Famous people and celebrities who died in April 2017

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in April 2017. 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 Yevgeny Yevtushenko
Renowned Russian poet and prominent cultural figure who was a leading voice for post-Stalin youth. He was famous for his powerful poetry readings and political activism, notably protesting Solzhenitsyn's deportation in 1974.
April 3 Kishori Amonkar
Kishori Amonkar was a renowned Indian classical vocalist, considered one of the most significant Hindustani classical singers of the 20th century. She was known for her exceptional musical talent and innovative approach to classical music.
April 5 Paul O'Neill
Legendary Major League Baseball right fielder who played for the Cincinnati Reds and New York Yankees, winning five World Series championships and known for his exceptional performance.
April 5 Makoto Ōoka
Japanese poet and literary critic (b. 1931)
April 5 Memè Perlini
Italian actor and director (b. 1947)
April 5 Attilio Benfatto
Italian cyclist (b. 1943)
April 5 Arthur Bisguier
American chess grandmaster (b. 1929)
April 5 Paul G. Comba
Italian-american computer scientist and astronomer (b. 1926)
April 5 Atanase Sciotnic
Romanian sprint canoeist (b. 1942)
April 5 Ilkka Sinisalo
Finnish ice hockey player (b. 1958)
April 6 Don Rickles
Don Rickles was a legendary American comedian renowned for his sharp, insult-based comedy style, who became an iconic figure in stand-up comedy and entertainment.
April 9 John Clarke
New zealand-australian comedian, writer, and satirist (b. 1948)
April 11 Mark Wainberg
Prominent Canadian HIV/AIDS researcher who made significant contributions to understanding and combating the HIV epidemic.
April 11 J. Geils
J. Geils was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, best known as a member of the rock band The J. Geils Band. He was particularly famous for hit songs like 'Centerfold' and 'Freeze-Frame' during the 1980s.
April 12 Charlie Murphy
Charlie Murphy was an American comedian and actor known for his work on Chappelle's Show and his hilarious comedy routines.
April 13 Dan Rooney
American football executive and former united states ambassador to ireland (b. 1932)
April 15 Clifton James
American character actor known for his distinctive roles in films, particularly in James Bond movies where he played Sheriff J.W. Pepper.
April 15 Emma Morano
Italian supercentenarian, last person verified born in the 1800s (b. 1899)
April 19 Aaron Hernandez
Aaron Hernandez was a professional NFL football player for the New England Patriots whose career was dramatically ended by legal troubles and subsequent conviction for murder.
April 21 Ugo Ehiogu
Ugo Ehiogu was a prominent English professional footballer who played as a defender for Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, and the England national team. He later transitioned into coaching and tragically passed away in 2017 from a heart attack.
April 22 Donna Leanne Williams
Australian writer, artist, and activist (b. 1963)
April 24 Robert Pirsig
American author and philosopher (b. 1928)
April 26 Jonathan Demme
Jonathan Demme was an acclaimed American filmmaker known for directing groundbreaking films like The Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia, and Rachel Getting Married. He was a critically respected director who won an Academy Award for The Silence of the Lambs.
April 27 Vinod Khanna
Prominent Bollywood actor who was a major star in the 1970s and 1980s, known for his versatile acting and charismatic screen presence. He later transitioned into politics, serving as a Member of Parliament.
April 29 R. Vidyasagar Rao
Indian bureaucrat and activist (b. 1939)
April 30 Belchior
Brazilian singer and composer (b. 1946)