Famous people and celebrities who died in August 1996
This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in August 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
- Aug. 1 Frida Boccara
French singer of Italian descent known for her successful music career in the mid-20th century.
- Aug. 1 Lucille Teasdale-Corti
Renowned Canadian doctor and humanitarian who dedicated her life to international medical aid, working extensively in Uganda and making significant contributions to global healthcare.
- Aug. 1 Tadeusz Reichstein
Polish-swiss chemist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1897)
- Aug. 1 John Lanigan
Tenor dies at 75
- Aug. 2 Michel Debré
Prominent French politician and statesman who played a crucial role in post-World War II France. He served as the first Prime Minister under President Charles de Gaulle and was instrumental in drafting the Constitution of the Fifth Republic.
- Aug. 2 Mohamed Farrah Aidid
Somalian general and politician, 5th president of somalia (b. 1934)
- Aug. 2 Humphrey Fisher
Television producer dies at 72
- Aug. 8 Nevill Francis Mott
PHY - English physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1905)
- Aug. 9 Frank Whittle
Sir Frank Whittle was a pioneering British aerospace engineer and pilot who invented the turbojet engine, revolutionizing aviation technology during World War II. His groundbreaking work fundamentally transformed military and civilian aircraft design in the 20th century.
- Aug. 11 Baba Vanga
Renowned Bulgarian mystic and prophet known for her alleged prophetic abilities and spiritual predictions. She was blind from a young age and claimed to have supernatural insights into future events.
- Aug. 11 Rafael Kubelík
Renowned Czech-born conductor and composer who significantly influenced classical music in the 20th century, known for his interpretations of Dvořák and Janáček.
- Aug. 11 Ambrosio Padilla
Filipino basketball player and politician who served in significant roles during mid-20th century Philippines, known for contributions in sports and public service.
- Aug. 12 Victor Ambartsumian
Prominent Soviet Armenian astrophysicist who made significant contributions to theoretical astrophysics, stellar astronomy, and the study of stellar evolution. He founded the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory and was a highly respected academic in the scientific community.
- Aug. 12 Mark Gruenwald
American comic book editor and writer (born 1953).
- Aug. 13 António de Spínola
Portuguese general and politician who served as the 14th President of Portugal, playing a significant role in the country's transition from dictatorship to democracy.
- Aug. 14 Sergiu Celibidache
Renowned Romanian conductor and composer who significantly influenced classical music interpretation in the 20th century.
- Aug. 21 Mary Two-Axe Earley
Pioneering Indigenous rights activist who fought against discriminatory Canadian laws that stripped Indigenous women of their status when marrying non-Indigenous men. Her landmark legal challenges were crucial in advancing Indigenous women's rights in Canada.
- Aug. 23 Margaret Tucker
Prominent Australian Indigenous rights activist and author who fought for Aboriginal social justice and wrote extensively about Indigenous experiences.
- Aug. 24 Robert Louis Tewdwr Moss
42 years old, journalist and travel writer.
- Aug. 24 John Christopherson
Artist/collector dies at 75
- Aug. 24 Emile Noel
At 73, an international civil servant dies
- Aug. 25 Alexander Colleridge Vanderpuiye Baka Tetteh
Actor/lawyer dies at 64
- Aug. 25 Dai Houying
Writer dies at 58
- 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.
- Aug. 27 Abram Games
Renowned British graphic designer who created iconic wartime posters and pioneered modern graphic design techniques during the mid-20th century.
- Aug. 30 Louise Brown
Louise Brown is the world's first baby conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF), a groundbreaking medical achievement that revolutionized reproductive medicine. Her birth in 1978 marked a pivotal moment in human fertility treatment, offering hope to millions of couples struggling with infertility.
- Aug. 30 Christine Pascal
French stage director and actress who tragically ended her life by jumping from a window, a fate she had long predicted but was not believed.
- Aug. 31 David Scott (astronaut)
Prominent NASA astronaut who commanded the Apollo 15 mission and was the seventh person to walk on the moon, making significant contributions to space exploration.