Famous People Who Died in 1991
Discover the most famous people died who died in the year 1991. This list includes people like Freddie Mercury, Rajiv Gandhi, Michael Landon, Dr. Seuss, Miles Davis and many more. This list of celebrities is loosely sorted by popularity. People featured on this list, include actresses, composers, political leaders and novelists who died in 1991. This list includes people from United States, United Kingdom, France & Russia and many more countries.
Vote for Your Favourite People Who Died In 1991
Right IconThis ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.
1
Freddie Mercury(One of the Greatest Rock Singers and the Lead Vocalist of the Rock Band 'Queen')
Birthdate: September 5, 1946
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Stone Town, Tanzania
Died: November 24
Legendary singer, songwriter and lead vocalist of the British rock band, Queen, Frederick Bulsara adopted the name Freddie Mercury which aptly suits his on-stage vibrant and exuberant persona. A four-octave vocal range musician, Mercury owned every stage he set foot on as much with his vivid performance as with his superhuman voice modulation.
Birthdate: March 2, 1904
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Springfield, Massachusetts, United States
Died: September 24
Dr. Seuss was an American children's author, illustrator, and political cartoonist. He is credited with writing some of the most famous children's books ever, including The Cat in the Hat. His works were translated into over 20 languages and sold more than 600 million copies by the time of his death. Many of his creations were adapted into animated cartoons.
Birthdate: October 31, 1936
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Forest Hills, New York, United States
Died: July 1
One of the most popular actors of his generation, Michael Landon appeared on the cover of TV Guide on 22 occasions, the most for an actor and second only to Lucille Ball. Also a singer and director, Landon had a major impact on the film industry, so much so that a community building was named after him following his demise.
4
Miles Davis(Trumpeter and one of the Most Prominent Figures in the History of Jazz)
Birthdate: May 26, 1926
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Alton, Illinois, United States
Died: September 28
Jazz trumpeter and composer Miles Davis was a pioneer in the bepop and jazz fusion genres. His work also had electronic, African, and Spanish influences. His album Kind of Blue sold 5 million copies in the U.S. and was termed a national treasure by the House of Representatives, years later.
5
Danny Thomas(Creator & Star of the Highly Successful Sitcom 'The Danny Thomas Show')
Birthdate: January 6, 1912
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Deerfield, Michigan, United States
Died: February 6
Danny Thomas was an American nightclub comedian, actor, singer, and producer. He is credited with creating one of the most successful sitcoms in the history of American TV, Danny Thomas Show. Also a well-known philanthropist, Danny Thomas founded the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, a nonprofit medical corporation that focuses on children's catastrophic diseases, such as leukemia and other cancers.
6
Redd Foxx(Comedian)
Birthdate: December 9, 1922
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Died: October 11
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
7
Gene Tierney(Best Known for Her Role as ‘Ellen Berent Harland’ in the Film ‘Leave Her to Heaven’)
Birthdate: November 19, 1920
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: November 6
Gene Tierney is best remembered for her Academy Award-nominated role of Ellen Berent Harland in Leave Her to Heaven. She also starred in The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, Laura, and The Razor's Edge, and performed on Broadway, too. Her personal life is said to have inspired an Agatha Christie novel.
8
Gene Roddenberry(Screenwriter, Producer, and Creator of American TV Series, 'Star Trek: The Original Series')
Birthdate: August 19, 1921
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: El Paso
Died: October 24
TV writer and producer Gene Roddenberry, who created the original Star Trek series of the 1960s, also produced its spin-offs. He was the first TV writer to have a Hollywood Walk of Fame star and was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame. His ashes were flown into space.
9
David Ruffin(American Soul Singer and Musician)
Birthdate: January 18, 1941
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Whynot, Mississippi, United States
Died: June 1
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
10
Fred MacMurray(American Actor who played 'Steve Douglas' in 'My Three Sons')
Birthdate: August 30, 1908
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Kankakee, Illinois, United States
Died: November 5
Fred MacMurray was an American actor who appeared in over 100 films in a career that spanned almost 50 years. He is best remembered for appearing in many Disney films and became the first person to be named a Disney Legend in 1987. Fred MacMurray was also honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Birthdate: August 28, 1921
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: February 3
Nancy Kulp was an American actress best known for her portrayal of Miss Jane Hathaway in the popular television sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies, for which she received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination in 1967. A multi-talented personality, Kulp was also renowned for her comedic skills. She also tried her hand at politics and teaching before succumbing to cancer in 1991.
