Famous People Who Died in 2003

Discover the most famous people died who died in the year 2003. This list includes people like Fred Rogers, Johnny Cash, Charles Bronson, Katharine Hepburn, John Ritter and many more. This list of celebrities is loosely sorted by popularity. People featured on this list, include political leaders, journalists, astronauts and actresses who died in 2003. This list includes people from United States, United Kingdom, Canada & Italy and many more countries.

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Johnny Cash

(One of the Best-Selling Music Artists of All Time)

Birthdate: February 26, 1932

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Kingsland, Arkansas, United States

Died: September 12

Johnny Cash, the American singer, songwriter and actor, was known for sorrow, moral suffering and redemption themes in his music. His genre was country, rock and roll, blues, folk and gospel sounds and he is one of the best-selling artists of all time. Cash had issues with drinking and drug abuse. Later he was diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease.

Fred Rogers

(Television Host and Creator of the Preschool Television Series 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood')

Birthdate: March 20, 1928

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Latrobe, Pennsylvania, United States

Died: February 27

TV personality, musician, and author, Fred Rogers, is best remembered for hosting the preschool TV series, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, which ran for over 30 years, from 1968 to 2001. His work was widely lauded and he was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002. Besides his TV career, he was also an ordained Presbyterian minister.

Birthdate: May 12, 1907

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Hartford, Connecticut, United States

Died: June 29

Katharine Hepburn served as the leading American actress for over six decades. She is regarded as aninfluential cultural figure and was included in the popular book Women Who Changed The World. Katharine Hepburn is also named in lists like 300 Women Who Changed the World, 100 Icons of the Century, and 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons of All Time.

Charles Bronson

(American Actor Best Known for Playing the Role of Police Officers, Gunfighters and Vigilantes)

Birthdate: November 13, 1921

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Ehrenfeld, Pennsylvania, United States

Died: August 30

American actor, Charles Bronson, had a tough-guy on screen persona and is best known for numerous action and vigilante movies. The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape, The Dirty Dozen and Hard Times are some of his notable films. Death Wish was his most popular film and it led to four sequels starring him. He worked from the 1950s to 1990s.

John Ritter

(American Actor Best Known for His Role as ‘Jack Tripper’ on the ABC Sitcom ‘Three's Company’)

Birthdate: September 17, 1948

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Burbank, California, United States

Died: September 11

American actor and comedian, John Ritter is best remembered for playing Jack Tripper in sitcom Three’s Company, a work that earned him both the Golden Globe and Emmy Award. His work in television show Hooperman and animated children's series Clifford the Big Red Dog was also appreciated tremendously. John Ritter has also appeared in numerous films and Broadway productions too.

Nina Simone

(One of the Most Influential Musical Artists of the 20th Century)

Birthdate: February 21, 1933

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Tryon, North Carolina, United States

Died: April 21

Widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Nina Simone was a pioneering recording artist whose career was characterized by improvisational genius and fits of outrage. Nina continues to be an important musician and has influenced several artists like Elton John, Adele, David Bowie, Madonna, and Aretha Franklin. She was also a civil rights activist.

Gregory Peck

(One of the Reigning Actors of Classic Hollywood Cinema)

Birthdate: April 5, 1916

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: La Jolla, California, United States

Died: June 12

American actor Gregory Peck was one of the most famous movie stars between the 1940s and the 1960s. In 1999, Gregory Peck was ranked 12th in the Greatest Male Stars of Classic Hollywood Cinema list published by the American Film Institute. Also known for his humanitarian efforts, Gregory Peck was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1969.

Birthdate: June 23, 1929

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Maces Spring, Virginia, United States

Died: May 15

A woman of many talents, June Carter Cash was an American singer-songwriter, author, comedian, actress, and dancer. In 2003, she was named in Country Music Television's 40 Greatest Women of Country Music list. Her relationship with Johnny Cash inspired the 2005 film Walk the Line, where she was portrayed by Reese Witherspoon. June was also a well-known philanthropist.

Birthdate: April 13, 1976

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Danbury, Connecticut

Died: November 12

Jonathan Brandis began as a child actor/model and made his acting debut with One Life to Live. He was best known for his Saturn Award-nominated performance in The Never Ending Story II and for his role of Lucas Wolenczak in seaQuest DSV. He eventually committed suicide due to depression.

Bob Hope

(Stand-Up Comedian Known for His One-Liners and Rapid-Fire Delivery of Jokes)

Birthdate: May 29, 1903

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Eltham, London, England

Died: July 27

Bob Hope began his career with vaudeville and Broadway, before plunging into radio and films. He is remembered for his comedy timing and trademark self-deprecating humor. He hosted the Academy Awards 19 times and authored 14 books, apart from performing for the U.S. military in 57 USO tours.

Maurice Gibb

(Member of Disco Group the "Bee Gees", One of the Most Successful Pop-Rock Groups of All Time.)

Birthdate: December 22, 1949

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Douglas, Isle of Man

Died: January 12

Maurice Gibb was one of the three members of the Bee Gees, the iconic pop-rock band of the 1960s and the 1970s, which redefined disco music of that era and released hits such as Stayin’ Alive. He also went solo with the single Railroad, but his solo album remained unreleased.

