Famous people and celebrities who died in 1973

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1973. This year saw the loss of many influential and beloved figures who left a lasting impact on the world. From entertainment icons and sports legends to renowned scholars and public figures, our comprehensive list pays tribute to their lives and legacies. Join us in honoring their contributions and celebrating their achievements as we reflect on their remarkable stories.

Jan. 28 John Banner
Austrian-born American actor best known for his comedic role as Sergeant Schultz in the popular TV series 'Hogan's Heroes'.
Feb. 15 Wally Cox
Wally Cox was a versatile American comedian and actor best known for his role as Mr. Peepers on television. He was a multi-talented performer who spoke seven languages and co-authored a juvenile novel, while also being a regular host on Hollywood Squares from 1966 to 1973.
March 14 Howard Aiken
Howard Aiken was a pioneering computer scientist who played a crucial role in the early development of computing technology. He collaborated with IBM to design the Harvard Mark I, a groundbreaking electromechanical computer that significantly advanced computational capabilities. His work laid important foundations for modern computing and digital technology.
March 18 Lauritz Melchior
Danish singer and operatic tenor, known for his interpretations of wagnerian operas. melchior was the first german heldentenor in the 20th century. his relationship with the met lasted over a decade. it began in 1926, and ended in 1950. melchior was in five musicals between 1945 and 1953.
April 8 Pablo Picasso
Picasso, a spanish artist who spent most of his time in france, is world-famous as the founder of the cubist movement. his works are displayed in some of the most prestigious museums around the globe. he is widely considered to be the most influential, original and dominant figure in visual arts in the early 20th century. his huge output of …
April 21 Ursula Jeans
British actress known for her work in early to mid-20th century cinema, with a notable performance in the film 'I Lived with You'.
April 26 Irene Ryan
Beloved actress best known for her iconic role as Granny in the popular TV sitcom 'The Beverly Hillbillies', a comedy series that ran from 1962 to 1971.
May 11 Lex Barker
American actor famous for portraying Tarzan in multiple films and starring in German Western adaptations of Karl May's novels. He was a prominent Hollywood actor during the 1940s and 1950s.
May 21 Vaughn Monroe
Prominent American big band singer, bandleader, and actor who was popular during the 1940s and early 1950s, known for his distinctive baritone voice and appearances in several Hollywood films.
June 23 Fay Holden
Actress (mother – andy hardy films), who dies at the age of 77.
July 2 Betty Grable
Iconic pin-up girl and Hollywood star of the 1940s and 1950s, Betty Grable was one of the most popular actresses of her era. She was famous for her legendary legs, which were insured for $1 million, and starred in numerous musical comedies. Her popularity peaked during World War II, where her poster became a morale booster for American soldiers.
July 7 Veronica Lake
Veronica Lake was a prominent Hollywood actress of the 1940s, famous for her film noir roles and distinctive hairstyle that became an iconic symbol of the era's glamour.
July 12 Lon Chaney
Legendary American actor known as the "Man of a Thousand Faces" for his remarkable character transformations in silent films.
July 18 Jack Hawkins
Prominent British actor known for his roles in classic films like 'Zulu' and 'The Malta Story', with a significant career in mid-20th century British cinema.
July 20 Bruce Lee
Legendary Chinese-American martial artist and actor who revolutionized action cinema, becoming a global icon of martial arts and cultural representation. His groundbreaking films like 'Enter the Dragon' transformed Hollywood's perception of Asian actors and martial arts movies.
July 29 Eileen Percy
Silent film actress (wicked backstage), is killed at 72
Aug. 2 Jean-Pierre Melville
Influential French film director renowned for his stylish and minimalist crime noir films. He was a key figure in the French New Wave cinema movement, creating iconic movies that significantly impacted modern filmmaking. His works like 'Le Samouraï' are considered masterpieces of the genre.
Aug. 29 Michael Dunn
American actor known for roles in films like 'House of the Damned' and 'Ship of Fools', who worked in Hollywood during the 1960s.
Aug. 29 Stringer Davis
Actress (mouse on the moon, miranda), is killed at 77
Sept. 16 Víctor Jara
Iconic Chilean folk singer, songwriter, and political activist who was tragically murdered during the Pinochet military coup. He was a prominent voice of social justice and resistance through his music and theatre work.
Sept. 20 Jim Croce
Iconic American folk rock singer-songwriter known for hits like 'Time in a Bottle' and 'Bad, Bad Leroy Brown', who tragically died in a plane crash at the age of 30 at the peak of his musical career.
Sept. 20 Glenn Strange
Actor (sam, the bartender-gunsmoke), is killed at 74
Sept. 23 Pablo Neruda
Pablo Neruda was a renowned Chilean poet, diplomat, and political activist who significantly influenced 20th-century Latin American literature. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1971 for his extraordinary poetic works that blended political passion with lyrical beauty. His poetry often addressed themes of love, social justice, and the human experience.
Sept. 26 Anna Magnani
Legendary Italian actress known for her powerful performances in neorealist cinema. She won an Academy Award for Best Actress for 'The Rose Tattoo' and was a prominent figure in mid-20th century Italian film. Her passionate acting style made her an iconic performer of her era.
Sept. 28 Mantan Moreland
Watermelon man, a comedian, dies at 71
Nov. 23 Sessue Hayakawa
Sessue hayakawa was a japanese-born actor who achieved fame in american and european cinema during the early 20th century, known for his roles in films such as 'the bridge on the river kwai' and 'the cheat'.
Nov. 23 Constance Talmadge
American actress on the silent screen. she was the younger sister to natalie and norma talmadge. her film career began in 1914. she found her strength in comedy and got her big break with the 1916 film "intolerance".
Nov. 23 Claire Dodd
Actress (executive, in the navy) dies at 64 after a long battle with illness
Dec. 20 Bobby Darin
Bobby Darin was a versatile American entertainer who excelled as a singer, songwriter, and actor, best known for his iconic hit 'Mack the Knife' and his Oscar-nominated acting performance.