Discover the most famous people died who died in the year 2008. This list includes people like Heath Ledger, Paul Newman, Bernie Mac, Michael Crichton, George Carlin and many more. This list of celebrities is loosely sorted by popularity. People featured on this list, include journalists, political leaders, poets and directors who died in 2008. This list includes people from United States, United Kingdom, India & France and many more countries.

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 1 

Heath Ledger

(Australian Actor Best Known for His Role as ‘The Joker’ in the Film ‘The Dark Knight’)

Birthdate: April 4, 1979

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Perth, Australia

Died: January 22

An Australian actor, Heath Ledger grabbed limelight in America with the teen comedy 10 Things I Hate About You. However, it was role in Brokeback Mountain that made him a star and earned him comparisons with greats actors like Marlon Brando. The brilliant actor gave his last performance as Joker in The Dark Knight which became a massive success.

 2 

Paul Newman

(One of the Most Influential Actors of 20th-Century)

Birthdate: January 26, 1925

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Shaker Heights, Ohio, United States

Died: September 26

One of the most celebrated actors of the 1960s and 1970s, Paul Newman was a multi-faceted man. Apart from winning acting accolades, such as the Academy Award, he had also won many championships as a driver as part of the Sports Car Club of America. Also known for his philanthropy and political activism, Newman founded many nonprofit organizations.

 3 

George Carlin

(One of the Most Important and Influential Stand-Up Comedians of All Time)

Birthdate: May 12, 1937

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Manhattan, New York, United States

Died: June 22

Counted amongst the most influential stand-up comedians, George Carlin was known for his dark comedy. His comedy routine, Seven Dirty Words, was hugely controversial and played a critical role in Supreme Court’s ruling to censor offensive material on broadcast media. In his career, he released many comedy albums, starred in 14 HBO special, authored books and acted in numerous films.

 4 

Estelle Getty

(Actress and Comedian Known for Her Role as ‘Sophia Petrillo’ in the TV Series ‘The Golden Girls’)

Birthdate: July 25, 1923

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Manhattan, New York, United States

Died: July 22

Estelle Getty is best known for her Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning performance as Sophia Petrillo in The Golden Girls. Fans also loved her in Mask and Stuart Little. She also wrote an autobiography, released an exercise video for the elderly, and helped set up a hospice for AIDS patients.

 5 

Bobby Fischer

(American Chess Grandmaster and the Eleventh World Chess Champion)

Birthdate: March 9, 1943

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Died: January 17

Bobby Fischer began as a chess prodigy in his teens and went on to become the youngest "grandmaster," at 15. His participation in a politically controversial match in Yugoslavia led to the revocation of his U.S. passport and his arrest. He spent the final years of his life in Iceland.

Birthdate: October 4, 1923

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Evanston, Illinois, United States

Died: April 5

Charlton Heston was an American actor whose cinematic legacy became the subject of an 11-film retrospective titled Cinematic Atlas: The Triumphs of Charlton Heston. Also a political activist, Charlton Heston was one of the few Hollywood actors to criticize racism in the 1950s and 1960s; he was also a supporter of the Civil Rights Movement.

 7 

Edmund Hillary

(One of the First Climbers to Have Reached the Summit of Mount Everest)

Birthdate: July 20, 1919

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Auckland, New Zealand

Died: January 11

Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first to reach the top of Mount Everest, as part of the British expedition led by John Hunt. Hillary also reached both the poles. He later served as an ambassador to Nepal and founded the Himalayan Trust to help the people of Nepal.

 8 

Roy Scheider

(One of the Most Unique and Distinguished of all Hollywood Actors)

Birthdate: November 10, 1932

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: City of Orange, New Jersey, United States

Died: February 10

Roy Scheider is best remembered as Martin Brody from Jaws and its sequel. Fans also loved him in his Oscar-nominated roles in The French Connection and All That Jazz, and as Nathan Bridger in the sci-fi series seaQuest DSV. He had been an amateur boxer and an air force captain. 

