Famous people and celebrities who died in March 2003

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in March 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

• March 2 Hank Ballard

  Hank Ballard was an influential rhythm and blues singer and songwriter who significantly contributed to the development of early rock and roll music. He is best known for writing and performing the original version of 'The Twist', a song that became a massive dance craze in the early 1960s.

• March 3 Horst Buchholz

  Prominent German actor known for international roles, particularly in 1960s cinema. He was a notable romantic lead in American and British films and won recognition at the Cannes Film Festival early in his career.

• March 3 Peter Smithson

  Renowned English architect famous for designing Robin Hood Gardens, a significant brutalist housing complex in London that represented innovative urban design principles.

• March 3 Goffredo Petrassi

  Goffredo Petrassi was an influential Italian composer known for his significant contributions to 20th-century classical music, particularly his choral work 'Beatitudines'. He was a prominent figure in the Italian musical avant-garde.

• March 3 Luis Marden

  American linguist, photographer, and explorer known for his diverse professional contributions and international research work.

• March 4 Sébastien Japrisot

  Renowned French author, screenwriter, and director known for his significant contributions to literature and cinema. He was a versatile creative talent who worked across multiple artistic mediums.

• March 5 Hardy Amies

  Prominent British fashion designer who served as official dressmaker to Queen Elizabeth II and was known for his sophisticated and elegant designs for the royal family.

• March 8 Karen Morley

  American actress known for her roles in Hollywood films during the 1930s and 1940s, who later faced blacklisting during the McCarthy era.

• March 8 Adam Faith

  Prominent English singer, actor, and pop icon of the 1960s who had several hit songs and later transitioned into acting and business.

• March 9 Stan Brakhage

  Pioneering experimental filmmaker who revolutionized avant-garde cinema through innovative non-narrative techniques and personal, poetic visual approaches.

• March 10 Barry Sheene

  Legendary British motorcycle racing champion who overcame severe injuries and became an iconic figure in motorsport before succumbing to cancer in 2003.

• March 12 Lynne Thigpen

  Talented American actress known for her distinctive voice and roles in theater, film, and television, including appearances in 'The District' and as a narrator for children's shows.

• March 12 Howard Fast

  Howard Fast was a prolific American novelist and screenwriter known for historical fiction works like 'Spartacus' and 'The Immigrants'. He was also a prominent left-wing political activist and was blacklisted during the McCarthy era.

• March 12 Andrei Kivilev

  Professional Kazakh cyclist who tragically died during a professional cycling race in 2003, marking a significant moment in cycling history.

• March 14 Jean-Luc Lagardère

  Prominent French business leader who transformed Hachette into a global media and publishing conglomerate, expanding across multiple industries and countries.

• March 14 Jack Goldstein

  Canadian-American conceptual artist and painter known for his influential work in the Pictures Generation art movement, exploring themes of media and representation.

• March 15 Thora Hird

  Renowned British actress who gained fame through comedy television series, particularly 'Last of the Summer Wine', with a career spanning several decades in film and television.

• March 15 Paul Stojanovich

  American television producer, created world's wildest police videos (b. 1955)

• March 16 Rachel Corrie

  Rachel Corrie was an American peace activist who was tragically killed during a protest against Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip, becoming a symbol of international solidarity.

• March 17 Su Buqing

  Renowned Chinese mathematician and educator who made significant contributions to mathematical research and academic development in 20th century China.

• March 18 Karl Kling

  Karl Kling was a prominent German racing driver who competed in Formula One during the 1950s. He was a key member of the Mercedes-Benz racing team and achieved significant success in motorsports.

• March 19 Michael Mathias Prechtl

  German soldier and illustrator known for his artistic work during and after World War II, with a significant contribution to visual arts.

• March 19 Emile Genest

  Canadian actor known for his work in film and television during the mid-20th century, with a career spanning several decades.

• March 27 Daniel Ceccaldi

  French actor known for his extensive work in cinema and television during the mid-20th century.

• March 27 Paul Zindel

  Pulitzer Prize-winning American playwright and novelist, best known for young adult novels like 'The Pigman'.

• March 29 Carlo Urbani

  Carlo Urbani was an Italian physician and microbiologist who played a crucial role in identifying and containing the SARS outbreak in 2003.

• March 30 Michael Jeter

  Acclaimed character actor known for roles in 'Jurassic Park III', 'The Green Mile', and 'Sesame Street'. He was an openly gay performer who courageously spoke about his HIV/AIDS diagnosis.

• March 31 Anne Gwynne

  American film actress and pin-up model who was prominent during the 1940s, known for her roles in horror and western films.

• March 31 Harold Scott MacDonald Coxeter

  Renowned mathematician known for his groundbreaking work in geometry and polyhedra, Coxeter was a highly respected academic who made significant contributions to mathematical research.