List of Famous people who died at 85

Sir Swinton Barclay Thomas was a British judge, privy councillor, and the Interception of Communications Commissioner. He raised questions about the scope of the Wilson Doctrine. He was born in Glasgow, the son of Brigadier William Bain Thomas, CBE, DSO, of the Cameronians, in which regiment Swinton carried out his National Service.

Otto Vossler was a German historian.

Edward Charles James Gardner, DFM was an English actor.

Clifford Glenwood Shull was a Nobel Prize-winning American physicist.

Jerome Weidman was an American playwright and novelist. He collaborated with George Abbott on the book for the musical Fiorello! with music by Jerry Bock, and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. All received the 1960 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the work.

Thérèse Quentin was a French actress. She was married to the actor and stage director Marcel Cuvelier (1924–2015), with whom she had a daughter, actress Marie Cuvelier.