Birthdate: December 14, 1935
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Quincy, Massachusetts, United States
Died: July 2
13
Ken Curtis(Singer)
Birthdate: July 2, 1916
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Lamar, Colorado, United States
Died: April 28
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
14
Oona O'Neill(Actor)
Birthdate: May 14, 1925
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Warwick Parish, Bermuda
Died: September 27
15
Bert Convy(Actor and Host of Game Shows: ‘Tattletales’, ‘Super Password’ and ‘Win, Lose or Draw’)
Birthdate: July 23, 1933
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Died: July 15
Bert Convy was an American actor, game show host, and singer. He is best remembered for hosting popular game shows, such as Win, Lose or Draw, Tattletales, and Super Password. After establishing himself as a TV personality, Bert Convy tried his hand at acting and played important roles in films like A Bucket of Blood, Gunman's Walk, and Susan Slade.
Birthdate: December 15, 1948
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Sydney
Died: December 28
Australian actor Cassandra Harris is remembered for her role in the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only. Her third husband, Pierce Brosnan, met the director Albert R. Broccoli during the filming of the movie, eventually bagging James Bond’s role later. Harris died of ovarian cancer at 43.
17
Natalie Schafer(Actress)
Birthdate: November 5, 1900
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA
Died: April 10
18
Frank Capra(One of America's Most Influential Directors During the 1930s)
Birthdate: May 18, 1897
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Bisacquino, Italy
Died: September 3
Frank Capra was a filmmaker and writer responsible for making several American award-winning films of the 1930s and 1940s. After being born into a poor Italian family, Capra went on to become one of Hollywood's most influential directors of the 1930s; his rags-to-riches story continues to inspire many, with historians labeling him the American Dream personified.
Birthdate: July 2, 1903
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Sandringham, Norfolk, England
Died: January 17
Olav V of Norway served as the king of Norway from 1957 to 1991. Olav became heir apparent to the throne in 1905 when his father was crowned king of Norway. His leadership skills during World War IIearned him the position of Norwegian Chief of Defence in 1944. Nicknamed The People's King, Olav was popular for his down-to-earth style.
Birthdate: October 17, 1900
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Plattsburgh
Died: June 19
Jean Arthur was an American film and Broadway actress whose performances in films like Mr. Deeds Goes to Town and You Can't Take It with You established her as the quintessential comedic leading lady of Hollywood. Jean Arthur's contribution to the film industry earned her a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Birthdate: April 23, 1960
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Hillsborough, Sheffield, England
Died: January 8
22
Ralph Bellamy(Actor and Screenwriter Best Known for His Films: ‘Sunrise at Campobello’ and ‘The Awful Truth’)
Birthdate: June 17, 1904
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died: November 29
Ralph Bellamy is best remembered for his Academy Award-nominated role in The Awful Truth and his Tony Award-winning role in Sunrise at Campobello. He also portrayed the titular character in the Ellery Queen detective films of the 1940s. He was part of the Hollywood A-listers’ group called the Irish Mafia.
Birthdate: October 2, 1904
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Berkhamsted, England
Died: April 3
English author Henry Graham Greene, better known as Graham Greene, is remembered for his pathbreaking Catholic novels and thrillers. He was shortlisted for the Nobel Prize in Literature. His works include The Third Man and The Human Factor, and his Academy Award-nominated script of the film The Fallen Idol.
24
Colleen Dewhurst(Best Known for Her Role as ‘Josie Hogan’ in the Film ‘A Moon for the Misbegotten’)
Birthdate: June 3, 1924
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Montreal, Canada
Died: August 22
Canadian-American actor Colleen Dewhurst is best remembered for her Tony-winning performance in the Broadway play A Moon for the Misbegotten. She was known for her frequent appearances in Eugene O'Neill’s plays. Fans also loved her in TV projects such as Murphy Brown and Anne of Green Gables.
Birthdate: June 27, 1907
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Spokane, Washington, United States
Died: January 30
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
26
Eric Carr(Drummer, Musician)
Birthdate: July 12, 1950
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: November 24
27
Tennessee Ernie Ford(American Singer and Television Host)
Birthdate: February 13, 1919
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Bristol, Tennessee, United States
Died: October 17
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
Birthdate: August 20, 1944
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Died: May 21
Rajiv Gandhi was the sixth and the youngest Prime Minister of India. He played a major role in suhering the computer era in India. During the initial phase of his term, he was very popular but later on his regime was marred by corruption scandals and he lost the next election. He was assassinated by Tamil militants, while he was the leader of the opposition.
29
Martha Graham(Modern Dancer and Choreographer Known for Her 'Graham Technique' Style)
Birthdate: May 11, 1894
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: April 1
Martha Graham was a modern dancer and choreographer who revolutionized American dance. She developed what later became known as the Graham technique, a modern dance movement style and pedagogy. She had an extensive career spanning over 70 years. The Martha Graham School, founded in 1926, is the oldest school of dance in USA.
