Famous People Who Died In 2005

Discover the most famous people died who died in the year 2005. This list includes people like Hunter S. Thompson, Richard Pryor, Pope John Paul II, Rosa Parks, Pat Morita and many more. This list of celebrities is loosely sorted by popularity. People featured on this list, include political leaders, novelists, artists and comedians who died in 2005. This list includes people from United States, United Kingdom, India & Australia and many more countries.
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 1 
Rosa Parks
(American Activist in the Civil Rights Movement Best Known for Her Pivotal Role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott)
Rosa Parks
64
Listed In: Activists
Birthdate: February 4, 1913
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Tuskegee, Alabama, United States
Died: October 24

Rosa Parks, “the first lady of civil rights,” was a pioneer in the American revolution against color segregation and racism. Her refusal to leave her bus seat to a white passenger gave rise to the iconic Montgomery Bus Boycott, which also led her to work with Martin Luther King Jr.

 2 
Richard Pryor
(Greatest Stand-Up Comedian of All-Time)
Richard Pryor
29
Birthdate: December 1, 1940
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Peoria, Illinois, United States
Died: December 10

Considered one of the greatest stand-up comedians of all time, Richard Pryor entertained his audience and influenced generations of stand-up comedians with his pointed observations and skilful art of storytelling. He began by performing at clubs and gained immense fame with his third comedy album, That Nigger’s Crazy. He also became an acclaimed actor and an award winning writer.

 3 
Pat Morita
(Actor and Comedian Known for His Role as ‘Miyagi’ in ‘The Karate Kid’ Film Series)
Pat Morita
21
Birthdate: June 28, 1932
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Isleton, California, United States
Died: November 24

American actor, voice actor, and comedian, Pat Morita first gained recognition with drama series Happy Days, though it was his inspiring performance as Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid film series that really skyrocketed his fame. The Asian-American actor was also known for his TV movie Amos and animated movie Mulan and Mulan II where he voiced the Chinese Emperor.

 4 
Johnny Carson
(Comedian and Producer Best Known as the Host of ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson’)
Johnny Carson
17
Birthdate: October 23, 1925
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Corning, Iowa, United States
Died: January 23

Six-time Emmy Award-winner Johnny Carson was known for hosting NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. After serving in World War II, Carson started hosting radio shows and then graduated to TV. He also won the Presidential Medal of Freedom and is said to have inspired David Letterman.

 5 
Luther Vandross
51
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: April 20, 1951
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: New York City
Died: July 1

Luther Vandross was an American record producer and singer-songwriter. As a background vocalist, Vandross contributed to the success of several songs recorded by artists like David Bowie, Diana Ross, and Judy Collins. Regarded as a singer with one of the greatest voices in recorded history, Luther Vandross' works have influenced many artists like D'Angelo, Jaheim, Ne-Yo, John Legend, and Usher.

 6 
Arthur Miller
(Playwright Best Known for His Plays “All My Sons,” “Death of a Salesman” and “The Crucible”)
Arthur Miller
17
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: October 17, 1915
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Manhattan, New York City, United States
Died: February 10

Arthur Miller was an American essayist and playwright. Miller is credited with creating popular plays, such as Death of a Salesman, which is widely regarded as one of the best American plays of the 20th century. Thanks to his illustrious career, which spanned more than 70 years, Arthur Miller is regarded as one of the 20th century's greatest dramatists.

 7 
Anne Bancroft
(Actress)
Anne Bancroft
15
Birthdate: September 17, 1931
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Died: June 6

Anne Bancroft was an American actress known for her versatility. Having won an Oscar, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and two Tony Awards, she is one of the 24 performers to have achieved the Triple Crown of Acting. In 2010, her husband Mel Brooks credited her for being an inspiration behind the development of his musicals Young Frankenstein and The Producers.

 8 
George Best
(Northern Irish Professional Footballer Who Played as a Winger)
George Best
39
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 22, 1946
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Died: November 25
Manchester United winger/midfielder George Best was the 1968 European Footballer of the Year and was placed sixth on the FIFA Player of the Century list. A skilled dribbler, the Northern Irish player was also known for his stunning good looks and his affinity for women and alcohol. 
 9 
Hunter S. Thompson
(Journalist, Author and Founder of the Gonzo Journalism Movement)
Hunter S. Thompson
66
Birthdate: July 18, 1937
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Died: February 20

Hunter S. Thompson was an American author and journalist. He is credited with creating his own subgenre of New Journalism called the gonzo journalism. The author of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, which was later adapted into a film, Thompson was famous for his lifelong use of drugs and alcohol. His books have had a major impact on counterculture.

