Died March 2023

Bill Saluga (1937–2023), You-Can-Call-Me-Ray comedian 

Bill Saluga was a comedian known for his schtick that began “You can call me Ray….”

Theodor O. Diener (1921–2023), scientist who discovered viroids

Theodor O. Diener was a scientist who discovered the tiny infectious disease agents now known as viroids.

Raghavan Iyer (1961–2023), chef who brought Indian cooking to the U.S.

Raghavan Iyer was a chef who helped popularize cooking the cuisines of his native India in the U.S.

Sharon Acker (1935–2023), Point Blank, Perry Mason actress

Sharon Acker was an actress known for movies and TV shows including “Point Blank” and “The New Perry Mason.”  

John Brockington (1948–2023), Green Bay running back 

John Brockington was an All-Pro running back for the Green Bay Packers. In 1971, he broke the NFL rookie rushing record when he ran for 1,105 yards, and then became the first NFL player to rush for over 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons. He tallied 5,024 yards for the Packers in all, making him one of the team’s all-time running backs, and earning him a place in the Packers Hall of Fame. 

Ryuichi Sakamoto (1952–2023), Oscar-winning electronic music pioneer

Ryuichi Sakamoto was a Japanese composer and keyboardist who won an Academy Award for his score for “The Last Emperor.”

Virginia Norwood (1927-2023), physicist, “Mother of Landsat”

Virginia Norwood invented the multispectral scanner that allows us to take detailed images of Earth from orbit. An integral part of the Landsat 1 satellite, the technology paved the way for the satellite scanners providing imagery of Earth to this day. She is known as the “Mother of Landsat” thanks to her breakthrough.

“Sweet” Charles Sherrell (1943–2023), bassist for James Brown 

“Sweet” Charles Sherrell was a bassist in band in the late 1960s and early 1970s, playing on hits including “Say It Loud—I’m Black and I’m Proud.” 

Mark Russell (1932–2023), comedian and political satirist 

Joseph Marcus Ruslander , better known by his stage name, Mark Russell , built a career on piano-driven political comedy that provided sharp commentary on current events. His bow tie became part of his signature look, and his long series of PBS specials solidified him as one of the notable satirists of his day.

Brian “Brizz” Gillis (1975–2023), co-founded boy band LFO 

Brian “Brizz” Gillis was a founding member of the boy band LFO, who had a hit in 1999 with “Summer Girls.” 

Julie Anne Peters (1952–2023), groundbreaking YA author of Luna 

Julie Anne Peters was an author of young adult books including “Luna,” one of the first to feature a transgender character.

Leo D. Sullivan (1940–2023), Soul Train, Fat Albert animator 

Leo D. Sullivan was a pioneering Black animator whose credits included the intro to “Soul Train.”

Keith Reid (1946–2023), founding member of Procol Harum 

Best known for penning the lyrics to “A Whiter Shade of Pale,” Keith Reid was a founding member of the English rock band Procol Harum and its sole lyricist through 2003. Reid’s position was an unusual one: he did not play or perform with them on stage or in the studio. Rather, he was an observer duringrecording sessions and performances, writing all of Procol Harum’s song lyrics with the exception ofthe 2017 album, Novum. Reidalso wrote for other musicians, including John Farnham’s 1986 hit, “You’re the Voice.”

Fort Campbell helicopter crash (2023) 

Nine people were killed on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, when two U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopters crashed in southwestern Kentucky.

Randall Robinson (1941–2023), anti-apartheid activist 

Randall Robinson was a prominent anti-apartheid activist who founded the advocacy organization TransAfrica.

Tom Leadon (1952–2023), co-founded Mudcrutch with Tom Petty 

Tom Leadon was a guitarist who co-founded first band, Mudcrutch.

Connie Martinson (1932–2023), book-focused TV show host

Between the time she launched her interview show in 1979 to its end in 2015, Connie Martinson interviewed thousands of authors from all genres and all walks of life. The “Connie Martinson Talks Books” show began as a self-financed endeavor carried on public television and remained largely self-financed throughout its run. Over the years, she interviewed , , Al Gore, , , , Joyce Carol Oates, and close to 3,000 others, and in doing so helped spread her love for literature to millions.

