-Pierre Aumont was a renowned French actor who gained international fame for his work in theatre, film, and television, both in France and Hollywood. His career spanned several decades and included notable performances in classic European and American films. [bio]

• Jan. 30 Johnnie Johnson

  Distinguished Royal Air Force pilot and air marshal who played a significant role during World War II.

• Jan. 30 Michel Marcel Navratil
• Jan. 31 Gordon R. Dickson

  Acclaimed science fiction author known for his innovative storytelling and significant contributions to the genre, particularly in space...