 10 
Bob Denver
(Actor)
Bob Denver
11
Birthdate: January 9, 1935
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: New Rochelle, New York
Died: September 2

Bob Denver was an American actor renowned for playing comedy roles in popular TV series, such as Gilligan's Island and The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. Bob Denver became a synonym for Gilligan, thanks to his wonderful portrayal of the comedic character. A humanitarian, Denver played Gilligan in 1992 to benefit the non-profit organization, Make-A-Wish Foundation.

 11 
John DeLorean
(Engineer Known for His Work at 'General Motors' & Founder of the 'DeLorean Motor Company')
John DeLorean
19
Listed In: Engineers
Birthdate: January 6, 1925
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States
Died: March 19

John DeLorean was an American inventor and engineer. Highly regarded for his work at General Motors, John DeLorean was an influential figure in the US automobile industry. He is credited with founding the popular American automobile manufacturer, The DeLorean Motor Company. DeLorean’s life inspired a couple of documentary films, including Framing John DeLorean where he was played by Alec Baldwin.

 12 
Sandra Dee
(Actress and Model Best Known for Her Film ‘Until They Sail’)
Sandra Dee
10
Birthdate: April 23, 1942
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Bayonne, New Jersey, United States
Died: February 20
Sandra Dee started her career as a child model and then became a teen idol with films such as Gidget and Imitation of Life. She won a Golden Globe for the film Until They Sail. She suffered from anorexia nervosa and eventually died of a kidney ailment at age 62.
 13 
Shirley Chisholm
(Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 12th District (1969 - 1983))
Shirley Chisholm
18
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: November 30, 1924
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: January 1

A courageous political leader, Shirley Chisholm made history when she became the first African-American woman to be elected the United States Congresswoman. Later, she yet again created history when she—though unsuccessfullyVran for Democratic Party's presidential nomination to contest for US presidency. Throughout her career, she advocated racial equality and women empowerment. As an author, she penned two books.

 14 
Rosemary Kennedy
(Sister of the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy)
Rosemary Kennedy
21
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: September 13, 1918
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Brookline, Massachusetts, United States
Died: January 7
Rosemary Kennedy was the eldest daughter of Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and sister of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy. A botched lobotomy conducted on her, to control her violent mood swings, rendered her unable to speak properly and paralyzed. Her family did not meet her for 20 years.
 15 
Eddie Albert
(American actor)
Eddie Albert
2
Birthdate: April 22, 1906
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Rock Island, Illinois, United States
Died: May 26
 16 
Michael P. Murphy
(United States Navy SEAL Officer)
Michael P. Murphy
9
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: May 7, 1976
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Smithtown, New York, United States
Died: June 28

Michael P. Murphy was a US Navy SEAL officer. In 2007, Murphy became the first member of the US Navy to be honored with the prestigious Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War. He received the award posthumously for his participation in many War on Terrorism missions in Afghanistan, where he died fighting Taliban forces, at the age of 29.

 17 
Peter Jennings
(One of the Most Prominent Television Journalists and the Anchor of 'ABC World News Tonight’)
Peter Jennings
13
Birthdate: July 29, 1938
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Toronto, Canada
Died: August 7

Canadian-American journalist Peter Jennings is best remembered for his stint on ABC World News Tonight, as its sole anchor. A high-school drop-out, Jennings became one of the U.S.’s Big Three news anchors, along with Tom Brokaw and Dan Rather. He was known for his meticulous coverage of breaking news stories.

 18 
James Doohan
(Screenwriter, Television actor, Film actor, Actor, Novelist, Science fiction writer)
James Doohan
8
Birthdate: March 3, 1920
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Vancouver
Died: July 20

Canadian actor James Doohan was initially a soldier in the Canadian army and had even sustained injuries in World War II. He later soared to fame with his Saturn Award-nominated role of Montgomery Scott in the Star Trek film and TV franchise. He also voiced the character in various video games.

