Famous people and celebrities who died in 2017

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 2017. 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. 6 Om Puri
Om Puri was an acclaimed Indian actor known for his performances in Indian and international cinema. He was celebrated for his versatility and ability to portray a wide range of characters in both mainstream and art-house films. [bio]
Jan. 19 Miguel Ferrer
Miguel Ferrer was an American actor best known for his roles in both film and television, including 'RoboCop,' 'Twin Peaks,' and 'NCIS: Los Angeles.' Renowned for his distinctive voice and often cast in villainous or authoritative roles, Ferrer developed a strong presence in Hollywood across a career spanning over three decades. [bio]
Jan. 25 John Hurt
Sir John Hurt was an English actor known for his powerful performances in film, television, and stage. With a career spanning over five decades, he was acclaimed for his versatility, distinctive voice, and portrayals of complex characters, appearing in several landmark productions. [bio]
Jan. 26 Barbara Hale
Barbara Hale was an American actress best known for her role as Della Street on the long-running television series 'Perry Mason.' Her career spanned film, television, and radio from the 1940s through the 1990s. [bio]
Jan. 26 Mike Connors
Mike Connors was an American actor best known for his role as Joe Mannix in the television detective series 'Mannix,' which aired from 1967 to 1975. He had a career spanning film, television, and stage, earning acclaim for his distinctive performances. [bio]
Jan. 27 Emmanuelle Riva
Emmanuelle Riva was a distinguished French actress best known internationally for her role in the film 'Hiroshima mon amour' (1959) and later for her Academy Award-nominated performance in 'Amour' (2012). Over her six-decade career, she worked extensively in film, television, and theater. [bio]
Feb. 7 Richard Hatch
Richard Hatch is an American television personality best known for winning the inaugural season of the reality TV show 'Survivor' in 2000. He became one of the most recognizable and controversial contestants in the show's history, noted for his strategic gameplay and for being one of the first openly gay reality TV contestants. [bio]
Feb. 25 Bill Paxton
Bill Paxton was an American actor and filmmaker best known for his roles in blockbuster films such as 'Aliens' (1986), 'Twister' (1996), and 'Titanic' (1997), as well as the HBO series 'Big Love.' He built a versatile career in both action-packed and dramatic roles across film and television. [bio]
April 6 Don Rickles
Don Rickles was an American stand-up comedian, actor, and author, best known for his insult comedy and his roles in both film and television. Frequently referred to as 'The Merchant of Venom,' Rickles was a beloved and influential figure in comedy, captivating audiences with his quick wit and acerbic humor over a career that spanned more than six decades. [bio]
April 27 Vinod Khanna
Vinod Khanna was a prominent Indian actor, producer, and politician, widely recognized for his work in Hindi cinema. With a career spanning over four decades, Khanna became known for his powerful performances in both leading and supporting roles, as well as for his later involvement in Indian politics. [bio]
May 18 Chris Cornell
Chris Cornell was an influential American rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist, best known as the lead vocalist for the bands Soundgarden and Audioslave. Renowned for his powerful, wide-ranging voice and dynamic stage presence, Cornell played a major role in the development and popularization of the grunge movement in the early 1990s. [bio]
May 23 Roger Moore
Roger Moore was an English actor, best known for portraying James Bond in seven feature films between 1973 and 1985. His suave demeanor and charm made him an enduring favorite among Bond fans. Moore also had a prolific career in television and film beyond the 007 franchise. [bio]
June 2 Peter Sallis
Peter Sallis was an English actor best known for voicing Wallace in the Wallace and Gromit animated films, and for his long-running role as Norman Clegg in the BBC sitcom 'Last of the Summer Wine.' [bio]
July 15 Martin Landau
Martin Landau was an acclaimed American actor, producer, and acting coach, best known for his performances in both film and television, including his Academy Award-winning role in 'Ed Wood.' [bio]
July 21 John Heard
John Heard was an American actor best known for his roles in films such as 'Home Alone' and 'Big.' He had a prolific career in both film and television spanning several decades. [bio]
July 26 June Foray
