Famous people and celebrities who died in 1996

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1996. This year saw the loss of many influential and beloved figures who left a lasting impact on the world. From entertainment icons and sports legends to renowned scholars and public figures, our comprehensive list pays tribute to their lives and legacies. Join us in honoring their contributions and celebrating their achievements as we reflect on their remarkable stories.

Feb. 2 Gene Kelly
Legendary Hollywood dancer, actor, and choreographer who revolutionized movie musicals through innovative dance techniques and storytelling. Best known for his iconic performance in 'Singin' in the Rain', he transformed the musical genre in the 1940s and 1950s.
Feb. 3 Audrey Meadows
Iconic American actress best known for her role as Alice Kramden in the classic sitcom 'The Honeymooners', a groundbreaking comedy series of the 1950s. She was a beloved television personality who helped define the era of early television comedy.
Feb. 6 Guy Madison
American actor known for portraying Wild Bill Hickok on television and radio. He served in the U.S. Navy and launched his film career in 1944, appearing in several notable Western and dramatic films throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
Feb. 13 Martin Balsam
Martin Balsam was a renowned American character actor with a distinguished career spanning theater, television, and film. He appeared in iconic movies like 'Twelve Angry Men' and 'Murder on the Orient Express', and was nominated for an Oscar for his role in 'A Thousand Clowns'. His versatility and talent made him a respected figure in the entertainment industry.
March 4 Minnie Pearl
Beloved American country comedian and Grand Ole Opry performer known for her comedic persona and signature straw hat with price tag.
March 22 Don Murray
Acclaimed American actor and director known for Oscar-nominated performance in 'Bus Stop' and directing notable films like 'The Bachelor Party' and 'A Hatful of Rain'. He made significant contributions to both film and stage during the 1950s and 1960s.
April 6 Greer Garson
Greer Garson was a renowned Anglo-American actress who dominated Hollywood during World War II, winning an Academy Award for 'Mrs. Miniver' and becoming one of MGM's most prominent stars of the 1940s.
April 8 Ben Johnson
Ben Johnson was a Canadian sprinter who won gold in the 1988 Olympics but was later disqualified for doping, becoming a controversial figure in Olympic sports history.
April 22 Erma Bombeck
Beloved American humorist and syndicated columnist who captured the essence of suburban family life through her witty and relatable writing. Her humor books became national bestsellers, offering comedic insights into marriage, motherhood, and everyday challenges.
May 20 Jon Pertwee
English actor best known for portraying the Third Doctor in the iconic science fiction series Doctor Who from 1970 to 1974, becoming a beloved figure in British television history.
June 10 Jo Van Fleet
Acclaimed American actress known for her powerful performances in film and theater, winning an Academy Award for her role in 'East of Eden'.
June 11 Brigitte Helm
Famous German actress best known for her iconic role in Fritz Lang's groundbreaking silent film 'Metropolis' (1927), where she portrayed both Maria and her robot doppelganger.
June 15 Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald was a legendary American jazz singer known for her extraordinary vocal range, impeccable scat singing, and profound influence on 20th-century music. She was nicknamed the 'First Lady of Song' and won 13 Grammy Awards during her illustrious career. Her smooth, velvety voice and remarkable improvisational skills made her one of the most celebrated jazz vocalists of all time.
June 30 Margaux Hemingway
Margaux Hemingway was a prominent American model and actress from the famous Hemingway literary family. She gained international fame in the 1970s with a groundbreaking $1 million Fabergé perfume contract and graced the cover of Time magazine. Her striking 6-foot height and beauty made her an iconic figure in the fashion world.
July 15 Dana Hill
American actress known for her roles in films like 'Shoot the Moon' and 'Two of Us', who tragically passed away at a young age.
July 21 Herb Edelman
American character actor known for roles in 'The Odd Couple' TV series and 'St. Elsewhere', who passed away from emphysema at age 62.
July 23 Aliki Vougiouklaki
Prominent Greek actress and singer who was a major star in Greek cinema during the 1950s and 1960s, known for her comedic roles and significant cultural impact.
July 30 Claudette Colbert
Acclaimed French-American actress who starred in over 50 movies and won an Oscar for 'It Happened One Night' in 1934. She was a prominent Hollywood star during the Golden Age of Cinema, known for her versatility and charismatic performances.
July 30 Magda Schneider
German actress and singer who was prominent in musicals and operatic films during the mid-20th century. She was the mother of famous actress Romy Schneider, who became an international cinema icon.
Aug. 27 Greg Morris
African American actor best known for his groundbreaking role in 'Mission: Impossible', where he was one of the first Black actors in a prominent television series role. He overcame significant socio-economic challenges to become a successful television actor.
Sept. 7 Bibi Besch
Bibi Besch was an Austrian-American actress best known for her roles in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and other film and television productions.
Sept. 14 Juliet Prowse
Renowned South African-born American actress and dancer who appeared in numerous films and television shows during the mid-20th century, known for her dynamic performances and versatile entertainment career.
Sept. 17 Spiro Agnew
American politician who served as Vice President under Richard Nixon, becoming infamous for resigning due to financial misconduct and corruption charges in 1973, marking the first vice-presidential resignation in U.S. history.
Sept. 22 Dorothy Lamour
Dorothy Lamour was a famous Hollywood actress known for her exotic beauty and comedic roles in the popular 'Road to...' film series with Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. She popularized the sarong in cinema and began her career as a nightclub singer in New York before becoming a prominent film star.
Oct. 6 Ted Bessell
American actor and director best known for his role in the popular sitcom 'That Girl' alongside Marlo Thomas, who passed away at 61 from an aneurysm.
Dec. 8 Howard Rollins
American actor known for his roles in 'Amos & Andrew' and the TV series 'In the Heat of the Night', who received an Oscar nomination for 'A Soldier's Story'.
Dec. 19 Marcello Mastroianni
Legendary Italian actor who became an international cinema icon, starring in Federico Fellini's masterpieces and defining the style of European art cinema in the 1960s and 1970s.
Dec. 20 Carl Sagan
Carl Sagan was a renowned American astronomer, astrophysicist, and science communicator who popularized complex scientific concepts for the general public through his groundbreaking TV series 'Cosmos' and numerous influential books.
Dec. 30 Lew Ayres
Prominent American actor known for his roles in classic films like 'All Quiet on the Western Front' and 'Johnny Belinda', for which he received Oscar nominations. He was also famous for pioneering the Dr. Kildare film series in the late 1930s.