December 9, 2003. Copyright, 2003, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Goodbye to some famous faces in 2003
By Mark Samms

LONDON, December 9, Graphic News:

1. Anna Lindh: Died September 11, aged 46
With her blonde hair and omnipresent smile, SwedenÕs distinctive and popular foreign minister did not appear to have any enemies -- yet she was assassinated while campaigning for a ÒyesÓ vote in her countryÕs Euro referendum.

2. Bob Hope: Died July 27, aged 100
AmericaÕs most celebrated all-round entertainer, who began his career down the bill beneath a troupe of trained seals and ended it as a showbiz institution. Comedian, actor, singer and golfer extraordinaire, Hope was feted by every post-war president for the work he undertook to entertain the forces.

3. Charles Bronson: Died August 30, aged 81
One of 15 children born into a Pennsylvania mining family, Bronson became the definitive screen tough guy. He hit the big-time in The Great Escape at the age of 39, and but was perhaps best-known for his role as the vengeful architect in the Death Wish saga.

4. Johnny Cash: Died September 12, aged 71
From a childhood on the poverty-stricken plains of Arkansas, Cash rose to become one of the most widely-recognised voices in country music. Behind the taciturn, man-in-black image was a respected song-writer and musician who notched up 48 hit singles and won 11 Grammys.

5. Maurice Gibb: Died January 12, aged 53
Gibb successfully overcame drugs and alcohol problems to remain in the forefront of popular music for almost 40 years. The Bee Gees -- Maurice, his twin Robin and elder brother Barry -- are among the top five best-selling recording artistes of all time.

6. Idi Amin: Died August 16, aged 78
The brutal dictator of Uganda instigated a reign of terror in which up to 400,000 of his countrymen are thought to have died. Ironically, Amin himself died peacefully in a hospital bed in Saudi Arabia, where he had been living in exile since 1979.

7. John Paul Getty: Died April 17, aged 70
Vast wealth bought U.S.-born billionaire philanthropist Getty everything but happiness. His life was marred by family feuds, the kidnap of his son and his own drug addiction. In later years he gave away more than £100m to charity and was awarded an honorary knighthood in Britain, his adopted country.

8. Nina Simone: Died April 21, aged 70
The high priestess of soul and an indefatigable battler on behalf of civil rights. Best-known as a jazz and blues singer, Simone was also an accomplished pianist, arranger and composer.

9. Hardy Amies: Died March 5, aged 93
Fashion designer and dressmaker to Queen Elizabeth II for more than 50 years, Amies was also a waspish and amusing raconteur. Active well into his eighties, he was also an outspoken critic of many modern British designers.

10. Gregory Peck: Died June 12, aged 87
Peck was a man of innate dignity and integrity -- qualities he took into many of his film roles. He won his only Oscar for his towering performance in To Kill a Mockingbird, but was widely honoured and admired for his charity work and pursuit of liberal ideals.

11. Katharine Hepburn: Died June 29, aged 96
The consummate film actress who won four Oscars for leading roles, more than any other performer. Her professional life spanned more than 70 years, during which time she also enjoyed a distinguished stage career. She never married, but had a celebrated 27-year love affair with Spencer Tracy, with whom she starred in nine films.

12. Barry White: Died July 4, aged 59
Dubbed the Walrus of Love because of his huge frame and deep, dark voice, White sold more than 100 million records -- despite being unable to read or write music. His unmistakeable, rich tones led one reviewer to opine: ÒIf chocolate fudge cake could sing, it would sound like Barry WhiteÓ.