Famous people and celebrities who died in December 2006

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in December 2006. 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

• Dec. 1 Claude Jade

  Claude Jade was a celebrated French actress best known for her work in film and television, most notably her collaborations with director François Truffaut, including her performance as Christine Darbon in the Antoine Doinel film series. [bio]

• Dec. 2 Mariska Veres

  Dutch singer who was the lead vocalist of the rock band Shocking Blue, famous for the hit song 'Venus'.

• Dec. 4 Ross A. McGinnis

  American soldier, medal of honor recipient (b. 1987).

• Dec. 5 David Bronstein

  Renowned Ukrainian-Belarusian chess player and theoretician who significantly contributed to chess strategy and theory.

• Dec. 6 John Feeney

  New zealand documentary film director (born in 1922).

• Dec. 7 Jeane Kirkpatrick

  Prominent American diplomat and political scientist who served as the 16th U.S.

• Dec. 10 Augusto Pinochet

  Augusto Pinochet was a Chilean military dictator who seized power through a US-backed coup in 1973, ruling with extreme brutality and...

• Dec. 12 Peter Boyle

  Peter Boyle was an American actor best known for his roles in film and television, notably for his portrayal of the Monster in "Young Frankenstein" and as Frank Barone on the sitcom "Everybody Loves Raymond." [bio]

• Dec. 12 Paul Arizin

  Paul Arizin was a legendary NBA basketball player who played for the Philadelphia Warriors, known for his innovative jump shot and being one...

• Dec. 12 Alan Shugart

  Pioneering American engineer and entrepreneur who co-founded Seagate Technology, revolutionizing computer hard disk drive manufacturing.

• Dec. 13 Lamar Hunt

  Lamar Hunt was a pioneering American sports entrepreneur who founded the American Football League and Major League Soccer, significantly...

• Dec. 14 Ahmet Ertegun

  Ahmet Ertegun was a legendary Turkish-American music producer who co-founded Atlantic Records, a pivotal record label that significantly...

• Dec. 15 Clay Regazzoni

  Clay Regazzoni was a prominent Swiss Formula One racing driver who competed from 1970 to 1980, winning four Grand Prix races.

• Dec. 16 Taliep Petersen

  South african singer-songwriter and director (b. 1950).

• Dec. 16 Stanford J. Shaw

  American historian and academic (b. 1930).

• Dec. 16 Pnina Salzman

  Israeli pianist and educator (b. 1922).

• Dec. 17 Larry Sherry

  Professional baseball player who made history with the Los Angeles Dodgers, becoming the first player to appear in all four World Series...

• Dec. 18 Joseph Barbera

  Joseph Barbera was a renowned American animator, cartoonist, director, and producer best known as the co-founder of Hanna-Barbera, a studio responsible for some of the most iconic animated television series in history, including The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Scooby-Doo, and Tom and Jerry. [bio]

• Dec. 18 Ruth Bernhard

  Renowned photographer known for her elegant and minimalist black and white images, particularly her iconic nude and still life photographs.

• Dec. 22 Dennis Linde

  Dennis Linde was a renowned American singer-songwriter known for writing numerous country and rock songs, including Elvis Presley's 'Burning...

• Dec. 22 Galina Ustvolskaya

  Russian composer (born 1919).

• Dec. 23 Charlie Drake

  Charlie Drake was an English comedian, actor, writer, and singer, best known for his slapstick comedy style and his catchphrase, 'Hello, my darlings!'. He gained immense popularity in British television and music during the mid-20th century, becoming a well-known figure in the comedic arts. [bio]

• Dec. 23 Johnny Vincent

  English footballer (born 1947).

• Dec. 24 Braguinha

  Carlos Alberto de Carvalho Braga, known as Braguinha, was a renowned Brazilian musician who significantly influenced Brazilian popular music...

• Dec. 25 James Brown

  Legendary singer and performer known as the 'Godfather of Soul', who revolutionized popular music with his innovative funk and soul style.

• Dec. 26 Gerald Ford

  Gerald Ford was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977 following the resignation of President Richard Nixon. He is notable for being the only person to have served as both Vice President and President without being elected to either office by the Electoral College. [bio]

• Dec. 28 Aroldo Tieri

  Prominent Italian actor who was a significant figure in mid-20th century Italian cinema, known for his versatile performances and...

• Dec. 28 Jamal Karimi-Rad

  Iranian politician, iranian minister of justice (b. 1956).

• Dec. 30 Saddam Hussein

  Controversial Iraqi dictator who ruled Iraq from 1979 to 2003, known for his brutal regime, invasion of Kuwait, and conflict with Iran and...

• Dec. 31 George Sisler

  Jr.