Famous people and celebrities who died in October 1973

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in October 1973. This month marked the loss of influential and beloved figures whose contributions spanned various fields and touched many lives. Explore our detailed list to remember and celebrate their enduring legacies and the remarkable impact they had on the world

• Oct. 2 Paavo Nurmi

  Finnish runner (b. 1897)

• Oct. 6 François Cevert

  A talented French Formula One racing driver who tragically died during qualifying at Watkins Glen Grand Prix circuit in the United States. He was a promising driver in the Tyrrell Racing Team and known for his exceptional skill.

• Oct. 6 Margaret Wilson

  American missionary and author (b. 1882)

• Oct. 6 Dick Laan

  Dutch actor, screenwriter, and author (b. 1894)

• Oct. 6 Sidney Blackmer

  Actor, love crazy, dies from cancer at the age of 58

• Oct. 8 Gabriel Marcel

  French philosopher, playwright, and critic (b. 1889)

• Oct. 9 Rosetta Tharpe

  Pioneering African American gospel singer and guitarist who significantly influenced rock and roll, rhythm and blues music.

• Oct. 10 Ludwig von Mises

  Austrian-american philosopher, sociologist, and economist (d. 1973).

• Oct. 12 Peter Aufschnaiter

  Austrian mountaineer, geographer, and cartographer (b. 1899)

• Oct. 13 Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı

  Turkish ethnographer and author (b. 1886)

• Oct. 13 Albert Mandler

  Austrian-israeli general (b. 1929)

• Oct. 14 Edmund A. Chester

  American journalist and broadcaster (b. 1897)

• Oct. 16 Gene Krupa

  Legendary jazz drummer and bandleader who significantly influenced the role of drums in popular music during the swing era. He was a key member of Benny Goodman's band and later led his own successful orchestra.

• Oct. 17 Ingeborg Bachmann

  Renowned Austrian poet and philosopher who made significant contributions to post-war literature. She was a critical intellectual who explored existential themes and was deeply influenced by Martin Heidegger's philosophy. Her academic and literary work positioned her as an important figure in 20th-century European intellectual discourse.

• Oct. 18 Walt Kelly

  Renowned American cartoonist and animator, creator of the famous comic strip 'Pogo', known for his satirical and political commentary through his comic art.

• Oct. 18 Crane Wilbur

  Director/writer (bat. canon city. yellow cargo), died at 86

• Oct. 18 Leo Strauss

  German-american political scientist, philosopher, and academic (b. 1899)

• Oct. 18 Margaret Caroline Anderson

  American publisher, founded the little review (b. 1886)

• Oct. 21 Nasif Estéfano

  Legendary Argentine racing driver known for his significant contributions to motorsports in South America during the 1960s and early 1970s.

• Oct. 22 Pablo Casals

  Spanish cellist and conductor, one of the greatest cellists of all time.

• Oct. 25 Abebe Bikila

  Legendary Ethiopian marathon runner who won Olympic gold medals in 1960 and 1964, famously running barefoot in Rome and becoming the first African to win an Olympic marathon.

• Oct. 25 Robert Scholl

  German accountant and politician (b. 1891)

• Oct. 26 Semyon Budyonny

  Marshal of the soviet union (b. 1883)

• Oct. 28 Taha Hussein

  Egyptian historian, author, and academic (b. 1889)

• Oct. 28 Sergio Tofano

  Italian actor, director, and playwright (b. 1883)

• Oct. 30 Ants Lauter

  Estonian actor and director (d. 1973).

• Oct. 31 Malek Bennabi

  Algerian philosopher and author (b. 1905)