Famous people and celebrities born in April 1912

Welcome to our dedicated page for celebrating the notable individuals born in April 1912! This month and year saw the birth of many influential figures who have made significant contributions to various fields, including entertainment, sports, politics, and more. Explore the biographies and achievements of these famous personalities and see how their talents have shaped the world. Join us in honoring the stars born in this memorable time.

• April 2 Herbert Mills

  Herbert Mills was a prominent member of the Mills Brothers, a groundbreaking African American vocal group that revolutionized popular music in the early 20th century. The group's innovative harmonies and unique vocal techniques influenced generations of musicians and helped break racial barriers in the entertainment industry. They were known for their remarkable ability to mimic instrumental sounds with their voices.

• April 3 Grigoris Lambrakis

  Greek physician, politician, and human rights activist who was assassinated in 1963, becoming a symbol of resistance against political oppression in Greece.

• April 3 Dorothy Eden

  Renowned New Zealand-born English novelist known for her gothic and romantic fiction, who wrote numerous popular books during the mid-20th century.

• April 5 John Le Mesurier

  Beloved British comedy actor famous for his understated, gentle performance as Sergeant Arthur Wilson in the iconic BBC sitcom 'Dad's Army'. He appeared in over 120 films, typically in memorable supporting roles.

• April 5 István Örkény

  Significant Hungarian playwright and author known for his absurdist and satirical works that critiqued socialist society.

• April 5 Jean Buhan

  Champion French fencer who won significant honors in the 1948 Olympics, representing France with distinction.

• April 5 Carlos Guastavino

  Renowned Argentine classical composer known for his distinctive musical style that blended folk traditions with classical composition techniques.

• April 7 Harry Hay

  A pioneering LGBTQ+ activist who founded the Mattachine Society and the Radical Faeries, Harry Hay was a transformative figure in the American gay rights movement. As a former Communist Party member, he challenged social norms and fought for gay liberation during a deeply conservative era. His lifelong activism and personal courage made significant contributions to LGBTQ+ visibility and rights.

• April 8 Sonja Henie

  Legendary Norwegian figure skater who revolutionized the sport, winning three consecutive Olympic gold medals and becoming a Hollywood movie star. She transformed figure skating from a technical sport to an artistic performance and was one of the highest-paid athletes of her time.

• April 9 Lev Kopelev

  Ukrainian-German writer, literary scholar, and human rights activist who was a prominent dissident during the Soviet era. He was a witness to and critic of Stalinist atrocities, and later became a peace advocate and cultural bridge between Russia and Germany.

• April 11 John Levy

  John Levy was a pioneering African American jazz bassist and music manager who played a significant role in promoting jazz musicians during the mid-20th century. He managed notable artists like Cannonball Adderley and George Shearing, helping advance their careers. Levy was also inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions to the music industry.

• April 12 Hamengkubuwono IX

  Prominent Indonesian political leader who served as the second vice president of Indonesia and the Sultan of Yogyakarta. He played a crucial role in Indonesia's political landscape during the mid-20th century.

• April 12 Georges Franju

  French filmmaker and documentary director who was instrumental in the early French cinema scene. He co-founded important film institutions and worked extensively in stage design and documentary filmmaking.

• April 14 Robert Doisneau

  Renowned French photographer famous for capturing candid street scenes and everyday Parisian life. His iconic works documented post-war France with remarkable humanity and artistic vision. Doisneau was a significant photojournalist who also participated in the French Resistance during World War II.

• April 15 Kim Il-sung

  Kim Il-sung was the first supreme leader of North Korea, establishing a totalitarian regime and cult of personality that profoundly shaped the country's political landscape from 1948 to 1994.

• April 16 Garth Williams

  Renowned American illustrator famous for his iconic illustrations in children's books like 'Charlotte's Web', 'Little House on the Prairie', and 'Stuart Little'.

• April 18 Wendy Barrie

  Wendy Barrie was a British-American actress who appeared in 25 movies during Hollywood's golden era, notably starring in films like 'Dead End' and 'Wings Over Honolulu'. She was also a pioneering television personality, hosting one of TV's first talk shows.

• April 19 Glenn Seaborg

  Renowned American nuclear chemist who won the Nobel Prize for discovering plutonium and played a crucial role in the Manhattan Project. He discovered ten atomic elements and was the first chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, making significant contributions to nuclear science.

• April 19 Glenn Theodore Seaborg

  Nobel Prize laureate for their discoveries in the chemistry of the transuranium elements

• April 22 Kathleen Ferrier

  Renowned English contralto who was a celebrated classical singer, known for her exceptional vocal range and emotional depth in performances of opera and art songs.

• April 22 Kaneto Shindo

  Influential Japanese film director, screenwriter, and producer known for his avant-garde and socially critical cinema, particularly in post-war Japanese film.

• April 25 Earl Bostic

  Earl Bostic was a prominent African-American jazz saxophonist known for his influential work in rhythm and blues during the mid-20th century.

• April 26 Van Vogt

  A pioneering Canadian science fiction writer first published in 1932, famous for novels like 'Slan', 'Players of Null-A', and 'Black Destroyer', known for imaginative galactic settings.

• April 26 A. E. van Vogt

  A prominent Canadian-American science fiction writer known for groundbreaking novels like 'Slan' and 'The World of Null-A', who significantly influenced the golden age of science fiction literature.

• April 27 Zohra Sehgal

  Renowned Indian actress, dancer, and choreographer who made significant contributions to Indian performing arts across multiple decades, known for her versatility and pioneering spirit.

• April 28 Odette Sansome

  Extraordinary French spy who showed remarkable courage during World War II, enduring torture by the Gestapo and ultimately being awarded the George Cross for her heroic resistance.

• April 28 Odette Hallowes

  Heroic French resistance member and Allied intelligence agent during World War II, known for her extraordinary courage and critical wartime contributions.

• April 30 Manuel Gutierrez Mellado

  Prominent Spanish military and political figure who played a crucial role in Spain's transition to democracy after Franco's regime. He served as the first Vice President of the Government for Defense Affairs and the first Minister of Defense in Spain.

• April 30 Eve Arden

  Acclaimed American actress best known for her role in the popular TV series 'Our Miss Brooks'. She was a versatile performer who excelled in comedy and had a successful career in film, television, and theater.