List of Famous people who died in 1978

Joseph Manuel Montoya was an American politician and member of the Democratic Party who served as the lieutenant governor of New Mexico, in the U.S. House of Representatives (1957–1964) and as a U.S. senator from New Mexico (1964–1977).

Harold Rosenberg (1906–1978) was an American writer, educator, philosopher and art critic. He coined the term Action Painting in 1952 for what was later to be known as abstract expressionism. Rosenberg is best known for his art criticism. From 1967 until his death, he was the art critic of The New Yorker.

Ceyhun Atuf Kansu was a Turkish pediatrician, author and poet.

Germain Derycke was a Belgian road bicycle racer. Derycke was a classics specialist. In his second year as a professional he came second in Liège–Bastogne–Liège. In 1953 he won Paris–Roubaix. He twice stood on the podium at the world road race championship, second to Fausto Coppi in 1953 and third in 1955 behind Stan Ockers and Jean-Pierre Schmitz.

Count Antoine Seilern was an Anglo-Austrian art collector and art historian. He was considered, along with Sir Denis Mahon, to be one of a handful of important collectors who was also a respected scholar. The bulk of his collection was bequeathed to the Courtauld Institute of Art and most is on display at the Courtauld Gallery in London.

Leonard Joseph Tristano was an American jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and teacher of jazz improvisation.