List of Famous people who died at 79

William Barrymore (1899–1979) was a Russian-born American film actor active in the silent and early sound era. Born as Elia Bulakh he also acted under the name Boris Bullock and Kit Carson.

Zeng Xianzhi was a Chinese revolutionary and politician.

Ma'mun al-Hudaybi was the sixth General Guide of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood. He briefly succeeded Mustafa Mashhur as General Guide in 2002, and headed the Islamist group until his death on January 8, 2004. His successor was Mohammed Mahdi Akef. Ma'mun al-Hudaybi was the son of the second General Guide, Hassan al-Hudaybi.

Shakarrao Deo aka Nanasaheb Deo was the founder of Satkaryottejak Sabha. He was a member of Constituent Assembly of India in 1949. He was First Secretary of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, 1920, and General secretary of the Congress, 1946–50, where he played a key role during the drafting of the Constitution of India and the transfer-of-power negotiations.