List of Famous people who died at 79

Akira Yoshimura was an award-winning Japanese writer. Internationally he is best known for his novels Shipwrecks and On Parole.

John Stig Claesson, also known under his signature Slas, was a Swedish writer, visual artist, and illustrator. Claesson was born on 2 June 1928 in Huddinge, south of Stockholm. He attended the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts between 1947 and 1952, during which time he began to illustrate Swedish literature such as the novels of Per Anders Fogelström. Claesson is the father of actor Leif Claesson. His son, artist Nils Claesson, published a revealing portrait of his father in the book Blåbärsmaskinen which was much discussed in Sweden on its publication. Stig Claesson died on 4 January 2008 in Stockholm.

Gen Paul was a French painter and engraver.

Lucília Nunes de Ascensão do Carmo was a famous Portuguese fadista and the mother of Carlos do Carmo.

Rodney Amateau was an American film and television screenwriter, director, and producer.

Ilona Kabos was a Hungarian-British pianist and teacher.

Niall MacDermot was a British Labour Party politician.