June Foray was a renowned American voice actress best known for her work in animation, notably as the voice of Rocky the Flying Squirrel and Natasha Fatale in 'The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show.' Dubbed the 'First Lady of Voice Acting,' her career spanned over seven decades and included work on numerous iconic animated television shows and films. [bio]
July 31 Jeanne Moreau
Jeanne Moreau was a celebrated French actress, singer, and director, renowned for her influential work in European cinema, especially during the French New Wave era. She is recognized for her powerful performances and unique screen presence. [bio]
Aug. 8 Glen Campbell
Glen Campbell was a legendary American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and television host, best known for his crossover hits in country and pop music during the 1960s and 1970s. He was also the host of the popular television variety show, 'The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour.' [bio]
Aug. 20 Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis was an iconic American comedian, actor, singer, filmmaker, and humanitarian. He became famous for his slapstick humor in movies and his partnership with Dean Martin. Lewis was also renowned for hosting the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon, which helped raise more than $2 billion for muscular dystrophy research over decades. [bio]
Aug. 26 Tobe Hooper
Tobe Hooper was an influential American film director, screenwriter, and producer, best known for his work in the horror genre. He gained international acclaim for directing "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" (1974), a groundbreaking film that significantly influenced the slasher genre. Hooper also directed the acclaimed supernatural horror film "Poltergeist" (1982). [bio]
Sept. 1 Shelley Berman
Shelley Berman was an American comedian, actor, writer, and lecturer, known for his influential stand-up comedy routines and his roles in both film and television. His pioneering style in observational humor and storytelling contributed significantly to the stand-up comedy genre during the 1950s and 1960s. [bio]
Oct. 2 Tom Petty
Tom Petty was an influential American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer best known as the lead vocalist of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. He was also a member of the supergroup Traveling Wilburys and the earlier band Mudcrutch. Petty's career, spanning over four decades, was marked by a distinct heartland rock sound and a string of hits that made … [bio]
Oct. 9 Jean Rochefort
Jean Rochefort was a distinguished French actor renowned for his versatility and contributions to French cinema, particularly in comedic and dramatic roles. Over a career spanning more than five decades, he became a beloved figure in both French and international film circles. [bio]
Oct. 24 Fats Domino
Fats Domino was an American pianist, singer, and songwriter who was a pioneering figure in rock and roll and rhythm and blues music. Known for his boogie-woogie piano style and smooth vocals, he achieved worldwide fame in the 1950s and 1960s with hits such as 'Blueberry Hill' and 'Ain't That a Shame.' [bio]
Oct. 24 Robert Guillaume
Robert Guillaume was an acclaimed American actor and singer, best known for his role as Benson DuBois on the television series "Soap" and its spin-off "Benson." He gained additional fame as the voice of Rafiki in Disney's "The Lion King." [bio]
Nov. 19 Della Reese
Della Reese was an American jazz and gospel singer, actress, and ordained minister, best known for her long-running leading role in the television drama series 'Touched by an Angel', as well as her successful career as a recording artist and television talk-show host. [bio]
Nov. 21 David Cassidy
David Cassidy was an American singer, actor, and songwriter, best known for his role as Keith Partridge in the 1970s musical-sitcom 'The Partridge Family'. [bio]
Nov. 30 Jim Nabors
Jim Nabors was an American actor, singer, and comedian best known for his role as Gomer Pyle on 'The Andy Griffith Show' and the spin-off 'Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.' His career also included a successful singing career with numerous albums. [bio]
Dec. 28 Rose Marie
Rose Marie was an American actress, singer, and comedian best known for her role as Sally Rogers on the classic television sitcom 'The Dick Van Dyke Show.' She began her career as a child performer in vaudeville and radio under the name 'Baby Rose Marie' and became one of the most recognizable characters in American television history. [bio]
Dec. 28 Sue Grafton
Sue Grafton was an American author best known for her "alphabet series" of detective novels featuring private investigator Kinsey Millhone. Her work has been celebrated for its strong character development and compelling mysteries, making her a leading figure in contemporary crime fiction. [bio]