Walter “Darcelle XV” Cole (1930–2023), world’s oldest drag performer

Walter Cole was a drag queen better known by his stage name, Darcelle XV , certified the world’s oldest working drag performer by Guinness World Records in 2016.

Gordon Moore (1929–2023), tech giant and creator of Moore’s Law

Gordon Moore’s legacy as co-founder of Intel alone made him a giant in the tech industry, helping launch one of the most successful and influential companies in the world. However, it may be the principle named after him, Moore’s Law, which will prove to be his true legacy. In layman’s terms, Moore’s Law posits that semiconductor technology will double in complexity each year (later revised to every two years). The idea held from 1975 at least into the 2010s.

Chabelo (1935–2023), longtime star of Mexican television

Born Xavier López Rodríguez but better known by his stage name, Chabelo was an actor, comedian, and TV show host beloved by generations of viewers. His best known work was “En Familia con Chabelo,” a family variety show that ran from 1967 to 2015. The show’s 48-year run made Chabelo a well-known personality to multiple generations of Latin American families and a mainstay of Sunday morning television.

Nashville School Shooting (2023)

Six people were killed in a shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee on Monday, March 27, 2023.

Marisol Malaret (1949–2023), first Puerto Rican Miss Universe

Marisol Malaret was the first Miss Universe from Puerto Rico and the first from the Caribbean islands, who held the crown in 1970.

Pennsylvania Candy Factory Explosion (2023)

Seven people died in an explosion at the R.M. Palmer Candy Co. in West Reading, Pennsylvania, on Friday, March 24, 2023. Several others were injured.

Mississippi Tornado (2023)

At least 21 people died in Mississippi in an unusually long-lasting tornado that touched down on Friday night, March 24, 2023. Another person died in Alabama storms that same night.

Rebecca Jones (1957–2023), Mexican telenovela star

Rebecca Jones was a Mexican actress known for starring in telenovelas.

Wayne Swinny (1963–2023), founding member of Saliva

Wayne Swinny was on tour with the Memphis hard rock band Saliva when he suffered a brain hemorrhage at the age of 59. Swinny was a founding member and the last remaining original member of the Grammy-nominated band, which has released 10 albums and has had 17 top 40 hits on the U.S. Mainstream Rock charts, including five songs that went top 10.

Ben Shelly (1947–2023), former Navajo Nation president

Former Navajo Nation president Ben Shelly built his reputation on advocating for ambitious infrastructure projects, policies focused on public health, and for means of boosting the Navajo people’s economic status. He was perhaps best known, however, for his unplanned yet passionate speeches on these topics, a trait which helped propel him into office. He was also a business owner with a focus on transportation.

Virginia Zeani (1925–2023), Transylvanian opera singer

Virginia Zeani was an operatic soprano known for roles including her signature, Violetta in “La Traviata.”

Bobbi Ercoline (1949–2023), pictured on famous Woodstock album

Bobbi Ercoline became a symbol of a generation when she and her then-boyfriend were pictured on the Woodstock soundtrack album cover, embracing while wrapped in a blanket.

Willis Reed (1942–2023), all-time Knicks great

Willis Reed was an all-time New York Knicks great who helped his team win two NBA championships in the 1970s.

Dot Wilkinson (1921–2023), softball and bowling hall of famer

Dot Wilkinson was a softball legend and bowler who was in the halls of fame for both of her sports.

Stuart Hodes (1924–2023), dancer in the Martha Graham Dance Company

Stuart Hodes was a dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company, who went on to dance on Broadway and television.

Jim Ferree (1931–2023), PGA Tour champion

Jim Ferree was a PGA Tour champion and the model for the first Senior PGA Tour logo.

Gloria Dea (1922–2023), magician who brought magic to Vegas

Names like David Copperfield and Penn & Teller dominate the billboards on the Las Vegas strip, but it all began with magician, actor, and dancer Gloria Dea . She was just 19 when she performed at El Rancho Vegas on May 14, 1941, the first known performance by a professional magician in the then growing resort city. She would go on to have a career as an actor before retiring from the performing arts. She was inducted into the UNLV College of Fine Arts Hall of Fame this week by Copperfield, a ceremony scheduled prior to her death.