 9 

Suzanne Pleshette

(Best Known for Her Role as ‘Emily Hartley’ in the TV Series ‘The Bob Newhart Show’)

Birthdate: January 31, 1937

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Brooklyn Heights, New York, United States

Died: January 19

Suzanne Pleshette is best remembered for her Golden Globe-nominated role in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds. She also appeared as Emily Hartley on The Bob Newhart Show and was nominated for both the Emmy and the Golden Globe for her portrayal of real-life hotelier Leona Helmsley in her biopic.

 10 

Eartha Kitt

(Singer with a Distinctive Voice Known for her Hits "Let's Do It", and "C'est si bon")

Birthdate: January 17, 1927

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: North, South Carolina, United States

Died: December 25

Eartha Kitt was an American actress, comedian, dancer, and singer-songwriter. Renowned for her distinctive singing style, Kitt recorded several chartbusting songs during the 1950s. Also a well-known activist, Eartha Kitt established a non-profit organization called the Kittsville Youth Foundation, which helped underprivileged youths in Los Angeles. She was also an ardent advocate for same-sex marriage and LGBT rights.

 11 

Isaac Hayes

(Singer-songwriter)

Birthdate: August 20, 1942

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Covington, Tennessee, United States

Died: August 10

 12 

Michael Crichton

(Best Known as the Author of “Jurassic Park” and the creator of the TV Drama “ER”)

Birthdate: October 23, 1942

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Died: November 4

Michael Crichton was an American filmmaker and author. He wrote several science-fiction books, which have sold more than 200 million copies. Many of his books, such as The Andromeda Strain, Jurassic Park, Congo, Rising Sun, and Disclosure, have been adapted into highly successful films. He is also credited with creating the popular medical drama TV series, ER.

Birthdate: March 25, 1966

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Toronto

Died: March 2

Jeff Healey was a Canadian blues-rock and jazz vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist. Apart from establishing his own career, Jeff Healey also helped develop the careers of several other musicians, including Philip Sayce, Terra Hazelton, and Amanda Meta Marshall. For his contribution to music, Jeff Healey was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame and the Terry Fox Hall of Fame.

Birthdate: August 1, 1936

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Oran, Algeria

Died: June 1

Yves Saint Laurent was a French fashion designer who founded his eponymous fashion label in 1961. Widely regarded as one of the 20th century's most popular and influential fashion designers, Saint Laurent is credited with helping women all over the world find confidence by looking both elegant and comfortable at the same time. His life and career inspired many films.

 15 

Harvey Korman

(Actor and Comedian Known for His Sketch Comedy Series 'The Carol Burnett Show')

Birthdate: February 15, 1927

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Died: May 29

Harvey Korman gained recognition with his acts on The Danny Kaye Show. He then soared to fame with the sketch comedy series The Carol Burnett Show, partnering with Tim Conway and winning four Emmys. He has also been part of The Flintstones franchise and several Mel Brooks comedies.

Birthdate: February 21, 1962

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Ithaca, New York, United States

Died: September 12

David Foster Wallace was an American author who is regarded as one of the most innovative and influential writers of the past 20 years. His best-known work, Infinite Jest, was named one of the best English-language novels between 1923 and 2005 by Time magazine. Wallace continues to serve as an inspiration to writers like Darin Strauss and George Saunders.

 17 

Jerry Reed

(Singer-songwriter, Musician)

Birthdate: March 20, 1937

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Died: September 1

Jerry Reed was an American guitarist, country music singer, songwriter, composer, and actor. He won three Grammy Awards and two Country Music Association awards during his illustrious career. In 2017, he was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Jerry Reed was also inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.

Birthdate: July 28, 1943

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Hatch End, Middlesex, England

Died: September 15

Richard Wright was an English musician. He is credited with co-founding the popular band ,Pink Floyd, for which he also served as a vocalist and keyboardist. Wright contributed immensely to the success of Pink Floyd and his distinctive keyboard playing was a key component of the music produced by the band.

