List of Famous people who died at 61

Yu Yaodong was a badminton player from People's Republic of China.

Cynthia Jeanette Myers was an American model, actress, and Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month for the December 1968 issue.

Norman Allen Van Lier III was an NBA basketball player and television broadcaster who spent the majority of his career with the Chicago Bulls.

Emiel Faignaert was a Belgian cyclist.

Takeshi Shudo was a Japanese scriptwriter and novelist. His major works include anime Space Warrior Baldios, the Magical Princess Minky Momo series, and Pocket Monsters, of which he created the Pokémon Lugia. He had a reputation for his witty dialogue and was known for the unusual next episode previews in the series he served as chief writer for. In Pokémon, he coined Team Rocket's iconic motto. He was also a member of the Writers Guild of Japan.

Leandro Remondini was an Italian association football player and manager, who played as a midfielder or as a defender.

Alexander Hegarth (1923–1984) was a German film and television actor.