Famous people and celebrities who died in December 2008

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in December 2008. 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 Paul Benedict

  Paul Benedict was an American actor and director, best known for his distinctive stage and screen roles, particularly as Harry Bentley, the English neighbor on the television sitcom 'The Jeffersons.' [bio]

• Dec. 1 Joseph B. Wirthlin

  American businessman and religious leader (b. 1917).

• Dec. 2 Odetta

  Odetta Holmes was a legendary American folk singer, civil rights activist, and influential musician known as the 'Voice of the Civil Rights...

• Dec. 2 Henry Molaison

  Famous patient known as 'HM' who significantly contributed to neuroscience research on memory through his unique case of anterograde...

• Dec. 2 Edward Samuel Rogers

  Canadian lawyer and prominent businessman who played a significant role in Canadian corporate landscape.

• Dec. 3 Robert Zajonc

  Polish-american social psychologist (born in 1923).

• Dec. 5 Nina Foch

  Nina Foch was a Dutch-American actress known for her extensive career in film, television, and theater. She became recognized for her versatile roles in classic Hollywood films and for her contributions as a respected acting teacher. [bio]

• Dec. 5 Beverly Garland

  Beverly Garland was an American film and television actress, best known for her work in B-movies of the 1950s and for her prominent roles in television series such as 'My Three Sons' and 'Scarecrow and Mrs. King.' She had a career spanning over five decades and also became known as a successful hotel owner. [bio]

• Dec. 8 Robert Prosky

  Robert Prosky was an American actor known for his extensive work in television, film, and theater. He was renowned for his versatility and depth in character roles, appearing in notable movies such as 'Mrs. Doubtfire', 'Broadcast News', and 'Dead Man Walking.' On television, he was well recognized for his role as Sgt. Stan Jablonski on 'Hill Street Blues.' [bio]

• Dec. 9 Ibrahim Dossey

  Ghanaian footballer (born 1972).

• Dec. 9 Yury Glazkov

  Russian general, pilot, and astronaut (b. 1939).

• Dec. 11 Bettie Page

  Iconic 1950s pin-up model who became a cultural symbol of sexuality and female empowerment.

• Dec. 12 Van Johnson

  Van Johnson was an American actor and dancer, one of MGM's most popular male stars during the 1940s and 1950s, known for his performances in musicals, comedies, and dramas. [bio]

• Dec. 12 Avery Dulles

  Avery Dulles was a prominent American Jesuit priest, theologian, and cardinal who made significant contributions to Catholic theological...

• Dec. 12 D. Carleton Gajdusek

  Prize laureate for their discoveries concerning new mechanisms for the origin and dissemination of infectious diseases.

• Dec. 12 Tassos Papadopoulos

  Prominent Cypriot politician who served as the 5th President of Cyprus from 2003 to 2008, known for his significant role in Cypriot politics...

• Dec. 15 León Febres Cordero

  Ecuadorian engineer and politician, 46th president of ecuador (b. 1931).

• Dec. 17 Sammy Baugh

  Legendary NFL quarterback who played for the Washington Redskins and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

• Dec. 17 Dave Smith

  American baseball player and coach (b. 1955).

• Dec. 18 W Mark Felt

  Key Watergate whistleblower who revealed Nixon administration corruption as 'Deep Throat', serving as Associate Director of the FBI during a...

• Dec. 18 Majel Barrett

  Majel Barrett was a prominent American actress and producer best known for her significant roles in Star Trek, where she was married to...

• Dec. 19 James Bevel

  Prominent civil rights activist and key strategist in the American Civil Rights Movement, who played a crucial role in organizing major...

• Dec. 19 Dock Ellis

  Controversial Major League Baseball pitcher famous for allegedly throwing a no-hitter while under the influence of LSD in 1970.

• Dec. 20 Robert Mulligan

  Robert Mulligan was an acclaimed American film director known for directing the classic film 'To Kill a Mockingbird' and several other...

• Dec. 24 Harold Pinter

  Harold Pinter was a British playwright, screenwriter, director, and actor, widely regarded as one of the most influential modern dramatists and recipient of the 2005 Nobel Prize in Literature. [bio]

• Dec. 24 Samuel Huntington

  Samuel Huntington was a prominent American political scientist who developed the influential 'Clash of Civilizations' theory, significantly...

• Dec. 25 Eartha Kitt

  Eartha Kitt was an American singer, actress, dancer, and civil rights activist. Renowned for her distinctive singing voice and charismatic stage presence, Kitt gained international fame for her recordings, cabaret performances, and roles in film and television. Known for songs like 'Santa Baby,' she also portrayed Catwoman in the 1960s television series 'Batman.' Her career spanned six decades, earning her … [bio]

• Dec. 29 Freddie Hubbard

  Legendary jazz trumpeter known for his innovative hard bop and post-bop styles, who significantly influenced jazz music.

• Dec. 31 Donald Westlake

  Prolific American crime fiction and comic novelist, known for his witty and satirical writing style.