 19 

Bettie Page

(American Model who Gained Notoriety in the 1950s for her Pin-Up Photos)

Birthdate: April 22, 1923

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Nashville, Tennessee, US

Died: December 11

Model Bettie Page was an iconic figure in pop culture in the 1950s. Considered a sex symbol, she was most popular for her pin-up photos. In 1955, she became one of the earliest Playmates of the Month for Playboy magazine. After a short but immensely successful modeling career, she converted to Christianity and quit modeling.

Birthdate: December 11, 1918

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Kislovodsk, Russia

Died: August 3

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was a Russian novelist, philosopher, historian, and political prisoner. An outspoken critic of Communism and the Soviet Union, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn helped raise awareness of the Gulag, a government agency that oversaw forced labor camps set up in accordance with Vladimir Lenin's order. His non-fiction text The Gulag Archipelago was a highly influential work and sold millions of copies.

Birthdate: February 23, 1932

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio

Died: December 18

Majel Barrett was an American actress best known for playing Christine Chapel in Star Trek: The Original Series. She also played important roles in the subsequent Star Trek series like The Next Generation. She became known as the First Lady of Star Trek due to her association with Star Trek and her marriage to the creator of Star Trek, Gene Roddenberry.

Birthdate: February 15, 1910

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Warsaw, Poland

Died: May 12

Polish social worker and nurse Irena Sendler was part of the Polish Underground Resistance in German-occupied Poland, during World War II. She was arrested for smuggling Jewish children out of Poland but never revealed much about her work. She had received many awards, such as Israel’s Righteous Among the Nations.

 23 

Sydney Pollack

(Film Director and Producer Best Known for His Movie 'Out of Africa')

Birthdate: July 1, 1934

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Lafayette, Indiana, United States

Died: May 26

Sydney Pollack is best remembered for his Academy Award-winning direction in the film Out of Africa and was also nominated for the same award for They Shoot Horses, Don't They? and Tootsie. He also acted in films such as Eyes Wide Shut and series such as Will & Grace.

 24 

Sir Arthur Charles Clarke

(Science-Fiction Writer Known for His Novels: ‘Childhood's End’, ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ and ‘Rendezvous with Rama’)

Birthdate: December 16, 1917

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Minehead, Somerset, England

Died: March 19

Sir Arthur C. Clarke is best known for his short story The Sentinel, which became the basis of the screenplay of Stanley Kubrick’s science-fiction movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. Clarke spent the final years of his life in Sri Lanka and hosted shows such as Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious World.

 25 

Mel Ferrer

(Actor & Director Known for His Films: 'Scaramouche', 'Lili' and 'Knights of the Round Table')

Birthdate: August 25, 1917

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Long Branch, New Jersey, United States

Died: June 2

Mel Ferrer is best known for his role in War and Peace, in which he co-starred with his fourth wife, Audrey Hepburn. He had also delivered hits such as Scaramouche and Knights of the Round Table. He also produced and played the titular role in the biopicEl Greco.

 26 

Richard Widmark

(Villainous Tommy Udo in his debut film, Kiss of Death)

Birthdate: December 26, 1914

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Sunrise Township, Minnesota, United States

Died: March 24

Height: 5'10" (178 cm)

 27 

Van Johnson

(American Singer, Dancer, Theatre and Radio Actor)

Birthdate: August 25, 1916

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Newport, Rhode Island, United States

Died: December 12

Van Johnson was an MGM star of Hollywood’s Golden Age. He was known for his signature red hair, freckles, and boy-next-door image. Some of notable films include Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo and A Guy Named Joe. He also appeared in series such as Rich Man, Poor Man.

 28 

Bo Diddley

(American Guitarist and Singer)

Birthdate: December 30, 1928

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: McComb, Mississippi, United States

Died: June 2

Height: 5'7" (170 cm)

 29 

William F. Buckley, Jr.

(Editor)

Birthdate: November 24, 1925

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: New York, New York, United States

Died: February 27

Height: 6'1" (185 cm)

 30 

Dorothy Vaughan

(American Mathematician, Human Computer and the First African-American to Receive Promotion as Supervisor in NASA)

Birthdate: September 20, 1910

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Kansas City, Missouri, United States

Died: November 10

American mathematician Dorothy Vaughan was also known as a "human computer." Initially a math teacher, she became the first African-American supervisor of NACA, later part of NASA, at a time when racial segregation was rampant in the U.S. Her contribution to the early American space programs is invaluable.