 19 
Simon Wiesenthal
(Austrian Holocaust Survivor, Nazi Hunter and Writer)
Simon Wiesenthal
11
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: December 31, 1908
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Buchach, Ukraine
Died: September 20
Jewish Austrian Holocaust survivor Simon Wiesenthal survived four Nazi concentration camps, including the notorious Kraków-Płaszów concentration camp. He later devoted his life to finding out information about Nazi war criminals to bring them to trial. He wrote several books on his experiences, such as The Sunflower and I Chased Eichmann.
 20 
Vivian Liberto
(American Homemaker, Author and First Wife of Singer Johnny Cash)
Vivian Liberto
11
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: April 23, 1934
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: San Antonio, Texas, United States
Died: May 24

Vivian Liberto was an American author and homemaker. She started hogging the limelight after marrying singer and actor, Johnny Cas,h with whom she had four daughters, including Rosanne Cash, who went on to become a singer-songwriter. Vivian Liberto’s 2007 book I Walked the Line formed the basis of the documentary movie My Darling Vivian, which was directed by Matt Riddlehoover.

 21 
Rainier III, Prince of Monaco
(Prince of Monaco from 1949 to 2005)
Rainier III, Prince of Monaco
7
Birthdate: May 31, 1923
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Monaco
Died: April 6
Rainier III, son of Prince Pierre, was the Prince of Monaco from 1949 to 2005. He reduced Monaco’s dependence on gambling as a source of revenue and made it more of a tourist destination. He also reduced the powers of the royalty. He was married to renowned actor Grace Kelly.
 22 
John Spencer
(Film actor)
John Spencer
4
Birthdate: December 20, 1946
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: New York City, U.S.
Died: December 16
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 23 
Nipsey Russell
(Stand-up Comedian)
Nipsey Russell
9
Birthdate: September 15, 1918
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia
Died: October 2
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
 24 
William Rehnquist
(16th Chief Justice of the United States)
William Rehnquist
9
Listed In: Lawyers & Judges
Birthdate: October 1, 1924
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Died: September 3
William Rehnquist had a 33-year career at the U.S. Supreme Court: as an associate justice for 14 years and as a chief justice for 19 years. He had served under Nixon and Ronald Reagan. He presided over Bill Clinton’s impeachment and was associated with cases such as Roe v. Wade.
 25 
Vincent Schiavelli
(Best Known for His Roles in the Films: ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest’ & ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’)
Vincent Schiavelli
5
Birthdate: November 11, 1948
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: December 26

Vincent Schiavelli was an American food writer and actor. Remembered for playing unique characters, Schiavelli was regarded as one of the best character actors in the history of Hollywood. Also a prolific writer, Schiavelli wrote several cookbooks and articles for various publications like Saveur, Gourmet, and the Los Angeles Times. In 2001, he won a James Beard Foundation Journalism Award.

 26 
Don Adams
(Actor Best Known for his Role in the Series 'Get Smart')
Don Adams
6
Birthdate: April 13, 1923
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Manhattan, New York, United States
Died: September 25
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 27 
August Wilson
(American Playwright Who was Refered to as the 'Theater's Poet of Black America)
August Wilson
11
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: April 27, 1945
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: October 2
August Wilson, also known as "theater's poet of black America,” was a renowned playwright. He is best remembered for The Pittsburgh Cycle, his series of 10 plays that focused on the 20th-century African-American community. Two of his plays, Fences and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, were turned into movies.
 28 
Mary Jackson
(Mathematician)
Mary Jackson
8
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: April 9, 1921
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Hampton, Virginia, United States
Died: February 11

American mathematician and aerospace engineer Mary Jackson went down in history as the first African-American woman to work as a NASA engineer. Initially a math teacher, she later joined NACA under Dorothy Vaughan and contributed to countless American space programs at a time when racial segregation was the norm.

 29 
Frank Gorshin
6
Birthdate: April 5, 1933
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: May 17
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 30 
Sir John Mills
5
Birthdate: February 22, 1908
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: North Elmham, Norfolk, England, UK
Died: April 23

Sir John Mills was an English actor whose career spanned 70 years. During the course of his career, Mills won several prestigious awards, including an Academy Award for his portrayal of Michael in the 1970 epic romantic drama film, Ryan's Daughter. In 2002, he was honored by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts with a BAFTA Fellowship.

