Famous people and celebrities who died in March 1996

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

• March 3 Marguerite Duras

  Renowned French novelist, playwright, and screenwriter who significantly influenced 20th-century literature with her innovative narrative techniques. She was a key figure in the French New Wave movement and wrote numerous critically acclaimed works.

• March 3 John Krol

  John Krol was an influential Roman Catholic Cardinal from Philadelphia who played significant roles in church finance and advocated for nuclear disarmament during the Cold War era.

• March 3 Meyer Schapiro

  Influential art historian and critic who significantly shaped modern art scholarship, known for groundbreaking studies on medieval art and modern art movements.

• 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 8 Jack Churchill

  British Army officer known as 'Mad Jack' who fought in World War II with a longbow and bagpipes, famous for his unconventional and daring military tactics.

• March 9 George Burns

  American comedian, actor, and vaudeville singer-and-dancer, gracie allen teamed up with him in 1925 to start a long career on tv, radio, and film.

• March 9 Peter Mansfield

  Pioneering physicist who made groundbreaking contributions to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology, revolutionizing medical diagnostics.

• March 10 Ross Hunter

  Prominent Hollywood film producer known for successful movies like 'Pillow Talk' and 'Airport', who made significant contributions to the entertainment industry during the mid-20th century.

• March 13 Krzysztof Kieślowski

  Influential Polish film director and screenwriter who revolutionized art cinema.

• March 17 René Clément

  Renowned French film director and cinematographer who transitioned from architecture to filmmaking, becoming a significant figure in mid-20th century French cinema.

• March 17 Terry Stafford

  American singer-songwriter (b. 1941)

• March 18 Odysseas Elytis

  Renowned Greek poet who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1979, known for his surrealist style and profound exploration of Greek identity and landscape.

• March 19 Virginia Henderson

  American nurse, researcher, theorist and author (b. 1897)

• March 20 Claude Bourdet

  Claude Bourdet was a prominent French journalist, writer, and political activist who played significant roles in intellectual and political discourse during the mid-20th century. He was known for his critical journalism and engagement with social and political issues.

• 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.

• March 22 Robert F. Overmyer

  NASA astronaut and U.S. Marine Corps colonel who participated in space missions, including Space Shuttle flights.

• March 22 Claude Mauriac

  French journalist and literary critic, son of the renowned Nobel Prize-winning novelist François Mauriac. He was an important intellectual figure in mid-20th century French literature and journalism.

• March 22 Billy Williamson

  American musician with bill haley & his comets (born in 1925).

• March 26 David Packard

  Co-founder of Hewlett-Packard (HP), David Packard was a pioneering Silicon Valley entrepreneur who revolutionized the technology and electronics industry. He and William Hewlett started their legendary company in a small Palo Alto garage, creating one of the most influential tech companies in history.

• March 26 Edmund Muskie

  A prominent American politician who served as a U.S. Senator from Maine and as the 58th United States Secretary of State, playing a significant role in national politics during the mid-20th century.

• March 26 John Snagge

  Prominent BBC radio journalist and broadcaster who was a key voice in British media during the mid-20th century.

• March 28 Hans Blumenberg

  Prominent German philosopher known for his significant contributions to philosophical anthropology, metaphorology, and intellectual history, with influential works that explored human knowledge and scientific understanding.

• March 28 Shin Kanemaru

  Influential Japanese politician who served as deputy prime minister and was a key figure in the Liberal Democratic Party during the late 20th century.

• March 30 Hugh Falkus

  English pilot and author (b. 1917)

• March 31 Jeffrey Lee Pierce

  Influential American musician, founder of the punk rock band The Gun Club, known for his significant contributions to alternative music.