Miss Elizabeth

(American Professional Wrestler and Wrestling Manager)

Birthdate: November 19, 1960

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Frankfort, Kentucky, United States

Died: May 1

Height: 5'4" (163 cm)

Birthdate: September 12, 1944

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Galveston, Texas, United States

Died: July 4

Barry White was an American musician, composer, singer-songwriter, and record producer. Renowned for his bass-baritone voice, White was one of the most popular vocalists of his generation. Having sold more than 100 million records worldwide, Barry White is counted among the best-selling musicians of all time.

Robert Palmer

(Snger)

Birthdate: January 19, 1949

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Batley, England

Died: September 26

Height: 5'9" (175 cm)

Celia Cruz

(One of the Most Popular Latin Artists of the 20th Century)

Birthdate: October 21, 1925

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Havana, Cuba

Died: July 16

Celia Cruz was a Cuban-American singer who achieved popularity in Cuba as a singer of guarachas during the 1950s. Widely regarded as one of the 20th century's most famous Latin artists, Cruz was nicknamed the Queen of Salsa. She is also revered for popularizing Latin music in the USA. Celia Cruz also won numerous awards, including two Grammy Awards.

Buddy Ebsen

(Actor and Dancer Known for His Role as ‘Jed Clampett’ on the TV Serise ‘The Beverly Hillbillies’)

Birthdate: April 2, 1908

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Belleville, Illinois, United States

Died: July 6

Actor and dancer Buddy Ebsen is best remembered for playing Jed Clampett in the CBS television sitcom, The Beverly Hillbillies. In a career spanning seven decades, he appeared in numerous films and TV shows, playing versatile roles. Beginning his career as a dancer, he soon ventured into acting. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Elliott Smith

(American Singer-Songwriter and Multi-Instrumentalist)

Birthdate: August 6, 1969

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Omaha

Died: October 21

Folk singer and guitarist Elliott Smith is best remembered for his tracks Needle in the Hay and Miss Misery, the latter being part of the Oscar-nominated soundtrack of Good Will Hunting. He pioneered the technique of "multi-tracking.” He apparently stabbed himself to death, though the autopsy was inconclusive.

Gregory Hines

(Actor, Choreographer and One of the Most Celebrated Tap Dancers of All Time)

Birthdate: February 14, 1946

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: New York, New York, United States

Died: August 9

Gregory Hines is remembered as one of the greatest tap dancers in the world. His performance in the Broadway play Jelly's Last Jam won him a Tony and a Drama Desk award. He also won an Emmy for his voice role in Little Bill and hosted his own show.

Robert Stack

(Actor)

Birthdate: January 13, 1919

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States

Died: May 14

Height: 6'0" (183 cm)

Warren Zevon

(American Rock Singer-Songwriter and Musician Best Known for His Album ‘Excitable Boy’)

Birthdate: January 24, 1947

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Died: September 7

Warren Zevon was an American musician, rock singer, and songwriter. As a songwriter, Zevon contributed immensely to the success of songs recorded by other artists, such as Murray McLauchlan. Also known for his acerbic lyrics and dry wit, Warren Zevon made several appearances on shows like the Late Show with David Letterman and Late Night with David Letterman.

Elia Kazan

(One of the Most Honored and Influential Directors in Broadway and Hollywood History)

Birthdate: September 7, 1909

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Fener, Turkey

Died: September 28

Elia Kazan was an American actor, screenwriter, director, and producer. Widely regarded as one of the most influential and celebrated directors in Hollywood and Broadway history, Kazan played a key role in launching the careers of actors like Marlon Brando, Warren Beatty, and James Dean. His work has also influenced other prominent filmmakers like Martin Scorsese.

Birthdate: November 30, 1926

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States

Died: January 17

Richard Crenna is best remembered as Luke McCoy from the series The Real McCoys. He played Sam Trautman in the Rambo franchise and delivered an Emmy-winning role in The Rape of Richard Beck. Fans also loved him in the film The Flamingo Kid and the series Slattery's People.

Buddy Hackett

(Actor & Comedian Known for His Films: ‘The Music Man’ & ‘It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World’)

Birthdate: August 31, 1924

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States

Died: June 30

Buddy Hackett is best remembered for playing Marcellus Washburn in The Music Man and Benjy Benjamin in It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. He had also appeared in The Love Bug and voiced Scuttle in The Little Mermaid franchise. He also owned a huge collection of firearms.

Kalpana Chawla

(Indian-Born American Astronaut Who Was the First Woman of Indian Origin to Go to Space)

Birthdate: March 17, 1962

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Karnal, Haryana, India

Died: February 1

Astronaut Kalpana Chawla became the first Indian-origin woman to go to space in the 1997 STS-87 mission. She and the other crew members of the Space Shuttle Columbia STS-107 mission died when the shuttle exploded before reaching Earth. The Indian weather satellite MetSat-1 was renamed Kalpana-1 in her honor.

