Famous people and celebrities who died in March 2008

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in March 2008. 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 3 Giuseppe Di Stefano

  Renowned Italian operatic tenor celebrated for his exceptional vocal quality and performances from the late 1940s to early 1990s. Known as 'the golden voice', he was considered the true successor to Beniamino Gigli and had a notable romantic connection with Maria Callas.

• March 4 Gary Gygax

  Co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons, a revolutionary role-playing game that fundamentally transformed the gaming industry. He is considered a pioneer of modern tabletop role-playing games and geek culture.

• March 5 Joseph Weizenbaum

  Renowned computer scientist and artificial intelligence pioneer who created ELIZA, one of the first conversational computer programs that demonstrated early natural language processing capabilities.

• March 6 Peter Poreku Dery

  Ghanaian cardinal (b. 1918)

• March 12 Jorge Guinzburg

  Argentine journalist, producer, and media host (born 1949).

• March 12 Lazare Ponticelli

  Italian-born french world war i veteran. he was 110 years old when he died in paris, march 12, 2008.

• March 14 Chiara Lubich

  Italian catholic activist, leader and founder of the focolare (born 1920).

• March 15 G. David Low

  American astronaut and engineer (b. 1956)

• March 15 Mikey Dread

  Jamaican singer-songwriter and producer (b. 1954)

• March 16 Gary Hart

  Gary Hart was an American politician whose presidential campaign dramatically collapsed after a highly publicized extramarital affair with Donna Rice in 1987, becoming a landmark moment in political scandal.

• March 16 Ola Brunkert

  Swedish session drummer who played a significant role in the legendary pop group ABBA. He was a key contributor to their distinctive sound during the band's most successful years.

• March 16 Ivan Dixon

  African American actor, director, and producer best known for his roles in 'Hogan's Heroes' and significant contributions to television and film.

• March 18 Anthony Minghella

  Anthony Minghella was an acclaimed British film director, screenwriter, and playwright, best known for directing 'The English Patient' and winning multiple awards.

• March 19 Paul Scofield

  Paul Scofield was a distinguished British actor, best known for his Oscar-winning performance in 'A Man for All Seasons'. He was considered one of the greatest stage and screen actors of his generation.

• March 19 Arthur C. Clarke

  A renowned British science fiction writer, futurist, and inventor who co-wrote the screenplay for '2001: A Space Odyssey', profoundly influencing science fiction and space exploration literature.

• March 20 Klaus Dinger

  Influential German musician and co-founder of the pioneering electronic and krautrock bands Neu! and Kraftwerk, who significantly impacted experimental rock music in the 1970s.

• March 21 John List

  John List was a notorious American mass murderer who killed his entire family in New Jersey in 1971 and remained at large for 18 years before being captured.

• March 22 Cachao Lopez

  Legendary Cuban mambo musician and bassist who significantly influenced Latin music, known as a key innovator in the development of mambo and descarga styles.

• March 24 Richard Widmark

  Renowned Hollywood actor famous for his breakthrough role as a psychotic killer in the film noir 'Kiss of Death'. He was an Oscar-nominated performer with a diverse career spanning film, theater, and television. Widmark was also a film producer through his own company, Heath Productions.

• March 24 Rafael Azcona

  Renowned Spanish screenwriter and author who made significant contributions to Spanish cinema. He collaborated with notable directors and wrote scripts for numerous acclaimed films.

• March 25 Thierry Gilardi

  Prominent French sports journalist and television commentator known for his soccer coverage on French national television.

• March 25 Herb Peterson

  American businessman and innovator who created the iconic McDonald's Egg McMuffin, revolutionizing fast food breakfast options.

• March 25 Ben Carnevale

  American basketball player and coach (b. 1915)

• March 26 Manuel Marulanda

  Legendary Colombian rebel leader and founder of the FARC guerrilla movement, who played a crucial role in Colombia's long-running internal conflict.

• March 26 Robert Fagles

  American translator and professor (born 1933).

• March 27 Jean-Marie Balestre

  Influential French motorsport executive who played a significant role in the administration of international auto racing. He was president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) before being succeeded by Max Mosley.

• March 30 Dith Pran

  Cambodian-American photojournalist who survived the Khmer Rouge regime and was immortalized in the film 'The Killing Fields'. He documented the atrocities of the Cambodian genocide and became a symbol of journalistic courage.

• March 30 Richard Lloyd

  Richard Lloyd was an influential American guitarist and singer-songwriter, known for his work with the punk rock band Television and the proto-punk group Rocket from the Tombs. He was a significant figure in the New York City punk and new wave scenes of the 1970s.

• March 31 Jules Dassin

  Renowned American film director of Jewish-Russian descent, known for influential films in Hollywood and French cinema. He was married to Greek actress and politician Melina Mercouri, who was a significant cultural figure.

• March 31 Bill Keightley

  American equipment manager (b. 1926)