Famous people and celebrities born in April 1917

Welcome to our dedicated page for celebrating the notable individuals born in April 1917! 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 1 Sydney Newman

  Influential Canadian television producer who co-created Doctor Who, revolutionizing science fiction television in the United Kingdom.

• April 2 Lou Monte

  Italian-American singer known for novelty songs like 'Peppino the Italian Mouse', a popular comedic performer in the mid-20th century who blended humor and music.

• April 5 Robert Bloch

  Robert Bloch was an influential American horror and science fiction writer best known for his novel 'Psycho', which Alfred Hitchcock adapted into a landmark psychological thriller. He was a prolific author who contributed significantly to pulp magazines and wrote screenplays, becoming a pivotal figure in 20th-century genre fiction.

• April 6 Leonora Carrington

  Renowned surrealist artist and writer who significantly contributed to the surrealist movement in Mexico and Europe. She was known for her imaginative paintings, novels, and her association with prominent artists like André Breton and Max Ernst.

• April 6 Tonico

  Legendary Brazilian sertanejo musician who, alongside his brother Tinoco, formed one of the most iconic music duos in Brazilian popular music. They performed over 40,000 times and sold more than 150 million albums, becoming cultural icons in Brazilian music.

• April 7 Mongo Santamaria

  Renowned Cuban percussionist and band leader who significantly influenced Latin jazz and salsa music during the mid-20th century.

• April 7 RG Armstrong

  Prolific American character actor known for his distinctive roles in Western films and television, often portraying tough, rugged characters with intense screen presence.

• April 9 Vincent O'Brien

  Legendary Irish horse trainer renowned for training numerous champion racehorses and considered one of the most successful trainers in horse racing history.

• April 9 Brad Dexter

  American actor known for his role in the classic film 'The Magnificent Seven' and various supporting roles in Hollywood productions.

• April 10 Robert Woodward

  Renowned American organic chemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1965 for groundbreaking work on total synthesis of complex natural products. He is considered one of the most influential organic chemists of the 20th century.

• April 11 Danny Gallivan

  Renowned Canadian sports broadcaster known for his distinctive and energetic hockey play-by-play commentary during the golden era of hockey broadcasting.

• April 13 Howard Keel

  Famous American actor and singer known for his roles in classic Hollywood musicals like '7 Brides for 7 Brothers' and 'Kiss Me Kate'.

• April 13 Bill Clements

  Distinguished American politician and military professional who served as the 15th United States Deputy Secretary of Defense and was a pivotal Republican governor of Texas.

• April 14 Valerie Hobson

  British actress known for her roles in classic films like 'Great Expectations' and 'The 39 Steps', who was a prominent figure in mid-20th century British cinema.

• April 15 Hans Conried

  American voice actor and character actor known for his distinctive voice in animated shows like 'The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show' and live-action comedies like 'Make Room for Daddy'.

• April 16 Barry Nelson

  Barry Nelson was an American actor known for being the first actor to play James Bond on American television in 1954. He had a long career in film, television, and theater.

• April 22 Yvette Chauviré

  Legendary French prima ballerina who was a prominent étoile of the Paris Opera Ballet and later served as its director, significantly influencing 20th-century ballet.

• April 22 Sidney Nolan

  Prominent Australian artist celebrated for his innovative landscape paintings and iconic Ned Kelly series, which revolutionized Australian art in the 20th century.

• April 22 Leo Abse

  British politician and lawyer known for his progressive social reforms and biographical writings, serving as a Member of Parliament.

• April 23 Dorian Leigh

  Pioneering American fashion model who was instrumental in defining the concept of the supermodel in the mid-20th century, achieving significant recognition in both Europe and the United States.

• April 23 Renée Lebas

  French music producer and singer who was active in the mid-20th century music scene, contributing to the French musical landscape.

• April 25 Ella Fitzgerald

  Ella Fitzgerald was a legendary American jazz singer known for her extraordinary vocal range, impeccable scat singing, and profound influence on 20th-century music. She was nicknamed the 'First Lady of Song' and won 13 Grammy Awards during her illustrious career. Her smooth, velvety voice and remarkable improvisational skills made her one of the most celebrated jazz vocalists of all time.

• April 27 I. M. Pei

  Renowned Chinese-American architect known for his innovative modernist designs, including the Louvre Pyramid and the Bank of China Tower.

• April 27 Roman Matsov

  Estonian classical musician who was a versatile performer as a violinist, pianist, and conductor, active during the mid-20th century.

• April 29 Celeste Holm

  Renowned American actress who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and was a versatile performer in theater and film. She had a distinguished career spanning Broadway and Hollywood, with notable roles in classic productions like 'Oklahoma!'

• April 29 Urie Bronfenbrenner

  Influential Russian-American psychologist who revolutionized developmental psychology with his ecological systems theory. His work profoundly impacted understanding of child development and human ecology.