- Apr 1 Flann O'Brien [Brian O'Nolan], Irish novelist (At Swim-Two-Birds; The Third Policeman), playwright, and satirist, dies of a heart attack at 54
- Apr 1 Karl Adam, German theologist (Jesus Christ), dies at 89
- Apr 2 C. S. Forester, English historical novelist (Horatio Hornblower), dies at 66
- Apr 3 Battista Farina, Italian automobile designer and founder of Pininfarina company, dies at 72
- Apr 3 Russel Crouse, American playwright (Life with Father) and journalist, dies at 73
- Apr 5 Slats Gill, Basketball Hall of Fame coach (36 seasons Oregon State 1928-64), dies of stroke at 64
- Apr 5 Svend Fleuron, Danish writer, dies at 91
- Apr 6 Julia Faye, actress (10 Commandments. Samson & Delilah), dies at 73
- Apr 8 George Creten, Belgian sculptor and painter, dies at 79
- Apr 9 Sutan Sjahrir, Indonesian politician and revolutionary leader (1st prime Minister of Indonesia 1945-47), dies in exile at 57
- Apr 10 Christian J Modeste, Dutch king of gypsies, dies at 71
- Apr 10 Evelyn Waugh, British writer (Black Mischief), dies at 62
- Apr 12 Sumokil, president of Republic South Moluccas, executed
- Apr 13 Abdul Salam Arif, Iraqi politician and President of Iraq (1963-66), killed in a plane crash at 45
- Apr 13 Georges Duhamel, French author (Vie et aventures de Salavin, 5 vol.), dies at 81
- Apr 15 Joseph Crehan, American actor (The Roaring Twenties, Meeting at Midnight), dies of stroke at 82
- Apr 16 Nandalal Bose, Indian pioneering modern artist (illustrated Constitution of India), dies at 83
- Apr 25 Maurice Roelants, Flemish novelist and poet (Komen en gaan, Prayer for a Good End), dies at 70
- Apr 28 Ralph Bunker, American actor (Ghost Goes West), dies of a stroke at 77
- Apr 29 Eugene O'Brien, American actor (Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm), dies at 85
- Apr 30 Richard Fariña, American folk singer-songwriter ("Birmingham Sunday"), and novelist ("Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up to Me"), dies in a motorcycle crash on his 29th birthday
Assassination
Drug Overdose
Gunshot Wound
Murder
Plane Crash
Suicide