These Celebrities and Personalities Passed Away in 2024

Well-known political figures such as Brigitte Bierlein or Hannes Androsch passed away in 2024, as did Vienna's construction tycoon and society favourite Richard "Mörtel" Lugner. From the cultural sector, among others, Fritz Wepper, Alfred Komarek, Elisabeth Leopold, Frank Farian, and Gerald Pichowetz were laid to rest. There were also several deaths among international stars, including O.J. Simpson, Maggie Smith, James Earl Jones, Kris Kristofferson, Donald Sutherland, Shannen Doherty, and Liam Payne.

Find out which celebrities, musicians, actors, athletes, etc. we had to say goodbye to in 2024. The deaths of Austrian personalities are bolded in the text.

Deaths in January 2024

1. Trautl Brandstaller, Austrian Journalist/Author, 84
3. Günther Fielmann, German Entrepreneur, 84, Lütjensee (Germany)
4. David Soul, US Actor, 80, London
5. Helena Adler, Austrian Writer, 41, Salzburg
5. Mario Zagallo, Brazilian Football Legend, 92, Rio de Janeiro
7. Franz Beckenbauer, German Football Legend, 78, Salzburg

14. Elisabeth Trissenaar, Austrian Actress, 79, Berlin
14. Martin Scheriau, Austrian Publisher, 64
17. Shawn Barber, Pole Vault World Champion 2015, 29, Kirkwood (USA)
18. Heinz Tesar, Austrian Architect, 84, Baden
23. Frank Farian, Pop Music Producer and Former Schlager Singer, 82, Miami

25. Christian Brandstätter, Austrian Publishing Founder, 80
26. Ilse Helbich, Austrian Author, 100, Vienna
27. Alfred Komarek, Austrian Cult Author, 78, Vienna

30. Achim Benning, German Actor and Theatre Director; former Burgtheater Director, 89, Vienna

Deaths in February 2024

1. Carl Weathers, US Actor, 76
3. Vittorio Emanuele di Savoia, Son of the last King of Italy Umberto II., 86, Geneva
5. Brigitte Rollett, Austrian Developmental Psychologist, 89
5. Krista Hauser, Austrian Cultural Journalist, 83
5. Toby Keith, US Country Singer, 62, Oklahoma (USA)
6. Peter Loidolt, Co-founder and long-time Director of the Reichenau Festival, 78
6. Seiji Ozawa, Japanese Conductor, 88, Tokyo
10. Günter Brus, Austrian Action Artist, 85, Graz
13. Johanna von Koczian, German-Austrian Actress, 90, Berlin
11. Kelvin Kiptum, Kenyan Marathon World Record Holder, 24, Kenya

16. Alexei Navalny, Russian Opposition Leader, 47, Russia

5. Bernard Hill, British actor, 79, London
9. Ivan Ivanji, Serbian-Austrian writer, concentration camp survivor, Tito's interpreter, 95, Weimar
16. Dabney Coleman, US actor, 92, Santa Monica (USA)
21. Werner Hink, Austrian violinist; long-time concertmaster of the Vienna Philharmonic, 81

23. Manfried Welan, Austrian politician (ÖVP), lawyer and former Boku rector, 86
24. Walter Kappacher, Austrian writer, 85, Salzburg
25. Grayson Murray, US professional golfer, 30, USA
25. Richard Sherman, US composer and Disney songwriter, 95, Beverly Hills

Deaths in June 2024

1. Ruth Maria Kubitschek, German-Swiss actress, 92, Switzerland
3. Brigitte Bierlein, Austrian jurist and Federal Chancellor; President of the Constitutional Court, 74, Vienna

3. Sabine Ladstätter, Austrian archaeologist; Scientist of the Year 2011, 55
11. Francoise Hardy, French singer and lyricist, 80, Paris
12. Jerry West, US basketball legend, 86, USA
16. Ludwig Adamovich, Austrian jurist and President of the Constitutional Court (VfGH), 91, Vienna

16. Gerhart Bruckmann, Austrian statistician ("Nation's calculator") and politician (ÖVP), 92
16. or 17. Gerald Pichowetz, Austrian actor, 59, Vienna

18. Gerhard Klingenberg (real name Schwabenitzky), Austrian director, intendant; former director of the Burgtheater, 95, Villach
18. Josef "Peppino" Teuschler, Austrian celebrity tailor, 90
20. Donald Sutherland, Canadian actor, 88, Miami
21. Otto Mayrhofer-Krammel, Austrian anesthesiologist, 103, Vienna
25. Norman Shetler, Austrian pianist and puppeteer of US origin, 93, Vienna
25. Fredl Fesl, German songwriter and dialect singer, 76, Bavaria
25. or 26. Bill Cobbs, US actor, 90, Riverside (USA)
27. Martin Mull, US actor/comedian, 80, Los Angeles

Deaths in July

5. Arnold Schmidt, Austrian physicist; former FWF president and ISTA founding father, 85

8. Benito Nonino, Italian entrepreneur; Grappa King, 90, Percoto
11. Shelley Duvall, US actress, 75, Texas
13. Shannen Doherty, US actress, 53, Malibu
13. James Sikking, US actor, 90, Los Angeles
18. Friedrich "Fritz" Verzetnitsch, former ÖGB president and SPÖ politician 79, Vienna

18. Bob Newhart, US comedy legend, 94, Los Angeles
28. Roberto Linguanotto, "Father" of Tiramisu, 81, Treviso
28. Karl Hofbauer, Austrian sailing school owner and managing director of Hofbauer Holding GmbH, 66

Deaths in August 2024

1. Rainer Brandt, German actor and dubbing speaker, 88
12. Richard Lugner, Austrian construction entrepreneur, 91, Vienna

13. or 14. Elisabeth Leopold, Austrian art collector (Leopold Museum), 98, Vienna

14. Gena Rowlands, US actress, 94, Indian Wells (USA)
14. Eva Kreisky, Austrian political scientist, 79

18. Phil Donahue, US talk show host and journalist, 88, New York
21. John Amos, American actor, 84, Los Angeles

24. Christoph Daum, German football coach (including Austria Vienna), 70, Cologne

Without date: Anton "Burli" Herzog, Austrian football player and Admira legend, 82