List of Famous people who died in 1981

William Randolph "Cozy" Cole was an American jazz drummer who had hits with the songs "Topsy I" and "Topsy II". "Topsy II" peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, and at No. 1 on the R&B chart. It sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc. The track peaked at No. 29 in the UK Singles Chart in 1958. The recording contained a long drum solo and was one of the few drum solo recordings to make the charts at Billboard magazine. The single was issued by Love Records, a small record label in Brooklyn, New York. Cole's song "Turvy II" reached No. 36 in 1959.

Keefe Brasselle was an American film actor, television actor/producer and author. He is best remembered for the starring role in The Eddie Cantor Story (1953).

Kipp Hamilton was an American actress, singer and model. She was the younger sister of producer Joe Hamilton and the sister-in-law of Carol Burnett.

Nietta Zocchi was an Italian film actress. She appeared in 70 films between 1936 and 1976.

Virginia Huston was an American actress.

Jolanda Benvenuti was an Italian film editor. She worked on more than a 150 productions during her career, including several films directed by Roberto Rossellini.

Giorgio De Lullo was an Italian actor and stage director.