List of Famous people who died at 61

Matti Risto Tapio "Hakki" Hagman was a Finnish professional ice hockey player. Hagman was the first Finnish-born and Finnish-trained player to play in the National Hockey League (NHL) and the first to play in a Stanley Cup final. The first Finnish-born player in NHL was Albert Pudas, who never played hockey in Finland, having moved to Canada at the age of one. Hagman's jersey number 20 is also one of the eight retired numbers in HIFK, where he was a prominent player.

Kōki Ishii was a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) born in Setagaya, Tokyo. A lifelong reformist, he was murdered under suspicious circumstances.

Karel Kolář was a 400 metres runner from the Czech Republic, who represented Czechoslovakia. He won two medals at the European Indoor Championships and two at the 1978 European Championships. He established the Indoor World record at European Indoor Championships in Vienna.

Martinus Jacobus Maria "Maarten" Sikking was a field hockey goalkeeper from the Netherlands. He competed at the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics, where his team finished in fourth place on both occasions.

Robin Sachs was an English actor, active in the theatre, television and films. He was also known for his voice-over work in films and video games.

José Revueltas Sánchez was a Mexican writer, essayist, and political activist. He was part of an important artistic family that included his siblings Silvestre (composer), Fermín (painter) and Rosaura (actress).

Selma Gürbüz was a Turkish painter and sculptor.

Elisabeth Cornelia "Els" Vader was a track and field sprinter from the Netherlands. She competed at the 1980, 1984 and 1988 Summer Olympics in the 100 m, 200 m and 4 × 100 m relay, but failed to reach the finals in any event.

Fernando Abril Martorell was a Valencian Spanish politician and agricultural engineer.

Gustav Knittel was a mid-ranking commander in the SS Division Leibstandarte (LSSAH) who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the Malmedy massacre of Allied prisoners of war, he was released in 1953.