Fito Olivares (1947–2023), Tejano musician known for Juana La Cubana

Born Rodolfo Olivares, musician Fito Olivares began playing the saxophone at 12 and by 16 was performing professionally. He soon began writing his own compositions, establishing himself as an artist who embraced new directions in Mexican cumbia music as adeptly as he adhered to the traditional. He is best known for his hit songs “Juana La Cubana” and “El Colesterol,” which are mainstays at weddings and quinceañeras.

Clarence “Fuzzy” Haskins (1941–2023), Parliament-Funkadelic cofounder

Clarence “Fuzzy” Haskins was a singer who cofounded the legendary funk collective Parliament-Funkadelic.

Lance Reddick (1962–2023), star of The Wire, John Wick

Lance Reddick was an actor known for prominent roles in many TV shows and movies including “The Wire,” “Fringe,” and the “John Wick” series.

Jim Gordon (1945–2023), Derek and the Dominos drummer

Jim Gordon was the drummer for Derek and the Dominos, who cowrote their song “Layla” and also played on many other hits of the 1960s and ‘70s.

Lynn Seymour (1939–2023), renowned ballerina

Lynn Seymour was an acclaimed ballerina with London’s Royal Ballet, hailed as one of the greatest of her time.

Bobby Caldwell (1951–2023), What You Won’t Do for Love singer

Bobby Caldwell was a singer and songwriter known for music including the 1978 R&B hit “What You Won’t Do for Love.”

John Jakes (1932–2023), North and South author

John Jakes was an author best known for historical fiction including the “North and South” trilogy and the Kent Family Chronicles.

Dick Fosbury (1947–2023), groundbreaking high jump star

Olympic gold medalist Dick Fosbury was an influential high jumper who changed the event forever, pioneering the technique now used by almost every competitive high jumper: the Fosbury Flop. He would be inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame as a result. His gold in 1968 proved to be his only appearance in the Olympics, but the maneuver he invented is now a mainstay.

Joe Pepitone (1940–2023), colorful Yankees All-Star

Joe Pepitone was a colorful three-time All-Star for the New York Yankees. He joined the team at the end of one of its most dominant periods, and became one of its most entertaining – and sometimes controversial – players of the day. He would go on to an equally colorful post-Yankees career, which included an infamous stint as a professional player in Japan and adult modeling.

Patricia Schroeder (1940–2023), U.S. Representative from Colorado

Patricia Schroeder was a longtime Democratic U.S. Representative from Colorado known for her work towards women’s rights.

Rolly Crump (1930–2023), Disneyland designer

Rolly Crump was a Disney animator who played a large part in the design of Disneyland, including the iconic It’s a Small World ride.

Bud Grant (1927–2023), longtime Minnesota Vikings head coach

Bud Grant was the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings from the 1960s through 1980s, leading them to four Super Bowl appearances.

Pat McCormick (1930–2023), Olympic gold medal-winning diver

Four-time Olympic gold-winning diver Pat McCormick was so dominant, she won two medals in the 1956 games just five months after giving birth to her son, Tim. She was among the most dominant competitors in her field, winning 26 titles in an 11-year span, including two undefeated seasons. When not competing, she pursued adventure where she could, including mountain climbing, traveling the Amazon, and piloting planes.

Otis Taylor (1942–2023), groundbreaking Chiefs wide receiver

Tall, powerful, and fast, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Otis Taylor helped evolve professional football by changing the way teams and fans saw the position. His strength and speed made him a formidable opponent, leading him to three Pro Bowls and being named AFC Player of the Year in 1971. Taylor’s 46-yard touchdown pass in Super Bowl IV still makes highlight reels to this day, leading the team to an upset victory over the 12-2 Minnesota Vikings.

Napoleon XIV (1938–2023), sang They’re Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!

Jerry Samuels was a singer and songwriter better known as Napoleon XIV, who had a novelty hit with “They’re Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!”