 31 

Cyd Charisse

(American Actress and Dancer)

Birthdate: March 8, 1922

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Amarillo, Texas, United States

Died: June 17

Cyd Charisse was an American dancer and actress best remembered for playing important roles in films that highlighted her dancing skills, although she stopped dancing in films later in her career. In 2006, Cyd Charisse was honored with the prestigious National Medal of the Arts and Humanities.

Birthdate: March 4, 1932

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Johannesburg, South Africa

Died: November 10

Miriam Makeba was a South African singer, actress, songwriter, civil rights activist, and United Nations goodwill ambassador. One of the first African musicians to make an impact on the international stage, Makeba is credited with popularizing Afropop genres. She also advocated against apartheid through music and played a major role in the civil rights movement.

Birthdate: January 11, 1906

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Baden

Died: April 29

Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann was the first known person to synthesize the psychedelic effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Interested in science from a young age, he studied chemistry at the University of Zürich. As a chemist, he conducted several significant studies and authored more than 100 scientific articles and books. He was a recipient of the prestigious Scheele Award.

Birthdate: October 10, 1930

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Metropolitan Borough of Hackney

Died: December 24

 35 

Yma Súmac

(American-Peruvian soprano)

Birthdate: September 10, 1922

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Cajamarca, Peru

Died: November 1

Birthdate: July 25, 1982

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

Died: January 15

Brad Renfro was living in a trailer park when director Joel Schumacher spotted him and cast him in The Client. Over the years, Renfro appeared in films such as Tom and Huck and Apt Pupil. He, however, struggled with drug abuse and died of a heroin overdose at 25.

 37 

Dick Martin

(American comedian)

Birthdate: January 30, 1922

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Battle Creek, Michigan, United States

Died: May 24

Height: 6'1" (185 cm)

 38 

Tim Russert

(Journalist)

Birthdate: May 7, 1950

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Buffalo, New York, USA

Died: June 13

Height: 5'10" (178 cm)

Birthdate: August 16, 1927

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Oak Park, Illinois, United States

Died: January 18

Height: 5'5" (165 cm)

Birthdate: June 6, 1936

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States

Died: October 17

Height: 5'11" (180 cm)

 41 

Robert Prosky

(Actor)

Birthdate: December 13, 1930

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Died: December 8

Height: 5'10" (178 cm)

 42 

Beverly Garland

(Actress)

Birthdate: October 17, 1926

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Santa Cruz, California, USA

Died: December 5

 43 

Paul Benedict

(Actor)

Birthdate: September 17, 1938

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Silver City, New Mexico, USA

Died: December 1

Height: 6'4" (193 cm)

Birthdate: September 25, 1942

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey, United States

Died: October 18

Dee Dee Warwick was a soul singer whose career was largely marred by drug addiction. However, she found success later in her career, recording songs for Private Stock Records and RCA Records. In 1999, she was honored by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation with a Pioneer Award. Warwick is also remembered for being one of the first openly gay singers.

 45 

Rocky Aoki

(Restaurateur Who Founded the Popular Japanese Cuisine Restaurant Chain 'Benihana')

Birthdate: October 9, 1938

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan

Died: July 10

 46 

Anthony Minghella

(Screenwriter, Playwright, Film director, Film producer, Writer)

Birthdate: January 6, 1954

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Ryde

Died: March 18

Height: 5'9" (175 cm)

 47 

Dock Ellis

(Baseball player)

Birthdate: March 11, 1945

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States

Died: December 19

Height: 6'3" (190 cm)

Birthdate: October 23, 1960

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Died: July 25

 49 

Ivan Dixon

(Actor)

Birthdate: April 6, 1931

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA

Died: March 16

Height: 6'0" (183 cm)

 50 

Gary Gygax

(Game designer)

Birthdate: July 27, 1938

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Died: March 4