Donald O'Connor

(Actor)

Birthdate: August 28, 1925

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

Died: September 27

Height: 5'7" (170 cm)

Jack Elam

(Actor)

Birthdate: November 13, 1920

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Miami, Arizona, United States

Died: October 20

Height: 6'0" (183 cm)

Michael Jeter

(Actor)

Birthdate: August 26, 1952

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, USA

Died: March 30

Height: 5'4" (163 cm)

Art Carney

(Actor and Comedian Best Known for His Role as ‘Ed Norton’ in the TV Sitcom ‘The Honeymooners’)

Birthdate: November 4, 1918

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Mount Vernon, New York, United States

Died: November 9

Art Carney is best remembered for his Academy Award- and Golden Globe-winning role of Harry Coombes in the film Harry and Tonto. The six-time Emmy-winning actor had also gained fame as Ed Norton in the sitcom The Honeymooners. He had suffered a leg injury while serving at World War II.

Birthdate: September 13, 1948

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Died: January 23

Height: 4'11" (150 cm)

John Paul Getty Jr.

(Philanthropist)

Birthdate: September 7, 1932

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Italy

Died: April 17

Birthdate: August 5, 1937

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States

Died: August 11

Bing Russell

(Actor and Owner of the ‘Portland Mavericks’)

Birthdate: May 5, 1926

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Brattleboro, Vermont, United States

Died: April 8

Bing Russell was an American actor whose career spanned nearly 40 years. Perhaps Bing Russell's biggest contribution to the American entertainment industry is his son Kurt Russell. Also a baseball enthusiast, Russell owned the Portland Mavericks, a professional baseball team, which was featured in a 2014 documentary titled The Battered Bastards of Baseball.

Birthdate: March 28, 1958

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Robbinsdale, Minnesota, United States

Died: February 10

Curt Hennig was an American wrestler and color commentator. The father of modern-day wrestler Curtis Axel, Hennig performed for various promotions, including the World Wrestling Federation, American Wrestling Association, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, and World Championship Wrestling. Credited for raising the bar of technical wrestling in WWE, Curt Hennig was made an inductee of WWE Hall of Fame in 2007.

Birthdate: November 28, 1933

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Redding, Connecticut, United States

Died: December 19

Height: 5'2" (157 cm)

Birthdate: July 18, 1911

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: London, Canada

Died: June 15

Born to a politician father and a brewery heiress mother, actor Hume Cronyn, initially showed promise as a boxer. He teamed up with Alfred Hitchcock for films such as Shadow of a Doubt. The film The Seventh Cross, set in Nazi Germany, earned him an Academy Award nomination.

Alan Bates

(British Actor Best Known for His Films: 'The Fixer', 'Whistle Down the Wind' and 'A Kind of Loving')

Birthdate: February 17, 1934

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Allestree, Derby, England

Died: December 27

Alan Bates was an English actor who achieved popularity during the 1960s by playing important roles in films like Whistle Down the Wind and A Kind of Loving. The same decade, he also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Yakov Shepsovitch Bok in the 1968 British drama film The Fixer.

Birthdate: April 29, 1957

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Long Island, New York, United States

Died: October 6

Timothy Treadwell is best remembered for his work on Alaskan bears. He founded the organization Grizzly People and lived among bears in the Katmai National Park for 13 years. In 2003, he and his girlfriend were killed and eaten by a brown bear. He inspired the documentary Grizzly Man.

Birthdate: April 5, 1962

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Long Beach, California, United States

Died: February 3

Lana Clarkson was a famous model and actor of the 1980s, who had appeared in quite a few sword-and-sorcery films, such as Barbarian Queen and Wizards of the Lost Kingdom II. Clarkson was also associated with AIDS charity. She was shot dead by record producer Phil Spector.

Leni Riefenstahl

(Film Director, Photographer and Actress Known for Her Seminal Role in Producing Nazi Propaganda)

Birthdate: August 22, 1902

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Berlin, Germany

Died: September 8

Leni Riefenstahl was a German film director and actress best remembered for her role in producing Nazi propaganda. She made her directorial debut in 1932, becoming one of the few women to direct a movie during the Weimar Period. Riefenstahl is credited with directing two of the most technically innovative propaganda films of all time, Olympia and Triumph des Willens.

Road Warrior Hawk

(American Professional Wrestler)

Birthdate: January 26, 1957

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States

Died: October 19

Height: 6'3" (190 cm)

Birthdate: December 22, 1948

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Joliet, Illinois, United States

Died: March 12

Althea Gibson

( The First African American to Win a Grand Slam Title )

Birthdate: August 25, 1927

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Clarendon County, South Carolina, United States

Died: September 28

Height: 5'11" (180 cm)

Mamie Till

(American Civil Rights Activist, Who Lost Her Son 'Emmett Till' to a Racist Attack)

Birthdate: November 23, 1921

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Webb, Mississippi, United States

Died: January 6

Following the violent lynching of 14-year-old Emmett Till by a group of white men, his mother Mamie Till-Mobley made a marked contribution to the fight against racism. She became a prominent civil rights activist and established the Emmett Till Players, a group that lectured on hope and unity.