List of Famous people who died at 52

Eduardo Mata was a Mexican conductor and composer.

Celine Fariala Mangaza was a Congolese disabilities activist.

Joe Spinell was an American character actor who appeared in numerous films in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as various stage productions on and off Broadway.

Aleksander Kobzdej (1920–1972) was a Polish painter. He was born in, what was then, Ukraine. Kobzdej is best known for being one of the most prominent representatives of the Polish Social Realist group, and for being the creator of unique Polish versions of "matter" painting.

George Rufus Adams was an American jazz musician who played tenor saxophone, flute and bass clarinet. He is best known for his work with Charles Mingus, Gil Evans, Roy Haynes and in the quartet he co-led with pianist Don Pullen, featuring bassist Cameron Brown and drummer Dannie Richmond. He was also known for his idiosyncratic singing.

Mohammad Hashim Maiwandwal was an Afghan politician during the reign of Zahir Shah.