Famous people and celebrities who died in April 2002

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in April 2002. 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 Simo Häyhä

  Legendary Finnish sniper known as 'White Death' during the Winter War, credited with over 500 confirmed kills, making him the deadliest sniper in recorded military history.

• April 1 Simo Hayha

  Finnish marksman (born in 1905)

• April 2 Levi Celerio

  Renowned Filipino musician known for his significant contributions to Philippine music as a pianist, composer, and lyricist.

• April 2 John R. Pierce

  American engineer and author (b. 1910)

• April 3 Fad Gadget

  Fad Gadget was an influential English electronic musician and performance artist who was a key figure in the early industrial and synth-pop scenes.

• April 5 Layne Staley

  Layne Staley was the lead vocalist of the influential grunge band Alice in Chains, known for his powerful and distinctive vocal style before his tragic death in 2002.

• April 5 Kim Won-gyun

  North korean composer and politician (b. 1917)

• April 7 John Agar

  American actor primarily known for his marriage to Shirley Temple and his roles in science fiction and western films during the 1950s.

• April 8 María Félix

  María Félix was a legendary Mexican film actress who dominated Latin American cinema during the 1940s and 1950s. Known as 'La Doña', she was renowned for her extraordinary beauty, powerful screen presence, and iconic roles in Mexican golden age cinema. She is considered one of the most significant and influential actresses in Spanish-language film history.

• April 9 Leopold Vietoris

  Austrian soldier, mathematician, and academic (b. 1891)

• April 12 George Shevelov

  Ukrainian-born american academic and linguist (born in 1908)

• April 15 Byron White

  Byron White was a distinguished U.S. Supreme Court Justice who served from 1962 to 1993, known for his intellectual rigor and nuanced opinions on civil rights and constitutional law.

• April 15 Byron ''Whizzer'' White

  American football player, united states supreme court justice (born 1917).

• April 16 Robert Urich

  American actor known for television series like Spenser: For Hire and Vega$, who appeared in films such as Magnum Force and worked across stage, film, and radio.

• April 16 Ruth Fertel

  Pioneering businesswoman who founded Ruth's Chris Steak House, transforming the restaurant industry with her innovative franchise model.

• April 16 Billy Ayre

  English footballer and manager (born 1952).

• April 18 Thor Heyerdahl

  Norwegian adventurer and anthropologist famous for his Kon-Tiki expedition, which proved ancient peoples could have made long sea voyages using primitive rafts. His groundbreaking maritime journeys challenged established theories about human migration and seafaring capabilities.

• April 19 Reginald Rose

  Emmy Award-winning American screenwriter and producer, best known for writing the classic teleplay '12 Angry Men', which was later adapted into a critically acclaimed film.

• April 20 Alan Dale

  American singer and actor known for his musical and television performances.

• April 22 Linda Lovelace

  Controversial adult film actress who gained international notoriety for her role in the groundbreaking film 'Deep Throat', later becoming an anti-pornography activist.

• April 24 Lucien Wercollier

  Prominent Luxembourgian sculptor known for his significant contributions to 20th-century European art. He was active during a pivotal period of artistic development and created notable sculptural works.

• April 25 Lisa Lopes

  Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes was a groundbreaking member of the iconic R&B group TLC, known for her dynamic rapping and significant contributions to hits like 'Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg' and 'What About Your Friends'.

• April 27 Ruth Handler

  Co-founder of Mattel and inventor of the Barbie doll, a revolutionary toy that transformed the global toy industry. She was a pioneering businesswoman who created an iconic brand that became a cultural phenomenon. Her innovation reshaped how children play and perceive dolls.

• April 27 George Alec Effinger

  Acclaimed American science fiction author known for innovative and award-winning works in speculative fiction.

• April 28 Lou Thesz

  Lou Thesz was a legendary professional wrestler widely considered one of the most influential wrestlers in history, who helped transform wrestling from entertainment to a more legitimate athletic competition.

• April 28 Alexander Lebed

  Influential Russian general and politician who played a significant role in post-Soviet Russian politics and military affairs.

• April 30 Charlotte von Mahlsdorf

  Gründer of the grunderzeit museum berlin-mahlsdorf (born 1928).

• April 30 Nitsa Tsaganea

  Greek actress (born 1899).