List of Famous people who died at 78

Robert Peter (Bob) Smith was an American financial pioneer, philanthropist and author.

Robert Plutchik was a professor emeritus at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and adjunct professor at the University of South Florida. He received his Ph.D. from Columbia University and he was also a psychologist. He authored or coauthored more than 260 articles, 45 chapters and eight books and edited seven books. His research interests included the study of emotions, the study of suicide and violence, and the study of the psychotherapy process.

Salah Isa (1939–2017) was an Egyptian journalist and historian in left-wing politics.

Lobsang Thubten Trinley Yarphel, was the 5th Gangchen Tulku Rinpoche of Tibet. He was a Tibetan-Italian lama of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism.

Joan Mary Gale Robinson, née Thomas, was a British author and illustrator of children's books.

Miguel Córcega was a Mexican telenovela actor and director. Córcega started his career in acting and directing during the 1940s.