Famous people and celebrities who died on April 6

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on April 6. On this day, we honor the lives and legacies of notable figures from various fields who left an indelible mark on the world. Explore our list to learn about their remarkable contributions and celebrate their enduring impact.

• 1961 Jules Bordet

  MED - Belgian microbiologist and immunologist, nobel prize laureate (b. 1870)

• 1970 Maurice Stokes

  Maurice Stokes was a pioneering NBA player known for his exceptional skills before a tragic injury ended his career prematurely. He was a groundbreaking African American athlete in the 1950s who significantly influenced professional basketball.

• 1978 Nicolas Nabokov

  Nicolas Nabokov was a prominent Russian-American composer, music educator, and cultural diplomat who played a significant role in 20th-century classical music and cultural exchange.

• 1992 Isaac Asimov

  Renowned Russian-American biochemist and science fiction author who wrote over 400 books and significantly influenced science communication and sci-fi literature. He was a prolific writer known for his Foundation series and pioneering works on robotics and artificial intelligence.

• 1994 Juvénal Habyarimana

  Juvénal Habyarimana was the third president of Rwanda who played a controversial role in the country's political history, ultimately assassinated in 1994, which triggered the Rwandan Genocide.

• 1996 Greer Garson

  Greer Garson was a renowned Anglo-American actress who dominated Hollywood during World War II, winning an Academy Award for 'Mrs. Miniver' and becoming one of MGM's most prominent stars of the 1940s.

• 1998 Wendy O Williams

  Pioneering punk rock singer and lead vocalist of the Plasmatics, known for her radical performance style and rebellious music that challenged social norms.

• 1998 Tammy Wynette

  Legendary country music singer known as the 'First Lady of Country Music', famous for hits like 'Stand By Your Man' and her tumultuous personal life.

• 1999 Red Norvo

  Red Norvo was a pioneering jazz vibraphonist and xylophonist who significantly influenced the development of swing and cool jazz during the mid-20th century. He was known for his innovative and delicate playing style, collaborating with legendary musicians like Benny Goodman and Charlie Parker. Norvo's career spanned several decades, making him a respected figure in jazz history.

• 2000 Habib Bourguiba

  Prominent Tunisian political leader who led Tunisia to independence and served as its first president, modernizing the country and establishing a secular, progressive state.

• 2003 Babatunde Olatunji

  Renowned Nigerian-American percussionist who popularized African drumming in the United States, influential in world music and cultural education.

• 2003 Gerald Emmett Carter

  Canadian Roman Catholic cardinal who served as Archbishop of Toronto from 1978 to 1990 and was an influential religious leader in Canada during the late 20th century.

• 2003 Anita Borg

  Pioneering computer scientist who advocated for women in technology and founded the Anita Borg Institute to increase women's representation in computing fields.

• 2005 Rainier III

  Rainier III was the Prince of Monaco from 1949 to 2005, known for modernizing the principality and his famous marriage to Hollywood actress Grace Kelly.

• 2007 Luigi Comencini

  Luigi Comencini was a prominent Italian film director and screenwriter who transitioned from architecture and photography to become a significant figure in Italian cinema, receiving multiple prestigious awards.

• 2010 Wilma Mankiller

  Groundbreaking Native American leader who became the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, dedicating her life to improving indigenous rights and community development.

• 2010 Corin Redgrave

  Prominent British actor from a legendary theatrical family, known for his political activism and involvement with Moving Theatre. He was part of the renowned Redgrave acting dynasty, which includes his sisters Vanessa and Lynn Redgrave.

• 2012 Thomas Kinkade

  Thomas Kinkade was a renowned American painter famous for his idealized, sentimental landscapes and architectural scenes, often called the 'Painter of Light'. His works were immensely popular in the late 20th century, particularly among middle-class art collectors.

• 2014 Mickey Rooney

  Mickey Rooney was a legendary Hollywood actor with a career spanning over nine decades, known for his versatility in film, television, and theater. He was particularly famous for his roles in MGM's Andy Hardy film series and as a child star during Hollywood's Golden Age.

• 2015 James Best

  James Best was an American character actor best known for his comedic role as Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane in the popular television series 'The Dukes of Hazzard', which aired from 1979 to 1985. He appeared in numerous films and TV shows throughout his five-decade career, including Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Man Who Knew Too Much'.

• 2015 Ray Charles

  Legendary American singer-songwriter, pianist, and composer who revolutionized soul, R&B, and popular music with his unique style and innovative approach.

• 2015 Gertrude Weaver

  Gertrude Weaver was an American supercentenarian who was briefly the oldest living person in the world.

• 2016 Merle Haggard

  Merle Haggard was a legendary country music singer-songwriter who defined the Bakersfield Sound and became an influential voice in outlaw country music during the 1960s and 1970s.

• 2017 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.

• 2019 David J. Thouless

  Nobel Prize laureate for theoretical discoveries of topological phase transitions and topological phases of matter

• 2019 Ernest Hollings

  Long-serving US Senator from South Carolina, World War II veteran who received multiple military honors and later became a prominent political figure in state and national politics.

• 2020 Al Kaline

  Al Kaline was a legendary Detroit Tigers right fielder, inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980, known for his exceptional batting skills and defensive prowess during his entire 22-year career with the team.

• 2021 Hans Küng

  Prominent Swiss theologian and Catholic priest who challenged traditional church doctrine, known for controversial works questioning religious orthodoxy and sparking significant theological debates.