Birthdate: September 7, 1908
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Norwalk, Ohio, United States
Died: August 5
Birthdate: February 2, 1928
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: March 2
French musician, singer, and actor Serge Gainsbourg had experimented with a variety of music forms, such as jazz, pop, and reggae. Renowned for songs such as Bonnie and Clyde, he also included sexual overtones in his lyrics. He had also acted in and directed films and written a short novel.
32
David Lean(English Film Director and Producer Who is Considered One of the Most Important Figures in British Cinema)
Birthdate: March 25, 1908
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Croydon, Surrey, England
Died: April 16
David Lean was an English film producer, director, editor, and screenwriter. He is best remembered for directing large-scale epics like The Bridge on the River Kwai, A Passage to India, and Lawrence of Arabia. David Lean is widely regarded as one of the most prominent figures in British cinema. He won many prestigious awards, including two Academy Awards.
Birthdate: January 31, 1934
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Clayton, Missouri, United States
Died: July 8
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
34
John Russell(Actor, Officer, Film actor, Television actor)
Birthdate: January 3, 1921
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
Died: January 19
35
Yves Montand(Actor)
Birthdate: October 13, 1921
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Monsummano Terme, Italy
Died: November 9
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
Birthdate: September 25, 1926
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: March 27
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
37
Leo Durocher(Baseball player)
Birthdate: July 27, 1905
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: West Springfield, Massachusetts, United States
Died: October 7
38
Dottie West(Singer-Songwriter)
Birthdate: October 11, 1932
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Smithville, Tennessee, United States
Died: September 4
Birthdate: May 18, 1919
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Reigate, England
Died: February 21
Margot Fonteyn was an English ballerina who spent her entire dancing career at the Royal Ballet. She was eventually appointed prima ballerina assoluta of the Royal Ballet by Queen Elizabeth II. Margot Fonteyn achieved international fame after a tour of the US in 1949. She also helped popularize ballet in the US by appearing on TV before and after WWII.
Birthdate: August 10, 1909
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Anaheim, California, United States
Died: March 21
Birthdate: February 2, 1927
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: June 6
42
Tom of Finland(Finnish Painter, Best Known for His Depiction of Gay Sexuality through His Works)
Birthdate: May 8, 1920
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Kaarina
Died: November 7
One of the most influential artists of the 20th century, Touko Valio Laaksonen, better known as Tom of Finland, is remembered for his paintings of the human body and his depiction of homoerotic desire. In his later life, his struggle with emphysema made him switch from pencil to pastels.
43
Howard Ashman(Playwright, Lyricist & Stage Director)
Birthdate: May 17, 1950
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Died: March 14
44
George Gobel(Actor)
Birthdate: May 20, 1919
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died: February 24
45
Jiang Qing(Chinese Political Figure Who Played an Important Role During 'The Cultural Revolution')
Birthdate: March 19, 1914
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Zhucheng, Weifang, China
Died: May 14
Jiang Qing was a Chinese actress, communist revolutionary and major political figure who played an important role during the Cultural Revolution in China. She is also remembered for forming a Maoist political faction called the Gang of Four. Jiang Qing married Mao Zedong and played a prominent role in propagating Mao's brand of Communist ideology.
46
Peggy Ashcroft(Actress)
Birthdate: December 22, 1907
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Croydon
Died: January 14
47
John Bardeen(American Physicist, Engineer and the Only Person to Win the Nobel Prize in Physics Twice)
Birthdate: May 23, 1908
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Died: January 30
American engineer, physicist and Nobel laureate John Bardeen is the only person who received the Nobel Prize in Physics twice. He shared the first Nobel with William Shockley and Walter Brattain in 1956 for inventing the transistor, and the second with Leon N Cooper and John Robert Schrieffer in 1972 for proposing the BCS theory, a microscopic theory of superconductivity.
48
Soichiro Honda(Japanese Industrialist, Engineer and Founder of the Renowned Automobile Manufacturer, 'Honda Motor Co., Ltd')
Birthdate: November 17, 1906
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
Died: August 5
Soichiro Honda was a Japanese industrialist and engineer. He is credited with establishing the world-renowned automobile manufacturer, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. He is also credited with overseeing the company's growth from a wooden shack manufacturing unit to a multinational conglomerate manufacturer of motorcycle and automobile. Soichiro Honda was made an inductee of the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1989.
49
Don Siegel(Film director)
Birthdate: October 26, 1912
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
Died: April 20
Birthdate: November 21, 1936
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Shanghai
Died: July 4
Born to Australian-born Chinese parents in Shanghai, cardiac surgeon Victor Chang grew up in Hong Kong, Myanmar, and Sichuan, in the aftermath of the Second Sino-Japanese War. His mother’s death from breast cancer made him study medicine. The pioneer of heart transplantation, Chang was killed in an extortion attempt.
