Famous people and celebrities who died in April 1996

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in April 1996. This month marked the loss of influential and beloved figures whose contributions spanned various fields and touched many lives. Explore our detailed list to remember and celebrate their enduring legacies and the remarkable impact they had on the world

• April 1 John Alwyne Kitching

  Zoologist dies at 87.

• April 3 Carl Stokes

  Pioneering African-American politician who became the first Black mayor of a major U.S. city (Cleveland), serving from 1967-1969. He was also a World War II veteran, lawyer, and television newscaster.

• April 3 Ron Brown

  Ron Brown was an influential American politician who served as the 30th United States Secretary of Commerce and was a significant figure in the Democratic Party.

• April 4 Boone Guyton

  American lieutenant and pilot (b. 1913)

• 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 9 Richard Condon

  Renowned American author and screenwriter known for political thrillers, including the famous novel 'The Manchurian Candidate'.

• April 11 Jessica Dubroff

  Young American aviator who tragically died at age seven while attempting to become the youngest person to fly across the United States.

• April 11 Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet

  Prominent French advertising executive who founded Publicis, a major global advertising agency, and was a significant figure in French media and marketing during the 20th century.

• April 14 Manuel A "Manny" Greenhill

  Record producer dies at the age of 80.

• April 16 Stavros Niarchos

  A prominent Greek shipping magnate known for building one of the world's largest private tanker fleets and amassing a significant personal fortune through strategic business ventures.

• April 18 Kalim Siddiqui

  Founder of the Siddiqui Group, a prominent business conglomerate with diverse business interests across multiple sectors.

• April 18 Piet Hein

  Piet Hein was a renowned Danish polymath known for his contributions to mathematics, poetry, and design, particularly famous for creating the 'superellipse' geometric shape and the game Hex.

• April 19 Bernard Edwards

  Renowned American musician, bassist, and record producer, best known as a founding member of the influential funk and disco band Chic and for his work with The Power Station.

• April 20 Trần Văn Trà

  Vietnamese general and politician (b. 1918)

• April 21 Zora Arkus-Duntov

  Belgian-born American engineer who revolutionized the Chevrolet Corvette and is widely known as the 'Father of the Corvette'.

• April 21 Robert Hersant

  Prominent French media entrepreneur who built a significant regional newspaper empire, starting with L'Auto Journal and expanding through strategic acquisitions.

• 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.

• April 23 P. L. Travers

  Australian-english author and actress (b. 1899)

• April 25 Saul Bass

  Legendary graphic designer and film title sequence pioneer who revolutionized visual communication in cinema and created iconic movie posters for directors like Alfred Hitchcock and Martin Scorsese.

• April 26 Stirling Silliphant

  Renowned American screenwriter and producer known for his significant contributions to film and television, including Academy Award-winning work.

• April 27 William Colby

  Prominent CIA director and decorated World War II veteran who played significant roles in US intelligence and diplomatic services across multiple global regions. His career spanned critical Cold War periods, serving in key intelligence positions in Europe and Asia.

• April 27 Gilles Grangier

  Prominent French film director who created 55 films between 1943 and 1985, notably working with Jean Gabin and winning awards at international film festivals.

• April 28 Lester Sumrall

  American minister, founded lesea (b. 1913)

• April 30 David Opatoshu

  American actor known for his roles in notable films and TV series like 'Torn Curtain' and 'Raid on Entebbe', who had a significant career spanning several decades.