List of Famous people who died at 61

Dieudonné Kabongo was a Congolese-born Belgian comedian, humorist, musician and actor. Kabongo co-starred in the 2000 film, Lumumba, portraying Godefroid Munongo. He was the first comedian of African descent to achieve widespread popularity in Belgium.

Robert Knight (Bob) Andras, was a Canadian politician. He represented the electoral districts of Port Arthur from 1965 to 1979, and Thunder Bay—Nipigon from 1979 to 1980, in the House of Commons of Canada as a member of the Liberal Party of Canada.

Romano Puppo was an Italian stuntman and actor.

Michael Gene Botts was an American drummer, best known for his work with 1970s soft rock band Bread, and as a session musician. During his career, he recorded with Linda Ronstadt, Karla Bonoff, Andrew Gold, Olivia Newton-John, Peter Cetera, Anne Murray, Warren Zevon and Dan Fogelberg, among many others. He also contributed to several soundtracks for films, and to albums released under the name of The Simpsons. Although known primarily as a drummer, Botts also contributed backing vocals to some Bread songs.

Alan J. Shields was born in Herington, Kansas. He had a long career as a painter, and for a time during the 1980s, had a secondary career as a commercial boat operator, including as ferryboat captain.