Famous people and celebrities who died on April 11

Welcome to Takemeback.to's page dedicated to remembering the celebrities and famous people who passed away on April 11. 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.

• 1970 Cathy O'Donnell

  American actress known for her roles in classic Hollywood films during the 1940s and 1950s.

• 1977 Jacques Prévert

  Jacques Prévert was a renowned French poet, screenwriter, and artist who significantly influenced 20th-century French culture. He is best known for his poetic works and the screenplay of the classic film 'Les Enfants du Paradis', considered a masterpiece of French cinema. His poetry remains widely taught in French schools and celebrated for its simplicity and emotional depth.

• 1983 Dolores Del Rio

  Dolores Del Rio was a prominent Mexican actress who achieved international fame in Hollywood during the Golden Age of cinema, known for her beauty and versatile acting skills.

• 1984 Edgar V. Saks

  Estonian historian, author, and politician who served as Minister of Education in Estonia, playing a significant role in the country's educational development.

• 1985 Enver Hoxha

  Communist leader who ruled Albania from 1944 to 1985, establishing a strict Stalinist regime and isolating the country from most international relations.

• 1987 Kent Taylor

  Actor (boston blackie rough riders), died at 79

• 1987 Primo Levi

  Renowned Holocaust survivor, Italian Jewish chemist, and writer who documented his experiences in Auschwitz concentration camp. His powerful literary works, including 'Survival in Auschwitz', are seminal testimonies of the Holocaust. He is considered one of the most important witnesses of 20th-century human suffering.

• 1987 Erskine Caldwell

  Erskine Caldwell was a prominent American novelist known for his powerful social realist works 'Tobacco Road' and 'God's Little Acre', which depicted the harsh realities of rural Southern life during the Great Depression. He was a significant literary figure who explored themes of poverty, social injustice, and human struggle.

• 1991 Walker Cooper

  Walker Cooper was a notable Major League Baseball player and manager who played primarily as a catcher during the 1940s and 1950s. He was a three-time All-Star and played for several teams including the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Giants.

• 1996 Jessica Dubroff

  Young American aviator who tragically died at age seven while attempting to become the youngest person to fly across the United States.

• 1999 William H. Armstrong

  William H. Armstrong was an American author best known for his children's novel 'Sounder', which won the Newbery Medal in 1970 and was later adapted into a critically acclaimed film.

• 2001 Harry Secombe

  Beloved British comedian, actor, and singer who was a key member of the legendary comedy troupe 'The Goons'. He was renowned for his jovial personality and significant contribution to British comedy and entertainment.

• 2003 Cecil Green

  Cecil Green was a prominent co-founder of Texas Instruments, a pioneering technology company that played a crucial role in the development of semiconductor and electronic technologies in the 20th century.

• 2005 Maurice Hilleman

  Maurice Hilleman was a groundbreaking microbiologist who saved millions of lives through his development of over 40 crucial vaccines. He is considered one of the most important medical researchers of the 20th century, significantly contributing to global public health.

• 2005 Lucien Laurent

  A historic French soccer player who achieved immortality by scoring the first goal in FIFA World Cup history. His remarkable achievement in the inaugural 1930 World Cup in Uruguay made him a significant figure in international football.

• 2006 June Pointer

  June Pointer was a prominent member of the Grammy Award-winning Pointer Sisters, a groundbreaking R&B and pop group that achieved significant success in the 1970s and 1980s. She contributed to the group's diverse musical style, spanning jazz, pop, and rock genres, and also released two solo albums.

• 2007 Kurt Vonnegut

  Kurt Vonnegut was a renowned American novelist and satirist, famous for his groundbreaking science fiction works like 'Slaughterhouse-Five' that blended dark humor with profound social commentary. He was a critically acclaimed writer who explored themes of war, technology, and human nature through his unique literary style.

• 2007 Loïc Leferme

  Renowned French freediver who was a world-class athlete in underwater breath-holding disciplines. He tragically died during a training session, highlighting the extreme risks of his sport.

• 2007 Roscoe Lee Browne

  Distinguished African American actor, voice artist, and director known for his eloquent voice and diverse stage and screen performances.

• 2009 Corin Tellado

  Prolific Spanish novelist and photonovel writer who authored over 4,000 books and sold more than 400 million copies. Recognized by Guinness World Records as the most-selling Spanish-language book author. Known for her romantic novels and extensive literary output.

• 2012 Ahmed Ben Bella

  Prominent Algerian revolutionary leader who became the first president of independent Algeria after leading the National Liberation Front in the Algerian War of Independence against France.

• 2013 Jonathan Winters

  Legendary American comedian and improvisation master known for his exceptional mimicry skills and groundbreaking comedy performances on television. He was a pioneering comedian who influenced generations of comedians like Robin Williams and Steve Martin. Winters won an Emmy Award and was renowned for his innovative comedic style.

• 2013 Maria Tallchief

  America's first prima ballerina and a pioneering Native American dancer who revolutionized ballet in the United States during the mid-20th century. She was a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet and helped establish ballet as a respected art form in America.

• 2013 Hilary Koprowski

  A pioneering Polish-American immunologist who developed the first effective live polio vaccine, making significant contributions to global public health and medical science.

• 2014 Jesse Winchester

  Jesse Winchester was a renowned American folk and country singer-songwriter known for his poetic lyrics and gentle musical style. He gained significant recognition in the 1970s and was particularly admired by fellow musicians like Bob Dylan and Elvis Costello. Winchester's music often explored themes of love, life, and social commentary.

• 2014 Lou Hudson

  Lou Hudson was a prominent NBA player for the Atlanta Hawks, known for his exceptional scoring ability and smooth playing style during the 1960s and 1970s. After his basketball career, he became a respected sportscaster, contributing to basketball commentary.

• 2017 Mark Wainberg

  Prominent Canadian HIV/AIDS researcher who made significant contributions to understanding and combating the HIV epidemic.

• 2020 John Horton Conway

  Renowned English mathematician famous for creating Conway's Game of Life, a groundbreaking cellular automaton simulation that revolutionized computational theory and complexity science.