 31 
Ossie Davis
(Former actor who appeared in films with wife Ruby Dee)
Ossie Davis
9
Birthdate: December 18, 1917
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Cogdell, Georgia, United States
Died: February 4
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 32 
Barbara Bel Geddes
4
Birthdate: October 31, 1922
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Died: August 8
Height: 5'3" (160 cm)
 33 
Johnnie Cochran
(American Lawyer and Civil Activist Best Known for Defending and Acquitting 'O. J. Simpson')
Johnnie Cochran
46
Listed In: Activists
Birthdate: October 2, 1937
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Shreveport, Louisiana, United States
Died: March 29
Johnnie Cochran was an American civil activist and lawyer. Cochran played an important role in the acquittal of former football player O. J. Simpson in connection with the murder of the latter's ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson. Cochran had also represented other celebrities like Michael Jackson, Sean Combs, Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg, Riddick Bowe, and Jim Brown to name a few.
 34 
Debralee Scott
6
Birthdate: April 2, 1953
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States
Died: April 5
 35 
Chris LeDoux
(Singer-songwriter)
Chris LeDoux
8
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: October 2, 1948
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Biloxi, Mississippi, United States
Died: March 9
 36 
John Vernon
(Canadian Actor Best Known for His Films: ‘Animal House’, ‘Dirty Harry’ and ‘The Outlaw Josey Wales’)
John Vernon
3
Birthdate: February 24, 1932
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Zehner, Saskatchewan, Canada
Died: February 1

Born to Polish immigrants, Canadian actor John Vernon made waves in Hollywood with his roles of figures of authority, such as doctors and academics, in films. Known for films such as Animal House and Dirty Harry, he had also lent his voice to many series and video games.

 37 
Peter Drucker
(Management Consultant)
Peter Drucker
8
Birthdate: November 19, 1909
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Vienna, Austria
Died: November 11
 38 
Max Schmeling
(German Boxer Who Was Heavyweight Champion of the World between 1930 and 1932)
Max Schmeling
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 28, 1905
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Klein Luckow, Jatznick, Germany
Died: February 2
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 39 
Teresa Wright
(Actress)
Teresa Wright
2
Birthdate: October 27, 1918
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Harlem, New York, United States
Died: March 6

Teresa Wright was an American actress best remembered for her portrayal of Carol Beldon in the 1942 romantic war drama film Mrs. Miniver, which earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Teresa Wright worked with top directors like Alfred Hitchcock, who admired her professionalism.

 40 
George Mikan
(Basketball Player - Center )
George Mikan
7
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 18, 1924
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Joliet, Illinois, United States
Died: June 1
Height: 6'10" (208 cm)
 41 
Sheree North
(Actress)
Sheree North
5
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: January 17, 1932
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
Died: November 4
Height: 5'4" (163 cm)
 42 
Lane Smith
(Actor)
Lane Smith
2
Birthdate: April 29, 1936
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Died: June 13
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 43 
Zdzisław Beksiński
(Polish Painter During 20th-century)
Zdzisław Beksiński
3
Birthdate: February 24, 1929
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Sanok, Poland
Died: February 21
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
 44 
Virginia Mayo
(Actress Best Known for Her Movies: 'The Best Years of Our Lives' and 'White Heat')
Virginia Mayo
3
Birthdate: November 30, 1920
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Died: January 17

One of the first to be awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Virginia Clara Jones was possibly Warner Brothers' biggest box-office money-maker in late 1940s. Beginning her career with vaudevilles, she quickly signed contracts first with Goldwyn and later with Warner Brothers, giving out numerous hits, including Oscar-winning The Best Years of Our Lives and White Heat.

 45 
Shelby Foote
(Writer)
Shelby Foote
3
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: November 17, 1916
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Greenville, Mississippi, United States
Died: June 27
 46 
Howard Morris
3
Birthdate: September 4, 1919
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Bronx, New York, United States
Died: May 21
 47 
Matthew McGrory
14
Birthdate: May 17, 1973
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: August 9
Height: 7'6" (229 cm)
 48 
James Dougherty
(American Police Officer and First Husband of Actress Marilyn Monroe)
James Dougherty
6
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: April 12, 1921
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Texas, United States
Died: August 15
 49 
Amrish Puri
(Actor)
Amrish Puri
9
Birthdate: June 22, 1932
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Nawanshahr, Jullundur, Punjab, British India
Died: January 12
 50 
Saul Bellow
(Writer)
Saul Bellow
3
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: June 10, 1915
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Lachine, Montreal, Canada
Died: April 5