List of Famous people who died at 74

Finn Salomonsen was a Danish ornithologist. He is best known for his work on the birds of Greenland.

Mirko Kovač was a Yugoslav writer. In his rich career he wrote novels, short stories, essays, film scripts, TV and radio plays. Among his best known works are the novels "Gubilište", "Životopis Malvine Trifković", "Vrata od utrobe", "Grad u zrcalu", the short story collection "Ruže za Nives Koen", the book of essays "Europska trulež" and the scripts for some of the most successful films of Yugoslav cinema like Lisice (1969), Playing Soldiers and Occupation in 26 Pictures among others. He was one quarter of the infamous Belgrade quartet, the other three being Danilo Kiš, Borislav Pekić and Filip David.

Tofilau Eti Alesana, AC, born Aualamalefalelima Alesana was a Samoan politician who served as the 5th Prime Minister of Samoa from 1982 to 1985, and again from 1988 until his resignation in 1998. Alesana was born in Vaitogi, Tutuila, American Samoa to Samoan upper-class parents, Reverend James Alesana Fai'ivae and Vaoita Iosefa Mala'itai. At the age of 24, he became a clan chief.

Dorothy Dwan was an American film actress. She appeared in 40 films between 1922 and 1930, several of which were directed by her second husband, Larry Semon. Born Dorothy Ilgenfritz in Sedalia, Missouri, she married three times. She had one child, a son, Paul, by her marriage to Paul Northcutt Boggs Jr. Dwan died in Ventura, California from lung cancer, aged 74.

Dona Drake was an American singer, dancer and film actress in the 1930s and 1940s. Of three-quarters black heritage, she presented herself as Mexican and went by the names Una Novella and Rita Novella, typically being cast in "ethnic" roles including Hispanics and Middle Easterners, though occasionally took the role of white characters As Mexican "Rita Rio", she led a touring all-girl orchestra in the early 1940s, also known as "Dona Drake and her Girl Band", among other names for her musical and dance acts.

Donald Rodney Schain was an American director, writer, and producer of many films and TV movies, most notably for the Disney Channel.

Edward Binns was an American stage, film and television actor. He had a wide-spanning career in film and television, often portraying competent, hard working and purposeful characters in his various roles. He is best known for his work in acclaimed films as 12 Angry Men (1957), North by Northwest (1959), Judgment at Nuremberg (1961), Fail Safe (1964), The Americanization of Emily (1964), Patton (1970) and The Verdict (1982).

Alfred Ethelbert Moss was an English dentist and racing driver.

Loda Niemirzanka, real name Leokadia Niemira was a Polish film actress. She appeared in fourteen films between 1931 and 1939.