Famous people and celebrities who died in January 2017

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in January 2017. 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 Tony Atkinson

  Renowned English economist and academic who made significant contributions to welfare economics and social policy research.

• Jan. 2 Jean Vuarnet

  Olympic gold medal-winning ski champion and businessman who founded the iconic Vuarnet sunglasses brand.

• Jan. 2 John Berger

  Influential British art critic, novelist, painter, and art theorist known for his groundbreaking work in art criticism and cultural...

• Jan. 4 Georges Prêtre

  Renowned French orchestral and opera conductor who was a significant figure in classical music during the 20th century.

• 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. 7 Mario Soares

  Prominent Portuguese politician who served as Prime Minister and President of Portugal, playing a crucial role in Portugal's transition to...

• Jan. 7 Nat Hentoff

  Renowned American journalist, author, and cultural critic known for his passionate advocacy of civil liberties and profound writings on jazz...

• Jan. 8 Nicolai Gedda

  Renowned Swedish opera tenor with an extraordinary international career, known for his exceptional vocal technique and performances in major...

• Jan. 8 Peter Sarstedt

  Acclaimed Indian-British singer-songwriter famous for his folk music and hit song 'Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)'.

• Jan. 9 Zygmunt Bauman

  Zygmunt Bauman was a renowned Polish sociologist and philosopher who made significant contributions to understanding the complex...

• Jan. 10 Clare Hollingworth

  Clare Hollingworth was a pioneering British war correspondent who broke the news of Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939, effectively...

• Jan. 12 William Peter Blatty

  Acclaimed American author and screenwriter best known for 'The Exorcist', a groundbreaking novel and film that won an Oscar for Best...

• Jan. 12 Graham Taylor

  Prominent English football manager who led Watford FC to significant success in the 1980s and later managed the England national team.

• Jan. 13 Anthony Armstrong-Jones

  Lord Snowdon was a renowned British photographer famous for his marriage to Princess Margaret.

• Jan. 14 Zhou Youguang

  Zhou Youguang was a renowned Chinese linguist and academic, best known as the 'father of Pinyin' who developed the romanization system for...

• Jan. 15 Jimmy Snuka

  Legendary professional wrestler of Fijian origin who was a major star in the World Wrestling Federation (WWE) during the 1980s, known for...

• Jan. 16 Gene Cernan

  NASA astronaut known as the 'Last Man on the Moon', who commanded the Apollo 17 mission and was a pioneering space explorer who flew three...

• Jan. 18 Peter Abrahams

  Renowned South African-Jamaican writer known for his significant contributions to literature exploring racial and social themes across...

• Jan. 18 Rachael Heyhoe Flint

  Pioneering English cricketer, businesswoman, and philanthropist who significantly advanced women's cricket.

• Jan. 18 Roberta Peters

  Renowned soprano who performed at the Metropolitan Opera for over 35 years, establishing herself as a significant figure in American...

• 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. 23 Gorden Kaye

  Gorden Kaye was an English actor best known for his role as René Artois in the British TV sitcom 'Allo 'Allo!. His comedic timing and distinctive presence made him a beloved figure in British television. [bio]

• Jan. 23 Bobby Freeman

  American musician known for his rock and roll hits, particularly the song 'Do You Want to Dance?', active from the late 1950s to early...

• Jan. 24 Butch Trucks

  Renowned drummer of the legendary Southern rock band The Allman Brothers Band, known for his powerful and influential drumming style that...

• 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. 25 Mary Tyler Moore

  Iconic American actress and producer known for her groundbreaking television work.

• 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. 26 Tam Dalyell

  Prominent Scottish politician and academic known for his significant contributions to British political discourse and parliamentary debates.

• 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]