Famous people who died in March 2023

Ryuichi Sakamoto - March 28
Johan Leysen - March 30
Tom Sizemore – March 3
Paul O'Grady – March 28
Lance Reddick – March 17
María Kodama – March 26
Nick Lloyd Webber – March 25
Gordon Moore – March 24
Bobby Caldwell – March 14
Joe Pepitone – March 12
D i c k Fosbury – March 12
Costa Titch – March 11
Robert Blake – March 9
Chaim Topol – March 8
Gary Rossington – March 5
Steve Mackey – March 2
Homer George Gere – March 1
Just Fontaine – March 1
Ryuichi Sakamoto - March 28

The world-famous composer, known for his 70s and 80s electronic music collective, Yellow Magic Orchestra, and acclaimed film scores for 'The Last Emperor' (1987) and 'The Revenant' (2015), among others, died at the age of 71 after a long battle with cancer.

Johan Leysen - March 30

The Belgian veteran actor, internationally known for productions such as 'The American' (2010) alongside George Clooney, died unexpectedly at the age of 73 from heart disease.

Tom Sizemore – March 3

American actor Tom Sizemore, known from films like 'Saving Private Ryan (1998) and 'Black Hawk Down' (2001), collapsed at his home in Los Angeles as a result of a brain aneurysm. He stayed in an LA hospital for about a week until it became clear that nothing could be done for him. The actor died at the age of 61.

Paul O'Grady – March 28

The British comedian and former drag queen Lily Savage died 'unexpectedly but peacefully' at the age of 67, his partner Andre Portasio told The Guardian. O'Grady was a beloved TV host and his performance as Lily Savage was groundbreaking for the LBTQ+ community in the 1980s.

Lance Reddick – March 17

The American actor Lance Reddick, known for his work in hit series such as 'The Wire', 'Fringe,' and 'Lost' died at the age of 60. The causes of death are unknown, although media such as TMZ indicated that they were natural causes.

María Kodama – March 26

María Kodama, the Argentine writer, translator, and professor of literature who was the widow and executor of the writer Jorge Luis Borges, died at the age of 86 in Buenos Aires. She had breast cancer.

Nick Lloyd Webber – March 25

Stomach cancer took the life of Nick Lloyd Webber, the son of British composer and director Andrew Lloyd Webber. His famous father broke the news on Twitter: "I am shattered to have to announce that my beloved elder son Nick died a few hours ago in Basingstoke Hospital. His whole family is gathered together and we are all totally bereft."

Gordon Moore – March 24

At the age of 94, the American philanthropist, chemist, physicist, and engineer Gordon Moore, co-founder of the Intel company and author of Moore's Law, passed away.

Bobby Caldwell – March 14

The singer and songwriter of successful R&B, soul, jazz, and adult contemporary songs, died at the age of 71. Known for the hit 'What You Won't Do for Love,' he passed away in his home in Great Meadows, New Jersey, according to Associated Press.

Joe Pepitone – March 12

The three times winner of Golden Gloves, baseball player Joe Pepitone died at the age of 81. His son Bill confirmed the news to the New York Times. While the cause of death remained unknown, reporters suspect it was some sudden cause such as a heart attack.

D i c k Fosbury – March 12

The American athlete D i c k Fosbury, champion in the high jump at the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games, died at the age of 76 as a result of lymphoma. He became famous for creating a new technique for sliding backward over the bar. It became known as the Fosbury Style.

Costa Titch – March 11

South African rapper Constantinos Tsobanoglou, better known as Costa Titch died after collapsing on stage while performing at the Ultra Music Festival in Johannesburg. He eventually died in the local hospital.

Robert Blake – March 9

The American actor Robert Blake, who had been suffering from coronary problems for years, died in Los Angeles at the age of 89. In 2002 he was accused of having murdered his wife, although he was finally acquitted in 2005 for lack of evidence.

Chaim Topol – March 8

The life of the Israeli singer and actor Chaim Topol, much loved in his country, went out at the age of 87 after a time of fighting Alzheimer's disease. One of his most remembered works will be 'Fiddler on the Roof' (1971), for which he won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar. A year later, in 1972, he won the Silver Shell for Best Actor in the film 'Follow Me!'

Gary Rossington – March 5

The American guitarist Gary Rossington, the only remaining founding member of the band Lynyrd Skynyrd, died at the age of 71 after fighting various ailments for years. He was the only one to remain alive after surviving the plane crash that killed his other three companions in 1977.

Steve Mackey – March 2

Steve Mackey, the bassist for the English band Pulp, passed away at the age of 56. The exact causes of death are unknown, but his wife, the stylist and journalist Katie Grand, revealed on social media that he had been in a hospital for 3 months. Precisely because of these health problems, he had already announced that he was not going to participate in the band's reunion tour.

Homer George Gere – March 1

Actor Richard Gere's father, Homer George Gere, died at the age of 100. A community activist in North Syracuse, he worked as an insurance agent and, during his life, was very involved with Meals On Wheels, a non-profit organization that his famous son, Richard Gere, promoted on several occasions.

Pictured, Richard Gere (l) with his father, Homer George Gere (r).

Just Fontaine – March 1

French footballer Just Fontaine, born in Marrakesh, Morocco, in 1933, died in the French city of Toulouse at the age of 89. He holds the record for being the football player with the most goals in one World Cup. It was the tournament held in Sweden in 1958 and Fontaine scored 13 goals - at least one in every game.