Famous people and celebrities who died in June 2003

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in June 2003. 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

• June 2 Fred Blassie

  Fred Blassie was a legendary American professional wrestler known as 'Classy' Fred Blassie, who was a prominent figure in wrestling during the mid-20th century and later became a notable wrestling manager.

• June 2 Alma Ricard

  Canadian broadcaster and philanthropist (b. 1906)

• June 3 Felix de Weldon

  Austrian-American sculptor famous for designing the Marine Corps War Memorial, a significant monument honoring U.S. Marine Corps service members.

• June 5 Jürgen Möllemann

  German politician who served as Vice-Chancellor of Germany and held several ministerial positions during the 1980s and early 1990s. He died in a controversial parachuting accident in 2003.

• June 5 Manuel Rosenthal

  Renowned French composer and conductor who significantly contributed to 20th-century classical music, famous for his orchestration of Offenbach's Gaîté Parisienne ballet.

• June 6 Dave Rowberry

  English pianist and keyboardist best known for his work with the iconic rock band The Animals during the 1960s British Invasion.

• June 10 Bernard Williams

  Renowned English-Italian academic and philosopher who made significant contributions to moral philosophy and ethical theory.

• June 10 Donald Regan

  Donald Regan was a prominent American businessman who became president of Merrill Lynch in 1968 and later served as White House Chief of Staff during the Reagan administration. He was known for his direct leadership style and significant financial success.

• June 10 Phil Williams

  Welsh academic and politician (b. 1939)

• June 11 David Brinkley

  Renowned American TV news correspondent who co-anchored the groundbreaking 'Huntley-Brinkley Report' on NBC from 1956 to 1970. His witty style and partnership with Chet Huntley revolutionized television news broadcasting.

• June 12 Gregory Peck

  Legendary Hollywood actor known for his iconic role in 'To Kill a Mockingbird', for which he won an Oscar. He was a highly respected performer with numerous prestigious awards, including the AFI and Kennedy Center lifetime achievement honors.

• June 13 Malik Meraj Khalid

  Pakistani lawyer and politician who served as Prime Minister of Pakistan during a critical period of the country's political history.

• June 14 Dale Whittington

  American racing driver (born 1959).

• June 15 Hume Cronyn

  Renowned Canadian-American actor, producer, and screenwriter known for his extensive work in film, television, and theater, often collaborating with his wife Jessica Tandy.

• June 15 Enrico Baj

  Prominent Italian artist who was a key figure in the post-war European avant-garde art scene, known for his provocative and politically engaged artworks.

• June 16 Pierre Bourgault

  Pierre Bourgault was a prominent Canadian journalist, political activist, and sovereigntist who played a significant role in Quebec's political landscape.

• June 16 Georg Henrik von Wright

  Prominent Finnish-Swedish philosopher and logician who made significant contributions to modal logic and philosophical analysis.

• June 18 Larry Doby

  Pioneering African American baseball player who broke the color barrier in the American League, following Jackie Robinson. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998 for his significant contributions to the sport.

• June 21 Leon Uris

  Prominent American novelist known for historical fiction works like 'Exodus' and 'Mila 18', which explored complex themes of Jewish history and identity.

• June 21 Jason Moran

  Innovative American jazz pianist, composer, and educator who significantly influenced contemporary jazz before his untimely death in 2003.

• June 23 Maynard Jackson

  Maynard Jackson was a groundbreaking African-American politician who served as Atlanta's first Black mayor, breaking significant racial barriers in Southern municipal leadership during the 1970s.

• June 25 Lester Maddox

  Controversial segregationist politician who served as the 75th Governor of Georgia from 1967 to 1971, known for his staunch opposition to civil rights and integration.

• June 26 Strom Thurmond

  Strom Thurmond was a prominent American politician from South Carolina, serving as a long-standing U.S. Senator known for his controversial segregationist views. He was a significant political figure in the mid-20th century, representing the Democratic and later Republican parties. Thurmond was notable for his lengthy political career, which spanned several decades.

• June 26 Marc-Vivien Foé

  Cameroonian footballer who tragically died on the field during a FIFA Confederations Cup match in 2003, shocking the international football community.

• June 26 Denis Thatcher

  British businessman and husband of Margaret Thatcher, the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He was known for his supportive role behind the scenes during his wife's political career.

• June 28 Joan Lowery Nixon

  American journalist and author (b. 1927)

• June 29 Katharine Hepburn

  Legendary Hollywood actress who revolutionized the portrayal of women in cinema, winning a record four Academy Awards for Best Actress and known for her independent and strong-willed screen persona.

• June 30 Buddy Hackett

  Renowned American comedian and actor known for his stand-up comedy and roles in films like 'The Love Bug' and 'It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World'.

• June 30 Robert McCloskey

  Renowned American children's book author and illustrator, famous for classic works like 'Make Way for Ducklings'.