List of Famous people who died in 1979

Richard Ward was a gravel-voiced African American actor on the stage, television, and in films, from 1949 until his death. Though best known through his TV appearances late in life, both in sitcoms and police procedurals, Ward also had an extensive film resume and a distinguished stage career, one of the highlights of the latter being his portrayal of Willy Loman in the 1972 production of Death of a Salesman, staged in Baltimore's Center Stage. Ward's own favorite among his theatrical vehicles was Ceremonies in Dark Old Men.

Nina Aleksandrovna Anisimova was a Russian dancer and choreographer.

Stuart Heisler was an American film and television director. He was a son of Luther Albert Heisler (1855–1916), a carpenter, and Frances Baldwin Heisler (1857–1935). He worked as a motion picture editor from 1921 to 1936, then worked as film director for the rest of his career.

Giovanni "Gio" Ponti was an Italian architect, industrial designer, furniture designer, artist, teacher, writer and publisher.

Louis Edmond Durey was a French composer.

Edwin "Eddie" Imazu was a Japanese-American art director and production designer, whose 50-year career in Hollywood included television and movie credits. A 1936 Academy Award co-nominee for best art direction on The Great Ziegfeld, Imazu worked with Hollywood actors including Spencer Tracy, John Wayne and Marlon Brando. He was born in Yamaguchi, Japan and died in Los Angeles.

Charles Sawyer was United States Secretary of Commerce from May 6, 1948 to January 20, 1953 in the administration of Harry Truman.

Alexander Hill Key was an American science fiction writer, most of whose books were aimed at a juvenile audience.