Famous people and celebrities who died in February 1996

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in February 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

• 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. 5 Gianandrea Gavazzeni

  Prominent Italian classical music conductor and composer who significantly contributed to the Italian opera scene. He served as artistic director of La Scala in Milan from 1966 to 1968 and was a respected conductor for over five decades.

• 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. 8 Mercer Kennedy Ellington

  At 76, trumpeter/composer dies.

• Feb. 9 Adolf Galland

  Renowned German Luftwaffe fighter pilot and major general during World War II, who was a legendary aerial combat commander with over 100 confirmed victories and significant military achievements.

• Feb. 9 Barry Troyna

  Teacher/educational socioologist dies at the age of 44.

• Feb. 9 Charles Henry "Harry" Urwin

  Trade unionist dies at the age of 80.

• Feb. 9 Neil Franklin

  Soccer star dies at the age of 74.

• 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.

• Feb. 14 Bob Paisley

  Legendary Liverpool FC manager who transformed the club into a dominant force in English and European football during the 1970s and early 1980s.

• Feb. 15 McLean Stevenson

  Prominent American actor best known for his roles in television series like M*A*S*H. He was nominated for three Emmy Awards and won a Golden Globe in 1973.

• Feb. 15 Margaret Courtenay

  Actress (royal flash and duet for one), is killed at 72

• Feb. 16 Brownie McGhee

  Renowned African American blues guitarist and folk musician who was a significant figure in the blues and folk music scenes of the mid-20th century, known for his acoustic guitar style and collaborations with Sonny Terry.

• Feb. 16 Roger Bowen

  American actor and author (b. 1932)

• Feb. 16 Edmund G ''Pat'' Brown

  Governor of california (born in 1905)

• Feb. 17 Hervé Bazin

  Renowned French novelist celebrated for his insightful and humorous works exploring family dynamics and social relationships. His literary contributions were widely recognized, with his novels translated into thirty languages.

• Feb. 18 Brian Daley

  American science fiction author known for his novel 'The Doomfarers of Coramonde' and contributions to the Star Wars expanded universe, particularly writing Han Solo novels.

• Feb. 19 Charlie Finley

  Charlie Finley was an innovative sports entrepreneur who significantly influenced professional baseball through his ownership and marketing strategies.

• Feb. 20 Toru Takemitsu

  Influential Japanese composer who revolutionized contemporary classical music, blending Western avant-garde techniques with traditional Japanese musical aesthetics.

• Feb. 20 Solomon Asch

  Solomon Asch was a prominent social psychologist renowned for his groundbreaking conformity experiments that revealed how individuals can be influenced by group pressure.

• Feb. 20 Audrey Munson

  American model (b. 1891)

• Feb. 21 Morton Gould

  Renowned American composer, conductor, and pianist who made significant contributions to classical and popular music. He was a Pulitzer Prize winner and composed for various mediums including orchestra, ballet, and film.

• Feb. 25 Haing S Ngor

  Cambodian-American physician and Oscar-winning actor best known for his role in 'The Killing Fields', a powerful film about the Cambodian genocide.

• Feb. 29 Frank Daniel

  Frank Daniel was a renowned Czech-American film director, producer, screenwriter, and film educator. He made significant contributions to the film industry and film education.

• Feb. 29 Wes Farrell

  American singer-songwriter and producer (b. 1939)

• Feb. 29 Ralph Rowe

  American baseball player, coach and manager (b. 1924)

• Feb. 29 Joe Minogue

  Journalist dies at 72